Friday 24 February 2012

The perfect oatmeal cookie?

Just checking in.  I have been focusing on finishing a research project and have got my first 2000 words out of the way - a quarter of the way there.   I worked hard o it last week and I found a great cookie recipe online after an evening spent helping in the kitchen at ferdiesfoodlab (my reward for getting stuff done!).  I will definitely be posting about my kitchen experience(s) so watch this space!  It was my first foray into a professional kitchen and I.... (you'll have to check in later to read the post!).  

I can tell you that I had the task of making the cookies (one of several tasks) and this got me thinking about what type of cookie would be best.  The ones I made were great (well - I thought so) but Why have bread when you can have a schadenfreude ?  I made the dough this evening and it will chill overnight and so I am looking forward to seeing what the results produce...  More on this tomorrow.  Exhausted!

Monday 13 February 2012

My first supper club...

Just over three months ago, I finally made it to a supper club.  Supper clubs are usually by word of mouth and the idea is that you are served incredible food that you would pay up to 2/3 times as much if you were to have it in a restaurant.  I was away when ferdiesfoodlab launched in August but on my return to London (and prompted by an email or two) I thought back to a train journey in March/April and made my highly recommended visit to ferdiesfoodlab.  The experience in under 5 words - it did NOT disappoint...

Having done some research on supper clubs (and also read reviews on Simon Fernandez - founder and chef of ferdiesfoodlab - and on his food) I decided this was the right one for me to visit.  I expected an intimate evening with few diners eating out in a living room...  Following the directions that were emailed to me I made my way to Toynbee Hall.  On entering the hall I walked into a room with up to 30 people in it - the high ceilings and wood panels worthy of a listed building - it was really pretty and also a little intimidating for a first time supper clubber whose friend was running late!  I really had nothing to worry about... within minutes I was chatting to a really outgoing and friendly guest and became acquainted over a complimentary glass of wine.  I was so engrossed I missed 2 calls from my friend who was a little lost.  A great start!

We entered the main hall where 2 long tables were set up and it looked exciting!  There was a seating plan and we all found our seats.  I had ordered wine to be delivered on the evening (details sent out once confirmed) so that was chilled and ready on arrival!  Always nice not to have to carry a bottle from work/home and to be able to buy some really decent bottles of wine and bring them along.   A genuine perk as there is no corkage charge.

The first dish out was a sweet potato tortilla with rosemary bread!


I don't think that the image does it enough justice - it was delectable.  I can't remember what the sauce was but I loved it (my fault for waiting this long to write about it - sorry Simon).  I remember it being really tangy and the flavours just totally burst out of it!  It was an ice-breaking dish if ever there was one (not that one was needed)!  It really got us talking and there was an increase in the air of expectancy in the room.  I was also rather pleased to be able to share some of the last extra slice!

The next course was bacon swirls with invisible tomato juice!  the bacon swirls quickly leapt to the top 3 of my favourite pastries.  Again - filled with flavour whilst the invisible tomato juice filled my mouth and tickled my tastebuds... a definite "must have again!"

The next course was my favourite and I hope to revisit ferdiesfoodlab again in the hope that it will reappear on the menu - pork belly with pear preserve pureed gourds with preserved lemon apples!  Feed me that and I am "almost" all yours.  Simon - are you available?  ;-)


The pork was succulent, the crackling crisp and the pureed gourds were a sweet, sticky accompaniment - perfect!  It is clear that Simon is an incredibly talented chef who has a magical way with flavours and a special touch with the food(s) that he makes!

Dish number 4 was millionaires cheesecake with orange puree and orange sauce.  I love dessert and this reminded me why.  I did feel that the cheesecake had been chilled a little long and was between the texture of ice cream and a traditional non-bake cheesecake but it tasted great.  The cheeseboard that followed had 3 great cheeses - Danish blue, Port Salut and Brie (in my opinion) but I wasn't too bothered about the Wensleydale with cranberries.

To top off the night was a selection of petit fours - black olive ganache and salted lemon fudge and limoncello.  I liked thehte lemon one but found the black olive too rich for my tastes.


At the end of the night I felt as stuffed as a turkey on Christmas day and I'd met some great people and made friends.  The 'banquet' style setup is great for conversation and encourages chatting and getting to know other people who share a respect of and love for good food.  I had a great time and ate more than I thought I could put away.

