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