tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70356045851406700742024-03-12T16:20:14.608-07:00Queen of MarketsMarkets, seasonal recipes, food jottings and moreUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-70393433404776939592015-11-12T10:58:00.000-08:002015-11-12T11:17:43.156-08:00Carob<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I never thoughts I'd be writing a piece about carob. Especially after seemingly abandoning my blog for so long.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here's my memory of carob;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sandra Boynton's <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chocolate-Consuming-Passion-Sandra-Boynton/dp/0894801996">lovely little book</a> about the history of chocolate in which she compares it to carob thus;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A scratch and sniff picture of carob comparing it to soil.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Carob bars turned up in dusty health food shops in the 1970's and '80's at a time when chocolate was seen as unhealthy (horror of horrors). It tasted awful. The carob not the chocolate. Of course we all know better now. It's sugar that's evil and chocolate that's good. Carob got left by the back door.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fast forward a number of years to an ice cream maker in the Algarve. There amongst the usual flavours was fig. almond and carob.I tried it, I liked it, much to my surprise. On previous trips to the south of Portugal I'd seen carob for sale in markets. Now with new awareness it was everywhere; carob jam, carob liqueur, paired with figs of course, and in cakes and puddings. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As a crop it's been grown for thousands of years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If like me you've always thought of carob as the poor relation of chocolate give it another chance. You may be pleasantly surprised. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Better people than I have already <a href="http://catavino.net/history-alfarroba-carob-portugal/">written extensively about carob</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Next time I'm in Portugal I'm looking forward to trying more carob products. I still don't want to eat it as a chocolate substitute because that way lies disappointment. But as an ingredient in its own right? </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pA2kopIX9bg/VkTdO92XjxI/AAAAAAAAAGg/fs_C8APHe0Q/s1600/carob%2Bice%2Bcream.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pA2kopIX9bg/VkTdO92XjxI/AAAAAAAAAGg/fs_C8APHe0Q/s400/carob%2Bice%2Bcream.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Carob, almond and fig ice creamCheryl Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02737977122155432186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-39046720436678448372014-08-21T08:57:00.000-07:002014-08-21T10:48:22.215-07:00Tomato<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I've just found a strange
little piece I wrote in 1990. I was living in a new town where</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> the age of consent had just been lowered to
40. It hadn't</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> really, I just invented that, it was still 45. I was bored and lonely, and the elderly man next door had given me a few of his allotment grown
tomatoes. That entire summer before moving, I’d been entrenched in a restaurant
kitchen prepping ingredients. The scent of a tomato had brought back a memory
which triggered this piece.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Years later, there I was
cutting up tomatoes taken from a bag on which was written ‘grown for flavour’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Slippery acid red sweetness.
Pile high on the chopping board. Intense smell, condensed smell from memories
childhood picture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Half a tomato on the yellow
and black patterned table. A tomato cut into eight. The knife eases through red
juice, creating swirls of pips on the Formica. Like a bird, I'm waiting to be
fed, I want to be fed. Feed me daddy. I don’t remember him doing anything as
carefully, fragrantly as parting the flesh from the skin, blushing glowing
particles roll and fold under his nails.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Tiny coffee spoon comes
towards my mouth. Did I like tomatoes. I liked the ceremony. The skilful
separation of edible from indigestible. The attention. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Memories are so complex, and
tomatoes are just tomatoes. The memory scent never hit me till now. This
summer, cutting up tomatoes. Tinned tomatoes, my hand reaches into giant tins,
crushing them into sauces and purées. Spanish, English cherries, gardeners delight.
Green striped tomatoes with polenta. Dried Italian tomatoes, saturated in the murky
yellow depths of olive oil, sweet and intense. Ovals of tomato, the curved
shiny end, that’s where the smell, the memory holds. Acute, acid, saccharine as
sick. I hold it up to the light in the steam of the kitchen and watch the veins
in their woolly prison, delicate and attuned to their fate. Guilt traps me. A
kitchen is no place for the admiration of nature and artistry is in creation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Memories are so complex, and
we can’t always do what we wish. The only place in my room for the desk is in
the window alcove. As a result, the time for words and writing is linked to the
obsessive gardening habits of the man next door. I watch him battling to keep
the wild and unruly away. I would like to throw a packet of wild flower seeds
out of my window. Watch them take root in this so tidy town. See them unfurl,
fast and furiously into the minds of these people who meet to defeat nature.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Conformity annoys the hell
out of me. Makes me bloody minded and…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And I wish there was a
market place. A loud place, a messy place where people could raise their voices
and opinions, where the stall holders are racist, but tomatoes are cheap. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fBrAczHiFqU/U_YWLSqZmwI/AAAAAAAAAFk/g95LEmN1jDw/s1600/2010%2B%2BPH%2C%2Beden%2Bfarm%2Btomatoes%2BJuly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fBrAczHiFqU/U_YWLSqZmwI/AAAAAAAAAFk/g95LEmN1jDw/s1600/2010%2B%2BPH%2C%2Beden%2Bfarm%2Btomatoes%2BJuly.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
Cheryl Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02737977122155432186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-78237744389533212922014-03-27T10:00:00.000-07:002014-03-27T12:01:44.134-07:00 Totteratti Top 20 things to do in Tottenham.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">No apologies for a very local posting. Things are moving in our neighbourhood.
Tomorrow night the V&A is hosting a Tottenham Takeover. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Tottenham is starting to be noticed. </span><a href="http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/f/friday-late/" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/f/friday-late/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Over the last six or seven years I’ve
tried to keep a count of destination restaurants and pubs within our
neighbourhoods. Places to take friends, to find a decent coffee. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This isn’t the ultimate list; I’ve
pruned down my original 7 pages so please; fill in the gaps. I’ve concentrated
on N15 and N17 and for this piece, left out the extras that are just over the
borders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Please comment, and add your
suggestions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ONE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Walk along the river Lea</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br />
I moved here because of the view from my balcony of the river Lea. If you're in
a car you'll probably miss it. Get out and walk or cycle and you'll find Tottenham’s
lungs. Naturally it's badly polluted. <b><a href="http://www.thames21.org.uk/project/lovethelea/" target="_blank">Theo
Thomas of </a></b></span><a href="http://www.thames21.org.uk/project/lovethelea/" target="_blank"><st1:place><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Thames</span></b></st1:place><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> 21</span></b></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lovethelea?sk=wallI&app_data">https://www.facebook.com/lovethelea?sk=wallI&app_data</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">has done
so much good work to draw attention to the state of the Lea and the rivers that
flow off and around it such as <a href="http://www.ariver-runsthroughit.org.uk/articles/river-moselle" target="_blank">The Moselle. </a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Plenty of
good people are aware of the pollution and trying to do something about it,
even if the official agencies don’t seem to be bothered. During the Olympics
one section of the Lee was cleared, the rest stayed as mucky as ever. You can
cycle to </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Crystal</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Palace</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> and the Olympic Park along the river path, cross the
Walthamstow marshes and beyond. It’s glorious to amble across the marshes and
watch trains cross in the distance. A hard edged urban oasis. Check out the
Hope and Anchor pub near </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Springfield</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> park. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Cycle north, and
you’ll pass Stonebridge</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <b>Lock</b>. Living Under One Sun, in conjunction with other local groups
are in the process of opening a cycle hire/ training centre and café there.
I’ve not been able to get updates so please do shout if you know more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Love the marshes<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.tottenhammarshes.org/about">http://www.tottenhammarshes.org/about</a>
offer events and walks and information about the Marshes and the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Lee</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Valley</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Regional</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Park</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Postartists</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> are bringing <b>Canalology</b> to the river Lea on Saturday
May 3<sup>rd</sup>. <a href="http://postartists.com/canalology/">http://postartists.com/canalology/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">TWO<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Find a decent coffee; Bom Pecado
Portuguese Café</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">
on </span><st1:street><st1:address><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">West Green Road</span></st1:address></st1:street><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> is my favourite café. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/bom-pecado" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/bom-pecado</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Lovely
coffee and natas that come with a little cinnamon shaker. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">THREE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Find a decent restaurant. Miracle
of miracles</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">,
there’s actually a restaurant that got runner up in the best cheap eats in the
Observer Food Monthly Awards; <a href="http://www.autograf.biz/eng.html" target="_blank">Autograf</a> o</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">n </span><st1:street><st1:address><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">West Green Road</span></st1:address></st1:street><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">, N15 the </span><st1:street><st1:address><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Turnpike Lane</span></st1:address></st1:street><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"> end.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">FOUR<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Check out <b>The
Beehive. It’s</b> part of a small group of pubs that includes </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Chequers in Walthamstow, The Three Crowns in Stoke
Newington, The Lock Tavern in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Camden</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> and Pub
On The Park in Hackney.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">They were
absolutely amazed by the amount of people who came to their opening night. Adie
told me;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">‘There was
a manager from one of our other pubs who came and ended up being roped in to
working behind the bar to help with the demand!’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Tottenham
was an obvious choice for them because ‘the area needs a good pub’ They’ve kept
the Grade 2 listed interior and made the pub into something that's family
friendly and hopefully befitting to the local community. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">She said;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">‘We've had
loads of people tell us they're meeting their neighbours here for the first
time, which is amazing!’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Plans
include a Game Of Thrones quiz plus hopefully a general pop culture quiz. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">In the refurbishment it’s gone from <a href="http://www.thebeehiven17.co.uk/" target="_blank">this;</a> t</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">o</span><a href="http://www.beehiven17.com/" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" target="_blank"> this</a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">No more tvs, no fruit machines. A more than decent
range of beers, sustainably sourced ingredients in the kitchen. A games room
and a garden with fairy lights. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">It was packed on opening nights and deserves to do
well. We need places like this in Tottenham so if you’ve not been yet, what are
you waiting for?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<st1:stockticker><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">FIVE</span></b></st1:stockticker><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"> <b><i>Eat at a local Supper Club</i><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Lo and
behold we actually have two supper clubs in Tottenham with a third to follow
soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Both are
highly recommended. The last time I went to eat at Soul Food Girls, people had
journeyed from Brixton and Camberwell. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://soulfoodsisterssupperclub.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Soul Food Sisters</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span class="profile-field"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://t.co/chRExtxdEJ" target="_blank" title="http://soulfoodgirlssupperclub.blogspot.co.uk">soulfoodgirlssupperclub.blogspot.co.uk
</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Lets Go In For Dinner</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">; Seven
Sisters<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Portugese
and Spanish Tapas <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LetsGoInForDinner">https://www.facebook.com/LetsGoInForDinner</a></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">SIX <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Take tea in the park<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Lordship Rec<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">At the One World Music Festival last summer, the
local church were doing a roaring trade in home made cakes at the open for the
day new café space. Has it opened up yet? We can only hope for decent coffee
and home made cakes. A real shame it’s not being used on a regular basis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<st1:place><st1:placename><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Downhills</span></b></st1:placename><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></b><st1:placetype><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Park</span></b></st1:placetype></st1:place><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Run by people with learning disabilities<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.hailltd.org/web/downshills-park-cafe.html">http://www.hailltd.org/web/downshills-park-cafe.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Just wonderful. Friendly, charming service and a
great institution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<st1:place><st1:placename><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Markfield</span></b></st1:placename><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></b><st1:placetype><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Park</span></b></st1:placetype></st1:place><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Pistachios
in the Park. Chain who run park cafes in and around </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">London</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">. Basic
but ok for a drink. Friendly, good for kids and dogs. <a href="http://pistachiosinthepark.org.uk/category/markfieldpark">http://pistachiosinthepark.org.uk/category/markfieldpark</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Markfield
also has the </span><span class="profile-field"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://t.co/H4Dmnysioh" target="_blank" title="http://www.markfield.org.uk">markfield.org.uk </a> which has a huge adventure playground.
