Monday 14 September 2015

Dan Doherty cooking up a storm

Dan Doherty
For a foodie the chance to watch a top chef whipping up a storm in the kitchen and having them cook for you is like gold dust. It doesn't really happen very often and when it does it is something to get really excited about.

So when an invitation popped in my inbox inviting me to see Leisure range cookers in action and executive chef Dan Doherty from Duck and Waffle cooking a three course meal I was already there. Well I was dreaming and salivating about the food.

Duck and Waffle
The event was set in a beautiful Victorian loft kitchen with exposed roof trusses and pine floors in Shoreditch. Can we all just marvel at how beautiful this kitchen is. 
First Option Studio
The new Cookmaster range cooker took centre stage in the beautiful kitchen.
Cookmaster range cooker
Can you imagine cooking Christmas lunch on this beauty, with so much space there would be no need to sacrifice the roast potatoes over the roast. 

I'm adding it to the Santa wish list, I have been a good girl this year (does that count!).

On the menu Dan shared recipes for:  
  • Breakfast - Cheddar Brioche Rolls with Chipotle Baked Beans. 
Breakfast recipes
  • Brunch -  Salt beef & sweet potato hash, corn, avocado, hot sauce & fried eggs.
Brunch recipes
  • Dinner - Pomegranate molasses & Harissa glazed chicken, spiced roasted root vegetables, chick pea 'bread' sauce.
Chicken Recipe
Preheat the main fan oven cooker to 160 degrees.

For the chicken, mix the harissa & molasses together with the thyme. Rub all over the chicken, getting into all the nooks and crannies.
Chicken recipe
Place into a roasting dish, season with salt and pepper and roast for an hour and a half, or until cooked. It will get a little dark but that’s ok, if its getting too dark just lower the temperature a bit. 
chicken recipe
In the meantime, bring a pot of water to the boil, season with salt then blanch the carrots, swede and parsnips for a minute.

Strain and put straight into another roasting dish. Add the red onions, garlic and rosemary, drizzle with olive oil, then add the spices and seasonings.
Chicken Recipe
Mix all together with your hands and put in the fan oven with the chicken for 35-40 minutes, or until cooked and golden brown.

To make the bread sauce, blend all the ingredients together in a food blender (100g cooked chickpeas,1 Lemon, zest only, pinch of chopped parsley, 1 clove garlic, crushed, sea salt and black Pepper) and transfer to a small saucepan.

When the chicken is rested and carved, heat the sauce and serve alongside the meat and vegetables.
Chicken Recipe
Watching Dan Doherty in action was a brilliant experience, first of all his love of food, cooking and using the best ingredients shines through. There is no pretension, it is all about the food and people enjoying the food he has made, there's no arrogance.

Dan's attitude is no one can't cook, there is no molecular science and no miraculous cheats. His view to cooking is nothing is ever ruined there is always a way back.


Duck and Waffle has been on the FoodieForce bucket list for a while. Despite being open 24-hours a day trying to get a table is quite the challenge but having seen Dan in action I am making it my mission to visit. 

If you could have a chef cook for you who would it be and what would they cook?

www.duckandwaffle.com
www.leisurecooker.co.uk

*I was a guest of Leisure cookers at the above event but as always my opinion and views are very much my own. 

 photo foodieforce_32.jpg

14 comments:

  1. Oh wow, Lucy! This looks like such an amazing experience. I can't imagine how happy you must have been!

    Corinne x
    www.skinnedcartree.com

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    1. Watching a passionate foodie cooking is great and Dan was lovely Lucy x

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  2. I'm drooling just reading the menu! And I'm also slightly in love with that kitchen, I really like all the brickwork xx

    Toasty

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    1. The kitchen was beautiful and the food divine Lucy x

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  3. This looks amazing! Oooh, mine would be Jamie Oliver and he'd have to cook me something Italian! X
    Marie x
    www.titchytombie.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Good choice Jamie Oliver would be great and Italian food would definitely get my vote Lucy x

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  4. Wow wow wow! My mouth is watering! This looks so delicious! I really want to visit Duck and Waffle soon.

    Ash | Liakada

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    1. Based on Dans cooking you won't be disappointed. The food was lovely Lucy x

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  5. Everything looks so good! I'd eat it all and that's rare for me because I can be fussy sometimes haha. What a great event, Dan sounds fab - I can't stand pretentious cooks, food should be enjoyed. I don't know what chef I'd have cook for me, does my nan count though? She does the best roast dinners! Especially when I'm visiting her in Ireland, the food is all local and fresh x

    Josie’s Journal

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    1. It was all yummy the chicken especially. If I can come and taste your mans cooking it can count. I love my roasts Lucy x

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  6. Oh wow, what an amazing experience! And that cooker is out of this world! Glad you enjoyed your visit :)! I'm still attempting to make it to Duck & Waffle too...race ya! hehe :)

    Style Sunrise☀

    :)
    x

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    1. It will be a race based on how good his cooking was I will even opt for a table at 2 in the morning Lucy x

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  7. I am off today and keeping myself busy with blogging and cooking, it is so fun! My favourite chef is my mother in law :) She is just so good at cooking and whatever she cooks is very delicious :) Wishing you a nice week! Liuba x

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    1. Blogging and cooking two of my favourite things. Useful to have a family member who can cook. Have a lovely week Lucy x

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