GIVEAWAY: The Collective Yoghurts and Gourmet Parcel NOW CLOSED
In order to say thank you, I've teamed up with The Collective, a Kiwi-originating company now conquering the UK yoghurt scene (I adore their passion fruit and Russian Fudge flavours), who have kindly agreed to donate a months worth of their delicious yoghurts to a reader of Adventures of a London Kiwi.
Wordless Friday and a Blog Landmark
My hubby keeps reminding me that when I started the blog, I wondered if anyone at all would read my little corner of 't internet, and I'm genuinely blown away that you have been so kind - and that you keep returning. I'm just thrilled that anyone wanted to stop by at all.
Call the Midwife - Reading Recommendation
I love this book. I can't ever really call myself a full londoner, not having been born within hearing of the Bow bells, or even on this side of the globe, but the heartfelt stories within in this memoir make you yearn a little to be a Cockney Sparra.
Homemade Chutneys - Newton and Pott
Have I managed to tickle your fancy yet? (most Kiwis reading this blog will be drooling already - you can switch to the bottom of the blog post for details on how to get your mitts on these delicious London babies).
Hackney Broadway Market
Flanked by a full variety of shops selling almost everything else you can think of, the Broadway is busy and buzzing with the hum of good foods and smiling stallholders. There is also a green not far away, where you can enjoy your spoils.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Weekday Cocktails
Warning: this post may make you thirsty.
I think I've found an awesome way to dispell weekday blues - cocktail classes!
Now, I'm nothing but honest (and probably usually overshare) and in this instance I was a guest of Balans in Stratford, but my (many) opinions are only ever my own.
When I left my office to hop on the tube to Stratford, I wasn't sure what to expect, but we were warmly welcomed with a fresh Bellini and a big smile from our instructor and her assistant.
Our instructor was a (cocktail making) mother hen to our gaggle of giggling bloggees. We were taught how to make a variety of cocktails in a beginners shaker - it's really good because us bloggers all love things that we can try again at home, and none of them required special equipment bar the Shaker. We made a Berrylicious (Blackberries, Raspberries, Berry Puree and White Rum);
My all-time favourite Margarita (it was so good, it was inhaled - the nice thing is you can tailor them to your own tastes when you make them):
We then stopped for a snack break with some nice nosh; Gruyere and Spinach Quiche, Calamari, Turkish Pitta and dips, Ham Terrine.
Tried a Red Ribbon (made in honour of Elton John's Aids Foundation, which was lovely);
Then a Balans White Russian, with a seasonal decoration... the decoration kinda worked (if you squint and kind of tilt your head it's two bells.)
They cheerfully accommodated our non-alcohol drinker, and whilst a couple of the mocktails were (by her own admission as they don't often get the request) on-the-fly adventures, two of them looked delicious - the berry mocktail with pomegrante syrup and the layered hazelnut coffee. It led to a really interesting conversation about sugar syrups, and how easy they are to make at home and flavour with your chosen ingrediant. Future Challenge accepted.
Oh, and apparently Pumpkin Spice Syrup is really good in cocktails. Second Future Challenge accepted and ingredients ordered..
One of the best things about this particular restaurant - the vicinity to public transport links. You can get just about anywhere, as long as it's in London or Essex, and you are willing to make a few changes.
There are a few branches of Balans, dotted over London and Miami, see the Balans Website for further details. The Cocktail classes were well organised, are held regularily, cost £39.95 and I think for the quality pretty good value for money; 5 drinks, great nibbles and some really interesting tuition. And you get to Ghetto Dump (it's the way you pour the cocktail into the glass, fyi).
There are a few ladies who I'm going to round up & suggest we hit another one of the branches up. Practice makes perfect after all.
I've also got a possible Margarita night planned in my 101 in 1001 goals.
I think I've found an awesome way to dispell weekday blues - cocktail classes!
