Chef James' Easter Pear and Avocado Salad

Chef James

Since pears and avocados are in season right now. How about a salad recipe using both?

Ingredients

• 2 big pears or 3 small pears diced
• 2 large ripe avocados diced gently
• Diced tomatoes
• Diced onions
• 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• Salt and Paper to taste

Process

• Gently put the diced avocados in a large bowl. Add the 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
• Add the diced pears, tomatoes,and onions
• Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste
• Add the honey
• Mix ingredients well in a gentle fashion
• Once done cover with cling film and place in the refrigerator to chill
• The vinegar / lemon juice will ensure the salad retains its colour and freshness.

Tip

• Feel free to experiment with other ingredients such as oranges and red /yellow peppers for more colour.

What other recipes incorporate both ingredients?

5 Tips for Choosing a Hotel Room

1. The View

A great view allows you to experince the character and vibe of the city you are visiting in a way most people including the local population do not get to. If your hotel is not a high raise building like Nairobi Safari Club, you can request the Front Desk Reception to allocate you a room facing their gardens or pool.   

2. Room Service

Even though twenty four hour room service is the norm rather than the exception, not all all hotels adhere to this policy. It is advisable in call ahead to inquire the hours of operation, and whether there is an additional cover charge for the provision of this service.

 

3.Lighting

This is largely depended on the purpose of your travel. Soft lighting is acceptable for vacations while bright lighting is best suited for people who intend to work for long hours in their respective rooms.

 

4. Space

The space of the hotel room can be accurately gauged by the number of stars the hotel has. Ideally the more the stars the bigger the rooms. The advantage of booking larger rooms is that there is usually space to set up an extra bed. This comes in handy if you are travelling with children below the age of 12.

5. Non- Complimentary Items

Image Flickr: Iaj2001

Just because a room comes with complimentary bathroom and /or tea making facilities, it does not mean that other amenities available are complimentary as well. The mini fridge/bar for instance is usually stocked with drinks (alcoholic and non alcoholic) as well as assorted snacks that are not complimentary. The same goes for some television channels available.

Whether you are a first time or seasoned traveller, never hesitate to ask the Front Desk Reception, or Guest Relations Desk for any assistance or clarification. Remember their job is to ensure that you have a pleasant memorable stay.

The Art of Table Napkin Folding: A Bishop's Hat Technique Tutorial

Napkin folding is an art form that lends sophistication and elegance to formal lunch or dinner parties. The designs can serve as great conversation starters for your guests who are no doubt bound to be impressed. An example of one such design is the Bishop's Hat. Joyce our Safari Restaurant Hostess will take us through the steps involved.

1.Spread the napkin on a smooth surface, wrong side up.

2. Fold the napkin into half away from you

3.Take one corner and fold it towards you, forming a triangle

4. Take the other corner and fold into a triangle away from you

5.Carefully flip the napkin to the other side, and fold it into two

6.The fold should release the corners creating two overlapping triangles.

 7.Lift and flip the napkin to the other side, take your left side and tuck it into the right triangle

 

 

8.Flip the napkin to the other side and repeat the process. This is how it should appear 

9.Balance the napkin upright by widening the base, and you have your Bishop's Hat.

 

 Thanks Joyce!

Tip: One can substitute the cloth napkins with paper and turn it into a fun project for the kids.

Here is a link to more napkin folding techniques.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/28-creative-napkin-folding-techniques-for-every-oc

Chocolate Covered Raisins Day

 

 Did you know that March 24th is chocolate covered raisins day? There must be a special place reserved in heaven for whoever came up with day. In keeping with the celebrations, here is a simple recipe you can try out at home.

Image Flickr: Ian

 Ingredients

 Cooking chocolate 

( white or brown)

1 tablespoon of honey 

wax /tracing paper

Process

Pour the raisins into the bowl and set aside

Break the cooking chocolate into a small saucepan, and melt over hot water simmering on medium heat . Once the chocolate has melted, pour it into the bowl with raisins

Add the honey

Mix gently until all the raisins are coated with the chocolate

Spread the chocolate covered raisins on the wax / tracing paper

Set to cool in the refrigerator on a tray for a minimum of one hour

And you are done.

Image Flickr: Oliver Rue

Let us know how it went

Happy chocolate covered raisins day!

A guide to meat cuts

Francis Koitee Nairobi Safari Club Head Butcher

If you have had a non vegetarian meal at the Safari Restaurant or any other restaurant in the city, chances are that you may have been tempted to duplicate it at home. 


Our head butcher Francis Koitee  will take you through the first step, which is identifying the basic meat cuts.

Red Meats

 

 Beef Burger

 This is made from minced beef. Select the side of beef you prefer, and ask the butcher to mince it for you.

Beef Medallion

Also known as filet ( meaning thick slice) mignon (meaning dainty). It is cut  in a circular fashion, from the small end of the beef tenderloin section.

 

Lamb Chops

The are cut perpendicularly to the spine of the lamb, with a bone protruding at the end.

 

 

 

 

White Meats

 

 

Pork Chops

Like the lamb chops,they are also cut perpendicularly to the spine of the pig, and have a protruding bone at the end.

Boneless Chicken

This is chicken breast that has been deboned.

