Guest Post Q&A with Kit, from What a Peach!

Hi, I'm Kit and I blog over at What a Peach! I'm a fellow ex-pat, but from America, and I moved here with my family when I was just turning 16. When Emma suggested a guest post, I thought a swap of interviews would be fun. Emma gave me some great questions and I had lots of fun trying to reflect on my life now.

When you first came to the UK, what did you feel was your biggest adjustment and is it still a big part of your life now? How do you know identify yourself nationality-wise?

When I moved here, I had just completed my Freshman year at a really fantastic high school where the students all wanted to learn. We came here and none of the schools knew what to do with me. I was at an awkward age for the education system and I was slotted in with a year group that was really below me but would mean I would be better prepared for taking my GCSEs. The way of learning was very different (we were very specifically learning for a test and no one seemed that interested in learning just for the sake of it) and we were treated like children. The school I had just left had treated us all as adults with respect and so I was quite taken aback by calling people 'miss' and 'sir'. I have no problem with respect at all, I always have respected my teachers, but it just felt really false to me. I guess it's still a little bit apart of my life because my schooling has affected my future, I think overall in a positive way though my gaps on both American and English history (they are taught at different stages in both countries which means I managed to miss out on quite a lot) are quite shocking! 

How is day to day life similar to Oregon (bar getting up for the daily school/work grind)?I don't think I can say my life now is really at all like my life in Oregon. Partly because I moved here when I was just turning 16, so in Oregon I was a kid- babysitting, doing a lot of dance classes, hanging out with my friends at the mall, working hard at school... Now I'm 28 and I work full time (6 days a week actually!). I work in the arts, so still have my links to the dance world, still hang out with friends- just not at the mall! I'm still really close to my parents, they're my friends, so I talk to them most days by phone or email so that link hasn't been lost (they're only 2 hours away anyway). But I do sometimes wonder what my life would be like if I had stayed in Oregon. 

What are your most favourite and least favourite aspects of London?I love London so so much. I think it is just such a fantastic city for culture (I'm a big theatre goer), it's great for getting lost in and I love feeling like I'm in the centre of it all. I really enjoy wandering around Barbican or the South Bank if I'm at a loose end. One of my favourite views in London is about 3/4 of the way across Waterloo Bridge. To the left is the OXO Towet and The Gherkin, to the right the London Eye, Southbank Centre and Parliament.

I'm not always a fan of the people- it's really easy to get grumpy and caught up in the rush of it all and my family have noticed that I can take on these traits, so I perhaps need to work on being nicer myself! There's all the pushing and shoving you get on your commute which is not pleasant.

What aspect of reading keeps you going back for more, especially the books that you re-read and want to delve into them in for more indepth reading?

I've always loved reading and was a big writer when I was younger too. I like interesting characters and situations that I can either relate to or that feel so different they provide an escape and a sense of 'ooh, that's new'. I'm a big screen head and so have found that a lot of the books that I enjoy feel quite cinematic. They have rich, lush descriptions, clear dialogue and are written beautifully but in an accesible way so that it's easy to read and get really involved in the story. Some of my favourite authors currently are Ian McEwan, Kazuo Ishiguro and Sarah Waters. I got really into Daphne Du Maurier for a bit as I loved the gothic and fantastical routes her stories take. I also keep meaning to read the new Mark Haddon as I loved his previous two books- he really seemed to understand the characters- and I've just got into John Green as well.

Re-reading books can be really comforting and exciting. When I re-read a book, it's interesting to see how my memories have altered the plot, but I love coming across favourite lines. Books I've enjoyed re-reading are: Pride and Prejudice (maybe a bit of a cliche?), Cold Comfort Farm, I Capture the Castle and all my old illustrated children's books when I'm back home and pulling through boxes!

Finally, Chocolate or Vanilla, and why?

A bit of both really! I have a dangerously greedy sweet tooth and generally will eat pretty much anything! I love really dark (85%) chocolate as well as super cheap milk chocolate. Love both flavours when choosing ice cream and same for cake too! I don't think I could choose...