Originally for disabled young people, it’s now open to all comers several times
a year. </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">SEVEN<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Support your local breweries<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Redemption Brewery</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">; award winning
craft brewery. Until recently the only place you could buy their beer was at
the Tottenham Conservative Club. Now it’s available at The Beehive and
ofcourse, at the Tottenham Ploughman events. And now that they’re bottling,
chances are it’ll be available further afield. <a href="http://www.redemptionbrewing.co.uk/">http://www.redemptionbrewing.co.uk/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Coming
soon;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Beavertown Brewery</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, Tottenham Hale.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Woo hoo,
competition for the Ferry Boat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Beavertown
will be brewing and selling from the same light industrial unit opposite the
allotments.Summer 2014. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.beavertownbrewery.co.uk/Blog">http://www.beavertownbrewery.co.uk/Blog</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">EIGHT Welcome our new</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <b>Tottenham Green Market<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It’s a travesty that Haringey doesn’t
run a single street market in the borough. Not one. Ok so there are a couple of
greengrocer stalls on Wood Green high street. Do tell me if I’ve missed
anything else. What did they do with them all? I’m assuming that like other
parts of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">London</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> there were markets in place.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A trial market for the green is due
to open 28<sup>th</sup> June. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">NINE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Soak up some culture
<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">No local
cinema; quite honestly I’d rather get the train to the Hackney Picture House on
</span><st1:street><st1:address><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Mare St</span></st1:address></st1:street><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> than the Wood Green Odeon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">However,
there is the </span><span class="profile-field"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Tottenham film club<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://tottenhamworldfilmclub.co.uk/">http://tottenhamworldfilmclub.co.uk/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">and <a href="http://www.haringey.org.uk/hic/">http://www.haringey.org.uk/hic/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Meet up and get arty<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Tottenham
Art Group <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/tottenhamartgroup">https://www.facebook.com/tottenhamartgroup</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A
brilliant thought by local woman Taslima;
</span><span class="fblongblurb"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">a social meet up group for locals living in and around Tottenham to
get together and enjoy cultural activities. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span class="fblongblurb"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Email <b>tottenhamartgroup@gmail.com</b> to be kept up to date with all future
meet ups.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span class="fblongblurb"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Tas has also set up <b>life drawing classes</b> and to her
surprise they’ve been overwhelmingly popular. Thursdays at Tottenham Chances,
Tuesdays at The Beehive<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.tottenhamartclasses.co.uk/about.php">http://www.tottenhamartclasses.co.uk/about.php</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">TEN; Tango<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://the-room.org.uk/">http://the-room.org.uk/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Another place I’ve always means to
check out but never got round to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">An intriguing mix of yoga, tango,
poetry and Tai Chi.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ELEVEN<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Learn to sing!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.tottenhamcommunitychoir.com/">http://www.tottenhamcommunitychoir.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.tottenhamsingers.com/">http://www.tottenhamsingers.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">TWELVE <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Unearth an artist. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.euroart.co.uk/" target="_blank">EuroArt studios</a></span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.euroart.co.uk/" target="_blank"> </a>on </span><st1:street><st1:address><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Markfield Rd</span></st1:address></st1:street><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, open studios once a year worth attending<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">THIRTEEN<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Learn Spanish!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>Mondays 7pm at El Botellon</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">FOURTEEN <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Make green things grow <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The award winning <a href="http://livingunder1sun.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Living under one Sun</a> run various courses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://livingunder1sun.blogspot.co.uk/">http://livingunder1sun.blogspot.co.uk/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">FIFTEEN<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">H<b>ug
a tree</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The actual Seven Sisters; seven trees
on the corner of </span><st1:street><st1:address><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Broad Lane</span></st1:address></st1:street><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> and the High Rd. Unmarked, no signs. The trees have been replanted several times over the years. You’ll have to go
to <b><a href="http://www.haringey.gov.uk/brucecastlemuseum" target="_blank">Bruce Castle Museum</a></b> to find out
more.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">http://tottenham-summerhillroad.com/seven_sisters_trees_tottenham_.htm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">SIXTEEN Get fit;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Take on a Zumba class<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<st1:place><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Markfield</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Park</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> every
Monday morning run by the enthusiastic Charmaine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="mailto:tcorlis@blueyonder.co.uk">tcorlis@blueyonder.co.uk</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">07958 686
101<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Every
Monday evening Kemble Hall, Kemble Road N17<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Try yoga<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://yogapod.wordpress.com/about/">https://yogapod.wordpress.com/about/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">N15 Wood Green<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Yoga-Meditation-Wood-Green-North-London/356096764461331?fref=ts">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Yoga-Meditation-Wood-Green-North-London/356096764461331?fref=ts</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Bikram yoga without the heat….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">SEVENTEEN Keep it
grass roots</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Campaign for Wards Corner <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.haringey.gov.uk/specialist_support_for_seven_sisters_market.htm">http://www.haringey.gov.uk/specialist_support_for_seven_sisters_market.htm</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The
friends of Wards Corner haven’t given up yet; check out the planning
application online. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://wardscornercommunityplan.wordpress.com/">https://wardscornercommunityplan.wordpress.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br />
Join the Friends of Tottenham Green <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Website not live yet<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.friendsoftottenhamgreen.co.uk/">http://www.friendsoftottenhamgreen.co.uk/</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/friendsoftottenhamgreen" target="_blank" title="Opens in a new window"><span style="background: white; color: #248b39; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">www.facebook.com/friendsoftottenhamgreen</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Currently planning summer solstice event for the
opening of Tottenham Green.</span><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Support the The </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Antwerp</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> Arms</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">; </span><st1:address><st1:street><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">168-170 Church Rd</span></st1:street><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">, </span><st1:city><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">London</span></st1:city><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">, </span><st1:postalcode><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">N17 8AS</span></st1:postalcode></st1:address><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Anyone
who’s been wondering what’s happening here, check this out;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.microgenius.org.uk/project/antwerp-arms-association-18">http://www.microgenius.org.uk/project/antwerp-arms-association-18</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Community
take over time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It’s not all jam making; Tottenham has its very own WI<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.freewebs.com/thehatterswi/">http://www.freewebs.com/thehatterswi/</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Join your
park’s Friends group. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Lordship
Rec, Downhill’s and Markfields all have groups.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Get competitive with your chutney; enter the <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.lordshiprec.org.uk/" target="_blank">Tottenham Flower and Produce Show </a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Lordship Rec <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt 1.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">EIGHTEEN <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Help to preserve and appreciate
the beautiful buildings in Tottenham;</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <a href="http://www.tottenhamcivicsociety.org.uk/">http://www.tottenhamcivicsociety.org.uk/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">#7BG The Luke Howard
House<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">The very first time I saw the plaque I was
mesmerised. Who wouldn't be charmed; the namer of clouds lived here. For years I’ve grown
more and more frustrated that the only blue plaque building in Tottenham has
been allowed to fall into disrepair. The current owners are sitting on the site,
after receiving planning permission a year ago to turn it into flats. On twitter this week, @PostArtists got people
to tweet pictures of clouds to mark Luke Howards birthday. I mentioned the
shameful state of his house. Some people don’t know it’s in Tottenham. Many,
like me are upset and angry that it’s been left to crumble into the
ground. @Dadzoola has done the
groundwork and knows who owns the property. I suggested to Matthew Bradby,
chair of the Tottenham Civic Society that a letter signed by as many of us as
possible goes to English Heritage. Ideally I’d love the building to become a
living museum and community space but we all know that’s not going to happen. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><b>NINETEEN</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Support these two local projects to provide healthy,
home-made, affordable food.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Back2Earth<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Broadwater
Farm based collective, running various projects including growing food, café,
selling locally sourced and organic produce to people who wouldn’t normally be
able to afford them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.back2earth.org.uk/">http://www.back2earth.org.uk/</a></span><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.spacehive.com/selbytrustglobalgarden">http://www.spacehive.com/selbytrustglobalgarden</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.fillingthegapcafe.co.uk/">http://www.fillingthegapcafe.co.uk/</a> </span></strong><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">N17 at the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Engine</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Room</span></st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Hale</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Village</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> every Friday </span><st1:time hour="10" minute="30"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">10.30am</span></st1:time><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">-</span><st1:time hour="15" minute="0"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">3pm.</span></st1:time><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> Home made food
using sustainable ingredients. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">TWENTY </span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">S<b>upport your local events</b>! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Bruce Castle Vintage Fair </span></b><st1:date day="29" month="3" year="2014"><strong><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #231f20; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Saturday 29
March 2014</span></strong></st1:date><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br />
</span><st1:time hour="10" minute="30"><span style="background: white;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">10.30am-4.30pm</span></span></st1:time><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">Stallholders selling vintage clothing,
jewellery, accessories, books, furniture, kitchenalia, collectibles and
records.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Vintage and vintage inspired gifts. </span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Entrance fee £1.50 only. Accompanied children
free.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="background: white; color: #231f20; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">More here; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.haringey.gov.uk/index/community_and_leisure/time_out_in_haringey/visiting_haringey/brucecastlemuseum/brucecastleevents.htm#specialevents">http://www.haringey.gov.uk/index/community_and_leisure/time_out_in_haringey/visiting_haringey/brucecastlemuseum/brucecastleevents.htm#specialevents</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">And….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Support your local cheesemaker/bakery, brewery and
more! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The next <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tottenham-Ploughman/567005726705292?ref=hl" target="_blank">Tottenham Ploughman </a>event</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> is at Markfield Park,
May Bank Holiday Monday 5<sup>th</sup> May 11am-5pm with </span><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://wildescheese.co.uk/" target="_blank">Wildes Cheese</a>, <a href="http://www.flourishbakery.com/" target="_blank">Flourish Craft Bakery</a>, Redemption Brewery plus Tottenham WI, Opera Ice cream...</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br />
<b> </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-52394653458557852012013-09-12T13:50:00.001-07:002013-09-12T13:50:55.037-07:00What makes a Tottenham Ploughman?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have the answer to what makes a Tottenham
Ploughman; you do. You supported the event on Sunday, gave your time and
energy, spread the word, encouraged your friends and neighbours to come, spread
a picnic blanket, queued for food and beer. You made the day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j7OQA3Vjs5k/UjIfLTUMAxI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/sQV4XyGK1rg/s1600/Downhills+Cafe+dream+team+one.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j7OQA3Vjs5k/UjIfLTUMAxI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/sQV4XyGK1rg/s1600/Downhills+Cafe+dream+team+one.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Every one of us, from the
café and stage team to the purveyors of cheese, bread, beer and pickles and all
the musicians and volunteers were knocked out by the reception.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N9Q-jwPQvCA/UjIfNJN9YgI/AAAAAAAAA6w/x3TsDqW1zIU/s1600/The+Ploughman+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N9Q-jwPQvCA/UjIfNJN9YgI/AAAAAAAAA6w/x3TsDqW1zIU/s1600/The+Ploughman+2.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Flourish Bakery donated
the rolls for the plate. The café made marrow chutney from Living Under One Sun
marrows. I made the pickles. Apples came from allotments. Cheese from Wildes.