Chicken fillets / nuggets

Derived from boneless chicken breast. The fillets can be made by either the butcher, or at home.

Whole Tilapia

This is the average size of one  deboned tilapia, suitable for one.

Fish Fillets

This is made from deboned tilapia. Sizes may vary depending on the size of the fish. 

What table set up suits what?

There are four basic types of set ups Nairobi Safari Club uses for conferences/functions. Here is a guideline.

1. U shape style set up 

This is a set up most suited to functions that involve presentations that require audio visual equipment such as screens and projectors. It allows for both the presenter and participants to interact easily. 

2. Round table style set up 

Round table set ups are more suited to social occasions such as wedding receptions and special luncheon or dinner functions.  One table can accommodate a maximum of eight people comfortably. The meals can be served either in buffet or set menu style.

      3. Classroom style set up

This style is best for trainings that require quite a bit note taking. It is quite formal and appropriate if the conference has long sessions. Unfortunately it limits participant interaction.

4. Theater style set up 

It maximizes on the seating capacity of a room where a large number of people are expected. The sessions should be brief to avoid the participants getting restless. One instance where this set up can be used is in a press briefing.

Glasses and wall units

At one point everyone will have to deal with stocking a wall unit with glasses. Here is a  guide line of the most basic types of glasses you should have.

Juice glass

This glass can be used to serve a wide variety of beverages such as water, milk or smoothies. Its size and shape tends to vary depending on what is being served at the time.  Since it is an item for everyday use, always purchase a set with a thicker millimeter measurement.

Wine glasses

Wine glasses available in the market are just as numerous as the types of wines available. Below is a great infographic that simplifies it.

http://winefolly.com/tutorial/types-of-wine-glasses/

Whiskey glass

Just like wine, there are different glasses for different whiskeys. Here is a link that breaks it down.

http://whiskeyglass.net/

Martini glass

If you love entertaining or showing off your new cocktail recipes, these glasses will help you do just that. The best part is that they instantly and add a touch of glamour to any gathering. Here are a few tips on how to rim the glass.

http://mixthatdrink.com/how-to-rim-a-glass/

Beer mug

Last but not least is the most popular glass of all. It has a long shelf life. Like the wines and beers there are different glasses for different types of beers as well.
http://craftbeeracademy.com/beer-glass-types/









What other glasses do you think we can add to this collection?

A Waiter Stands

A waiter stands. That is the first thing Francis tells me when I ask if we can take a seat for this particular interview. So I proceed with the interview standing.

     

1. How long have you been a waiter?

Close to two years now

       2.What do you like about your job?

I get to meet different types of people, learn something new everyday and of course it is my source of income

      3. Who is the most notable personality you have heard the pleasure of serving?

Oliver Mtukutzi

 4. What advice would you give to those who want to join the service industry?

One has to be jovial, humble, hardworking and love it. A guest will always be able to tell whether you are willing to serve them or not. Great service with a smile goes a long way   

       5. What is the common misconception people have waiters?

That it is a dead end job for uneducated people.  What people fail to realize is that it is a great starting point within in the hospitality industry. It is not unusual to hear of hotel general managers who began their career as waiters.

6. If you were to have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be?

     Julie Gichuru (media personality) – She cares a great deal about the country.

John Chege (former general manager of the Nairobi Safari Club) – He began his career as a kitchen steward

James Mwangi (Equity Bank CEO) – He can teach one a thing or two about success

Pope Francis - I like that he cares a great deal about the plight of the poor.

I leave the interview with a greater appreciation for a job that requires one to be on their feet all day. 

Thank you Francis

Travel Tips

Author Ciiku on her blog .http://beingmrsbabes.wordpress.com , offers practical tips on how to go about planing for your dream vacation.

Travelling.
"That is my life. If I could do it more often than we do, it would be awesome but I am pretty happy we do it as we do. And I am glad that I have the funnest travel companion because he makes it so much better. Even better is being married who enjoys travelling as much as I do.
So how do we do it?
Well, it is a combination of factors but one thing that is important is: we decided early on ONE BIG TRIP a year. The Honeymoon to Bangkok in 2011, Capetown/Jo’burg in 2012 and Dubai last year. Then we mix in the local (cheaper) travels throughout the year."

Read the rest of the article here: 
http://beingmrsbabes.wordpress.com/2014/01/09/travelling/#comment-3741

Our Valentine’s Day Chocolate Mousse Recipe

A little something from our Valentine’s Day dinner menu 

                                              Ingredients

                                                     Cooking chocolate (250g)

                                                Egg Yolk (75g)

       Egg White (75g)

      Running cream (50g)

Sugar (375g)

        Whipped Cream (500g)

Process

• Separate the egg whites from the yolk then set aside

• Whisk the egg white until it is puffy, and then add the sugar and mix well until you are able to form soft peaks. Set aside

• To melt the chocolate, break it up into small pieces and place in a small heat resistant bowl, in a large saucepan with water simmering over medium heat. Once melted, pour into a mixing bowl

• Add the yolks and then the running cream

• Once done, add the egg white and sugar and whipped cream, fold until all ingredients are mixed well using a spatula

• Spoon the mixture into the small glasses/ bowls, cover in cling film and refrigerate for at least three hours.

Everyone will love it!