Lisbon 2015: The Highlights

March 1, 2016March 1, 20163 Comments

Every year during summer my boyfriend and I plan a vacation. We go somewhere neither of us have been before, but somewhere we both have a lot of interest in. As our summer 2016 plans are coming into shape I simply could not help but reminisce over our previous excursions. Last year we went to Lisbon for our annual adventurous escape. Mission ‘Kath and Kerry on tour’ was beautifully executed in 9 amazing and fun-filled days in September 2015. Using Airbnb we found the perfect place in Baixa to call home while exploring Lisbon and some other nearby places of interest. Here are some of the highlights of our trip!

1. Alfama

View from Castelo de Sao Jorge

Stopping for a drink with an amazing View

Lamb Tournedo with Roast Potatoes at Taberna Ti’ Camila

We spent our first day in Lisbon getting a feel for the city. We developed the perfect pattern of walking, stopping for a drink, consulting our map and then walking again. Exploring by foot is in my opinion the best way to really see a city and to feel like you are part of the action. However, I must warn you Lisbon is known for its hilly topography and I am pretty sure I left fitter than when I arrived. The highlight for me that day was walking through the streets of Alfama. Alfama refers to the oldest district in Lisbon. It is made up of narrow winding streets and small courtyards that lead you down (rather steeply) towards the coast. It is decorated by little balconies, potted plants and colourful laundry. Alfama was simply beautiful, but as we walked I noticed its unusual calm. This tranquil maze of narrow streets offered a stark but very welcomed contrast to the hustle and bustle we had experienced around Castelo de Sao Jorge earlier in the day. We found our way to a square along Largo Chafariz where we decided to sit and have lunch at a lovely little taberna called Ti’Camila. While we ate our late lunch, consisting of soft and succulent marinated salmon loin and roasted lamb tournedo with roast potatoes, we were serenaded by a very talented group called Guents dy Rincon playing Cabo Verde music. We visited Alfama quite a few more times to eat and to listen to traditional fado music.

2. Time Out Mercado da Ribeira

Time Out Market Lisbon

Fish & Rice Stew

We had just gone on a wild goose chase in search of a market along the river when we decided to call it a day. I was feeling rather defeated and getting a bit “hangry”when my boyfriend suggested that we make our way to this Time Out market we had heard so much about. After grabbing a quick coffee and a snack we set off in search of our new destination. As we approached the place where our map said the market was, we got a bit worried as it looked quite quiet. On entering all I saw were fresh fruit and veg stalls packing up and my heart sank. However, my spirits were lifted once more as my boyfriend lead me into the neighbouring section of the building which was bustling with excited faces looking for a seat so they could start on their glorious plates of food. The range of gastronomic delights was immense! I saw everything from mounds of sushi to platters of charcuterie and cheese. I think I would have been really overwhelmed if I had not come for something rather specific: traditional Portuguese fish stew. Upon finding a stall that served this dish Kerry and I ordered, sat down and quickly tucked into our bowl of fish stew and rice. The fish was so soft and just fell apart as I nudged it with my spoon. The sauce was a light but well-seasoned tomato sauce that really added a deliciously tangy base to the dish. I was a bit nervous at first seeing the rice cooked in it because I was anticipating what my mum likes to refer to as ‘stodgy rice,’ but these fears were quickly dismissed and the plump but firm grains were a well received surprise. Since my first encounter with this stew it has made frequent appearances in my weekly menu.

3. Sintra

View from Palacio Nacional da Pena of the Castelo dos Mouros

Palacio Nacional da Pena Entrance

One afternoon, while relaxing on the couch and chatting with our Airbnb host Ana, we asked her about things to do outside of the city as we were staying very close to two train stations. She immediately recommended Sintra. Sintra is a town in the Lisbon region, known for its mountainous terrain and its UNESCO World Heritage sites. I must admit I knew nothing about this town before visiting it, but as we climbed those hills Sintra both literally and figuratively took my breath away! This was by far my favourite day out. We visited the Castelo dos Mouros (a 9th century Moorish castle sitting a startlingly 412 metres above sea level) and the Palacio Nacional da Pena (a ridiculously colourful Romanticist palace on top of the Sintra Mountains that has the most incredible view I have ever seen in person.) If you are visiting Lisbon, Sintra is a must see! Make a day of it and take your time hiking up those hills. You can catch a train from Lisbon’s Roissio station to Sintra and from there you can take the bus or start walking.