Beer as you know, from Redemption. And plenty of allotment pickles and chutneys
and a cornucopia of beautiful early autumn bounty from Living Under One Sun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dQKByJ2OWQs/UjIfMmQv1LI/AAAAAAAAA6g/v_ql5EaImvY/s1600/LUOS+still+life+grapes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dQKByJ2OWQs/UjIfMmQv1LI/AAAAAAAAA6g/v_ql5EaImvY/s1600/LUOS+still+life+grapes.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At
the start when I saw the queue I asked Andy from Redemption if he could line up more beer; I
knew it would sell out and sell out it did. So; sorry if you came after </span><st1:time hour="14" minute="0"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2pm</span></st1:time><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> to find that there was no food left. We’ll know
better next time. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmcaQJUgta4/UjIn88sGWQI/AAAAAAAAA8I/EI_GGQaojfg/s1600/Queue+for+Redemption.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmcaQJUgta4/UjIn88sGWQI/AAAAAAAAA8I/EI_GGQaojfg/s1600/Queue+for+Redemption.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Andy and his partner
had big grins on their faces all day. He
totally got that it wasn’t about a foodie market, as he says; </span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">‘It was about our local community coming
together. Thank you for letting us be a part of such an awe inspiring
celebration.’</span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WSphF2QrWXA/UjIfJvE7q8I/AAAAAAAAA6I/K9AHV6j3s1s/s1600/Andy+with+beer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WSphF2QrWXA/UjIfJvE7q8I/AAAAAAAAA6I/K9AHV6j3s1s/s1600/Andy+with+beer.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even the Tottenham cake I
made vanished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In response to requests <b><a href="http://queenofmarkets.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/ederberry-tottenham-cake.html" target="_blank">here’s</a> </b>the recipe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/303200093157957/?context=create" target="_blank">facebook page</a> will
remain live; please like it and keep the conversations going. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bvCUDwgUuRU/UjIfPJa6lmI/AAAAAAAAA7A/SoRp9Pchm_M/s1600/cheese+tasting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bvCUDwgUuRU/UjIfPJa6lmI/AAAAAAAAA7A/SoRp9Pchm_M/s1600/cheese+tasting.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s so great to have
struck a chord; finding out that I’m not alone in wanting more for Tottenham. Wishing away the grubby streets, the myriad chicken shops. We all have many
things to celebrate in Tottenham. Not
just local businesses to support, but pride in our community. Long may it continue. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The best news is, Hail are very happy
for the Ploughman to happen again in 2014. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gyurunStOWM/UjIfHBa88NI/AAAAAAAAA6A/jRwnw8JUPcU/s1600/Claire+with+cafe+worker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gyurunStOWM/UjIfHBa88NI/AAAAAAAAA6A/jRwnw8JUPcU/s1600/Claire+with+cafe+worker.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Out of all of the positive
comments there was one complaint from a councillor who took exception to the
fact that I said that Tottenham gets bad press. Well, tough. It does. I’m
fed up of my neighbourhood being the butt of bad jokes and comments and anyone
who doesn't recognise this, needs to open their eyes. It’s not a throw away comment,
it’s my opinion. Last week a friend giving me a lift home automatically locked
the car doors as we approached </span><st1:street><st1:address><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Seven Sisters Road</span></st1:address></st1:street><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6dxKkNAiPZE/UjIfN8YXDNI/AAAAAAAAA60/df5O1NtXxJM/s1600/Tottenham+Community+Choir.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6dxKkNAiPZE/UjIfN8YXDNI/AAAAAAAAA60/df5O1NtXxJM/s1600/Tottenham+Community+Choir.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many years ago, there was
a place called The Rainbow Tearooms at Seven Sisters. It was owned by a couple of gay men and was so
popular you had to book for tea. Living in Archway at the time, I took my whole
family there one Sunday. Kitch antiques
filled every available space and Ella Fitzgerald's voice sang out from a huge old Bakelite radio. The eclectic menu contained options such as
hundreds and thousands sandwiches, next to the more traditional smoked salmon.
Home made cakes and scones. Individual tea pots and mismatched antique cups and
saucers. Doesn't sound so strange now, but this was 20 years ago. And it was
packed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eyDtZE7vG94/UjIfSn_41yI/AAAAAAAAA7I/XltoB399y-8/s1600/giant+bubbles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eyDtZE7vG94/UjIfSn_41yI/AAAAAAAAA7I/XltoB399y-8/s1600/giant+bubbles.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If a place like that could
work then, there's hope for now. It makes me angry to see the high street so shabby and
downwardly mobile. The bank on the
corner of Broad Lane and Seven Sisters road has been closed for years. Why
couldn’t it be developed into a café, restaurant, community space? The Swan, done up last year, or the
year before continues to sit empty as does the ex White Hart on The Hale. How
about putting in an application to make it an asset of community value and
running it ourselves with Redemption? Yes it’s easy to say but an idea has to start
somewhere. I know there are reasons why some areas are more prosperous than others. Doesn't mean I have to accept it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e-A0fhWdFwk/UjIf5VQL6vI/AAAAAAAAA74/ry8KbEKorxQ/s1600/volunteers+and+choir+members.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e-A0fhWdFwk/UjIf5VQL6vI/AAAAAAAAA74/ry8KbEKorxQ/s1600/volunteers+and+choir+members.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Traffic and roads dominate
both Seven Sisters and Tottenham Hale. There’s no chance of a village feel in
either vicinity unless you’re in a park. Or green. Hoorah for the moves to make
Tottenham Green more of a community space.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-80fm7XojPN8/UjIf0T_U5wI/AAAAAAAAA70/19HIH1DhUFI/s1600/people+with+grapes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-80fm7XojPN8/UjIf0T_U5wI/AAAAAAAAA70/19HIH1DhUFI/s1600/people+with+grapes.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It pains me that the once beautiful blue plaque building on Bruce Grove has been allowed to fall into disrepair. It was <a href="http://www.lordsmeade.freeserve.co.uk/Brucegrove.htm" target="_blank">the home of Luke Howard</a>, the man who named clouds. </span> <span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are plenty of really beautiful buildings in Tottenham but you have to look hard to see them between ugly shop fronts and chipped paint work. And that, in a nutshell sums up Tottenham for me. It’s a place that you sometimes have to search hard to find beauty, between the grey metal shutters and closed signs, but it’s worth it when you do. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0wz6JmwUCs/UjIn9H67UVI/AAAAAAAAA8M/oI491NujkCA/s1600/Soul+Food+girls+w+mother.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0wz6JmwUCs/UjIn9H67UVI/AAAAAAAAA8M/oI491NujkCA/s1600/Soul+Food+girls+w+mother.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ex7byD2zSs/UjIfoE2zaNI/AAAAAAAAA7c/5HYLE9fRF6k/s1600/first+ploughman.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ex7byD2zSs/UjIfoE2zaNI/AAAAAAAAA7c/5HYLE9fRF6k/s1600/first+ploughman.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7NnC6MusIR4/UjIfm41OI6I/AAAAAAAAA7U/_4yIQUv5wvo/s1600/first+pints.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7NnC6MusIR4/UjIfm41OI6I/AAAAAAAAA7U/_4yIQUv5wvo/s1600/first+pints.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here’s the best news, an email today from Paul at Flourish Bakery. Paul set up Flourish and has lived in Tottenham for over 13 years. I’m going to quote directly from his email to me;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">I know there is a great community spirit here and events like the one you hosted is exactly what the community is crying out for. We’ve had some great feedback and emails have been flooding in for requests to open a shop in Tottenham. The success of the event has made us realise that there may potentially be a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>market for us to sell here on our doorstep.</span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">We have already made the decision to concentrate more on the retail side of our business and thanks to you and everyone who attended we will be looking into the possibility of opening a shop locally.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fosivO_6ThI/UjIfrVMZuBI/AAAAAAAAA7k/bs3ikFVhK0o/s1600/youths+with+jam+tasters+and+herbs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fosivO_6ThI/UjIfrVMZuBI/AAAAAAAAA7k/bs3ikFVhK0o/s1600/youths+with+jam+tasters+and+herbs.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Isn’t that great? It’s exactly the kind of outcome
I hoped for. Now we’re looking at a
Christmas event, before planning begins for next year. We have such a great,
vibrant community. Thank you for making The Tottenham Ploughman your own.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-91303282831288098372013-09-12T12:46:00.004-07:002013-09-12T13:02:11.257-07:00Elderberry Tottenham Cake<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tottenham Cake with elderberry icing</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Inspired by the post on
<a href="http://www.bowesandbounds.org/profiles/blogs/tottenham-cake" target="_blank">Bowes and Bounds,</a> I made a Tottenham Cake for the Tottenham Ploughmans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In response to requests here’s<b> </b>the recipe. The cake recipe comes
courtesy of Bowes and Bounds and Netmums. Inspired by the fact that
mulberries were originally used to make the icing, I used elderberries. This reflects the historical colour; purple,
not pink. The elderberries really do add
a fruity taste as well as a majestic purple colour. Excuse the ropey photo taken on my phone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-akexGqo26N0/UjIZ8f8w2pI/AAAAAAAAA5w/rpfgyVmjMUg/s1600/Tottenham+cake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-akexGqo26N0/UjIZ8f8w2pI/AAAAAAAAA5w/rpfgyVmjMUg/s1600/Tottenham+cake.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For a basic traybake you
need a 12 x 9 inch traybake or roasting tin, greased and base lined with baking
parchment.</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">Ingredients:</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";"><br />
<span style="background: white;">8 oz butter</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">8 oz sugar</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">10 oz SR flour</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">2 tsp baking powder</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">4 large eggs</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">4 tbs milk</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Measure all the ingredients into a large bowl
and beat until well mixed. Don't overbeat or the mixture won't rise. Pour into
the prepared tin and bake at 180 deg (fan 160 deg) or gas mark 4 for 35 - 40
minutes. Cool in the tin then turn out.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Icing</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">8 oz sifted icing sugar</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Approx 3 tbs elderberry ‘syrup’</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Approx 4 elderberry branches<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">For the syrup; pick the elderberry branches
when most or all of the berries are dark black. Don’t pick any branches that
are covered with black fly!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">Give them a good shake to remove insect life.
