Leaving Leeds

Over two years of travelling regularly to Leeds has opened up many foodie opportunities. It seemed appropriate that my leaving party this week was held at the first place I ate out back in September 2012.  The Wardrobe www.thewardrobe.co.uk/ right opposite the Northern Ballet was the perfect location its raised area (bookable in advance) was just the right for a great celebration.

Memorable meals always with a crowd of good friends and colleagues have been enjoyed at Roast and Conch, Arts Cafe www.artscafebar.com/  Jamie's Italian and Brasserie 44 www.brasserie44.com/ to name a few.

Indian Restaurants stand out including AM Kitchen www.amkitchenandbar.com/ and recently Tharavadu serving food from Kerala and currently Trip Advisors number one Indian in the city www.tharavadurestaurants.com/ I can really recommend this one, located close to the station and buzzing with activity even on a wet November night.

Leeds is a great city for shopping and entertainment with the brand new Trinity Leeds right in the heart complementing the traditional splendour of the Victoria Centre and all the big names are here too.

One treat has been the morning walk to Quarry Hill through the fabulous City Market with its diverse spacious halls, street of butchers shops and spectacular flowers stalls.

Leeds is the perfect city for a short break. My recommended accommodation choice is Roomzzz www.roomzzz.co.uk/  this centrally located apart hotel has great studio rooms, wonderful staff and is excellent value.

Antipasto on Wood

There is something very attractive and rustic about presenting food on a beautifully crafted wooden board with the possibility turning even the simplest of fare into a feast.

A couple of weeks ago I went with three friends to the much recommended JoJo's Meze, Meat and Fish Restaurant in Whitstable Kent www.jojosrestaurant.co.uk/ located at the far end of Tankerton slopes with stunning views. What a great place from start to finish with a warm welcome and top service from all the staff to the quality of the food and the great value. We chose a mixed meze with meat and vegetarian options freshly cooked dabs with salad and a light chilled rose. The best tasting olives I have had for a long time and tasty bread completed our meal.

A few days later lunch in the sunny courtyard of Barista and Baker adjacent to London South Bank University with its fine array of sandwiches is to be recommended.

For the past two years I have been lucky to be staying in West Dorset at the time of the May Spring Tide Food Festival at Burton Bradstock Beach close to the Hive Beach Cafe www.hivebeachcafe.co.uk/ which is somewhere that deserves a visit at any time of year

At the festival I discovered the unique hand crafted wood work of Hamwood Crafts there is no web site for them but some great images available through Google. This beautiful Hamwood cheese board was just perfect for presenting a tasty late night supper.

Inspired by the Mediterranean colours and textures of our JoJo's experience August Bank Holiday entertaining led to a platter of meat and fish antipasto heartily devoured by hungry friends.

Ashford Farmers Market

It requires a degree of persistence to find your way to Ashford Farmers Market in the lower High Street.

As the entrance is flanked by the now boarded up Pizza Hut and a former soon to be closed Blockbusters it is certainly not a great advert for the historic market town but persevere it is worth the effort.

This is only the second month for the farmers market and which is small and a real gem www.kfma.org.uk/ Green and White canopies blend perfectly with the dappled shade of the towering lime trees shimmering in the sunshine and the cobbled streets, red geraniums, benches and fountain all add to the atmosphere in what is left of the old town.

You will find a good variety of food, produce and plants. Two stood out for me and both are new to the market this month. Sylvia and Terry Kentish Chocolates sylviaandterry.com/ locally sourced fresh cream chocolates, melt in the mouth macaroons and very fine samples.

I was also delighted to see Invicta Herbs www.invictaherbs.co.uk with the very knowledgeable Susan on hand to offer advice about my exceptionally thirsty Vietnamese Coriander a spicy hot salad leaf for Thai food which I bought from her a month or so ago at Godmersham Fair.

For a coffee or tea stop with a difference the fun and very reasonably priced Lil' Tea Tank "a little truck with big plans to bring tea, cake and a jolly good time to the nation" is a welcome sight.

The stalls have doubled since the July market and September 7 should be a date for your diary

A Taste of Vietnam

A couple of weeks ago a friend introduced me to Aobaba close to the cosmopolitan area of Elephant and Castle. This bright Vietnamese cafe selling authentic street food also has a small supermarket attached.

There was no food sampling on this visit but instead our curiosity led us to order Bubble Tea.  A Taiwanese 80's invention.

This was new to me and the web site tells more www.aobaba.com/ First you choose a tea base either black or milk, then your flavour Taro was recommended for us as "not too sweet" and finally a choice of topping either jelly or chewy tapioca balls which you drink through thick straws.  Would I rush back to try it again probably not.

I do plan to return to Aobaba though to try the food which was a welcome reminder of a visit to Vietnam a few years ago. This long thin country is one of contrasts. In the north we stayed in Hanoi a bustling city with french colonial influences. A mix in chilly February of colourful new year celebrations and an austere heritage.

A few days spent in Hoi An the ancient city in the middle of the country on the South China Sea was completely different a relaxed and vibrant world heritage centre full of sunshine and colours.

