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!

Breakfast at Plan 9, Maida Vale

If I'm completely honest, I prefer spending weekend mornings at home cooking up exactly what I want, in my pj's, lounging around watching Saturday Kitchen. But sometimes, especially if it's nice outside and there's nothing in the fridge, a visit to the local brunch place is a treat. 

I've been to Plan 9 once before, a year or two ago.  I remember enjoying it then.  There was no real good reason that I'd not gone back, except laziness I guess.  So when picking a place to go last weekend, this was the obvious choice - especially as the other two diners had not been before.  The interior is quite quirky - I think the full name is supposed to be Plan 9 Space and Time Cafe and they have tried to add an element of sci fi to the space.  There are not that many seats - a couch, two armchairs, maybe 4 tables with a couple of chairs around each and 3 or 4 more tables outside (complete with blankets for chillier days).  There are also a couple of computers which I assume is for customers wanting to surf the web.  It's very relaxed and possibly a little worn.

The menu consists of breakfast fare (served all day) - fry ups, eggs in various forms, sausage and bacon butties - as well as a selection of sandwiches and cakes.  Drinks included coffees and teas as well as 5 or 6 different options of fruit smoothies.  We went for a couple of smoothies, a coffee, a couple of fry ups (one veggie, one regular) and a bagel with cream cheese and salmon, scrambled eggs and a side of sliced avocado.  The smoothies were tasty - I think they were made from frozen fruit though.  Overall the fry ups were made from good quality produce, not greasy and enough to fully fill you up.  The pork sausages were possibly a tad over perfumed, but that was the only criticism.  The bagel (which I got to choose from  4 different varieties) was lightly toasted and stuff with lots of delicious smoked salmon and just enough cream cheese.

Strangely there does not seem to be a toilet in the place - I didn't ask but I'm not really sure where it would fit?  Also ventilation is slightly lacking, so we smelt a bit like sausages when we left - not so much of a problem in summer though as you can just sit outside.  They also sell a number of various American treats, such as Pop Tarts, Oreo Cookies and the absolute best, Kraft Mac and Cheese (the Cheesiest!).  It does seem to be quite a popular place on the weekend, so make sure you show up before noon to ensure you get seated quickly.  They also have a Tex Mex evening on Thursdays which I have yet to try - it's only a matter of time as you know I love burritos!

Cheese, I need cheese!

So today was going to be the day I finally tried the amazing sounding cheese plate at Cochonnet.  We have been there so many times, really love it - the Mediterranean pizza is superb as is the Caesar salad, or on a nice sunny day, enjoy your meal in their outside terrace around the back.  We have surprisingly never tried the cheese plate though.  Reason being that it is listed on the dessert board, rather than on the menu, and by the time we realise we are already stuffed!  But this time I had remembered and I was ready.  You can imagine the disappointment then when I was told that as the chefs were having a break (OK, so it was 4pm), they were only serving pizza.  So no cheese plate for me today.  Do they really need a chef to place a few pieces of cheese on a plate. Really?!?  And who was cooking the pizzas?

Anyway, in my disappointed state I sipped some wine and contemplated what to do.  Then I had a brain storm - wasn't there a deli a few shops away?  Would I be saved?  I ran over (because it was raining) and I was greeted with an extensive selection of pastas, salads, meat and yes, of course, cheese!  Most of the cheeses in there were Italian.  Now, I used to think that French cheeses were the best and nothing else came close. But I obviously had not really explored Italian cheeses.

Often when you think of Italian cheese you think of mozzarella and parmesan. But there are so many more!! Pecorino, cambenzola, ricotta, taleggio, provolone, fontina, toma - the list goes on and on! But my personal favorite has to be Gorgonzola. So sweet and smooth, nutty and strong - perfect on bread, pasta, pizza, risotto or simply on it's own. I'm drooling just thinking about it.  So with a chunk of Gorgonzola, a few slices of mortadella and a smile on my face, off home I went. Here is what I ate:

Stuffed portobello mushrooms
Serves 4 as a starter or 2 as a main course

4 large portobello mushrooms (try and get them as concave as possible so that they hold the filling better)
Gorgonzola cheese
Soft cheese such as ricotta or cream cheese
Garlic powder
Other optional fillings: tomatoes, ham, spinach, onions, asparagus, peppers - anything you want really Breadcrumbs

1.  Preheat the oven to 180 degrees 

2.  Remove the stalks of the mushrooms and finely chop any fillings

3.  Mix together the Gorgonzola, soft cheese, garlic powder and fillings

4.  Season the mushroom well with salt and pepper before spooning the mixture into the middle of the mushroom.  Leave some space around the edge of the mushroom as the mixture will melt and if possible you want it to not overflow.

