Anchor Steam Beer

This is my favourite American beer of all time, Anchor Steam Beer from San Francisco’s Anchor Brewing. Thoug I get mine from Tesco or Sainsbury!

Anchor Steam Beer

If you thought American beer was just like Budweiser then you need to try Anchor Steam Beer.

San Francisco’s famous Anchor Steam®, the classic of American brewing tradition since 1896, is virtually handmade, with an exceptional respect for the ancient art of brewing. The deep amber color, thick creamy head, and rich flavor all testify to our traditional brewing methods. Anchor Steam is unique, for our brewing process has evolved over many decades and is like no other in the world.

So why is it called Anchor Steam? Good question.

Anchor Steam derives its unusual name from the 19th century when “steam” seems to have been a nickname for beer brewed on the West Coast of America under primitive conditions and without ice. The brewing methods of those days are a mystery and, although there are many theories, no one can say with certainty why the word “steam” came to be associated with beer. For many decades Anchor alone has used this quaint name for its unique beer. In modern times, “Steam” has become a trademark of Anchor Brewing.

It has to be one of my favourite beers of all time as well. A rich flavour and a wonderful taste.

Pancakes

Made some nice pancakes for breakfast.

I make a  batter of plain flour, eggs and milk with a spoonful of caster sugar. This I then pour (you can now see the consistency you should aim for) onto a hot pan.

Pancakes

Once cooked service with a dizzle of maple syrup.

Pancakes

Nice.

Grilled chicken on green lentils

 Grilled chicken on green lentils

For the grilled chicken, take a chicken breast, I used a free range corn fed chicken breast which I flattened with my hand (though you could take a rolling pin to it). I seasoned the chicken with seasoning and olive oil before placing under a hot grill for 15-20 minutes.

For the lentils eat a frying pan and add some chopped pancetta. There is no need to add any extra oil as there is usually sufficient fat in the pancetta.

Pancetta

Finely chop an onion. Add the onion to the frying pan with the pancetta.

I softened in a frying pan, the finely chopped onion with the pancetta. When the onion was nicely soft I then added some red wine and beef stock before simmering it down.

I use beef stock over chicken stock just because of the colour rather than flavour. I then reduced and reduced this.

Then add some sliced mushrooms.

I then added the green lentils, I used a tin, for convenience and speed. Once the lentils had heated through I then plated up.

On go the lentils and then slice the grilled chicken and place on top.

Serve with steamed vegetables.

Lamb Chops

Despite having a bone I have been enjoying eating lamb chops recently. Over the last few months I have usually been eating lamb steaks, but moved over to chops and am enjoying the difference.

Main issue I had with the steaks was they seemed to dry out and become tough and tasteless. The chops on the other hand remained moist and tender.

Of course the problem with lamb chops, makes it difficult to make a sandwich with them!

Leaving tips

Though regardless of whether I pay by card or cash, and I have had good service, then I will leave whoever served me a cash tip.

However stories like this in the Observer really annoy me.

Fresh evidence that one of the country’s biggest restaurant chains is using scare tactics to deter waiters from asking for tips in cash has been uncovered by the Observer

Employees of Tragus – which owns Café Rouge, Bella Italia and Strada – have come under pressure to ensure service charges are paid by card, and at least one waitress has told the Observer that they are being threatened with dismissal if they do not generate enough card tips. Some have been told that undercover staff posing as diners will check that gratuities are not being pocketed. Cash tips go directly to staff, but those paid by card go to the company.

Waiting staff are underpaid, overworked and easily replaced. However they are the key to a good restaurant.

No one ever goes to a restaurant to just eat food, you go for the whole dining experience, and that experience includes good customer service.

It doesn’t matter if the food is excellent, if the service is awful, you won’t go again and importantly you will tell others how awful it was too.

Ginger Beer

Had a ginger beer today, first time in ages.

Ginger Beer

Not really a proper ginger beer (well it came in a can from marks and spencer) but it was not bad.

Two years old

Today marks the second anniversay of Time to eat. With over three hundred posts and nearly 21,000 visits I hope everyone has found something interesting to read and as a result cooked a new dish, or cooked an old recipe better.

Tesco Barbeque Moroccan Style Lamb Chops

Tesco describe their Tesco Barbeque Moroccan Style Lamb Chops as

Delicious lamb shoulder chops, with a Moroccan style marinade, ideal for a family BBQ

Well were they?

They are easy to cook, from frozen in the over for about twenty five minutes.

Tesco Barbeque Moroccan Style Lamb Chops

Well let’s just say they are only £2 per pack. The lamb shoulder chops are not the best cut of chops available and the marinade was okay.

Let’s just say for £2 they were value for money, but if you are looking for high quality lamb, look somewhere else and making your own  Moroccan marinade.