Themed entertaining made easy.

So it was our dear friend Lucy's going away dinner and our other friends were expecting greatness. Truth be told it would have only taken a couple of bottles of wine and a crab cake to keep them happy (Uni students make up much of my friend base.) However I was determined to put all my effort into this evening and wanted to produce something that was both memorable and would ensure that all praise was showered on me. Almost immediately i thought of the theme as my eyes happened on a pair of Moroccan lamps. Moroccan it would be, but how do I make Moroccan food? I have to admit that in this instance i cheated. I rushed out to David Jones food hall and purchased 4 "Moroccan" lamb racks. Naturally I asked not a single question, because being someone who writes a food blog buying an almost ready made meal doesn't put you in a good position to ask about the authenticity of your scapegoat.

So racks in the fridge and vegetables peeled, I could press on with a dessert. Do Moroccans eat dessert? Is Persian the same as Moroccan? Is Pomegranate an easy guess? My anxieties were many and my ingredients few, so more than an average serving of creativity was required. i began to think of the fundamentals of middle eastern cookery and realised that these key ingredients married well with something that i already adore making. The description, had it appeared in a restaurant, would read as follows:

' Sweet short-crust caramel tarts encased in milk chocolate, with a pomegranate reduction and rose water double cream.'

Not a single flavour overpowered the other. The sweetness of the caramel was a perfect contrast to the tartness of the pomegranate and the delicate flavour of the rose water cream complimented the milk chocolate perfectly. I served it all with a T2 'Moroccan Mint' tea and watched as all my guests, who had complained about being stuffed after the lamb, enthusiastically gobbled up ever last morsel of my creation.

There are certain joys in life that one can bathe in and knowing that you have served your friends a deliciously adventurous meal is most certainly one of them. For me the most important elements to consider when creating a fusion or themed event, are as follows.

1.) Is the food traditionally heavy or light? (You wouldn't usually serve a roast with a salad.)

2.) What are the common ingredients found within that particular cooking style?

3.) Which ingredients are completely incompatible?

4.) Can you rework something you already make into something more exotic?

5.) Sour, salty or sweet or a combination?

The main point to remember is that, while food may be spectacularly diverse, there are fundamental principals that underpin most methods of cooking. If you make a mistake then you will know next time that a particular flavour combination just isn't going to work. I invite you to share your brilliant and maybe not so brilliant creations below.

enjoy.