THE ONE TO WATCH!!!

A chef definitely to keep your eye out for... Mr Saf Bayram x

http://www.flickr.com/photos/planetglyn/6742658501/in/set-72157623795737543

HELLO, CUPCAKE!

We all love a cupcake.. so here's my homage to the little lovelies!

http://www.dailyonline.co.uk/wp/hello-cupcake

VIVA VAL THORENS

A little piece I wrote for "The Daily Online"
Go on give it a read........x

http://www.dailyonline.co.uk/wp/viva-val-thorens

I'M STILL HERE!!!

I have to hold my hands up and admit I have totally neglected my poor little blog lately!! But I am still here...

Well we are coming to the end of our Alps season, and I am very much looking forward to going home for a couple of weeks and then an amazing summer planned. The kiwi and I are off to the south of spain for the summer!!! Sun, beach, tapas and sangria!! Life I don't think could get any better than that! I am so excited for all the amazing new colourful fresh spanish food. 

Time to get inspired....Andale Andale Arrrrrrriba Arrrrriba!

 

SAVOIE

This is the region of Michelin stars and luxury. Where holiday makers come to the snowy mountains to be pampered and treated like a celebrity. Chalets of the highest standard and beautifully plated food that almost looks too good to be touched. Masterpieces on a plate and creations made by the most skilled and talented chefs. Recognition is key here. Yes this sounds wonderful, and believe me it is, you cannot deny it, but this is not my Savoie.

I go to the local market every Tuesday morning in Le Place Saint-Pierre et des Victoires in Moutiers. The men and women show so much passion for their produce that to not be inspired and taken aback in awe by them is almost an impossibility.

As I arrive in the marketplace and push my way through the bustle of the shoppers, deciding where I will start, I realize I have been swallowed up by the colours and the smells. It feels as though I have been spun round with the tradition twirling itself all                                                                        around me like a fairground ride.

It’s wonderful getting back to the basics and seeing the produce in its natural form, in old wooden crates fresh from the farm. It’s so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of the exquisite restaurants that at times I need to be brought back down to earth and humbled.

 

I chat to a local cheese maker, who stands proudly at his stall overlooking the array of fromage he has on offer today. The huge Beaufort wheels are incredible to see, especially placed next to the cute baby Tomme cheeses he has delicately placed out. Until coming to France cheese was never my thing. Almost favouring the bland and the rubbery. But as I stand admiring the selection, I am eager for my own private tasting. These days I cannot get enough of it, and would never have believed I would have become one of those preaching “the smellier the better!” He tells me he makes them all himself in the Laiterie in his village. He has a photo frame hanging up of himself leaning into a huge churner, I’m amazed he produces all of this up in his tiny mountain village, inside I wish I could ask him if I could come visit, but I never do! Maybe I will be brave enough to ask next week! Today I am happy to settle for buying a large chunk of Reblochon, which is famous in these parts! The excellent quality local Reblochon come from the meadow grazing Alp cows of the Savoie region and will complete any traditional Savoyarde meal making it’s perfect sweet nuttiness ideal for the skiing institution of Fondue or Raclette. There are some children giggling and chattering away to each other while their mother looks deep in thought at the counter. I peek over the children’s heads and see them poking and prodding at a little red wooden cow. From now on this is the image I keep of these magical Alpine cows.

Armed with my cheese, I head towards the fruit and vegetables. The rickety old boxes and crates are filled with vibrant colours. Rows and rows of different produce, some looking like they have just been pulled straight out of the ground. I notice an old washing basket packed with carrots, still partially brown from the earth and dirt and with a beautiful dusting of snow all over. I imagine the old lady in her farm filling whatever she can get hold of with her freshly grown vegetables. It’s amazing to see. Over on a shelf some bright glass bottles catch my eye, I move closer to find out what they are, I have never seen them before on this stall. On closer look I realize that the ‘shelf’ is in fact two old drawers from a wooden cupboard, it makes me instantly smile, and neatly placed in it are bottles and bottles of soups, juices and sauces freshly pressed and cooked the night before from the fruit and vegetables on offer today. Nothing can get better than that.

A man walks past me dressed in a pink shirt and a black beret carrying a large jambon, a huge leg of cured ham, which when finely sliced is delicious and light. I have always wanted to buy the huge leg to carve away at at home whenever I’m feeling peckish but this is an art in itself and I don’t believe he would be impressed to see me hacking away at it with a kitchen knife so I stick to letting his skilled self do the slicing! I follow him back to his stall to see what else he has out today. It seems that today is about sausages. They are hanging above him while he hums to himself as he hooks up his leg of jambon. This couldn’t look more French if I had imagined it up in my head. Next to the sausages are what I am more interested in. Hanging up and in perfectly placed piles are the saucisson. Cured meat which comes in every variety you could possibly imagine. These solid rustic and rather aged looking sausages are what I couldn’t live without here. The flavours are inspired and appetizing and can range from anything from wild boar to blueberry, and to peppercorn coated to even ash flavoured. Some sound bizarre but I know not be put off as they are packed with rich, rounded flavours and the texture is firm. I am told that all their saucisson are traditionally made in one of the oldest ‘Salaisons’ in the region. I don’t doubt this for a second, as having tried many varieties in regions throughout France, the ones produced here are better than I have tasted anywhere else. 

