All That I'm Eating

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

Steak, Chips and Mushrooms with Maille Pepper Sauce

By 23 Comments

Is it just me that is prone to insatiable food cravings? When I get one I am unsatisfied (and sometimes unapproachable) until I have devoured my wanted meal. It could be cheesecake, fizzy cola bottles or pizza but most recently I had a desire for steak and I wasn’t going to stop until I’d eaten one. It can be a little awkward in some situations to try and explain to those near you that the reason you are frowning, grumpy and on edge is because you desperately need some smoky bacon crisps. I had my mind set on a juicy steak with peppercorn sauce and thank goodness that I only had to wait a few days to fulfil this particular culinary requirement. Any longer and I’d have probably alienated all my friends. read more

Rhubarb, Rosehip and Lime Fizz

By 20 Comments

I’m not sure if you’ve ever been in the designated driver situation where you end up at a soiree and the host assumes that the only guests not drinking alcohol are children? As much as I like Um Bongo it’s always a little embarrassing to reach the end of the carton and make that loud, conspicuous slurping noise while in the middle of a conversation. Down with this I say and hooray for the now bursting market that is adult soft drinks and cordials. I’m not sure why but all the ready-made ‘adult’ soft drinks available used to be either apple orientated or have grape juice in. I am really not a fan of grape juice; maybe because it tastes artificial to me and not at all like grapes. Not to worry though as this Rhubarb, Rosehip and Lime Fizz is a corker of a soft drink.  read more

Blackcurrant and Liquorice Lemonade

By 12 Comments

blackcurrant liquorice and lemonade
The next beverage in my adventures with Mr Fitzpatricks cordials is Blackcurrant and Liquorice Lemonade. The smell of this cordial makes me think of old sweet shops. I love blackcurrant; it’s my flavour of choice for the last sweet in the bag. Liquorice I’m pretty unfussy about as I don’t mind if it’s there and I don’t mind if it’s not. The cordial smells rich, dark and mysterious so I thought it would be an idea to mix it with something sharp and fizzy.

Ingredients

You will need (per glass):

  • Mr Fitzpatricks Blackcurrant and Liquorice Cordial
  • Lemonade
  • Fresh lemon juice

Method

This isn’t a complicated one to make but again it’s all about personal preferences. Add some cordial to the glass as much or as little as you like then top up with lemonade. Squeeze in a few drops fresh lemon juice to give it some tang.

I think the colour is fantastic; a lovely dark purpley brown. The fresh lemon juice added a freshness to cut through the rich liquorice and distinctive blackcurrant. I am a fan of a bit of fizz too so I really liked this flavour combination. This is very much an evening drink; a long one to have with a book or a good film.
Thanks to Mr Fitzpatricks for the samples. All opinions expressed are my own. read more

Sloe Gin and Tonic with Elderflower and Apple

By 16 Comments

sloe gin and elderflower
Those of you who have been reading my blog for a while will know about my penchant for sloe gin. I’m not sure what it is about infusing your own alcohol that I like so much. Perhaps it’s the romantic idea of foraging for food, connecting with the land and being able to puff out your chest in pride when you’ve picked a kilo of berries. It could be to do with the fact that I like gin. Either way, my second post about drinks looks at mixing up sloe gin with some classic British flavours.

Ingredients

You will need (per glass):

  • 50ml sloe gin (to make your own see recipe here)
  • 1/2 cap full Mr Fitzpatricks Elderflower and Bramley Apple Cordial
  • Tonic
  • Juice 1 lime
  • Caster sugar

Method

I was going the whole hog with this one, sugar crusting on the edge and everything. It’s easier to make the cocktail in another receptacle and then pour it into the sugar encrusted glass; much less risk of dribbling and dissolving. Start by squeezing the lime juice onto a small plate and putting a thin layer of caster sugar on another plate. Dip the rim of each glass into the lime juice and then into the sugar so you form a rather pretty (sweet and sour) edge to the glass. Mix together the sloe gin, cordial and tonic in a jug and then pour into the prepared glasses. read more

Hot Blood Tonic with Orange

By 13 Comments

hot blood tonic and orange
One of my favourite things to make is drinks. They are so simple and there is a world of flavours and so many combinations to choose from. I recently met a great company called Mr Fitzpatricks who make a range of interesting cordials. To make the most of their intriguing flavours I am doing a series of posts all about drinks. The first of four posts is about the curiously named Blood Tonic. It’s got a fantastic deep red colour and it smells of fruit and herbs. I’ve been a bit under the weather recently (and feeling terribly sorry for myself) so this was sure to cheer me up.

Ingredients

You will need (per glass):

  • Blood Tonic
  • Hot water
  • 1 small orange

Method

With the exception of water (and even then maybe not) people are very particular about how they like their beverages; strong, hot, milk in after and many other variations can enhance or upset our enjoyment of a drink. When it comes to making this concoction it is all about how strong you like it. For this unbelievably simple drink just dilute the Blood Tonic with hot water, squeeze in a little orange juice and then top with a slice of orange. read more

Tea and Me: A long term love affair and a review of Teavivre

By 15 Comments

Different teas and crockery
I have always had my tea in the same way; a splash of milk and never any sugar. Once, my Godmother tried to convert me to sweeten my tea. I determinedly told her I didn’t want sugar in my tea and when she put some in anyway I poured it into the nearest pot plant I could find and stuck to squash when visiting from then on. Things haven’t changed much and I can’t go a day without a cup of tea of some description. My collection of tea is comparable to a spice cupboard; indeed I have a tea chest from Bahrain which holds my rare and unusual varieties alongside my more mainstream leaves. I find tea as fascinating as some people find wine. I think the way that the flavour of tea can be affected by so many things really interesting; hot or cold, dry or damp, early or late picking can affect the appearance, smell and flavour in the finished tea. Then you’ve got all the flavours that can be added to the tea; Earl Grey and Jasmine being two of my personal favourites. I’m not sure I could ever get bored of tea so when Teavivre asked if I would be interested in trying some of their Chinese tea I had to say yes!

First of all I tried the Yun Nan Dian Hong which is a golden tipped black tea. The colours of the leaves are wonderful; they look like autumn. I was really surprised at how dark the colour of the tea was considering the lightness of the leaves. It was really full bodied but refreshing at the same time and not at all bitter.

The next tea I tried was the Bi Luo Chun which is a green tea. It smelled so fresh, almost lemony and the leaves looked extremely dainty. It tasted like I would expect for a green tea but slightly more rounded and complex than some of the others I have tried. read more


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