Couscous Royale

We hosted a birthday dinner for 20 people last Monday night - A Moroccan feast.

The highlight being the Couscous Royale, a traditional dish of lamb, chicken, merguez sausage and vegetables piled on a bed of couscous.

 

 Lamb and Cheese Samoas with Mint Yoghurt and Tomato Chutney.



Garlic breads and Samoas ready to go to the tables.



Beef and Prune Tagine and Chicken and Apricot Tagine.

Behind the scenes in the kitchen, as three large bowls of the Couscous Royale are prepared.

Moroccan carrot salad.

Back from holidays - some photos!

Fresh produce at the Grüne Markt (Green Market) Salzburg, Austria.

 Paprika chillies drying in the Central Market Hall in Budapest, Hungary.

All ready for Easter! Believe it or not this display is in the cabinet of a service station 

roadside stop in Austria.

Mushrooms at the Grüne Markt (Green Market) Salzburg, Austria.

A seafood shop in Budapest, Hungary.

My lunch at a service station roadside stop in Austria. Grilled pork loin, 
baked potato and vegetables stir fried with bacon and onion. 
One of the best meals on the trip.

Indian takeaway at the Camden Markets in London.

Lunch time - Lamb and Chicken Tagine at the Camden Markets in London.

 Super fresh shallots and eschallots at the Grüne Markt (Green Market) Salzburg, Austria.

 Fruit Bread in Salzburg, Austria.

 Crème Caramel for lunch with friends in Strasbourg, France.

Summer fruits at the Grüne Markt (Green Market) Salzburg, Austria.

I'm back and I'm inspired! 

I'm thinking theme nights... what do you think?

Holidays

Chocolate Pots with Pedro Ximenez Sherry soaked Dried Cherries

White Chocolate and Passionfruit Mousse

These are some of the desserts from our Valentine's Weekend Special. Yum! 

If you want to try some of the delicious food at Cafe Alcazar, I'm sorry, but you will need to wait...

Cafe Alcazar with be closed from Monday 24th February until Thursday 4pm 20th March. 

Trish will be taking her annual holiday overseas. She will be visiting Eastern Europe for the first time, travelling through the beautiful countries of Hungary, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic. She will be visiting the picturesque French region of Alsace, where she will stay with friends, and she will also be staying with family in rural England. 

I expect that you will see many new dishes on the 'weekend special board' inspired by her travels. 

Heartwarming stews and casseroles, just in time for our cooler weather.

Valentine's Day Weekend Special

We are spreading the love this weekend at Cafe Alcazar, with a Valentine's Day Three-Course Special.

 Available both Friday and Saturday nights, just $35.00 per head, for a choice of the following.

Salmon and Dill Pate served with Toast Fingers

Marinated Tuscan Olives

Hommus and Olive Tapenade with Turkish Bread

Smoked Salmon and Caper Fettuccine in a Lemon and Dill Cream Sauce

Ricotta and Herb filled Cannelloni served with a Rich Beef Ragu Sauce and Garden Salad

Marinated Moroccan Chicken Kebabs with Pilaf Rice

White Chocolate and Passionfruit Mousse

Chocolate Pots with Pedro Ximenez Sherry soaked Dried Cherries

Baked Vanilla Cheesecake with Butterscotch Sauce

 Tea and Coffee and Chocolate Truffle

Hope to see you there!

Lamb shanks to die for!

Some pictures of last week's "Weekend Specials" - Chicken, Sweet Potato and Chickpea Tagine with Cous Cous and Slow Roasted Italian Lamb Shanks with Smashed Chat Potatoes.

This weekend there is a special "Valentine's Day Weekend Three Course Menu"

I'll post our full "Valentine's Day" menu very soon... watch this space!

On the weekend

This weekend saw the 'best ever' response to our weekly specials. 

Chicken Tagine with Apricots, Prunes and Almonds

and 

Sicilian Meatballs with Risoni

I think that these dishes will be back on the menu again - very soon!

New spices

More spices have arrived this week. This range of pre-mixed spices have been very popular. Don't forget, the recipe is included in the pack,
making for an easy and delicious dinner at home.

New 'Early Bird' Menu