Category Archives: Food

How to Make Perfect Pancakes

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With Shrove Tuesday (21st February 2012) fast approaching, our thoughts are turning to creating that perfect pancake to help celebrate Pancake Day the traditional way.

So to help you make this year’s batch the tastiest yet, here are a few tips to see you through:

1. For the creamiest of consistencies, always measure your ingredients precisely and mix them with a large whisk to add air to the batter

2. Heat your frying pan for two or three minutes before adding butter to the pan to avoid burning and impairing the flavour of your pancakes

3. For a thin, crepe-style pancake, add two tbsp. of batter to the hot pan and spread evenly around the pan with the back of your spoon or ladle

4. Cook for 30 seconds on each side, flipping or turning in between, dependent on how energetic you’re feeling!

5. Add the topping of your choice – a drizzle of PLj Lemon Juice and a sprinkling of sugar is a traditional favourite – and enjoy!

Ingredients for the perfect pancake (makes 6-8 pancakes in an 18cm pan)

110g sifted flour

1 egg

100ml milk and 50ml water

50g butter, for frying

To serve: PLj Lemon Juice and a sprinkling of sugar

Sift the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the centre of the mixture and break the egg into it. Whisk the egg together with the flour, and while continuing to whisk gradually add the milk and water until you have created a smooth batter. Add 2tbsp of the batter to your hot pan, evenly spread and cook for 30 seconds on each side. For a traditional taste, add a splash of PLj Lemon Juice, a sprinkle of sugar and enjoy!

An invigorating support to calorie-controlled diets, PLj is a blend of lemon juice and is rich in vitamin C – a 25ml serving contains at least 75% of the recommended daily intake and just 9 kcals – yet is free from all artificial colours, flavours and sweeteners.

With approximately 20 servings per bottle, PLj is the easy way to enjoy real lemon juice, but without the mess or hassle of chopping and squeezing. PLj is available from Tesco, Sainsburys, Waitrose, Morrisons, Holland & Barrett and all good health food stores priced £2.29 (RRP) for 500ml.

A few facts about Pancake Day

· Pancake Day is known as ‘Shrove Tuesday’ in the UK, and falls on the day before Ash Wednesday, or the first day of Lent

· The day is known as Pancake Day because pancake recipes were traditionally made to use up stocks of flour, milk and eggs, which were forbidden during the abstinence of Lent

· The word ‘Shrove’ is derived from the Old English ‘shrive’, meaning to ‘confess all sins’. On Shrove Tuesday, people would go to church and be ‘shriven’ ahead of the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday

· In the UK, the term ‘shroving’ was a custom in which children sang or recited poetry in exchange for food or money

· Meanwhile, ‘Lent Crocking’ was a term used to describe a custom whereby children would knock on doors asking for pancakes – and throw broken crockery at the doors of those who declined their requests!

· Pancake races are held around the UK on Pancake Day. One of the most famous takes place in Olney, where according to local folklore, in 1445 a woman of Olney heard the shriving bell while she was making pancakes and rushed to the church, frying pan in hand. Participants of the now world-famous Olney Pancake Race must be local housewives and wear an apron and hat or scarf when taking part!

· Pancake Day is celebrated differently around the world. In Brazil, Pancake Day is known as Terca-feira gorda and is the final day of the carnival in Rio De Janeiro while in New Orleans the day is marked by the Mardi Gras carnival

Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar to launch in March

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(ARTIST IMPRESSION)

– The English steakhouse is a cut above the rest –

Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar to launch in March

A quintessentially English dining experience, Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar will celebrate the best of English when it launches at the end of March 2012.

Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar will be the most English of English dining destinations, from the interior design to each cut of beef. Set in the County Hall, built 100 years ago to house London’s government, with views of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, few can claim a more inherently English location or vista.

The choice of namesake, James Gillray, a famed caricaturist of the late eighteenth century, reflects the political history of the County Hall’s past, and the intelligence, style and humour of the English personality. James Gillray’s work punctuates the menu and will be exhibited on the walls of the steakhouse restaurant and bar.

