Author Archives: Miss Foodie

Thai Green Curry with Chicken

Posted in Main courses, Recipes by

In November I spent a few weeks in Asia, firstly stopping in Bangkok for my cousin’s wedding followed by a relaxing few days in Phuket and then on to visit my best friend in Hong Kong! Whilst in Phuket I did an AMAZING Thai cookery class at the JW Marriott Ginja Cookery School. 

The Ginja Cookery School at the JW Marriott Resort, Phuket


Our instructor, Chef Kong, was great. He was super knowledgable and cooked us the best Pad Thai I’ve ever tasted (Mine sadly didn’t turn out as well as his!). We even got a chance to visit a local market. 

Chef Kong at the Ginja Thai Cookery School



Pad Thai


Here is the recipe for the Thai green curry that I learnt on the course. I’ve found that although you can buy a pre-prepared curry paste in the supermarket, the curry tastes 100 times better when you make it yourself. Plus, it’s not as difficult or as time consuming as I had thought, especially if you have a food processor. 

Thai Green Curry with Chicken


I’ve slightly tailored this recipe to British tastes and ingredients, as there were a few authentic Thai ingredients which I’ve found difficult to come across in the UK, don’t worry, it tastes just as good!
Ingredients:

For the green curry paste:

  • 2 green chillies (for a medium spiced curry)
  • 1 lemongrass stick 
  • 1 tablespoon fresh corriander 
  • 1/2 tablespoon lime zest 
  • 1 shallot 
  • 6 garlic cloves 
  • 7 pieces of peppercorns 
  • Pinch of salt 
  • 1 teaspoon shrimp paste 
  • Thumb sized stick of fresh ginger 
  • 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric 
  • Thumb sized stick of galangal ginger 

For the curry 

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 
  • 100g chicken breast, sliced into small pieces 
  • 50ml chicken stock 
  • 150ml coconut milk 
  • 1 aubergine, sliced into small chunks 
  • 2 kaffir lime leaves 
  • 1 big red chilli, sliced vertically in half 
  • 1 tablespoon palm sugar (or brown sugar)
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce or light soy sauce 
  • Pinch of salt 

Method

1. Put all ingredients for the curry paste in a food processor and blitz until a paste forms.

2. Heat up the oil in a pan and add the curry paste until the aroma develops.

3. Add the chicken stock, aubergine and coconut milk and simmer on a low temperature for 5 minutes.

4. Add the chicken, kaffir like leaves and simmer until the chicken is cooked 

5. Add the fish sauce, Palm sugar, and garnish with the red chilli.

6. Serve alongside rice, or even quinoa! Which is what I use to take to work as a packed lunch. Enjoy!

Nutella Granola

Posted in Recipes, Snacks, Sweet treats by

Sometimes, the best cure for a Monday is… A big dollop of Nutella! Seriously, I actually believe that Nutella fixes most of life’s problems, or at least definitely improves them 🤔. Hence why I’ve just whipped up a batch of my Nutella granola. 😍

It can be eaten dry as a snack, or even served with milk to make a tasty cereal. It tastes even better if you use hazelnut milk. I’m normally one for healthy eating and would never usually have anything chocolatey for breakfast, but sometimes you’ve just gotta #treatyoself 🙈


Ingredients 

  • 250g rolled oats
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil 
  • 90g Nutella 
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 50g walnuts 
  • 50g almonds
  • 50g chocolate chips 

Method 
1. Preheat your oven to Gas Mark 3 and line a baking tray with baking paper.

2. Melt the Nutella, coconut oil and honey over a low heat until combined.

3. Pour the rolled oats into a mixing bowl and pour the melted Nutella mixture over it and stir until all the oats are covered. 

4. Stir in the almonds, walnuts and chocolate chips then lay the mixture on the baking tray 

5. Bake for 30 minutes. 

6. Leave to cool, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks.

Palatino

Posted in Italian, Restaurant reviews by

Overall: 4/10

The open kitchen, Palatino, London


Palatino is a new, Roman inspired eatery by Stevie Parle in the heart of Clerkenwell. I visited during their soft launch last week with high hopes, after all, Parle has an excellent reputation in the industry. However, the food was slightly disappointing and not up there with the best Italian finds in London. There are SO many amazing Italian’s around at the moment, Cicchetti and Padella, to name a few. So the competition is fierce.