4. La Taberna da Rua das Flores

Thai-inspired Carbonara served with squid ribbons

Mackerel Tartare served on a seaweed salad and garnished with crispy brown shrimp

I have shared with you my favourite day out, now I will show you my favourite meal! Our host had nothing but praise for the fabulously rustic and petite establishment that is La Taberna da Rua das Flores, so we simply had to go. We were warned that this little restaurant, serving delicious tapas dishes, often had an enormous queue, so we opted for an early dinner, arriving just before 6pm. Our waitress was lovely and explained all the dishes to us as they were in Portuguese. We ordered about five plates to share between the two of us. While all five were amazing in their own rite, two of the dishes really stood out for me. The first was a Thai-inspired carbonara served with squid ribbons and topped with an egg yolk. I was not entirely confident about this dish, but our waitress assured us that it was excellent and after my first bite I swear I could not stop talking about it for the rest of the meal. The perfectly cooked squid resembled fettuccine and was bathed in a creamy, slightly sweet coconut sauce that was perfectly contrasted by the saltiness of the crispy bacon bits.The second dish that wowed my taste buds was a mouthwatering mackerel tartare served on a seaweed salad and garnished with crispy brown shrimp. Honestly, these two dishes were perfect examples of true culinary talent. They were bold, unapologetic and unlike anything I had tasted before. I would go back to Lisbon just for a seat at La Taberna da Rua das Flores.

5. Cascais

Cascais is a beach town 30km from Lisbon, consisting of several bays which are lined with beautiful beach houses and hotels. It is also the perfect place for a few paddle boarding lessons! Paddle boarding is something both my boyfriend and I are really excited about. We have had a little experience with it but some proper lessons were in order. Surf n Paddle Portugal is a fantastic paddle boarding school with really friendly and helpful staff. Nick Evans was our instructor and had us up on our feet and paddling around in no time at all. While Kerry took to it immediately, striding out in front, I saw nothing wrong with falling a few times and familiarizing myself with the slightly cold (freezing!) water. Cascais is only a 46 minute train ride from the Cais do Sodre station in Lisbon. If you have a day to spare, go and explore the various bays, rent a board or take a lesson. It is very worth it!

6. Sailing with Nigel

For our last full day in Lisbon my boyfriend organised a romantic boat trip along the river. He booked a tour including food and drinks with a company called ‘Sailing with Nigel.’ We got to the marina and there the yacht was waiting for our arrival. We climbed aboard and began the perfect last day in Lisbon. Both Nigel and David were amazing hosts, handing out beers, telling jokes and giving us tit bits of information as we sailed along. The sites from the river were spectacular! After a satisfying lunch of yummy fish pie and salad we continued on our journey. I even got a chance to take the wheel! As we arrived back to the Marina both Kerry and I agreed it was the perfect end to our Lisbon adventure.

Do you have any travel plans this summer??

Christmas Away From Home

December 21, 2015December 21, 20151 Comment

I left home for university over five years ago. At the time I was so excited to spread my wings, get a taste of what it was like to be living on my own and experience something entirely new. I have never regretted my decision to move away from home, but that doesn’t mean I don’t miss it terribly. This is the second Christmas I am spending away, which has lead me to reflect a lot on what I find most difficult about it. I am writing this as a way of venting and perhaps letting someone, who is going through the same thing, know they are not alone.

The first difficulty is being away from my family. I am a big family person and while I am aware that many people do not get the chance to spend Christmas with theirs, it doesn’t make the distance any easier. No matter how long I am away, I never get used to being so far from the people I love most in this world. In fact, I swear it gets harder. I miss hugging my mum, chatting with my dad and being bombarded with playful tickling and poking by my sister. It is the little things that mean the most.

