17/06/15 - Granola Recipe
Recently, I've been on a bit of a health kick...which is a phrase that I wouldn't normally associate with myself. Although my diet has never been particularly awful (expect for in the first year of uni but I certainly wasn't the only person living on pasta, chips and £1 shots) and I walk pretty much everywhere, I definitely have some bad habits. For instance I'm not a big fan of any kind of exercise and I can happily eat a whole tube of Pringles in one sitting. But by making a few easy changes to replace less healthy foods with better alternatives, I've found that I feel a lot happier, less groggy and I've been saving money. However, breakfast was proving to be the most difficult meal to adapt. No one eats salad for breakfast, and I definitely needed to steer away from my very bread-heavy morning routine. And that's where this recipe comes in!
30/04/14 - Exploring Liverpool: Lucha Libre
I've been really busy with commuting and working recently (bet you didn't know that, did you? Because I never mention it...I promise I'll stop whining about it soon!) so when I realised that the third part of this little series was well overdue, the chance to have a social life and chow down with one of my besties was exactly what I needed after a long Monday at work.
After a little wander up and down Bold Street in search of somewhere that took our fancy, Heather and I ended up settling on Lucha Libre. Nestled just off the main street and right next to FACT, this little haven of Mexican street food is somewhere I'd heard a great deal about but never had the chance to experience myself.
The atmosphere inside is lovely; really relaxed with very friendly and approachable staff. The decor is sort of quirky and nicely thematic, featuring among other things a wall of hot sauces with names like 'Muerte' which look absolutely terrifying. Also, mega props to whoever created the playlist that was playing because there were some serious tunes on there!
A quick perusal of the menu brought us straight to the cocktail list which is abundant with different varieties of margarita. Now, while I may not be able to handle the Mexican spice, I am a tequila girl through and through. An extensive selection of tequila-based drinks is guaranteed to set my heart aflutter and it took a really long time to choose which we wanted. In the end I opted for a frozen pomegranate margarita, while Heather chose the tamarind flavour (£6). Mine was very sweet and Heather's was nicely tangy, both were delicious and made even better by being served in those red cups you see in American movies about frat parties. That was more exciting to me than it should have been.
Margaritas in hand, we could turn to the very serious business of choosing our food. There was a lot of choice and it all sounded absolutely delightful, so it was really tough to narrow it down. After much deliberation, we decided to share tiger prawns flambeed in tequila, caramelised in agave and lime syrup (£6.50) and a big old plate of the most incredible nacho-type things I have ever experienced. Their actual name was chilaquiles and apparently it's something that people sometimes have for breakfast in Mexico? Nachos for breakfast is something I am definitely on board with, especially when they're this good. Tortilla chips with mild salsa, melted cheese, fresh coriander, jalapenos and...a fried egg on top? Sounds bizarre but it totally worked (£7.50).
For my main dish, I went for a veggie burrito containing beetroot puree, sweet potato, roasted peppers, red onion, cherry tomatoes and goat's cheese (£6.75) and my word, it was good. I was surprised by what sounded like typically Mediterranean-influenced ingredients, but there was a distinctly Mexican smokiness to the roasted vegetables and the goat's cheese added a really nice depth of flavour without being at all overwhelmed. It's more like you can tell something else is going on but you can't really pinpoint what it is. Heather ordered the tacos served with beer-battered white market fish, caper aioli, radish, cabbage and tamarind salsa (£5.50). The fish was really gorgeous and flaky, and the other elements added a lovely combination of flavours and textures to the dish.
Alongside all this food, we decided to take a little risk. As I mentioned before, tequila is clearly a major element of this particular restaurant and the menu has a whole section dedicated to all the different kinds. Apparently, most meals in Mexico are accompanied by tequila in one form or another whether that is as a shot, in a cocktail or sipped with a little glass of what is called sangrita. Despite both being fans of the concept of tequila slammers - personally, I really like the sense of camaraderie that comes from a group of people knocking back their shots and then simultaneously shuddering/wincing/groaning as they desperately attack a paltry sliver of lemon or lime - neither of us are exactly connoisseurs of the spirit. We decided to change that. After asking our waitress for her recommendation and learning a little more about the different varieties, we braved the idea of sipping tequila the way some courageous souls sip whiskey. Glasses of the Calle 23 Anejo (£4 a shot) were delivered to us along with fresh pineapple juice, coriander, mint and green chilli better known as green sangrita (50p a shot). In all the different brands of tequila, there tend to be three varieties and the distinctions between them is in the aging process. 'Anejo' is the most heavily aged and this supposedly results in a much smoother flavour and a slightly deeper colour. I won't pretend that I didn't still have to brace myself before each sip and that I didn't wrinkle my nose a little as the liquid burned its way down, but I have to admit that it's the first time I can say that I've actively enjoyed and properly appreciated the taste of tequila. The sangrita was a great addition; the pineapple sweetness ramped up with the kick of chilli really offset the alcohol and was much more effective that sucking the living daylights out of a slice of lemon. Perhaps this first foray into the world of proper tequila will pave the way for a new interest in my life. I can think of worse things to have as a hobby.
