Hello all!!
I have to admit I am not the biggest fan of fish. I do, however eat it and prepare it, say once a week, but if I am in a restaurant, I will never order it. I'll always go for something else.
So, it is a bit unusual for me to go to a fish restaurant, where they only serve fish and nothing else on the menu. I have now been twice to The Fish Club and I will be going back again. And that comes from a non fish lover. So, it must be good, right?
The Fish Club uses only fresh line caught fish from sustainable waters, delivered daily from fishermen based in Mersea island and Poole Dorset. The restaurant was voted to be one of the best restaurants out of 50, by Time Out in 2011.
So, if you happen to be in London, check their website and make sure that you go. You will not be disappointed.
http://www.thefishclub.com/aim.html
So, here are a few pictures from my dining at The Fish Club:
Battered haddock:
Prawn and chorizo kebab. Unbelievably good:
For me, grilled coley. I've also had battered coley, but I have to say, my preference is grilled fish. So heatly, so good, my mouth waters just looking at this picture:
As side dishes, chips of course (and sweet potato too because it is just too good):
And as refreshments, local ale. Brewed on the river Wandle, in Wandsworth. And it was delicious. It went down a treat:
One of the pleasures in life is food, and in particular when you're sharing it with people you love. The Fish Club in Clapham Common today was full of children having lunch with their mums (it is mother's day here in the UK today). Unfortunately, I wasn't lucky to take my mum out today, but it was the next best thing; I was celebrating a special anniversary with two people I love very much.
Here is to healthy food, good beverage and most of all to great company. Bon appetit!!
Red xx
Hello all!!
Hope this month has started well for you and the weather is getting better wherever you are. London is still very cold, but at least it is sunny and days are longer.
I've been taking lots of pictures and not only outside on the streets of London. Some are from the cosy corner of my sofa. I am looking at my new flowers and new shoes:
And then, delicious feasts every day:
Although it is nice and warm inside, I still ventured out and took a few snaps:
Even though winter is still here, blossom is slowly coming out. Spring is coming:
Have a happy week everyone.
Red xx
Hello all!!
This week has been a mixture of rehearsals, arts application filling, relaxing and exhibitions.
Well, attempting to see an exhibition. I've been wanting to see Man Ray's portraits for years and finally his exhibition arrived in London this month. Armed with excitement and a quick step, I was quickly disappointed by large crowds in the gallery.
An odd thing about galleries - such public places, yet we go there for a private and even intimate experience with art. Few people here and there is fine, but crowding around a picture with ten others is not my idea of enjoying art. So, I postponed Man Ray for another day and decided to go around the National Portrait Gallery and observe the observers. I spent considerable time watching people watch Marylin Monroe:
And this woman spent considerable time studying pictures in detail. I was on the floor above and had a perfect bird's eye view of her:
And then, as I was about to leave, I spotted something unusual. I saw it was a bit odd but couldn't really say what.
How often do you see legs without the body and the head, right? Well, I hope not that often, unless it is in this context.
Clearly this was not the day to see Man Ray but to spot other exhibits in the gallery.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Red xx
Hello all!!
It's been some time since I last posted about Brixton. To be honest, these days, I go in, get my fruit and veg and go home. But yesterday, I took a few minutes to revisit my neighbourhood and take a few pictures too (as ever click on the image to enlarge it):
Colours and arrangement of these got my attention:
I love the random stuff this guy sells:
And I love that Frida Kahlo also made an appearance in Brixton:
I looked up and spotted this. In my mind, this is somewhat wrong. But funny too:
Somebody forgot their drink or they're reserving their seat. Can't say which:
And I bought some beautiful flowers:
Have you noticed an interesting detail around you lately?
Hope you have a lovely week everyone.
In yoga we always set an achievable goal for ourselves; not only for the practise but for that week too.
This week, mine is to eat healthy, exercises every day and live in the moment. And of course, notice little things around me.
Until next time.
Red xx
Hello all!!
I have not done a recipe post in a while.
And to be honest, feeling under the weather lately, I didn't cook that much.
But today I felt creative and hungry for some good and healthy food.
I basically made up a recipe of things I had in the fridge and things I know go well. And it was DELICIOUS!!!
So here is an easy and yummy chicken in tomato sauce (preparation time 15 mins, cooking time 1 hour):
Saute three medium onions and one carrot on a bit of olive oil. Add vegetable stock with it. Don't add water just the stock pot:
Brown the chicken in a separate pan on a splash of olive oil. I had one chicken breast and three thighs. Not much, but then again, it is vegetables and the sauce that make this dish good. Note, just brown the chicken pieces as they are going to cook in the oven for about an hour once you add the sauce. Once browned, put aside to set.
