Apple & Black Pudding Sausage Rolls

04-10-2017 Local Black Bookblack pudding, party, recipe, sausage roll, snacks3 Comments

I don’t know what it is about autumn, but every year, I get the same seasonal urges.

First come the impulse to switch my nailpolish to dark red, then come the squash soup cravings and finally, there’s the yearning to organise a full-on autumnal house party.

In my wildest dreams, the ultimate fall party would bring my seasonal Pinterest board to life.

There’d be fire roaring in the fireplace, loads of seasonal foliage, plaid blankets, cinnamon cookies, an appropriate amount of intricately decorated pies, maybe some mulled cider…

And of course, canapés.

Because, well, I live in London, so I don’t exactly (understand ‘at all’) have space for a full sit-down dinner!

Of course, you could throw a bunch of frozen snacks in the oven but you’d be missing out on super easy beauts’ like those apple & black pudding sausage rolls.

Apple & Black Pudding Sausage Rolls • Party Food Recipe • Cake + Whisky

With a deeply umami filling, balanced by tangy apple bits, they’re so easy and apple-solutely delicious.

Perfect to impress your autumn party guests!

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More autumnal recipes

Squash soup (VE)

Mustard & onion quiche (V)

Garlic butter mushroom buns (V)

Polenta plum cobbler (V)

Cranberry Bakewell porridge (VE)

*press sample

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

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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

Halloween Inspiration

23-10-2016 Local Black Bookblack cats, ghost, halloween, inspiration, magic, party, witchLeave a comment

This is Halloween! This is Halloween!

Piles of pumpkins, flying crisp white sheets, black cats and spiders aplenty, there’s no doubt about it: the scariest night of the year is upon us!

As a kid, Halloween was one of my favourite holidays.

The candy, the candles, the spookiness, I loved it all… and to some extend, I still do & there’s hardly anything making me more excited than a good Hallow’s Eve-inspired moodboard!

After all, ‘black is such a happy colour‘!

Image sources: 1. Unknown – 2. via Myopia – 3. via The Davy Graves Aesthetic – 4. The Jewels of New York – 5. Unknown – 6. Dividing ME

Image source: As Above So Below

Image sources: 1. Unknown – 2. via Camille Styles – 3. – 4. The Rover Boutique – 5. via Fortune Tellers & Dreamcatchers – 6. via DARK

Do you guys have any exciting plans this Halloween? Mine include eating too much candy (any excuse I get, I use!), watching spooky movies and maybe befriending a black cat (or twelve)!

20 great recipes for a Summer Potluck

21-06-2016 Local Black Bookbarbecue, BBQ, party, party recipe, picnic, pot luck, recipe, recipes, round up, salad, salads, summer1 Comment

Summer is the perfect season to organise a potluck party.

If everyone makes a dish, it’s easier for everybody, right?

Well, it is. Up until the point when you have to decide what you’ll bring!

…and if you need a little help with that, the list below is just what you’ve been looking for!

Whether you said you’ll bring dessert or salad, and no matter what your cooking level is, there is something for everybody!

1. Guacamole

picture source

Everybody loves the guy/gal that brings guacamole. Simple as that.

And I won’t even make you the offence of linking to a recipe because nobody needs one.

What you do need is ripe avocadoes, loads of lemon juice, salt, pepper, Tabasco and everything else you might want to add.

2. Pimped-up hummus

You better practice your most mysterious smile because everybody’s gonna ask what you put in your hummus to make it taste that good (I won’t tell if you don’t).

Get the magic tips here. Want to take it a step further and make your own? Get the recipe here.

3. Tzatziki

This lighter version of the classic Greek tzatziki is ready in minute and the perfect accompaniment to grilled meats… And also delightful scooped up with soft, light pitta bread!

Get the recipe here.

4. Crispy bacon wrapped prunes

Sweet, salty and sticky all in one bite. If that’s not snack-fection, I don’t know what is.

Get the recipe here.

5. Radishes in soil à la Noma

For those times when your usual crudité platter simply won’t cut it and you need to take it up a notch.

Get the recipe here.

6. BLT salad

Ditch the bread & keep all the BLT goodies to turn the classic lunchtime sandwich into the best barbecue side there ever was.

Get the recipe here.

7. Tomato & feta crumble

Tomato crumble is a Summer supper game changer; the intense flavor of roasted tomatoes, combined with the slight sourness of feta and topped with a deliciously cheesy crumb-topping is simply impossible to resist.

Get the recipe here.

8. Hoisin watermelon salad

I am yet to try the duck part of this Gizzi Erskine recipe but watermelon being one of my favourite fruit, the salad has become a firm favourite and I make it any time I have an opportunity. Refreshing and satisfying, it’s a bit of a wild card that’ll be perfect to surprise your foodie friends.

Get the recipe here

9. Potatoes in foil with cheat’s tartare

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Particularly appropriate for a BBQ get-together. Simply parboil the potatoes until just about tender, then wrap each one in aluminium foil and throw in/on the barbie together with the meat to reheat.

