AN EVENING WITH LADY CLAIRE MCDONALD
There were lots of treats at the Fullerton Theatre on Thursday 30th October 2015. Lady Claire McDonald paid a return visit to the town, to showcase her latest collection of recipes and share her cooking tips. Her strong opinions about the importance of natural, wholesome food and using local independent shops were presented with humour and style – all of which we have come to expect from this internationally renowned personality.
She started with an Italian puff pastry, parma ham and mozzarella slice, entertaining the audience with her views on the relative merits of M&S and Jusrol pre-packed pastry then moved on to a ribeye steak with blue cheese butter, highlighting just how fortunate people in Castle Douglas are to have such wonderful butchers and good quality meat readily available.
Next was a Game Terrine, a handy recipe to use up all those leftover bits of game that you have languishing in your freezer like a hare leg, a pheasant breast and the odd grouse; and then Pheasant Breasts with onion, curry, brandy and cream – a recipe from her new book all about game.
The finale was presented as an alternative to Christmas pudding – a roasted hazelnut, ginger and dark chocolate terrine. Calorie free it was not, but as Lady Claire pointed out several times throughout the evening, ‘everything in moderation is fine’!
After a ‘lucky seat’ draw where the winners got one of Lady Claire’s extensive selection of cook books; the vote of thanks and presentation of a beautiful basket of flowers by Michelle Robertson of the Castle Douglas Food Town, attendees had the opportunity to buy some of the nifty gadgets that were used during the demo and cookery books. Lady Claire was also most generous with her time, signing books and talking to a number of fans about a whole range of issues – some food related but not all!
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