Before I’m off home, I make one last minute dash to grab a baguette, rustic and crusty is all they do, no fancy choices or elaborate designs, just proper long French loaves. The type that by tomorrow morning will be stale, but with bread this simple and fresh, why would I have any left by morning?

The buzz of this market and the passion of the 

producers and growers are what make this market and what draws me here. The love and hard work that is put into everything I see here is shining for everyone to see. From the local people who make their weekly shopping 

 here to the curious tourists wondering why this region is so famed for their food. There is no surprise of the level of excellence in the restaurants high up in the mountain resorts, because with produce like this, having a Michelin starred menu or a basic homemade meal you know you are eating food how it was always meant to be. Pure, undamaged and made with passion and skill. My weekly market visit is one of pure anticipation, as there is no guarantee what will be on offer, that’s the pleasure of this market; the familiar faces of the sellers always stay the same but as the season moves on so does the produce.

PIZZA PERFECT

There's no getting around it the French are fantastic at food, whether is be Foie Gras, fromage or frog legs! Unfortunately no one I have found around here knows how to make a proper pizza! So far all I have come up against is thick heavy doughy bases and limited toppings! Even a well known worldwide takeaway chain left me less that satisfied! 

So tonight on the menu the Kiwi himself has decided to make a pizza.. and boy was it a pizza! 

Since being here in The Alps I have had many baking disasters!! Nearly every bit of baking has been enjoyed by the bin.. biscuits have come out as bricks and cookies as cakes! Something I have always found pleasure in at home and could do with my eyes shut has become a dreaded nightmare!! Seriously I blame the flour! Yeah yeah "a bad workman blames his tools" but I stand by it and will keep pointing the finger of blame! The thing is that here there are so many different types of flour that I'm stood in the supermarket completely baffled!! Hundreds of variations and number types! At home I'm a simple plain or self-raising girl! Confused doesn't even cut it!

So on a mission for a winner, the Kiwi and I were chatting to a local chef and he recommended type 55 for breads and pizza bases and type 45 for cakes, biscuits and cookies!! The success of the chocolate chip love cookies are still to be determined but as for the pizza base it couldn't have been more perfect!!
If you like thin & crispy pizzas then i defy you to find a better recipe! 

FOR THE BASE (makes 8 bases)
1 kg of Type 55 Flour (or plain flour)
20g yeast
400ml water
200ml olive oil
pinch of salt




We made up a large batch of dough and divided it into 8 individual bases, wrapped each one in clingfilm and froze them for when the urge of a night in with a pizza and a beer overcomes us! Not only is this much more quick and convenient, it also makes life a whole lot easier when it comes to putting the correct amount of yeast in!

We used Fala Yeast cubes, I am fully converted to how wonderful these cubes are, compact little cubes that do not leave that nasty yeasty taste! I am not sure whether these are available in the UK or if there is an equivalent, but as soon as I am home I will be ordering them online!

Dissolve the yeast (aprox half a cube) in the water , then mix in with the flour, olive oil and salt. Work into a good dough and leave wrapped in a damp tea towel to rise for half an hour!!
Once risen.. give it a quick little punch down and cut into individual sections and wrap and freeze the unwanted dough! One section was enough to feed the Kiwi and I! Roll your dough into a pizza shape, and as thinly as possible!! Ours was a few millimetres thick!!


Place onto some baking paper on a large baking tray and now comes the fun toppings!! We couldn't decide what we wanted so opted for a half and half pizza!! 


On the left we wanted something a little different so went for a creme fraiche base, grated emmental cheese, cut up little pieces of ham and then covered with slices and crumblings of goats cheese..all finished off with a generous drizzle of runny honey all over the toppings!! Please try this before you decide its not for you! It's delicious!!



And on the right we decided a bit of spice to complement the soft creaminess of the other half! Salami, chorizo, merguez and onions with a homemade simple tomato sauce. Cut the salami and chorizo and onion into small slices. The merguez needs to be sizzled in a pan for a few mins, so while thats on you can make your sauce. 2 tomatoes chopped up and chucked in a saucepan with some olive oil, garlic and chilli flakes. Add a teaspoonful of tomato puree and some mixed Italian herbs or fresh basil if you have it. Cook the tomatoes down until soft and saucey for aprox 5 minutes, season with salt and pepper and a little pinch of sugar. Give it a little squash with your wooden spoon to get rid of any big chunks that are still left and then you are ready to spread on your base. Sprinkle with the grated emmental, cut your merguez into bitesize pieces and arrange with the rest of the toppings. 


Place your pizza on a low shelf of a pre-heated oven at 225degrees for about 10-15mins. This will ensure a nice crispy base.


And then hey presto... perfect pizza pronto!