The food everywhere was stunningly good think fresh ingredients, bright colours, crunchy vegetables and vibrant herbs in abundance together with the classic Asian five flavour elements of sweet, sour, spicy, salty and bitter.

Finally here is my own version of Vietnamese Spring Rolls perfect with a chilli dipping sauce

Elderflower, Strawberry and Mint

Inspired by the excellent Beach Hut Cook www.beachhutcook.com/ and motivated by a proliferation of produce so much earlier in the year than usual I set to work on making a range of drinks including elderflower gin, raspberry and strawberry vodka and mint cordial.

I have to say I am really not too sure about my version of elderflower gin, it looked delicate and fragrant on day one, brown and unpleasant on day two and after decanting the colour of something you really don't want to drink.  I am sure lashing of sparkling wine will improve things though.

The raspberries have been amazing we pick a kilo every couple of days so there are plenty for freezing, ice cream, and sharing with friends. Steeped in vodka with a little sugar this looks good enough to consume straight away.

Strawberries in vodka are an experiment, great appearance and wonderful fragrance this will make the perfect base for those "Cocktails at Christmas"(see blog of 5 January this year) if it lasts that long of course.

The mint is succulent and plentiful and combined with lime has made a refreshing non alcoholic cordial. A few drops of natural "moss green" food colouring from the favourite Lakeland lifted the colour.

Caprese, Capri and Street Corners

I recently put together the most delicious Insalata Caprese. This is a salad from Capri traditionally comprising fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper. It was first made to resemble the colours of the Italian flag.

The recipe I adapted was from the inspirational book Fast Fresh and Simple by New Zealander Donna Hay which is full of recipes to remind you of summer.

The secret of this dish is the quality of the cheese. Mine was soft, creamy and quivered like jelly. It was purchased from the enticing delicatessen in Deal High Street oddly called "No Name Shop" which stocks a marvellous array of French produce nonameshop.co.uk

Of course caprese originates in Italy and making it got me thinking about a wonderful trip to Naples some years ago which included a ferry crossing to the Isle of Capri.

No visit to this region of Campania is complete without seeing the life and times of Pompeii the ancient Roman city at the foot of Mount Vesuvius.

What particularly sticks in my mind were the similarities to our life today "a takeaway on every corner" said our guide - picture the pitchers of wine on the counter and whole chickens hanging from the wall and there really was one of these on every street corner.

We made the most of exploring the steep, narrow streets of Naples finding local produce, market stalls and shops built into the wall selling religious artefacts and fragrant lemony limoncello. The food was exceptional with seafood and melt in the mouth pasta being especially memorable.

Favourite Spanish Places

Andalusia has started to become a firm favourite for a short break.  La Villa Marbella with its beautifully converted old town buildings and superb service from Marcos and his team means that we and others return again and again www.lavillamarbella.com/

There is plenty to do and see in this stunningly beautiful region of Spain think Moorish style buildings, Sierra Morena mountains, bull rings, flamenco, more sunshine than anywhere else in Europe and the classic towns of Cadiz, Seville and Ronda

Then of course there is the tapas. Its night one and our traditional first stop is La Taberna de Pintxo. We sit outside on high stools looking out on people strolling along the wide plaza and beyond that the
 sea. You help yourself to tapas inside from inside the bar picking from a wonderful wide selection.

In the more traditional cool narrow streets of the Old Town giant sherry barrels form the Tapas bar tables this feels authentic and more traditional. Octopus and thinly sliced serrano ham provide the perfect snack.

We had heard good things about Malaga old town in the heart of a sprawling modern city. The cathedral, palace, roman theatre and strenuous climb to the fortress filled an enjoyable few hours. The real highlight though was lunch.

Recommended by the marvellous Marcos, El Pimpi close to Teatro Romana was an amazing find. Packed tables inside and out, live music in the square and a general sense of fun and contentment. The baby squid was delicious and tiny deep fried whitebait served over melting red peppers and egg possibly the best dish of the holiday. We would return to Malaga for the El Pimpi experience alone.

Souks, Spices and Street Food

The sights, smells and sounds of vibrant Marrakech captivate and charm. There is so much to explore and experience. Visit early evening as the sun gradually sinks behind the Koutoubia minaret and the Medina in this walled city is bursting into life.

Snake charmers, musicians, acrobats, fortune tellers and henna tattooists entertain the throngs while the square becomes one enormous open air restaurant full of aromas to tempt and tantalise.

Behind the Medina is a shoppers heaven of the maze like souks. Ceramics, leather work, shoes, olives, mint, herbalists, wool, carpets, chickens and wonderful spices.

At dinner in the square we were crammed together on trestle tables watching the chefs at work while the smoke of the food stalls rises and music plays all adding to the mystical atmosphere

There was soft fresh bread, succulent olives and spicy tomato dip then aromatic vegetable couscous, and mixed kebabs all for a reasonable 140 dirham or £10 for two

Marrakesh is full of energy, colour and charm. The people are warm and welcoming. There is plenty in this walled city to fill a few days. Bartering in the souks is part of the fun and I am pleased with my purchase of these delicate tea glasses a reminder of a very enjoyable break in the sun.