All That I'm Eating

Recipe ideas for budget meals, everyday cooking and a little indulgence. Travel inspiration and restaurant reviews too.

A week in Wales

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I have just come back from a week in Wales. We went to a place where there is no phone signal and not even a hope of connecting to the internet so you have no choice but to properly relax and get away. Holidaying with the family is always good fun; lots of meals in, walks and catching up on silly things. This is what I got up to over the week and, if you’re heading off to mighty Wales, I hope it gives you some ideas for what to do.

We started up in Snowdonia National Park staying in possibly the strangest hotel I’ve ever been to. It was one of those hotels that time forgot; apparently the cleaner forgot some of it too but when has dust ever hurt anyone? The room was nice but it was like a gadget bomb had exploded in there and each individual piece of technology had adhered itself to a socket or wall. No idea what any of it was for. The shower deserves a special mention for being (literally) out of this world weird. There were lights on the outside, inside and all over the place; nozzles, knobs and buttons everywhere and doors that wouldn’t have looked out of place on a spaceship air locker. On the plus there was a radio in there but it would only tune to white noise. Never mind. Despite its many, many options for water temperature, angle and point of exit it was a surprising disappointment; not much more aggressive than a thick fog. read more

The Dundas Arms Kintbury

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The Dundas Arms Kintbury Menu

This was a gifted meal.

The Dundas Arms in Kintbury had a bit of an overhaul a few years ago; a bit of redecoration, a spruce up in the garden and more. It has recently come under new management and I was invited to try out their dinner menu. I had been for lunch a few days before and I liked what they served (classic Ploughman’s and sandwiches) but I wasn’t prepared for the dinner menu (and food) to be quite as good as it was.

I was in one of those terrible dining situations where I was looking at the menu but as it all sounded so good I couldn’t possibly choose what to have. Then they came at me with the specials which threw a spanner in the works. I distracted myself by looking at the wine list; a good selection by the glass and an even better range by the bottle. Couple this with some local beers and slightly more unusual spirits this is a great pub for a drink. read more

New in the kitchen August

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Mash Direct Vegetable Burgers Pack

I know it’s technically September now and I’m slightly delayed in posting this but better late than never! I had all sorts of different things arrive on the ATIE kitchen table in August; burgers, soup, yoghurt and gin. All from some fab British companies. Take a look at what was new in the kitchen in August.

Mash Direct Vegetable Burgers
Mash Direct are based in County Down making all sorts of vegetable and potato products using older heritage varieties of veg (which they grow on their farm) in their dishes. I tried out their Vegetable Burgers with Cabbage; bread crumbed mash filled with broccoli, carrot, cauliflower, cabbage and parsnip.
I was really surprised how fresh the vegetables tasted and the balance of flavours was lovely. I cooked mine in the oven but you can also grill or BBQ them according to the pack; served in a nice fresh roll with mayonnaise they were surprisingly filling. I would definitely look out for these again as well as the other products they make. read more

Brew It Yourself Book

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Brew It Yourself Book

When I heard about Brew It Yourself I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy. I have made a few infusions in my time, almost always involving gin, so I was looking forward to seeing what Richard Hood and Nick Moyle (aka Two Thirsty Gardeners) had put in their book. It’s been a while since I’ve opened a book up and not known which bit to look at or which recipe to try first but everything in Brew It Yourself sounds so tempting and completely achievable.

It’s a good sized book, which may sound a little odd, by which I mean it’s not too bulky but includes plenty of information and recipes. It’s divided into the following sections: read more

Crab and Boar Newbury

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This was a gifted meal.

The Crab and Boar near Newbury is in a lovely location; surrounded by rolling Berkshire countryside. Inside the pub it’s slick and modern but comfortable too. There are plenty of big squishy chairs and sofas to relax in around the bar and the layout in the restaurant means you get the background hubbub of noise without feeling like people can overhear you. A few weeks ago I was invited to try out their evening menu and I was looking forward to it as I had heard lots of good things. read more

Summer Green, Smoked Bacon and Potato Bake

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Potatoes, sliced and baked with cream have to be one of the best things ever. At least in my opinion. Maybe a little bit of garlic, or some sliced onion, even some smoked bacon added for extra deliciousness. Although undeniably tasty they always feel more suited to the colder months than in the middle of summer. Don’t worry though, I’ve found a way round this; and I had a swanky new baking dish to try out. By adding some summer greens and using a lighter sauce my summer green, smoked bacon and potato bake fills that dauphinoise hole perfectly. read more

New In The Kitchen July

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New Products in the Kitchen - All That I'm Eating (1 of 5)

It’s been a really varied month in the All That I’m Eating kitchen this month with all sorts of different things to try. Luckily I’ve been able to enjoy most of them sat outside in the sunshine!

First up I tried the new Butter and Mint flavoured crisps from Tyrrells. I wasn’t quite sure what the butter would be like on the crisps and whether the flavour would come through but they tasted lovely. Especially outside on a Saturday evening waiting for a BBQ! Minted and buttered new potatoes are always welcome as far as I’m concerned so I think these work really well as crisps. read more

The Pheasant Lambourn

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This was a gifted meal.

I’ve driven past The Pheasant at Lambourn plenty of times but had never actually been in. I went a few weeks ago to try out their dinner offerings. It’s in such a lovely location; rolling fields all around and because it’s Lambourn a subtle equine theme throughout the pub. I thought they had a really good selection of wines by the glass (5-6 red and white) and some fantastically expensive bin ends too; something for everyone. I went for a pinot nero which was really good. read more

Mushy Peas Potatoes and Ham

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Mushy Peas Potatoes and Ham

I absolutely love peas. For me, a life without peas isn’t worth living. I moved house late last year and I don’t have a freezer; no more emergency frozen peas for me. Happily it’s pea season now so lovely fresh peas are popping up in the veg box, at the farmers’ market and in the garden. If there’s one thing I like even more than peas it’s mushy peas. So for a deliciously easy summer dinner my mushy peas potatoes and ham is perfect.You will need:

  • Lots of fresh peas, podded (at least one mug full, the more the better)
  • 500g Jersey Royal potatoes, scrubbed, any larger ones halved or quartered
  • A few thin slices cured ham (I used Serrano), roughly torn
  • A couple fresh mint leaves, shredded
  • Small knob of butter
  • Salt and pepper

Start by podding the peas. This is one of my favourite kitchen jobs, no sarcasm. read more

Elderflower, Cucumber and Mint Gin

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Elderflower, Cucumber and Mint Gin - before adding gin

I love this time of year in Britain; when the weather is getting warmer and warmer but it hasn’t quite got to the muggy stage and it’s still nice and cool at night. There are flowers in the hedges and the fruit has started growing on the trees; most of my time is spent outside and as far as I’m concerned, shoes are optional. I have done plenty of cooking with elderflower in the past and it seemed an ideal time to try out something slightly different and obscenely summery: Elderflower, Cucumber and Mint Gin. read more

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