Day Trip to Colchester Zoo

Me and my little sister, she 16 so not that little, found some vouchers on groupon to go to Colchester zoo, for £18.95?each with late night opening as well. We took the train up to Colchester, we booked a off peak day return ticket so that we had more freedom with our time. Getting into Colchester at 11.30ish meant that we had time to look around and get some lunch before heading to the zoo.

We decide that yates looked nice and not to expensive to try. Although the meals weren't badly priced the drinks brought the price up and we ended up spring around £18/19 here. £5.50 each for the fish and chips and £2.75 each for pint of coke and then a portion of onions rings. We had the fish and chips, there portions were very good as had 2 pieces of fish and a big portion of chips there were both very hot where as the peas were minimal and a little cold. My fish was alright but one of my sisters pieces tasted funny so we left that but as there was enough to fill us both up we didn't complain (maybe we should have..). The staff were friendly enough but wouldn't recommend going here, if we ever go to Colchester again we'll find somewhere that looks nicer.

Pesto Noodle

I love making myself lunch for work but sometimes it is just finding the time to do so. Quick and simple meals are something that I absolutely love as then I know what I'm eating and what's gone into it.

Serves 1 

Ingredients 

5 mushrooms, sliced 

1 Spring onion

1/4 courgette, thinly sliced 

1/4 jar of sundried pesto 

1/2 chicken breast (cooked and diced up)

5 stalks of long stem broccoli 

50-75g fresh noodles (or dried noodles cooked by the packs instructions) 

1tbsp soya sauce 

1tbsp Worcestershire sauce 

Method 

1. Cook the broccoli in a pan of boiling water or in a microwaveable bowl with water and cover with cling film for about 4-5 minutes, till tender, chop up to bitesize pieces 

2. Put oil in a frying pan and add the courgette for a minute before adding the mushrooms. Cook for a further 3 minutes till lightly coloured. Add the chicken.

3. Add the sundried tomato pesto, soya sauce and Worcestershire sauce and mix so the sauces combine . Add the noodle and broccoli and stir for 3-4 minutes and serve. 

Keep Loving Food

Karen

Café Nero, Tea and pain au raisin

I am a great lover of a good pot of tea and my usual haunt for a pot is cafe Nero as I know that they can make a hot pot of tea. I treated myself to a pain au raisin which was just how I like it flaky on the outside and soft and moist inside ,bordering on under baked. I usually go to the cafe Nero on gentleman's walk (near the markets for those know Norwich but don't know street names, like me) but today I tried the one inside house of Fraser in Chapelfields. The staff were friendly and polite but feel that they could of had an extra pair of hands as tables needed cleaning but only two staff were visible and they were dealing with the queue, doing a good job at keeping the queue flowing though. They had a 4 different muffins, 2 type of cake slices, and a few other sweet patisseries available but not the range that the other one has.  Over all I prefer the cafe Nero on gentleman's walk but this one is a nice hidden cafe in Chapelfields.

Keep Loving Food

Karen

Hartlands Fish Shop

I do love a good sausage and chips, however on a Sunday many chippy ain't open! But this one is, till 9pm (if memory serves me right). I can't say it's the best chippy as I prefer the chips at the frying machine down the road but for a ability they are great, plus it's on my route home so don't have to go out of my way. Their sausages are on par with most chippys, though grosvenors is still my favourite. I had a regular chips and a regular sausage and that was to much for my sister though just right for me, but maybe a little small for those with a big appetite so recommend getting a large if your really hungry. The staff were ever so friendly having a chat as my fries were cooking, apologising for the wait and really nice. I shall eat here again if I fancy chips after work as they are a good place, especially on a Sunday.

Keep loving food 

Karen

Cheese straws

My dad was complaining about all the sweet things I've been baking lately and why I haven't made cheese scones or straws. I decide that cheese straws sounded nice so found a recipe in Simply Baking by Sybil Kapoor. The recipe was simple enough but not cheesy enough for my dad so I would recommend adding extra cheese if you like cheesy cheese straws.

Rooibos Tea Cakes

I do love a good cup of tea and trying many types of tea but on of my favourites is Rooibos tea, or red tea as some people call it. So after finding a recipe for early grey tea cakes in The Hummingbird Bakery - Cake Days cookbook I thought that it would be good to try a rooibos tea adaption, as there were variations for peppermint or fruit tea in the book. I had some tea laying around I gave them ago and was very pleased with the outcome.

