Question Mark: Cook and entertain like a pro with great advice from our development chef
Have you ever wondered how to make a souffle that doesn’t collapse, create some really crunchy roasties or make a Yorkshire pudding that actually rises?
Our new ‘Question Mark’ section on the Green Room gives you – our Asda colleagues – the opportunity to ask the questions that’ll help you cook and entertain like a true professional – with top tips and advice from our resident development chef Mark Richmond.
Mark has been a professional chef for 18 years, working in senior positions within Michelin Star restaurants. He decided to try his hand as a development chef in food manufacturing in 2004 – and later joined Asda in a category specific role in meal solutions and worked on many of our fantastic Extra Special ranges and the Fresh Tastes ranges.
He is now a member of the Innovations team, working to develop our Extra Special ranges and grocery and meal solutions, and supports the annual year beginning meeting and CQC events with superb menus and great tasting food.
To help kick things off we’ve asked Mark a few questions to help make your Christmas dinner this year a special one:
What would be an easy and impressive starter that is not salmon?
Mark says: Try making a classic prawn cocktail but swapping the prawns for chopped cooked lobster meat and add a splash of vodka to the cocktail sauce. Top Tip: Serve in a tall Martini glass for a stunning presentation
How do I cook my turkey so that I can make gravy from the juices?
Mark says:To make gravy for four people: Half-way through your turkey cooking time add one sliced leek, one sliced onion, two large carrots (sliced), two cloves of garlic, one bouquet garni, a good pinch of pepper and two pints of water to the roasting tray. Top tip: I often add half a glass of red wine as this helps enhance the flavour.
When the turkey is cooked remove the turkey from the roasting tray. Sieve all the juices and stock into a clean saucepan. Bring the stock back to the boil and cook for about five minutes you should end up with one and a half pints of stock.
Thicken the stock slightly with some chicken gravy granules to the correct consistency. Simmer the gravy for about five minutes to the desired consistency.
What would be a nice non alcoholic drink I can serve to my children and family?
Mark says: Bucks Fizz is great. Squeeze some fresh orange juice or for a seasonal twist use clementine juice. Mix into Asda’s non-alcoholic fizzy Muscat wine. Top Tip: Let the kids jazz it up with cocktail umbrellas, colourful straws or even edible glitter dusted on the top – they will love it!
We know our Asda colleagues are passionate about food and we’d love to hear from you! Fill in the form below to share your foodie questions with Mark – and check back in a couple of weeks to see his top tips for your culinary dilemma.
