Garlic Butter Mushroom Buns

30-03-2017 Local Black BookBurger, garlic, mushroom, recipe, sandwich, vegetarian1 Comment

I’ve had a bottle of Sriracha in my food cupboard for a long, long time. And up until a few weeks ago, I didn’t use a drop of it.

I simply couldn’t see why people around the world were obsessed with Sriracha.

And then one day, we run out of Tabasco, and I was too lazy to peel and grate garlic to make aioli, so I just mixed Sriracha with some mayo to dip some crudités in and all of a sudden, I got it.

Sriracha mayo is simply the bomb.

Since then, I’ve been my basic obsessed self. And I used Srirach on any- and everything I could get away with.

Chips, of course, but also all sort of raw veggies. Plus steamed cauliflower, grilled broccoli, burgers, and, most recently, these garlic butter mushroom buns.

An excellent alternative to meat burgers, vegetarian mushroom buns are simplicity at its very best.

They’re great for every meal, be it breakfast (it’s divine with a poached egg added in), a quick lunch or dinner, so make sure you make ‘shroom for them on your table!

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:7]

Looking for more vegetarian meal inspo?

Spring Potato Salad

Vegan Tomato-Coconut Pasta

Hearty pistou soup

Forest Avenue, Dublin

28-03-2017 Local Black Bookdublin, Forest Avenue, Ireland, recommendation, Restaurant, review, travel2 Comments

I’m afraid that when it comes to food & drinks, a lot of the clichés about Ireland and Dublin are really rather true.

So yes, there’s a pub on (almost litteraly) every corner, and the vast majority of your meals will include the holy meat-stew-potato-and-cabbage trinity. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

But if you’re after a more modern take on local, seasonal ingredients, booking a table at very popular Forest Avenue is a must.

Run by passionate husband and wife team John and Sandy Wyer, Forest Avenue is the sort of place both hipsters’ and foodies’ dreams are made of.

The restaurant itself has a very shabby-chic, Shoreditch-meets-the-rural-world sort of vibe.

There are deer skulls and dried flowers, wooden tables, chairs and a big wooden staircase…

And a stunning marble bar to grab a drink at while you wait.

The cocktail list is short but perfectly formed, as demonstrated by this combination of vermouth, bay leaf and orange.

Sherry & tonic with lemon & mint.

Both so much more that the sum of their parts. But that, as we were soon to find out, is a theme running deep into Forest Avenue DNA…

For dinner, the deal is really quite simple. You can choose between two tasting menus. One is 3 courses long, one is 5, with the possibility to extend the latter to 6 should you be especially peckish.

But before you decide, they bring you a series of nibbles.

Homemade sourdough bread with beef fat whipped butter.

Yes, this IS a thing and a very heavenly one indeed!

Herb ricotta and breadsticks

Potato doughnuts, served atop the most incredible, umami mushroom cream.

Forest Avenue restaurant, Dublin | Cake + Whisky

Next up on the pre-menu nibble snack extravaganza, small but mighty spiced lamb cigars with smoked yoghurt green chutney.

Basically the very best of Indian food in a mouthful.

Seaweed sablé biscuit, smoked cod roe and elderflower vinegar.

And last but not least, dashi with seaweed and potato foam. A truly spud-tacular little number, that one.

Forest Avenue restaurant, Dublin | Cake + Whisky

Now it’s finally time to choose your menu.

All in with the 5-course tasting menu for us please!

Starting with a delicate veal tartar with white beetroot, Cratloe Hills cheese, pickled radish and shiitake mushrooms.

Next up, parmesan agnoletti with swede, whey butter and kale pesto.

Plaice with potato puree, cabbage leaf and smoked cod roe.

Beautifully cooked, with the saline flavour reinforced by the salty cod roe.

All in all a dish sure to make me happy as a clam.

That said, it was also love at first sight for the venison dish…

All topped up by the most creative dessert I’ve had since our trip to Copenhagen.

Warm Chocolate Mousse, Jerusalem Artichoke, Miso Butterscotch, and Salted Walnut Ice Cream.

Might not be an obvious winner on paper, but much like everything else about Forest Avenue it’ll have you rooting for it in no time!

Forest Avenue, 8-9 Sussex Terrace, Dublin 4, Ireland

The Fumbally, Dublin

17-03-2017 Local Black Bookbrunch, dublin, Restaurant, review, The Fumbally, travel1 Comment

It’s hardly a secret that carbs are my soft spot.