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Guest Blog - Foodie Penpals February

Foodie Penpals doesn't just connect bloggers with other bloggers, but also connects us with the other half of the coin - foodie blog readers. This month I sent to Allison, a reader who uses the moniker ChocVeg. (I love the order of her nickname with chocolate taking precedence - definately a lady after my own heart). She has been vegetarian for 30 years and I really enjoyed looking for Allison's parcel, and having to think outside the 'meat & 3 vege' box.

Foodie Penpals is a hobby that combines shoppping + foodie-ness + contacting nice people definately =  a winner (here are a few past boxes).

She kindly did a round up for me.
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Here is my February #Foodiepenpals selection from the lovely Kiwi Emma in London.
I hadn’t spotted that the postman had left the parcel sitting on my logs, safe and dry until I came back from a neighbour’s after a glass of wine!  What a lovely surprise and thank you so much Emma!

The box was bursting with goodies, most that I had never seen before in rural Surrey!!
These are very interesting single slices of special breads made in Germany – great for me as I am a keen sourdough bread maker and experimenter, a bar of salt chocolate which is lovely, especially late at night! And Franks flapjack bars. 

These are just the best and are made in Camden in London apparently!  I am not sure if they are widely available, but they are more than a snack, are healthy and lovely with chocolate in them – and so delicious I need a local supplier! Chocolate and dates mmmm! [Emma: Here is the website, I should have sent it to you!]

So onto the healthy things….!  Lovely mango slices – great to snack on during the day, and caramel coffee crackle popcorn which I am waiting for someone to share it with me! (oh yes and rice chips that disappeared very quickly that evening!)

And then even more healthy snacks!  Lovely dried mushrooms which I love, wasabi peanuts which I haven’t ever seen or tried, so another first, and then a popping corn to go in the microwave!  Never seen this before either so will pop it in the microwave when I’ve got a friend round for film night and hope for a laugh!

And to finish, some very useful garlic and chilli cooking paste to keep in the fridge – always useful, and some blood orange and ginger marinade for roast veggies!  Great for vegetarians like me, and can’t wait to try it.

So thank you so much Emma, for this very generous and delicious selection of lovely things!  I hope you also received some great goodies, and maybe some things you have never seen or tried before!

Best wishes,
Allison/chocveg

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I'm so glad you enjoyed it Allison, and I love your backsplash! Definately needed in the dready winter-time!

Vegetarian options are getting so much better these days, in fact I bought a few doubles, especially the blood-orange and ginger marinade.

It got me thinking again about being a vegetarian. What is your favourite vegetarian dinner?So, the downlow: Foodie Penpals was created by Lindsay at theleangreenbean in September 2011, and administered in for Europe by Carol Anne from thisisrocksalt every month, you are assigned a person to send a thoughtful foodie parcel to and a different person will send one to you. It's a lovely way to try things you've never tried before, match up with some awesome bloggers (and readers too!) and it's so nice to receive something in the post that's not a bill. Join in today!

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Transatlantic Foodie Penpals - Special Edition

The highlight of the end of the month for me is opening a carefully picked foodie package from a fellow Foodie somewhere in Europe (this month the East Midlands of England), so imagine my delight in addition this month, upon opening this baby, all the way from the United States of America (is it just me saying that in my head in an American drawl - no? Good).

 

 

I tried to resist even opening it until after Dinner the day it arrived, hoping to negate the damage we'd do to our waistlines whilst sampling the box. I managed to leave it alone for at least the duration of Dinner, with only a quick peek. Thankfully Dinner was quick - Everything-in-the-fridge soup takes no time to eat!

Julie(who blogs at What Julie Eats - check it out here), thank you. Thank you thank you thank you. Thank you for the time, the thought and the effort you took to send this little piece of America trans-Atlantic to my little patch of Old Blighty! It is fantastic.

Right, where do I begin? (sorry the post it sounds a little hyper, Julie like me leans toward a sweet tooth - yes!)

