A signature celebration of Spring / Summer and longer evenings is always London Craft Week for me, so couldn’t miss one of my favourite events of the week – Pimlico Road Late – despite see-saw sunshine vs downpours. Home to some of the most inspiring British interior showrooms, including @jw_anderson , @thenewcraftmaker , @andobjects , @ochreochregallery , @tomfaulkner , @roseuniacke and many, many more. A Wednesday evening treat, with a glass or two of the finest English sparkling! Highlights include stunning botanical-inspired lights, JW Anderson’s curated emporium of homeware, fashion and art; The New Craftmakers’ woven collection of objects shaped by hand from plant materials; objects – not least bedside and coffee tables, trays and coasters of all hues – for all over the house from And Objects. Definitely ones for the mood board…
#londoncraftweek #pimlicoroad #britishdesign #thisislondon
A masterful balance of earthy rye, juicy fruit sweetness thanks to raisins, and a rich depth of molasses. Dense but not overly heavy, when thinly sliced! @daylesfordfarm pumpernickel has set me up for the next few days very nicely. Likely tops my loaf charts. Best enjoyed simply - here drizzled with tahini and hot honey.
#pumpernickel #freshlybakedbread #daylesfordorganic #yumtinieats
Wild Garlic pesto in the kitchen spotlight this week: sparking joy in this week’s non-stop see-saw sunshine. Freshly picked wild garlic blitzed into a pesto with a handful of cashew nuts and a spoon or two of coconut yogurt to make extra creamy. Providing that essential herby finish to more greens – avocado, @perellofoods olives, salad leaves, roasted broccoli, toasted pumpkin seeds, and crispy @boldbeanco butter beans / black chickpeas. Garlicky rye crutons / breadcrumbs always added for that ceasar-y vibe. Layers of greens tossed together – my kind of Spring lunchtime salad.
#wildgarlicpesto #springsalads #vegetariancooking #yumtinicooks
Fridge raids often the best meals. Roasted aubergine with red chilli tahini, toasted almonds, fresh dill and currants. Sweet potato wedges spices with the magic mix (cinnamon, cumin and paprika). A minty walnut and sundried tomato slaw. Minimal effort. Maximum flavour. Just the kind of dinner I crave on these (gradually) longer days.
#springcooking #fridgeraids #alltheflavours #allthespices #yumtinicooks
New cups, not stamped, coffee just as perfect. Ethiopian single origin hitting the morning spot 🤌🏽 @laneeight_coffee
#laneeight #morningcoffee #taketheoutsidelane #yumtinicoffee
Though a v tempting deli offering, it’s worth enjoying a lunch or dinner @honeyandcogreatportland , with wines to match – the signature twist of this spot. Two dishes from their lunchtime menu enjoyed on my visit. Cauliflower sitting above a bed of lemony lentil rice, topped with the addictively crispy chickpeas, all layered on a bed of creamy tahini and a drizzle of zehug to bring vibrancy and Spring greenness. The florets of cauliflower were desirably burnished and piled high. A feast of textures and flavours.
Alongside, Roasted aubergine, cherry tomatoes & chickpea salad, and more tahini. The aubergine was persuasively silk and intense in flavour, and served with bright chunks of pickled kohlrabi to provide that sharp twist. The bed of tahini beneath is edible by the spoon – a taste I never tire of.
Lucky enough to enjoy a meal here during their soft launch. Whilst prices are otherwise steep, the portions are incredibly generous – you certainly get your monies worth in all sense.
#honeyandco #middleeasterncooking #greatportlandstreet #londonrestaurants #yumtinieats
The latest incarnation of the Honey & Co empire, this time on Great Portland St @honeyandcogreatportland . A relaxed all-day café-restaurant-wine bar with a deli counter (and pantry offering) of dreams. This site rebrands Honey & Smoke that previously sat here, and replaces their standalone deli on Warren St that closed in March. Like that spot, the counter here is piled high with bright seasonal salads, focaccia sandwiches, and of course sweet treats that they’re renowned for. A shame my office isn’t nearby for lunchtime pick-me-ups…
#honeyandco #middleeasterncooking #greatportlandstreet #londonrestaurants #yumtinieats
Iced Roasted Hojicha at the very quaint @nagarelondon , Spitafields. Perhaps one of the best I’ve had in London: toasty, nutty, earthy. A v pure taste - no sweetener necessary. A small but perfectly formed café, with stylistic décor and a jazzy playlist. Bonus: charming Japanese ceramics pop-up on my visit showcasing a collection of vintage-inspired glass. Highlight must be the retro glass printed with kitten paws!
#hojicha #nagarespitafields #londoncoffee #yumtinicoffee
No matter the weather, soup or stews is always something I crave. Especially these days given the split personality of Spring. Hot one minute, cold and/or downpours the next. Caponatas and tomato and basil soups have a foot in both sides of Spring. Especially with all the toppings – whether crispy, garlicky breadcrumbs to provide that crunch to a caponata, or crispy chickpeas above tomato soup. The warm comfort of aubergine with these bowls is always welcome, especially against salty freshness of plant-based cheese and/or grilled aritchokes. All the flavour and freshness of spring with none of the unpredictability.
#caponata #tomatosoup #crispychickpeas #springcooking #yumtinicooks
A taste of Italy @cacciaris . Blue skies helped. Aubergine Parmigiana was everything you’d want it to be: seductively delicious tomato sauce, layers of melt-in-the-mouth aubergine, even more tender thanks to v convincing oozy plant-based mozzarella melting in-between. Perfect for a long evening (which it ends up being, as service – if in a big group – is slow), in a cosy and atmospheric setting. Authentically Italian.
#cacciari #italianrestaurants #aubergineparmigiana #londonrestaurants #yumtinieats
My love affair with leeks continues. May be because they feel like a celebration of all things green, bright and spring. And also because of their wonderful versatility. Perfect for a Caesar-style salad, piled on toast, alongside mushrooms and plenty of herbs (& garlic!), and a base for stews / soups. They’re also a treat when grilled to leave a brown finish. Grilled and tossed into a Caesar salad here alongside crispy black chickpeas, grilled sweet potato, gem lettuce, toasted walnuts with a chipotle mayo.
Also enjoyed with mushrooms, grilled artichokes and rye. And another plate of smashed garlic potatoes, Spring peas and more chipotle mayo. Delicious.
#leeks #springveg #vegetariancooking #yumtinicooks