Then there are the little traditions and that special one of a kind feeling of being where you belong. Our Christmas isn’t big or complicated. It isn’t stressful or over the top. Our Christmas is simple, but lovely and very special to me. For as long as I can remember I have woken up on Christmas morning to the smell of a rum and honey glazed ham that’s been baking in the oven over-night. That smell is Christmas to me. The same goes for sitting in a circle at the dining room table to open our presents. They are simple things, but very impactful and much missed.

I try to keep positive about it all. But, this time of year does not make it easiest thing to do. Luckily, I have been able to surround myself with amazing and beautiful people. Whether it is my boyfriend’s family or my Irish family, I am made to feel at home and comfortable. While I miss my parents, my sister and brother-in-law, I cannot explain how grateful I am for the people I do spend Christmas with.

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 18 – My 5 Favourite Foodie Movies

June 9, 2015June 11, 20152 Comments

Chef (2014)

Waiting (2005)

Tortilla Soup (2001)

The Princess and The Frog (2009)

Ratatouille (2007)

Hello lovely people!

It is the Bellyfull Bajan here with day 18 of my 30 day blog challenge. Today it is all about the foodie movies!

I love movies! Always have and always will. When I find a movie I really like I can watch it over and over again and never get sick of it (to my boyfriend’s utter horror). I want to share with you my 5 favourite foodie movies that I have watched a countless number of times and still enjoy.

Tortilla Soup (2001) is a story about a Mexican American family whose lives are centered around food and family meals. It is a comedy, but has some of the most alluring food preparation scenes ever! This movie awoke my passion for experimentation and the beauty in preparation. I was quite young when it came out but it still has the same jaw dropping affect on me today.
The recent street food sensation Chef (2014) has become a massive favourite of mine. I do think it is a little bit of a romantic idea, and does not entirely portray the honest reality of the street food scene, BUT it is an amazing movie. I have Chef to thank for really bringing my love for food back which had died away a bit while working in the kitchen, ironically.
The best comedy about working in a restaurant goes to *drum roll* Waiting (2005). If you have not seen this movie, stop what you are doing now and watch this movie! It is very rude and crude and will make you cringe, but it will also make you laugh so hard you might pee yourself a little.
The Princess and the Frog (2009) was the last place I expected to feel inspired by food, but it happened! It has an amazing quote, which is said by Tiana’s father: “you know the thing about good food? It brings folks together from all walks of life. It warms them right up and it puts little smiles on their faces.” The truth in that statement is universal! This movie tugged on my heart strings from the get go and will for a long time.
And finally, Ratatouille (2007), the story of the little chef on all fours! This movie is adorable, really amusing and has a great little lesson to it. I do believe anyone can cook once you approach the kitchen with confidence, the desire to experiment and the desire to learn. Of course excellent sense of smell would always be a plus but unfortunately I don’t think that we could ever be as good as rat.

And there we have them – my favourite foodie movies!

Pick one to watch on the couch this evening. I guarantee they will put you in a good mood and bring out the passionate foodie in everyone!

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 17 – Favourite Food Blogs

June 7, 2015June 11, 2015Leave a comment

My Favourite Food blogs

Hello beautiful people!

It is day 17 of the challenge and I am going to share with you my favourite food blogs.

I must admit, I may have a slightly unhealthy obsession with food blogs. I follow many of them, often for inspiration for my work lunches and easy dinners. However, I have sat down gone through all of them and come up with the four blogs I use the most and get the most out of.

Budget Bytes always offers me inspiration and really easy, cheap recipes that keep me happy all week long. I am a big fan of the way she breaks down the cost of each dish so that I can manage my weekly shop and spending more easily.
I found Peeled Wellness or rather it found me not that long ago, BUT it has been a major game changer for me. I do love the recipes on the blog, but my favourite part of it is her lifestyle section. Peeled Wellness always offers down to earth advice and information for the everyday person who just wants to get their health back on track.
A Couple Cooks has to be my favourite vegetarian food blog out there! Everything about it is just amazing. There are delicious recipes for every veggie dish you could think of and more, the photography is just beautiful, and there is an endless amount of inspiration and interesting reading material.
I don’t really use Deliciously Ella for recipes. Her blog is more of a sit down, browse, get inspired, try to be healthy kind of experience. I love her use of photography and the clean easy to follow layout of the blog. Her sweet potato brownies made me properly realise the beauty in using alternative ingredients to make healthier treats and dishes in general.

