Recipe: BBC Good Foodie Fieldrip Friday

November 14, 2015April 1, 2018 ~ Harper220

This week was a “specialdition” of Foodie Fieldtrip Friday. It was a Friday the 13th (which I think is lucky) and my birthday. Hubby gave me a ticket to the BBC Good Food Show at the Olympia here in London. I mean what do you give a girl who doesn’t have everything and doesn’t want everything? You give her what she is passionate about, and for me that is FOOD!

So I took the tube to “F cubed” (that’s FFF for Foodie Fieldtrip Friday) and was bowled over when I walked into the Olympia and saw the vast array of food stalls, restaurant kiosks and food theaters showcasing top chefs doing demonstrations. The “Super Theater” was set aside for the A list celebuchefs, and Hubby booked me in to see Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood demo together. Inside there were thousands of seats waiting for the eager fans to sit on the edge of every word the chefs uttered. They asked for two volunteers from the audience and while I didn’t get chosen, it was actually a good thing. I was capturing the whole experience for snapchat and don’t think I could have managed both things simultaneously!

The Great British Bake Off, one of the U.K’s top shows, just recently completed their sixth and most successful season. As hosts of the show, Mary and Paul are institutions in the culinary world with numerous top selling books between them. In the short time they were on stage, they each demonstrated one dish and doled out competing kitchen tips while they seamlessly sautéed and whipped away. Mary made a lovely Chicken, Shallot and Asparagus main course and Paul baked a gorgeous Chocolate and Cherry Roulade. They had the audience in stitches of laughter with their cute banter as they argued about how to separate eggs and whether the roulade should be rolled away or towards. They reminded me of an old married couple!

After the the superstar demo I couldn’t help myself and wandered up towards the stage. The MC for the event, Andy Friedlander, was still on stage and I introduced myself. He was so kind and took a photo with me. I look like a goof ball but I was so excited! He told me that he usually works in sporting events, but he is involved with the BBC Good Food Show every year. He did a great job as a mediator between Paul and Mary, savory and sweet. He kept everything tied up together nice and neat.

I spent the rest of the afternoon poking around and enjoying all the food tastings, entering give away competitions, and having lunch (the same food prepared in the demonstration). Mary’s chicken was incredible, so moist and subtly flavored. The shallots added a nice sweetness and there was a bit of tang with a touch of lemon and creme fraiche. And Paul’s roulade was the perfect little birthday treat as I adore chocolate and the cherries were a delicious addition.

I bought a few goodies while I was there, some gourmet popcorn, some artisan crisps and an amazing pack of flowering teas. Not only are they beautifully tasting but they look beautiful as well! I also received a big goodie bag, and I felt like it was my birthday party favor. I mean it really was a foodie freebie giveaway galore. I could have stayed all weekend and not seen it all. I never actually stopped by the booze booths. There were numerous Gin, Wine, Craft Beer and Whiskey displays, all on tasting. They even had a Cocktail Class where you could learn how to become a mixologist.

My favorite area was a place for people to write down their kitchen tips and display them on a clothesline for all to read. It made me realize even more that food and cooking are communal. Even if we aren’t sharing our kitchens with others while we prepare our dinners each night, we can certainly share our helpful hints. And of course I had to share mine!

Though I had to dash out as I had my birthday dinner with Hubby, I got to peak at Sabrina Gayhour’s cooking demo on one of the various stages. She was making my all time fav nibble, her Lamb Lollipops. She was one of our Woman Crush Wednesday recipients and I was gutted I couldn’t stay for her entire presentation and say hello to her afterwards. But it made me realize that I wanted to share her recipe with you as it was one of the recipes I learned while taking her cooking class a couple of weeks ago. It is super easy, yet the flavors are very complex. And hands down, they are so darn good I am still dreaming about them!

Lamb Lollipops

Serves 4
3 heaped tsp cumin seeds
500g minced lamb
100g dried cranberries
2 large eggs
1 medium onion, minced in a food processor or very finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 heaped tsp ground turmeric
1 small (20g) packet of flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped – stalks and all
2 heaped tsp salt
A generous amount of black pepper
Vegetable oil for frying

For the yoghurt
250g thick Greek yoghurt
Finely grated zest of 2 unwaxed oranges
Juice of ½ an orange
2 heaped tsp ground coriander
2 tbsp olive oil
Generous seasoning of salt and pepper to taste
1 small packet (20g) of fresh mint, leaves picked and roughly chopped

To serve
Sumac
Tortilla wraps

1 In a preheated pan over a medium/high heat, dry-fry the cumin seeds to waken up/intensify their flavour; this will take a few minutes, but be careful not to burn the seeds– just toast them lightly.

2 Preheat a large frying pan over a medium heat (or high if using electric).

3 In a large mixing bowl, add together all the kofta ingredients along with the toasted cumin seeds, then really work the mixture thoroughly using your hands, pummelling and working the meat mixture through, making sure the ingredients are evenly combined.

4 Drizzle some oil into your frying pan – just enough to coat the base of the pan.

5 Make your koftas by taking a small amount of the mixed meat mixture – about the size of a ping-pong ball – and then roll each one into a ball. Then roll and flatten the ball in the palm of your hand into slightly elongated shapes and fry them for about 6-7 minutes on each side, until nicely browned and cooked through.