At home, rinse and soak if necessary. You now need to get the berries off the
branches. Easiest way to do this is with the tines of a fork. Do it straight
over a saucepan. Add water to cover the berries and bring to a boil. Turn down
to a simmer, mashing the berries as you go for about 10-15 minutes. Add a
little more water if it looks as if the mixture is running dry. Over a bowl,
use a sieve to remove the berries and keep the liquid. Rinse the pan and put
the liquid back. Simmer again until it’s reduced to a syrupy consistency. You can always add a little more water if you
forget about it. Cool. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Mix the icing sugar together with 3 tablespoons
of elderberry syrup. You may have to add more icing sugar or elderberry mixture
to achieve a thick spreadable fondant like consistency. Spread over the cake.
When set cut into squares.</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-42192973551925113302013-08-08T04:41:00.000-07:002013-09-07T04:30:26.240-07:00Tottenham Ploughmans<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-obc7oRH2FtY/UgkNcznDsmI/AAAAAAAAA48/neODeqJHu0Q/s1600/Logo+Aug+2013+high+res.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-obc7oRH2FtY/UgkNcznDsmI/AAAAAAAAA48/neODeqJHu0Q/s1600/Logo+Aug+2013+high+res.JPG" height="159" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are three artisan food producers in
Tottenham. You can’t buy their products in the area. None of them sell locally.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://wildescheese.co.uk/" target="_blank">Wildes Cheese</a>, hand made
in Tottenham.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Flourish Bakery based just
off the High Road sell at farmers markets in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri;">London</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> and wholesales to restaurants.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.redemptionbrewing.co.uk/" target="_blank">Redemption Brewery </a>sells
at many bars and cafes in the west of the borough. The only place you can buy
their beer in the east is at the Tottenham Conservative Club. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A few months ago I went to
a talk given by Philip of Wildes Cheese at <a href="http://www.friendsofbrucecastle.org.uk/page2.html" target="_blank">Bruce Castle</a>. The room was packed; I
was surprised that so many people wanted to know about cheese making. The
people selling cheese were mobbed and sold out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And so it came to me,
bread, cheese, beer. The Tottenham Ploughmans. Working with <a href="http://www.hailltd.org/web/downshills-park-cafe.html" target="_blank">Downhill’s Park café </a> on the 8<sup>th</sup> September we’re holding the Tottenham Ploughmans
picnic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A chance to try the
cheese, bread and beer made in Tottenham. The team from Redemption brewery will
be there to hand out their beer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Buy a taster plate and
then buy more if you want to. Hopefully
you’ll be able to buy to take home too. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">12pm - 4pm</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Live music from <a href="http://www.tottenhamcommunitychoir.com/" target="_blank">The Tottenham Community Choir</a>, Cosmo House, Whilst the Cat's Away and <a href="http://www.davidmctea.co.uk/" target="_blank">David McTea</a>. Chutney and pickles for sale from <a href="http://livingunder1sun.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Living Under One Sun</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There’s a<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/303200093157957/?context=create" target="_blank"> facebook </a>page with updates. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This event seems to have touched a chord with many local people; I'm really glad. I hope it creates and inspires and leads to more good things happening. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thank you to all the people who have commented, taken posters, offered help. Thank you if you're coming along, it's going to be a great day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We've had a mention in the <a href="http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/attractions/londons-best-autumn-food-popups-8801606.html" target="_blank">Evening Standard</a>; thanks Victoria Stewart . London's best autumn food pop-ups </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.haringeyindependent.co.uk/news/10648753._People_want_good_quality_food_/" target="_blank">Tottenham Independent</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.tottenhamjournal.co.uk/news/the_tottenham_ploughman_arrives_first_artisan_market_lands_in_downhills_park_on_sunday_1_2370835" target="_blank">Tottenham Journal</a> (not quite as accurate; I've never called it a market or said I was frustrated at the lack of markets!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We've even been endorsed by the <a href="http://kmflett.wordpress.com/2013/09/05/tottenham-ploughmans-event-set-to-bust-stereotypes/" target="_blank">Haringey Trades Council</a>, thank you Keith</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Please come and join us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We need something to
celebrate in Tottenham.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-25444760437548566082013-07-15T03:53:00.002-07:002013-07-15T10:34:22.046-07:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ten years on; Marylebone Farmers
Market, where did the time go?</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">The day <a href="http://www.lfm.org.uk/markets/marylebone/" target="_blank">Marylebone farmers market </a>opened in
June 2003 the rain came down, but people came too, and have kept coming ever
since. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wvFU_Vo_dTc/UZUgPVcyqLI/AAAAAAAAAxY/ThZPjt6eyFI/s1600/happy+customers%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wvFU_Vo_dTc/UZUgPVcyqLI/AAAAAAAAAxY/ThZPjt6eyFI/s1600/happy+customers%2521.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zIMjgPzQ2gM/UZUnwcHdsVI/AAAAAAAAAzc/MKPkLcK6B7M/s1600/DJ+Tanner+cu+MA+May+04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zIMjgPzQ2gM/UZUnwcHdsVI/AAAAAAAAAzc/MKPkLcK6B7M/s1600/DJ+Tanner+cu+MA+May+04.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">TJ Tanners<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Before we opened, The Ham and High took a
picture of me standing in the empty car park. Hard to believe now, but ten
years ago not many shops opened their doors on Sundays on Marylebone High
Street. </span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Gradually
as the market became more successful, Sunday opening became the norm. Blagdens
fishmongers were not happy about the market opening, and couldn’t open on
Sundays. Very sadly, they eventually closed. Fish Works opened on the high
street (including on Sundays). Ginger Pig opened next to La Fromagerie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XKWKNrFll6Y/UZUg_apZ83I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/qCIZieWB9UE/s1600/2009MA+Muddy+boots+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XKWKNrFll6Y/UZUg_apZ83I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/qCIZieWB9UE/s1600/2009MA+Muddy+boots+cropped.jpg" height="400" width="351" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Muddy Boots, now alas outgrown us and moved on to bigger and better things<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 16.2pt;">Many
shops were invited onto the street by Howard de Walden Estate, Roccoco
Chocolate being one. Chantel Coady founder of Roccoco told me;</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">
‘Ten years ago the main reason we opened our second store was the singular
approach adopted by HDW: and the way they strategically manage the Marylebone
Estate. They have a clear vision about which retailers they want to see in
their stops, and a big focus on artisan food, as well as having supported the
London Farmers market on Sundays in the car park on Moxon St.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Chantel is taking the opportunity to move to
</span><st1:street><st1:address><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Moxon Street</span></st1:address></st1:street><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">. Could this be
because of the farmers market?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">She explained;<br />
‘As our lease expires at </span><st1:street><st1:address><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">45 Marylebone High
Street</span></st1:address></st1:street><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">, we have been offered a great opportunity to
move into the “Foodie Quarter” to be alongside the fabulous Fromagerie, Ginger
Pig and the Sunday Market. We can’t wait to be there. Our Sunday hours reflect
those of the Farmer’s Market, and we know there are always lots of people
around for that great weekly event.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Enm70yTTh0/UZUg9--ETAI/AAAAAAAAAyA/LCSPM6ZsEnM/s1600/2009+MA+fair+last+strawberrys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Enm70yTTh0/UZUg9--ETAI/AAAAAAAAAyA/LCSPM6ZsEnM/s1600/2009+MA+fair+last+strawberrys.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Brett Wolstencroft from Daunt books told me
that ‘the Farmer’s Market transformed Sundays and </span><st1:street><st1:address><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Marylebone High
Street</span></st1:address></st1:street><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;"> into a leisurely day out for families. As a
focal point, it holds people in the area to eat, browse and spend money.’<br />
Even Waitrose told us that their takings improved on Sundays.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f4yqi_AQ1OU/UePPzNGPWpI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/AYfXDRL7UEQ/s1600/Rooney+&+Exeter+St.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f4yqi_AQ1OU/UePPzNGPWpI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/AYfXDRL7UEQ/s1600/Rooney+&+Exeter+St.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">I wanted to promote the market as the
largest in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">London</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">. There may be
larger markets in the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">UK</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;"> but in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">London</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;"> where space is at a
premium, 40 stalls of mostly primary products; farmers selling direct isn’t
bad. And our rules are strict. No reselling, no wholesalers and anyone making
jams, soups or pies have to use locally sourced ingredients. The label stuck,
and it’s still regarded as our flagship market.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Our aims at<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">London</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Farmers’ Markets haven’t changed;</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">To supply Londoners with
fresh, seasonal, high-quality food <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">To provide markets for small
and medium-sized farms<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">To encourage humane, organic,
and environmentally sound farming<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">To rediscover lost varieties
and rare breeds<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">To emphasize flavour over
cosmetic perfection in fruit and vegetables<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">To campaign on food and
farming issues, such as supporting small abattoirs</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QxxaARgRrhE/UePM4YKSSfI/AAAAAAAAA1w/VddJGF5mS9U/s1600/2013+MA+fayre+Winona+holding+veg+Akiki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QxxaARgRrhE/UePM4YKSSfI/AAAAAAAAA1w/VddJGF5mS9U/s1600/2013+MA+fayre+Winona+holding+veg+Akiki.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">We strive hard to keep our farmers markets
just that; a place to shop for ingredients, rather than a place to come to just
eat hot food. We want you to arrive with empty shopping bags and leave weighted
down with bags stuffed full with whatever looks good that day; the ingredients
for meals for your week ahead. You might also be tempted by half a dozen
oysters for breakfast from Simon our </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Norfolk</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;"> fisherman. And once
we gave the Rooney brothers the idea of selling mushroom sandwiches they’ve
never looked back. But cooked food will never take over as it’s done at other
markets in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">London</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDrkTw96vd8/UZUrn8xVI_I/AAAAAAAAA04/e19qaOz4cpk/s1600/Marylebone+mushroom+man.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDrkTw96vd8/UZUrn8xVI_I/AAAAAAAAA04/e19qaOz4cpk/s1600/Marylebone+mushroom+man.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">
William Rooney's mushroom sandwiches in the making</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Some of the stall holders are so popular,
customers queue before the market opens in order to bag the best; Simon Long
the </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Norfolk</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;"> fisherman is a key example. Margaret
Kay lives in </span><st1:street><st1:address><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Cato Street</span></st1:address></st1:street><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;"> with her husband.