An English steakhouse of the finest design, Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar is a homage to top quality beef -35-day dry aged Hereford Cattle from the Duke of Devonshire’s Bolton Abbey Estate in Yorkshire. The menu features nine cuts of steak – bone-out and bone-in – 300g Fillet on the bone, 450g Porthouse and 600g T-Bone steaks. Gillray’s Steakhouse signature dish, the 1000g ‘Bulls Head’ steak, will steal the show – a 1000g-butterfly cut, double rib steak served with the bone in.

Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar is all about indulging in great English produce. Every inch of the menu reflects this, displaying English food at its best – Brixham Diver Clams & Mussel Broth, Foreman’s London Cured Smoked Salmon and hand chopped Steak Tartare.

The design is sophisticated but unpretentious, playing on the eccentric but charming details of classic lighting and furniture pieces, such as Chesterfield sofa and Waterford chandeliers, all bespoke designs by designers Blacksheep.


The bar offers a sophisticated and stylish Thames-side destination, featuring one of the finest selections of gin in London and an impressive cocktail collection designed by head bartender, Carlos Santos. The newly created cocktail menu is ordered by historical era, from the Georgian era – cocktails such as National Debt, Wife & No Wife and Very Slippy-Weather each taking their name from popular James Gillray sketches – through to contemporary and modern English concoctions. The cocktail collection doesn’t stop there, but gives a nod to the next generation of cocktails – molecular mixology. >>

(ARTIST IMPRESSION)

>> The Englishness of Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar is evident throughout the bar menu, populated by 10 English beers (and two Scottish beers from Innis & Gunn), 33 English gins (including a few British favourites such as Hendrick’s) and five English vodkas. The bar snacks menu brings Englishness to life in bite-sized morsels – Pigs in Blankets, English Crumpet & Soft Boiled Egg and Venison Sausage Rolls with HP Sauce – England on a plate.

Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar opens at London’s County Hall at the end of March 2012.

www.gillrays.com

Flipping Pancakes On Their Heads

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It’s pancake time and Frost has new Ocado recipes to tickle your taste buds this Shrove Tuesday

Ocado is mixing up more than batter for Pancake Day with a range of quirky recipes to excite the taste buds. Whether you’re a traditionalist looking for a twist which isn’t just lemon, or fancy yourself as the new chef on the block, there’s a crepe recipe to suit all palates and cookery skills this Shrove Tuesday.

Baked Pear and Caramel Pancake Pudding

Using the nation’s burgeoning obsession with baking as inspiration, the Ocado Baked Pancake Pudding is an ideal recipe for all those Great British Bake Off fanatics. Created by Ruth Clemens, runner up of the 2010 series, this scrumptiously sweet and fruity pancake pudding is sure to be popular with all the family.

Lemon Curd

Putting a spin on an old favourite, the traditional lemon and sugar pancake, Ocado has created an exceptionally more-ish lemon curd cold topping to add real zest to your Tuesday treat.
Ham Hock, Gruyere and Duck Egg Galettes

Pancakes aren’t just for desert you know. This crispy, grilled Galette is truly tasty and a great dinner for those who prefer savoury treats. It looks pretty fantastic too – one to impress your Pancake Day dinner party, for certain.

Ban Xeo

If you have an adventurous palate, take on the Ban Xeo. Bursting with flavour this traditional Vietnamese spicy chilli, chicken and prawn pancake has a truly exotic edge. Invite loved ones over to celebrate your skill as well as those popular pancake festivities.

Healthy Spelt and Buttermilk Baby Pancakes

Ocado’s baby pancakes are a lighter option for those who aren’t looking to overindulge in the Shrove Tuesday festivities. These little wonders are topped with poached dried fruits, Greek yoghurt and sweet honey for a healthy touch. Delicious.

For further information on recipes and ingredients visit www.ocado.com.

RIBA Restaurant Review.