Now, I'm nothing but honest (and probably usually overshare) and in this instance I was a guest of Balans in Stratford, but my (many) opinions are only ever my own.
When I left my office to hop on the tube to Stratford, I wasn't sure what to expect, but we were warmly welcomed with a fresh Bellini and a big smile from our instructor and her assistant.
Our instructor was a (cocktail making) mother hen to our gaggle of giggling bloggees. We were taught how to make a variety of cocktails in a beginners shaker - it's really good because us bloggers all love things that we can try again at home, and none of them required special equipment bar the Shaker. We made a Berrylicious (Blackberries, Raspberries, Berry Puree and White Rum);
My all-time favourite Margarita (it was so good, it was inhaled - the nice thing is you can tailor them to your own tastes when you make them):
We then stopped for a snack break with some nice nosh; Gruyere and Spinach Quiche, Calamari, Turkish Pitta and dips, Ham Terrine.
Tried a Red Ribbon (made in honour of Elton John's Aids Foundation, which was lovely);
Then a Balans White Russian, with a seasonal decoration... the decoration kinda worked (if you squint and kind of tilt your head it's two bells.)
They cheerfully accommodated our non-alcohol drinker, and whilst a couple of the mocktails were (by her own admission as they don't often get the request) on-the-fly adventures, two of them looked delicious - the berry mocktail with pomegrante syrup and the layered hazelnut coffee. It led to a really interesting conversation about sugar syrups, and how easy they are to make at home and flavour with your chosen ingrediant. Future Challenge accepted.
Oh, and apparently Pumpkin Spice Syrup is really good in cocktails. Second Future Challenge accepted and ingredients ordered..
One of the best things about this particular restaurant - the vicinity to public transport links. You can get just about anywhere, as long as it's in London or Essex, and you are willing to make a few changes.
There are a few branches of Balans, dotted over London and Miami, see the Balans Website for further details. The Cocktail classes were well organised, are held regularily, cost £39.95 and I think for the quality pretty good value for money; 5 drinks, great nibbles and some really interesting tuition. And you get to Ghetto Dump (it's the way you pour the cocktail into the glass, fyi).
There are a few ladies who I'm going to round up & suggest we hit another one of the branches up. Practice makes perfect after all.
I've also got a possible Margarita night planned in my 101 in 1001 goals.
The ladies I met have some awesome blogs: Simply Foods, Botanical Baker, Food I Fancy, Pebble Soup and Ladies in Blogging a UK blogging network.
What is your favourite Cocktail? Have you ever tried a Mocktail?
Labels:
Food »
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Life lately »
London Living »
Product Review »
Restaurant Review
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
The Night Circus - Reading Recommendation
I couldn't put this down. It was fascinating, capivating, mysterious and funny.
It's escapist, it's fantasy, it's dreamlike, but the luscious descriptions of the character, textures and feeling through the book almost make you yearn for the Circus to exist. Two magicians are training apprentices, and have set the circus as a playing field for the apprentices, in a duel that, unknown to the duellists is one to the death.
The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.
The black sign, painted in white letters that hangs upon the gates, reads:
Opens at Nightfall
Closes at Dawn
As the sun disappears beyond the horizon, all over the tents small lights begin to flicker, as though the entirety of the circus is covered in particularly bright fireflies. When the tents are all aglow, sparkling against the night sky, the sign appears.
Le Cirque des Rêves
The Circus of Dreams.
Now the circus is open.
Now you may enter.
It's escapist, it's fantasy, it's dreamlike, but the luscious descriptions of the character, textures and feeling through the book almost make you yearn for the Circus to exist. Two magicians are training apprentices, and have set the circus as a playing field for the apprentices, in a duel that, unknown to the duellists is one to the death.
There are wonderful characters; Celia and Marco the apprentices, Alexander and Hector the magicians, with a second storyline of Bailey, Poppet and Widget; characters who live within the circus, and in Baileys case escape to the circus. I can't believe this is a debut novel - the tapestry is just so rich.
