February

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

1. Making the most of the tiny outbreaks of sun on our Bethnal Green roof terrace

2. Another porridge breakfast I will never tire of

3. Late night sketching, feels good to get back into it. Developing a story about an elderly hedgehog and a newly-hatched chick, conceived by my ever-talented mum

4. Canal-side walk with two of the most wonderful people

5. A real Broadway Market bash-out flat dinner 

6. Desert GODLY, especially Louise's now infamous Speculoos Tiramisu - look I found a take on it although Louise's version included fresh berries and grated chocolate - divine and begging for a second helping

FIN tres satisfaisant.

Sigh

This woman rocks.

 

 

Set design droooool. 

The Holy Land Chronicles: Part I Gastronomy

1. Doctor Shakshuka in Yafo. A little overrated if you ask me - keep following for a far more satisfying shakshuka recipe.

2. For someone who lived in Belgium for 16 years and continues to sample exquisite beers - good old Israeli Goldstar ain't bad at all. Especially sometime around 6pm, on a rooftop cafe watching the sun setting beyond the sea..

3. Health supermarket Eden really is what it says on the shop window - Paradise... especially these endless piles of nuts, dried fruit, seeds and pulses. A must-buy: almond paste, Medjool dates, sugared pecans & almonds, wholemeal couscous.

4. It had to be done. Nothing beats Israel's take on cappuccino, the impeccable 'afooch'. I started having mine with soy, and particularly rated the one in cafe Landver (on Gordon beach, location is part of it of course)

5. I am a big fan of the Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem (well, who isn't?) It definitely beats Shuk Hacarmel in Tel Aviv. Mountains of glowing aubergines and pomegranates, not to mention the sweet side..keep reading for more.

6. My dear friends Inbal and Ringo giving us a Jerusalem gastronomic tour - one of the ultimate no-frills hummus and infamous knaffe, all in the Arab quarter. These guys managed to hack some fresh lamb kebabs as well, I was beat by then. But there's always room for a wonderfully fragrant Turkish coffee.

7. THE SWEET STUFF - rogalach to die for. Must be made with butter and purchased from that awesome Jerusalem bakery.

8. The results of a plusher north Tel-Aviv house party, the food was simply inescapable and never-ending. This is typically Israeli. And typically Tel Aviv-ian (at least amongst those slightly more afluent northerners) to throw together salmon cakes, schnitzel, thai curry, Vietnamese stir-fry, hummus, tons of salads and mountains of rich deserts all on one huge table for people to gorge on and slowly die. Leftovers oh there were plenty. One thing I certainly will take away though: strawberries, cream, rose water kadaif and pistachio, fabulous.

 

9. One thing you cannot NOT do when is Israel is have a big arse brunch in Yafo (or similar). Proper hummus, proper pitta, pickles, falafel, fried aubergine and cauliflower, a seriously fine Israeli salad, hot sauces and some cooooool limonana to wash it all down. And then make sure you walk at least an hour back into town. 

10. It's got to be said, Manta Ray was one of the best lunches I had in Israel and we didn't even attempt the main courses. Here we indulged on mezes alone and the incredible fresh focaccia. This resaurant cleverly combines traditional Israeli food and local ingredients to create zingy exciting dishes. The aubergine mousse was one of my favourites as was the calamari; some seriously good seafood going on here. I will attempt to recreate this on my next pay day *ahem*

Pssss Manta Ray Cookbook is faaaabulous. I plan to slightly 'inspire' myself and do a bit of my own cookin' and doodlin'. More to come...

Porridge love

 

I've been eating porridge nearly every morning for a good few years now. I love the texture and the endless topping combinations. Recently (with a little help from Nigel of course) I've perfected porridge cooking with a little flaking of salt and lots of stirring. This usually means getting up 10mins early or beign 10mins late...but it's worth it.

I 'indulged' in some weekend newspaper reading as well. I never read fast enough so the paper stays on my desk or by my bed until the following weekend.

Luxury time to cook has been sparse (although you wouldn't be able to tell by the looks of this blog). Last night was a Mediterranean medley of stuffed pepper with quinoa, roasted flat mushrooms and a Middle Eastern special, done oh-so-irresistibly: fried cauliflower with lemon juice and parsley.

On the B'way

There's nothing quite more East End weekend than a Saturday morning on Broadway Market, lively with bursts of sunshine poking through the clouds. I usually just browse and nibble on freebies. And people watch. And enjoy the day's latest live thrown-together street band. I'm into my egg breakfasts these days too.