Sunday is for brunch...

My friends and I would probably all agree that to catch up requires either tea or a very good meal. So meeting a friend I haven't seen in ages obviously meant brunch in London.

After dithering for a while, we decided to go to American restaurant, Jackson + Rye, that Sunday. And pushing the boat out a little, indulged in mid-morning cocktails. My friend went for a classic Bloody Mary [call me an ingénue but I've never had one, and after tasting hers, never will again] and I went for a similarly classic Bellini which was deliciously sweet and light. Perfect first thing.

We both ordered the Avocado 'Royale' - poached eggs on toasted bread with smoked salmon and a hollandaise sauce. I finished with an indulgent Blueberry & Apple Cobbler, not just a generous portion, but a whole individual pie plate was set in front of me. And of course, I requested vanilla ice cream instead of custard.

We had no reservations and we could see they were busy but we still got a table downstairs, with the proviso that there was a two hour limit. Just enough time for a gab and a grab to eat, yet there were no hovering waiters eager for us to leave. We had a relaxed and enjoyable brunch, with friendly and laid-back service.

The food was good and comforting, though nothing really wow. My one gripe would be under-seasoned eggs/hollandaise, but as that is such a personal preference I can't be too picky. But the familiar comfort, and chilled out surroundings made up for that. My cobbler was delicious though. Reasonable (for London) prices, we paid roughly £20 each.

My two cents? I'd eat there again - 7 / 10

Food Ideas from Rachel Khoo

Sunday morning watching Rachel Khoo, and I love her idea for Goats cheese Cigars. I love goats cheese, unfortunately I need to either find new friends to serve this to, or discover a substitution, because my friends hate it.

1 quartered sheet of filo pastry, brushed with melted butter. Place thyme along one end and fold over. At the other end of the pastry put goats cheese, and further into the sheet dizzle a line of honey. Fold over towards the thyme end. Brush the top of the cigar with butter. I may tweak to add some pepper or more thyme. I bet lemon thyme would work great with this.

Interesting twist is to serve over a radish, cucumber and green melon salad. The melon apparently inspired by the use of green papaya in Vietnamese salads I think. I love papaya so may try it with that instead as I'm not a big melon fan. Red wine vinegar and olive oil to finish.

Seems like a perfect summer starter. Writing it here so I won't forget it, since my cookbook is in another city at the moment, last used by my mum for my steamed butter chicken recipe which I've yet to post about. 

Happy cooking.

Student_gourmande

Dessert Before Dinner

I was in London this weekend for a course, and met up with my lovely friend for dinner and drinks.

Following a successful pattern when another friend was visiting her, we first stopped for hot drinks and pastry at Paul's near Covent Garden.

While I've bought the odd pastry to go from Paul's, and have even bought macarons from Paul's in the south of France (Aix-en-Provence) during a memorable summer holiday, I've never sat down in Pauls. Was the wait worth it, even just for the luxuriously thick hot chocolate that reminded me why the UK is not my favourite food country in the world, but comes behind France and Belgium. This was pure heaven. The pear and cinnamon tart was also a triumph. It wasn't on the menu, but I was certain that I'd spied a pear tart from the corner of my eye when we came in. Flaky, light yet firm pastry under a pear filling, subtly spiced with the cinnamon. The pear was practically caramelised, and it was delicious, as well as generously portioned out. I could have died happily then, but after a couple of hours of conversation and catch-ups, it was time to actually eat dinner.

Wahaca. (Gezuntheit)

No, this south american street food restaurant on Southbank, situated in four shipping crates, sprayed with murals you'd expect in Sao Paolo, is an ode to the importance of ambiance. It is utterly cool. I am informed that this specific Wahaca was an experiment intended to be a pop up, but was far too popular to be denied and remained in business. We waited an hour to get in, but sat talking outside under the murals. 

My friend and I bought five tapas sized dishes between us, and both got the Hibiscus water to drink, my friend as she'd had it before, and myself because of the sudden smack of nostalgia for a West  Indian drink called Sorrel. It was a delicious and refreshing beginning to the meal.

The food was great, light enough to follow the large desserts we had, filling enough to satisfy. Though disappointed by the garlic prawns being a tad overcooked and lukewarm, the cool atmosphere and cool layout more than compensated for one mediocre dish.

Reasonably priced for London, though not cheap, I would definitely go again.

Happy Eating,

student_gourmand

Korokke - if it's good enough for Japanese students...

So, true to form, the plan got sidetracked by the realities of life. However I've still made the time (somehow) to do some experimenting and the theme for the last week has been: Japanese.

While in London the Saturday before last, I managed to find my way to the Japan Centre neat Picadilly Circus. As well as indulging in some takoyaki (battered octopus balls) which was yummy but more batter than octopus, I decided to try something new.

