Friends and family have been asking about the house renovation and plans for a housewarming party. After thinking about it, I felt that cooking for a big crowd will be quite chaotic and overwhelming so piglet and I opted to do it in small groups.
It turned out well as we catered to their food requirement and planned activities post dinner party according to their interest.
This first invitation was for a group of 7 and one of them is on a strict keto diet. His is soo different from my plant based diet.
What do I have on my menu?
- Cauliflower and leek soup
- Roast Chicken
- Roast Vege & Broccoli
- Salad & Avocado Lemon Dressing
- Roast Potatoes
- Fruits
The non-keto ingredients were carrots (roast vege) and potatoes.
Fruits served were honeydew melon and guava… Avocado for the keto-guest.
Cauliflower & Leek Soup
Ingredients: Onion, garlic, Cauliflower, Leek, Chicken Stock, Salt
Method:
1.Boil chicken carcass with water for a few hours to make chicken stock and set aside
2. Saute onion and garlic
3. Add cauliflower and leek then add chicken stock
4. Boil for half an hour then cool
5. Blend until smooth, add salt to taste and heat up before serving
Roast Chicken & Roast Vege
Ingredients: Chicken, dried rosemary, bay leaf, lemon, butter, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, onion, carrot
Roasting duration:
1.5kg Chicken takes 1 hr 20 mins, 180 °C, fan setting
Onion & Carrots takes 20-30 minutes, 180 °C, fan setting
Method:
1.Add butter, salt, dried rosemary, lemon, on the chicken and inside the chicken.
2. Add bay leaf in the chicken and truss chicken
3. Roast breast side up
4. After 50 minutes, add in onion and carrots and mix it into the base of the pan with the roasting juices and oil. Turn chicken breast side down.
5.Roast it for another 20 minutes and turn the chicken breast side up.
6. Check with meat thermometer after 1 hour 20 minutes. Thigh part should reach 75°C.
7. Rest it at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
Roast Potatoes
Ingredients: Potatoes, Salt, Water
Method:
1.Wash potatoes and cut into pieces
2. Add water, potatoes, salt into pot
3. Boil potatoes until fork pierce through it easily
4. Rinse it and stain
5. Shake it in a covered container until a mashed layer forms around it (crispy edge when roasted)
6. Coat it with a layer of oil
7. Roast it 180 °C , fan & grill setting for 30-45 minutes or until slightly browned
Avocado Lemon Dressing
It would describe it as a basic diluted version of a guacamole
Ingredients: Avocado, lemon, salt, extra virgin olive oil, water
Method:
Blend 1 avocado, half a lemon, salt to taste, EVOO to taste, water as per consistency desired
How long did I take in the kitchen?
Let’s see… It was 4 hours. In order to get the timing right and to serve the food on time. I organized it on 2 sheets of paper….
I even managed to mop the floor before serving the food.
Overall…
It went well. Food was okay and the guest helped to wash their dishes. Minimal cleaning after and the kitchen remained tidy.
Just need to remind them to use the dry kitchen sink to wash the dishes instead of the wet kitchen sink.