For once, we actually ordered just about the right amount of food rather than totally overstretching ourselves...see, we're learning! Originally, we thought we were perfectly full and could forgo dessert...until we looked at the menu. No way could we skip over a whole course when we looked at the options on offer and all for very reasonable prices. We shared a key lime and hibiscus cheesecake (£3.50) which was utterly amazing. The lime was perfectly sharp, the hibiscus added a gorgeous fragrant note and it was beautifully light - the perfect way to wrap up the meal.
Unfortunately, the quality of my photographs deteriorated over the course of the evening and that wasn't due to the tequila before anyone asks. We arrived when the lights were still fairly bright in the early evening and as the night wore on, the lights were steadily lowered to that atmospheric level restaurants favour and bloggers hate. After nattering for ages about everything under the sun, we settled the bill and headed for our favourite post-dinner port of call. We can't stay away from Alma de Cuba for too long!
I would definitely head to Lucha Libre again in order to sample a wider selection of the menu. According to their website, there's one in Manchester as well so if you fancied sampling their wares and you're not in Liverpool, you do have that option!
After a little wander up and down Bold Street in search of somewhere that took our fancy, Heather and I ended up settling on Lucha Libre. Nestled just off the main street and right next to FACT, this little haven of Mexican street food is somewhere I'd heard a great deal about but never had the chance to experience myself.
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| Even the mirrors in the toilets warranted a photograph! |
Margaritas in hand, we could turn to the very serious business of choosing our food. There was a lot of choice and it all sounded absolutely delightful, so it was really tough to narrow it down. After much deliberation, we decided to share tiger prawns flambeed in tequila, caramelised in agave and lime syrup (£6.50) and a big old plate of the most incredible nacho-type things I have ever experienced. Their actual name was chilaquiles and apparently it's something that people sometimes have for breakfast in Mexico? Nachos for breakfast is something I am definitely on board with, especially when they're this good. Tortilla chips with mild salsa, melted cheese, fresh coriander, jalapenos and...a fried egg on top? Sounds bizarre but it totally worked (£7.50).
For my main dish, I went for a veggie burrito containing beetroot puree, sweet potato, roasted peppers, red onion, cherry tomatoes and goat's cheese (£6.75) and my word, it was good. I was surprised by what sounded like typically Mediterranean-influenced ingredients, but there was a distinctly Mexican smokiness to the roasted vegetables and the goat's cheese added a really nice depth of flavour without being at all overwhelmed. It's more like you can tell something else is going on but you can't really pinpoint what it is. Heather ordered the tacos served with beer-battered white market fish, caper aioli, radish, cabbage and tamarind salsa (£5.50). The fish was really gorgeous and flaky, and the other elements added a lovely combination of flavours and textures to the dish.
Alongside all this food, we decided to take a little risk. As I mentioned before, tequila is clearly a major element of this particular restaurant and the menu has a whole section dedicated to all the different kinds. Apparently, most meals in Mexico are accompanied by tequila in one form or another whether that is as a shot, in a cocktail or sipped with a little glass of what is called sangrita. Despite both being fans of the concept of tequila slammers - personally, I really like the sense of camaraderie that comes from a group of people knocking back their shots and then simultaneously shuddering/wincing/groaning as they desperately attack a paltry sliver of lemon or lime - neither of us are exactly connoisseurs of the spirit. We decided to change that. After asking our waitress for her recommendation and learning a little more about the different varieties, we braved the idea of sipping tequila the way some courageous souls sip whiskey. Glasses of the Calle 23 Anejo (£4 a shot) were delivered to us along with fresh pineapple juice, coriander, mint and green chilli better known as green sangrita (50p a shot). In all the different brands of tequila, there tend to be three varieties and the distinctions between them is in the aging process. 'Anejo' is the most heavily aged and this supposedly results in a much smoother flavour and a slightly deeper colour. I won't pretend that I didn't still have to brace myself before each sip and that I didn't wrinkle my nose a little as the liquid burned its way down, but I have to admit that it's the first time I can say that I've actively enjoyed and properly appreciated the taste of tequila. The sangrita was a great addition; the pineapple sweetness ramped up with the kick of chilli really offset the alcohol and was much more effective that sucking the living daylights out of a slice of lemon. Perhaps this first foray into the world of proper tequila will pave the way for a new interest in my life. I can think of worse things to have as a hobby.
