birthday celebrations

Well, what can i say? I have the best family ever and they spoilt me rotten! Friday night was a sumptuous feast of tapas (marcona almonds, serrano ham, chorizo, manchego, prawns and bread) followed by THE most amazing fillet steak EVER! My brother Dom (a very good cook) was in charge of preparing it, and i believe the whole fillet had been marinated in olive oil, fresh rosemary and garlic, then pan-fried and put in the oven to finish off. It was then rested, sliced and served to everyone's personal preference, and it looked so succulent, most of us went for the perfect rare (vegetarians please look away now...). Served with proper chips, a spinach salad and a home-made roast tomato sauce. Amazing...

Dessert was just as delicious. My talented Dad makes a mean ice-cream and tonight's was coffee and turron flavoured from Casa Moro. A real caffeine hit in a bowl, and served with heart-shaped Granny Boyd's biscuits (made by Dom) from Nigella's HTBADG.

And as if that wasn't enough, i even had a birthday cake! This is Mum's area of expertise and she made a gorgeous orange semolina cake, featured in this month's Delicious magazine.

Recipe's to follow!

So what with delicious food, nice wine, fantastic company and lovely presents (not to mention seeing my gorgeous nephew Ben), i couldn't have wished for a better Birthday!