These 3 held the most fascination in the box for me I think. Us Brits read a lot of American blogs, and everywhere Trader Joes is mentioned, and it always seems to be in connection with really interesting items - don't these Butterscotches (which I love) look delicious? Look, I've got my own Trader Joes stuff now (I'm such a nerdizzle). Julie also send me Taco. Skillet. Sauce. A little bit of a Yank-flavoured swoon - it's proper Mexican sauce, by Rick Bayless, a celebrity chef who specialises in Mexican food. My hubby even licked his lips in anticipation. I'm also renaming my saucepan a skillet. It just rolls off the tongue. And then, a cinnamon & sugar grinder - how clever! I've been enjoying using this to season my morning porridge.



How much did I end up enjoying the butterscotch you ask? That much. Mmmm, perfect, especially warmed slightly.

These Cherries are deliciously tart and the cashew brittle - oh the brittle. Both are really lovely - the Cherries I've been eating at work as a snack and the brittle I've been rationing out to myself. As Julie points out, it's very American (this particular kind made by the Amish(!) it's also very moreish. The chocolate chips - well, we do have these over here too, you can settle the bet with your Gentleman, but I totally agree that one can never have too many chocolate chips, and in the great American tradition, these are earmarked for Chocolate Chip Cookies. How could I not?

Lavender is such a strong childhood smell for me, it's my Mum's favourite scent and we always had Lavender plants whilst growing up. The nonpareils we are set to enjoy, and the fruit slice Candies (hehehe, so American to be called Candies, funny that) are fascinating, and probably destined for cupcake decorations. So cute.

I LOVE mango - it must be the Foodie Penpal psychic vibe hitting off again, I've just run out of the ones in my desk stash, and these will hopefully last a little longer. The Jelly Beans have some cool flavours - pomegranate - and come with Julie's personal recommendation. It's really fun the idiosyncrasies that we appear to have in common - as kids we adored fruit strips (though we called them by another name) and I still buy these today...

I'm sad to report one small casualty during the journey (or possibly my excited tearing open of the box) plus a candy bracelet (not pictured). I loved candy bracelets as a kid.

Aren't these Candies cute, AND patriotic? The peanut chews are a particularly Philadelphia candy, and are delicious.

I can feel my waistline expanding as I type.


Last but not by any means least, two Theo bars of chocolate. As you can see, one of them didn't make it very far out of the box. I can confirm we enjoyed it's minty deliciousness. I love fresh mint, and the bar had the same pungent earthy-ness as fresh mint, a nice contrast to the Dark Chocolate. Isn't the wrapper of the second cute?

 

 

So far in my explorations of the box, my favourite items are the Chocolate, the Cherries, the Cashew Brittle & the awesome off-piste New York highlights map Julie kindly drafted for me.  Julie, you are an absolute legend. I actually don't know what karmic waft has lucked me in so well.

 

I think I've discovered a new sweet partner-in-crime, and a new obsession, nut brittle. My Dentist will be thrilled!

Fly Royal Mail, fly! [Edit: the parcel has now arrived on US shores & Julie is itching to crack it open, whew!]

We went a bit off-piste - thank you Twitter - and arranged our swap privately, but if you are interested in joining in;

 

 

So, the downlow: Foodie Penpals was created by Lindsay at theleangreenbean in September 2011, and administered in the UK by Carol Anne from thisisrocksalt every month, you are assigned a person to send a thoughtful foodie parcel to and a different person will send one to you. It's a lovely way to try things you've never tried before, match up with some awesome bloggers (and readers too!) and it's so nice to receive something in the post that's not a bill. Join in today!

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Tastes of the East Midlands - Foodie Penpal February

This month, not only did I receive an amazing Transatlantic parcel, but I was shamelessly spoilt by my lovely Penpal Jax, based in the East-Midlands.

For a long time, Britain has had a bit of a dodgy reputation when it comes to the gourmand side of life, but I defy anyone to recieve a box such as this, and say that things haven't changed.

Let me begin with the Salami. Made by the Suffolk Salami Co. it's made on their family farm from home reared pork. It's especially important with 'horsegate' going on at the moment to know what is in your food - and it's delicious. Rich, spicy - perfect. We used in in a scrumptious Black Bean casserole & as antipasti.

Fact for the day courtesy of the Suffolk Salami co.: The word Salami comes from the Italian "salare" meaning to sale. The Roman Legionnaires were often paid with salt, hence the word salary which also comes from "salare". They then used the salt to make salami.

