Book Review: Afternoon Tea at Bramble Café

Carrot Cake

I’m a huge fan of a good afternoon tea, be it during those days when I have people over, or going out with a couple friends for a catch-up. There’s something special about it that I can’t really place my finger on, but I think it might evoke memories of our time in Surrey. Luckily, since moving back to Malta I found terrific places for tea alone or with friends. When I want to stay at home but still want to feel as if I’m in a quaint little tea house, in for example, places like Rye (in East Sussex), all I do is bake a couple of cakes and whip up some sandwiches, et voilà, I am there.

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Book Review: My Vegan Travels

Please note: A recipe extract is included at the end of this post.

I must admit that the last time I watched a whole series of MasterChef UK, from start to finish, or any other MasterChef to be honest, was in 2011. I cannot pinpoint exactly the reason or reasons why, but I guess it must have been something to do with the people taking part. It’s probably the only series in which I can remember the finalists clearly, but the one clip I will never forget was the one in which they had Yotam Ottolenghi as a surprise judge. Jackie Kearney’s smile radiated through the television screen. From that point on I rooted for her and wished she could win. She didn’t but of course, that was just the beginning.

Book Review: Naturally Nourished

Dear reader, I hope you know me by now. If you don’t mind, kindly let me begin with a little disclaimer. For me, a book review is not just a book review. It’s not as simple as that. It’s about liking a book so much that it makes it on this blog, on my kitchen counter and in my current reading stash, and everywhere else where I can have it to hand, all at once.

Book Review: Saffron Soul

I just love how the books piling up on my desk at the moment are so vibrant, both on the cover and on the inside. Beautiful in every sense of the word. They really and truly reflect the brilliant and kaleidoscopic food they carry inside. All the photography is gorgeous and make me want to spend more time in the kitchen.

Saffron Soul: Healthy, vegetarian heritage recipes from India (out on Monday 24th April) is also an example of this. British-born Mīra Manek is of Indian heritage. She is an advocate for healthy cooking, and spends most of her time tweaking and adapting her family dishes to make them lighter, debunking the idea that Indian food is necessarily unhealthy. Mīra collaborates with restaurants and cafes, encouraging them to promote and serve healthier options, as well as running supper clubs, cooking classes and wellness events.

A visit to Androuet and a few words about their book ‘A Year in Cheese’

I’m finally sitting at my desk after a very busy couple of weeks. I’m back after one of the most enjoyable and hectic few days in London. It’s always lovely to visit, primarily because I get to catch up with my closest friends. London is a happening place – there’s always something new to see and do and this time was pretty special. Here’s why.