A bit of background for you: Recently I've been re-watching an old favourite animé of mine: Honey & Clover, a slice-of-life series about a group of art students at University. Something I noticed was the constant consumption of korokke or croquettes. It seemed to be the Japanese equivalent of an English students 'beans on toast'. Deep fried potato mixed with cheese or minced meat or white sauce.

Well, I thought that was interesting. Here I am, a student, who happens to have a bag of potatoes that need to be eaten, as well as some turkey mince. The only thing I was missing was 'panko' or Japanese breadcrumbs, an ingredient which every recipe I read assured me were much superior to the Western breadcrumbs I might find in my local.

What I did

Well I boiled and mashed my potatoes, cooked my mince with onions, tender-shoot broccoli stems, baby-corn and chilli, then mixed together using a little egg for binding. I thin coated in flour, then egg and then the panko. The frying process was less harrowing than i thought it would be (and the recipes were more or less correct that, despite the deep frying, the croquettes didn't turn out very greasy at all.

One thing to note, put a lot of seasoning into the potatoes, since that is the bulk ingredient.

All in all a successful experiment that made a lovely dinner, and went lovely with my landlady's chilli jam. Not to mention, the leftovers fit nicely into my bento box for lunch the next day. To summarise, korokke are yummy, filling, easy to make if fiddly, and very cheap (making ~10: the 3 potatoes cost about 20p, the turkey mince about £1, and the little bit of veg I used was about 50p. The panko was the most expensive purchase at £2, but then I only used about a third of the packet.)

Potato & Mince mix

The Finished Article

Cooking again! Spicy Parmesan Prawns

Hi again. It's been a while, right? Still, after the upheaval of moving, getting a new job, starting at a new university and all the other day-to-day stuff on top, I'm happy to say that I am cooking again.

Admittedly, it took a combination of New Year's Resolutions, a day off from work and buying so much food that I couldn't afford to let it go to waste (seriously, food is expensive nowadays). But I have a plan, and as of day 1, I have stuck to it. Long may it last. 

 Day 1 - Spicy Parmesan Shrimp

In true student_gourmand style, the first thing I did was change the main ingredient. I used prawns. I did it the first time I made this, and I will always do it. First things, shrimp is for salad. Or soup, gumbo dirty rice. When it is the star ingredient of a main meal, it lacks the bite and presence of a good prawn. 

 The second thing I did was not use chilli flakes, but chopped up some chilli peppers and added mild chilli powder. The last thing anyone wants is grit between their teeth, and that is exactly what happens with chilli flakes. I went a bit mad and added sweet chilli sauce as well- the kind you dip spring rolls in. I mixed the above ingredients with about half a block of parmesan (let's call it 60g), 2 cloves of garlic, a spring onion, about 6 tablespoons of olive oil, a couple tablespoons of soy sauce, salt and pepper, and then mixed together. At home I used a cute mini-whisk. In my new place where I have only the bare essentials, I used a spoon. Well, needs must. 

 While I would ideally have liked to leave that overnight to marinate, if I was to stick to the plan that I was already behind on (preparation-wise) then that couldn't happen. So I boiled some fusilli, which I discovered worked better than the recommended penne since the twists allow the cheese to cling to the pasta. I then poured the prawn mix into a very hot non-stick frying pan and heated it through for a couple of minutes (I used cooked prawns so you might want to double that for uncooked) and then I added the pasta to the (deep-sided) frying pan and mixed the whole thing together. I also added some tender stem broccoli I'd boiled for about 8 minutes, you know for some veg.  All in all, it was tasty. So much so that I forgot to even think about taking a photo 'til afterwards. 

If you're wondering about my irreverent layout (re: lack of ingredient list and recipe), the answer is that I've been awake since 5:30am, I also didn't follow the recipe I had due to having to quarter the amount of prawns and at most, halfing the other ingredients, but also not having any measuring instrumets beside a tablespoon. I felt like Jamie Oliver, or like I knew what I was doing. At the end of the day it was a terribly unhealthy, lightweight and yet still very satisfying meal. Amd despite butchering the quantities, I have enough for at least two more meals. 

If you need a bit more detail than this, I got the recipe via pinterest. I'll add a link when I'm less full and more coherent.

Happy cooking, 

student_gourmand

When life gives you lemons...

A review of a free meal is always tainted by the disbelief of actually receiving a free meal. It is both better and worse than you'd hoped for various reasons, and you cannot help but believe that you can't complain because it was, in fact, a free meal.

That being said, a meal beginning with a disappointingly luke-warm, impossible to cut, and slightly burnt (yet still tasty) Pollo ad Astra at Pizza Express near Chiswell Street this Friday was saved only by the presence dessert. A bright spot (literally, bring quite yellow) among some rather disappointing desserts chosen by others, I present - the Lemon Torta.