The Pear and Radicchio salad


The flavours in every dish sounded exotic and revolutionary on paper (fried sage for example, could this revived traditional Italian dish be the new zucchini fry?) but in practice, most didn’t really work. The deep fried sage mostly tasted like deep fried batter, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but I don’t think it’ll be replacing the zucchini fry any time soon. The polenta and fried gnocchi also had a strange aftertaste. 

Deep fried sage


The quality of the ingredients cannot be denied, for example the pasta is made fresh and tastes like it. The cacio e Pepe was the highlight. Plus the dishes are elegantly presented, but there’s a case of style over substance here.

Cacio e Pepe


Another highlight was the faro, beans, chard and porcini soup. This an example of the kitchen’s experimentation done right. It was basically a thick warming lentil soup with hints of mushroom, perfect for what was definitely one of coldest days of the year when I visited.

Faro, beans, chard and porcini soup


On the plus side, the interior itself has a lovely elegant vibe, encompassing Parle’s belief that dining out should not be solely based on the food itself, and the room design and attitude of the staff are equally important. The open kitchen makes the place appear warm and welcoming (and also makes you a little bit hungry!) The restaurant has everything in place to be successful – extremely friendly and welcoming staff, a great atmosphere and decor, and a team of talented chefs serving high quality ingredients, but they haven’t quite nailed their flavour combinations. Hopefully this will improve after their soft launch!

Deep fried gnocchi

Address: 71 Central Street, Clerkenwell, EC1V 3AG
Website: http://palatino.london 

Flatbread Pizzas

Posted in Main courses by

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If you’re looking for a super quick yet totally delicious DIY meal, you have come to the right place! These flatbread pizzas are bursting with Italian flavours and massive amounts of veggies, although the toppings are optional, you could try adding salami, chicken or a selection of your preferred vegetables instead of what I have suggested.  This is one of my go to meals when having friends round for lunch – its just so easy to make (yet seems impressive!)

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I came up with this recipe myself after discovering Warburton squares. I love them, they’re really versatile and can be used to make sandwiches, wraps, garlic bread and even pizza. They’re available in most supermarkets, however I find they are so popular nowadays that they are regularly sold out *sob*. So when I spot them in the supermarket I buy a stackful and freeze them (top tip for any kind of bread!)

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Overall time needed: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

  • Flatbread – I use Warburton squares but any type will do
  • 150g chopped tomatoes
  • 6 cherry tomatoes, chopped in half
  • 10 fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
  • 4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
  • pinch of salt and crushed black pepper
  • 50g mozzarella, chopped into small chunks
  • 25g cheddar cheese, grated
  • 2 mushrooms, sliced
  • 1/2 a courgette, finely sliced
  • 15 olives
  • 4 sundried tomatoes

Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to gas mark 6/200 degrees centigrade
  2. Place your flatbread on a baking tray and spread the chopped tomatoes evenly on top
  3. Sprinkle the garlic, basil leaves, salt and pepper on top.
  4. Add your mushrooms, courgette slices, cherry tomatoes, sundried tomatoes and olives on top, followed by the cheese.  Then add a bit more black pepper on top.
  5. Place in the oven for 15 minutes, until the cheese is slightly golden.  Enjoy!

Chicken in a mushroom & cream sauce

Posted in Main courses, Recipes by

This chicken stew is quickly becoming one of my favourite midweek meals this January when it’s sooo cold and dark outside! (boo) It’s super quick to prepare and is delicious alongside some creamy mash or roast potatoes. 

Overall time needed: 30 minutes

Serves 2 people

Ingredients 

  • 1 tbsp sunflower oil 
  • 3 chicken breasts, diced
  • 350ml chicken stock
  • 6 cloves garlic 
  • Salt and crushed black pepper (to taste)
  • 25g butter 
  • 1 leek, chopped 
  • 200g mushrooms 
  • 150ml white wine 
  • 150 ml double cream


Method:

1. Heat the oil in a frying pan and then add the chicken and cook on a medium heat until slightly golden. 

2. Add the garlic, leek, and mushrooms. At this point I like to reduce the heat and let the veggies ‘slow cook’ to bring out maximum flavour. Leave to cook for 5-7 minutes. 

