The Pink Panther Can't Get Any Satisfaction

Hi everyone and welcome to the blog. This week’s blog is dedicated to two British legends, household names the world over who’s anniversaries are remembered this week Mick Jagger and Peter Sellers. This week’s recipes are Spiced Thai Beef Salad with Wild Rice, Chicken, Leek and Sweetcorn Lasagne & Strawberry & Rhubarb Fool.

Mick Jagger (born 26 July 1943) is an English musician, singer, songwriter and actor, best known as the lead vocalist and a founder member of The Rolling Stones.

Jagger's career has spanned over fifty years. Allmusic has described Jagger as "one of the most popular and influential frontmen in the history of rock & roll". His distinctive voice and performance, along with Keith Richards' guitar style, have been the trademark of The Rolling Stones throughout the career of the band. In 1989, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Rolling Stones.

Jagger gained much press notoriety for admitted drug use and romantic involvements, and was often portrayed as a counterculture figure. In the late 1960s Jagger began acting in films (starting with Performance and Ned Kelly), to mixed reception. In 1985, Jagger released his first solo album, She's the Boss, and was knighted in 2003. In early 2009, he joined the eclectic supergroup SuperHeavy.

Peter Sellers CBE (8 September 1925 – 24 July 1980), was a British comedian, singer and actor who was perhaps best known as Chief Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther series of films. He is also notable for his appearances in the BBC Radio comedy series The Goon Show and for his many comic songs which he performed frequently during his 50-year career.

Born in Portsmouth, Sellers made his stage debut at the Kings Theatre, Southsea, during his infant years and later appeared at the Windmill Theatre. Sellers began accompanying his parents in a variety act which toured the provincial theatres. His theatrical abilities were dismissed by his father but encouraged by his mother and he later built on his abilities as an improvisational performer whilst attending college in his teenage years. Sellers became interested in stand-up comedy, but was initially unsuccessful and so planned on a performing career on radio. In 1948 his made his radio debut in Much Binding in the Marsh eventually becoming a regular radio performer, appearing in Starlight Hour, The Gang Show, Henry Hall's Guest Night and It's Fine To Be Young.

During the early 1950s, Sellers, along with Michael Bentine, Spike Milligan and Harry Secombe, took part in a series of recordings known as the Goon Show; a collaboration which ended in 1960. His ability to speak in different accents along with his talent to portray a wide range of characters to comic effect, contributed to his success as a radio personality and screen actor and earned him national and international nominations and awards.

In the 1950s, Sellers began to appear in films and scored some considerable success with his roles. His film output was frequent and he displayed a versatile ability to perform in different film genres. Perhaps the most famous of these were The Pink Panther series of films, Dr. Strangelove, Lolita and Being There. Actress Bette Davis once remarked of him, "He isn't an actor—he's a chameleon." Despite his professional success, Sellers struggled with depression and his behaviour was famously erratic. Sellers' private life was characterised by turmoil and crises, and included emotional problems and substance abuse. Sellers was married four times, and had three children from the first two marriages. He died as a result of heart disease in 1980.

The full version of this article can be found at www.garfysplaceinfo.blog.co.uk

My first recipe is Spiced Thai Beef Salad with Wild Rice Courtesy of www.Goodtoknow.co.uk

Serves: 4, Cooking time: 55 - 60mins

198g x Dried Wild & Long Grain Rice
397g x Lean Frying, Sirloin or Fillet steak, cut into thin strips
2 x Garlic Cloves, peeled and finely chopped
1tsp x Finely Grated Ginger
1tbsp x Finely Chopped Lemongrass
4 x Kaffir Lime Leaves, finely shredded
2 x Spring Onions, finely sliced
2 x Red Chillies, deseeded (optional) and finely chopped
1tbsp x Dark Soy Sauce
100ml x Beef Stock
½ x Cucumber, finely shredded
2 x Limes, juice only
1tbsp x Nam Pla (Thai fish sauce)
½ tsp x Artificial Sweetener (optional)

Cook the rice according to the packet instructions, drain and transfer to a wide mixing bowl.
Heat a non-stick frying pan or wok over a high heat and when hot, add the beef strips, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, lime leaves, spring onions and red chillies. Stir-fry over a high heat for 5-6 mins or until the beef is sealed and lightly browned.

Add the soy sauce and stock and bring to the boil. Cook over a moderate heat for 8-10 mins, stirring often until all the liquid is absorbed. Remove from the heat and set aside. Toss the cucumber with the reserved rice and divide between four serving plates or bowls.

Mix together the lime juice, fish sauce and sweetener, if using, and stir until dissolved. Spoon this mixture over the beef and toss to mix well. Spoon the beef mixture over the rice and serve immediately.

My next recipe is Chicken, Leek and Sweetcorn Lasagne Courtesy of www.goodtoknow.co.uk

Serves: 6 Prep time: 25 mins Cooking time: 45 mins

1tbsp x Vegetable Oil
600g x Skinless Chicken Breasts, chopped into small chunks
1 x Large Leek, sliced
100g x Frozen Sweetcorn, thawed
500g jar x Any Prepared Red Sauce for Lasagne
6-8 x Lasagne Sheets (weighing about 100-135g)
470g jar x Any Prepared White Sauce for Lasagne
25g x Grated Mozzarella cheese
Fresh salad, to serve

Pre-heat the oven to 190°C / fan oven 170°C / Gas 5. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and add the chicken, stir-frying it over a high heat until seared and browned – about 3-4 minutes. Add the leeks and cook for a further 2-3 minutes. Tip in the sweetcorn and the red sauce, stir and bring to the boil, then remove from the heat.

Tip half the mixture into a large rectangular baking dish, measuring about 26cm x 20cm. Arrange half the Lasagne sheets on top, then spread half the white sauce over them. Repeat the layers, then sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over the surface. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until cooked and golden brown. Allow to stand for a few minutes, then serve with a fresh salad.

My final recipe is Strawberry & Rhubarb Fool Courtesy of www.slimmingworld.com

Serves: 4 Prep time: 10 mins No cooking Time

113g x Strawberries
113g x Rhubarb, canned in syrup, drained
113ml x Skimmed Milk
142g x Low Fat Ready-Made Custard
4 tbsp x Fat-Free Natural Fromage Frais
1 tsp x Vanilla Essence

Hull the strawberries. Reserving 4 for decoration, place the rest in a food processor along with the rhubarb and blend to a smooth puree. Place the skimmed milk in a bowl with the ready-made custard, fromage frais and vanilla essence and mix.

Pour a little of the custard mixture into the bottom of 4 tall serving glasses, top with a little of the fruit puree and continue to layer up to the top finishing with the custard. Chop the reserved strawberries and arrange on top of the fool to decorate. Serve.

You see, there is no me. I do not exist ... There used to be a me, but I had it surgically removed. - Peter Sellers, The Muppet Show, February 1978.

Tune into my shows on 6townsradio "The Thursday Morning Show with TheRealTonyc" every Thursday from 10-12 & my Sunday show “UndertheCovers with TheRealTonyc” at http://6towns.co.uk/ It's what your Sunday's were made for.

If you have enjoyed my blog, or have tried out the recipes I have included and wish to comment, please feel free to comment using the comment button or by visiting my guestbook, all comments and suggestions will be gratefully received.

Hope you enjoy!!..... ChefGarfy =D

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