Food Archives - Page 8 of 9 - Conversations through the middle

Jubilee Cafe – a review

May 9, 2012

Following on the Jublilee theme but nothing to do with the Diamond Jubilee is my favourite local café, The Jubilee at Ardleigh. It used to be a greasy spoon I’m told, but since heavy lorries are no longer allowed on the road that runs past it, it looks for its customers elsewhere. And we are a varied bunch I can tell you: pensioners, couples, families and us horsey gals.

The food it offers is lovely – I recommend the Quorn lasagne and everybody I know who has tried the fried potatoes loves them. The food ranges from breakfasts (served all day) to Sunday lunch, veggie specials to fish and meat. I don’t know anywhere else that offers so many breakfast variations and there’s no cut off point so you can have it at lunch if you wish.

All of the food is cooked fresh and prices are good. The owners don’t mind if you just have a cup of tea – a very reasonable 75p – without eating, which is great news when funds are low (which in my case is more often than I like). I think it’s the best kept secret in Colchester. I don’t know if they advertise, I’ve never seen any ads, but they are always busy. I think it’s the combination of home cooking, quality and prices that don’t rip you off that keeps customers coming back for more. And no, I don’t work for them in any way, I’ve never received a free meal there but have always paid for my food; I’ve just been meaning to post about the café for a while and the Jubilee seems as good a time to do so as any.

Grand Designs Live

May 8, 2012

Oh my feet hurt! I spent the day at Excel in London traipsing up and down the aisles at Grand Designs Live. I think it’s been worth it though – I caught up with a few colleagues, made a few new contacts and saw many beautiful products. I think my favourites were the outdoor petal lights by PetalPod, the glass swirling, two-colour worktop from Southern Counties Glass and the marble pebble/ semi-precious stone-look freestanding basins from Color 1 Design (unfortunately I don’t have an image of that). Of course there were also lots of food and drink stands selling hand-made chocolates, confectionery and drinks with a difference – toffee vodka anyone?

One item that really stood out for me was the Wonderbag this is literally a bag you cook in, and it is making a big difference for poor people in Africa, as it cuts down on fuel consumption. The makers – who give a Wonderbag to a family in Africa every time one is sold here – say it cuts fuel usage by around 30%, which makes a big difference to families there. It’s a weird-looking thing but the idea behind it is so simple – an insulated bag that continues cooking food after you take it off the stove, like a very slow cooker. It’s eco friendly as well as a money saver. While I was at the stand the Wonderbag people were cooking a syrup sponge pudding in the bag – they started it off on the hob for 25 minutes, put the pudding pot with lid in the Wonderbag, put the lid on the bag and left it for a couple of hours. Et voila! Lovely looking sponge pudding.

Chocolate overkill

April 26, 2011

Moving on from the fragrant eggs of my last post, we are now the other side of the Easter festival and the lure of the chocolate variety is wearing thin. Not that my daughter would agree with me, as she happily tucks into yet another sweet treat.

I have thoroughly enjoyed these last few days – we’ve spent the holiday with my family in the North East – but I don’t know when I’ll be able to look at a chocolate bar again.

Why is it that usually moderate people overdose on confectionary at Christmas and Easter, and not the rest of the year? One to ponder while I stock up on cakes for the Royal Wedding on Friday….

They’re an ‘afters’ to the BBQ street party my neighbour and I are planning. A bit different to the traditional street party but it should be just as much fun (feuding neighbours not withstanding).

Pancake prowess II

March 8, 2011

It’s Shrove Tuesday today so it was time to have another go with the electric pancake maker. To be honest my efforts with a frying pan every year are dismal so I was very hopeful for the results. I thought my technique/ method/ skill might have improved since last time, but I’m afraid no, I’m not a very good cook. On the plus side it was better than my first attempt, but I think I need a lot more practice.

If you don’t mind your pancakes squidgy and squiggly, in lots of little bits rather than one big circle, then I’m your pancake woman. Fortunately my daughter absolutely loved them so I’m a hero in her eyes (helped I’m sure by the chocolate topping I covered them with).