Sweet, citrus-y, nice consistency - not too mushy, not too firm, with a lovely flaky and buttery biscuit base. I love a lemon tart, and this hit the spot. Though I'm still confused by the mascarpone on the side. I love mascarpone, but as a dessert? Needs a little sugar, and thinning down a tad. Was a bit too thick to work. Note to Pizza Express- the whisk is your friend.

Note to self, must try the chocolate glory next time. Might start up that old habit of going into restaurants just for dessert. I admit now that Zizzi is great for this whenever I have a yen for their amazing lemon sorbet. I just love lemon based desserts, and no one does lemons like the Italians.

Char Siu & High Standards

I'm home from the summer, living in a home that no longer feels truly mine. I've had a taste of independence, and I liked it too much to really enjoy being back in my mother's house. Especially in the kitchen. I've blossomed in terms of culinary skills, while away at University. I've eaten foods that I can't pronounce the name of, cooked dishes that are beyond even my mum's impressive repertoire of recipes, but most of all, I've enjoyed doing it.

Trying to cook in my mother's kitchen is like trying to do ballet in ill-fitting shoes. I'm ungainly, trying to pull ingredients from cupboards that aren't there, or trying to readjust to a gas hob. All in all, it doesn't really work. But my mum insists that I just have to cook something. Because she's been hearing about all the things I've made. So I try, and something always goes wrong, or "it's a bit bland, dear" or "a bit too much salt" and "don't quite like that". I sometimes hate cooking for my mother.

So it was a pleasant surprise when, being gifted with some pork belly after her hearing me complain about craving it, I managed to pull off an impressive Sunday dinner of my (cheat's) version of char siu pork with stir fried vegetables and white rice. The greatest compliment to get from my critical mother...Silence. A blessed silence interrupted only by the clinking of cutlery. And then, "That was lovely." 

Char Siu Pork, slayer of critical mothers

Char Siu Pork

Ingredients

1lb pork belly

1/4 cup dark soy sauce

1/4 cup light soy sauce

1/4 cup sugar

1tbsp honey

1tbsp hoisin sauce

1/2 tbsp oyster sauce

2 tsp rice wine (I'll admit to using Japanese mirin as it's all I had - don't hurt me!)

1 tsp minced ginger

Method

Marinate the pork belly overnight in a whisked mixture of the above ingredients. (I gave it a two day soak).

Remove pork from the marinade, then, in smoking hot oil, fry pork belly on both sides for a couple of minutes, until meat is slightly charred.

Add the marinade mixture and lower the temperature to low/medium heat, then cover for 20-25 minutes. Allow sauce to froth and essentially thicken and "stick" to the meat.

Serve with rice.

Mind boggling easy, this cheat char siu pork is sweet, juicy, moreish, and very quick. However, with a good piece of meat, you can't go wrong. Eventually, I'll try to do a proper roasting, but it'll keep for when I have my own kitchen. Something to look forward to.

Back to School

Tomorrow marks my first day back to University after my exams. What this means is a new term of gourmet delicacies, beginning with a Cooking Society event I helped organise at the Loch Fyne seafood restaurant, continuing through a series of packed lunches that I hope become true bento, and culminating in a three week study holiday to Hangzhou & Shanghai, where I hope to sample many dishes like xialongbao which I hear is a speciality of Shanghai.

All in all, I am very optimistic for this new term, food-wise. I hope it lives up to my expectations, and I hope to keep more up to date with blogging to let the world know how satisfied my stomach is.

Happy eating,

student_gourmand

Homemade Apple Pie

Apple pie is perfect in winter. And in summer, spring & autumn too, but especially in winter. Lots of warm, winter-time spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice. Add some custard or vanilla ice cream, and you have perfect comfort food.

I got home from work on Tuesday with an almost frantic need to bake something. So I stopped by the market for two humongous Bramley apples, made some shortcrust pastry (sugar, flour, butter, water), cooked & ate my dinner while I let the pastry chill in the fridge, added my apples soaking in sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg & allspice to my pastry lined pie dish, then put this bad boy in the oven.

The pastry was soft and thick and flaky, though the bottom layer was a bit soggy, and I was a little overenthusiastic with my cinnamon, to the joy of one flatmate who loves the stuff, but it was delicious.

My flatmates were very happy. And I loved my cold apple pie the next day in my lunch-box. Between the four of my flatmates, the pie didn't even last a whole day before disappearing. The best kind of compliment for a cook.

Happy winter baking,

student_gourmand

What does gourmand heaven look like?