And there we have it, my favourite food blogs for the moment.

Why not give them a visit and see what you think?

Thanks for reading!

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 16 – Thoughts on education surrounding food.

June 6, 2015Leave a comment

Good afternoon ladies and gents!

Today is day 16 of my 30 day blog challenge and I will be talking about my thoughts on education surrounding food.

WARNING: Rant up ahead – Remember, these are my opinions and I do not expect everyone to agree with me.

I think Food education, in the west at least, is very inadequate. From start to finish. No one knows where their food is really coming from anymore or what is in it. No one understands what it is to live by seasons and some children don’t even know what a potato looks like, but will order a large fries at McDonald’s without batting an eyelid. All these things have come about because of a lack of interest in knowing where our food comes from and what is in it. This lack is due to the excess of produce we live with and it has crept up on us over many years. In this post I am going to share with you where I did not learn about food and where I did.

Firstly, I would like to take you back to my food and nutrition classes at secondary school. Yes I learnt about vitamins and minerals, about diseases and deficiencies, but to be honest I properly learnt about them in my biology class, not in food and nutrition. My most vivid memory, that outlines my education about food at school, is when we had to make fried chicken. In my house when we fry something, you placed a little oil in the pan, heated the oil and then put the chicken in. However, in food and nutrition class I was about to find out that everything I had learnt at home was apparently wrong! My mum always laughs at this story and I am sure she already has the giggles reading this.

I walked into class that day armed with my chicken bits, flour and bread crumbs. The egg and milk would be provided by our teacher, Mrs P. As the class began I did what I would do at home: add a little oil to the pan, heat it, and add the chicken. However, when I did this Mrs P, with her purple hair (or was it orange hair at the time?), got terribly annoyed and asked what exactly was I doing? My response was, a wide eyed ‘I am frying the chicken Mrs P.’ She just looked at me, shook her head in disgust and proceeded to pour half the bottle of oil into my pan. I think I shrieked a little at this point. I never liked people interfering with my cooking. While I blankly stared at my now half full pan of sizzling oil, a whole barrage of things came into mind (she just drowned my chicken, all that hot oil has to be dangerous, what happens if it spills or spits, why is there so much oil???) I started to object and say that my mum… and then I was cut off with a wave of the hand and a long sucking of her teeth. She then turned to me with a look of impatience as her purple hair stuck to her forehead in the heat of the kitchen and said, I don’t know what you planned on cooking with that tiny bit of oil. And with that she walked off to sit at her desk while we all jumped about trying to avoid each other’s bubbling pans of vegetable oil. And that sums up my food and nutrition education at school. Pretty poor I would say, no wonder Barbados has such a high rate of type 2 diabetes.

My first real education about food was when I was really young. As a kid I was pretty sick. I had very bad asthma and was lactose intolerant. I am sure my parents grey hairs are 90% my doing. However, being a kid with health issues taught me A LOT about food. I quickly became aware of what I could and could not have. Fizzy drinks were a NO GO! Candy and really sugary things were not an awesome idea either. Anything with milk was basically a death sentence for my stomach and intestines, and would also cause asthma flare ups. So, at a rather young age, I just had to know what was bad for me, and in a backward way what was then good. In addition, my mum cooked from scratch most of the time and would always let me in on the action. She would often take me to the grocery store with her and show me how to pick out fresh fruit and veg, how they should look, feel and smell. Eating fresh has always been a part of my life. In fact, I did not know what a ready meal was and how it worked until I moved to the UK for university. There was always fresh fruit and vegetables around the house. After all, I grew up surrounded by fruit bearing trees, cane fields, fields of yams, sweet potatoes and various other ground provisions.