6 Mix the ingredients for the yoghurt together.

7 Season the koftas with sumac before serving in a wrap with the yoghurt drizzled over them.

It may be hard to believe, but even though I ate my way through the Olympia, I was still able to eat dinner. Sometimes you’ve gotta do what you gotta do. But all for a good cause! Seriously though, the dinner at the Portland restaurant was amazingly delish. We had a couple of little nibbles (pumpkin cakes they were called) and then went straight for our main courses. Hubby had venison with celeriac and I had cod with spring onions. We shared the most amazing side dish of broccoli that had been sautéed with almonds. I could have eaten that as a main dish it was that good! We were too full for dessert, but our server (a sweet lady from Ireland) brought out a little box with some tasty treats: Two lemon macrons and two pieces of brown butter cake.

While I feel like I am continuing to digest my fantabulous foodie fieldtrip from yesterday, I will no doubt still chew on some nuggets of wisdom from the day. Mary Berry was especially inspiring to see. Even at 80 years old she whizzes around the kitchen with vim, vigor and vitality. She loves what she does and it shows. You can tell she puts that love into her cooking. She is beautiful inside and out. And she isn’t afraid to speak her mind. I particularly loved when referring to her departed mom she said, “She went to heaven at 105” rather than saying she died, or passed away. I mean what a lovely way to remember her mom with such confidence and reverence, and also not worrying about offending anyone by using a Godly term!

I am looking forward to the next year of the BBC Good Food Show, but until then we will have quite a few more Foodie Fieldtrip Fridays, so thanks for coming along!

Filled to the Brim with Love,

YDP

P.S. Though the snapchat story (video I took on the day) has already expired, as they do within 24 hours, you are welcome to follow along anytime. My user name is blissbakery (all one word) and I do cooking tutorials and little visits around London. As well, my doggie Stella pops up here and there as well. The only thing is that the photographs from snapchat, which I often use on my blog posts, aren’t the best quality. So apologies in advance. But if you have read ABC of YDP you will already know that!

Foodie Fieldtrip Friday Soho Style

November 7, 2015November 18, 2016 ~ Harper220

So Yankee Doodle Paddy (that’s me) took the Tube to F -cubed (Foodie Fieldtrip Friday) and once again brought along her snapchat friends for the fun. It’s a pity the snapchat story disappears in 24 hours. It would be great to continue to visually digest all the amazing places we visited along the way. But I will recap the adventures for you and provide links to the various restaurants and famous places we explored.

Eating London Food Tours put together a Twilight walking tour around the infamous Soho part of London. Having been on another of their tours, around the East End during a busy Friday morning, I had no doubt that this tour on a Friday evening would be just as delicious and informative. And I was 100% correct! It was so incredible in fact that I want to go again as soon as possible and take along Hubby. Although I am the foodie in the family, he would be more of the history buff. Indeed there is so much history that we learned from our able and affable guide Joe. He had the seven of us in the group on a tight schedule. Joe kept us well looked after as it was not only dark but also extremely crowded around that part of town. And we had a busy itinerary in the three hour tour stopping at six different places along the way for food and drinks.

The first stop, possibly my favorite of the night, was the modern Mexican restaurant La Bodega Negra. The owner is a descendent of Winston Churchill and we even had crockery plates with the family moniker. We were treated to a frozen Taquila Sunrise (a beautiful brain freeze) and two different kinds of tacos. The pork tacos with pineapple were so flavorful but the highlight were the shrimp tacos. They were on a slice of jicama instead of the usual tortilla. This light and surprising taste was a massive winner!

Though most people associate a Gin and Tonic cocktail with the Brits, it was actually the Dutch that invented it. But the United Kingdom is so fond of it that they even have their own fabulous London Gin Club which was our second stop. The owner and chef shared some interesting facts about all types of gin (like, hello, it used to be 70% alcohol). They make their own brand at the London Gin Club, though theirs is only 46% proof. And not only is it delicious but it also makes their gin-infused beef pie so moreish! Sadly, my pics of the gin tasting were quite dark, so you will just have to go on the tour yourself to taste and see!

At this juncture I was beginning to see why they have an over 18 year age policy on this tour! Hiccup! As we were treated to a beautiful Spanish red wine when we went to Enrique Tomas for our third stop. We were presented with an amazing selection of jamon and cheese tasting at the Barcelona transplant’s family run establishment. Of the three cheeses I loved the goat’s cheese and the Manchego cheese best. Of the three jamons the Rolls Royce of Iberico was a unanimous winner in our group. These black hoofed pigs are raised in the countryside of Spain and mainly eat acorns. Therefore the jamon is buttery with an oaky flavor without being fatty.

I really love seeing other foodie people passionate about what they are doing and how they are doing it. They take pride in their craft and have patience to make sure that the hams are cured the perfect length of time (which can be up to 3 years). And these delicacies are not cheap! Though I didn’t take the placemat with me, I have a pic to peruse a bit more to appreciate the specificity of this gourmet product!

While we were still technically in London, we traveled to another part of Spain (food-wise) into the Basque region. We visited Pix Bar and delighted on pintxos (their versions of tapas). We had some white sparkling Basque wine (of course) and a choice of two items from the buffet. I chose the seared tuna on a slice of baguette with red onion marmalade fitted with a wooden skewer (a pintxos) and a churros and chocolate shot. OMG! The churros were so fabulously fantastic! I don’t have enough adjectives to describe my excitement! It too was dark inside so this was the best pic I could get. But if you like chocolate, cinnamon, sugar and donuts, this is like the perfect combo! The tour could have ended here and I would have been a happy camper.