Hong Kong. Having arrived this Friday on the island where Gourmands go to die and reach heaven, I cannot claim at all to be disappointed when it comes to my expectations of culinary delights. I am visiting my friend, fellow blogger and President of the Cooking Society at the University of Sheffield, for a holiday which I was promised would leave me fat and satisfied. I've only been here for a day and already experience the latter, and at the rate I'm going I'll soon be fat too. The first thing I did when I arrived at my destination was indulge in trying something I've always wanted to experience: bubble tea. And after being hit by a solid wall of humid heat once I left the air conditioned airport, a cool taro bubble tea was just the thing to cool me down. Plus it was bright purple! My favourite colour. I don't think the taro was for me but there was a wall of varieties just calling my name, and I loved chewing on those tapioca pearls. Dinner the night I arrived was livelier and larger than I was really prepared for having just ended a twenty hour journey. Still, I attempted to pick up and use my chopsticks and dug into a lovely Chinese meal out with my friend's extended family that seemed to go on for ages. As soon as we thought the meal was over, a new large dish was placed down. I had to take a time out at one point but I loved the grab and share atmosphere as we sat around the classic round table to eat. And we ate duck, char sui pork, pork with a lovely crispy skin chicken or goose feet in a plum sauce, snap peas and red peppers with something else I ignored I favour of the peas which I love, fried rice, noodles, vegetarian sea food, jellyfish, and something my friend tried to. Convince me was Swallow's nest, but which I think were actually battered shrimp balls with stringy bits of batter that looked like a bird's nest. I lost track of the dishes at some point, finally snapping out of a food induced pseudo-coma at the arrival of something gelatinous with a red bean paste filling, which were deliciously sweet and chewy, along with some watermelon to clear my tongue of the almost overwhelming sweet taste. Today was a bit more moderate, in both length, content and cost. Lunch was Korean, at a restaurant my firnd stumbled across in the classic way that the best restaurants are found - while lost. We arrived at the restaurant to be greeted with a pitcher of tea, and a selection of mini starters which I must stress came free. Potato salad with apple, spicy kimchi (fermented Chinese cabbage), sweet potato in a sweet sticky sauce and two other dishes I did tnot try. What a lovely way to be greeted. The main I actually paid for was Bulgogi (marinated barbecue beef) on a bed (veritably king sized) of rice. I usually avoid beef when I eat out, but this was the juiciest, most tender & flavoursome beef I've had in a loooong time. This also came with a side of seaweed flavoured with pork bits in a mini bowl of broth. The main was eaten before I could take photos but once I figure out how to upload my photos I'll delight you with images of my starter. The real kicker was the bill though -at HK$55 which roughly translates to £5, I think that meal was not only delicious but in credible value for money. I doubt I could eat as much as I did today in England for the same money. I'm still full from dinner and a day of sightseeing so I'm afraid you'll have to wait for a description of the lovely meal my friend's lovely mum made, but be sure to expect something yummy, filling and served with fluffy rice. Happy summer-holidaying, student_gourmand

La Viennoiserie, the International Market & that Envied European Lifestyle

I've mentioned "la viennoiserie" before. The Viennese delicacy umbrella, covering a range of French baked goods, including brioche, pain au chocolat, danish pastries and, of course, the ever loved croissant.

I mention it again because it is one of those wonderful things I never get enough of. Especially in England. Especially in the north of England, where the closest to fresh viennoiseries are the slightly stale industrial croissants in the Tesco Express bakery section. Luckily however, there has been the International Market in Sheffield for the past couple of days, and I found myself drawn to the French stall in particular, where I indulged in half a loaf of brioche, some palmiers and some madeleine fingers, as well as some pear and ginger jam from another stall, and some Italian/Sicilian pastry treats which I'll talk about in another post. This Sunday I decided I was in the mood for a continental breakfast, so as well as the usual bowl of cereal, I fed myself with a cup of Lady Grey tea, and a small selection of my market goodies.

In the top picture above we have what's left of a loaf of sweet, slightly chewy brioche. Below that we have 2 slices of brioche with a tart and strongly scented raspberry & lavender jam my flatmate bought in Scotland, and the mild but punchy pear & ginger jam I bought at the market. Pear jam is one of those little things I first encountered as a little girl, during my travels in Europe, which I haven't been able to find in English supermarkets. At the top of the plate is a palmier, delightfully sweet puff pastry layered with butter and sugar and rolled together. To the right of the plate are two madeleine batons, one of which is marbled, both of which I love to soak in my tea.

This plate sums up what I love about la viennoiserie even if I don't think madeleines technically fall into that bracket. Buttery, light, crispy, fluffy, moist, delicious. All it needed was a croissant, a danish pastry and really thick, European grade chocolat. I remember being in Barcelona with my mum once, and she'd gone out for an early morning breakfast run, bringing back what she thought was to be bog-standard hot chocolate. What she actually brought back was heaven. Thick and creamy, I could only drink so much before it all became too much, and I switched to using it as a dip for my croissants.

