Nigella's Dragon Chicken and Snowpeas with Scallops

 The meal

Braz' new food processor - whizzing up the Dragon Chicken marinade - garlic, ginger, red capsicum, chillies and spices

Pan-seared scallops bebe!

The scallops added to the homegrown snow peas

Presentation is key

Crunchy snowpeas and succulent scallops

Hot and spicy, just like Nigella!

It looks burnt but it was just right and crispy

Line up please

Complimentary chicken chow mein

The verdict

Taste: Braz usually burns chicken but these wings were just right. However the Dragon Wings were not as flaming as we expected, more chilli please Braz! The scallops and snowpeas were perfect, but Braz lied to us - they are not homegrown! Overall 8/10

Presentation: Beeeeautiful colouring and texture, the Dragon Wings looked even better with a bit of coriander sprinkled on top. Overall 8.5/10

X- Factor: The scallops and Dragon Wings were two great side dishes, but what happened to the main dish? The noodles were boring Braz. Get it together and make a complete meal! Overall 7/10

Graduates from the 3 Wise Men Cooking School

2010 graduates L-R: Masterchef Braz, Masterchef CC, Masterchef Chicken

After years of intensive training, Masterchefs Braz, CC and Chicken graduated from the 3 Wise Men Cooking School. Masterchef Braz thinks he is more successful than the others though, because he has his own blog! 

Char's Vanilla Satins

Lately Braz has passed his cooking obsessions onto me, along with his obsessions with his new camera. So I have decided to learn how to cook and bake like a REAL woman! Have not attempted to do Jamie or Nigella yet...but started off nice and simple by baking Vanilla Satins from my Kids Can Cook! book. Haha.

Had a bit of trouble with the icing - it was a bit too thin and the top biscuits kept sliding off! But apart from that, I would class the Vanilla Satins as a success. 

What do you think of the food photography? Before you complain that it is dark and hazy (Andrew), I put a vintage effect on it. Bonus points if you can spot Shaz.

Jamie Oliver's Incredible Roasted Shoulder Of Lamb

To all the regular readers out there (all 4 of you), Braz would like to apologise for the misleading blog title "BRAZ CAN COOK", because there have not been a lot of posts lately of Braz actually cooking. A few weeks ago, Annabel Langbein's Garlic Butter Sirloin was well on the way to making an appearance on the blog until BRAZ POURED BUTTER DOWN THE GRILLS OF THE BARBECUE AND SET IT ON FIRE. Two fire extinguishers later, Hayden put it out because Braz didn't know how to work a fire extinguisher. In all the drama I forgot to take anymore foodie photos. Shaz was thoroughly pissed, despite Braz pleading "It was a mistaaaake. Relaaax I didn't mean to." And we ate the rest of the dinner in silence. 

Braz spent the rest of the following day scrubbing the ashes off the barbecue and now claims it is in working order, despite the knobs not being able to turn.

But back to some home cooking! Braz discovered that the internet is FULL of recipes, EVEN Jamie Oliver ones...

The meal

Annabel Langbein's rocket, beetroot, feta and almond salad

The verdict

Taste: Shaz thought the lamb was overcooked but it was "alright". The kids all hate rocket so Annabel Langbein's salad was not a winner. I liked the mint gravy. Overall 6/10

Appearance: The lamb looked VERY good straight from the oven, but the potatoes could have been a bit more exciting. The salad added a bit of colour. Overall 6.5/10

X-Factor: Not much X-factor as roast lamb and potatoes is a pretty standard Sunday night meal. Not really pushing the boundaries Braz! Overall 5/10

Toast Martinborough- 21 November 2010

The buzz of Ata Rangi

Pinot Noir 2009 was the best!

Ruth Pretty's West Coast whitebait fritter with asparagus and Hollandaise sauce

Prawn martini and Kim Chi dressing

The drinking vessel!

Pinot marinated strawberries topped with vanilla mascarpone and shaved macadamia nuts

Fresh Pacific oysters. YUM!

Mark with his oysters

Mark's second helping

The young crowd at Alana Estate

Spot Shazza

The remains of good food and drink at Alana Estate

Martinborough Vineyeard

If you drink don't drive...just bike!

Tempura prawns with zesty pepper at Te Kairanga

Entertainment at Vynfields by The Shenanigans

Through the trees at Alana Estate

It doesn't get better than this!

Annual Potluck Xmas Dinner at Le Canard

Amuse bouche

Creamy crayfish consomme, seared prawns and scampi, shellfish 'a la mariniere' and garlic royale

Seared scallops with homemade black pudding, asparagus and chestnut dressing

Snails 3 ways

Terrine of foie gras and fig on homemade gingerbread, air-dried duck breast stuffed with foie gras

Seasonal fresh oysters shucked to order

Grilled duck breast with spiced orange sauce and kumara mash

Line-caught seared fish of the day with 'beurre blanc', herbs coulis and lemon foam, seasonal vegetables

Lamb fillet with red capsicum coulis, couscous and ratatouille

Beef fillet roti, forest mushroom and veal sweetbread crepine with truffled veal jus

Assortiment de desserts

Choux pastries, vanilla ice cream, hot chocolate sauce

Potluck group 2010