But no, we had to soldier on to more decadent destinations. And I was like a little girl on Christmas morning when I saw where we were headed next, CHINATOWN! London’s Chinatown is the biggest in all of Europe. It is home to over 80 Chinese eateries in a very small area. So deciding where to go could be quite confusing. But not with Joe and Eating London Food Tours! We tucked into an unmarked door (complete with a body guard out front) and climbed several flights of stairs before we arrived at our (dark) Dim Sum Shangri-la. Joe told us that the translation for Dim Sum is “touch the heart” which is so precious. Take my word for it, they will do just that, as these were the best dumplings I have ever tasted in my life!

We were served two kinds, crab with samphire and mushroom with truffle. Our liquid accompaniments were two pots of tea served traditional style. The eclectic decor and cool jazz music lent a unique feel to the experience. It made me wonder if real opium dens were in fact like this.

Before our last stop, we took in some interesting local historical facts. We learned that Karl Marx lived in Soho from 1851-1856 and that Dr. John Snow discovered the source of the cholera outbreak in Soho in 1854. We passed several musical legacies, such as the Trident Recording Studio (used by bands such as The Beatles), the Marquee Club (where The Rolling Stones made their London debut back on July 12, 1962) and the renowned Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. And we saw where my fav Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart resided for the year he was in London. Though Soho has a reputation for houses of ill-repute, the first brothel later became a pickle factory. You see, there is a foodie culture everywhere! Love the sense of humor some people have, like the sign on the door of one of the homes: “This is not a brothel. There are no prostitutes at this address.”

Likely, most foodies around the world would agree that chocolate is the best way to end the night. And this night was no different. Our tour was treated to Said Chocolate for the most exquisite spiced hot chocolate I have ever tasted. We had a choice of three; milk, dark or hazelnut (which I had). We were encouraged to try different spices to the liquid molten goodness, and I opted for cardamon in mine. Then Joe brought out a tray of little glass jars filled with this tempting tiramisu. I was nearly filled to the brim but couldn’t say no. And I’m glad I didn’t, it was divine! The cafe had the most amazing aroma of chocolate and coffee, and the decorations of chocolate moulds on the wall and milking cans for stools made it so authentic. This Italian establishment is doing it all right. Lines out the door! Their original shop boasts that it is the oldest chocolatier in Rome

Finally, we gathered in front of a famous wall mural The Spirit of Soho that shows an infographic of the history of the area. From what was once a wooded area used for hunting, to today, where we went and hunted the best food and historical nibbles. Of course all with the help of a fabulous team. Well done Joe and Eating London Tours. Much thought, planning and effort went into putting together every detail of this enjoyable tour! I hope to see you all again soon, if not here, then at one of the other tours you organize in Italy, Amsterdam and Prague. Keep up the good work! I think it is the best way to see a city as a tourist. It is also a great way to get to know a city as a new resident like myself. I feel I know London that much better thanks to you! Though I still miss Dublin, I am relishing in the fact that London is a world class foodie destination with a rich cultural history.

There’s a bonus here folks! Any one of my readers will be treated to a 10% off discount on any of their food tours in any city! Just use the code, “Eating Europe” when booking (here is the link to their website) and you too will have not only a full belly, but a full soul. Their tours are delicious, informative and entertaining. You will truly savor the experience long after you have digested the tasty treats!

Happy+Grateful,

YDP

Recipe: Woman Crush Wednesday

October 28, 2015November 18, 2016 ~ Harper220

I’m sure for some of you that follow along, this week’s choice for Woman Crush Wednesday won’t be a surprise. Last week for the Foodie Fieldtrip Friday I ended the day on one of my all time favorite life experiences: Cooking with the incredible Sabrina Ghayour. As young and petite as she is, Sabrina is a giant in the old world cooking of Persian cuisine. Her book, Persiana has won numerous awards and her upcoming book already has foodies salivating its release.

What I admire most about Sabrina is her approachable style. Not only personally but also with her cooking. For a chef who was literally self taught from the age of seven, she has cooked for her everyone from her family to celebs to strangers attending her much sought after supper clubs. Though the middle eastern style of cooking has become more popular thanks to trends set by the likes of Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi, Sabrina brings a woman’s touch to this male dominated world. Hence, she is so deserving of our massive sappy love that we are giving her today. However, she is certainly one that has our affection forever.

Last week as I started to gear up for her much anticipated cooking class I began searching high and low for her cookbook. I knew I wanted to give it to my daughter in law for her birthday but I wanted to have Sabrina sign it. While I was happy for her that every shop was sold out of the book, panic began to set in for me! So I sent her a little email hours before the class asking if there would be any copies to purchase later in the evening. I thought she might be so busy prepping for her class she wouldn’t have time to even check her inbox. But I gave her my mobile number just in case. Literally, two minutes later I received a text from her saying that I could indeed buy a copy of the book there. What a relief on my nerves and what an impression left on my heart. But that sums Sabrina up in one word, heart! The cover of her book is so unbelievably beautiful (and even has a raised tactile texture to it) that I decided not to wrap it just put a pretty ribbon around it. And it is even more beautiful on the inside. It is like Sabrina, totally and utterly gorgeous outside, but inside she is a goddess, a gourmet one!

She gives every ounce of herself in her teaching, in her cooking and in her entertaining. She told the story of how for years she had these supper clubs in her flat and would not only cook, but also do the decorations, the serving, and the cleaning. She cares about every aspect of the experience for her guests/customers. Even with her social media avenues, she shares photos of amazing meals at various London eateries. But she doesn’t shy away from posting a “sickie in bed” selfie, which no other celebuchef would dare do. Or at least their “handlers” wouldn’t let them do it. But she told us that it is pics like that which get the most “likes” because people know that Sabrina is the real deal. Sure she is all girl and when she is dressed up for a night on the town or to attend a food awards gala her followers show her the love. No joke, Sabrina is the one chef that everyone wishes was her best friend!

