Review: "Eat Your Way Around the World"

If there's one thing I miss about India [besides family, food, noise, vibrancy and the general palava all over the place] it's the huge American style malls that seem to be cropping up everywhere and the grand food courts they entail. Yes okay, Westfields and a handful of others have cottoned on to the idea (Thurrock's is particularly impressive), but they boast not even a fraction of the variety you find in say the Oberoi or Inorbit malls of Mumbai. Lets face it, deciding what to eat in large groups [read indecisive families] can always be tricky and ultimately result in a compromise. The solution? The Indian food court - buy what you want from wherever you want yet be able to enjoy your respective meals together.

And as we Indians go, we're well accustomed to the 'queue up for your food' system. If you don't believe me, tell me if YOU've ever been to an Indian wedding with table service...? Nahhhh, table service, what's that? We're pretty used to queuing and waiting our turn pushing and shoving to raid a buffet and pile our plates sky high. So I guess it comes as no surprise that as far as the new Jimmy's World Grill in Watford goes... well it's a smashhit success, with my bunch at least. Remember this post? Let's say Jimmy's is the perfectly cross-bred child of Elaichi and the Red Hot World Buffet - countless variety, value for money and best of all, a chocolate fountain! Give it a try if you haven't already, it is Friday after all. 

Happy weekend guys!

SL xx

Peaches & Cream

Yes, this was a long time coming, I know. Ahhhhh gateau...need I say anymore? As much a nice Victoria sponge is ideal with an afternoon cuppa, or cheesecake is perfect for that stolen midnight couch treat, I find there's nothing quite like a fresh cream cake (except maybe a cupcake!) to top off an already indulgent meal - palatable and thankfully, light enough to be stomachable. 

Now, in light of just HOW much was consumed during the preceding celebratory lunch, I wouldn't be surprised if you were disgusted that we still managed to chomp through cake for afters. BUT. You've gotta trust me here, because really, gateaux are more cream than cake, more air bubbles than butter blobs. And yet it really does quench that craving for something sweet. So. Give it a go. If you don't like peaches, try passion fruit. Or raspberries. Both delectable in combination with white chocolate. Just an aside for you though, while we're at it. Don't blame me if once you start, you just can't stop. It's so remarkably light, you'll never feel you've had 'enough'. Honest.  

To have yourself a peachy time, you will need -  

- 175g unsalted butter, softened

- 2tbsp grated orange rind

- 175g caster sugar

- 3 medium eggs

- 100g white choc, melted but then cooled

- 225g self-raising flour

- 300ml double cream

- 40g icing sugar

- 125g almonds, blanched then skinned & chopped

For the peach filling - 

- 1 can of peaches, chopped

- 300ml double cream

-50g icing sugar

What to do - 

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C & lightly oil & line a 9 inch round cake tin. Cream the butter, orange rind and sugar together until light and fluffy.

2. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each one and then add in the cooled white chocolate. 

3. Add the flour and 175ml of cold water in 2 separate batches. Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin & bake in the preheated oven for an hour and a quarter, or until firm. 

4. Leave to cool for 5 minutes and then turn out onto a wiring rack. To make the filling, whip together the cream and icing sugar until soft peaks form, and then fold in the peaches (reserve a few for topping, if you like). 

5. Split the now (hopefully!) cooled cake into two layers. Place one layer on your serving plate and spread with the peach filling. If you're lucky and somehow end up with too much, feel OBLIGED to eat it. 

6. Top with the other half of the cake and now, whip the other 300ml of cream with the icing sugar until, again, soft peaks form (deja vu, I know). Spread over the top and sides of the cake.

7. And finally, press the almonds into the side of the cake. You can sprinkle some on top too should you wish, of you can top with more peaches, like I did. 

8. If you can help yourself, refrigerate. If you can't... well, not my problem ;) 

Enjoy!

sl x

Another Phoney Apology

Considering January's meant to be the longest & slowest month of them all - y'know, cold, dark, drab post-Christmas lull - it's shocking we're onto the last day so far out of it already. When did this happen? I still (yep, STILL) have loooooong overdue posts to get up here (can you tell, this one's six days late) but I've been unwell to say the least. SO, whilst I get right onto those (and I do hope you've been missing me!) here are a few things that kept sick Sim some company as she lay moping in bed. :'(. [Cue to cry]

1. Waffle-eating. Just general, eating. Did you expect any less?
2. Quote-reading and soulsearching. If you're on my FB page, you'll probably have gathered. 
3. Citizen Khan... and I missed this HOW? :/
4. It's V-Day soon. The usual suck it up/snub it dilemma. Owwwww but look at all the pretty little pink things!?

xx

To Eat, To Drink, To See

Yes, it's been a while but I'm back. A long-overdue trek to Westfield's in White City has me craving patatas bravas, wanting a tiffany's jewel and of course coveting a Chanel #dreamon. Either way, the inspiration I've been lacking is slowly but surely seeping back into my life. So here's a bit of a picture (/food) diary of my past few days. Starring in the lead roles are Sticky Toffee, Cheese Cake & The Fry Up. Hoping you're all making the most of this drizzly weekend.

To Eat - At the forefront of my mind, at all times, is good dessert. A mediocre main, I can settle for, but get my taste buds tingling with the afters and you've definitely won yourself a loyal customer. Topping my list at the moment is Cafe Rouge, with their rare and rich crème brûlée. As much as I love my chocolate fudge cakes, sometimes a little change doesn't go amiss. And a good crème brûlée is a precious sighting these days; its all about the profiteroles, fudge cakes and cheesecakes. Way to go, Cafe Rouge.

To Drink - A (not so) recent stint at Wagamama's - it's been four weeks now that I think about it! - introduced me to the wonders of plum wine; topped up with sparkling and served on ice, it's sweet, refreshing and of course ever so slightly alcoholic.

To See - With summer fast approaching, days of city-wandering, long balmy nights spent eating and of course holidays spring to mind. Do you ever think 'Oh my gosh, it's been a whole year already since…." and start reminiscing? Sometimes it feels like there's so much to do, so much to see and such little time; so I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more of the world this year, starting with Amsterdam in two weeks time. Have you started planning a summer getaway yet?

xxxx