RED HOT RICELLA SALSA

So as with every Christmas I got a great selection of new cookbooks as presents. Two of my favorites were Nigella Lawson's new offering and Rick Stein's Road To Mexico. Both are fabulous and both also contained a recipe for a roast tomato salsa. I didn't know which one to try first so I decided to bang both the recipe's together to create a "Ricella" salsa (see what I did there!). I've taken the red peppers from Nigella's recipe and combined them with the lime and coriander leaves from Rick's and the combination really works well.

HANDMADE NO FRILLS GORGEOUS GUACAMOLE

Now I know I’ve already posted a recipe for guacamole before but this is my new take on the Mexican sauce to try and be a smidge more authentic having been inspired by Rick Stein's TV series about his road trip to Mexico. It’s a simple guacamole without any bells and whistles that you bash up using a pestle and mortar followed by a fork before seasoning to taste. No machines used here which is a good thing as your guacamole not only tastes better with its more interesting texture but also because you know you’ve put the effort in! 

SPEGGY MERBLES

What are "Speggy Merbles" I hear you cry? Well that's our affectionate nickname for spaghetti and meatballs of course. We love Quorn meatballs in our house and frying them up with some garlic, onions and roasted red peppers before simmering them in a herby tomato sauce is one of the simplest and quickest mid-meek meals to rustle up when you can't be bothered spending hours in the kitchen. Those merbles and sauce have to be served with a good helping of spaghetti though. Having merbles without the speggy is quite frankly; criminal! 

LULLY VEGGIE LASAGNE

One of the most comforting meals you can have in my eyes is a vegetarian lasagne but it can appear like a bit of a faff to make one especially after you have had another long hard day at work. That is just not true with my lully vegetarian lasagne. OK, it does require a bit of work but that is only really in the preparation of the yummy Quorn mince, tomato and pepper filling and the cheesy white sauce. Once it's layered up and in the oven all you need to do is sit back, relax and wait for this lully little treat to bake. Result!

MARVELOUS MEAT FREE BBQ "PULLED PORK"

I'm always looking around for meat free alternatives of my favorite meaty dishes to make so I can enjoy them with the vegetarian at home and recently I've been noticing "pulled pork" made from jack fruit popping up more and more online and in magazines. I really didn't understand how a fruit could taste like pork but upon giving it a try I completely get it. Jack fruit breaks up into little strands to create that pulled pork effect and flavoring it by slow cooking in a homemade BBQ really does work. It's a revelation!

PERFECT PESTO PASTA

I've been getting a bit more adventurous lately when it comes to trying food that I thought I didn't like. I did it with satay when we were in Singapore (I now love the stuff!) and this weekend we decided to make some homemade pesto to see if it's better than the ready made stuff that I don't like. Well I like basil, garlic, lemon, pine nuts and parmesan so why wouldn't I like them all blended together. Turns out homemade pesto is well lush, super easy to make and I'm gutted I've been missing out for so long.

PIZZERIA MOZZA SINGAPORE (MATTYB RECOMMENDS)

Our adventure overseas continues now with the second week of our holiday were we ventured over to the vibrant and beautiful city of Singapore. We came armed with our guide book and when we didn't have any luck finding any food in the Little India area of the city we decided to venture to the glorious Marina Bay Sands and it's shopping area where you can find Pizzeria Mozza. Described as having "pizza crusts to die for!" and with our love of pizza we just knew we had to go and visit them to find out for ourselves.

"MELT IN THE MIDDLE" CHEESE AND ONION POTATO CAKES

These cheese and onion potato cakes came about when I was trying to make a vegetarian version of a fish cake on Good Friday this year. I wanted to make them really special and so with some leftover cheese in the fridge I set about making a delicious potato cake with an amazing melt in the middle cheese filling in the centre that would explode over the plate once you cut through the golden panko breadcrumb coating. They take a little work to make but trust me when I say that it is really worth the effort. Who knew potatoes could be so exciting!

GRILL ON THE ALLEY MANCHESTER (MATTYB RECOMMENDS)

It wasn't the first time that we had visited Grill On The Alley in Manchester when we visited last month however when we received an email that they were offering discounts on table bookings so that people could sample their new menu and with a visit to the city planned, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to give them another shot. So, off we popped with our reservation ready to see what delicious new treats they were serving up this springtime.

PROPER DIRTY LEFTOVER CHILI ENCHILADAS

Whenever we make a chili con carne we always have loads leftover. A batch we make can last three days sometimes if we go all out! Just having chili and rice for three days straight would be boring though so you need to think of ways to breath life into it each evening. Enchiladas are a perfect way to do this. Wrap your leftovers in tortillas, cover in a tomato based sauce, cheese and fresh herbs and voilà, your chili is transformed into something new right before your very eyes. It's proper dirty but proper delicious!