They’re there every Sunday and she says, ‘They’ve taken to having kippers for
Sunday breakfast and have fresh fish for Sunday dinner as well.’<br />
‘Simon’s wonderful stall is so popular we have to arrive by 9.40 at the latest
in order to be near the front of the queue and quite a lot of us have formed a
sort of fan club!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2yGX-9_5jh4/UePQ_QOTROI/AAAAAAAAA2w/mihLG-XcO1k/s1600/2012+Aug+Simons+fish+stall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2yGX-9_5jh4/UePQ_QOTROI/AAAAAAAAA2w/mihLG-XcO1k/s1600/2012+Aug+Simons+fish+stall.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">As popular as Simon is, we try to stop
people queuing for fish before the market starts because the market is still
being set up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uYaCZNVeGTg/UZUhKdUITtI/AAAAAAAAAyc/Z20zJnAaRVQ/s1600/Gallileo+pigs+head+cropped+MA+fair+2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uYaCZNVeGTg/UZUhKdUITtI/AAAAAAAAAyc/Z20zJnAaRVQ/s1600/Gallileo+pigs+head+cropped+MA+fair+2010.jpg" height="353" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Galileo Farm meat display<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Some of the producers who were at the first
market are very much with us; Hurdlebrook’s unpasteurised dairy stall, Harvest
Moon free range eggs and poultry, Old Hall Farm rare breed meat and many more.<br />
Asparagus and soft fruit grower Michael Bourne from New Park Farm was at the
first market; I catch him on a freezing cold day in May, despairing of his
asparagus;<br />
‘It’s been a brilliant opportunity to present our product to people in central
London.<br />
‘We’ve made some good friends over the years, nice people who continue to come
back to us. We rely on the business, it’s been a spectacular success, long may
it continue’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ALMq9sMJ2rI/UePSPep3AfI/AAAAAAAAA3A/MD_EJBocCe8/s1600/Michael+w+asparagus+May+04+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ALMq9sMJ2rI/UePSPep3AfI/AAAAAAAAA3A/MD_EJBocCe8/s1600/Michael+w+asparagus+May+04+cropped.jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Then as now, the majority of customers come
from within a mile of the market. Maida Vale, </span><st1:address><st1:street><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Marylebone Road</span></st1:street><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">, </span><st1:city><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Portland</span></st1:city></st1:address><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;"> Place and </span><st1:street><st1:address><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Baker Street</span></st1:address></st1:street><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">, although the
market has always attracted a wider population from further afield. Over 50% of
people walk to the market. Tourists come, but the market remains rooted in the
community. John Tydeman lives on </span><st1:street><st1:address><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Great Tichfield
Street</span></st1:address></st1:street><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">. He’s recommended the market to lots of
neighbours and loves the fresh fish, organic and free range meat, wide
selection of vegetables and farm produce.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SyVOHHKHHh0/UZUg7FXlAhI/AAAAAAAAAx8/6EMw_YsNUaw/s1600/2009+MA+fair+cider+drinkers+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SyVOHHKHHh0/UZUg7FXlAhI/AAAAAAAAAx8/6EMw_YsNUaw/s1600/2009+MA+fair+cider+drinkers+2.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Millwhite Cider<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Another local customer is Hugh Aldous from </span><st1:street><st1:address><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Chiltern Street</span></st1:address></st1:street><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">. I asked him how
important the market is to him;<br />
‘It’s serious shopping for superb fresh food every Sunday. Two excellent fish
stalls run by fishermen with fresh fish and crustacea – the quality and flavour
of their fish is unbeatable anywhere. An excellent game stall in the autumn and
winter: partridge, teal, mallard, pheasant, woodcock, and pigeon the year
round. Excellent breads and focaccia, fresh pies, huge range of vegetables,
several good direct meat suppliers, sausages, cakes and a stall of freshly
cooked French recipes. Flowers to cheer the week.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ByWz_zV6KMM/UZUoXkVQVCI/AAAAAAAAA0M/T8AhHlmyosY/s1600/2009MA+morton+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ByWz_zV6KMM/UZUoXkVQVCI/AAAAAAAAA0M/T8AhHlmyosY/s1600/2009MA+morton+2.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">
Rosebie Morton English roses</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Local people arrive as the market bell rings
at </span><st1:time hour="10" minute="0"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">10am</span></st1:time><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;"> to fill their baskets
with seasonal potatoes from The Potato Shop, talk to the farmers selling free
range meat and poultry. They select seasonal vegetables from Manor Farm & Perry Court,
succulent fruit from Kentish growers, organic veg from Edwin Broad, hand-made
cheese from our dairy farmers, the freshest salad leaves from Wild Country
Organics and biodynamic vegetables and fruit from Akiki Organics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQ0WWp50Ha0/UZUn5j0ABMI/AAAAAAAAAzw/wP1m7jG2a0s/s1600/sunnyfields+beetroom+fennel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQ0WWp50Ha0/UZUn5j0ABMI/AAAAAAAAAzw/wP1m7jG2a0s/s1600/sunnyfields+beetroom+fennel.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Rose Lachman-Brown from </span><st1:street><st1:address><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Upper Wimpole
Street</span></st1:address></st1:street><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;"> is a member of the Marylebone Association;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">‘The market offers so much more than the
supermarkets, especially in the way of game and seafood (as well as homemade
cake!). We have always eaten good quality food but, shopping at the market, we
know exactly where it comes from.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Calibri; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6IrBHG7hXco/UZUoVXAxbHI/AAAAAAAAA0E/FzX9-r9SSeg/s1600/2009+MA+fair+Edgebank+organics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6IrBHG7hXco/UZUoVXAxbHI/AAAAAAAAA0E/FzX9-r9SSeg/s1600/2009+MA+fair+Edgebank+organics.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Edgebank Organics</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Whenever there is a rumour of a possible
market closure, people are quick to rally round and show support. </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Westminster</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;"> knows how important
the market is to the locality. We’re not going anywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Rose echoes this; ‘It’s a focal point for
the community. It would be a great loss, especially to the small shops nearby.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">She adds;<br />
‘I would like to say that I appreciate that many of the stallholders get up
very early and work through all weathers and I am happy to support a person
such as that.<br />
I’d like to give a special mention for the Old Hall Farm stall who are always
entertaining and knowledgeable. I’m looking forward to buying more asparagus
this weekend!’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-URcUqSKbmjo/UZUnwLLxKgI/AAAAAAAAAzY/Co-5H3I1hAs/s1600/Todd+C+Clarke+w+Raymond+Blanc.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-URcUqSKbmjo/UZUnwLLxKgI/AAAAAAAAAzY/Co-5H3I1hAs/s1600/Todd+C+Clarke+w+Raymond+Blanc.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Todd Cameron Clarke, Old Hall Farm holding Raymond Blanc captive<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Basma Alharthy has been living in Marylebone
since 2007. She’s reflective about the market;<br />
‘It quickly became an integral part of my life and introduced many positive
changes. The market was one of the ways I escape my busy schedule. It offers
the opportunity to buy your weekly vegetables and fruits from a known and trusted
source, but that’s not only it. For me it was a window to what the land I have
been living in has to offer. I became familiar with what is seasonal and the
small chats with the farmers has always been rich and my knowledge about the
produce has been enriched.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Sundays became “Lobster Sundays” because of
the lobsters we buy, and we call the salad bought from the market the “magic
salad” it’s infused with the taste of mustard and lemon you don’t need
dressing!’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Calibri; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mqWPUVaAhs0/UZUg23qY1nI/AAAAAAAAAxw/8Qlf-gY24kU/s1600/2009+MA+fair+Loveridge+family+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mqWPUVaAhs0/UZUg23qY1nI/AAAAAAAAAxw/8Qlf-gY24kU/s1600/2009+MA+fair+Loveridge+family+edited.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The Windrush Dairy family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">It’s such a wonderful gift to have helped to
transform a neighbourhood. I’m fully aware that this piece is fulsome in its
praise but very little negativity emerged when researching. We’ve always done
our best to remain popular with our neighbours and support the communities
we’re privileged to work in.<br />
Patricia Michelson at La Fromagerie has been a hugely supportive friend of the
market. She says;<br />
‘The Farmer’s Market has, from the very beginning become an integral part of
Marylebone. It is talked about, visited by many and admired by all. The producers
may come and go but the seasons’ produce are the example for all of us to
follow and live by.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cz_soq8vGZs/UZUnDskcHGI/AAAAAAAAAy4/nV_CcGsrjmo/s1600/Broad+beans+cu.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cz_soq8vGZs/UZUnDskcHGI/AAAAAAAAAy4/nV_CcGsrjmo/s1600/Broad+beans+cu.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Everyone involved in the market from the
hard working team who run it to the producers should be congratulated on being
a happy bunch in fine and foul weather, and for showcasing gorgeous produce
right in the centre of the greatest city in the world, London, and bringing a
bit of the country for us each week!’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E-lcSQCEarc/UZUoVTuBTSI/AAAAAAAAA0I/cXIO3WX7ppk/s1600/2009+MA+fair+juice+bottles+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E-lcSQCEarc/UZUoVTuBTSI/AAAAAAAAA0I/cXIO3WX7ppk/s1600/2009+MA+fair+juice+bottles+2.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Chegworth Valley juice bottles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;"><st1:address><!--[endif]-->On the 23rd June, a week after The Marylebone
Fayre we held a celebration picnic at the farmers’ market. The rain held off. We had deck chairs, picnic
blankets and picnic tables. Free Punch and Judy. Free games. Ice cream from