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RIBA restaurant at art deco gem 66 Portland Place, London W1

 

I have had many a party at RIBA, it is a wonderful venue. I had never eaten at the restaurant before and was incredibly impressed by the food and the service. No one likes to eat alone so I went to review this restaurant with my friend, New Statesman columnist Nicholas Lezard.

 

The venue is bright and airy, in the summer you can eat outside. There is always a lot going on at RIBA.

 

What I ate.

 

Middle white pork belly

 

Black pudding, quince

 

Jerusalem artichoke and red onion fritters

 

Braised lentils, grilled artichoke hearts

soft poached egg

 

Baby leaf salad, cherry tomatoes, cucumber

 

White chocolate mousse

 

Dark chocolate honeycomb, gold leaf

 

What Nicholas ate:

 

Seared scallops

 

Leeks, candied hazelnuts, black olive powder

 

Braised Yorkshire venison

 

Sautéed girolles, truffled mash, redcurrants

 

Sticky toffee pudding

 

Clotted cream, butterscotch sauce

 

Curly kale, garlic butter

 

The starter comes on black, granite slabs, a touch that I found different and original. They are very good at presentation. My pork belly was done perfectly.

 

The food tasted like heaven, the fritters I had were absolutely delicious. The different consistency of the ingredients of my main meal worked brilliantly. I didn’t know lentils could taste so good. My egg was poached perfectly. The fritters were crispy, as all fritters should be. At first I wasn’t sure how all the ingredients would work together, but they do, beautifully.

 

I had a side salad with my main even though it wasn’t necessarily needed. The main was very filling. I liked that they put balsamic vinegar on my salad. The staff were also attentive and eager to please.

 

My white chocolate mousse was absolutely divine and was a visual treat too.

 

To drink I had port and coca cola. Nicholas had red wine and port.

 

RIBA is a good restaurant, the food is divine, the staff expert and the location incredibly up-market. I highly recommend. I will definitely be eating here again.

 

 

SHARING FEASTS THIS VALENTINE’S DAY AT THE RIBA RESTAURANT

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The RIBA restaurant at art deco gem 66 Portland Place, London W1 has created a truly scrumptious three-course sharing feast for diners looking for a secret surprise this Valentine’s Day.  Served at dinner (5.30-9.30pm) this celebratory meal is £49 per person to include a glass of pink bubbly.

Begin your feast with an amuse-bouche of ‘heart shaped tomato palmiers with a shot of velvety artichoke soup’ followed by your choice of tantalising starters – ‘aphrodisiac platter of 1 dozen oysters served with shallot vinegar and soda bread’ or ‘charcuterie platter for two with pickles, relishes & grilled ciabatta’ or ‘rosemary goats’ cheese & pumpkin salad, pomegranate dressing, fine beans & heart shaped croutons’.

For main course tempt each other with delightful sharing dishes which include – ‘cote de boeuf-rare breed forerib of beef on the bone – with hand cut, triple-cooked chips’, and ‘whole sea bass with fennel & rosemary & flambéed with noilly prat, steamed ratte potatoes, seasonal green vegetables & vermouth caviar butter sauce’.

For dessert don’t miss out on the RIBA’s ‘mixed pudding platter’ which includes pomegranate creme brulee, prange blossom chocolate fondants and passion fruit almond tarts.  Or, keeping up with the heart tradition, try ‘poached quince & rhubarb pavlova served as a heart shaped for two’ or ‘English cheeses for two with spicy plum chutney, grapes, oatcakes & heart shaped walnut bread’.  The meal is rounded off with freshly brewed coffee accompanied by chocolate truffles.

Set in the Florence Hall of this magnificent art deco building, the restaurant offers one of the most striking dining settings in Central London. Flooded by daylight from the full height windows by day and uplight by night, the dining room offers private leather booths and window tables arranged on a stunning wood and marble floor and surrounded by a changing programme of fascinating architectural exhibitions.