For once, we actually ordered just about the right amount of food rather than totally overstretching ourselves...see, we're learning! Originally, we thought we were perfectly full and could forgo dessert...until we looked at the menu. No way could we skip over a whole course when we looked at the options on offer and all for very reasonable prices. We shared a key lime and hibiscus cheesecake (£3.50) which was utterly amazing. The lime was perfectly sharp, the hibiscus added a gorgeous fragrant note and it was beautifully light - the perfect way to wrap up the meal.
Unfortunately, the quality of my photographs deteriorated over the course of the evening and that wasn't due to the tequila before anyone asks. We arrived when the lights were still fairly bright in the early evening and as the night wore on, the lights were steadily lowered to that atmospheric level restaurants favour and bloggers hate. After nattering for ages about everything under the sun, we settled the bill and headed for our favourite post-dinner port of call. We can't stay away from Alma de Cuba for too long!
Where is your favourite place to go for Mexican? Let me know in the comments, I'm always looking for new places to eat!
19/04/14 - A Very Special Birthday
In what world is this something that's happening? In my head, he'll always be a cheeky little scamp running around wearing his round Harry Potter-style glasses before they were cool and eating sand, but nope. He's a fully-fledged adult now, heading off to university in September, and this required some serious celebration! We headed to Jamie's Italian in Liverpool, the first time I've been since my own birthday last summer. Yet again, I was impressed by the whole experience, although I will say that sitting inside meant that it was a little dark for those of us who wish to snap photos of every element of their meal. I had to use the camera on my phone, as the flash on my little digital camera is a bit harsh when it comes to food photography. Please excuse the slightly grainy images, I edited them up the best I possibly could!
We began the meal with a plank of various starters which included, among other things, some of the best mozzarella I have ever eaten and an absolutely beautiful bruschetta-type affair. We also got a selection of bread and some delicious olives which were served with some gorgeous tapenade. I'm a big fan of having a selection of starters to dip into, and it gave my brother's girlfriend a chance to sample a few things she probably wouldn't have ordered herself.
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| The buffalo mozzarella was just perfect. |
We also sampled, on something of a whim, some polenta chips served with rosemary salt and parmesan. I am a massive advocate of polenta and these were fried to perfection, lovely and crunchy with that soft centre.
Overall, the meal was a roaring success. We ate our fill of delicious food, and the staff were all very attentive and friendly. Also, because my dad's a member of Jamie's Gold Club or whatever it's called, we got a sample of some tasty lemon and ricotta ravioli which was lovely and fresh. I'm a big fan of the between-courses treat! And on top of it all, it was a fantastic opportunity to get dolled up...a nice change considering I only ever seem to wear my work uniform these days.
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I'm wearing: H&M blazer, Miss Selfridge dress, New Look shoes, and the bag is the
clutch section of my Zara Combined City Bag.
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Have you ever been to Jamie's Italian? Let me know in the comments what you thought of it!
03/03/14 - Hannah and Heather Hit Up Hickory's
Today, Heather (of the Exploring Liverpool series) and I decided to change tactics and try somewhere on our side of the Mersey instead of venturing across. The Wirral is jam-packed with great places to eat if you know where to look so we headed to West Kirby, which is known for being a bit more upmarket than where we live, to sample the delights of somewhere we'd both heard a lot about - Hickory's Smokehouse.
The main thing I'd heard about Hickory's is that they do the most amazing American-style breakfasts (the pancakes in particular look to die for!) but Heather and I were being ladies who lunch so that will just have to wait for another occasion. We decided to treat ourselves as a little celebration; Heather has been offered a place on a graduate scheme which sounds absolutely incredible for her, and I am once again a gainfully employed human being! So a big old three course lunch was most certainly in order and Hickory's did not disappoint.