Sorbitium, a beef roast from organic Galileo Farm. And cake which was
cut by the Lord Mayor of </st1:address></span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Westmister</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">,
manager Louise and some of the original producers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y6gR5P9iEI8/UePM3Cn9GYI/AAAAAAAAA1k/5QiLVP7mWtc/s1600/2013+MA+10th+ann+cake+cutting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y6gR5P9iEI8/UePM3Cn9GYI/AAAAAAAAA1k/5QiLVP7mWtc/s1600/2013+MA+10th+ann+cake+cutting.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TdAUYDqBQ_s/UePM4FwxntI/AAAAAAAAA10/4a2qPPdLljA/s1600/2013+MA+10th+ann+people+watching+Mr+Punch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TdAUYDqBQ_s/UePM4FwxntI/AAAAAAAAA10/4a2qPPdLljA/s1600/2013+MA+10th+ann+people+watching+Mr+Punch.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GRrxMVsH6H0/UePM3G8VLJI/AAAAAAAAA1c/odY4OQmXmjw/s1600/2013+MA+10th+ann+Punch+&+Judy+audience+wide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GRrxMVsH6H0/UePM3G8VLJI/AAAAAAAAA1c/odY4OQmXmjw/s1600/2013+MA+10th+ann+Punch+&+Judy+audience+wide.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 16.2pt;">We shared a delicious</span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 16.2pt;"> </span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 16.2pt;">vibrant flecked green courgette cake from Ann
Adams and a wonderful goats cheesecake from Windrush Dairy.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 16.2pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aG6pPAI4WJY/UePM2_saNsI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/Pxs15_6oHJo/s1600/2013+MA+10th+ann++MP+Mark+Field+&+Lord+Mayor+with+cake++jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aG6pPAI4WJY/UePM2_saNsI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/Pxs15_6oHJo/s1600/2013+MA+10th+ann++MP+Mark+Field+&+Lord+Mayor+with+cake++jpg.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark Field MP and the Lord Mayor of Westminster fighting over the goat cheese cake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.5pt;">Farmers, producers, customers, local shops, Howard de Walden Estate and Westminster
Council; we all share in the success of the market; Thank you to everyone who’s
helped to make it possible. Here’s to the next ten years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-53142943536545570792013-05-04T00:52:00.000-07:002013-05-04T00:52:52.381-07:00Down Town. The Grand Central Market Los Angeles<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It’s not called <st1:place><st1:placename>Tinsel</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Town</st1:placetype></st1:place> for nothing but dig beneath the tawdry surface and <st1:city><st1:place>Los Angeles</st1:place></st1:city> has a history.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My friends in <st1:city><st1:place>Los Angeles</st1:place></st1:city> live near the amazing <a href="http://www.tarpits.org/la-brea-tar-pits/current-excavations" target="_blank">Le Brea tar pits</a>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, they had never been
Downtown. When I told them that I wanted to go the Mexican Central Market we
went to <st1:street><st1:address>Olvera
Street</st1:address></st1:street>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As nice as</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><st1:street style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><st1:address><a href="http://golosangeles.about.com/od/thingstodoindowntownl1/tp/Thing-to-Do-in-Downtown-Los-Angeles.htm" target="_blank">Olvera Street</a></st1:address></st1:street><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is,
it closely resembles a </span><st1:place style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><st1:placename>Mexican</st1:placename> <st1:placename>Camden</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Town</st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. I bought some Mexican lotto cards and was very tempted by the many
Frieda Carlo shrines on display. And, there are plenty of historic buildings
and monuments including El Pueblo de </span><st1:place style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><st1:placename>Los Angeles</st1:placename> <st1:placename>Historical</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Monument</st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. It is after
all, the heart of the original </span><st1:city style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><st1:place>Los Angeles</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and close to
the beautiful old Union train station.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But it’s not the kind of
market I'm after. Grand Central Market is only about four blocks west of <st1:street><st1:address>Olvera Street</st1:address></st1:street> in the heart of <st1:place><st1:placename>Downt</st1:placename><st1:placetype>own</st1:placetype></st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Downtown <st1:city><st1:place>Los Angeles</st1:place></st1:city> is rich in some of the oldest buildings in the
city, including a stunning 1925 <a href="http://www.lapl.org/branches/central-library" target="_blank">art deco library</a> and the charmingly named <a href="http://www.angelsflight.org/" target="_blank">AngelsFlight Funicular</a> which dates back to 1901 when Bunker Hill was the fashionable place to live. Whilst we were there,
the library had an exhibition of props from The Wizard of Oz. Including those
shoes. Only in <st1:city><st1:place>Los Angeles</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few months after we took
our trip on The Angels Flight, a man was killed, putting it out of action for a
few years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.grandcentralsquare.com/index.html" target="_blank">Grand Central Market</a>
was founded in 1917 and is still going strong, providing a source of
ingredients for the Mexican community living in the neighbourhood and a cheap
lunch for the businesses based in the neighbourhood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you enter, there’s a
juice bar, squeezing guava, mango, pineapple and papaya into gorgeous concoctions. <o:p></o:p>The China Café’s neon lit sign flashes chop suey & chow mein, registering that it’s been there since the 1920’s.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The vegetable stalls are
piled high with cactus paddles, prickly pair, unrecognisable greens, green
tomatoes, avocado leaves, and tomatillos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meat stalls predominate
with pork, every cut and part of the animal of display from tail to snout. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everywhere there are
<a href="http://www.grandcentralsquare.com/popup/page6.html" target="_blank">beautiful old signs </a>hanging from the high ceiling. The market resonates with
character and life, an every day shopping place for local people. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are Spanish, Cuban
and naturally, Mexican groceries of all description.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The longest queues are
reserved for the Mexican food stalls; we join and wait for our pulled pork.
Next to the stand, warm corn tortillas shoot hot off the machine. We help
ourselves to a fragrant green salsa, slick with coriander, tomatillos and lime.
It’s difficult to finish but it’s so good, the pork accompanied by a side of
refried beans, and green rice. The best $5 we’ve spent on lunch in a long
while. There are other good places to eat real Mexican food in <st1:city><st1:place>Los Angeles</st1:place></st1:city> (<a href="http://loteriagrill.com/" target="_blank">Loteria </a>at the farmers market is outstanding)
but this is one of the best. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At a stall that
specialises in fruit, dried fruit and nuts; a hunk of guava cheese goes into my bag. Dried chillies many of which are unavailable in the <st1:country-region><st1:place>UK</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Mexican oregano, so different from the European
one. I wish I could bring back avocado leaves and cactus paddles but that would
be a step too far. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The place is packed with
people shopping for dinner, the atmosphere rich with accents, loud calls in
Spanish and American, and few tourists. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the road is a
building featured in Blade Runner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope the market’s not
been spoilt. I want to go back. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-55582323055956950132013-04-04T06:43:00.001-07:002013-07-15T10:59:59.605-07:00Violets and orange flower water<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="ictxt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">"There is nowhere else in </span></i></b></span><span class="ictxt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">France</span></i></b></span><span class="ictxt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"> a sky with a deeper
blue than the sky of Collioure…" </span></i></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
<br />
<span class="ictxt">HENRI MATISSE</span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4kO81bCXo88/UUwZTQvqSCI/AAAAAAAAAsI/ahT3mYsNMH8/s1600/Collioure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4kO81bCXo88/UUwZTQvqSCI/AAAAAAAAAsI/ahT3mYsNMH8/s1600/Collioure.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">A Summer’s day
trip from </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Toulouse</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">. I left my friends behind in the steaming city and took the
train to the legendary Côte Vermeille where the sky was an impossible shade of
blue. Sadly, I was no pioneer; thousands of other people had discovered it
before me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Collioure
is only 20 minutes from Spanish Catalonia. Its streets are full of small
restaurants, art galleries, souvenir shops and chic boutiques. Henri Matisse painted
pictures of the quay side and village which pulsated with light and colour and
Patrick O'Brian, the author of nautical tales, made it his home for 50 years. Sadly
it is no longer an active fishing village but its beauty has not faded. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n1exD9ikoeA/UUwZTTi3-rI/AAAAAAAAAsM/4LgCLLKAy1M/s1600/Collioure+fishing+boats.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n1exD9ikoeA/UUwZTTi3-rI/AAAAAAAAAsM/4LgCLLKAy1M/s1600/Collioure+fishing+boats.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Fifteen
years later, I returned last spring. No car and a train strike left me at the
mercy of the daily buses to </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Perpignan</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">. And two weeks to discover and
forage for food.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">My first
foray was disappointing; the local shop was bare and I couldn’t remember how to
ask for sour dough bread in French.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">It took me
a day to find the market. Held two days a week up the hill on the town square,