I would highly recommend a visit to ferdiesfoodlab.  You can book a place or check it out here!  If you are up for some good food and great company, or just want to treat yourself (or anyone else) to great food I would recommend it.  Remember - it isn't a restaurant so you have to just let the evening unfold as it does, knowing that you will have plenty of time to get your last train home.  Would I go again - I did (watch this space) and I will be again in a few days time!  Can't wait!


Tuesday 7 February 2012

Snow...

It's great to have a 'room with a view' and get to see London like this:




Something I threw together earlier...

This is a quick little indulgent post.  I really enjoyed baking on Sunday and this is what I made.  I made marshmallows from the David Lebovitz site here.  They are a lot easier to make than I imagined.  There is also the added bonus of knowing what's really in them !!  Here is the finished product:  I was clearly going for the 'rustic' look.


I also made some vanilla cupcakes with vanilla frosting from the Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook...



And the 'piece de resistance' - my creme brulee.  I followed the recipe online here but chose to go with the hot caramel poured onto the chilled custard for my topping.

Glossy, hard caramel.  It should have good 'crackability' - the sign of a good brulee!

The first 'crack'.  Phwoar!

The first mouthful...

Lovely firm custard (could have had 2-3 minutes less in the oven in fairness) and crunchy sugar topping.  Mmmm.

Well - that's it really.  Next time - someone else's food combinations and / or my experiences of flavour.  Watch this space.

Sunday 5 February 2012

Eggs Florentine... and an 'all day' cafe in Chelsea

Today was one of those days where I had to decide whether to stay in and be 'productive' or pop out, into the snowy, slushy outside for a catch up and a quick bite with a friend?  I chose both.  I went out until late afternoon and came back and knocked out a few desserts this evening.  Productive indeed.  :-)

I met up with one of my girlfriends about 1 and, as we hadn't eaten yet, we decided to pop into The Chelsea Bun for a late breakfast/brunch.  We had eaten there before and I had found the portions generous but there were little things I remember, like the salmon being too salty for my scrambled eggs but that was a little while ago.  I had the scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and added a side of bacon and avocado.  One of my slices of toast was burnt but they happily exchanged it for nothing.  My salmon was again a little salty, as was the bacon and it was a shame as the salt took away from the other flavours on the plate.  Eggs were a little overdone, but ok.  My friend had the Eggs Florentine (2 poached eggs on an english muffin with spinach and basil, smothered - literally!! - in hollandaise sauce.  It was served with grilled tomato and mushrooms).  It looked better than mine so that's today's picture..



There was a lot of hollandaise sauce and perhaps a little too much mayo and mustard for both of our tastes.  It looked great though!  The Chelsea Bun is a real little gem a short walk from the New Kings Road.   It is always busy and has a buzzy atmosphere.  You can be guaranteed a good portion and to go away happy!  I would defy anyone though to order and finish, on their own, 'The Ultimate Breakfast'.  It consists of 3 large eggs, hash browns, 3 scotch pancakes, Canadian maple syrup, clotted cream, bacon, country style sausage, mushrooms, 2oz 100% beefburger, french toast and a large mug of tea/coffee!  I struggled with my scrambled eggs and extras so the challenge expert won't be me!  Would I go back again though - yeah, why not?

Saturday 4 February 2012

Starting out...

This is more of a journalistic foray into food and flavours wherever I may find it!  I have realised that I love taking photos of food - especially if there is a combination of flavours that really tickles my palate or if it looks amazing!  I have really created this blog to try and pay homage to the flavours and foods that I have (and will) discover on my adventures and as I "do life" and hopefully point you to some experiences, flavours, tastes and food well worth sampling.  Let's begin...


I made myself a 'supper of sorts' the other night and really enjoyed the combination of spiced mini roast potatoes, avocado and sweet apple.  I did take a photo of  the plate I created but I feel that the only image you need is this... the final mouthful... a classic combination of flavours that I highly recommended!


And also just because I can - a little bargain I found when I popped into the farmers market.....  totally lush pork and apple sausage roll.  Yummy flaky pastry and quality meat from the Little Jack Horner's stall.  I also picked up a squirrel pie which I am looking forward to trying in a couple of weeks time...


For now - I better get focused if you are going to get to see anything else on here.  This is probably a bit of an odd post but the idea is to have other peoples food on here but I do love making food (especially dessert) myself so you will see the odd creation(s) popping up so do forgive me this minor indulgence when it happens.

I am really pleased that it is snowing today and I love the snow.  Here is the view from my bedroom window:



I can't wait to get photos in the morning!