The Botanical Kitchen
Recipes, travel and the occasional rant
I was introduced to this lovely honey at a foodie event last year. I had it on a salty cracker with some lovely manchego type cheese. It was incredibly memorable and incredibly moreish.Pasilla Oaxaca Chillies The honey uses Pasilla Oaxaca chillies from the Oaxaca region of Mexico which is about five hours from the Pacific […]
I was rather frightened when my lovely friends suggested a night out at The Grand Central Oyster Bar. I’ve only had oysters twice. Once in a very loud bar whilst very drunk which resulted in me being very, very sick and once in Whitstable Harbour – a much more pleasant experience that I can actually remember. Anyway, it […]
A few months ago at The BBC Good Food Show, I was invited to meet the Barber family and learn about their cheddar. I’m a sucker for good British produce and even more of a sucker for family businesses so I could not resist. I was greeted warmly by three lovely gents from the Barber […]
I’m starting to feel the excesses of Christmas and all this dreary drizzle has really put me off going outside for fresh air and exercise. I’m inspired by all the raw food posts and detox meals but I still find myself drawn to baking, cups of tea and a good book by the fire. That […]
It’s becoming a ritual attending BBC Good Food Show to shop for Christmas presents to myself and meet up with fellow Great British Bake Off Contestants. This year we had tea with Paul, Mary in the very specially created Great British Bake Off Tea Party Garden. My girls are still big fans of the show […]
Half term week was wet, windy and miserable. Except the day my girls descended on Yeo Valley. It was a gloriously sunny day and we had been invited to have a go at The National Trust’s ‘50 things to do before you‘re 11 ¾’ activities. The collaboration is running until January and you simply pick up […]
I’ve tried a lot of fruit and vegetable box schemes but the challenge of living on a main road and working full time means it’s difficult to always be around for delivery or feel confident my box won’t be stolen by the time I get home. So I’ve resorted to growing my own and using […]
I have a love hate relationship with Bombay. (Yes I know I should say Mumbai but it’s always going to be Bombay to me). The first time I visited I was terrified! I was eight years old and there was simply too much hustle and bustle for my little head to cope with. The second […]
Yum Yum Thai in Stoke Newington has been around for a long, long time. The restaurant is now very well established in this trendy corner of North London in an old Georgian building. I was invited to taste dishes from the summer menu by owner, Atique Choudhury. On arrival we were greeted with a light […]
I never thought I would accept an offer to review a book which is essentially from a steakhouse – one in Australia to boot. I was assured that there would be lots of veggie dishes and fish based food and indeed there is. It’s written by Neil Perry who shares his trials and tribulations of […]
The Riverford Field Kitchen has been on my ‘must visit’ list for some time. It’s set within the beautiful grounds of Riverford farm and visitor centre in Devon – a pretty idyllic place to eat and while away the hours. It was a glorious summer’s day when I visited but I rather liked the idea […]
I must make a confession. I had few friends until my second year at university. I was quiet, shy and completely worldly unwise. I only spoke when spoken to in class, handed my homework in on time every time. Class A swot. But life changed a little when I moved away from home. The catalyst […]