Tuesday 8 June 2010

New cookbook


Whimsical bakehouse. Even the name of the book is quirky. I got this book because I saw that there was a cookies and cream icing recipe. I love this book. Theres great decorating ideas, recipes and even how to make sugar paste roses. Its such a fun book and its great for making birthday cakes. I used it to make the cookies and cream icing which was delicious. I will be posting the picture and recipe for the cookies and cream icing soon. Its not my favourite cookbook but its heaps of fun.

Friday 4 June 2010

Turkish restaurant


I had never been to a Turkish restaurant until I was taken to Limon. I always thought turkish food was just about greasy kebabs but oh how I was wrong. I really liked Limon.The interior isn't stunning or anything but the food is good. I had chicken with Halloumi, humus, Sucuk(turkish sausage) and some other little side plates. Lets say it was very filling with the rice and very tasking. Its really got me a humus addiction now and thinking about it(especially since its close to lunch) is making me want to have some.Its a great place for lunch if your in wimbledon.

Thursday 3 June 2010

My favourite cupcake place in the world





SPRINKLES

If you ever go to LA this is the place to go. Its on Rodeo drive so you can go all the amazing shops such as Barneys, Saks and all the designers. You often see celebrities with the sprinkles bag.


The cupcakes are amazing.They are so pretty and really cute.


My favourite was the madagascan vanilla. I remember eating and thinking happy thoughts.



It is also known to be the original cupcake bakery




















Also if you go to america and want to bring sprinkles back home then you can buy their baking kits from places like William-Sonama. Next time I go to america I have to get hold of one.

Wednesday 2 June 2010

Bangalore express

So I went to an Indian restaurant called Bangalore express. Its like a indian version of wagamamas with the placemat menues and the benches that are shared. There were also ladders where you could sit in a balcony esqu area. Its kind of like bunk beds but with tables and chairs. It was so cool but unfortunetly because there was five of us we weren't allowed to sit there. It was still a fun place. Ive got to say though the food wasn't amazing. It wasn't expensive though but it still wasn't satisfactory for the price. I have definetly tasted better Indian for a cheaper price. Its fun to go with your friends but if you want a good Indian then its not the place to go.But I really did like the concept and the atmosphere.

The best banana loaf


Just a quick note to say I think I have found the best banana loaf. I had it in costas. Its called the banana and walnut loaf and I absolutely loved it. The texture is so crumbly and the sweetness was just right. I had it with the costas caramel crunch frascato and it was great for a nice sunny day. I used to always go to starbucks and recently Ive been going to costas more. I think Ill be going even more with that banana loaf there.

Brick lane 10th annual curry festival


So a friend of mine asked me to go with him to the Brick lane curry festival on Bank holiday monday(31 may 10). All he had to say was free samples and I was there. You got to try samples and vote for which curry house you liked the best. There was lots of free cobra (I don't like beer) for people who wanted to have some.

There was bollywood dancing and other entertainment. I had never been to brick lane so it was an experience.


Just walking through Brick lane makes you hungry because all you can smell is curry.


There also have a huge variety of amazing indian sweet shops.
I ended up getting some Baklava there( I know its middle eastern).
If you get the chance you should definetly go to the festival. There is a chance to buy the dishes the festival too.

Disappointing Italian food


I went to spaghetti house which is an Italian chain on oxford circus and we had a pizza. Lets just say it was a big disappointment. It lacked flavour and my pizza had bits of egg shell on it. I didn't like it. But looking at what my neighbour table was eating,which was a cheesy lasagne, it looked really good. I don't think ill be going back here. I would rather go to Pizza express if I want a quick pizza thats a good price and tasty. To be honest the service wasn't that amazing either. Maybe other chains would be better.

Delia's banana and chocolate chip slices


So yesterday I felt like baking when I got back home from work so I thought I would make delia smith's banana and chocolate chip slices since I had an overripe banana. Can I just say this is an amazing quick snack.It was so tasty and the chocolate chips were so melty and the texture was king of like a cookie/blondie. I love it and I will be making it over and over again. So heres the recipe.I didn't put the cream cheese filling on mine because I didn't have an cream cheese but it still tasted amazing.



Ingredients
2 large, very ripe bananas, peeled and roughly chopped into ½ inch (1 cm) pieces
3 oz (75 g) dark chocolate chips, or 3 oz (75 g) dark chocolate, chopped small
9 oz (250 g) self-raising flour
5 oz (150 g) cold butter, cut into small cubes
5 oz (150 g) golden caster sugar
cocoa powder for dusting, if you like
For the filling:
9 oz (250 g) cream cheese
¾ oz (20 g) golden caster sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 4, 350°F (180°C).


Method
First of all, sift the flour into a large, roomy mixing bowl. Then add the butter and rub it into the flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs (you can do this stage in a food processor, if you like). Next, stir in the sugar, chopped bananas and the chocolate (don’t be alarmed, it will look like a crumble mix). Now press the mixture evenly into the greased and lined tin and bake it on the middle shelf of the pre-heated oven for 35-40 minutes or until it is firm to touch in the centre and lightly golden. Leave the slice in the tin until it is cold. While the slice is cooling, make the topping by mixing all the ingredients in a bowl until light and fluffy, then cover with clingfilm and chill until needed. To finish, remove the slice from the tin to a wire rack, spread the chilled topping over, dust lightly with cocoa powder, if you like, and cut it into 12 pieces. Store in the fridge if the slice is not all eaten in one go.

Tuesday 1 June 2010

Monmouth coffee

So many people have said positive things about monmouth coffee and then I read about it in Taschens London so I thought I would have to check it out. So I went there with my bf for breakfast. We first went to the London Bridge one which was overcrowded so we ended up going to the covent garden one. Its so rustic and I really liked the feel. you had to share the benches. While we were waiting to be seated we got to try different types of coffee. The pastries on display looked so delicious. I found it hard to choose. I ended up opting for the Pain au raisin and wasn't disappointed. I had a latte to company that and I can honestly say they reputation doesn't lie. It was really good coffee. I will definetly be going there again and buying coffee beans from them. Its a great gift for people too. If you had to go to a monmouth coffee I would definetly say go to the covent garden one.

Interactive restaurant


So I went to Inamo an interactive restautaunt with asian fusion food. It was really fun because you ordered the food via a computer system on ur table. The food was good but you should go there more for the experience. Its situated in soho near the soho hummingbird bakery. I loved the passionfruit martinis there as well so thats one to go for. The price is ok not cheap but not too expensive. Its a great place to go with a group of friends and share all the dishes so you get to try everything. I had wild boar, sushi and scallops. Its a fun place to go.