3. Add the White wine and chicken stock and simmer on a low heat. 

4. Add the double cream followed by the salt and pepper and leave to simmer for 5 minutes. Bon apetit!

Miss Foodie’s Top 5 Restaurants of 2016

Posted in Top 5s by

2016 is now over.  It’s been a great year for me, and also a great year for food! There have been some awesome new openings in London, a few are featured on my list below.  Here’s the top 5 restaurants I’ve discovered in 2016:

1. San Carlo Cicchetti

My top foodie discovery of 2016 has to be Cicchetti.  Run by the San Carlo Group, it’s the most authentic Italian restaurant I’ve come across in London.  The food is super fresh and the dishes are served as ’tapas’ style small plates, making them perfect for sharing.  Plus its kinda fancy inside…making it a great place for a special occasion.

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My fave dish: The truffle gnocchi (on their specials menu) is a must-try, its basically deep fried gnocchi covered in a cheese and truffle sauce…there’s nothing like it!

Location: There are 2 in London, my favourite is the Piccadilly branch, the chefs there get it right every time.

2. Dishoom

Dishoom’s bombay cafe’s have revolutionised Indian food in London.  It’s by far the best Indian food you can find in the Capital.  The menu is a modern take on traditional Indian plates, featuring dishes such as okra fries, and garlic naan.  Plus, they do an amazing brunch – the bacon and egg naan roll is amaaaazing!

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My fave dish: The calamari.  Its unlike any other calamari you’ve ever tried, I still don’t know what they put in it, but its a-mazing.

Location: There are currently 4 branches in London, but the Kings Cross restaurant is by far the best, its HUGE, set over 4 floors and the food is incredible every time.

3. Hoppers

Hoppers is a tiny restaurant tucked away in Soho and has brought an under utilised cuisine to the heart of London.  Featuring Sri Lankan and South Indian inspired dishes (with a lot of coconut milk!) at a very reasonable price, Hoppers is one of my new favourite restaurants.  Read my full review here.

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My fave dish: the cashew nut kari, its super creamy and coconutty.

Location: Soho

4. The Barbary

The team behind the wildly successful Palomar are responsible for this new opening in Neal’s Yard.  The only choice of seating is at one of their 22 bar seats overlooking an open kitchen serving Middle Eastern inspired small plates with exotic flavours, all cooked to perfection.  I’m a big fan of this place!

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My fave dish: Chicken Abu Kalmash

Location: Covent Garden

5. Padella

We finally have a fresh pasta bar in London, almost as good as you’d find in Italy! I love their concept of specialising in one thing, and doing it well.  Their sauces and pasta itself are simple and super fresh, and prepared from scratch in an open kitchen right before your eyes.  Read my full review here.

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My fave dish: The cacio e pepe. I’ve been obsessed with this dish ever since I visited Italy earlier this year.  It’s just pasta, butter, cheese and pepper – what’s not to like?!

Location: London Bridge

Cacio e Pepe

Posted in Main courses, Recipes by

Total time required: 15 minutes
Makes 2 servings

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Ever since my trips to Rome and Venice earlier this year I’ve been truly obsessed with cacio e pepe pasta.  It’s so simple with 3 main ingredients, cheese, butter and pepper (what’s not to like?!). So I decided to whip up a batch at home.  It was so quick and easy – the ultimate lazy pasta recipe.

The dish has been recently popularised in London, through the newest pasta bar, Padella. But there are a number of other places in London where you can find this amazing dish!  My favourite being Cicchetti…just look at that cheese!!

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Cacio e pepe – Cicchetti, Piccadilly 

Cecconi’s in Mayfair also serve a great version, although slightly cheesier than Cicchetti’s.

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Cacio e pepe – Cecconi’s, Mayfair

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 350g good quality spaghetti (I used De Cecco, which is also popular in Italy)
  • 170g grated pecorino cheese
  • 3 tablespoons freshly crushed black pepper
  • 50g unsalted butter
  • 30g  grated parmesan cheese

Method:

  1. Add the salt to your saucepan of boiling water and boil the spaghetti as per the instructions on the packet (usually around 10 minutes)
  2. Drain the spaghetti into a colander but hold back a cup of the pasta water.
  3. Place the spaghetti back into the saucepan and add the cup of pasta water and heat on a low heat.
  4. Add the pecorino cheese, butter and black pepper to the pan and stir until melted.
  5. Serve, and add the grated parmesan on top if you wish.

