Chocolover

Hands down this is my favourite thing in the whole wide world, and everyone who knows me knows that. My friend recently sent me a seductive link of a chocolate roulade being made that I just had to share for any other chocolovers out there. Nothing like good food porn on the weekend.

http://vimeo.com/30482523

Due to my obsession, I wrote a little piece about it and how I sometimes (well most of the time) get carried away. Do excuse the obvious connotations, but it was definitely a laugh writing this. 

Chocolate.

Ah how this word bears the baron of my soul. I am obsessed with chocolate and everything about it. Every sense is tantalised. From the wrapper that cradles it to the ingredients that worm their way through your body. I can never resist it  and never know why. The idea of it completely encapsulates and overpowers my conscience. Maybe this is due to the temptation of the pristine packaging, the glistening foil within, or the dark (sometimes light) shiny surface reflecting the light. I don't know. But, every thought of it begins clockworks in my brain. Thoughts are produced too triumphant for me to resist. I know I am close. So close that I cannot wait any longer. I break the seal. As the cocoa begins to run wild, the array of flavors waft  towards me and my mind prepares to take the first bite. It prepares to let go and get lost in the magic. Snap. My ear twitches as I break that first piece, knowing that there is no turning back. As the chocolate begins to melt between my finger tips my tastebuds start to salivate, the idea of eating it makes time slow down. I feel uncertain. What will encompass me? What will be unlocked? The anticipation is too much, I take one last look and... BITE IT! The first crunch sends shockwaves contracting every muscle in my body. But as the wonders are released I suddenly relax and feel somewhat comforted and alive. As it swirls and coats its cave the rest of my body sinks. I forget where I am, what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. All that matters is the sweet bliss being created. The 600 potential flavours start to reveal their infinite possibilities, as my rationality is engulfed. I no longer feel like my physical self, but a spirit exploring a whirlwind of sensations. But it doesn't last long. It starts to fade. The only thought that enters my brain is to recreate, prolong, this moment. Do it again. So I do. The second time being better than the first. The trance is enhanced and brings new levels of satisfaction. Being human all I want is more. So I keep going, keep elongating the moment. But there comes a point where the love unlocked turns to hatred. Suddenly I don't feel so invincible, but rather broken down. My stomach starts to scream as I continue to force the sugary sensation upon it, “It’s too much, too much!” But I don't listen, I don't care because the memory of that moment is too powerful. The moment where I know what I am about to do. But that's just it. It's only a moment and no more. After that point my body is no longer innocent and pure. It just delves deeper and deeper into the unknown, as it gets swallowed by the deep dark mass of the bean. 

I hope you enjoyed my romantic love story with a bar of chocolate. Despite the bad ending, as with every fairy tale there is a happy one waiting to be told. So have no fear I shall be posting some fantastic things on chocolates I love and recommend, as well as recipes involving it. Over and out :)

TheFatFlat

In Edinburgh I live with 3 other lovely ladies, all weird and wonderful in their own mystical ways. 

The African one, lets call her Matuki, is the one you would go to to find out anything, everything and about everyone. She is fantastic at marketing, even though she studies classics, and she was quick to brand our twisted little family. (As the picture above shows). 

My other flatmate, the Greek/South African/ Portugese/ whatever else you can think of adding into the mix, stuck to this by whipping up a delicious Greek feast for us fatties and a couple of others who we tried to convert. 

And just so the final one doesn't feel left out, stay tuned to find out more about the French one. She has many culinary skills similar to the likes of those at Laudrée, Le Meurice et La Patisserie de Reves. She makes the Champs-Elysees of cakes, roasts and soups! Unfortunately there was a crisis with her baguettes and comté cheese production and she  had to leave us for a few short days. So she missed out on this delightful soiree. 

Sticking to what we know best, and in order to feed the masses, we had a traditional greek salad and fakes (otherwise known as lentil soup or peasant food - no joke, this is what would be eaten widely in greece because it is very filling and very cheap to make). The jumble of cultured flat mate is fantastic at making these. They are my absolute favourite, especially when I'm feeling down, I always feel loved after a bowl of these (and another and another and another). We call it "Yiayia's (Grandma's) cooking!"

Greek salad is very easy to make and the concept comes from what foods are available to you. So, if we were in Greece, for summer, the tomatoes would be in abundance, gorgeous cucumbers would raid the fridge and red onion would peak out the ground! The locals would have fresh feta at the ready and dried oregano, hand-picked fresh from the mountains. And not to mention, the staple ingredient, Greek Olive Oil. Far better than Extra Virgin, in fact it is so Virgin that not even Balsamic could de-purify it. But, alas, we are not in Greece but in humdrum Scotland, so Lidl and Tesco's versions of all that had to do!