I'd also like a dancing kitten, just sayin'.
These are characters, and they are also performers playing a part and the show must go on. The tiny chapters with differing points of view and times, unusually, didn't annoy, but seemed to keep the impetus going - you wanted to keep turning the pages, if only to find the next circus creation.
Definately for the younger (Twilight/Harry Potter) generation who like fantasy and to escape reading, but also I feel for those that aren't big readers. There is meant to be a movie coming out, and I really really hope they pull out all the stops.
Get this. Beg, steal or borrow it if you haven't read it.
Did you ever want to runaway to the circus as a child?
(Please note any links to Amazon above are through my Amazon Associates account, which means I make a little money (less than 5%) from any purchases made after clicking through these links. This helps support my book addiction, so if you are interested in buying the book, please click through the link under the image)
Monday, November 26, 2012
Kiwi cooking: Sweetcorn Fritters
In my search to better define kiwi cooking, I've found another recipe that I adore, and has fallen out of my recipe list since moving to the Northern hemisphere (bar when I find in in gem restaurants). Sweetcorn Fritters.
Easy, fairly heathly, great to add in your own touches, these are a great easy brunch. I like to add grated Zucchini (patted with a paper towel to absorb any excess fluid), Ham, Bacon, Peppers, mostly anything you have that aren't really strongly flavoured to competed with the Sweetcorn.
There is something luscious about the crisp exterior, the soft internal structure then the tidbits of creamed Sweetcorn that make my mouthwater.
I served it this time with chunky tomato Passata (out of a bottle I'm afraid, bad foodie) and pan fried pancetta cubes. Just right for a Sunday brunch after a busy night socialising.
It's not an original recipe, but a comfort food from the Land of the Long White Cloud.
Easy, fairly heathly, great to add in your own touches, these are a great easy brunch. I like to add grated Zucchini (patted with a paper towel to absorb any excess fluid), Ham, Bacon, Peppers, mostly anything you have that aren't really strongly flavoured to competed with the Sweetcorn.
There is something luscious about the crisp exterior, the soft internal structure then the tidbits of creamed Sweetcorn that make my mouthwater.
I served it this time with chunky tomato Passata (out of a bottle I'm afraid, bad foodie) and pan fried pancetta cubes. Just right for a Sunday brunch after a busy night socialising.
It's not an original recipe, but a comfort food from the Land of the Long White Cloud.
Sweetcorn Fritters (original source)
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup plain Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt (I only used about a 1/4 of a teaspoon)
- Black Pepper
- 1 Egg
- 1 (398 g) can Ceamed Corn
- Oil (for frying)
- Combine dry ingredients.
- Add beaten egg and sweetcorn (and any chopped or shredded extras). Mix to combine.
- Heat oil in frying pan. Drop tablespoons full of batter into pan. Cook until the fritters are bubbling to the top/are golden, then flip.
- Drain on absorbent paper. Serves approximately 9 fritters, best eaten hot, but then in my house, they don't last long enough to cool - even hubby devours them.
What is your favourite brunch? Eggs, Fishfinger Sandwiches, Gourmet Afternoon Tea?
Sunday, November 25, 2012
I'm a road tripper...
To get to the game on Saturday, we braved the elements and the A4, crossing into another country, accidently losing a member of our kiwi posse in Cardiff due to terrible reception and relied on a sometimes mischevious SatNav.
We tracked down an infamous barber shop - the only recommendation for fun things to stop off and see on our way over made by a Welsh friend. But, we found it.
Made a new friend or two...
The only foodie thing we did, apart from drink tea & redbull, which doesn't really count, was try a Fire Island Craft Beer in a new pub.
So new in fact, the the paint wasn't dry, the toilet doors were plain MDF & there were quite a few jobs to be tackled.
The beer was nice though, quite Bitter (I want to say hoppy, but have no experience to back that claim!)