I always half the icing quantity that that cookbooks say as I find that they make far to much and can always make more if I don't have enough. My recipe below uses half of the cookbooks ingredients for the icing and yet still covered all 24 cakes.

7 Heaven Burger & Waffle

I saw this place advertised on groupon so decided that me and my other half would try it for half price burgers. Now what I didn't realise was that it was just for the burger, chips and other add ons are extra. Whist this is good if you just fancy a burger I'd rather just have a meal.

The restaurant is in the centre of the city giving it a prime location for customers. If you know Norwich it is near the market and Jarolds. It is a small establishment with around 6/7 tables but the decor is nice and inviting and a little rustic.

Bitesized Rose Scones

Scones have not been a strong point for me, however with a little practice I'm sure that I will get the hang of them one day. I used a recipe from National Trust Simply Baking by Sybil Kapoor, which had a plain scones recipe as a base and then some adaptations underneath. The adaption I tried was for Rose Scones. This was as simple as adding 1/2tsp of rose water/ flavour to the milk before mixing it into the flour. However, you really have to be careful using rose water/ flavour as can be extremely strong and overpower the bake. No more than 1/2 tsp (maybe a little less) is advised.

Although I have made about 24 bite-size scones, 8 larger ones can be made from the same quantity of dough. 

Recipe Below

Pact Coffee

I'm not a huge coffee drinker but my other half is, so we like to have coffee in the house.Whilst I have been told that I can't make a good cup of instant coffee to save my life, I can make a good cup of freshly ground coffee. I found an offer to try pact coffee and have been sharing and inviting friends ever since, it's a bonus that I get my next bag for £1 instead of £6.95 for doing so. Although this isn't instant coffee I was lucky enough to  borrow a small cafetiere from my parents in which I could brew this coffee. I don't have a coffee grinder but you can order coffee beans whole or have it ground for you. Now with this coffee my boyfriend can wake up with a good cup each time.

The coffee is a little expensive but it tastes really nice and even I will have a mug or two occasionally. Each 250g bag is £6.95 with the exception of their Limited Edition, which is £8.95. The website says that each bag will make approximately 15 cups of coffee but in my experience they make more so not bad value for money really, just depends how much you like nice coffee.

Healthy Start to the Day

I used to be a serial breakfast skipper but one looking into weight loss and healthy eating a couple of years ago, I realised that it was a key part of my diet and a really good started my day. It really helps me keep full till lunch. Since then I have always had breakfast (unless I have a long lay in till 11-12ish then I have lunch straight away). 

Since I started having breakfast I used to loved sugar coated cereals but after finding and experimenting with granola/muesli and fruits I started having a healthier option. Calories wise my healthy breakfast always adds up more that a normal bowl of cereal, but tastes so much nicer and I get in a good portion on fruit to boot.

Fresh Doughnuts

                                                   

My boyfriend told me that I couldn't make doughnuts as of the dirty oil but armed with fresh oil for the deep fryer I ready to attempt them! For a first go I think it went rather well. I found a doughnut recipe in John Whaite bakes book and the Great British Bake Off (which one) book they were both the same recipe except the method was written slightly differently as well as the type of filling they used. So I used John Whaite bakes.

                                       

Crispy Chicken, Onion rings and homemade Chips

This is a rather unhealthy meal, but being unhealthy in moderation is a nice treat now and then. Just going to try and be good the rest of the week.  

My Boyfriend decided that he needed to change the oil for the deep fat fryer so thought it would be an awesome opportunity to make deep fried chicken, and to go along side this homemade onion rings and chips. I found a recipe to follow in Gordon Ramsey's Ultimate Home Cooking recipe book for Buttermilk Chicken and Homemade Chips. 

I made the chicken in batches and I changed my cooking method for the second batch. For one, the deep fryers temperature was too high the first time and made the coating very dark and chicken only just cooked (I don't want to give anyone food poising). Therefore I put the chicken in the oven after the coating tuned a nice golden colour to cook the chicken thoroughly. The onion rings and chips worked well first time though. 