An item missing from my later pics you'll notice are the honey oaties. They were scrumptious! Kindly handmade by Jax, they were the best biscuits we've eaten in years, and we've eaten a few. Accompanying a hastily made cup of tea (we decided we should really have an excuse to rip into them) we quite simply demolished them. There is something so much more delicious about homebaking. I also got the recipe for them. Yus!

The only truffle oil made entirely in England.

 

 

 

Fantastic. Just brilliant - I've been enjoying dabs of this on my eggs, and in wild Mushroom soup.

Then we have the Three Chilli Jam. How can you resist it, and with an ingredient list like the one below? No preservatives, no chemicals, no nasties. It has quite the kick to it. Hubby in particular has been delving into this, accompanied by some good English Mature Cheddar and crackers.



Last but not least, I really have enjoyed the apple and ginger juice. I've love that you are home brewing Cider - good luck and enjoy :)

Thank you Jax, I can't quite believe your generosity and thought put into this parcel; and it absolutely showcases some of the best of British (and the East-Midlands). My penpal Allison sent me a really kind email when she got her box, saying she enjoyed hers.

So, the downlow: Foodie Penpals was created by Lindsay at theleangreenbean in September 2011, and administered in the UK by Carol Anne from thisisrocksalt every month, you are assigned a person to send a thoughtful foodie parcel to and a different person will send one to you. It's a lovely way to try things you've never tried before, match up with some awesome bloggers (and readers too!) and it's so nice to receive something in the post that's not a bill. Join in today!

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The Modern Pantry: Restaurant Review

I think I've said it before, but Brunch is swiftly becoming my favourite meal of the day. A few friends and I have checked out another few of London's Kiwi brunch spots - Kopapa (which I've found out recently means "Meeting Place"), the Providores and Caravan (Kings Cross) all run by Kiwi chefs with a passion for good food and great atmosphere.

The Modern Pantry was no exception.



Found in fashionable Clerkenwell, the Modern Pantry is housed in two Georgian buildings, the larger of the two buildings was originally part of an adjacent steel foundry, while the other was a townhouse.

The interior of the restaurant (we were downstairs in the cafe part) is nicely full of crisp clean furniture with warm highlights. We couldn't believe how large the place was - our floor, another floor above us and a floor above that with the facilities. It was so quiet it was hard to believe how many people were there being served.

Service was really nice - friendly, funny, happy to answer any questions and make substitutions and not overbearing in anyway, they wierdly just popped over whenever we started to think about ordering something. Maybe telepathy is a hiring condition there?

Our biggest problem was deciding what to eat from the extensive menu in the sunshine away from the bitter North wind. Every plate that came out of the kitchen - usually a good indication of what's good - looked delicious. As with most of the restaurants we've tried with Kiwi links, the menus are modern, focus on the ingredients, but don't have a particular food style - they do have a few Kiwi twists though - Marmite soldiers for instance.

We settled in the end for a variety of dishes:

Turkish Menemen Baked Eggs with Nigella Yoghurt and Sourdough Bread - a in essence a Turkish ratatouille of onions, tomato, peppers and lovely spice topped with two perfectly baked eggs, a spiced flavoured yoghurt and sourdough bread perfect for dipping.

Eggs Benedict withYuzu Hollandaise (Yuzu is a small oriental citrus fruit) and Bacon or Salmon; The Yuzu Hollandaise was met with mixed reviews, but the perfectly poached eggs looked delicous atop their salmon or bacon and Muffin brunch-fellows.

A delicious looking Grilled Breakfast (Bacon, Scrambled Eggs etc.) Everything seemed to cooked really nicely as you'd expect, this certainly isn't a greasy spoon.

And the Pièce de résistance: Ricotta filled pancakes with berry compote and Cream Fraiche. As per our very freindly waiters advice, we kinda had them as Breakfast Dessert, sharing between the table. Oh Boy were these delicious.

Crisp batter filled with soft creamy Ricotta cut with the sweetly sharp berries. This was... well it's making my mouth water. You load your fork with a bit of everything and just enjoy.

