I love a good breakfast… and breakfast at Fortnum’s at the Royal Exchange is bloody good. I’ve had a long love affair with F&M… When I first moved to the UK I had a Sunday ritual to buy little bits for my cupboards like jams, biscuits, and chutneys. The thought process behind that was if it’s fit for the queen, it’s good enough for me.⠀
I’ve always been a firm believer that the food we eat can help to influence your mood. Feeling sad + Eat Pizza = Feeling happy. Feeling Celebratory + Eat a Burger = Feeling Celebratory. Feeling Stressed + Eating a packet of Doritos = Feeling Stress-free.
I’m kind of joking, but not. I know that throughout my life I reach for those fatty, salty, starchy, carby meals whenever I feel like I need to adjust my mood. They totally help in the short term without a doubt, the pleasure that I derive from eating them is immense. Though as I grow older (yeah that) I’m looking to be able to adjust my moods from foods in other ways.
Breakfast is probably my favourite meal of the day. You would think that I’d be up every morning cooking up an epic start of the day… Truth is I usually skip it or have something really simple like a boiled egg. Despite my American roots and love of sugary cereals, doughnuts and maple syrup covered pancakes, they really don’t do it for me for breakfast. I like to start my days eating with something savoury. Like this Savoury Oat Porridge.
Which comes to think of it… is why I probably don’t get along with traditional porridge. Those hot wet oats are normally made enjoyable with swirls of maple syrup or dollops of jam. If its sweet, it’s not for me…. that was until I discovered savoury oat porridge.
Oh Gawd, I love a good poke.. Nope, not talking about that thing you used to do to strangers on Facebook to get their attention.
I’m talking about Poke bowl. Those pretty little-layered bowls of sushi grade fish, rice and toppings. Next to burgers and ramen, I never tire of getting face to face with a bowl of poke. Not only are they visually stunning to look at they are so darn delicious!
What I love most about it is being able to feel like I’m eating a tray of sushi without all the fiddly work of eating every single piece. I love how fresh it tastes and how you can customise it to your exact specifications. For the record, I cannot have poke without avocado!
Read the List of my favourite Poké Bowls.
I remember when a good burger in London was one that did not give you food poisoning. That was about 2007 years ago when the scene started to cotton on to the fact that a burger could be more than an overcooked frozen patty with some fried onions and melted cheese in a sugary over-processed white bun. Places like Hamburger Union (RIP), Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Byron started to blaze the way on the high streets. It was not until 2008 when The Meat Wagon rolled onto the scene that burgers got really interesting in London. It’s safe to say that I have had a fair few burgers since 2008, some have been amazing, some rubbish and a majority forgettable.
So here is my 2019 List of the Best London Burgers.
One Christmas tradition that I miss here in the UK is eggnog. Proper eggnog. Not an Eggnog Latte (they are not the same) Most certainly not Advocat which someone tried to pass off on me when I first moved here.
You can get eggnog here in the UK, but it’s super expensive and its filled with preventives and UBER sweet. This recipe is kind of easy and uses a blender and a hand whisk.
Eggnog is generally spiked with rum, brandy or bourbon. I’ve gone with a mixture of Jack Daniels Fire for some cinnamon heat, Absolut Vanilla for some sweetness and Makers Mark Bourbon for a kick.
I’m a sucker for pickles. You have heard me proclaim my love for them numerous times on here. When i read that @shakeshackuk were doing a crispy pickle burger as a special my mouth began to water. They take a pair of their beef patty and melt some creamy provolone cheese on them. Stack some sweet white onions, deep fried pickles and garlic mayo and sandwich it between potato buns… you have one epic @burger. Its only around for 2 months and this won’t be the last time I get my chops on it! ⠀
Summertime snacking at @wahaca . Completely smitten with the new Summer Menu at Wahaca… I’ve always liked Wahaca, but I think that I’m leaning toward the feelings of love for the place. The summer menu feels like they are taking a few more risks to push the boat out. The highlights were the perfectly layered Mexico City Nachos with some goodness on each tortilla. ? Just look at that pea studded ricotta tostada, felt both smugly virtuous and decadent at the same time! The summer menu is across all branches now. .⠀
Tuck in and let me know what you think! ⠀
Mega Brunch goals here at @berberandq with their Moroccan take on the Patty Melt. Take a meaty merguez sausage patty sandwich it with goats cheese, shallots and honey grill it between butter slathered bread. It’s part of their new brunch offering taken from @ChefJoshKatz debut cookbook. The menu reads really well with shakusha, midle eastern spiced buttermilk fried chick and turkish eggs. Cant wait to try out some of the recipes at home. .
Berber & Q is out now and you can buy it through the link in my profile. .
Another killer Poke Collab bowl from @islandpokeuk . This time sees them pair up with the purveyors of sustainable seafood @clawfood . This technicolour dream bowl features Beetroot-cured trout ( a first for poke bowls in the UK), leafy greens, yuzu ricotta, pickled English pear, togarashi, edamame & shoestring beetroot crisps. It’s sweet and earthy with a creamy tang from that yuzu ricotta. Go seek it out! ⠀