7 things for 7 days...#7

My favourite foodie moments and other random musings from the last week (or so!)...

1. I believe that this is what is known in the industry as "the money shot" (I'm not saying which industry...!) Get your ass down to FishDog's truck at Brockley Market on Saturdays or the Red Market on Fridays to wrap your lips around these bad boy "dognuts", served alongside their sexed-up fish finger sarnies. These hot dognuts are crispy on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside, coated in sweet cinnamon sugar and smothered in salted caramel sauce for an added treat...just like all the best bad boys...!

London's best pancakes - a rich treat for Shrove Tuesday or any time of year

Shrove Tuesday is just a few days away, so food bloggers across Britain are currently racing to toss their recipe for the perfect pancakes to the top of the stack.

Personally, I'm a sucker for pancakes at any time of year. In fact, they were the subject of my first ever post...which I confess was far shorter and sweeter than those you're now accustomed to reading here!

Power foods #2 – porridge that’s just right for Goldilocks

So apparently today is World Porridge Day - which means it's the ideal time for me to tell you about one of my favourite "power" foods!

Porridge hits all three "power" food buttons – it’s full of fibre that burns up fat, contains beta-glucans to boost your immunity against nasty bugs, and as a complex carb it increases serotonin levels to keep you calm on dark and chilly mornings!  

Sensational fiesta at the Flavours of Spain supperclub brunch

Anyone who's read this blog before will know what a fan I am of Brockley Market - the most fun you can (legally) have in a carpark. No visit to this chilled-out foodie haven is complete for me without a stroll past the Flavours of Spain stall to check out the tapas treats on offer.

I'm always stunned by the rush of rosemary that smacks your senses as soon as you bite into their herb-crusted Manchego cheese, and their piquant cooking chorizo is so addictive that it dominated week 22 of #Project366.

Going nuts at breakfast for Blue Diamond Almond Breeze

On Twitter I seem to have no problem expressing the first thought that comes into my head - no matter how pointless. But for some reason I clam up when it comes to this blog. This mental block has been causing massive problems for my productivity levels (as evidenced by the delay to my #project366 updates), so I'm going to do my best to channel the casual social media vibe from now on.

When Foodies 100 recently sent out a request for bloggers to conjure up their best breakfast recipes using Blue Diamond Almond Breeze, I immediately knew I wanted in.

Finest dining experiences of 2011

After reading my reviews of The Brekky’s Club’s mashed avocado and bacon on toast and Camden Bar’s blueberry pancakes, you'd assume that I only ever went out for brunch. In fact, I've dined at an array of excellent eateries over the past year at all different times of the day - I just haven't been very good at reporting back. So following on from my favourite foodie finds, I decided to end my series of 2011 reflections with a photo gallery of the most memorable meals I've experienced away from my kitchen.

Rather than providing any elaborate flavour descriptions, I’ll let these snapshots speak for themselves. Just like your favourite childhood story before it is transformed into a garish cinema blockbuster, sometimes it’s better to just use your imagination…

Brunching at The Breakfast Club

 

Food plays a starring role in all of my social interactions these days. Whether it’s organising a gossip session with my girlfriends or planning a romantic date with my sweetheart, my thoughts will instantly turn to what meal the occasion should revolve around. I’ve even started ranking London’s plethora of museums and galleries based on the standard of their dining facilities (the V & A currently tops the list, thanks to its outstanding selection of baked goodies).

Whilst I’m never one to turn down the offer of a nice cuppa tea and slice of cake, my first preference for combining feasting and friendship will always be brunch. Maybe it’s because I normally restrict my breakfast intake to healthy fruit and oats, but feel justified in pushing the boat out when I’m technically merging two meals into one. Maybe it’s because I recognise that most people aren’t as bouncy as I am at the crack of dawn and would probably appreciate a lie-in. Maybe it’s just because I like the word. Whatever the reason for my love of br[eakfast / l]unch, I’ve made it my mission to munch my way around my new hometown with my nearest and dearest.

Pancake perfection

As part of my birthday weekend in my hometown I enjoyed a first brunch visit to the new Camden Bar and Kitchen in hip and trendy Ashley Cross.


I had been hoping to try their wild rice and berry parfait, but they’re still developing their menu so I had to settle for blueberry pancakes instead (such a hardship!). I’ve been experimenting with American pancake recipes for a while, but still haven’t quite captured the art of getting the pancake to lie flat on both sides…clearly I need to get some tips from Camden’s chef, because these were perfect!