 

We tried several coffees (Kiwi's definately know how to make a mean flat white - full bodied without being burned, full fat milk (gasp) at just the right temperature) and whilst we didn't order any of the delectable smoothies or delicious sounding 'reviving cocktails', we were tempted into ordering some of the hard to pronounce Teas made locally. We were also advised (laughingly) by our waiter that the Tea company recommends their Teas are served in stemmed wine glasses. Ever the adventurers we had a try, and thankfully had no incidents of smashing (though it steam a few specs).

 

Overall we really enjoyed ourselves. Unobstrusive friendly service, good food and a nice atmosphere it is a place that is very easy to linger in on a Saturday morning.

 

 

I definately recommend going to The Modern Pantry for a nice brunch near to Farringdon Tube Station (watch out at the station for marauding Kiwis but only near the 6th of Feb though). Be warned the menus are extensive, they have daily changing menus (including separate Saturday and Sunday Brunch menus) and I understand that you're advised to book as it can get very busy.

Eggs Benedict: Bacon or Salmon? Discuss. 

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A Taste of Greece - Foodie Penpals January 2012

I asked my Penpal, Ioanna to send me the items that meant Home/Greece to her, and was blown away by what I recieved.

I love Foodie Penpals.  

And boy, oh boy have I got plans for these...

The mastic Ioanna says can be used in baking (puddings, deserts etc) which I'm really looking forward to, but I really can't wait to properly try the Saffron out - I have a few savoury and sweet (!) recipes bookmarked, including Saffron Fruit Loaf. I'm very lucky that Ioanna included this in my Foodie Parcel, and I can't wait to explore it with the true attention it deserves... I feel a blog post in my near future...

Freshly picked Mountain Tea - apparently is enormously popular in Greece, and used most often in winter when levels of physical activity decrease and colds, aches, and pains increase. It is said to have a positive effect on almost anything that ails but, most notably, it is used for colds, respiratory problems, digestion, the immune system, mild anxiety, and as an anti-oxidant. It is also used as an anti-inflammatory and to reduce fever. We have been enjoying it in the morning and it's a very very nice herbal tea.

These Pasteli are so very good, a beguiling mix of Honey, Sesame and Crunch. They didn't last very long, about 5 minutes!

The photo of these lovely Olives I took before we opened them - I had to as hubby and I are huge Olive fans, so I knew they wouldn't last very long, and I was right! We had them with friends, serving them with Feta and Pita Bread. Heavenly. It almost felt like a Grecian summer, even though there was still snow on the outside pavements.

These have a really interesting texture, kind of like a cross between a Mintie Sweet and and an antacid tablet, but are really good for you - see the pic below;

Thank you Ioanna, such a lovely pacakge, it was just so lovely! I sent my parcel to Milou a lovely blogger from The Netherlands.

So, the downlow: Foodie Penpals was created by Lindsay at theleangreenbean in September 2011, and administered in the UK by Carol Anne from thisisrocksalt every month, you are assigned a person to send a thoughtful foodie parcel to and a different person will send one to you. It's a lovely way to try things you've never tried before, match up with some awesome bloggers (and readers too!) and it's so nice to receive something in the post that's not a bill. Join in today!

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Dessert Porridges

I love porridge. Quick, easy, cheap and filling, it's perfect for winters mornings, especially those that are going to be spent trekking through the snow.

It can be a little beige on it's own though, lacking interest and at times tasting of wallpaper paste. You know it! We add Brown Sugar, Berry Coulis and Honey in order to mix it up, but I thought I'd take it one step farther after reading about Carrot Cake Oatmeal (Porridge) at Chef in Disguise. My scaled down version (due to lack of specialty ingredients and 5inches of snow, is at the end of the blog post).

All of these recipes were made from ingredients I already had in the cupboard, but then I keep a lot of frozen fruit as I'm nuts about Smoothies...

I roped hubby into taste testing these with me, and whilst I couldn't decide on my absolute favourite, for hubby it was the Black Forest Porridge.

(I don't normally calorie count my recipes, but though it would be interesting to see just how much the additions add to their totals, and they really aren't too bad).