To book a table, call 020 7631 0467 or 020 7307 3747 or email restaurant@riba.org|

 

Frost Loves…Modern Milk

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Modern Milk is smooth, creamy and delicious. Very natural and healthy. It is exactly what the names says, it is a better version of milk

Modern Milk comes in four flavours Smooth Coffee with a hint of Vanilla, Milk Chocolate with a hint of golden Caramel, Lush Banana and Honey and Ripe Strawberry and Raspberry. My favourite is a toss up between the Milk Chocolate and the Ripe Strawberry and Raspberry.

The Milk Chocolate is great if you are trying to diet, you can just have one of these instead of a chocolate bar. It takes the edge of and it has a hint of caramel. It’s rich but not too rich.

None of the drinks have a horrible aftertaste and after drinking Modern Milk I felt a lot healthier. They are like a snack all in one. The ultimate in a health drink.

The design is really good, they all have a different cow cartoon on them, and they all have ‘think differently’ written on them backwards. The way they open is cool too.

Frost loves Modern Milk.

Modern Milk is a delicious low fat dairy drink that has been created to get people excited about drinking milk again and encourage them to include it in their weekly diet to keep them healthier.

Many adults are not drinking enough milk and this can have an effect on health issues such as osteoporosis, obesity and tooth decay. Modern Milk contains extra calcium, added vitamin D and fibre and with these added health benefits can help to show that what makes you feel good on the inside, can also help make you look good on the outside.

Research confirms that vitamin D makes our bodies to absorb calcium. Lack of calcium  makes our bodies to increase the production of
synthase, a fatty acid enzyme that coverts calories into fat. Consequently the higher levels of vitamin D in the blood, the easier it is to lose weight.

Milk is an important source of nutrients for many age groups and can help your body operate properly; calcium – for strong bones,
carbohydrates – for energy, protein – for growth and healing processes. When hunger pangs strike, Modern Milk can help fill you up for longer so that you don’t snack. The calcium can also have a positive effect on your nails, teeth and hair playing a part in your weekly beauty regime.
 
TV’s Dr Hilary Jones endorses Modern Milk as a great low-fat, after-workout drink. He says milk is the nearest thing you can find to a totally complete food containing, as it does, a perfect balance of protein, minerals, vitamins, essential fats and carbohydrates.

Modern Milk is currently sold in Tesco Extra for just 0.99p and comes in four delicious flavours – Smooth Coffee with a hint of Vanilla, Milk Chocolate with a hint of golden Caramel, Lush Banana and Honey and Ripe Strawberry and Raspberry.
 

Stowells Light Wine Review

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Light wines are big business, and one that is growing by 83% year on year, and in dark, cold January anything that has low calories and a reasonable price is a must to see you through the month.

Stowells light Wine is 60 calories per glass, 30 per cent less than a standard glass of wine. They also have less than one unit of alcohol per 125ml serving.

Stowells Light White .This wine is made from a blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. It has tastes of melon, pear and apricot fruit flavours.

What I thought

I am incredibly fussy about white wine. I think some white wine tastes like battery acid, not this though. It doesn’t taste acidic, it tastes fruity, refreshing and clean. It doesn’t taste low-calorie or low-alcohol. Most importantly, it doesn’t taste cheap. This is a very good wine. I would buy this and even take it to dinner parties. It’s got an incredibly good blend of everything a white wine should be. It takes the edge of the day, and is a much healthier option.

These wines contain less calories than a packet of Malteasers.

Stowells Light Rose

A vibrant youthful pink, strawberry, raspberry and cherry fruit flavours.

What I thought

I love Rose. I have tried most of the ones on the market. When I am out I usually order Rose because I am very fussy about white wine (see above). I also have a sweet tooth and love fruity things. This Rose isn’t too sweet, a common complaint from people who are not as mad on Rose. It’s fruity and fresh. It doesn’t taste low calorie or low alcohol either. It also doesn’t taste like a dessert wine (something that a low alcohol rose is at risk from) It is a good rose for fans of rose and those who enjoy it occasionally.