5.  Put it in the oven for 15 minutes

6.  Take out of the oven and sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top

7.  Place under a hot grill for a few minutes or until the breadcrumbs turn golden brown

8.  Serve over salad or with a side of vegetables as a main course.  Or simply, with a side of Mortadella, as I did!

Cold days need a hearty, warming soup

I'm so tired of the cold.  I feel that this year it has been cold forever.  And so much colder than it has ever been before.  To be fair, I probably think the same thing at around the same time, every year.  But surely this year it REALLY has been so much colder for so much longer!

So how better to warm up with than a big bowl of hearty soup.  I have been eating a lot of soup this year and I've grown quite tired of the same old recipes.  So when I came across this soup in Jamie Oliver's magazine I was very pleased.  I had been looing for something new to do with lentils, and this soup is just like a big, warm hug.  Of course I made some changes here and there - so here's my version of Jamie's soup!

Lentil and Pasta Soup

Serves 4

For the lentils:

300g puy lentils

water

1 bay leaf

olive oil

salt

For the soup:

1 onion finely chopped

3 cloves garlic finely chopped

olive oil

1 can plum tomatoes in juice

1 or 2 chillies (to taste) finely chopped

1/2 liter of stock

1/2 liter of water

200g small pasta

Fresh Parmesan to grate over the top

1.  In a big pot, cover the lentils with about 2 inches of water, add a splash of olive oil, bay leaf and salt.  Bring to the boil then turn down the heat, cover and let simmer for approx 25 mins or until the lentils are almost done - they should still have a bit of crunch.  Keep a cup of the cooking water for later and drain the lentils.

2.  Using the same pot, pour in a good glug of olive oil and saute the onions and garlic on medium heat for approx 5 mins.  Drain the tomatoes and add along with the chillies.  Simmer until the tomatoes have broken up.

3.  Add the lentils, stock and water to the pot.  Bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover and let simmer for 10 mins.

4.  Add the pasta to the pot - if the mixture looks a bit dry, add more water.  Bring the heat up so the mixture bubbles and cook covered until the pasta is done.  Add salt and pepper as needed.
5.  Serve pipping hot with (the best bit!) a good amount of freshly grated Parmesan on top.  Delish!

Breakfast - the most important meal of the day

One of the best things about weekends are the breakfasts. I lie in bed for ages concocting the most important meal of my day.  Eggs, smoked salmon, breakfast burritos, French toast, sausage baps - the list goes on and on.

So this morning, with a house full of ingredients, I went all out!  Asparagus with a poached egg covered in rich creamy Hollandaise.  As if that wasn't enough, I served it with a side of baguette with avocado (lightly mashed with finely chopped onion , salt and pepper).  One thing to mention with this recipe is timings - it is very difficult to get everything done at once.  So if you don't have any helpers, turn on the oven to keep everything warm.

Asparagus with poached egg and Hollandaise

Serves 4

- About 500g asparagus spears

- 2 egg yolks
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 100g butter (unsalted, if possible)
- 1 tablespoon water
- 4 eggs
- salt & pepper to taste

1. Steam the asparagus until tender - 3-4 minutes.  Set aside somewhere warm
2. Melt the butter and allow to cool
3. Fill a pan with an inch of water and bring to the boil. Simmer gently. Put a small mixing bowl on top of the pan. The bowl should be big enough to reach the edges but without the base touching the boiling water.
4. Place the egg yolks, water and half the lemon juice into the bowl. Whisk until the egg yolks start to thicken
5. Add the butter, a little at a time, whisking continuously
6. Add salt, pepper and the rest of lemon juice to taste
7. In the meantime, bring a small pan with at least 3 inches of water to the boil.  Stir the water to create a swirl. Crack the egg into the pan and allow to poach for 2-2½ minutes. Remove using a slotted spoon and drain
8. Assemble the asparagus on the plate, put the poached egg on top and pour the Hollandase over the top. 

My Arabic food journey - Yalla Yalla!

