Lost in Translation

J and I have been getting a frozen pizza from our local supermarket, "Where Shopping is a Pleasure". We really like it, it's pretty good quality for frozen pizza. There is a problem, however,when you try to follow the cooking directions:
I think it would be stating the obvious to say that I think it is imported...

Food Memory: A Day in the Cotswolds

Three years ago, while in England, J and I spent a food filled day with my favorite English friend, Jane.

We first had lunch at one of my favorite pubs in England, the Howard Arms in Ilmington. Their menu changes weekly, due to their use of local, seasonal foods. We have had many memorable meals there. Two of my favorites were a chicken and white wine tarragon sauce, and Gloucester Old Spot Pork with a mustard/cream sauce. One this occasion, I opted for the Steak and Ale Pie. If memory serves correct, it had a suet crust. They have a fantastic selection of cask ales and keg beers, along with smaller independent ciders. I had a lovely cider that day, but can't for the life of me remember what it was called.

After lunch, we headed through Broadway, a picturesque village in the Cotswolds to Snowshill Manor. Jane was car sick by the time we got there, so sat out, but J and I had a walk through the house. I've been there many times before, but it's a place I could never grow tired of. In the care of the National Trust, it is a traditional Cotswold house, built of golden yellow local stone and set on a hillside above the Vale of Evesham. The gardens and views are stunning, and the house holds the most fascinating collections I've ever laid eyes on. Some of the collections include old fashion toys, bikes, doll houses, and 26 suits of Samurai armour.

Afterwards, we went to have cream tea at the Snowshill Lavender Farm in the Cotswolds. It is located at the top of Snowshill Village, just up the slope from the Manor. Sadly, I didn't take any photos of the cream tea. I think we were so blissed out by the smell of lavender that wafts you as you come up the hill, that it didn't even occur to any of us. The tea consider of tea, lavender scones, jam, and clotted cream. They scones were divine, but a little dense in texture. After tea, J went to the car to listen to Five Live and Jane and I went to have a roam around the garden. It was heaven on earth. The lavender was breathtaking and the scent was so strong. There was a house close by that had a laundry line on the edge of their property, boarding on the garden. This would by my absolute dream place to live! Sadly, after recently viewing their website, I don't think the tea room is open anymore. The farm and shop are still there, but at the time we weren't overly impressed with what the shop had to offer.
If ever in the area, I'd still go up to the farm for the blissed out experience. They have a National Trust tea room at Snowshill Manor, so would have to have tea there.
For more info on the Howard Arms Pub: http://www.howardarms.com/index.html
For more info on Snowshill Manor: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-snowshillmanor.htm
For more info on Snowshill Lavender Farm: http://www.snowshill-lavender.co.uk/cm/

Product Review: Quorn Gruyere Chick'n Cutlets

I can't recommend this product highly enough. It is absolutely divine, the texture is light, the breading crisp, and the cheese... aaahhhh. It is an absolute favorite of ours, and at this time is only available at our local Whole Foods, so I stock up every time I'm there.

If you're not familiar with Quorn, it is a meat and soy free product that is high in protein and fiber, which is made by processed edible fungus (similar to mushrooms). It uses egg whites as a binder, so is not suitable for vegans. I first had it about 11 years ago at a vegetarian friend's house in England. She was making fajitas and I was really impressed. While living in England, this was a staple in my diet in the form of chick'n cutlets, patties and the ready made meals, most notably was chick'n tikka. It was around 2002 when I first started seeing it in the US, along with tons of articles on how it wasn't safe to eat as it would cause severe stomach reactions. While I'm sure it can (as can fish, peanuts, and eggs if you are allergic), I had never had any adverse reactions nor had know anyone who had. I had many vegetarian friends in the UK who ate this at almost every meal, with no problem what so ever. The bad publicity prompted me to e-mail Quorn to let them know how happy I was that their product was available in the US, and that I hope that had great success. This e-mail was followed by an unexpected "Quorn" canvas bag, and a generous supply of coupons. While I wasn't expecting anything, this was greatly appreciated. In my opinion, this company not only has a great product, but excellent customer relations!

Cooking with Friends: Birthdays and Barbeques

Today I would like to wish my friend Gloria a very happy birthday!!! Happy 3-0!!!