when I arrived at </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">10am</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"> it was already bustling with local people come out of
hiding to do their shopping. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5v8n-kQPA5E/UUwZcyOtW0I/AAAAAAAAAto/EkAHlekr2Ws/s1600/market+woman.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5v8n-kQPA5E/UUwZcyOtW0I/AAAAAAAAAto/EkAHlekr2Ws/s1600/market+woman.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">On this particular
April morning there are fresh local cheeses, herbs & salad leaves, the
first tender little broad beans, bunches of salad onions large enough to
braise. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lDrEbMwdJgY/UUwZZFJEkQI/AAAAAAAAAtE/DWKUmajsTxk/s1600/lettuce+woman.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lDrEbMwdJgY/UUwZZFJEkQI/AAAAAAAAAtE/DWKUmajsTxk/s1600/lettuce+woman.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">There’s a man selling locally caught sea urchins, a meat van selling
the local sausages, cured meats & rabbit, bread stalls with huge crackling
loaves cut & sold by the kilo. There are baskets of beautiful rose hued
bulbs of garlic, and delicate banana shallots. A biologique stall displays
eggs, huge artichokes and strings of onions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-prFVlQB9Fx8/UUwZfrMHXqI/AAAAAAAAAuA/E1jEdWJ5nOE/s1600/onion+man.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-prFVlQB9Fx8/UUwZfrMHXqI/AAAAAAAAAuA/E1jEdWJ5nOE/s1600/onion+man.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Nestled
between, there are men selling the first strawberries of the season; two
varieties one small & pointed, the others a deeper red, large &
overflowing their little baskets. Yes they're expensive but strawberries in
April; I breathe in the scent & I buy a punnet of the smallest for my
breakfast. Radishes are selected, still with the earth on their red & white
heads; craggy local tomatoes, creamy waxy potatoes perfect for a salad. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_kkNFXrgN6c/UUwZhfBpssI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/GvJ16ZK3MmE/s1600/tomatoes+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_kkNFXrgN6c/UUwZhfBpssI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/GvJ16ZK3MmE/s1600/tomatoes+2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">French
produce is labelled with its place of origin. Otherwise it’s clearly labelled; </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Italy</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Morocco</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Spain</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fwb3jx1w22k/UUwZfbCTH7I/AAAAAAAAAt8/B_FRvGwoZjU/s1600/radishes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fwb3jx1w22k/UUwZfbCTH7I/AAAAAAAAAt8/B_FRvGwoZjU/s1600/radishes.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R5JoLPLSjXs/UUwZgd4reVI/AAAAAAAAAuI/2YuATrmPBx4/s1600/snails+Perpignan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R5JoLPLSjXs/UUwZgd4reVI/AAAAAAAAAuI/2YuATrmPBx4/s1600/snails+Perpignan.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Local women
set up stalls with bunches of local herbs and salad leaves which disappear
rapidly from their carefully arranged baskets. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W-Iq0GwN5SM/UUwZcKo3iRI/AAAAAAAAAtg/S0iFuhvlPwM/s1600/market+person+herb+stall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W-Iq0GwN5SM/UUwZcKo3iRI/AAAAAAAAAtg/S0iFuhvlPwM/s1600/market+person+herb+stall.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w7nfFN8Zl_0/UUwZZ9uDc9I/AAAAAAAAAtM/GgUz09ezD74/s1600/market+people.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w7nfFN8Zl_0/UUwZZ9uDc9I/AAAAAAAAAtM/GgUz09ezD74/s1600/market+people.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">The price of
the asparagus almost takes my breath away. A woman next to me shopping with her
wicker basket full of mussels says 'plus chere' & it is. The stallholder
answers, first of the season madam.... <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l7lAlSgp_dA/UUwbk-nWWHI/AAAAAAAAAuk/Bizr-O_ztj4/s1600/white+asparagus.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l7lAlSgp_dA/UUwbk-nWWHI/AAAAAAAAAuk/Bizr-O_ztj4/s1600/white+asparagus.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aj6Vr_ubWLA/UUwblD1ICKI/AAAAAAAAAus/lI8QkOPmJ8c/s1600/asparagus+spru.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aj6Vr_ubWLA/UUwblD1ICKI/AAAAAAAAAus/lI8QkOPmJ8c/s1600/asparagus+spru.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Just as I'm
leaving I spot a jar of coloured marshmallows on a tiny unassuming patisserie
stall. Are they rose & violet I ask hopefully? They are. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wonderful; made by the stall holders’
girlfriend, a pastry chef. Orange flower water is the other flavour & one
that resonates in this area. I’m offered samples; it would be rude to refuse.
It’s equally difficult to resist eating them all at once. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G3myjV1X2LI/UUwZd3HvjwI/AAAAAAAAAtw/3RV6sIH4Spk/s1600/marshmallow+man.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G3myjV1X2LI/UUwZd3HvjwI/AAAAAAAAAtw/3RV6sIH4Spk/s1600/marshmallow+man.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">A pain au raisin overlooking the sea; the harbour coming to life with of all
things, army frogmen landing on the beach. My deeply scented strawberries and violet
marshmallows won’t last three days until the next market day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b1JikEzxUmw/UUwZXBPsDeI/AAAAAAAAAsw/c3VeMsftFs8/s1600/frogmen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b1JikEzxUmw/UUwZXBPsDeI/AAAAAAAAAsw/c3VeMsftFs8/s1600/frogmen.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a> </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6yLyMfqjV5A/UUwZV4WR8LI/AAAAAAAAAsk/C1QttsgdJvw/s1600/fridge+one.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6yLyMfqjV5A/UUwZV4WR8LI/AAAAAAAAAsk/C1QttsgdJvw/s1600/fridge+one.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Collioure is a small village. There are at least five bakeries. One has the sweet aniseed flavoured bread I bought on my first day trip. The morning trip to the baker becomes a welcome routine.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YLb3FhU3PxM/UUwblLYq_JI/AAAAAAAAAuo/3k9u0SyqIhc/s1600/le+pain+in+the+sun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YLb3FhU3PxM/UUwblLYq_JI/AAAAAAAAAuo/3k9u0SyqIhc/s1600/le+pain+in+the+sun.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">The butcher is yet to be found open. Two greengrocers seem to pander to
tourist tastes rather than local needs. No fishmongers that I can find. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">At the entrance of the traiteur
on a flat wicker tray are a pile of what look like flat sugared doughnuts.
They're the local speciality, Bunyetes, flat, fried ’pancakes’ which swell in
oil, become crisp, and are served dusted with granulated sugar, much like
beignets or doughnuts. Flavoured with orange flower water, Bunyetes are<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>traditionally made and eaten at Easter all
over </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Catalonia</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> They're</span> delicious; subtly orange, light, non greasy. Perfect for a
slightly windswept day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--gZwJYvvY4Q/UV1__lOaWeI/AAAAAAAAAvE/qMX5QDcFXVY/s1600/Collioure+picture+frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--gZwJYvvY4Q/UV1__lOaWeI/AAAAAAAAAvE/qMX5QDcFXVY/s1600/Collioure+picture+frame.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">All over
the town there are reproductions of paintings at the locations they were
created, with frames for you to view the scene. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Picasso, Derain, Dufy, Chagall & Charles
Rennie Macintosh all came here drawn by the clarity of light.<br />
<br />
A dozen ice-cream parlours near the harbour and beach have brazen luridly
coloured confections heaped up in piles like beehive hairdos in bubblegum
shades.<br />
In the back streets is an artisan shop specialising in Catalan
confectionary. Their glace and sorbets are hand made and amongst the lovely
natural flavours (fig, sheep’s milk yogurt) violet is delicate and subtle. Candied and glacé fruit, and various types of nougat are sold by the
gram.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br />
<span class="address">Saveurs d'Antan</span></b><span class="address"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4 r Pasteur</span> <br />
<span class="postal-code">66190</span> <span class="locality">Collioure</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
In another back street I stumble across a traditional Catalan biscuit shop
where the divine crisp almond, cinnamon and aniseed croquant biscuits are made on site to
a secret family recipe (it’s always a secret family recipe). I bring
some back; my friends exclaim at their deliciousness and I wish I’d brought
more. Naturally I can’t get the recipe but ground almonds and egg white figure
highly. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Le Croquant à l'Ancienne</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">. Spécialité de la Famille Pons. 8
rue Berthelot 66190 Collioure. Tel : 04 68 98 08 90</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">In Medieval
times Collioure’s reputation revolved around the salting of anchovies, sardines
and tuna. Salting is a hard way of making a living and, generation by
generation, the anchovy salting families have become fewer and fewer. In 1870
there were 140 boats and 800 fishermen. Now, in Collioure, only two anchovy
salting families remain<b>.</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Fresh
Anchovies are salted whole by hand fresh from their arrival in port. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">They are
left in salt, producing their own brine with their juices. Withdrawn from salt
after a few days, they are then again preserved in salt for three months in
order to give the anchovies their unique flavour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The skill and artistry with which the
anchovies are arranged in their jars and indeed the entire preceding labour
intensive production line should ensure a heightened appreciation of the fiddly
little fish.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Once again I
wish I’d bought more; I’ve not since come across any anchovies like them and
know of no other place where these fish are preserved whole in salt. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Sea food is
a speciality of the area; I spent ages trying to find the name for razor clams
before giving up and pointing to a dish on a customers’ plate. It’s couteaux (knives). And they were delicious. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BIeAA6X2EuE/UUwZcLwPmTI/AAAAAAAAAtc/qwQxgcbFmGE/s1600/Port+Vendres.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BIeAA6X2EuE/UUwZcLwPmTI/AAAAAAAAAtc/qwQxgcbFmGE/s1600/Port+Vendres.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Along the coast in Port
Vendres, fishermen sell their morning catch at little tables on the quayside.