Having grown up in the Middle East, I have a fondness for Arabic food.  I've been really pleased with the growth in popularity of Lebanese food recently.  Luckily for me my vegetarian boyfriend also loves it - mainly due to the pickles and chilli sauce!

By far the most authentic tasting food has to be Beirut Express, where my two favorites, chicken shwarma and kofta, are exactly how I remember them from my childhood.  The actual restaurant though leaves a bit to be desired.  If you go at any key eating time, you will almost always have to wait in the cramped and busy restaurant and possibly share a table.  The service is my personal grudge - if you are unfortunate enough to get one of the male waiters, getting their attention can be almost impossible without standing up and shouting.  When you do finally get served, there are no smiles and food is basically tossed in your direction.  Take away is definitely the way forward.

So I have made it a bit of a mission to try as many of these Lebanese places in London in hope of finding somewhere where the food is as good and the service is pleasant.  Yalla Yalla, which means hurry up in Arabic, definitely delivers on service.  We arrived at the small Soho location around 7pm on a Thursday.  Unsurprisingly we had to wait for a table, but we were able to give our name and number to a very helpful member of staff and head elsewhere for a drink while we waited.  We returned 40 mins later, as instructed, and were given a table almost immediately.

The menu consists of a large range of your typical mezze plus main courses which came with rice and salad.  There are also a range of wraps (which are pre-made), bakery goods and desserts available to eat in or take away.  We opted for a selection of mezze - the usual hummus, tabbouleh and falafel - as well as a wrap - one chicken shwarma and one halloumi cheese.  There is also a selection of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks.

The food was good, but not amazing.  The hummus was smooth and silky but possibly a bit salty.  The tabbouleh was on the dry side.  The falafel was by far the best bit - soft fluffy balls full of flavour. What let them down the most was the wraps.  Because they are pre-made, the bread used to wrap the ingredients is much bigger than usual, making them quite stodgey and very filling.  And unfortunately the unhelpful chili sauce was too mild to add extra umph to the wrap.

So on this occasion I did not find the gem  I was searching for, but enjoyed my evening none the less.  Let the journey continue!

Beautiful bobotie

Recently I went to Shaka Zulu for a tasting evening.  I can't say I've ever had typical South African food, so was not really sure what to expect.

To be honest, I thought the starters were unimpressive.  Smoked salmon with a garnish, pickled fish and biltong - South African jerky which was tasty, but more of a bar snack than an actual dish.  The main courses were much more interesting.  We were initially presented with a selection of meats, including lamb, ostrich and springbok. Served with this was a curried cabbage side dish which was delicious.  The real winner for me though was the bobotie.  A traditional meat pie, it is a wonderful marriage of eggs and spiced mince beef cooked in a small casserole dish.  Often served in bread or with rice, this is warm comfort food at it's best!

So I've scoured the internet to find a recipe for this lovely dish.  As with many typical dishes, there are 100's of variants - some with raisins, some with chutney, some with tomato paste and some without any of these.  I wanted to replicate the dish as closely as possible, so I combined the ideas and came up with the recipe below.

Bobotie - South African spiced mince meat pie

Serves 4

Ingredients:

- 2 slices of old bread,

- vegetable oil

- 1 onion, chopped

- ½ teaspoon mixed spice

- 2 cloves garlic

- 2 teaspoons curry powder

- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder

- 500 g minced lean beef or Quorn veggie mince

- 2 eggs

- salt and black pepper

- 2 tablespoons water

- juice from one lime

- pinch of sugar

Topping:

- 1 egg

- 150 ml milk

- salt for seasoning

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 180C.
2. Put bread in a bowl, cover with warm water and leave to soak.
3. In a frying pan, heat the oil over a medium heat and fry the onion for approx 5 minutes.  Add the garlic and fry for another minute
4. Add the mixed spice, curry, turmeric and mince.  Fry until lightly browned.  Take off the heat.
5. Drain the bread of excess water, crumble and mix evenly into the mince.  Add the water, lime juice, sugar and salt and pepper to taste.
6. Beat the eggs and add to the mince.
7. Pour into an ovenproof dish and bake in the oven for 25 minutes, until the top is light brown.
8. For the topping, beat the egg and add the milk and salt. Pour over the mince and put back into the oven.  Turn the oven up to 200C.
9. Bake in the oven until the top has browned, approximately 15 mins.
10. Serve hot with rice or bread and vegetables.