 

Dominique Ansel 

Posted in Bakeries & Desserts by

Verdict: 9/10

Location: Belgravia

Price: £4-10 per item 


Last month I was one of the hundreds that queued up for the Dominique Ansel London opening in Belgravia. In case you hadn’t heard, Ansel is the inventor of the world famous and trademarked Cronut (a hybrid of the donut and the croissant). The flagship store in Manhattan opened in 2013 and the Belgravia branch is the first to open in London. Rumour has it, some eager cronut-lovers had set up camp outside at 5am (probably for the best, by the time I got there at 7pm all cronuts had sold out! Sob sob). This was despite customers being limited to purchasing a maximum of 2 butterscotch and cacao nib cronuts each!

So instead I tried another one of Ansel’s signature bakes, the cookie shot. As the name suggests, this is a warm cookie in the shape of a shot glass, coated in its interior with melted chocolate, and filled with milk. It was great! 


What’s particularity commendable is Ansel’s customised approach. The company have never repeated a cronut flavour in the last 3 years as the flavours are changed every month and there’s even a different dough for summer and winter. The menu at their new London branch has also been tailored to British tastes. For example, the typically British Welsh rarebit croissant. There’s even talk of an afternoon tea opening soon! 


The interior is modern yet elegant and has a courtyard lit with fairy lights and a retractable roof. The team really excel in quality and freshness, which is achieved by a 24 hour operational kitchen. Although the items are not cheap (the cookie shot was £4.85 to eat in), the taste and quality is reflected in this price, everything is made from scratch. It’s definitely a must try! 

Restaurant details:

Address: 17-21 Elizabeth Street, Belgravia, London SW1W 9RP
Website:  www.dominiqueansellondon.com 

Padella

Posted in Italian, Restaurant reviews by

“PASTA HEAVEN!”

Verdict: 8/10
Location: London Bridge/ Borough Market
Price: £20 for two courses and a drink

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After my trips to Venice and Rome earlier this year I’ve become a massive fan of Italian pasta bars – small and crowded with a minimalist interior, but serving simple, fresh pasta with a limited choice of maybe 5 sauces, all cooked to perfection! So I was super excited to hear that a pasta bar of similar concept was opening in London.

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Padella is great, it’s a tiny restaurant with a relaxed yet elegant vibe. The menu is small, with maybe 6 starters, 8 mains and 2 desserts. The pasta and all ingredients are really fresh – if you’re lucky you might even get seated at the bar stools overlooking the open plan kitchen so you can watch the chefs at work.

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The plates are small, so perfect for sharing or trying multiple dishes. And VERY reasonably priced. A glass of prosecco at £4 is almost unheard of in London!

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I tried the pici with marjoram and golden garlic, and the taglierni with slow cooked tomato sauce. The first was particularly delectable, featuring a very cheesy and garlicky sauce.

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This was followed by the chocolate tart, which had a soft and crumbly biscuit base. We weren’t too sure about the cream on the side, but the tart itself was delicious all the same.

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The staff are friendly and knowledgeable about the menu, which changes regularly. However, like most high-demand and small restaurants these days, they have a no reservation policy so it’s best to arrive early to avoid the queues!

This place is about as close as I’ll get to my favourite pasta bars in Italy for now, so I’ll definitely be back!

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Restaurant Details:

Address: 6 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TQ

Website: http://www.padella.co

Apricot and Ginger Energy Bites

Posted in Snacks by

With cold and flu season just around the corner I’ve been trying to incorporate more ginger into my daily food intake! Ginger is one of the healthiest spices on the planet, its great for digestion and warding off colds and flu, however, most of us don’t eat enough since its… well…an acquired taste! Blending them into these energy bites reduces its sharpness whilst also adding a hint of spice to these otherwise sweet treats.

Energy bites are my new favourite snack – they’re super easy to prepare, very healthy, can be stored for weeks and are perfect for taking to work to zap away the pre-lunch hunger pangs! Check out my cacao energy bites too if you haven’t done so yet!


Total time required: 15 minutes

Makes approximately 20 energy balls

Ingredients:

  • 50g cashew nuts
  • 50g walnuts
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 80g dried apricots
  • A fresh piece of ginger, about 4cm – finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons honey

Method:

1. Place the nuts into a food processor and blitz until they are broken into tiny shards.

2. Add the apricots to the food processor and blitz again until the nuts and apricots are blended together.

3. Add the honey, ginger and chia seeds and process again until a sticky dough has formed

4. Roll into balls using your hands

Store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks! Bon appetit.