I know some people don’t really appreciate him, but I am a big fan of Jamie Oliver. I like how he got frustrated about the state of children’s food education. I love how he pointed it out, made it an issue, and got people to talk about it, because it is a problem! A HUGE problem! There are kids with type 2 diabetes!!!! I was a picky kid, I am not going to lie. I am sure my parents felt like tearing out their hair several times when I would sit there and say ‘it has bits in it’. Nonetheless my parents persevered, and always made me aware of what I was eating, where it came from, and what I could and could not have. There were rules. There were boundaries. There was a limit. Now it appears there are no limits. No one knows where their food comes from anymore and it is disgraceful. It is almost as if they do not want to know because it will make them feel bad. I recently watched a Buzzfeed video about killing chickens and just shook my head at all their reactions. I mean COME ON! Where do you think that fried chicken leg that you are enjoying so much came from? And the sad part about the whole thing is that the way the free range chickens were killed on the show was the more humane and decent way of killing them. The majority of chicken, that the western world eats, dies much more horrible, slow and painful deaths. But I am glad they posted that video because, you should be aware of this, recognise it as an issue, realise that what you eat came from killing an animal, it did not pop out of thin air like a lot of food companies would like you to believe. It is in becoming aware that you can then make conscious decisions to consume responsibly.

I admit I get very frustrated when I am shopping and I see a trolley go past with every processed product you could imagine and not a fresh fruit or veg anywhere. I am judging and I can’t even hide it. I understand packaging can make everything very over-complicated, the media confuses the hell out of people and not everyone has the time to eat fresh and cook from scratch, but as I have said before, you should be interested in what you are putting into your body. Do not be naive in thinking food companies always have your best interest at heart. Think independently, do your own research. If you are looking for some information about the food you consume there are plenty of books, magazines, documentaries and programs you can watch (TedTalks: Chew On this, Hungry for Change, Food Inc., Food Matters and GMO OMG). Do some research, learn something new! Have a little fun finding out about one of the elements of life’s sustenance.

Thanks for reading, and I hope it was not too rant-like for you!

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 15 – Where do I see myself in 5 years?

June 5, 2015Leave a comment

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 15 – Where do I see myself in 5 years? Lady Scare Crow at Ballymaloe Cooking School.

Hi everyone! So I am back with day 15 of my 30 day blog challenge! I apologise for the lack of posts over the last few weeks. I got this viral cough, which mutated into all kinds of crazy. I even had to take a trip to A&E because of it! I think I am almost out of the woods now, but who knows. Viral coughs are the worst!

Anyways, I felt it was about time I got back to my blog challenge, so here we are! Day 15 and the question today is ‘where do I see myself in 5 years?’ This question is the interview question we ALL dread! It brings out very similar feelings to the ‘what is your dream job’ question.

I have thought long and hard about this one and here is what I am hoping for. In five years I want:

To have a solid career in content management for an online food magazine or specialist food company.
To be involved in the growth of the farm to table movement, encouraging people to buy from their farmer’s markets, eat with the seasons, eat fresh, and grow food not lawns.
To be making plans to buy a large piece of land, where I can build a house, grow crops, have some chickens and goats and offer education on nutrition, ingredients and cooking. (Key words here are ‘making plans’ – this is going to be a long journey, which will not end with me, and I am not naïve about the fact it will probably be another few years before it becomes a reality.)
To start making a difference, no matter what size, in how people see food, choose products, treat ingredients and eat. I want people to know where their food came from and not be ashamed of it, because they would have taken steps towards consuming responsibly.

So there we have it! My first two goals I am working on as we speak. However, the second two are ones which are going to take a bit longer to reach, but I hope when I am 28 the pathway towards them will be a lot clearer to me. I don’t intend on doing this all alone. So, I suppose, to round it all up, in 5 years I see myself surrounded by friends and family, and those who are like minded, supporting each other in realising our common goals, while sharing amazing food!

Stay awesome everybody and Happy Friday!!!

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 14 – 3 Healthy Habits

May 14, 20153 Comments

Hi everyone!

It is day 14 of my blog challenge and it appears I am behind again. Ah well, life will go on. And this blog will be moving forward with the topic of my 3 healthy habits.