Cheat’s tartare is the perfect (and lazy!) accompaniment for it.

Get the recipe here

10. Tomato & pomegranate molasse salad

My favourite recipe from Queen of Persian cooking Sabrina Ghayour’s debut cookbook, Persiana. It only takes minutes to put together but packs in loads of flavours and everyone I’ve ever made it for LOVED it.

Get the recipe here

11. Bacon potato salad

You can’t beat a classic, but you sure can improve it (with bacon. Bacon improves everything.)

Get the recipe here.

12. Very Greek halloumi/chicken

Marinate your protein of choice in this fresh, vibrant marinade packed-full of Greek goodness before throwing it all on the BBQ for an instant Mamma Mia effect!

Get the recipe here.

13. Tomato & tapenade tart

Get the recipe here.

14. Cheese plate & fresh bread

Cheese and fresh bread are right up there on the list of things any host LOVE their guests to bring to a potluck party. An especially brilliant news if you’re not quite so comfortable behind a stove, have no time on the day or are simply obsessed with cheese! Don’t have the first clue about cheese? Here‘s a handy guide!

15. Whole baked camembert

Add a chilled glass of white wine of the side and there you have it: the ultimate indulgence!

Get the recipe here.

16. The world best brownies

The name says it all. #WorldBestBrownies

Get the recipe here.

17. Mojito ice lollies

Mojito ice lolly from The Ice Kitchen

Fresh, zingy, refreshing and the very best way to sneak more mojitos into your diet!

Get the recipe (from ice lollies mastermind Ice Kitchen) here.

18. Chocolate mousse

Unlimited chocolate mousse? Count me in! #thedream

Get then ultimate recipe here or make a fancy marbled version (recipe here)

19. Lemon & poppy seed cake

We all have that one friend who doesn’t like chocolate…

Get the recipe here.

20. A big batch cocktail

Because a party with good food is good, but one with good food AND drinks is better.

Many cocktails are easy to make big batches of… but this Raspberry Wine Spritzer is the prettiest of them all!

What’s your go-to recipe for a potluck? Any of the ones above you want to try next time?

Stripes & Cocktails at Bunga Bunga

09-06-2016 Local Black Bookbar, Battersea, Bunga Bunga, Chelsea, cocktail, cocktails, Inception Group, italian, London, party, recommendation, Restaurant, review, summer, WandsworthLeave a comment

You can’t beat a girl’s night out.

Life often gets in the way, everyone’s busy, so it can be difficult to put a date in the diary.

But once in a while, when you do manage to get a group of your favourite people together for a proper catch up… It’s just magic.

It was Bunga Bunga, the infamous Battersea Bridge pizzeria & Italian-themed bar, which finally gave us all an excuse to get together.

It’s been going through a bit of a refurb’ lately (and it was a rather polemic one) so, just as you would with a girlfriend that suddently went platinum blonde, it was our duty to show our support.

But to be honest, I’m not sure why there’s been so much noise as it now looks better than ever!

Inside, they kept the same fun-filled, quirky bits…

Including the famous motorcycles on the ceiling.

And a whole lot of pickpocket-proofed bags!

And they went full-on Italian outside by painting the facade in red, white and green!

Plus they still serve the same great sharing platters…

Boasting all your Italian favourite nibbles, from arancini to bruschetta, polenta chips, parmigiana and much, much more!

Absolutely impossible to resist!

But the best part is the fantastico new cocktail menu.

All inspired by Italian regions and their world-famous ingredients.

And there’s nothing quite like cocktails to fuel long-overdue catch ups!

Even better when made and served by lovely, chatty bartenders in the most adorable stripped Tees.

Stirred, shaken and served in the blink of an eye!

Piemonte (Mount Gay Black Barrel rum, Fernet Branca liqueur, Mancino Bianco Ambrato vermouth, Peychaud’s bitters & home-made bitter syrup)

Veneto (Bombay Sapphire gin, elderflower syrup, fresh lemon juice, home-made sugar syrup & fresh green grapes)

Cocktails flying to nearby tables will make you want to get one of each.

Fear of missing out much?

Good thing the gondola driver/cocktail guys have made skills and are fast as lightning!

Marche (Dewar’s White Label Scotch whisky, Visciolata del Cardinale dessert wine, Amaro Averna liqueur, Luxardo maraschino liqueur, fresh lime juice & home-made maraschino syrup).

And cherry on top: a white chocolate covered cherry. Divine.

Lombardia (Bacardi Carta Blanca rum, Tia Maria liqueur, Amaretto Disaronno liqueur, home-made cocoa nibs & amaretti biscuit syrup topped up with double cream).

Pudding-worthy!

Lazio (VII Hills gin, Cynar artichoke liqueur, Frangelico hazelnut liqueur, fresh lime juice & home-made rosemary syrup)

SO fresh and fragrant and probably my favourite of the night.

Alongside some vino.

And a few old favourites…

Whisky, cherry and chilli concoction of dreams.

And a couple of Bunga Bunga’s iconic David Punch.

Going to Bunga Bunga can be a bit of a trek if you’re not an SW11 resident, but it’s one that’s very much worth taking!