Speaking of best friends, how I came to love Persian food was through one of my very best friends back in Los Angeles. I remember all the lovely nights at her home with the massive platters of slow cooked chicken, bowls of gorgeous salads, and of course the famous Persian Rice with the crust called Tadig. Yes it is healthy-ish food in that it is made with real non processed ingredients. But it is a style of food that Sabrina calls “home cooking” whereby the mothers and grandmothers would pass down the recipes by teaching them rather than writing down the recipes. So it tends to be made by eye, taste, hearing or even smell. During the middle of our cooking demonstration Sabrina stopped mid sentence because she could smell that the rice needed attention. And when you do “home cooking” according to Sabrina, it is all about LOVE!!! OMG that was the aha moment for me and I was forever hooked. She really is the best!

I had brought along on the night a bit of my humble baking (some peanut butter cookies) as a thank you to her for helping me out with regard to her cookbook for my daughter in law. What I didn’t expect was HER thanking ME for them by posting it on her Instagram page. But that is what sets Sabrina apart from everyone else. She is in this business because she loves food, but she also loves people. Her style of cooking class is the best I have ever witnessed because rather than sit in a chair for two hours while the chef carries on with the demonstration up in front, she is with the students every step of the way. She is side by side chopping the herbs while the students chop the onions. Everyone gathers around the stove/cooker as she stirs the pot of stew while emphasizing the importance of proper seasoning. And ending the evening around the table dining on her sumptuous food she is there answering questions and telling lovely tales of her life as a young girl. She was also very generous giving insight into her foodie world and sharing some of her food heroes and heroines.

I couldn’t think of a more worthy recipient of the Woman Crush Wednesday than Sabrina. I had such a hard time choosing which recipe I might do for my snapchat tutorial as any of her creations are fantastically flavored gems. But I thought maybe one of her salads would be fab to highlight. She shared that the typical Persian salad tends to be onion, tomato and cucumber. She is well known for taking that stereotype and turning it on its head. She has so many lovely salad recipes and not only are they tasty but they are totally sexy to look at as well. Remember, we eat with our eyes first! The most amazing of them all, in my opinion, is the Fig and Green Bean Salad. Healthy, delicious and it is a salad that actually keeps well for more than a day. Since I often do a salad as a main course for dinner by adding shredded poached chicken and grated goat’s cheese, it is nice to have some left over for lunch the next day without it being the least bit soggy.

Ingredients:

400g (14 oz) fine green beans, trimmed
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tsp crushed sea salt
3 tbsp date molasses*
8 large black figs, quartered
70g (2 1/2 oz) flaked almonds, toasted

Instructions:
Bring a large saucepan of water to a rapid boil over a medium-high heat and cook the green beans for 5 minutes until they soften slightly but still retain their crunch. Drain them and immediately plunge them into a blow of iced water (or under a running cold tap to stop them over cooking). Once cool, drain well. To make the dressing, mix the oil, vinegar, sea salt and date molasses together in a small bowl, stirring well to create a smooth dressing. Arrange the figs and fans on a large patter and drizzle over the dressing. Sprinkle the toasted flaked almonds on top before serving. *If you can’t find date molasses you can use balsamic vinegar, just omit the red wine vinegar.

It was such a treat to meet her and attend her cookery class. I am so grateful to my Hubby for giving me that as part of my birthday pressie. And I got to get a special treat for my daughter in law for part of her birthday pressie. Wow what an unforgettable year. I really wish Sabrina all the best with her new book and would encourage everyone that isn’t already a fan to jump on the YDP (hearts) SG bandwagon. I think you too will find someone who captures your heart through the love in the recipes.

With Female Foodie inFatuation,

YDP

P.S. You can follow along with the love fest via snapchat (user name: blissbakery). Just remember that the “snapchat story” vanishes in 24 hours!

Foodie Fieldtrip Fri-yay!

October 24, 2015October 23, 2017 ~ Harper220

The third now, in this weekly installment, and quite literally it was the TRI-fecta of FFF! I took the Tube to the F-cubed, as I like to call it, and brought along my snapchat friends videoing it all for my story.

This was an all day affair. It unfolded in stages. And to top it off, my gorgeous Irish friend Laura, also a foodie, was in town. So she came along for the ride….and the eat!

We started off with brunch at a well known place called Duck and Waffle. Besides the food, which was incredible, we also had the most stunning view of London from atop the 40 story building. I only learned about this place from one of my snapchat buddies (also from Ireland) named Miriam. She lives and works here in London and has a beautiful blog called Bake My Style. She did a restaurant review about Duck and Waffle and it really whet my appetite. And I have to say the appetite did get quenched. I, of course, ordered the Duck and Waffle (when in Rome as they say) and my friend Laura ordered the Ox Cheek Benedict. There were so many layers of flavor in the food (forty stories worth) and needless to say we polished off everything! The decor was also quirky and cool. I can hardly wait to come back with Hubby to taste their dinner menu. A great recommendation. I think Miriam is now my go-to source for London food finds!

After a little window shopping at Bea’s of Bloomsbury near St. Paul’s, we crossed the Millennium Bridge (a pedestrian bridge over the Thames River). We had to taste the caramelized peanuts being cooked on a little cart, which smelled amazing on a cool autumn day. It is astonishing how weather can play with our sense of smells and tastes and pique our cravings.