Recipes for Crispy Chicken, Onion Rings and Chips Below

Sausage Roll and Mash With Onion and Mushroom Gravy

Haven't had a good sausage roll in ages so decided to make one! Found a recipe in The Constance Spry Cookery Book that I bought over the weekend, it recommend using flaky pastry so that's why I did. But I didn't just want a sausage roll so I served it with mash and a lovely reduced gravy. This made a good size lunch and I absolutely love how the gravy absorbs the onion/garlic and mushroom flavor as it reduces down.









Recipes Below 

Sausage and Chips - Grosvenor Fish Bar

There are two fish and chip shops with an eat in restaurants within Norwich city centre... That I know of and three fish and chip stalls on the market (2 long standing ones and 1 newish one).

Now the market stalls are the cheapest options and there are 2 really good, long standing ones. One is Ron's and the other is Lucy's, personally I always go to Ron's as they do battered sausages and Lucy's has an un-battered one, but whenever I go to the market there is usually a queue for both. The other one is Chip and Dip and is relatively new and not as popular. 

The two
restaurant style shops in the city centre are Orford Plaice and Grosvenor Fish Bar! Now I have tried both and I have to say Grosvenor's chips are much nicer and the atmosphere is better... however Orfords Plaice is more central being next to Debenhams while Grosvenor's is down the lanes which is a little further out. I haven't had a chance to compared their fish yet but their sausages are around the same quality but Grosvenor's has three sizes. These two establishments are pricier than the market stalls but still really good value.

Grosvenors Menu has items that you'll find in most chippys but they also have specials giving them a good range to go along side their chips including squid, tuna, mackerel and Shark nuggets! I really need to try more of these but I always end up fancying a sausage.

Butterflies Coffee Shop - Norwich Camping & Leisure

Came to this little place inside Norwich Camping and Leisure, Blofield, Norwich with my grandparents as they had previously been here for lunch and said it was good. We were lucky to get a table for four as was very busy at 1pm. It was pouring with rain and was nice to sit inside (however there was a small leak in the roof and a small amount of rain got in). The coffee shop was inside the Camping centre which was made out of a small brick building and an extension made of what I would describe as an industrial greenhouse, this is where the coffee shop was located. 

They had a counter that was filled with homemade cakes. There was a wide range and
we had plenty to choose from if we wanted a sweet treat. There were chocolate tarts, Victoria sponge, coffee cake, carrot, cake, a giant batternberg, millionaire shortbread and some pies, as well as some flapjack looking things.


There was a good selection of sandwiches, jacket potato and some quiches and salads for lunch. I had a pot of tea whist my sister had a cloudy lemonade as they had a decent range of drinks but it wasn't the cheapest place I have eaten in but brilliant if you wanted to look around the camping and leisure centre.


More about Butterflies Coffee Shop Below...

The Ferry Inn

(Used a picture from markee13 off trip advisor to show the restaurant from across the river, all other photographs are my own.)

Went here for dinner with my grandparents, sister and other relatives for a carvery which was a nice change as haven't had one in ages. Although this was a little out of the way, about 30 minute drive from Norwich through Wroxham, it is in a lovely place for a drink or meal by the river.

More about the Ferry Inn below...

Spiced Egg and Chicken Wraps

Following and adapting Gordon Ramsey's spiced egg and spinach breakfast wrap recipe to create a nice and filling wrap (Chicken Leg was an extra addition as my boyfriend thought would be good as well as to use up the left over chicken)

This recipe is extremely easy and pretty quick! It is very much a scrabbled egg curry in a wrap, I was surprised the the textures worked well together and would happily attempt again and make variations. 

Recipe Below 

Cherry Bread / Cake

Found this recipe on Pinterest which sent me to the recipe online:

http://www.averiecooks.com/2014/02/sweet-soft-cherry-bread-with-cherry-almond-glaze.html

I had a jar of morello cherries to use up as they started to ferment, and I do not like wasting things if I don't have too. It is a cake that has the outer texture of bread which is different but very nice. Cherry and Almond is a classic flavor combination that I love.


This recipe made 1 loaf and 6 cupcakes and used all my cherries up which was brilliant. Unfortunately my cherries were fermenting so they didn't hold their shape and there wasn't any cherry pieces throughout the loaf or cupcakes. As well as that they tasted a little alcoholic which I didn't mind but I wouldn't give any of this cake to children (I'm sure if you use non fermented cherries it would be better).

