This is the second month of doing my photo diary and I can tell that I’m already going to love this. I’m excited to race through the month so I can select the photos which best reflect what I’ve been up to and the things I’ve seen. Looking through all the photos I’ve taken over this month it is clear that this has been one for hearts, flowers and friends. I’ve had a lot more free time as work as calmed down so I’ve seen lots of my friends, had lots of laughs and seen lots of pretty things. It started out on a chilly and very windy day on the beach at Camber Sands and finished {on 29th!} on a gloriously sunny day in Chelsea with the feeling that spring really is in the air…
Pizza bianco {with an alternative base}
Over the last year with the rise in success of Deliciously Ella, Madeleine Shaw and the like there has been a lot of talk about cauliflower pizza bases. Now I must admit that, along with what seems like most of the instagram world, I have actually tried cauliflower pizza base. I was really impressed with the output in that I was able to turn the humble cauliflower into something that vaguely resembled a pizza but {and it’s a pretty important but} it just did not behave like a pizza. The taste was of cauliflower {yes, I know not a great shock}, the texture was very grainy and it was really really soggy {there’s just so much water in the cauliflower “dough” and no amount of patting with a tea towel could get rid of it}. It didn’t even get close to passing the good hubby’s test. So back to square one…
Spring bulbs and upcycling
I’m never really organised enough to plant out bulbs in the garden in order to get them to flower in the spring. They need to be in the ground between October and December before the first frost and I’m usually too busy getting the most out of those last late summer days and getting too excited looking forward to Christmas to think about Spring. However, I love the sight of spring bulbs – the freshness that they bring into the house and a sign that some longer and brighter days are around the corner. We have fresh flowers in the house throughout the year but there is something rather special about watching the bulbs sprout and then grow into beautiful flowers.
Feta, watermelon and basil salad
This is an old favourite that I’ve been making for about 3 years now. I was pretty sceptical when I saw it on an episode of Let’s Do Lunch with Gino and Mel {I know, I’m sorry I must have been ill or something…} But I’m so pleased that my intrigue got the better of me because I love it. I make it several times in the summer and when we are on holiday in Portugal. The flavour combinations are amazing – the saltiness of the feta with the freshness of the watermelon and the zing of the sundried tomatoes – and some great textures too. I don’t think words will ever quite describe this dish so my best advice is to try it. It’s usually a dish that I save for the summer months but last weekend I just had a craving for this really fresh tasting dish so I guess it’s good any time of year when the mood takes you…
Bran flakes and cacao crispie treats
Now we are big chocolate crispie cake fans in our house. There is something rather nostalgic about them – I’m pretty sure everyone made these as kids. And there is nothing we love more for a quick treat at the weekend. All you have to do is wait out the setting time in the fridge {a tough ask sometimes…} So when I was looking through Deliciously Ella’s new book and came across her recipe for quinoa and cacao crispie treats I was very excited and keen to try them. Sadly I was a bit disappointed with the end result as although the taste was really good and rich, the puffed quinoa didn’t have the same crunch that you would get from the rice crispies. So on to attempt number two – I knew I had to find a cereal with a crunch and I came across some spelt bran flakes which definitely met the mark. Definitely a quick and easy one to make for the weekend. I hope you give it a try! Continue reading
Floral heart wreath
Last weekend I went to the New Covent Garden flower market in Vauxhall at what felt like the crack of dawn but it was probably just after 7 o’clock when I arrived. The flower market is absolutely incredible – if you have never been then I recommend you make the trip at some point. I’m lucky that it takes me less than 30 minutes to get there but it would be worth a longer journey than that. It takes some getting used to as this really is a traders market and there are wedding florists and events planners there buying lots and lots of flowers and foliage. It is entirely set up for people who know what they are doing and I was lucky enough that on my first trip a friend showed me the ropes, but all the guys (and they are all men) were really friendly and always happy to help. The market sells everything from flowers to foliage, ribbons to vases, candle holders and pretty much anything you can think of that a florist might need! It’s a real treasure trove.
Fortune cookies
I was feeling rather inspired by Chinese New Year and thought I would try my hand at making some fortune cookies. They are by no means the easiest thing I’ve ever made and there is certainly a technique {which I have yet to master…} but if you persevere the output is really fun and rewarding.
American football chocolate chip cookie dough bites
We have always been American football fans in our house – the good hubby has a long time love affair with American sports, even playing a little ice hockey and American football at university, and my brothers used to watch a bit when we were little. As a result, the Super Bowl as always been an event for us and this year is no exception. We like to go to town with food to accompany the game {you need the sustenance to keep you awake…American football is not a short game} making up a big batch of pulled pork, coleslaw, chips, dips and potato skins. Continue reading
Chickpea, quinoa and turmeric curry
I’ve heard lots of things recently about how good turmeric is for your health. It has traditionally been used in Chinese and Ayurrvedic medicine to treat arthritis and this has been confirmed by recent studies that found that its active compound – curcumin – may provide relief for osteoarthritis. It’s also supposed to be high in antioxidants and is a rich source of numerous vitamins and minerals.
Roasted squash, feta and spinach salad
This salad is based on a slightly healthier version from Deliciously Ella’s first (self-titled book) – Roasted squash, olive, avocado and rocket salad. I first made it for a birthday barbecue in the summer and we all really enjoyed it but I felt like it was missing something…and that something was cheese. There aren’t many things in life that can’t be improved by a little cheese 
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