We made our way over to the famous Borough Market and spent hours perusing the stalls of cheese mongers, tea traders, sweets sellers and my fav, a gourmet corn on the cob stand. Since hubby is from Lincoln, Nebraska (home of the Cornhusker) I was intrigued they had such a thing for sale in London. Even though it was a gray-ish day, the array of colors of the fruit, veg, and flower stands were a sight to behold! We were able to take in a cookery demo as well. Though because I was doing a snapchat story about the field trip I didn’t post the video of the cookery demo as the chef was making a rabbit dish. Since I have some followers that are children, you just can’t have them watch the Easter Bunny be made into a Sage and Mustard Stew!

After we shared a gorgeous peanut butter and jelly bar (yeah my peanut butter obsession is still in tact) we headed over to the wildly poplar Monmouth Coffee. The long que didn’t put me off (they really are THAT good) because it gave me more of a chance to chat with Laura. We were commenting on the diversity of foods at the Market. We both have the travel bug, but if you come to this market, you could literally travel all seven continents through your taste buds!

We sadly said our goodbyes on the tube. She headed off to see her sister and I had to get home to feed and walk our pretty pit Stella before phase three of the FFF, which was the pinnacle of perfection of the day!

I have been keeping up with a well known female chef over here in London named Sabrina Ghayour. She has a super successful award winning book out called Persiana. I saw on her blog that she had a cookery demo. I mentioned it to my hubby and he kindly got it for me as an early birthday gift. It just so happened to fall on the same day as FFF, how perfect! It was held at Divertimenti in South Kensington. Hello! Where have I been? This place is like the UK version of Williams-Sonoma, my kitchen gadget heaven!

I was so excited to meet her and learn about her amazing Persian food. And luckily this class incorporates the students as handy helpers, and I am totally into the participatory learning. But our treat was that we got to feast on the food at the end of the class. Which was one of the high points in my life as a chef. I could feel the amount of love and care in her recipes. To witness her in her element and be part of the creation of the meal was unforgettable!

First up, chopping onions! That’s alright since I think I was crying tears of joy. Sabrina’s food is so moreish and filled with soul. We had a beautiful apple and pomegranate salad, Lamb Lolliops (meatballs on a stick), Smoked Aubergine dip, and a Quince and Lamb Stew with rice. I have never cooked with quince before and it reminded me a bit of apples (which Sabrina said we could substitute if we can’t find quince in the stores). The meatballs were beyond delicious with the addition of dried apricots and toasted spices.

The group of twelve students, like me, were eager to get to the meal! Though I had been eating all day, I was famished by the time we sat down. And my plate was indicative of all around the table. Totally and utterly devoured and satisfied!

I didn’t get home until after 11 pm. Totally worth it as it was quite honestly the most incredible day ever. I waited up for my Hubby who was returning home from a work trip this past week. And I wasn’t the only one happy to see him. Even our pretty pit Stella was excited. While I shared the details of my very fun Foodie Fieldtrip Friday with him as he unpacked, Stella had other plans. She sat right on his luggage. As if to say, “Hey take me next time!”

Since I not only saw a dog at the Market (poking its head out of a woman’s bag), but I also saw one on the Tube, I might actually take her on the next installment of FFF!

With lots of love and a very full belly!

YDP

Recipe: You say “Po-TAY-to”, I say “Po-TAH-to”

October 22, 2015November 18, 2016 ~ Harper220

It is such a funny phenomenon that people, though they might speak English, don’t all speak the same language. Having grown up in America and now living in London after seven years in Ireland, I seriously think that we are speaking completely different languages full stop!

Not even discussing the obvious, pronunciation, we actually have different words for the same thing. It can be very confusing. I’m not the only one who deals with this, obviously, as there are numerous articles written about it. A wardrobe or closet, a press or cupboard, are all useful words to describe similar household items. However they have completely different meanings depending on which country you reside. I discovered the hard way when I was at the Ballymaloe Cookery School that a boot isn’t a boot as I knew it. In Ireland, it is the trunk of a car and what I call a boot is actually a wellie (short for wellington, or rain boot). Let’s not even talk about kitchen essentials, such as a stove is a cooker, Saran Wrap is Cling film, and aluminum foil is the same, but pronounced a-LU-MIN-i-um foil. After getting teased mercilessly by the other chefs, I just called it foil!

There was a recent Facebook post by an American man about differences he noticed being in the U.K. and the U.S. It was so funny it went viral. He describes how in this part of the world, chips are what french fries are in America, and chips in America are called crisps over here. I could relate to some of the things he talked about. For one, I cannot for the life of me find napkins. A thorough search through the largest Tesco in the world, and I still came up short. When I asked the store manager he suggested I get kitchen paper (another name for paper towels). But I like a nice white paper napkin (also known as a serviette). It occurred to me that when I’ve dined in homes of British people, napkins were noticeable absent. Perhaps they are so proper they don’t need them, but I am known to spill a bit of food from time to time. I recently went on a Food Tour and luckily there were napkins in all the restaurants. Maybe they are used to messy American tourists?

I also find it fascinating what kinds of things are sold in the supermarkets. I actually analyze what products dominate the shelves to determine what is most popular in a particular country. I’ve been lucky enough to travel to some great places and no joke, I take photos in all the different grocery stores. In Italy for instance, no surprise, the pasta aisle seems to go on for eternity. Along with olive oil. Like thousands of different varieties, flavors and bottle sizes of the precious oil. Gauging by my arm chair anthropological theory, the English love their sweets and snacks. American’s love their breakfast cereal. The Irish, you guessed it, love their potatoes. And that love has parlayed into a “Tayto” amusement park!