We tracked down an infamous barber shop - the only recommendation for fun things to stop off and see on our way over made by a Welsh friend. But, we found it.
Made a new friend or two...
The only foodie thing we did, apart from drink tea & redbull, which doesn't really count, was try a Fire Island Craft Beer in a new pub.
So new in fact, the the paint wasn't dry, the toilet doors were plain MDF & there were quite a few jobs to be tackled.
The beer was nice though, quite Bitter (I want to say hoppy, but have no experience to back that claim!)
Awesome day - full of rugby, laughter, good friends and a wee bit harebrained. Just how I like them!
Wales: The All Blacks, a road trip, and some daffs - sorry, Taffs.
Kiwis are synonymous with our love of rugby, the All Blacks, and Sheep. Lets forget about the Sheep thing for now, and concentrate on the two we are the most proud of.
Cardiff's Millenium Stadium was simple magnificent. Twickenham is fun, but shows it's age.
We lucked in with great seats and the atmosphere was incredible.
beginning with an electric Haka;
Oh, hai Ma'a
It was fairly cold...
But brilliant nonetheless.
The mighty All Blacks. I've been lucky enough to have seen them 3 times, each time in Twickenham playing a variety of teams. They are a force to be reckoned with, but at times can be a little nerve-wracking (read: the world cup we've just won.)
The Welsh held their own with some pretty good defending, and it's more than was expected of the them. The fans were fantastic; excited, vocal, great singers, fun and had a great sense of humour. In fact, one of their daffodils was a friend of our, dressed head to toe in All Blacks gear, with a bright yellow Daffodil hat!
Cardiff's Millenium Stadium was simple magnificent. Twickenham is fun, but shows it's age.
Some Kiwi fans like to wear buckets on their heads... whilst the Taffs like to wear Daffodils, Leeks, Goals and Dragons. It's definately a manly game though.
We lucked in with great seats and the atmosphere was incredible.
beginning with an electric Haka;
Oh, hai Ma'a
It was fairly cold...
The mighty All Blacks. I've been lucky enough to have seen them 3 times, each time in Twickenham playing a variety of teams. They are a force to be reckoned with, but at times can be a little nerve-wracking (read: the world cup we've just won.)
The Welsh held their own with some pretty good defending, and it's more than was expected of the them. The fans were fantastic; excited, vocal, great singers, fun and had a great sense of humour. In fact, one of their daffodils was a friend of our, dressed head to toe in All Blacks gear, with a bright yellow Daffodil hat!
Thursday, November 22, 2012
London Living: Jack the Ripper
The scourge of the Victorian London underclass, Jack the Ripper holds fascination for many people.
There are a variety of ways in which to explore London's gruesome past, including walking tours. But be warned, some of the walking tours take you to multi-storey carparks, on the site of the Victorian haunts.
There is a pub not far from Liverpool Street Station that was reputed to be a haunt of two of the victims - the Ten Bells is a busy, buzzy pub; they make a mean Gin & Tonic, have psychedelic bathrooms and hollah their food orders to the kitchen through the floor during the day.
The blue and white tiling on the walls is beautiful - see the second (terrible) photo of this post, and the pub has had a cameo in From Hell, the movie and in Jamie Olivers' series 'Jamie's Great Britain'.
Gotta love East London.
Infamously there are many permutations of the tale, with no single person pointed out., many assume Jack the Ripper stopped commiting his crimes due to imprisonment for another crime, institutionalisation, or emigration putting and end to his spree.
There are a variety of ways in which to explore London's gruesome past, including walking tours. But be warned, some of the walking tours take you to multi-storey carparks, on the site of the Victorian haunts.
There is a pub not far from Liverpool Street Station that was reputed to be a haunt of two of the victims - the Ten Bells is a busy, buzzy pub; they make a mean Gin & Tonic, have psychedelic bathrooms and hollah their food orders to the kitchen through the floor during the day.