I could happily have pasta for every meal, can’t decline a slice of cake and have no idea how to say no to French fries.

But my biggest weakness is bread.

So from the moment I entered the door, I knew I would feel very much at home at The Fumbally.

Dublin's best brunch at The Fumbally | Cake + Whisky

An absolute Dublin institution and a locals’ favourite, The Fumbally is quite simply the most fantastic of community cafés I’ve ever come across.

It’s one of those no-nonsense, hipster-before-hipster-was-a-thing kind of places.

There’s a mishmash of tables to share, and junkstore decor to match.

There’s a tiny open kitchen at the back and a small counter to the side, both run by dynamic, ever-smiling staff, deliver all sorts of eggcellent brunch treats.

Signature ‘Fumbally eggs’.

A big plate of fluffy scrambled eggs served with garlic-fried kale, red pepper hot sauce and sunflower seeds.

Beautiful, creamy ‘n’ zesty Turkish eggs served with salad, olives, flat bread and lemon and honey cream cheese.

All topped with a smogasboard of sweet treats (if you happen to come across the tahini brownies, snap them up quickly, they go in a flash!)

Dublin's best brunch at The Fumbally | Cake + Whisky

Go with a bunch of people or share a table with strangers. Take your time. Enjoy every bite. Consider going back for seconds and thirds…

Eggs-actly what weekends are for!

The Fumbally, Fumbally Ln, Merchants Quay, Dublin 8

Best-ever Guacamole

16-03-2017 Local Black Bookavocado, easy, guacamole, healthy, party, party food, raw, recipe, vegan, vegetarian4 Comments

When people ask me what my go-to recipe, or death-row dish is, they always assume my answer will be a cake of some description.

But the truth is, if my ultimate brownies recipe comes a close second, with anything salted caramel not far behind, guacamole is what makes it to the very top of my list.

Not just any guacamole though!

Forget the store-bough rubbish, I like mine with none of that additive-preservative-dairy bullshit.

Creamy, fresh, zingy, packed full of gorgeous, healthy ingredients, yet super indulgent, home-made guacamole is a thing of beauty.

Best-ever guacamole (vegan, GF) | Cake + Whisky

Loads of creamy avocado, a sprinkle of chopped tomato and onion, a good squeeze of lime and plenty of fresh herbs… That’s all you need to get smashing, really!

Best-ever guacamole (vegan, GF) | Cake + Whisky

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:6]

Have too many avocados on your hands? Send it my way -or give one of these a go:

Kale & rice salad with avocado & salmon

Vegan broccoli & avocado salad

Tabasco roasted squash & mozzarella salad

Spring Potato Salad (Vegan, GF)

14-03-2017 Local Black BookGF, gluten-free, healthy, peas, potato, potato salad, recipe, salad, side, side dish, Spring, vegan, vegetarian5 Comments

We all have different ways to tell Spring has sprung.

For some, it’s as simple as looking at tha calendar. Past the Spring equinox? Good. Here’s your answer.

For others, it’s the blooms and the cold-but sunny days.

Spring Potato Salad (Vegan, GF) | Cake + Whisky

For me though? There are three signs.

My irrepressible need to clear, clean and tidy everything within an inch of my life. I mean, I’m already borderline ‘less is more’ compulsive the rest of the year, but Spring definitely pushes me over the line.
My constant daydreaming of owning all things pastel. Home trinkets, candy, cushions, -and more than anything else- nailpolish… You name it, I want it.
The urge to cook/eat potato salad every chance I get.

Given that I’ve already spring-cleaned my flat, that my nails have been sporting a dusty baby blue shade for the last two weeks and that this Spring-inspired potato salad was my dinner yesterday, I’m positive that Spring has finally made its way to London!

Much like putting winter coats & boots away and filling the house with flowers, this Spring potato salad is the perfect way to celebrate springtime.

Packed with tender asparagus and baby peas as well as super sweet new potatoes and pea shoots, it’s the perfect dish to spring into the new season!

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:5]

More Spring salad inspiration?

Rainbow Salad (this would be ah-mazing for a St Patrick’s Day get together!)

Kale & Rice Salad with Avocado & Salmon

Pink Fruit Salad

Simple Pink Fruit Salad (V, Vegan)

09-03-2017 Local Black Bookbreakfast, dessert, fruit, fruit salad, grapefruit, healthy, paleo, raspberry, recipe, vegan, vegetarian1 Comment

When I scroll through restaurant menus online (everyone has their passion eh?), I’m always shocked by how expensive fruit salad are. You want me to pay HOW MUCH for some chopped up fruit?? Are they made of gold or what?