In fact the government recently spent 5.5 million euro on a marketing campaign to give a little love to the old starchy side dish fondly referred to as a spud! This also coincided with #NationalPotato Day funny enough!

Until I moved to Ireland I thought there were only a couple varieties. You know, the ones used for making baked potatoes and ones to mash. But in Ireland, it really is a plethora of potatoes in the shops!

The whole time I taught cookery classes in Dublin, I never demonstrated how to make potato dishes. I would often have a bit of mashed potato or a potato gratin, but only as a side dish for a lovely chicken or fish dinner I had demoed. I felt that to teach them how to make a creamy mash would be akin to preaching to the choir. As well, I think I have a subconscious aversion because I was nervous that I might add an ‘e’ to potato when typing up my recipes. I didn’t want to look like a female version of former Vice President Dan Quayle!

I shared on here before about how my daughter has given me “hand me ups” in the way of clothing as well as recipes. She shyed away from cooking growing up but when she got married she really got into it. And for a time she achieved so much confidence in the kitchen that she had her own cooking blog. Now that she is a busy mom of two little girls, she had to put it on the back burner (pun intended). But I still look at her blog from time to time as she really has a knack for it. Her plating and photography skills are awesome! One of her posts was actually for mashed potatoes. I loved her commentary about how she was so nervous as a new cook that she had to either call me or look on the internet for instructions on basics such as how to mash potatoes. And though now she can whip these up in her sleep, it is good to know some people have to start somewhere.

So if you are one of those, or else maybe you’re someone who wants a different kind of mash potato, than here is a recipe for you. I love them because the skins are actually left intact. Less time prepping, yeah, no peeling! But what is left is more nutrition (the skins are loaded with vitamins). As well these are meant to be a bit lumpy, so you aren’t stressed about getting them ultra smooth and creamy. I think they should be called Smashed Potatoes! As in Po-TAY-toes! Unless you are from a part of the world that refer to them as Po-TAH-toes!

Ingredients

2 lbs. red potatoes, quartered

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 stick unsalted butter (1/4 cup), sliced

salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Place potatoes in a saucepan adding enough water to cover them by 1 inch. Bring to a boil; lower heat and simmer until potatoes are soft, about 15 minutes. Drain potatoes in a colander and return them to the saucepan.

Coarsely mash potatoes, gradually adding heavy cream and butter. Consistency should be a little lumpy. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Okay, granted these do have cream and butter. But if you use Kerrygold butter than you’re good to go! Haha! Then again, I’ve already divulged our love affair! Seriously though, you can always use a chicken or veg stock in place of the cream to make this recipe less naughty. I can almost guarantee you will make this your go-to recipe when you want to get in touch with your inner Potato Loving Paddy!

Lumpy Love,

YDP

P.S. potato photo cred to @inherchucks

Recipe: Chocolate Covered Foodie Fieldtrip Friday

October 16, 2015November 18, 2016 ~ Harper220

I’m sure you’ve heard that phrase, “Death by Chocolate”? Well I had that near death experience today! But what a way to go!

I’ve been recovering all week from the first Foodie Fieldtrip Friday last week. Taking my snapchat friends along with me on a journey out and about in London as their gastronomic guide is fun for me and for them. I thought my choice for the second Foodie Fieldtrip Friday might be less calorific. But I thought wrong. I attended the London Chocolate Show at the Olympia National Hall. Since I am a self proclaimed chocoholic I figured this would be an unforgettable experience and indeed it was!

The smell of chocolate when I walked into the hall was the most amazing sensory first impression. And then I got to meet this four legged guy. I even had my pic taken for my snapchat (user name blissbakery) with this 30 kg/66lbs solid chocolate bulldog! He hasn’t been given a moniker though. But the person who creates the perfect name wins a year’s supply of chocolate. Helllooooo! Thinking cap on 24/7 until I come up with the doggie doozy!

There was also an entire section of the hall devoted to spices. Why? Because artisan chocolatiers are using a variety of spices in their ranges to add nuanced flavors for the more adventurous palette.

In fact one of the best tasting chocolate I sampled all day was the beautifully complex fennel, cardamom, saffron, praline truffle chocolate with gold flecks from award winner Aneesh Popat. In his demonstration he revealed that he gets his ideas for flavor combinations from a database in Belgium. It is a scientific research facility that has analyzed all flavor combinations and distinguishes which ones work well together. Foodpairing is used by professional chefs and bartenders, but there is even a basic membership for any of you budding foodies wanting to give it a whirl. For the moment, I’ll just stick with my old standby! Plus, part of the fun of discovering things in my kitchen is due to using is as a playground.

This wasn’t my first foray into the dark mysterious chocolate world. Years ago when my kids were small we went to a chocolate making factory. When I attended Ballymaloe Cookery School we had an entire day devoted to chocolate. It was tutored by a German woman who constantly referred to chocolate in the feminine, calling it “she”. And saying that “she” (chocolate) needs to be looked after as “she” is very sensitive. Hmm, I can relate I thought. Most recently I went to another chocolate making demonstration at the famous Butler’s Chocolates in Ireland (as a gift from my aunt and uncle). I cook and bake with (and eat) chocolate nearly every day and still I feel like I have only scratched the surface of this amazing “nectar of the gods”.

Besides the fabulous demonstrations and talks I attended today, and the fashion show (with chocolate couture gowns) there were rows and rows of chocolatiers selling and sampling their wares.

