Thursday, 28 October 2010

Recipe of the week: Sea bass with sauce vierge by Marco Pierre White

I found a great recipe book in my desk draws from P&O Cruises and thought I would share some of the entires with you. The following is a recipe by Marco Pierre White.

About Marco
By the age of 33, Marco Pierre White had been awarded three Michelin stars, becoming the youngest Briton bestowed with this accolade. Just last year Marco was the Head Chef in ITV's 'Hell's Kitchen' and has been dubbed the ‘godfather of modern cooking’.
The P&O Cruises fleet has three venues featuring Marco Pierre White's cuisine; The White Room on board Ventura, Cafe Jardin on board Oceana and Cafe Bordeaux on board Aurora. Simple, yet beautiful dishes will be the order of the day – classic Italian fare at its very best.


Sea bass with sauce vierge

Ingredients
  • 8 small vine tomatoes
  • 150ml olive oil, plus extra for brushing and cooking
  • Pared zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • 2tsp coriander seeds
  • Handful fresh basil leaves
  • 4 handfuls rocket leaves
  • Handful fresh chervil
  • 200g cherry tomatoes, quartered
  • 1 fennel bulb, quartered
  • 4 small sea bass, cleaned and heads removed
  • Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
Method
  • Preheat the oven to 180C/fan 260C/gassmark 4
  • Place the vine tomatoes in a bowl, pour over boiling water and leave for 30 seconds
  • Drain and refresh under cold water then peel off the skins
  • Deseed and chop the tomatoes then put in a pan over a low heat with olive oil, lemon juice, coriander seeds and basil.
  • Warm through for 15 minutes
  • Season well. In a bowl, mix the rocket, chervil, cherry tomatoes and lemon zest.
  • Heat a griddle pan over a medium heat, brush the fennel with a little oil and griddle for 5-6 minutes, turning occassionally. Set aside.
  • Season the sea bass. Heat a little oil in a frying pan over a medium-high heat. Fry the fish fish for 1 minute each side, then place on a baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes.
  • Divide the salad, fish, sauce vierge and fennel on plates and drizzle the salad with extra-virgin olive oil.
Enjoy!

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE TO BUILD TWO NEW NEXT GENERATION FREESTYLE CRUISING SHIPS

Following the successful launch of Norwegian Epic, the Company’s largest and most innovative ship to date, Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that it has reached an agreement with MEYER WERFT GMBH of Germany to build two new next generation Freestyle Cruising ships for delivery in spring 2013 and spring 2014, respectively.

Each of the 143,500 gross ton vessels - the largest passenger cruise ships to be built in Germany - will have approximately 4,000 passenger berths and a rich cabin mix. Additional details about each ship’s new and exciting features will be released as construction progresses. The contract price for the two vessels is approximately €1.2 billion. The Company has committed financing in place from a syndicate of banks for export credit financing in connection with this project.

“We have always been focused on a disciplined approach to capacity growth. Our decision to add two new ships reflects the significant progress we have made in improving our operating performance and repositioning the Company over the last several years, as well as the strong market demand we are seeing for Norwegian Epic and our other ships,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer.

“Building on the incredible success and popularity of Norwegian Epic, we are taking the best of what our newest ship has to offer, as well as drawing on our legacy of innovation in the cruise industry, in creating a new class of Freestyle Cruising vessel that is sure to provide our guests with the unparalleled freedom and flexibility they have come to expect with Norwegian Cruise Line.”

“We are excited to be returning to MEYER WERFT and are confident that their rich ship building history and expertise will bring our vision to fruition,” added Sheehan.

MEYER WERFT, based in Papenburg, Germany, most recently built Norwegian Cruise Line’s four Jewel-class ships – Norwegian Gem delivered in 2007, Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Jade delivered in 2006, and Norwegian Jewel delivered in 2005. These new vessels are the eighth and ninth that the Company will build with MEYER WERFT.

“Norwegian Cruise Line and MEYER WERFT have a long history of working together. We are thrilled to continue our partnership. Our teams work very well together and we are looking forward to building this new, exciting and innovative class of vessels,” said Bernard Meyer, managing partner of MEYER WERFT.

“In addition, the 21,000 employees of the yard and its supplier companies* involved in the construction of the ships appreciate the new project from one of our longstanding customers.”

Norwegian Cruise Line pioneered the concept of Freestyle Cruising and currently offers guests the freedom and flexibility to enjoy their cruise on their own terms, including multiple dining venues, relaxed attire, a variety of accommodations and world-class entertainment. The Company took Freestyle Cruising to the next level with the introduction of Norwegian Epic in June 2010. The 4,100 passenger vessel has been called the “entertainment ship” with a variety of shows and venues that trump land-based resorts like those found in Las Vegas. Headliners include Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams™ & Dinner, Legends in Concert, The Second City® Comedy Troupe, Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos and Slam Allen Blues Band.
In addition, the ship features Nickelodeon™ at Sea as part of its wide-range of family offerings. Further innovations include the largest spa at sea, the first true ice bar at sea and The Studios, which are staterooms designed and priced for solo travellers, along with The Villas, the largest suite complex at sea.
“We are bringing this spirit of innovation to these two new build ships, as Norwegian continues to offer our guests new and exciting ways to enjoy their Freestyle Cruising vacation,” said Sheehan.
Click here for great deals from Norwegian Cruise Lines.

Thursday, 7 October 2010

Afternoon Tea with Holland America Line

I am just off to our first Ideal Cruising afternoon tea event! There will be presentations from Holland America Line and ourselves and some yummy treats to snack on while we talk cruise.
Fingers crossed it all goes well so that we can start rolling them out with more cruise lines and, hopefully, around the country. Watch this space for piccies but in the mean time, here is my favourite sailing we are offering with Holland America Line - 11 night Bermuda Cruise & New York stay