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 14 – 3 healthy habits. First: drink warm lemon water

My first healthy habit is something I do to start my day every morning: drink a glass of warm lemon water. I started doing this at the beginning of this year. I have always cherished my morning rituals and this has become one of the ones I never leave out. All you have to do is squeeze the juice of half a lemon into your glass, then add half hot water and half cold water. If you want you can add some honey of ginger to spice things up. Drinking a glass of warm lemon water has really done wonders for me and I see the benefits of it everyday. Here are a few:

aids in digestion
cleanses your system/ a minor detox
boosts you immune system
helps to balance pH levels
aids in weight loss
clears skin

Second healthy habit: Morning run

My second healthy habit is also a morning activity. I run a 5K three times a week in the morning. I have always been a fan of running. For me it acts like a major stress reliever and a time to be by myself and think about the things that are worrying me and making me angry or frustrated, and then how to make it better for myself. I also love the feeling of physical exhaustion, that sense of achievement when you finish and you heart is pounding and you have got a good sweat going. The benefits of a morning jog are awesome! Even if you only have 20 minutes to spare it is better than not going at all, and trust me you will be so happy you went (even if its raining… like today).

Third healthy habit: Be grateful

My third healthy habit is more of a mental health than a physical health habit. Every morning after my warm lemon water and my jog I sit down for a few minutes and reflect on what I am grateful for. This simple act can change your mood and thought pattern completely. Several times I have woken up angry or upset or homesick to the point where my run almost had no impact on my emotional state, but then I sat down and I wrote the 5 things I was grateful for and my mood took a turn for the better. It is hard being away from the people you love most in the world, especially when you are having a bad day, but pausing for a moment and just taking into consideration all the beautiful people and places around you can really give you that positive push you needed.

I do realise all 3 of my habits are morning activities, but that doesn’t mean it is all down hill from there. On the contrary, I believe that if you start your day off with the right mind set you will be able to handle what ever problems that come your way and you will strive to find the silver linings rather than wallowing in self pity and negative thinking.

I am very interested in hearing what your healthy habits are! Why not drop a line??

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 13 – What is in my fridge?

May 11, 2015May 11, 2015Leave a comment

Day 13 – What’s in the fridge? That is the ultimate question! Picture courtesy: http://www.brit.co/apartment-rental-decor/?utm_campaign=pinbutton_hover

Hi everybody!

I don’t know about you but I feel like day 13 offers a question I ask myself way too often, haha!

‘What is in my fridge?’

My fridge is an adorable little white box that makes it up to just below my shoulder. It works very hard keeping my stuff and my housemates food cold and fresh. We try to treat it well and not pack it too full or leave it dirty. However, sometimes I think it grabs certain items and takes them to the back so that you forget about them and then while searching for something else 2 weeks later, you find the lost item and it appears to have grown friends or is rock solid.

At the moment my fridge pees itself every so often. But its okay! We clean up after it and make sure it is well taken care of.

My fridge holds all sort of fun stuff:

My pre-prepared packed lunches for work! This week I am having for starters: carrot and hummus (like always). For my vegetarian main: Sweet potato, onion, kale, red pepper and cream cheese frittata with a salad, AND for my meat main: Baked chicken, new potatoes, mangetout, and plantain.
My beloved coconut milk for my breakfast shake
Homemade rolls to have with soup for dinner
A box of pea and asparagus soup.
some cheese
and half an avocado
half a bag of kale
3/4 of a butternut squash

I am afraid it is not terribly full or much fun, but that all changes on Thursday or Friday when I go to the supermarket and stock up on the good stuff for the weekend and the following week!

What do you like to see when you look in your fridge?

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 12 – The 3 Cookbooks I Use The Most At Home

May 8, 2015May 8, 2015Leave a comment

Hi there everybody!

I hope everyone has had an amazing week and my blog post have offered you some entertainment. Today is day 12 of my 30 Day Blog Challenge and I am sharing with you the 3 cookbooks I use the most at home. I don’t use cookbooks a tonne but sometimes you just need some extra help to get creative in the kitchen. These cookbooks offer me endless knowledge and combination ideas which help me to create meals that reflect the food I love to eat!