Since I used to manage a food store in Dublin, and was known for my elaborate tasters, I am very conscientious about the protocol of taking a taster. It is called a “taster” for a reason (though it looked like some people brought extra luggage into the Olympia today to hoard all the tasters). Believe it or not I even passed up some of the freebies. I actually got to a point where I couldn’t have another bite. And it was only when one of the chefs demonstrating on the main stage mentioned a recipe he has been testing which uses Cocoa nibs with Pork Belly that it clicked. I too have used chocolate in a savory dish and it is kind of a nice way to incorporate all the complexities and flavor of chocolate without the sugar high. This recipe can be made with a good quality beef filet mignon as well. But since my hubby doesn’t eat red meat I tend to make this version with duck breasts. It is absolutely delicious!

Duck Breasts with Chocolate Sauce

Serves 4

2 magret duck breast halves, 12 to 16 oz each

1 ½ tsp kosher salt

1 tsp freshly cracked pepper

100g (3.5 oz) butter

150 g (5.3 oz) leeks, finely chopped

1 small pkg smoked bacon lardons

250 ml (8.4 oz) red wine

2 tsp red currant jelly

300 ml (10 oz) beef stock stock

120 ml (4 oz) port

15 g Dark chocolate (70% cocoa) finely chopped

Preheat oven to 400 F/200 C/Gas 6.

Score the duck breasts on the fatty side using a sharp knife, cutting about 1/8 inch into the skin in a cross hatch pattern.

Heat a 12 inch sauté pan over medium-low heat. Season the duck breasts evenly on both sides with salt and pepper and place skin side down in the hot skillet. Cook the breasts until the skin is crispy and most of the fat has rendered (about 10-12 minutes).

Pour off the fat from the pan. Turn the breast over and place in the hot oven for 10 minutes. When finished remove from oven and allow to rest for 3 minutes before slicing.

To make the sauce, melt 30 g butter in a pan and add the leeks and bacon. Cook gently for 15 minutes. Add the wine and redcurrant jelly and simmer until reduced to a syrup like consistency. Then add the stock and simmer until reduced by half. Finally add the port and simmer until it is a bit thick, to coat back of a spoon. Pour the mix through a sieve into a clean pan, check for seasoning, and add salt and pepper if needed. Gently heat the sauce and add the chocolate until it melts. Whisk in remaining butter until you get a shine on the sauce.

6. Serve the duck slices on a plate with the sauce and a nice rice pilaf and a veg such as green beans.

This is a great dish to serve for Valentine’s (as I do) or any other romantic occasion. Even if the debate continues as to chocolate’s assistance for lovers, it certainly doesn’t hurt and tastes good to boot!

A highlight of the Foodie Fieldtrip Friday was Willie’s Chocolates founder’s inspiring talk about the Bean to Bar phenomenon. Willie himself travels to all parts of the globe and buys his beans directly from the farmers. He then roasts the beans and oversees every aspect of the process through to the final chocolate bar on the store shelf. And he shared that he drinks chocolate (in water with a bit of chili pepper) everyday. He gave up coffee because it causes our bodies to release the stress hormone cortisol. But chocolate causes our bodies to release endorphins, the feel good hormones. No wonder he was so upbeat and energetic!

If you too are a chocolate lover I would recommend you take a tour of a chocolate factory or a demonstration on chocolate. You will learn far more than how to melt it and mold it into truffles. There is fascinating ancient history around this coveted bean. And it is truly becoming a sought after artisan area of the food business. Lastly, you really do need to think of chocolate the same way you think of fine wine. You get what you pay for. And if you want not only the best tasting chocolate, but the kind with the most health benefits (since chocolate is really one of the first super foods) then pick wisely!

In chocolatey heaven love,

YDP

Foodie Fieldtrip Friday

October 9, 2015November 18, 2016 ~ Harper220

I decided to start a new ongoing weekly post called Foodie Fieldtrip Friday. Yes I know field trip is supposed to be two words, but if you go to the ABC of YDP you’ll see how I feel about Punctuation Police and Grammar Garda (the Irish name for police). But I figured since I am lucky enough to live in one of the greatest cities in the world, rich with a diverse culture and foods from all over the globe, then I should go out and explore. And what do explorers do? They bring the discoveries back home! So I will be getting out and about and bringing all I’ve learned back to YOU my YDPeeps!

I will do my best to have photos (at the moment taken with iPhone 6) and videos (at the moment only avail on snapchat*). I wish I had taste-o-rama and smell-o-rama on this blog! But hopefully my descriptions will whet your whistle and when you are over here in the “Big Smoke” you too can check out some of my foodie finds.

For my first Foodie Fieldtrip Friday (from henceforth called FFF or F cubed) I wanted to do something fantabulous! And so I booked myself on a food tour in the East End called “Eating London Food Tours“. Having been on one other food tour before (in Austin, TX) I had an idea that there would be lots, and lots of food. Hence I didn’t eat breakfast. Well, I was right. I think I ate enough for breakfast, lunch and dinner for two days in the 3 plus hour tour! But it was absolutely worth every pound (£) spent and every pound (lb.) gained.

I brought along my *snapchat friends on this journey led by our energetic guide Harry, and we literally did not stop. Even when we sat down at the food establishments there was so much to take in! And I’m not just talking about the actual food consumption. Harry was a wealth of information about the restaurants (the buildings, the proprietors and where the ingredients are sourced) and the cultural and historical context of the area. It felt like a high speed university course using all of our senses.