Book a table, take a group of friends, the more the merrier. There’s great cocktails, delightful finger food and even karaoke, it’s very relaxed and always great fun! You’re going to love it!

Bunga Bunga, 37 Battersea Bridge Rd, London SW11 3BA

An Italian Hog Roast feast at Il Porco

05-12-2015 Local Black BookBattersea, beer, Bunga Bunga, cocktails, feast, hog roast, House of Peroni, Il Porco, italian, Italy, London, party, Peroni, pork, Restaurant, review3 Comments

Dans le cochon tout est bon.

Surely the masterminds behind House of Peroni & Bunga Bunga latest installation at L’Osservatorio are very familiar with this French proverb.

And they sure have proved it right with Il Porco: an Italian-style feast of all things porky.

Don’t be fooled by the grand, elegant surroundings.

Il Porco is truly a party where nobody will look at you weirdly for pigging out. Au contraire!

Bunga Bunga’s head chef Alexis design Naray has conceived an extraordinary three – course feast of pork delicacies to honour the noble and delizioso pig, served with Peroni Nastro Azzurro Alta.

Il Porco by House of Peroni and Bunga Bunga 8

More exciting yet, each dish is served with with an exclusive Peroni Nastro Azzurro cocktail.

Starting with the excellent Peroni Limoni.

Limoncello, peach liquor, lemon juice and Peroni, garnished with basil & cracked black pepper.

A wonder reminiscent of end-of-summer parties and one I fully intend to reproduce sooner rather than later!

Served alongside some Aperitivo classics such as pork scratchings, olives, salami & focaccia.

No matter how delicious all those are (especially the bread), make sure you save some stomach real estate, because you’re in for a real feast!

Nose-to-tail porky goodies everywhere you look!

Pig cheek arancini, slow-cooked shredded pork shoulder, garlic & rosemary pork medallions, pancetta-wrapped pork & apple sausages, slow-cooked sticky ribs, as well as the whole roasted porchetta.

Plus some pig fat roasted potatoes, aubergine parmigiana, celeriac remoulade & baby carrots for good measure.

Everything looks so good you won’t be able to wait to tuck in!

Piling it all up onto your plate will be a bit of a challenge, but one I was glad to take on!

The accompagnying Peroni Speziato (Peroni Nastro Azzurro with orange, fennel, black pepper & rosemary) was the perfect match for this feast!

Even though it’s quite a surprising cocktail, very unusual, savoury and aromatic, it worked really well with the pork (which I suppose is not that surprising since it was inspired by traditional Italian porchetta recipes)!

And when you think you can’t manage any more food or you might just explode, they bring out the brownies.

But not just any brownies. Bacon brownies.

Dense, caramelised and deeply chocolate-y. No matter how full you are, you have to try them.

Alongside came some cute little maple syrup ice cream cones.

On a gondola. #partygoals

With its subtle taste, it was the perfect sweet ending to a night of feasting…

And if you happen to drop yours onto your brownie… well, let’s say that’s the only time dropping your ice cream cone might lead to a very happy ending!

Il Porco will happen once a month, starting this December, at The House of Peroni L’Osservatorio, Bunga Bunga.

Surely the most Italian hog roast in London! Viva Italia!

Afternoon Tea at Park Tower, Knightsbridge

08-11-2015 Local Black BookAfternoon Tea, cake, Knightsbridge, London, luxury, nut, Park Tower, party, Restaurant, review, scones, Starwood, Starwood Hotels, tea3 Comments

With Christmas fast approaching, weeks are becoming crazier and crazier already.

So busy in fact that it’s becoming difficult to take time out to just enjoy something nice and relax.

Luckily, birthdays are nature’s way of reminding us to eat more cake, so afternoon tea was in order to celebrate Michelle’s (of Petite Tea Lover) & Binny’s (of Binny’s Kitchen).

So we all braved the rain and more-than-unhelpful Google maps and made our way to the Park Tower in Knighstbridge to forget life for a few hours over tea, cake, presents and giggles.

The Knightsbridge Lounge, where the afternoon tea is served, is one of the most beautiful rooms I have ever set foot in.

The walls are covered in flowering magnolia trees paying tribute to the ones flowering each year in nearby Hyde Park.

Complete with some of the comfiest, marshmallow-like chairs and delicate tableware!

A truly stunning room indeed!

Only matching for the truly stunning, nut-centred (almond, peanut, hazelnut, walnut, they were all there!!) afternoon tea that followed.

Starting with what might have been my favourite; a stunning, crisp and elegant mushroom quiche.

Made truly exceptional by a perfectly executed, paper-thin pastry case and the addition of toasted nuts complementing the wild, umami mushrooms brilliantly.

The sandwiches selection is rather classic, featuring British favourites, such as Salmon & cream cheese, Coronation chicken, Pastrami, and Egg and cress.

Simple but not boring, thanks to small twists to the old classics: walnut bread for the Coronation chicken (quite a genius move!), the addition of nori to the salmon roll, or this golden brioche encasing the eggs…