How do asparagus grow?

So a couple of weeks ago I learnt something new...how asparagus grow!  I have to say, I'd never really thought about it too much, but I suppose I thought they either came off bushes.  Like peas maybe.  Or possibly like strawberries.  Or maybe underground, like potatoes.  But that's all wrong, they grow completely differently to that!

Near my parents house, there is one of those farms where you can pick your own fruit and vegetables.  As it was late May they had asparagus and strawberries (although it is a bit early for strawberries - they are generally at their best between June and August, but they have come early this year with the hot weather).  The strawberries, as expected, come from very low bushes.  Suprisingly though, the asparagus were in a very dry looking area.  The plants are very small and the asparagus grow straight up from the grown.  Picking is a loose term for them because you actually just snap them off.  It was amazing, hundreds of asparagus around me poking up from the ground!  Within minutes we had half a kilo of them.

So to celebrate this, I had to cook a dish worthy of this delight.  The obvious choice would have been asparagus with poached eggs and holandase sauce.  But as I had some smoked salmon and I wanted something a bit more healthy, I went for asparagus and avocado toast with smoked salmon!

 Asparagus and avocado toast with smoked salmon
Serves 2
A few slices of smoked salmon
20 asparagus spears
1 large avocado (or two small)
1/4 onion, finely chopped
4 slices of bread (best for this is a whole wheat or seeded loaf)
Pinch of salt
Tabasco (optional)

1.  Scoop the avocado into a bowl and mash lightly.  Add the finely chopped onion, salt and Tabasco to taste and mix.
2.  Toast the bread then spread the avocado mixture on the slices.
3.  Lightly steam the asparagus - this takes a couple of minutes.  Do not overdo it!
4.  Layer the asparagus on the toast.
5.  Serve with the smoked salmon on the side or on top of the asparagus and ENJOY!

A nice surprise on a cold Saturday

I love a good food surprise. A couple of Saturday's ago we went to visit a venue for the wedding (it was beautiful, unfortunately we can't afford it) then we were supposed to meet a friend. Unfortunately the friend had to cancel so we had a free afternoon. Bonus, let's go to a museum! On the way I was struck by hunger. And this hunger was huge (and of course turned me into a massive grump-a-lump!) so en route to museum we HAD to find food.

Walking around Clerkenwell during the weekend is like walking around a ghost town. Nice, except if you are really hungry. Down this road, around that corner, up that street and hey presto - Smiths if Smithfield! Bubbling with action and sound, this place is an oasis in a dry urban desert.

It was about 3:30pm so we had no trouble getting a table (although it was still quite busy). It's a very open space with a bright airy feel and loud music. The weekend menu consists of a range of English and American brunch specials such as all day fry-up, eggs Benedict, mac and cheese, pancakes and a personal favorite, corned beef hash. There was also a large range hot and cold sandwiches. Drink choices include the usual brunch choices - bloody Mary's and mimosas, coffee and juices - as well as the more unusual - big kids alcoholic milkshakes.

We went for a bloody Mary each and an SOS Club - chicken, bacon, egg mayo, tomato and lettuce in thick slices of bread - and a halloumi sandwich - with tapanade, lemon and rocket in focusia bread. The drinks were lovely with lots of tomato juice (hate it when there is too much ice and not enough juice!) and well flavoured with lemon wedges and a stick of celery. I have to say, the sandwich was probably one of the best club sandwiches I have ever had. I admit a am no club sarnie specialist but looking around, it seemed a popular choice. It was huge but filled with lots of juicy chicken, salty bacon and just enough egg mayo to give it sauce but not make it too goopy and sickly. The halloumi sandwich was equally nice: simple and tasty with the peppery flavour of the rocket complementing that of the cheese. The only minor downfall was a lack of lemon, which would have helped minimise the salt in the cheese.

The main thing that let the place down was the stroppy, inattentive waitress. I don't like complaining about waiting staff. I've done my time and it can be a very tiring and trying job. But this woman was a bit much. She did not crack a smile the whole time and it took us a good 15 mins to catch her attention to as for the bill and another 10 mins just to pay the bill. Hopefully she was just having a bad day! Overall a great place. I'll defo be going back soon to try the corned beef hash and mac and cheese!