Recipe Below  

Vegetarian Bean Burger

Was not sure what to have for dinner decided to look through my cookbooks for something easy and that I had all the ingredients for, which is not as easy as you may think. I had no meat except bacon defrosted so I felt really limited to what was available to me. I'm impressed with how vegetarians and especially vegans can find such a range of tasty food to enjoy. I had a good range of basic ingredients in the house which meant that there is always the ability to create something.





I came across a bean burger recipe in my 'Easy Vegetarian Dishes: the Family food collection' from Love Food and thought they sounded nice and I had all the ingredients in the house! I thought I'd give give the vegetarian dish a try, not a comfort zone for me as I love my meats but was worth the try. The burgers themselves (They are also vegan!if using vegetable oil and no bun)

Serves: 2 big or 4 small burgers... (Recipe Below) 

Chinese Takeaway - Royal Dynasty

Parents were away so me and my little sister treated ourselves to a takeaway (we never have take away when parents are home) so ordered in a Chinese take away from just eat. http://www.just-eat.co.uk/restaurants-royaldynasity-nr3/menu 

They had the standard array of food available from a Chinese but me and my sister opted for the set ment B for 2.

Spring roll (2)
Sweet & sour chicken ball (10)
Chicken with mushroom
Special fried rice (2)(medium) 

That came to £14.50 and £1.50 delivery. Usually I don't like paying for delivery but there didn't seem to be any better options for a Sunday which was surprising and £8 each wasn't too bad for what we got, but I have had cheaper. 

The chicken balls were alright however ...

Fresh Apple and Blackberry Pie

I love this time of year as there is so much fresh (free) fruit out there. Down my road there is a bunch of blackberry bushes on public space which I have been picking from since I was little. Fresh free fruit is so much nicer than shop bought ones (which are usually £2 for 150g in tescos). The great thing about Norfolk is that there is a lot of country side road which are packed with blackberry bushes ripe with fruit in August. The photo shows just some from down my road.
 

                                            

As well as free fruit from around the neighbourhood my boyfriend has an allotment where he has some apple trees, I would highly recommend an allotment if you love fresh fruit and veg as it's just fantastic. Well I would say that as he does all the work growing the food, but then again he does enjoy my baking so works out well. So along side free blackberries I had free freshly picked apples. 

Caramel Shard Cookies

I have to say these were the first cookies that I have baked that turned out looking like shop bought ones!

Got this recipe from John Whaite bakes as wanted to bake cakes but ran out of eggs (I know what sort of person who loves food runs out of eggs...) so flicked through and came across these.

My boyfriend for my birthday bought me a cooking thermometer which I haven't had a chance to use yet made the idea of attempting caramel even more tempting. With 100g of caster sugar and 3tbsp of water I set to work, I say work I mean mixing sugar and water and then heating on a high temperature it till it turned a lovely amber colour (watch it when it becomes light Amber as can burn quickly) before pouring it onto a baking sheet. I'm not sure I did mine right as still had sugary lumps but I didn't burn it! This made a lovely thin caramel shard, and yes I did play with a little bit of caramel making it all stringy which was very fun. 

Once that had cooled, I broke it into small pieces and added to a cookie dough (I followed the one in the book, see below, but any cookie dough would work). Had to be very careful as felt like I was mixing glass into the dough as the broken caramel can be very sharp. 

                                           

       

Recipe below 

My first blog

My name is Karen and I am one of those people who absolutely loves food, I'll happily try anything once (and more than once if it's really good). Cooking, baking, eating out, eating in I just love it!

My world almost revolves around food, I'm always thinking what will I be having for my next meal or where I could try next! I am one of those people who hunt for offeres and discounts so that I can afford to try so many new places and when I find these deals I am happy to share them with you!

I usually browse through www.groupon.com, look on the bookatable app and if you live in Norwich the spree vouchers have a good range of offers. I do love a good bargain!

As well as eating out I own a wide range of cook books and love adapting their recipes to create wonderful meals and treats. I do have a sweet tooth and baking is something that gives me great pleasure in attempting, not everything goes well or looks like a 5* dish but at the end of the day as long as it tastes good and people enjoy them I'm happy.

P.s. So happy Great Bristish Bake Off back! 

Keep Loving Food

Karen