Cut out vegetables. I only had three mushrooms and one and a half of yellow pepper. Of course you can add anything you want (celery, courgettes, aubergines,...). I had these in my fridge and they are kind of my staple anyway:
Once the onion and carrot are softened, add your chosen vegetables:
Now, for the star of the dish - tomato sauce. I absolutely love tinned tomatoes and use them in almost all my cooking. I always have at least two or three tins in my cupboard. For this dish I used two tins, three cloves of finely chopped garlic, two bay leaves, a bit of dried oregano and three chillies (if you like hot food that is. If not, just leave them out).
After cooking vegetables for about three minutes, add the sauce in. Cook that for another 3-4 minutes but not longer. You just want the spices and juices to get going. They'll cook longer in the oven and release all their goodness in time.
I had four potatoes and threw that in too. Cut them in smaller pieces so they cook faster. I placed the chicken at the bottom of the tray and then pour the sauce over it, covering the whole tray. Season the whole dish, but don't forget you've already put the vegetable stock in and that's already somewhat salty.
Pre heat the oven at 200C. Pop the dish into the oven and cook for an hour, on medium heat, then after half an hour turn it up to the highest your oven goes to. And then wait patiently (that was the hardest bit of the cooking. The kitchen smelt beautifully and I was starving).
After an hour, your dish is ready to be eaten:
In all seriousness this was the best meal I have had in months and months (and I have eaten in quite good restaurants in the last six months). But this one beats them all. It is healthy and if you leave potatoes out not many callories either (next time I am adding quinoa instead of potatoes). Most of all, this dish is seriously delicious. And so easy to prepare. The biggest challenge is not to go for seconds, thirds, fourths,... I can't wait for my dinner tomorrow (there is so much of it, I have at least two - three more meals left).
I am not so good at following recipes. I take the basic idea from a recipe book and then experiment. I cook with my gut instinct, my taste buds and what's in the fridge. I can never stick to someone else's recipe. So of course, use this as your guide, but add or leave out at your pleasure. However, I suggest that you use different coloured ingredients. It is important that the dish looks colourful and inviting.
So, how do you cook? Do you follow someone else's recipe or do you go in to invent and experiment. Either way, let me know.
Have a delicious week.
Red xx
Hello all!!
I love, love, love snow. It makes me happy; it makes me smile and it brings out the kid in me. I can't quite contain my excitement when it snows. Walking also becomes more interesting. You never know when you might fall down on an icy patch and recreate a slapstick comedy scene. It is just too much fun. Everything is beautiful; there is a strange sound of "silence" in the air, and of course, fresh air. What's there not to like?
It started snowing on Friday. Then the beautiful white stuff took a break on Saturday and was replaced by rain (just when I planned to go sledging!!) but came back in full force over night. I woke up to a beautiful blanket of snow.
I took two long walks around my neighbourhood. Now, it is not exactly known for the beautiful landscape, but I think you will agree that it looks quite pretty now:
My terrace and my freezing lavender and rosemary:
The streets are deserted and beautiful:
Some pretty plants down the street from me have new clothes:
My feet are well protected in Birkenstocks:
Some people are still in the festive mood:
And some people are in the mood for love:
And some people,... well, I need not comment on this one. The picture speaks for itself:
So, hello snow and hello world.
Let's enjoy it while it is here:
I hope you are loving the weather wherever you are in the world. I certainly am and am living in the moment.
Have a happy week everyone!!!
Red xx
Dear all!!!
In the past, I never made New Year's resolutions, because I always thought that if I do and then don't get them done, I will be disappointeded. And I really don't like disappointing myself.
However, this year, I decided to make a few resolutions, but the ones that I know I can actually keep. The ones that will make my life and that of the closest to me, maybe a little bit happier.
So here is a list of what I will endeavour to do this year:
1. Read more! And read things that I wouldn't naturally pick. So for example, I have never read a SC-Fi book. I should try at least a few this year. I read a lot, but I want to up the game this year.
2. Buy a present for someone different I love or like, every month. It doesn't have to be a big present. It can a book, flowers, make them a card, bake them a cake ... Doesn't matter what, just let them know that I am thinking of them.
3. Go swimming. Often.
4. Buy myself a treat every month. Something small, but something that will make me smile.
4. Learn and try something new every month. Anything, as long as I have never done or tried it before.
5. Learn to cook a new dish every month and then invite a friend/ friends for dinner.
6. Dance. Dance. Dance.
7. See more art exhibitions. I have Paula Rego lined up for this month, so this month is sorted.
8. Go out for long walks every time it rains. Let's face it, it rains a lot in London, so I should be alright on that front.
9. Sing more. Sing every day.
10. Read a new poem every day.
So, do you make New Year resolutions? What is yours? What else could I add to my list?
Have an amazing and a happy year that counts.
Red xx
