Greek mezze platter

in Inspiration, Small bites, Taste -

This Greek mezze platter features some of my favourites from Oliveology: extra virgin olive oil, delicious cheeses, crunchy olives & thick grape molasses. 

Greek mezze platter

I discovered Oliveology a little over a year ago- yet I knew of it. I’d heard stories from friends, Greek and foreigners alike- delicious stories about superb products, which increased homesickness for the former and filled the latter with a sudden urge to visit Greece. I met Marianna, the sweet and mighty owner and creative force behind the brand, randomly at a food event and subsequently discovered what all the fuss was about. Everything I’ve tried from Oliveology is simply very very good. [READ MORE]

Spicy avocado cocoa mousse

in Desserts -

One of my favourite chocolate desserts, this spicy avocado cocoa mousse is everything: delicately sweet, smooth and lightly spiced up with pink peppercorns. 

Spicy avocado cocoa mousse

Sharing this mousse was somewhat of an aftermath; the initial plan was much different and included an abundance of sweet and savoury Greek gems, all from Oliveology, on of my favourite Borough Market stores. And then things happened and plans changed- much more than plans changed actually. And  for a few days, I was not up for much. [READ MORE]

Peanut butter & pretzel brownies

in Desserts, Taste -

Dangerously easy to make and filled with all sorts of deliciousness, these peanut butter & pretzel brownies are too good to skip.

Peanut butter & pretzel brownies

I have no idea what’s gotten into me; I should be making salads with every crunchy vegetable under this very bright, long overdue, sun; I should be, at least, starting experimenting with this summer’s ice cream flavours. Instead, I’m knee deep in baking: I’ve made brownies a couple times, a very naughty banana bread and a mighty galaktoboureko (a custard pie with filo pastry and a whole lotta butter & syrup). And now, it’s on to cherry pies with all the butter I can get my hands on and all flavour and prettiness I can muster- but more on them pies soon. For now, it’s all about brownies. [READ MORE]

Halloumi, avocado & red pepper sandwich

in Savoury, Small bites, Taste -

Made with some of my favourite ingredients, this halloumi, avocado & red pepper sandwich is fresh, delicious and filled with colours and textures!

Halloumi, avocado & red pepper sandwich

Just the promise of sunshine and warm weather suffices; it fills me with a child-like anticipation and a strange kind of energy, waking up at the crack of dawn, impatient for the glorious days ahead. And now that it’s here- sunshine, and summer weather- I can’t contain myself. The house is too small and the floor is too sturdy for my dancing feet. There’s far too many things to celebrate. [READ MORE]

Feta, thyme & pistachio scones

in Savoury, Taste -

Flaky, buttery and aromatic, these feta, thyme & pistachio scones are perfect on their own, or served with a spicy yogurt and a mild, fruity chutney.

Feta, thyme & pistachio scones

Quite a long while ago, while discussing American biscuits, I elaborately and somewhat clumsily confessed my love for scones. Since then, my passion has turned into a deep affection, one that I have for not too many dishes and foods. There’s comfort there and bittersweet memories, there’s lots of crumbs and an aftertaste which is always sweet and always lingers a little while. [READ MORE]

Happy Mother’s Day!

in Desserts, Inspiration -

Six delicious desserts to celebrate Mother’s Day: from the most chocolatey cake, to strawberries & cream and a hell of a banana bread. Happy Mother’s Day! 

I really am quite oblivious when it comes to all the ‘days’ celebrated throughout the year- apart from two: Mother’s & Father’s Day. I suspect that the reason I pay that much attention to them is stark evidence of how much I miss my parents. And I do, I really do, so very much, in such different ways. My mom is a stunning ball of energy that seems to excel in everything she does, in an understated, quiet and yet powerful manner. Her embrace is literally the safest place in the world for me (still, regardless of everything), her glance is a raffish little pool of the softest blue and her loud, exuberant laugh one of my favourite sounds in the world. She inspires and drives my sister and me crazy- both in equal measures, both seemingly every single day. And every single day, I also miss her and love her. So very much… [READ MORE]

Espresso loaf with cinnamon dark chocolate ganache

in Desserts, Taste -

Soft and lightly sweet, this espresso loaf with cinnamon dark chocolate ganache is discreetly fragrant and perfect when paired with more coffee. 

Espresso loaf with cinnamon dark chocolate ganache

One of the greatest pleasures of my day- in fact, the very first of them all- is coffee. Black, mildly strong and hot, sipped slowly while I gaze out the window or read the news. The house and streets outside are quiet, usually dark and all to myself. This serenity and that delicious first cup of coffee are sheer pleasure, a gift of sorts which I still don’t dare take for granted. [READ MORE]

Asparagus & tuna pasta salad

in Savoury, Taste -

Perfect for this time of year, this asparagus & tuna pasta salad is colourful, delicious and irresistibly light- it’s an ideal lunch or dinner for spring.

Asparagus & tuna pasta salad

It seems like every year, I am somehow oblivious to the infinite charms of asparagi. Autumn passes and then winter too and I never think about them, nor do I miss them. And then spring arrives, irresistible and thirsty, bearing gifts of almost unbearable beauty: berries and crunchy cucumbers, delicate greens and, always seemingly to my surprise, asparagus. A little crusty, yet delicate too, requiring so very little and giving back so very much. [READ MORE]

Blueberry, lemon & pine nut cake

in Desserts, Taste -

This blueberry, lemon & pine nut cake is exactly how I love a cake to be: simple, sweet, delicious, maybe a little messy and oh so satisfying. 

Blueberry, lemon & pine nut cake

I don’t remember when exactly, but somewhere along this weekend, it dawned on me how long it’s been since I last made a cake. I’ve spent the better part of the weeks leading up to Easter trying to make tsoureki and failing spectacularly, time after time. I was left with more flat, dense, delicious yet overall miserable looking sweet breads than I knew what to do with. I was also left with an overwhelming desire not to make a dessert for quite some time- enough for my bruised pride to heal and all of me to stay away from sugar and butter and all them beautiful things I had been struggling with. [READ MORE]

Potato salad

in Savoury, Taste -

A light potato salad with cappers, spring onions and a creamy, lemony yogurt sauce- it’s the perfect way to use those perky spring baby potatoes. 

Potato salad

Sweet, restless, raffish spring is here, with all its colours, moody weather, all the smells and overwhelming desires and at times melancholy it often brings along. It’s here, with all its pretty ingredients, delicate and unassuming, bright and almost festive. Of those, the ones I almost never notice are new potatoes, the somewhat kings and queens of April harvest. [READ MORE]