And then I started making fruit salad at home and found out why that is.

Because you see, fruit salad are a bit more finicky that they seem. As it turns out, prepping fruit takes forever. Washing, drying, peeling, chopping, segmenting… There’s no shortcut to be used and the technical skills needed to make the perfect fruit platter are very demanding. Plus, unlike many desserts, fruit salad cannot be made in advance.

Pink Fruit Salad recipe | Cake + Whisky

As for many of life’s finest things, simplicity truly is the ultimate sophistication, and a beautiful fruit bowl is difficult to top for a light, refreshing breakfast or dessert. So I suppose in a way, it’s worth the premium restaurants make you pay for it.

Or you know, the effort to DIY.

If you have a little bit of extra time in the morning or last-minute guests for dinner, take the 10 or so minutes to make this delightfully simple, perfectly balanced pink fruit salad.

Despite how intricate it looks and complex it tastes, it’s actually very simple to put together.

All in all a truly grape way to start the day or end the meal on a light, colourful note!

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:4]

Looking for more breakfast inspo?

Super Breakfast Yoghurt Pots

Vegan Sticky Toffee Porridge

Cranberry Oatmeal Cake

Tomato-Coconut Pasta (Vegan)

03-03-2017 Local Black Bookcoconut, easy, pasta, recipe, sauce, tomato, vegan, vegetarian1 Comment

Pasta is my happy food.

I make it when I’ve had a terrible day, when the weather lets me down, when there’s nothing left in the fridge, when I’m simply too tired to think about what to eat, for dinners with friends, romantic nights in and just for me.

Left to my own devices, I’d probably make it for breakfast (yes, breakfast pasta is a thing!), lunch and dinner.

And two times out of three, it’d probably be tomato coconut pasta.

This recipe is simply the best. It’s a larder-basics sort of affair, so I always have the ingredients at hand. It takes no more than 10 minutes to put together.

And most importantly, despite it being ridiculously simple both in terms of technique and ingredients, it tastes so much better than the sum of its parts.

The fat in the coconut cream, combined with the acidity of the tomato and the fresh peppery-ness of the basil makes for the most velvelty tomato sauce.

It’s one of those dishes that’s relatively healthy and super comforting at the same time. All in all a very saucy little number!

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:3]

Looking for more pasta recipes?

Rabbit ragu pappardelle

Sautéed chard pasta with cobnut pesto

Tang London Noodle Bar

01-03-2017 Local Black BookAsian, Fitzrovia, London, noodle bar, noodles, recommendation, Restaurant, review, Tang, Tang London, Tottenham Court Road1 Comment

It looks like my optimistic salad phase will be on hold for a little while.

For which I blame the freezing-cold wind and my recent discovery of Tang London in equal measure.

Located minutes away from Tottenham Court Road’s hustle and bustle, Tang London is the very definition of a hidden gem.

And not only because it is indeed rather tricky to find (it’s just before the massive, flashy VQ terrace, in case you get lost).

It has a cozy room, dotted with small tables and many a perching stool.

A passionate team of chefs.

And a short menu filled with dishes of the inventive, hearty, Asian-inspired kind that are perfect for those ~~weeks~~ days when the weather goes from nice and sunny to pouring rain in the blink of an eye!

Signature, super-crispy fried chicken served with a side of fiery hot sauce for dipping.

Black & White aka. crispy home-made black soy bean tofu served with the most addictive white miso sauce.

Double dipping absolutely compulsory!

The noodle soup (‘tang’) selection is rather un-traditional but excellent all the same.

Chicken Tang – an excellent option if you’re feeling a bit under the weather (do swap the flat rice noodles for glass noodles though, as the former aren’t quite as good as we’d hoped)

Spicy Prawn Tang – fiery hot and a brilliant way to warm one’s cockles up!

Dig in & slurp to your heart’s content!

And if you can manage it, definitely get a few of the steamed buns on the side (we couldn’t quite, but the beef one looks amazing!).

Either way, make sure you finish with a scoop of Tang London’s signature sugarcane & shiso sorbet.

You might love it, you might hate it, but udon know until you try it!

Cake and Whisky

Life in London and other almost-grown-up tales

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Month: March 2017