FLAT IRON SQUARE LONDON (MATTYB RECOMMENDS)

This is a recommendation that's a bit outside the norm now as its not so much a restaurant that I'm writing about but more a foodie venue. We strolled past the Flat Iron Square on Union Street in the Southwalk area of London last weekend and it was packed full of people drinking and generally having a good time. Intrigued as to what was going on we gave it a quick google and found out that as well as hosting weekly flea markets, many small vendors sell their foodie wares here as well. Looking for somewhere to lunch the next day, we decided to stroll over and see what was on offer.

LUCKY BEACH BRIGHTON (MATTYB RECOMMENDS)

You can't really visit a British seaside resort without taking a stroll along the prom and treating yourself to a portion of battered fish, chips and mushy peas. During our recent weekend break to glorious Brighton and having walked a gazillion miles hunting the brilliant Brighton Snow Dogs we decided to take a little break to enjoy a lunchtime nibble. The arches under the prom that line the seafront is home to  Lucky Beach and as we strolled past we couldn't help but be enticed in by their tasty looking menu.

STREET N4 FINSBURY PARK LONDON (MATTYB RECOMMENDS)

We're back in the big smoke this weekend and with tickets to see a show at the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park we needed to find somewhere nearby to have  pre show nibble. How lucky for us then that Street N4 should be located right next door. When we saw that it sold burgers and burritos we were instantly sold so off we popped on the tube to go and see if the food tasted as good as it sounded.

QUORN SAUSAGE, BACON AND EGG "MAT"MUFFIN

Having cooked vegetarian food regularly for at least ten years now it's always great when I see a new meat substitute product come onto the market. Quorn's latest offering is a sausage patty that instantly reminded me the type you get in a certain fast food chains breakfast muffins. I couldn't wait to try and recreate them using this exciting new product alongside the already popular veggie bacon strips and the humble egg. Cook them and pop them all on a toasted muffin and you have a scrummy vegetarian breakfast treat

THE SWAN BANKSIDE (MATTY B RECOMMENDS)

I couldn't think of any better way for a foodie to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death then having a spot of lunch at The Swan on London's Bankside. Practically attached to the famous Shakespeare's Globe theatre, this bar/restaurant caught our eye as we strolled along the length of the Thames last week with it's tasty looking menu proudly on display by the main entrance. That night when we got back to our hotel we booked a table for two at 2pm the next day. Would the food taste as good as it sounded in writing? I couldn't wait to find out!

Firstly, points for The Swan's team calling us two hours before to confirm our reservation. A lot of places rely solely on online bookings nowadays so it was great to get a bit of human acknowledgement of our booking. When we arrived at The Swan on a sunny bank holiday Monday afternoon we were greeted with warm smiles and taken straight up to our table even though we had arrived early. It looked like nothing was going to be a problem for this friendly team.

The dining area upstairs is a absolute delight! The whole far side of this area is practically window offering gorgeous panoramic views of the Thames, St Paul's cathedral and other famous landmarks and on a gorgeous day like this one it was a stunning sight. The windows give the whole dining room a great sense of space and light pours into the room making it so warm and inviting. The decor had modern elements such as the exposed bulb lighting whilst wooden elements to the furniture and in the flooring hark back to Tudor design. Both styles meld together very seamlessly without being gimmicky.

We had decided on having a spot of lunch today washed down with a refreshing glass of cloudy lemonade but it appeared a lot of the other diners had come for the popular "Midsummer's Night Dream" afternoon tea. It looked a treat; three tiers of delicate sandwiches, scones and a top tier of some gorgeous little cakes and shot glasses of some moussey looking things washed down with pots of loose leaf tea, prosecco or a "love potion". The tea is served in some beautiful looking Midsummer's Night Dream tea sets which I'd quite like to own myself. I've got my eye on this for the next time we visit.

I suppose by saying there will be a next time I've given away that I'd like to come back. Well, it's hard for me to disguise this fact as the food was stunning. Our first starter was the tomato gazpacho which was delicious. A fabulous cold soup perfect for a warm day like today. You could taste the freshness of the tomatoes in every drop. Add to it some pesto, a drizzle of oil and crunchy croutons and you'll find it difficult not too scoop up every last drop and you'll find it difficult not to scoop up every last drop with the freshly cut bread served up from the centre of the dining room.

Our other starter was also fitting for a spring afternoon, a fried duck egg served surrounded by a delicate arrangement of broad beans, spring onion, pea shoots and sliced baby radishes and finished with a drizzle of oil. Not only was the plate visually outstanding (so much that I didn't want to touch it, it was so beautiful) but once you cut into that vibrant yellow yolk and allow the golden insides to ooze out all over the tender veg then the dish really comes alive. Loved the little crispy bits of egg white too, just how I like a fried egg! It was that good I didn't want it too end!