The International Market brought up so many wonderful feelings that it's a shame that it only lasts a few days. I've often longed to have a boulangerie right on my doorstep, so I could buy my daily baguette fresh, and get my morning croissant before I go to school. Get that tarte aux pommes my flatmates wanted for dessert on the way back from work, &c. This is the lifestyle that makes me want to move to Europe once I've graduated from University. 'Cause right now, Tesco Express just isn't cutting it.

Here's to the European Dream.

student_gourmand

Top Class Train Food, and Travelling in Style

I love travelling, and travelling by train is my ultimate favourite mode of transportation. Don't get me started on how much I love Eurostar. So, I am grateful that I go to university in a city where I live roughly 10 minutes' walk from the train station, which can take me home to a train station that is right behind the bus stop that takes me straight to my home village. Good transport links are so convenient.

This blog post is about food, of course. Specifically train food. Now, people complain all the time about plane food. But no-one ever talks about train food. I guess there are two reasons for this. 1) Most train journeys aren't long enough to justify spending money on snacks; 2) They hide the good stuff in first class. And it's hard for Economy travellers to complain about decent tea and pastries when they don't realise they're serving steak for the big spenders.

So this Easter, I used my inner-thrifty and found some cheap first class return tickets home for the holiday. Nothing to report on the journey home, but when I came back to my Uni town, it was a midday train and as soon as I arrived and left the train station, I would have to go to work and not eat again til 5. So I was starving, and worrying about passing out at work. I decided to splurge.

There was the complimentary tea and chocolate biscuit. But I wanted more - this time, in the form of Coronation chicken in a wholemeal baguette. Sounds simple. Simply delicious, is what it was. Creamy and sweet, with that little tang of curry. The bread was filling and soft, but not too doughy. Along with a side of crisps (They'd run out of salad, not that I minded) and a complimentary bottle of water, I was set. At £3.95 I didn't feel completely ripped off, especially since people always try to push off those flimsy, floppy, wet catastrophes as sandwhiches in shops for about the same. I really felt like a juice cheeseburger, which they had, but as I was on my way to work, in a new outfit I might add, I wasn't sure how well that would work.

All in all, I'd eat there again. Next time I hope I can catch an early enough train to get complimentary breakfast. Below I show you a picture of my new outfit, since I forgot to photography my lunch before I demolished it. Sometimes I think my job is just an excuse to dress up. But I do enjoy business wear, however much I push the business/casual boundary.

The dress is from Mango and the bag is from Urban Outfitters. I love the dress so much because of the dfferent fabric textures. We've got this smooth silky cotton bodice with an almost burlap feel skirt. Not scratchy but very textured. And I was pleasantly surprised by how well the bag matched considering I'd bought it a couple of weeks before the dress. It was nice to leave my arms bare with the weather getting so nice, so I definitely took advantage. But I still wore tights - Thank You Fenwick for having such lovely tights.

Happy travels and Happy Easter,

student_gourmand

Anywhere in the world...

If I could choose anywhere in the world to go, just to eat (no fees, no jetlag, and no limitations) I wouldn't know where to go first. So, when this question popped into my head, I decided to make a list.

Italy - No explanation needed really, but here it is: The food culture. I tend to eat quite quickly, but I absolutely hate rushed meals. So the idea of spending hours over a meal is heaven to me. I'm always sad that meals with friends tend to only last 2 courses. I wish British culture would slip some antipasti and relaxation into their basic courses. I was in primary school the first time I visited Italy; a naive little girl who didn't know the difference between gelato and ice cream (or even that there was one). But I was immediately won over by the large bowl of tagliatelle at dinner, the margherita I ate at lunch and the gelato eaten beside the Pantheon. My next trip to Rome in my early teens featured a side trip to Sorrento, which included a cheeky first taste of limoncello, apparently the area is famous for it. Delizioso. I'm thinking of making a special lemon cheesecake if I ever get my hands on the lovely liqueur, because it gives me such pleasant feelings that I bet it would be utterly sinful in a dessert.

France - I could live without some of the French restaurants in England, except for one where I had a lovely sea bass. But what France has is this: Damn good pastry. And bread. And cake. I've been learning French for years now, but this summer was the first time I'd heard the word used that would utterly consume me, la viennoiserie. Finally a word that encompasses everything that sets France above the rest for me: pastries. Or rather, Viennese pastries (hmm maybe a trip to Vienna is in order). Anyway, it includes croissants, pain au chocolat, brioche &c. I also appreciate the fact that there are bakeries everywhere, something which fills me with envy when I pass one bakery (Coombs or Coopland) and a Greggs when I stroll down my English high street. When all these pastries and breads are added to a proper cup of chocolat so thick you could eat it with a fork, you know you're in heaven.