The place instantly made a good impression as the waitress welcomed us to our table with a big bottle of water (something you normally have to ask for) and a bag of complimentary popcorn. Having something to nibble on while you peruse the menu is a feature I think more restaurants should include!
As Heather was driving, our usual cocktail consumption was curtailed although there seemed to be a lot of very tempting choices. Instead, Heather ordered cloudy lemonade and I had peach and passionfruit iced tea (each £2.50) which came served in these really cute jamjars and were definitely refreshing, a lovely compliment to the gorgeous sunny weather we've been having.
After much deliberation, we chose to share a giant pretzel served with hummus and spicy sauce (£4.50) as a starter, mostly due to the fact that we agreed that we would be unlikely to find it offered somewhere else. The pretzel was delicious, the hummus incredibly more-ish and the spicy sauce was spicy but very tasty...I'm not good with hot foods, but even I found myself dipping into it several times! The portion was very generous and just the right amount to share, I don't think I could have eaten it all myself especially not at a lunchtime. We may have ended up with the little black seeds all over the table, but it was worth it!
After polishing off the hummus with the last of the popcorn (a killer combination, definitely try it at some point!), our mains were very promptly delivered to the table. As Hickory's specialises in American-style barbecue, there are lots of meaty options for all you carnivores and Heather had BBQ pulled pork served with fries and coleslaw (£9.95) which was apparently delicious, but the incredible portion ended up being a little too much for her!
I had chargrilled vegetable fajitas (£9.95) in attempt to get some of my five-a-day...I figured it was marginally healthier than the mac'n'cheese I was tempted by! The vegetables, which were sizzling away as they were placed in front of me which a warning that the pan was "really really hot", had a gorgeous smokey flavour and the range of different veg was impressive...who would have thought to pop carrots in there? I made a decent fist of polishing it all off, but I too was defeated by the mighty American portions!
The place instantly made a good impression as the waitress welcomed us to our table with a big bottle of water (something you normally have to ask for) and a bag of complimentary popcorn. Having something to nibble on while you peruse the menu is a feature I think more restaurants should include!
After much deliberation, we chose to share a giant pretzel served with hummus and spicy sauce (£4.50) as a starter, mostly due to the fact that we agreed that we would be unlikely to find it offered somewhere else. The pretzel was delicious, the hummus incredibly more-ish and the spicy sauce was spicy but very tasty...I'm not good with hot foods, but even I found myself dipping into it several times! The portion was very generous and just the right amount to share, I don't think I could have eaten it all myself especially not at a lunchtime. We may have ended up with the little black seeds all over the table, but it was worth it!
I had chargrilled vegetable fajitas (£9.95) in attempt to get some of my five-a-day...I figured it was marginally healthier than the mac'n'cheese I was tempted by! The vegetables, which were sizzling away as they were placed in front of me which a warning that the pan was "really really hot", had a gorgeous smokey flavour and the range of different veg was impressive...who would have thought to pop carrots in there? I made a decent fist of polishing it all off, but I too was defeated by the mighty American portions!
As the waitress cleared the table, we both commented on how full the food had made us and how disappointed we were that we hadn't been able to finish our main courses...before nodding effusively when offered a dessert menu! We'd clocked the variety of sweet delights on offer as soon as we looked at the menu and nothing was going to stop us trying something. We opted to share one and were immediately drawn to the chocolate and peanut butter tart with raspberry ripple cream (£5.95). As soon as it was brought to the table, we knew that we'd made the right decision. The chocolate filling was thick and rich and everso slightly bitter, complimented by the sweeter edge of the peanuts. Splitting it was definitely a good idea, but I'm really glad that I got to sample one of the desserts...next time I go, I have my eye on the salted caramel and cappuccino cheesecake which sounds more than a little bit perfect!
I don't think I'll be able to keep away from Hickory's for long; I was really impressed by the speed with which each new course graced our table and the food was definitely worth going back for. Hopefully having a job will allow me to eat out a little more (although I realise it must seem as though it's something I do all the bloody time!) and I certainly intend to get my brunch on with some of their incredible pancakes! The portions are a little diet-destroying, but it's the perfect place for a treat. If you want more information, I've linked the website at the top of this post...there's one in Chester as well, so if you're in the North West, I highly recommend you go and try it!
Do you have any restaurant recommendations? Let me know in the comments!