SPOILT GIRL

Very excited today!!! I have just had 3 parcels delivered in the post from my lovely best friend Saf (who by the way is one hell of a chef!) and my mummy! To my delight I have been sent 3 books - 'A year in my kitchen' by Skye Gyngell, 'Re-Inventing Food' by Colman Andrews and something I know all about 'Eating for England' by good ol' Nigel Slater! On top of that a belly bulging supply of naughty chocs and sweets and the cutest little red love-heart cookie cutters! Chocolate chip love cookies here I come!! 

But for now.. Its me, my choc and one of the books!

EENIE MEENIE MINEY MO! 

Hmmm now where are my pyjamas.....?

SAUSAGE FEST!!!

Do not under-estimate the power of a good sausage!!

I have finally made it out of the miserable grips of the Alps lurgy, and after a week pretty much under the duvet, I'm desperate to cook and more importantly eat! The weather has turned snowy and dark again, and some serious comfort food is needed. The Kiwi will be home at about 9pm and man that boy can eat, so, some alone time in my kitchen is much needed... and seeing he's been so sweet this week by rustling up a homemade veggie soup and bringing me an endless supply of cups of tea and chocolate whilst watching millions of episodes of 'Sex and the City' with me, (what a man!) I think a nice dinner is owed!

I miss good old English grub like sausage and mash! (that's for you Saf!) I once got Salmonella from a hot dog van but hey whats one dodgy sausage?! It'll take more than that to put me off the greatly underrated banger!
I find it difficult to find good sausages in these parts, at home they are so easily accessible from all supermarkets and butchers that the choice is limitless and we really do take how great they can be for granted! Unfortunately here it isn't so simple, that now popping out to get a nice pack of sausages really would be a luxury to me!!
Today I managed to find the choice of 3 types.. Toulouse, Merguez and Chipolatas.
I have decided to go for the Toulouse, as its the meatiest of the three, made from coarsely cut pork, wine and garlic.

I'm thinking a Toulouse sausage and lentil casserole with a thyme potato gratin...? 

I have just bought another book from my favourite food writer and cook. Nigel Slater 'The Kitchen Diaries'. This fabulous mouth-watering book is as much a great read as it is a cookbook, and it's as if Nigel knew I was gonna go all sausagey, because right there on P29 'Sausage with Salami and lentils'. Not only the excitement of a new cookbook but its Nigel's and a recipe of exactly what I was looking for! 

                                                                                                                                 Photo by Jonathan Lovekin
 

Here Nigel Slater 'salutes the salami'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2002/mar/03/foodanddrink.recipes



This meaty man food is perfect for the soon to be returning hungry Kiwi, it couldn't be easier to make and is packed full of simple rustic flavour that personally I can't fault it. Yes lots of other sausage casseroles swear by wine and stock, which do not appear on this recipe, but that gives it room to play around with another time if you feel like adding your own stamp to Nigel's recipe. Although..whats that old saying? If something ain't broke..then don't fix it!!

This one pot meal is complete with a fresh chunk of crusty bread perfect for soaking up that gravy...                                                                                                                                                                    

However, as I have noticed from eating out here in France, so often meat is served with a potato gratin on the side. And so embracing my French traditions of the Alps I will serve Nigel's casserole with this luxurious creamy herbed gratin!                                                                      


 

The gratin is simple to make.. thinly cut potatoes, cream, milk, garlic, with bay leaves and fresh thyme, seasoned and topped off with grated Parmesan and ...BAM... 
delicious dauphinois in under an hour! 






The great thing about this is if thyme or bay isn't your first choice of flavour then you can swap it to whatever takes your fancy! Perfectly adaptable for any mouth, and I guarantee there will be no complaints. So more-ish in fact that even after you think you are full you may well find yourself sneaking back into the kitchen for another forkful!


Nothing more to say, just warm, wintery and washed down with a nice glass of red! 
                                                        

BITING THE BULLET!

They say sometimes we have to just bite the bullet and get it over and done with! Well here goes (with a slight wince).. my first post!

Ok so the Kiwi has just gone to work; working the bars of the French Alps singing and playing guitar to tipsy cooing girls (its a hard life), and so I'm here now in my little French wooden house wondering what to do with myself. Aside from the fact I have got a ton of reading I should be buried in, I think I'm coming down with the Alps Lurgy! Inevitably all I can think about is my tummy, and considering the old saying 'Feed a cold' who I am to argue!

Yes yes a good old warming soup is the way forward, and having only the other day pre Alps Lurgy shopped with 'Potage aux Legumes' in mind, I will be honest and admit I would rather eat myself into a chocolate induced coma! 

     Alps style Hot Choccy anyone??

So Ok its not a food but it's obscene and indulgent and I can't think of anything else I would rather sit and sulk with..

Melt any good quality dark chocolate, I used a dark 60% cocoa bar, add single cream, caster sugar and milk! Heat through and stir until smooth!

Now depending on how much of a chocoholic you are you can choose the quantities for your personal taste... even enjoy a sprinkling of cinnamon or chilli for a tasty little kick!

Bid farewell to your grainy old hot chocolate because this Chocolat Chaud is the devil in a teacup!