Hong Kong - never been. But one of my closest uni friends is from there and I've heard stories. A hub of gourmet treasure troves, I yearn for a HK egg tart, to visit the Cantonese bakeries, and street vendors selling fishballs, and to eat dim sum with friends. More recently, I read about the soulmate equivalent of a bar/restaurant. As in, this bar was made for me. It doesn't serve main meals, but it does serve three courses of desserts, with dessert wines. Did you read that? Three course dessert menu. Need I say more - I have to get to Hong Kong while the chef is still there at Riquiqui Dessert Bar.

Jamaica - a lot of Jamaican food I eat at home, or at least I eat variations, since my Nana's actually Antiguan. But it would be nice to eat my favourites when the ingredients are fresh, in season, and maybe grown just down the road. I want to eat good curried goat, peas and rice, ackee and saltfish, some decent seafood, and maybe if I'm lucky a little oxtail and festival. I'm also having good memories of fruits like guineps, with its green skin, orange flesh, sweet but tart taste, and large stone. And don't get me started about sugar cane. Sigh, hopefully soon.

Brussels, Beligum - for the gaufres (waffles) and the chocolate, and weirdly enough, the Thai food. yum yum yum. Unfortunately those are the only three foods that fill me with excitement in Brussels, but what they do, they do well. The first time I ever ate frogs' legs was in a Thai restaurant in Brussels and they were incredibly well cooked. Also, there's a shop called la Cure Gourmande, which also has shops in France with slightly different regional stock, that sells the loveliest biscuits. My favourite are the navettes, these lovely long biscuits that melt in your mouth and have the most amazing fragrance. Maybe I'll write a review one day.

Those are the main places I love, or would love, to go and eat. Although there are lots of individual places I've heard of through TV shoes or word of mouth I'd like to go to, but I'm not going to another country to eat at one restaurant. Though I might make an exception for IHOP to indulge my childhood memories of stacks of pancakes and maple syrup.

Happy eating, happy travelling, and with any luck I'll be jetting off to have a lovely dinner abroad sometime in the next few holidays I get.

student_gourmande

Late Night Snacks

I have a very bad habit. In fact, it's become less of a habit and more of a tradition, an institution. The late night snack for me has become like breakfast, lunch and dinner: indispensible.

So my facebook posts invariably show the slogan "Today's late night snack was..." at around 10pm, and I figured why not blog it? Something quick but regular. Because I've had some interesting snacks. Things I find tasty, but maybe others haven't tried yet, or wouldn't anyway.

Tonight's late night snack consisted of a plain omelette, seasoned with milk, salt, pepper and parsley, in a toasted, buttered and mayonnaise-d pitta bread, with some fried tomatoes and tomato sauce.

Despite the frying and the mayonnaise, I like to think of this as a healthy snack. Everyone knows that eggs are good for you, and I once read that the majority of benefits carried by tomatoes need cooking to do any good. Plus, in general, I don't eat bread. The play dough that passes as white bread isn't fit for consumption, and the brown bread I do like tends to be too thin, falling apart on the slightest touch, or with the taste of nutty cardboard. So, pitta bread and tortilla wraps, and of course fried dumplings, are the closest I come to eating bread out of a restaurant setting. And let me tell you, even though my body loves me for avoiding bread, it also craves carbohydrates. So the pitta bread fulfilled these cravings nicely while being light enough not to affect my delicate constitution.

I blame my need for late night snacks on being nocturnal. It's like my body thinks I've already slept and my being awake means it's morning and time to eat. I'm feeling it now, even though I only ate that snack a couple of hours ago. When I was younger, and it was my mum's kitchen I'd sneak into to have my snack, I would usually make do with a cup of tea and an ungodly amount of biscuits, or even some cream crackers and mango juice, or peanut butter on toast. Looking back, I wonder how I'm not a size 20 right now.

Regardless, the late night snack has only been encouraged by moving out for university. Now I have my own kitchen and groceries bought with my own money, so there is no late night snack guilt. Especially when I tell myself I've been working, and so need sustenance.

In other news, I made a brownie cake for my friend's birthday tomorrow. Unfortunately I made the holes but couldn't make the ganache to fill them, because *someone* ran off with my whipping cream. Which I accidentally scanned twice while at Tesco. That soneone also happens to be the president of my Cooking Society actually. He and my flat mate, and technically, myself, were all making a chocolate ganache and rasperry tarte to practice before an event.

I hope my friend likes her holey cake.

Ooooh more good news: my piping set came in the post. Tala, very retro looking with a little pamphlet of piping tips. But this is good because it means I can make macaroons, macarons for the french lovers who, like me, prefer the french word because the english makes them think of racoons. (Nonetheless, I find it odd when English people in England speaking to English people call them "macarons". Even if their accents are good). So now my only question is if I should make them for my next visit home or if I should save them for mum's birthday, which I'm sure she'd appreaciate as a gift, and since I will probably be too broke to buy her anything nice. Maybe both? We'll see. To be honest, I've never been very moved by macaroons. Gourmande I may be; but almond lover, I am not. So it's not like when I cook them affects me besides the buying of ingredients, and the time needed for cooking. We shall see.