Classic Greek Salad:

Ingredients:

- A whole cucumber
- 1 Red Onion (large)
- As many tomatoes as you can fit (organic is best)
- A Block of Feta
- Dried Oregano
- Salt, Pepper
- Olive Oil
- Lemon Juice
- Parsley (optional)

Method:

1) Chop up the tomatoes, onions and cucumber into desired segments toss them in a salad bowl

2) Add the block of feta on top (as done in greek restaurants) or crumble it over the top

3) Sprinkle Oregano

4) Drizzle Olive oil, and Lemon Juice

5) Season and add chopped parsley if desired

Et voila, Kali Orexi! (Bon appetite!)

As for the Lentils the recipe is as follows:

Ingredients:

- 8oz Red Split Lentils

- 1 white onion, finely chopped

- 1 carrot, finely chopped

- Oregano, Bay leaf Black Pepper

- Tomato Paste, 1 tbsp

- few cloves of garlic, depending how much you like

Method:

1) Boil the Lentils for 10 minutes in a pan

2) Drain the Lentils

3) Place 2tbsp of olive oil in a large pan and fry the onion 

4) When softened add the garlic, carrot and herbs

5) After a couple of minutes stir in the lentils, to absorb the flavour

6) Add enough water to cover the lentils and leave on a low heat to simmer for about 30-40 mins, stir in the tomato paste about half way through

7) When you have your desired texture, serve up and eat away!

Goes lovely with some warm crusty bread! Courtesy of Lidl of course.

Overall, it was a great evening, the only thing missing was the ouzo! But with great friends, phenomenal food and atmospheric music what more could one ask for. This is a must try! I hope you enjoy, and thanks again to the mixed up mumbo jumbled weird one for cooking :) S'agapo! (I Love You).

ShundayShellfish

http://www.theshipontheshore.co.uk 

Today is Greek Easter Sunday. As I am stuck up in Edinburgh my parents decided to come up and celebrate with me for an unconventional Easter Sunday. Usually we have a table full of heavy foods such as lamb, magiritsa and tsourekaki and lots and lots of family. I'm sure you have all seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Just imagine that. But today we celebrated differently, with the fruits of the sea, 'Fruit De Mer' to be exact. I chose to go to Ship on The Shore, in Leith. I have been reading about this place for about a year, but because it is out of our 1 mile Edinburgh bubble I never took the opportunity to go. Well, I had been missing out! I can safely say I now know why it was coming top of all the reviews. From the staff, to atmosphere, location and ultimately food phenomena! This must be on your list of places to try if you love seafood or are a foodie.

It is a beautiful restaurant, that looks more like a pub, but has a very chilled and friendly atmosphere. My favourite kind of place, not pretentious or pompous. Just fantastic food, sensational service and an amiable atmosphere. (And yes I did try and use alliteration for these words as best as I could remember from my school English lessons.) As I walked in the first thing that caught my eye was the seafood platter, better known as 'Fruit De Mer'. My eyes were fixated on it until we were led to our table. 

Scallops on the Fruit De Mer

Oysters on the Fruit De Mer

Luckily, my mum, sister and myself opted for the Fruit De Mer 'Royale' - Oh yes terribly posh!  It was an astounding array (ooo alliteration again!) of shellfish. We had everything from langoustines, lobster, smoked salmon, grilled salmon, oysters, clams, razor clams, mussels, scallops, crab and mackerel. With sides of chips and salad, not to be forgotten! Very crucial part of the meal. My mouth is just watering by rewriting this, and I am stuffed at the moment!

Fruit De Mer Royale - In all its glory

Everything was amazing. I especially liked the razor clams and the claws of the langoustines (far nicer than crab ;) ). It comes served cold over ice, but there is a warm option if you aren't too keen on cold shellfish. They also have smaller and cheaper options if you still want to try some but not make a hole in your wallet. The great thing is they have all sorts to choose from, and if someone in your party isn't a fishy one, then they have other options such as steak! Which looked good from the sneak peak I got from the table behind us.

Its Alive!!!

 I have to mention that today I tried my first raw oyster, and boy was it an experience I won't forget. I did not know that you are meant to just swallow them whole and not even chew them. Unfortunately, it was one of the worst things I have put in my mouth. It felt like a slimey blob sliding down my oesophagus. (If you would like to experience that moment stay tuned as I will get a video up as soon as I sort my blogger out!). However, if you like oysters they looked incredible. I just shan't be swallowing one again any time soon. Very unlike me to not like a food!

 

 Anyway, aside from these shenanigans it is a brilliant place to go. As for pricing I would say it's medium - high priced, with the Fruit De Mer costing between £60 - 90 for 2-3 people. But for the quality of food and quantity it is well worth it for a special occasion! I would definitely recommend this place in the summer as well as they have some nice tables outside to sit by the mouth of the river. Leith is a gorgeous part of Edinburgh that I would love to go for a drink when the weather gets warmer. 

 If you have your car or your bike get on it and go to Leith!