My bestest friend in the whole wide world!

Simply had the best day last Friday with my most wonderful friend AHEJ! Met at Waterloo, walked over the bridge and into Convent Garden for a cup of tea. Where did that hour and half go?

Later, we just had to visit a pub on Knightrider Street (for those who know us will understand, for those who don't, well, you never will!) After much trepidation we went in to the pub, the name shamefully escapes me...we are met with a PACKED pub, food being served, people waiting for take outs, the bar is very busy..surprisingly so! We were drawn to the wall adorned with the deliciously insane and the guilty pleasure of the 1980's/90's, David Hasslehoff.  AHEJ and I stared in awe.

After a light lunch and some (LOL) glasses of Chenin Blanc we ventured out to House of Fraser (HOF) I know, isn't it so very perfect....so very perfect! Some shopping around - BIBA had the most amazing dresses and purchases from the perfume and make up counters, all paid for by my most wonderful dear friend AHEJ.. I love her!

http://www.mybiba.com/

Later on to Gordons Wine Bar, THE place for a romantic/clandestine/intimate evening, (not that AHEJ are that way inclined yet), place was FULL so we ended up at the Royal Festival Hall where we heard that Bunny Wailer was playing.

Such a great day and night, loved it and would definitely recommend the venues we visited.

A lost love...

Mimmo is a dear friend and a wonderful chef. He tells a beautiful story of a lost love and the recipe that inspired him. He shared this with me and I realised that I simply must share it with you

Here is my story/ recipe.

Tired of the fast and furious life of being a restauranteur in the West End. I took myself  off to Tuscany for a detoxing holiday in a agriturismo. Agriturismo are farm houses converted in to beautiful apartments usually in the middle of nowhere.

I had been in the pretty hamlet of Gavignano for a week and I was bored.

On the Saturday of the first week a new guest arrived at the apartments late in the evening and when she needed help with her luggage I offered to help. She was beautiful. I didn't want to miss the opportunity to see her again and being a chef I invited Pavla for Sunday lunch.

In the morning I drove to Poggibonsi, the nearest town, to buy my ingredients. Being a Sunday in Italy every shop was closed. Exasperated, I returned to my apartment.  I had no option but to cook with the ingredients I could find in the garden; some courgettes that were ripe and flowering, the most delicious sun ripened vine tomatoes and wild basil.

It was all I needed.

I cooked egg tagliatelle (I am Italian and always have pasta in the cupboard) with the courgette flowers, buffalo ricotta (which I had in my fridge), vine tomatoes and basil.

It was divine. Romantic. Memorable.

Pavla now lives and works in New York. We are still friends and often reminisce about this improvised and beautiful lunch.

Here is my recipe

In a skillet heat 3 table spoons extra virgin add the courgettes and fry for 3 minutes until they are golden coloured.

Add garlic and fry for two minutes making sure that it does not burn.

Add the tomatoes roughly chopped and cook for 5 minutes season to taste and sprinkle with basil.

Set aside.

Cook the tagliatelle until al dente.

Drain and then add the pasta to the sauce heat through and add half of the ricotta.

Stir the ricotta into the pasta and sauce while your pan is off the heat.

Serve in large pasta bowls with a quenelle of the remaining ricotta on top of the pasta and drizzle with extra vigin olive oil.

Buon Appetito

Beauty, femininity and self-image

Breast Cancer LIFE explores beauty, femininity and self-image which are often deeply affected by the life saving or extending surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy given to women diagnosed with breast cancer.

I came across an exceptional artist when I was researching Frida Kahlo self portraits. I am in awe of her work. It is truly beautiful, shocking, completely absorbing but most of all inspiring.

Rock and Rose

You simply must visit...

http://www.rockandroserestaurant.com/gallery.php?gallery=2457

Cheers.....

Ever since I was in my twenties, I have always wondered what it would be like to have a favourite place to eat, drink and relax. I guess, even back then, my thoughts on life were completely different to those around me. They were all quite settled in their routine way of life, which is okay but I was incredibly uninspired by them. So, my thoughts wandered on and I finally, in my thirties, found a great place to call my "own".

I want to tell you about it because whenever and however (LOL) I visit this place, I am warmly welcomed by the staff. The lady who greets me know me well and almost always saves a table for me, its my favourite table and the one I am most comfortable sitting at. It gives me the opportunity to see who is coming in. The place itself is a huge second floor restaurant/bar. Open plan with incredible light and a beautiful high ceiling. Its great in the spring, summer, autumn, winter...I am a staunch regular!

The chef, well, (I am hoping to upload a picture of him soon) I dont know where to begin. He is a great cook, a great mixologist and a good friend. I am always really pleased to him when I visit. He dislikes okra with a passion, I can understand why but I am determined to change his view.

The food is good and the menu is well varied. They have excellent fish dishes and the lobster was very good indeed. I like the wines the have on the menu and the chef recommends the ones he knows I will enjoy.

The Manager is also very friendly, always has time to say hello and always, always asks if all is well!

This place is my great find and no matter where I go, whether its a bar in Wimbledon or a restaurant in London, I always feel at home when I come to this place. Comforted....

.....where everybody knows my name....

Netball anyone?

My good friend, broke her ankle playing netball, who does that in their 30's (play netball I mean!)

So, I go and visit her for lunch, took an age to get to where she lives. Strange place it is too, quite grim and dull but the view from her kitchen window is comfortingly glorious, such an incredible balance of the urban life. Anyway, my friend, with cast on broken ankle needs lunch....could possibly not expect her to cook so this is what I made with the items I found in her cupboards and fridge!

Heat a little oil in a pan, throw in some cubed chicken breast, add the vegetables, a spoonful of Black Cat peanut butter (which is probably one of the best peanut butters I have ever tasted) and a little Lazy Garlic. Add seasoning, spice etc and soy sauce, serve hot

Took no time at all and even though was so "thrown together" was absolute delicious..

My friend has recovered from the said broken ankle and although I see her often, I have not yet been back to where she lives (sorry A) See you Monday!