As it is late anyway, I'll wish you happy eating and be on my way,

student_gourmande

Day 13 - A fictional book.

The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense. - Tom Clancy

I like that quote because it's generally true. Life is weird and unpredictable, but there's always the one who complains about a books ending being unrealistic, or even the whole plot being unrealistic. That is strange because, for me at least, reading is a kind of escapism. Maybe the allure is the idea that these fantastical situations are actually possible.

So for escapism, the fiction book for me would be His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman. Although this is actually a trilogy made of "Northern Lights," "The Amber Spyglass" and "The Subtle Knife." The characters have a huge amount to do with this, but a lot fo it has to do with the parallel world idea. Nothing excites you more than the idea that there is this fictional world that is so different to yours that you know it's a story, but which is similar enough to your own world that you can imagine it potentially being real. You can envisage yourself in that situation. Then the kicker of a twist is when the boundary between this fantastical world and your own world suddenly rips open, and because the world Pullman describes is your world, and the characters there are so much like you, and just as shocked as you are that this world exists, that the possibility of it being real increases in your imagination, it makes more sense. Because it's all very well and good imagining that you live in a world where people have daemons- physical embodiments of their soul represented by animals- but it's another level to imagining when you imagine you live in the same world you do live in, where a doorway to another world appears.

There's a lot of science theory that goes with it, and if I could stand Physics more than I do I'd talk about that. I think it has something to do with Schroedinger's Cat, but aside from owning the book, the deepest I've ever though about that was how sick it was to make a scientific game out of life and death. Maybe it's the Christian in me, but I'm certain I know a few scientific atheists who are cat lovers. (Note: this is humour for those who don't get me. Though I do know a few atheist cat lover scientists.)

Anyway I love His Dark Materials, and am annoyed that it's classified as a children's book, because that always happens to me. I can read a book and enjoy it, then also get some deep spiritual/philosophical meaning from it, or it can really move me, but the book is "meant for kids". Sometimes the really good books are just going over these kids' heads. Like Terry Pratchett. When I get into some of the better books and their social commentary/political jokes, I think, "Surely no nine year old is going to appreciate the genius that this is." But then again, I know some adults won't, and mayne I'm not giving these kids enought credit. Few gave me the credit I deserved as a kid. Ha, funnily, one who did was the guy who gave me "In Search of Schroedinger's Cat" when I was about 9. If you don't know what it is, look it up, and see why the memory makes me laugh now. I think that one maybe gave me too much credit. And we see it all comes back to physics.

happy escapism,

student_gourmand

Day 12 - My fancy is quite ticklish it seems

So, it's ladies chooice (or this lady's choice) for the blog. Unfortunately today I had an exam that wiped me out, so it's gonna be a short one.

Revision Food

When I revise, the domestic goddess that I seem to have become simply disappears. I need to do laundry, I haven't cooked, I haven't cleaned, and I'm barely functioning after being on the computer for 12 hours a day. So the food I've been eating has been a bit sub par, even though I've gone upscale when I could.

The higher standard fare seems to be fried fish, macaroni and cheese, TEsco's finest lasagne, and Pizza Express pizza. Otherwise, instant noodles, jaffa cakes, cereal and pasta with pesto have become staples. The low point was eating an entire pack of Cadbury's mini rolls yesterday while stressing about today's exam.

So so far my favourite has been the pasta and pest, and through trial and error i've decided the cheaper oests in a jar are nicer.

Right so I'm nodding of in my chair. So I think it's time so say goodnight.

much love,

student_gourmand

Day 11 - A recent photo of me.

So I went to London the summer before last as a goodbye trip with one of my best friends, Tanya. We got a deal to get oour hair and makeup done and go to a photoshoot. Sounds dodgy, but Tan's a good planner and had it all checked out. There were some awesome shots taken, and this was the day I was truly converted to GHD straighteners. Not that I can afford them. I don't think I've changed much since I was a kid - I had my growth spurt early, I guess.

The dress was an Easter present from my Grandad. BCBG, one of my favourite designer brands, (as though I have the money to buy any), was first introduced to me by my fashionista Aunt as a present in the form of a summer dress. I'm very grateful to my Aunt and Grandad for hooking me up with these designer dresses. Maybe I owe my Aunt more thanks than she lets on, because I love my Grandad, but he's a man, and he was half-blind the last time I saw him. I think he had some help.