But end it did. It's OK though as it was replaced with a beautiful beef Wellington. I prefer my steak rare but I know this isn't quite possible with a Wellington but the plump steak served inside the perfect pastry as still gorgeous and cut like butter. The jus though! That Madeira and red wine jus was the best "gravy" I have ever had. It was packed with such a deep intense meaty flavor (slightly oxtail like) that was so good I could of quite happily poured it straight into my mouth. The carrots and buttery cabbage, as scrumptious as they were on their own didn't stand a chance as they were dunked head first into this immense sauce. Out of this world!

Our other main was another vegetarian stunner of roast halloumi, English asparagus and Jersey royals. Love a Jersey royal and these bad boys were so buttery and soft. The asparagus was tender with a bit of a bite too them and the halloumi was perfectly cooked and minus the squeak that dodgy halloumi can have. Large circular pieces of charred onions added another layer of flavor to the dish alongside the "mystery" sauce. The sauce isn't highlighted on the menu so we had no idea what was in it but it was fabulous and I'd love to know what it was. As well as tasting stunning, it is also a right looker on the plate. Perfection all round.

Did we go on for pudding? With food this good it would of been rude not too! First off the block was an old favorite of ours, the bakewell tart. I love baking a bakewell tart but I love eating them more and this version did not disappoint. The pastry was crisp and buttery and topped with a layer of fruity jam. The frangipagne body of the tart was soft and moist and melted in the mouth. Served alongside it was a spoon of Devon cream that took me right back to childhood memories of holidays in the south west with it's intense creamy smoothness. The definition of a Great British bake on a plate.

Finally, along came this lemon and almond cake served with pistachio ice cream and lemon curd. Kind of a "textures of lemon" dish in a way. The slices of lemon set on top of the cake were super sour and very sherbet like. The cake was so moist it practically oozed lemon as my spoon glided through it. The pistachio ice cream was smooth and creamy whilst the little nibs of nut and biscuit crumb give the plate another texture to explore. I thought they were a bit stingy with the curd but once I tasted it I understood why. The little blobs practically punched you in the face with their intense flavor. For lemon lovers this is paradise on a plate.

What an amazing lunch this was. I was more than happy to pay the bill which came sat inside a book of Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida. Such a cute way to add a final piece of theatre to the meal. I can't recommend The Swan enough. The literary history mixed with the stunning views and location, warm and friendly staff together with the fabulously presented traditional dishes all combine together to create a dining experience that the Bard would be proud of. Whether your coming for afternoon tea, lunch or dinner you will leave with a full belly and a big smile on your face. To go or not to go? The answer is most definitely a resounding YES!

Find out more about The Swan head on over to their website. Do yourself a favor and book a table today!

THE MUSSEL AND STEAK BAR EDINBURGH (MATTYB RECOMMENDS)

When you're planning a trip to a new city you can spend a long time looking on the internet for fabulous places to eat but sometimes you just stumble across places when you're walking around and that is what happened on a recent trip we took to Edinburgh. Hunting out a place for a birthday dinner, we saw The Mussel and Steak Bar and the menu looked really tasty and special and so later that evening we walked from our hotel with empty bellies and high expectations ready for some of Scotland's finest seafood.

RED HOT BUFFALO CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS

If  I had to eat one type of meat for the rest of my life it would have to be chicken. It's my go too meaty treat (particularly when I'm a bit worse of wear after a night on the cider!). It's so versatile and can be turned into many a delicious dish, such as these finger licking buffalo chicken drumsticks. These chicken drumsticks are coated in some seasoned flour and then deep fried so that they are super crispy before getting tossed around in a buffalo sauce which can be as spicy as you like (although for me, the hotter the better!).

"ACCIDENTAL" CHUNKY RANCH SLAW

I love a good homemade coleslaw, whether it be trying to emulate my Nan's classic slaw or a minty chili version, they always taste so much fresher than the stuff you buy in packets from the supermarket. This chunky ranch slaw was never meant to be a recipe on here but came about by accident hence the name. We thought we had a bottle of ranch dressing that we were going to use to coat our slaw but upon finding it had in fact been binned we had to create our own. The result was too good not to share with you all!

QUICKIDY QUICK TZATZIKI DIP

Tzatziki is another one of those things that I really thought I didn't like, mainly because I'm not a fan of cucumbers. However when I made this Greek dip from scratch at home I was once again won over by an old adversary, it was delicious! I think the key is to remove some moisture from the cucumber before mixing it with the yoghurt, lemon, garlic, herbs and spices so that they have a bit of crunch and add texture to the tzatziki and preventing a sloppy mess. It certainly helped in making the only Tzatziki I've ever enjoyed!

PRONTO PASTA SAUCE

Pasta smothered in a tomato sauce! Why that's one of our favorites over at MattyB Bakes towers. Sometimes when you don't want the heaviness of a bolognase or a lasagne, a chili, garlic and basil flavored tomato based sauce with a few mushrooms and little sweet peppers topped with soft and stringy mozzarella is all you need. The best part of a pasta sauce though is that you can knock one up in less than 30 minutes. Perfect for busy folk or when it's a day when you just need something no frills and delicious.