Calendar Year 2011 in photographs and stories

Brian, Lesley, Maria, Chris, Pete.

Thai Seafood Soup (Tom Yum Talay)

• See original recipe from about.com.
  Peter's cheats: Lemon slices, plenty of fresh grated ginger, worcestershire sauce in place of fish sauce, and a little light soy sauce to taste.
  Prawns were from Fosters on Newland Avenue.

  An intriguing set of flavours, subtly fishy balanced between the citrus and the soy. Very nice, didn't need bread or croutons to offset any flavours.

Thai green curry with yellow rice, naan bread, and bahjis etc

• See original recipe from bbc.co.uk/food/recipes.
  Lesley's extras: Chopped up aubergine and courgette.
  

  The rice was Traidcraft brown basmati cooked with a teaspoon of turmeric.
  Maria's extras: Minimum effort masterclass, Maria bribed a professional.
  

  We were well fed with the rice providing a good complement to the curry. Good flavours all round and extra interest from the bahjis and bread which worked well.

Tropical Thai Fruit Salad - Served in a pineapple

• See original recipe from about.com.
  Chris's extras: Whatever was in Fruitopia on Newland Avenue.
  

  The pineapple boat was spectacular. See instructions.
  

  We all love a fruit salad. This one also used coconut milk in the dressing which changed both the appearance and flavours.