Anyway the trip was a success, and they managed to make a bit of money from me buying some portraits, the dress up part was fun and free otherwise. I would have been content just dressing up but these pics were too good. And before we dashed off to catch our train home, we managed to grab a bite at a tiny Chinese restaurant near the Station. I think I ordered Singapore Fried Rice. It was yummy and cheap, so I was double happy.

happy posting,

student_gourmand

P.S. BCBG is a French acronym "Bon chic, bon genre" which means, "Good style, good class" or as my teacher once put it "preppy." All those years of French put to good use :p

Day 10 - A photo of me taken (not quite) 10 years ago

I don't think I had a camera 10 years ago; my mum is not the sentimental, picture-taking type; and any pictures from back then are probably either in an album somewhere at my Grandma's house, or they've all been burnt. However, I do have couple of a picture of myself and my Daddy, when I was probably 12, so 8 years ago. It's the best I can do. But these would have joined the burning, as I'm in that awkward, embarassing puberty phase. Sigh. I can only be grateful that I'm no longer a teenager.

The first was taken at the airport in the Bahamas on our way to Atlantis Resort in Nassau, where I, unfortunately, wasn't staying but went to a New Year's Eve Party. The second was taken at the hotel. I was actually in Jamaica for Christmas, but my Dad decided we should take an impromptu trip to visit my Godfather. One of my better New Years celebrations I must admit. Sure there were mainly only old people (middle age, but to a preteen everyone is old), but I learnt how to do the Electric Slide and the Hustle.

happy holidays (you can tell I can't wait til Easter holidays, or Spring Break for the Yanks),

student_gourmand

PS Since no post is complete without a food mention. Carnival food is the best type of food, and I was lucky enough to go to a Junkanoo while I was there. Even though it rained hard near the end, it was still an amazing experience.

Day 9 - A photo I took.

I'm no photographer. I don't have an amazing SLR camera, or any mad photoshop skills, but I do have a lucky habit of buying phones with decent camera functions, and a knack of coming across wonderful scenery in city centres. So I have 4 photos for you. My favourite, taken with my phone, happened to be taken just as my friend gestured with her hand. The effect made me laugh, especially as she looks so surly. I love how relaxed and skater she looks, despite the fact we were all furiously revising for a GCSE Physics exam.

The second and third photos were taken in the city of Brussels, one of my favourite cities in Europe, possibly the world. It is the kind of city that every now and then, in the odd alley you'll come across a masterpiece of art that, despite the modern art love of graffiti, could never be called such. The home of Hergé (creator of Tintin and The Smurfs) it is no surprise that the residents are allowed to expose the artistic nature of the city on public and private buildings alike. The first was taken after getting off a tram and the second, was on the way back from the Mannekin Pis.

The fourth picture, which I've just decided to add, is of the Mannekin Pis itself, because it is the funniest fountain statue I've ever seen. Apparently it is usual for a historical society or a museum to dress up the statue in traditional dress. You'll see.

Photo 1 - Before we knew what emo was

Photo 2 - The World Behind the Stone Facade

Photo 3 - On the painted cobbled streets of Brussels

Picture 4 - Yes, the little boy-statue really is peeing into a water fountain

happy photographing,

student_gourmand

PS on the subject of Brussels, it was there that I first ate frogs' legs, at a Thai restaurant in a yellow curry. As much as I hate saying this, yes it tasted a little like chicken. But it had its own distinctive flavour, was slightly chewier and much lighter. It was delicious! Luckily, I still remember where the restaurant was, though not the name, so I will definitely be returning there if I ever visit Brussels again.

Day 8 - A photo that makes me sad

Well, this is tricky since I usually take photos of happy, momentous occasions. Or food. None of these makes me sad. But I do have the one.

This is the main building of my old school, Leicester Grammar. I studied here from the tender age of eleven til the ripe old age of 17. Unfortunately, it was decided that this old traditional school, based in the city centre of Leicester, could no longer meet our needs, and we were all uprooted to the middle of knowhere in the countryside known as Great Glen. Big mistake. Sure we didn't have our own playing fields in the city, but there were so many more advantages. Veing able to go to the City Library during breaks, the cafe that was right next to the school that we would sneak out to at lunch, where the "cooler" teachers did the same, the shops, the easy access by bus, train and car, but most of all, it was ours. It was a real school, lots of nooks and crannies for the little kids to hide in, the Computer Room in the attic, up what felt like millions of flights of stairs.

And what did they move us to? A prison. We may have gone in the countryside, but none of the old manor style came with us. All the locals complained, the students have complained, the parents complained - heck, my mum was the one who suggested the similarity to the prisons from her experience as a Criminal Lawyer - the only one who seems to like it is the Headmaster, and that's because it's his "pet project." The place has none of the soul of the old school, and I was glad I only had to endure it for my last year of Sixth Form.

I was very sad to say goodbye to my old school. And if I ever take my (future, not yet existing) kids back to where I went to school, I know which one I'll be showing them. That place is filled with good memories, and bad, and it's where I made some of the best friends I'll ever have. So while this photo holds happy memories for me, it will always sadden me to see it, and know that I'll never study there again.

happy reminiscings over your own school past,

student_gourmand