Food

thank you, yes. all very good, a carousel of succulent cuts being carved at the table

Just made hoummus on sprouts instead of chickpeas

Turned out quite good, think it'd be even better with live chickpeas only

i have been particularly enjoying pears this year, seems to have been a great crop of sweet and succulent ones, which have been impossible to eat without juice running down my chin

Made a mint chocolate 'chip' ganache tart this weekend.
Chocolate shortcrust base, with a white chocolate mint ganache (150mls cream: 300g white choc, 1.5 tbsp mint essence, 1/2 a pot of chocolate popping candy), and a bittersweet chocolate ganache top (250mls cream: 300g 76%). Was really nice.

Also a peanut butter cake (not so good) with salted caramel buttercream frosting (very good), with crumbled cayenne pepper and cinnamon peanut brittle over the top (fucking incredible stuff- well worth a look- alton brown's recipe).

Also been watching Good Eats (youtube) in my spare time, he's got some ingenious methods of building a home smoker for not very much, and recipes follow the scientific side of things, without requiring ridiculous equipment or ingredients.

i have been particularly enjoying pears this year, seems to have been a great crop of sweet and succulent ones, which have been impossible to eat without juice running down my chin

Pear crops have been atrocious for 2 years running now and prices are sky high, it'll be a short season so make the most of it. If you stick to Comice pears and you'll most likely have a juicy one.

Nutella on brie

I made cassoulet over the weekend. So good. Plus it stretched to 6 generous portions. Even better!

I have a reservation at Vanilla Black and Oxo Brasserie tonight. Which one to choose? I'm going with a vegetarian if that helps your decision.

I am veggie and have been to Vanilla Black, I have never been to the Oxo Brasserie.

I liked Vanilla black, the food is quite rich but it is delicious. The service was good too, not over-bearing or intrusive. they weren't sniffy about us ordering the 2nd cheapest wine either. I would definitely go again.

I've been to oxo thrice, thoroughly enjoyed it every time.

I should probably mix it up a bit.

I had a fish finger butty tonight.

Old school... Om, nom, nom.

I made tabbouleh... it was very easy and tasted like tabbouleh.

Is the recipe still contained in the Old Testament?

Tabbouleh... Still sounds like a Jewish temple that involves Moses ( מֹשֶׁה)...

2 x post...

I went for dinner at the Railroad in Hackney central last night: http://www.railroadhackney.co.uk/word/

I had a salad of leek, rocket, cauliflower, capers and vinaigrette followed by Delica pumpkin and pistachio pilaf with sweet herbs and seasoned yogurt. It was very very tasty!

My carnivorous other half had Finnochiona (fennel salami) with pickled Violina squash followed by Onglet steak, sweet potato roasted with cinnamon, chopped salad with lime, coriander and smoked ancho chilli. Hers looked awesome too and she assured me it was.

It's a cute little place near the big Tesco on Morning Lane. I would definitely recommend it.

If you go to Vanilla Black, don't be tempted to order the whipped brie dessert. You cannot whip brie. I knew this but I ordered it anyway. Mistake.

OK, Google tells me that it is possible to whip brie. Who knew?

Still, don't order it.

I didn't go to Vanilla Black, I left the decision to her, and she chose oxo. It was delicious as usual.

Next time I'm going there, I won't order the whipped brie.

Nutella on brie

Have you been high, or too lazy to go shopping?

My effort at a banana loaf/bread/cake

Hmm there are some bananas in the fruit bowl that are a bit over ripe, time to tell Mum :)

DIY man!

Pig and Butcher on Liverpool Rd for Sunday lunch.
Good food but bloody terrific service and great wine list.

recommended

DIY man!

Made it a couple of times but I have no time now...

Penks on Salusbury road!
My favourite place for sunday Lunch, it;s fantastic and great service.