The blue and white tiling on the walls is beautiful - see the second (terrible) photo of this post, and the pub has had a cameo in From Hell, the movie and in Jamie Olivers' series 'Jamie's Great Britain'.
Gotta love East London.
The Little Stranger
This psychological drama was a slow-burning page turner.
I read this on the recommendation of a fellow blogger - Kit at What a Peach! and I am SO glad I did.
It's subtle, delicious and mesmerising. Set just after WW2 in agricultural England, there is something not quite right about the Ayres family mansion. The author keeps you guessing all the way through, and I don't want to give away any spoilers.
The characters are good, if ever so slightly one-sided but the house almost becomes a character in it's own right, affecting those around it in so many ways. The lead character Dr Faraday is a local man whose mother worked many years ago in the house as a Nanny. (As I write these words, a strange smell of smoke arises in our home - no wait, that's the neighbours fireplace - never mind).
I have to use anothers words to sum this up - Tatiana from Goodreads; "Curious and deliciously ambiguous [in an] enigmatic way". Utterly perfect description.
(Please note any links to Amazon are through my Amazon Associates account, which means I make a little money (less than 5%) from any purchases made after clicking through these links. This helps support my book addiction, so if you are interested in buying the book, please click through the above Book & author link)
I read this on the recommendation of a fellow blogger - Kit at What a Peach! and I am SO glad I did.
It's subtle, delicious and mesmerising. Set just after WW2 in agricultural England, there is something not quite right about the Ayres family mansion. The author keeps you guessing all the way through, and I don't want to give away any spoilers.
The characters are good, if ever so slightly one-sided but the house almost becomes a character in it's own right, affecting those around it in so many ways. The lead character Dr Faraday is a local man whose mother worked many years ago in the house as a Nanny. (As I write these words, a strange smell of smoke arises in our home - no wait, that's the neighbours fireplace - never mind).
I have to use anothers words to sum this up - Tatiana from Goodreads; "Curious and deliciously ambiguous [in an] enigmatic way". Utterly perfect description.
(Please note any links to Amazon are through my Amazon Associates account, which means I make a little money (less than 5%) from any purchases made after clicking through these links. This helps support my book addiction, so if you are interested in buying the book, please click through the above Book & author link)
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
6 Year Anniversary
I can't believe it. This Kiwi flew the coop, and has lived on the other side of the world for 6 years. It's been an amazing 6 years, hard in places but overall incredible.
I've met my husband, explored many countries, learned a lot and grown up a great deal.
I've missed my family and friends, met some fantastic new people, met some shady characters (a few seemingly straight out of Oliver Twist), developed new circles, learned how small the world is and how much potential there is if you put yourself out there.
I've also learned how to be self-sufficient, then learned to live with an English bloke. I've had to re-learn how to say my own name (the English around me struggled with "Ima" so now it's modulated to almost "Amma"), my ear has re-tuned to the many vagarities of United Kingdom speech and I now know what a monkey is (not necessarily a Chimp, but £500).
In the last six years, but especially in the last 12 mnths I've become fitter, stronger, more experienced and above all more appreciative. I can't wait to see what the next 6 years brings.
I know I still have a lot to learn, and there is still a whole world to experience.
Are you where you thought you would be six years ago?
I've missed my family and friends, met some fantastic new people, met some shady characters (a few seemingly straight out of Oliver Twist), developed new circles, learned how small the world is and how much potential there is if you put yourself out there.
I've also learned how to be self-sufficient, then learned to live with an English bloke. I've had to re-learn how to say my own name (the English around me struggled with "Ima" so now it's modulated to almost "Amma"), my ear has re-tuned to the many vagarities of United Kingdom speech and I now know what a monkey is (not necessarily a Chimp, but £500).
In the last six years, but especially in the last 12 mnths I've become fitter, stronger, more experienced and above all more appreciative. I can't wait to see what the next 6 years brings.
I know I still have a lot to learn, and there is still a whole world to experience.
Are you where you thought you would be six years ago?
