Ras el hanout is probably my favourite spice blend; I’m not exactly sure how/when I discovered it, but ever since I did, I often find a way to sneak it in desserts (like in this apple cake, or these delicious no-bake fig and sesame balls) and few savoury dishes.
Fennel, pink grapefruit, radish & prawn salad
in Small bites, Taste -
My sister is the best at making salads; she loves using different vegetables and herbs, often adds fruits and nuts and always comes with up the best dressings. Her salads have bold, but not overpowering, flavours and always look so damn pretty! [READ MORE]
Pear, kale & ginger smoothie
in Breakfast, Taste -
When I hear the word ‘smoothie’, I usually picture a juicy burger, too many sweet potato fries and a larger than life glass filled with peanut butter ice cream and- wait, that’s not a smoothie. That’s a milkshake. Right… I always get these two wrong. [READ MORE]
Peanut butter & cream cheese chocolate balls
in Desserts, Taste -
I think everyone will agree that a day which includes chocolate is a better day (I should know- most of my days do). I’m not a snob when it comes to chocolate, although I do prefer the darker varieties, especially the ones with sea salt (damn, even thinking about it, my day gets better). I’m even less of a snob when it comes to cooking with it: I often go classic and just add it in cakes and cookies, I’ve dunked fruit in there, I’ve mixed it with nuts and spread it on brioches and croissants. There’s also a pretty cool beef stew I like to make, with just a touch of cocoa in the sauce, which always makes me want to eat meat more often. [READ MORE]
Chicken, tofu & shiitake miso soup
in Savoury, Taste -
Here’s how I’m picturing this: it’s the middle of the week and you’re tired. Tired from work, play, whatever, tired of all the Valentine buzz around you, so tired, that all you need is to bury your woes (and your face) in one single meal. It has to be soup, right? Cause soups is easy and comforting and delicious. [READ MORE]
Cheesy ham & porcini puff pastry pie
in Savoury, Taste -
Just when you thought that after the last few posts, I was done being cheesy… Behold! V-day is upon us! I always though Valentine’s Day was lame. Lame and commercial; that was until, a few years ago, I was shocked to find out that my parents celebrated Valentine’s Day- flowers, gifts, cards and all. [READ MORE]
Agathe Cerezo from Champagne + Fromage
in The Others -
Agathe Cerezo, Assistant Manager of Champagne+Fromage, from Metz, France, lives in Bethnal Green, London
As clearly indicated from last week’s posts, cheese is only one of my absolute favourite things to eat (baked camembert anyone? or a bite of an ever so fancy comté grilled cheese?). So when I discovered Champagne + Fromage in Brixton, about 6 months ago, it quickly became one of my go-to destinations both for shopping and for a relaxed night out: the cheese and charcuterie platters are a ‘best of’ of what’s in store and the small dishes they offer, such as the champagne/ pear crostini, are delicious and taste even better with a glass of champagne- or two. [READ MORE]
Beet & sweet potato chips (with a yogurt, harissa & lemon dip)
in Small bites, Taste -
February is my second favourite winter month. It may be lacking December’s wow factor (what with Christmas, presents and general jollyness and holiness), but there’s something about it, don’t you think? Even though it often is much colder than January, the days grow a bit longer little by little, signifying the slow coming of spring. [READ MORE]
Comté, sable grape & prosciutto grilled cheese
in Small bites, Taste -
Here’s what’s on the table for my last cheesy post (for this week): grilled cheese. Not just any grilled cheese, but a super simple, yet super delicious one, with comté cheese, prosciutto and sable grapes. [READ MORE]
Quince paste with lemon & ginger
in Desserts, Small bites, Taste -
Here’s the story of the quince and I: my parents dine out quite a bit and when I was in college, when I’d come home for the holidays, we’d often all go for dinner at my parents’ favourite local restaurant. Everything about it was old school: the decor, the grumpy-looking, yet surprisingly friendly staff, the customers (mostly bachelors in their 50s, journalists, artists and writers, wolfing down their dinner, while reading the paper or spying at other diners) and, mostly, the food: simple, old fashioned one pot meat dishes, casseroles and seasonal salads served with red and white house wine. For dessert, my parents almost always ordered the baked quince, cooked with a sweet wine sauce and flavoured with cinnamon and cloves- or at least that’s how I remember it. [READ MORE]