Change of Scene

Food...food...food...how I adore you.

Did you realise that? Possibly. But sometimes, it's not all about the food ya know, which is why from tonight I am opening up my blog for a little bit. I fancy a slight change, and as I say, a change of scene.

Now don't freak, the food is not dying a death - it will definitely still be the most important part of the blog, but every now and then a little bit of change may just sneak in.

Just thought I'd let ya know!

'Till next time.

Vegetarianism

Vegetarianism...You either are one, think the followers are total freaks, on the border and considering the leap or would never possibly put yourself through it.

Well, I am proudly, one of them.

For the past 11 years I have been a almighty vegetable-only kinda gal. My Mum hates me for it and my Dad tries to stuff chicken down my throat every chance he gets, but other than that it's easy going.

Becoming a veggie at such a young age was tricky, and to be honest, sometimes, it still is.

You go into a restaurant and can never seem to have quite as good a meal as your fellow diners. Sure a tartin may be nice every now and then but I'm a professional with tartins and, let me tell you, you can only mix it up so far.

At home it's more of a breeze. I am eternally grateful for Quorn's mince and although I am not a fan of any soya-based type veggie alternatives, I am perfectly able to create something wonderful. Now I have never understood the people who choose to eat Quorn's piece of lamb. From what I can remember, it tastes scarily like the real thing. I don't want to eat lamb and I don't want to eat the fake version either.

But the benefits so outweight the downfalls. I have no doubt that I am healthier thanks to not eating meat and I am certain that this will stand me in good stead. I am an animal lover. Completely over-the-top, get out of my car to help a duck out of the road, kind of woman. And so, choosing not to eat its fellow companions every night makes me feel, well, that little bit better.

Why choose to eat meat when there are so many wonderful and fun alternatives to be had? I quote often get the constantly repeated question: 'isn't it really hard?' And the truth is, well, no. It's just one of those things you fall into and never want to get out of. Meat does not turn my stomach but neither would I choose to eat it again.

Fear not I am not one of those freaky-meat haters who will not even cook the stuff. I will never say no to cooking meat for friends and family, but you will always find me having something a little bit different.

I am an avid follower of animal welfare charities such as PETA, WSPA and SPANA. The thought of suffering animals just turns my world upside down and I know that we can prevent it. When I was young and immature, I had these incredibly ambitious dreams that one day, everybody would see the error of their ways and become vegetarians. And, well, I have grown up a lot since then.

If you are not willing to give up meat, for perhaps even a week, then change the way you select your meat. Get your ass down to your local farmers market or shop instead of picking up a cruelly-raised chicken on the shelf of your local chain supermarket. Or perhaps, pick organic and always pick free range. Trust me, it makes a world of difference. To you, and to them.

Now give it a thought over. Try it for a week and see how you get on. Trust me, it is not as hard as it seems. Every now and then I drop in a sneaky little veggie dish on here. I will show you just how simple it can be.

Appetite for Healthy Eating

So it took quite a while for my New Years resolution to kick in. But, alas, it came round and slapped me in the face on Sunday.

Every New Years eve I openly declare that I will 'attempt to lose some weight' and every New Years day it goes down the toilet.

But this year I am really going for it. I have purchased possibly the toughest weight loss DVD known to man...

(Available from Amazon)

...and I am going to damn well lose some weight.

You know the feeling when your jeans start to get that little bit tighter and you stand on a scale and almost have a heart-attack? (Slight over-exaggeration, but you know - for emphasis) Well, that.

So my family have created a weight-chart of shame...(Yes, you really cannot do anything alone in this house)...

...and our weights will be filled in every single Monday.

So the fight and race is on for, well, biggest loser.

But fear not, you do not have to dump all your fav foods. Well yes, crisps and snacks do have to go out the window. But just think how much better you will feel when your J Brand legging in black velvet fit that little bit better...

(Photo from J Brand)





Baked Camembert - Anyone?

Slit along the middle

200°C for 7 mins

= EXCELLENCE

I Have a Confession to Make

Like all people, I love good food. By good food I mean homecooked, well-made, cared for and loved grub which has come straight from somebody's heart into my mouth.

And like a lot of people one of my favourite types of food is fine dining. You know the type, it appears infront of your eyes and the idea of 'fish and chips from the chippy' on the way home pops into your mind. By the end of the meal you are surprised at how full you actually are. You leave minus ridiculous amounts of money and set off home.

Other types of food I love include home-cooked food. The rough-around-the-edges but smells oh-so-good type. Have you seen that Lurpak advert? Well, exactly that.

But I have to make a confession. Even though I am quite the foodie. I do also have a soft spot ... for ... well ... food that isn't necessarily fine dining, or home-cooked but the type of food which you eat in those restaurants that you can be out of in half an hour, tummies full, calories picked.

Aggh. Did I just admit that? To all those cooks that say they don't eat regular food, well firstly you are liars and secondly why the hell not? 'Everything in moderation' as my Mum always says.

Slaving over your cooker every night is literally impossible. Who wants to come home from a long day at work and be sweating over pans every single night of the week? Not me, I hear you say.

So once in a while I will allow you this slight indulgence. Now do not get carried away, I know it tastes good but it's only a once-in-a-while type affair. It's a love 'em and leave 'em type.

Forever yours, Nando's ... The Chef Wore Chanel.

Ramsay's Best Menus

When it comes to cookery books, I pretty much have them all. You name it, you can find it in my kitchen.

Delia, Nigella, Jamie ... Oh how I adore you.

But there always seems to be one chef which I always keep my eye on. Mr Gordon Ramsay. His cookery books just seem to be like no other. They are easy-to-make, fabulous recipes. Which look, but more importantly, taste ...  great.

So you can imagine my delight when my Mum gave me a little surprise on Christmas day.

Ramsay's Best Menus is one of Gordon's latest books which now takes pride of place on my cookery stand.

The recipe book is a flip-type book which allows you to select and choose which stater, main and sweet takes your fancy.

Meals include Panzanella, Sticky Lemon Chicken and Lebanese Fritters.

Sounds good to you? I know it does.

So pop along to your local book store, superstore ... anywhere that sells books and grab yourself this perfect little find.

Hello 2011

First of all I would like to start by saying a very happy new year to you all:


"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called "Opportunity" and its first chapter is New Year's Day."
 - Edith Lovejoy Pierce

I am sure there were a lot of sore heads and swollen bellies this morning and I can assure you, I certainly had the latter.

Last night, along with my family I went along to one of my favourites, for a little fine dining: Raphaels in Bath.

Menu options included:

Welsh Seabass fillet with sautéed King Scallops & Tiger Prawns with a lightly curried salsa Verde butter.

Aswell as:

Pan-roasted Pork fillet stuffed with Butternut Squash, Leek & Sage wrapped in Parma ham with Red wine & roasted Pear sauce.

You can see both in the photos above.

As always the food was incredible and the service was top-notch. It really could not be faulted – it is one of my favourite places to visit when in Bath for an enjoyable lunch or perfect dinner.

Happy New Year, here’s to a successful 2011.

The Chef Wore Chanel --x