Gloria is truly a girl after my own heart, she is one of my top 3 of all time favorite eating and drinking friends. A few weeks ago she invited me over for an afternoon of food, gossip, and loads of wine. In honor of my upcoming trip to France, we went for a French theme. We started with quiche, cheese, veggies, delish golden beets, salami, olives and loads of little nibbles. It was all very good, and my only regret was that so was the wine and conversation, so much so that I forgot to get photos. I did have my favorite canine boy, Hashi, on my lap most of the time, so that's my excuse.

After a little swim in which my inner 8 year old got to shine with flips and hand stands, Gloria grilled the most amazing chicken. She had marinated it for several hours in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and Herbs de Provence. I'm drooling just thinking about it now! It was cooked perfectly, so juicy and tender. Gloria is truly a woman who knows her grilling!

Places I Eat: Citrus Cafe

This is a lovely place for lunch in downtown Sarasota. The menu consists of quiche, soups, salads, and sandwiches, with several daily specials. The last time I was there I had a goat's cheese salad that was absolute bliss. Strangely, it was under the "Starter" section, not "Salad" but was very substantial. I was headed to a job interview, so opted out on a glass of wine, choosing the fresh squeezed lemonade instead. With the addition of a few squeezed lemon slices, it was to my level of tartness, perfectly complimenting the goat's cheese, leaving me a very happy girl.

543 South Pineapple Ave

Sarasota, FL 34236

941.957.0432

Product Review: Duke's Mayonnaise and Cholula Hot Sauce

~ Ok, I admit it, I'm a sucker for advertising. While not a huge mayonnaise eater, there was a recent advert for Duke's Mayonnaise saying that it was the official mayonnaise of the South, or something to that effect. There was a man saying that it was what his mother used and it is the secret ingredient of his prize winning potato salad. I might add, he looked like someone who'd know a good potato salad when he sees it. That was all it took for me to scope it out in the supermarket. I was impressed with the ingredients, easier to identify than most commercial mayonnaise, so I bought it. It was pure mayonnaise magic, and I'm now a convert! In the first week or two I made dill potato salad, macaroni salad, all these "American" classics I don't usually eat, just to use this blissful new-to-me condiment. Since then, the novelty has worn off, so I'm back to a healthier consumption level of mayonnaise, high cholesterol need not be a worry.

~ Then there is Cholula Hot Sauce. I don't really remember where I first tried it. I only know that I now cannot live without it. It is the best hot sauce, in my opinion, and I eat it on almost everything. It is sheer bliss on a black bean taco with fresh cilantro, or on any sort of taco for that matter. It also seems to be the sauce of choice at most of our local Mexican restaurants, which are actually run by Mexicans and not some corporation that has as much to do with Mexico as Pizza Hut (and their 'Tuscani' pasta) has to do with Italy.

~ Just recently we mixed the two together for our favorite "Buffalo Chicken Baguette" and it was divine! We have also made if the official sauce for our Fried Green BLT's.

~ The last time I went to buy Duke's I accidentally picked out "Whipped Salad Dressing" instead of mayonnaise. This was on a day that they had wine sampling throughout the store, which probably is the reason for this happening. It's my excuse anyway. Now while I have no idea what "Whipped Salad Dressing" is, it wasn't horrible and is very similar to salad cream that you get in the UK. It was tangier than mayonnaise, so probably just has more vinegar. While I would sometimes choose vinegar over oxygen, I think I'll get regular mayonnaise next time.

Nigella's Pork with Cider and Mustard Sauce

The other week I was on a "Nigella Express" kick. After making the Chicken and White Wine Sauce with Bacon, I tried this recipe that uses two things I love: Mustard and Cider!

We liked it, but it was a little too similar to the chicken to have had the following night. As with the chicken, in an attempt to make a little more sauce, I added cream cheese, though not as much as in the chicken. I've got a jar of pink peppercorns that I wish I would have thought of. It would have been a nice addition to add them, slightly crushed.

Like the book, I also served with gnocchi. I've only had gnocchi twice, once in Italy and the second at a local "authentic" Italian restaurant. The ones I used were store bought, imported from Italy, but left me feeling a little deflated. The ones I've had previously were like divine little pillows of potato bliss, while there were heavy and stogy. I'm not sure if this is to be expected, or if I had overcooked them? Anyway, I think I'll leave gnocchi to the experts!