The group of eleven (four Americans, four Norwegians, two Brits and one Yankee Doodle Paddy) met promptly at 10:45 a.m. at the Old Spidalfields Market walking distance from the Liverpool Train Station. And walking being the key word. I believe the person who designed this tour was smart, in that we balanced out our calorie consumption with our calorie burning. But it was such a beautiful sunny autumn day that the walking was a treat!

Our first of eight stops was St.John Bread and Wine for their famous bacon sandwich. I was a bit skeptical about all the excitement over a BLT minus the L and the T, but truth be told this was the best “B” Sambo I have ever eaten. The freshly baked and chargrilled bread was a carbo lovers dream! And the bacon, while making a popular worldwide resurgence, hit a home run with its flavor. It was served with a side of homemade ketchup that contained a secret ingredient, apples, and the sweet and tart taste was a bright surprise winner compared to the ordinary Heinz variety.

Our second stop, The English Restaurant, served us some lovely bread and butter pudding with gorgeous vanilla bean custard. Some on the tour had never had bread and butter pudding before, and were delighted with it. Let’s just say all the little ceramic ramekins were emptied!

While the food digested a bit we were gifted with more historical tidbits as we did our walk about the area, which is literally built on top of Roman Ruins. And not because it is Halloween in a few weeks, but some of the stories were a bit ghostly. Such as the infamous Jack the Ripper related unearthing of the body of his final victim.

As we carried on to spot three, we needn’t look no further than our nose. As the House of Androuet Cheese scent was wafting through the East End. And rightly so. Londoners line up (or Que as they say) around the block before Christmas for their famous Stilton Cheese which was delicious indeed. We also tasted some beautiful Cheddar (which is the number one variety of cheese sold in the UK). The stack of “A Year in Cheese” books (pic on the left) to look like an “A” for the family name Androuet, is really the basis of their ethos. They only carry cheese that is in season. And because of their adherence to seasonality guidelines along with their knowledge and passion for cheese they are regarded as masters of their craft.

There were two massive highlight for me on the tour and one of them was a trip to the award winner Poppies Fish and Chips. When done properly like these are, there is nothing better except a side of mushy peas and all wrapped up in newspaper. Though newspaper was outlawed as a means to traditionally wrap the “chipper take away” Poppie’s owner devised a way around it by printing up his own newspaper looking packaging. Clever and tasty! After all that salt and vinegar we headed to the quaint pub Pride of Spitalfields for a taste of Truman’s Ale and Orchard Cider. And we got to meet its famous feline resident, Lenny!

At this point in the tour I was personally starting to feel filled to the brim! But we still had three more stops to make so we soldiered on and saw some beautiful street art along the way. I am not a fan of graffiti but I have to say that street art fascinates me as it is more than just gang tagging with spray paint. Creativity and thought is put into this form of visual expression. This area of London is known for this public guerrilla art form and its most famous representative is non other than Banksy himself.

Our trip to Curry Mile was definelty beneficial for my sinuses! Aladin curry house served us lamb, chicken and vegetable curries, which were all great, but the tender and a slightly sweet lamb was my favorite. The chicken madras was piping hot, and I didn’t need an oven mitt for it, I needed a glass of water or two. But in a good way! I know the medicinal benefits of all those spices so I didn’t mind. Considering there are approximately 16,000 curry restaurants in the UK and this one is rated one of the best, I felt very privileged to dine in such an esteemed restaurant. However, I did think the naan bread left a little to be desired. But then again I’m a carb aficionado and have high standards. And since that was the only nit picky thing on the entire tour then I’m not complaining.

With the double chin now becoming a triple, I felt like I was reaching a tipping point. But when we stopped in front of Beigel Bake what could I say? Hellooo, get in my belly! This shop is open 24/7 and now that I know that I might be back again when a late night craving hits. I don’t think I have had a bagel that nice since I lived in NYC. And when I saw it came with lovely Salt Beef (called Corned Beef in the U. S. ) I tucked away a little bit to take home to my pretty Pit Stella! I just made sure she didn’t get any of that hot English mustard!

At long last we reached my second highlight of the tour! The coveted Chocolate Salted Caramel Tart (on Time Out’s list of top 100 foods in London) at Pizza East, and it was worth the wait. Number 8 has always been my lucky number so I should have known our eighth and final stop would be my fav! We were also served a pot of perfectly brewed English tea and had a moment to catch our breaths (after we let our belts out a few notches).

Our schamazing tour guide extraordinaire Mr. Harry was oh so merry. He made us feel like we were all one big happy family having a moveable meal. And he was the quintessential patriarch of the bunch that kept everyone on task, on time and in tune!

Before we departed to go back to our respective homes, Harry asked us to choose one food on the tour that we fancied most. Three folks chose the bacon sandwich, three chose the bagel sandwich, three chose the cheese, and one chose the fish and chip. Me? Well, my sweet tooth always gives me away. And that was one decadent chocolate salted caramel tart!

I can’t recommend this tour highly enough. If you decide to go yourself, defo request Happy Harry! The experience will bring out the foodie in anyone! And the company is very mindful of anyone with food allergies or restrictions. Though it appeared on our particular group everyone was game for the whole lot. I am hoping to go on some of the tours they do in other cities next time I travel to Rome, Amsterdam or Prague. But I better start my training now!

Food Coma Love,

YDP

*if you want to watch the video story on snapchat my user name is bliss bakery but fair warning the story disappears after 24 hours.

ps. I am always looking out for love in the world. While on the tour we passed this literally heart warming sign near Poppies. I get a tingle when I see confirmations like this out there….