Each recipe is super simple;

1. Boil 1 cup of the water
2. Add the dry ingredients & fruit
3. Turn the heat down to a simmer, stirring regularly
4. Let simmer for a couple of minutes then stir through the remaining water
5. Simmer, stirring regularly for another 3-4 minutes
6. Remove from the heat, add any toppings/sweeteners, let cool 1-2minutes
7. Enjoy.

We didn't feel the need for additional milk, except maybe to cool it down. You can make several servings and refrigerate until needed. I would only probably keep them  in the fridge for a couple of days though.

I can't really see why these couldn't be made in the microwave as well, I just find that the stove top method makes it uber-creamy.

 Black Forest Porridge

278kcal per serving, 1/2 serving of an adults daily Fruit & Vege
One Serving

1.5c Boiling Water
1/2c Porridge Oats
1 TBSP Dessicated Coconut
Small handful frozen Cherries
1 tsp Cocoa (more to taste)

Once off heat stir through 1 TBSP Light Agave syrup.

Tutti-Frutti Porridge

284kcal per serving, 1.5 serving of an adults daily Fruit & Vege
One Serving

1.5c Boiling Water
1/2c Porridge Oats
4 frozen (1.5cm) cubes Mango (about 1/4 of a fresh one)
1 Chopped Kiwifruit
1/2 small pear cut into small cubes
1/2 tsp Ground Ginger

** This is in pole position for my favourite though, the ginger and the citrus made for a deliciously zingy breakfast, so refreshing. And how often can you say that about porridge?

Nectarine Pie Porridge

(Please excuse the terrible photo...)

335kcal, 1.5 serving of an adults daily Fruit & Vege
One Serving

1.5c Boiling Water
1/2c Porridge Oats
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 diced Nectarine
1.5 crushed Walnuts

Once off heat stir through 1 TBSP Light Agave syrup and 1 TBSP Light Cream Cheese

Carrot Cake Porridge

365kcal per serving, 1 serving of an adults daily Fruit & Vege
One Serving

1/2c Porridge Oats
1c Finely Grated (or Grated normally then finely chopped) Carrot
1 TBSP Sultanas
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
1/4 tsp Ground Ginger
1.5 crushed Walnuts

Once off heat stir through 1 TBSP Light Agave and 3 tsps Dessicated Coconut.

This actually tastes like Carrot Cake Batter (except without the sugar and butter). Absolutely luscious.

Yummo!! Decadent, and not too bad for the waistline at all. They also happen to fall in with the Breakfast Club and Farmersgirl Kitchen's breakfast linkup, themed Cooked or Baked Breakfast.

Breakfast Club: Because breakfast should be more interesting
than tea & toast or coffee & cereal!

I've got a few more flavours brewing in my head - any suggestions? If only I could do a Sticky Toffee Porridge without blowing the calorie bank.

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Boxing Day

Presents are unwrapped, a scrumptious dinner eaten and the pine needles are starting to hit the carpet already.

With a self imposed offline day yesterday, it was quite refreshing to mostly be away from all electrical equipment (bar the TV when the kids started to dance Gangnam Style!).

Favourite part of the Day? Gathering with almost all of my London family for Roast Turkey & Beef, Christmas Pud & a lot of laughter.

Favourite memory of the Day? Grandad getting up & trying it Gangnam Style.

Favourite (only) Photo of the day?

Hubby gets a bit blue as the excitement of the impending Christmas season is over, and once the New Year has passed, we have to trudge through the grimness of January. I can honestly say I've never thought of it that way, but I suppose as a Kiwi with summer holidays in January, it was never a cause for sadness.

 

 

 

We have been very retrospective today, musing the highlights of this year, and by anyones standard 2012 has been an amazing year. London especially has been a very exciting place to be.

• The Diamond Jubilee - I got to see the Queen!! 

•  The Olympics - absoloutely smashing 

•  Made some great new friends over the year - caused mischief camping & brunching to name but two instances 
• Climbed the iconic Big Ben 
• I completed a 5k - something I would never think I could do

I also started this here little blog, which you are all so kind to read day in day out, and I'd like to thank you for this. Thank you for giving me a chance to share our adventures.

We have a lot of exciting new plans for next year, and I hope you will stick around to join in them with us.

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