Stowells Light is available from all ASDA stores nationwide for RRP £5.49.

 

Pizza Express New Leggera Launch Event

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I have always been a huge fan of Pizza Express. Ever since I was a small child I have admired the skill of the chefs as they created their pizzas and I confess I have always wanted to try making one.

You can therefore imagine my excitement when Frost was invited to a demonstration event of Pizza Expresses new Leggera range. Frequent Pizza Express visitors will already be familiar with the Leggera pizzas. A Leggera pizza has the same quantity of toppings as a normal pizza but cuts out a lot of the dough from the centre and replaces it with a scrumptious salad. The result is, a much healthier pizza, more delicious and guilt free pizza with under 500 calories. Following its initial success Pizza Express has now expanded its Leggera range to include five more pizzas.

We arrived at the Pizza Express in Islington to a very warm welcome. After a few drinks we were treated to a demonstration on how to make a Leggera by the extremely skilful and very friendly Leo. The pizza Leo made was the Padana (Tomato Sauce, Spinach, Onions, Goats Cheese, Garlic Oil, Oregano and Black Pepper).

The finished pizza is a work of art 

Next it’s our turn. We get to choose which Pizza we want to make from one of the new Leggera options.

Pomodoro Pesto – Light mozzerella and marinated santos tomatoes with fresh basil, pesto and garlic oil

Padana – Spinach, goats cheese and caramelised onions

Pollo Ad Astra – Chicken, sweet peppadew peppers, cajun spices, red onions and garlic oil

American/American Hot – Pepperoni, Mozzarella and Fresh Tomato

Gustosa – Prosciutto cotto ham, light mozzarella and Portobello mushrooms with red peppers

We both go for the Pollo Ad Astra. This is already one of my favourite pizzas and now I have the chance to try it as a Leggera. We arrive at our table greeted by Luigi a friendly young Italian chef who is there to watch over us. First we have to cut and roll the dough into a pizza base. This is much harder than you might imagine. Sure enough, rather than a perfect circle, my base sticks out horribly on one side. Luigi politely offers suggestions. I ask him how long it takes for him to make one and he says the whole pizza is usually finished in five minutes!

With my base roughly the right shape, I’m told to take my dough and fling it between my hands to remove excess flour. Despite our mistakes the whole process is the most fun I’ve had in ages.

15 minutes later our dough is in the pizza tins. We use a cutter to remove a large amount of dough from the centre of our pizzas and it’s on to the ingredients. I greedily add extra bits of everything, particularly the garlic oil which I love. Our pizzas are then whisked off to the oven where it only takes four minutes to cook them. Some rocket, beautiful ricotta salata cheese and balsamic dressing and our pizza is finished.

And wow it tasted amazing. There is something about Pizza Express pizzas (and I’m sure it’s the quality of ingredients) which has always put them far ahead of their rivals. Other pizzas never come close in taste.

My Pollo Ad Astra is delicious. The base is beautifully thin and crispy and provides the perfect platform for the wonderful combination of the succulent chicken mozzarella, tomato sauce, sweet peppers and red onions. The cajun spice gives the dish a delicious extra kick. The addition of the Leggera element provides a wonderful contrast. The rocket and dressing gives the dish a better balance. All in all the PERFECT PIZZA!

As we happily tuck in we are joined by the wonderful Juliet  who is a nutritionist. She tells us all the pizzas have under 500 calories despite having the same amount of ingredients as the classic pizzas. This is because of less dough and a scrumptious new lower fat mozzarella they are now using. She also introduces us to the delightful Leggera wines. All with lower calories and slightly less alcohol content. The red being 9.5% and the white 9%. They are delicious and we have soon finished our glasses.

The whole evening was a wonderful experience. It was incredibly well organised and everyone was extremely warm and friendly as I have always found Pizza Express to be.

This is a great British company with real authentic Italian cooking. It offers great value for money. Pizza Express never feels like a chain. Why settle for a shoddy alternative with poor quality ingredients.