River Cottage Veg Everyday by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 12 – The 3 Cookbooks I Use The Most At Home. River Cottage Veg Everyday

Hefty Soups

When I decided that I was going to follow a vegetarian diet 4 days a week this is the book I bought to help me ease into it. I still use River Cottage Veg Everyday almost every other day. I bought this cookbook for a vegetarian friend of mine at university and I remembered it being very helpful when searching for creative inspiration with veggie meals. At the time I was interested in my veg intake but not as interested as I am now. Since changing my diet many of my friends, and other lovely people who follow my blog or Instagram, have asked for advice on how to get more vegetables into their daily routine. This book is the answer! Obviously, it is necessary to do your research before changing your diet drastically, so talk to a nutritionist or health coach. Your priority should not just be to get more veggies into your diet but to get all the nutrients your body needs to be healthy. Also, ease into it! I don’t recommend going cold turkey on the meat scene or doing 4 full on veg days in a row at first. This can cause all sorts of havoc in your stomachas it is trying to adjust to its new diet.
Jamie’s Comfort Food by Jamie Oliver

Jamie’s Comfort Food

Jamie’s Comfort Food. Jerk Ham

Jamie’s Comfort Food is my go to cookbook when I am not testing out recipes on my loyal guinea pigs for Sunday lunch. It is packed with some of the most indulgent and delicious recipes: Lobster Mac n’ Cheese, the Insanity Burger, need I say more.
Contemporary Caribbean Cooking by Sally Miller

Contemporary Caribbean Cooking by Sally Miller

Chicken Creole. Contemporary Caribbean Cooking by Sally Miller

Now this is my piece of home! It has many of my favourite Caribbean recipes in it and a lot of useful information (how to make perfect rice etc). Contemporary Caribbean Cooking is definitely the book I turn to when I am homesick or in need of a Caribbean flavoured fix. It is available at Walker’s World in Barbados.

What are you favourite cookbooks at the moment??

Any recommendations??

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 11 – 10 Favourite Meals

May 7, 2015May 7, 20151 Comment

Hello everyone!

It is DAY 11 of my 30 Day Blog Challenge. This blog post has proven to be the hardest post to prepare so far. I mean, how could you ask someone like me to narrow it down to 10 favourite dishes?!?!? Anyway here goes.

In no particular order, here are my 10 favourite meals:

Eggs Benedict
Eggs Benedict. 30 Day Blog Challenege: Day 11 – 10 Favourite Meals
Salt fish n’ Bake/ Bajan Breakfast from Atlantis Hotel, Barbados (Classic Bajan Breakfast)
Atlantis Hotel, Barbados: Saltfish n’ Bake/ Bajan Breakfast
Grilled Vegetarian Breakfast from Soulful Bistro & Coffee House, Dublin
Grilled Veggie Breakfast: 2 fried eggs, grilled asparagus, mushrooms, wilted spinach, tomato with pesto and 2 sweet potato pancakes.
Homemade Lasagna
Lasagna, The Italian Classic
Mummy’s Sunday Lunches
Mummy’s Sunday Lunches: Brown rice with carrots, tomato salad, baked veg (butternut squash, mushrooms and plantain), a sausage and a chicken thigh.
Grilled Mahi Mahi from Pat’s on Fish Fryday in Oistins, Barbados
Grilled Mahi Mahi from Pat’s in Oistins, Barbados
Seafood Squid Ink Risotto from Zian, Barcelona
Seafood Squid Ink Risotto from Zian, Barcelona
Special Burger from Honest Burger, Brixton (a beef burger with smoked bacon, Swiss cheese, Honest guacamole and Harissa mayonnaise)

Special Burger at Honest Burger, Brixton. Look at that medium rare beauty!

The Special Burger from Honest Burger, Brixton.
Rice n’ beans with Black Pepper and Nutmeg Chicken, plantain and coleslaw (winning combination)
Rice n’ Red Beans with Black pepper and nutmeg chicken, coleslaw and plantain
Doughnuts (I do not have much of a sweet tooth any more, but doughnuts are the one thing sweet I will always feel for.)
Doughnuts (with a mango filling)

So there they are!

What would your 10 favourites be??

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