The numerous seafood restaurants are kinder in price than those in Collioure and many
serve a reasonably priced set lunch. </span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F7nUsT4luws/UUwZZdeTx0I/AAAAAAAAAtI/GqzgD0s4tMY/s1600/lunch+of+oysters+Port+Vendres.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F7nUsT4luws/UUwZZdeTx0I/AAAAAAAAAtI/GqzgD0s4tMY/s1600/lunch+of+oysters+Port+Vendres.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<h2>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-em_Z1yNSopA/UUwZUxf1exI/AAAAAAAAAsc/PsLCwBf5kVU/s1600/end+of+lunch+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-em_Z1yNSopA/UUwZUxf1exI/AAAAAAAAAsc/PsLCwBf5kVU/s1600/end+of+lunch+2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></h2>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">The butcher finally opened on my last day. He’s happy to offer
tasters of the locally made salamis, I’m equally happy to buy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">C.Cantie - J.Rierra<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>25 Rue Pasteur</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dglace%2Bfruit%2B%2BCollioure%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1440%26bih%3D711%26prmd%3Dimvns&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=fr&twu=1&u=http://www.levinaigre.com/&usg=ALkJrhgR7C016NbNZlDQWRaTH1FMLGMFhw">La Guinelle</a></span> <a href="http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dglace%2Bfruit%2B%2BCollioure%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1440%26bih%3D711%26prmd%3Dimvns&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=fr&twu=1&u=http://www.levinaigre.com/&usg=ALkJrhgR7C016NbNZlDQWRaTH1FMLGMFhw"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span></a></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">It’s
worth seeking out the vinegar made by <b>Nathalie Herre,</b> the vinaigrière. <br />
(</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Saint Sebastian Street</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">, near the </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Market Square</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">) <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rare <b><i>white</i></b> vinegar of
Banyuls, the <b><i>red</i></b>, with scents of red fruits, and the <b><i>Vermeil</i></b>
spicy cinnamon and cloves (for desserts).<br />
All of her vinegars are organic and sulfite-free, made outdoors in oak casks. <br />
Look out for Ceret <b><i>cherries</i></b> in spiced vinegar. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">One I missed; </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Le glace
</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Olivier Bajard <b>; </b></span><span class="ic-txt"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">16 rue de la
République</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="ic-txt"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.olivier-bajard.com/">http://www.olivier-bajard.com/</a></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">DESCLAUX ANCHOVY
SALTING WORKSHOPS</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
Collioure - Tel. 00 33 4 68 82 05 25<br />
<a href="http://www.anchoisdesclaux.com/">www.anchoisdesclaux.com</a><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">ROQUE ANCHOVY
SALTING WORKSHOPS</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
Collioure - Tel. 00 33 4 68 82 22 30<br />
<a href="http://www.anchois-roque.com/">www.anchois-roque.com</a></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">The anchovy shop; </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Maison Roque 17 Route d'Argelès,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
All this in
one little village. And that's without mentioning the caves and wines... </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Banyettes</b></span></div>
<div class="spip">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
1 1/2 teaspoons instant dry yeast<br />
4 Tablespoons butter, melted and cooled<br />
4 eggs<br />
A few drops orange flower water<br />
1 Tablespoon lemon zest, grated fine<br />
1 lb all-purpose flour<br />
1/4 teaspoon salt<br />
1 litre of good vegetable oil, such as sunflower or corn<br />
Fine white sugar</span></div>
<div class="spip">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mix the yeast
with the cooled butter to dissolve it. Beat the eggs well with the orange
flower water. In a large bowl, incorporate the two mixtures, adding the flour
to make a smooth ball. If it is too sticky, add a bit more flour; if too dry,
add a bit more melted butter or a little water. Place the dough on a floured
surface, and knead well, picking up the dough and throwing it down onto the
surface. You cannot hurt this dough by mistreating it. Work it until it is very
smooth and elastic, as you would work brioche dough. Place in a buttered bowl,
cover with plastic wrap, and let rise until double, about 2 hours. Divide the
dough into golf ball-size pieces. Let rest, covered with a towel, for 10
minutes. Roll out each piece of dough with a rolling pin, making the disc as
thin as possible, even transparent in some places. Heat the oil to boiling in a
skillet or deep fryer wide enough to hold 2 banyettes, or cook them one at a
time in a smaller skillet. Slip the discs into the hot oil, being careful not
to get burned by the splatter. When one side is golden brown and crisp, turn
the banyettes and cook the other side until golden. This will take very little
time, so watch carefully that they do not burn. Remove to absorbent paper, and
sprinkle liberally with sugar immediately. Bon appétit!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-29595969532074031252013-01-31T09:14:00.001-08:002013-07-15T11:00:39.873-07:00Eating Istanbul part two<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Meeting friends of friends from Istanbul made me realise that I'd forgotton to post this piece. That and talking all <span style="font-size: small;">evening</span> about the food I missed so much.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-23k1xZqNeqE/UQpMpDlurzI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/eALeMDjtYGY/s1600/17+oct+mosque+near+spice+market.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-23k1xZqNeqE/UQpMpDlurzI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/eALeMDjtYGY/s1600/17+oct+mosque+near+spice+market.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The rain obviously isn’t
going to stop and the spice market beckons. The market itself is brash and
touristy, but the streets around it are like the blood vessels
pumping life in and around the covered market, the places where every day
purchases are made. The further away you go from the spice market, the more
down to earth it gets. I have a shopping list. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d8IyZxShnys/UQpJ8lPEmeI/AAAAAAAAAcY/L1QAyvsEeBU/s1600/15+oct+spice+market+cu+spices.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d8IyZxShnys/UQpJ8lPEmeI/AAAAAAAAAcY/L1QAyvsEeBU/s1600/15+oct+spice+market+cu+spices.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What I thought was called
kirmizi biber turns out to be called pul bibir, crushed and flaked pepper. It’s
soft, slightly smokey and varies in heat from mild to a slight kick. Various
types are sold from huge pyramids on market stalls and spice shops. Taste them first, check the
quality. Some are oiled, some smoked. I was told that the oiled is better; a
day later, the reverse was true. In the end it’s down to personal preference. It’s
used on everything from bread and toast to stews and rice dishes and it’s on
most tables in cafes and restaurants. It’s addictive and I’d run out of my
supply. You can find it in the UK occasionally under the name Aleppo chillies. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Into my bag goes Z’attar with pistachios and
another with ground hazelnuts, camomile flowers for tea, Muscat raisins and freshly roasted Turkish hazelnuts.
Opposite the entrance to the spice market, the Turkish coffee shop has its
usual queue. Within, a line of bored looking youths form a chain, filling,
closing and stapling up bags of Turkish coffee. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AHAjC9RdIcA/UQpK9nGDEhI/AAAAAAAAAck/VaAS_BfDqN8/s1600/turkish+coffee+shop+yawning.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AHAjC9RdIcA/UQpK9nGDEhI/AAAAAAAAAck/VaAS_BfDqN8/s1600/turkish+coffee+shop+yawning.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Despite the downpour the
streets are packed with life, as locals meet tourists, shopping, discovering,
buying, tasting, discussing, face to face with all that is edible in Istanbul. Food is everywhere; on every corner at all times
of the day, there’s time for something to eat or drink. It’s mid October and
time for chestnuts, roasted corn on the cob and the ever present simit (sesame seeded twists of crisp bread) from the street vendors. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rX_OZtva64s/UQpMNYCod1I/AAAAAAAAAc0/e1jfrPrOjZE/s1600/15+oct+spice+market+dried+fruit+seller.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rX_OZtva64s/UQpMNYCod1I/AAAAAAAAAc0/e1jfrPrOjZE/s1600/15+oct+spice+market+dried+fruit+seller.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Turn away from the spice bazzar and explore the warren of shops
specialising in the most improbable items ; from wooden sieves and hessian to knives and ropes.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rfYNuUiN9pk/UQpMc_sMrhI/AAAAAAAAAdA/bZXmUzDkHpM/s1600/17+oct+spice+market+shop+hessian+seller.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rfYNuUiN9pk/UQpMc_sMrhI/AAAAAAAAAdA/bZXmUzDkHpM/s1600/17+oct+spice+market+shop+hessian+seller.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2fxtx4at6pg/UQpMgT5O7sI/AAAAAAAAAdI/ee2o7Rl2i8M/s1600/15+oct+sieve+shop+spice+market+area.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2fxtx4at6pg/UQpMgT5O7sI/AAAAAAAAAdI/ee2o7Rl2i8M/s1600/15+oct+sieve+shop+spice+market+area.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kWjTi1F3Wmg/UQqD8Xz15QI/AAAAAAAAAoI/P60ahp170_0/s1600/over+head+spice+market+streets.+2+JPG.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kWjTi1F3Wmg/UQqD8Xz15QI/AAAAAAAAAoI/P60ahp170_0/s1600/over+head+spice+market+streets.+2+JPG.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WwVLrwtlhvs/UQpMx7DiH-I/AAAAAAAAAdY/_qnBmzvgtkQ/s1600/17+oct+spice+market+shops+cutting+up+cheese.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WwVLrwtlhvs/UQpMx7DiH-I/AAAAAAAAAdY/_qnBmzvgtkQ/s1600/17+oct+spice+market+shops+cutting+up+cheese.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Qtzs_jRgfI/UQpNBFt3QUI/AAAAAAAAAd4/i38jzsqEILc/s1600/17+oct+spice+market+streets+rope+shop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Qtzs_jRgfI/UQpNBFt3QUI/AAAAAAAAAd4/i38jzsqEILc/s1600/17+oct+spice+market+streets+rope+shop.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s2YKoKw9W_A/UQpNFFjNSMI/AAAAAAAAAeA/wZ2c4vRO-wI/s1600/17+oct+spice+market+tripe+shop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s2YKoKw9W_A/UQpNFFjNSMI/AAAAAAAAAeA/wZ2c4vRO-wI/s1600/17+oct+spice+market+tripe+shop.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I’m seeking Altan, a sweet shop that’s been in business since
the American war of independence. I’m led astray by a shoe shine man who points
me in the wrong direction, but my diversion means I find pomegranate juice.
It’s early in the season, still sour, and served with sugar on the side but I can’t resist. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VGZvuR-ebIE/UQpMzkqFt6I/AAAAAAAAAdg/7QjpcfxIRuo/s1600/15+oct+pomegranete+juice.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VGZvuR-ebIE/UQpMzkqFt6I/AAAAAAAAAdg/7QjpcfxIRuo/s1600/15+oct+pomegranete+juice.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Altan is
tucked anonymously amongst the hardware shops and low key cafes on Küçük Pazarı. The charming owner
is on the phone, and apologies for his inattention. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--E4SLYbJeK8/UQpM29ZyK6I/AAAAAAAAAdo/dxB28DAbv_A/s1600/15+Oct+Altan+int+ed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--E4SLYbJeK8/UQpM29ZyK6I/AAAAAAAAAdo/dxB28DAbv_A/s1600/15+Oct+Altan+int+ed.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The shop is
unflashy, with wooden panelling and glass containers stacked with Turkish delight,
and bottles of boiled sweets. The pistachio Turkish delight is wonderful as is
the rose flavour. Exit Altan weighted
down with boxes of Turkish delight. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9i5Cmm77R0g/UQpM5YEvzRI/AAAAAAAAAdw/-aY_SKpxNU4/s1600/15+oct+corn+on+cob.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9i5Cmm77R0g/UQpM5YEvzRI/AAAAAAAAAdw/-aY_SKpxNU4/s1600/15+oct+corn+on+cob.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">By the Bosphurus a street vendor is <span style="font-size: small;">grilling </span>misir (sweet
corn). It’s very mealy, not the best I’ve ever eaten, and I suspect that this is the end of the season, but it’s certainly
the cheapest – 1 TL about 30pence. That takes care of lunch, I’m certainly not
hungry for anything else. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The rain continues. A good
opportunity to take in the Bianale. It’s hidden away besides the Istanbul
Modern, an amazing thought provoking exhibition that crosses centuries,
cultures and time zones. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-icAPQ9Ywuc8/UQpO-kbdqbI/AAAAAAAAAeU/4wnk5LIOK8k/s1600/15+oct+bianalle+chalk+drawings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-icAPQ9Ywuc8/UQpO-kbdqbI/AAAAAAAAAeU/4wnk5LIOK8k/s1600/15+oct+bianalle+chalk+drawings.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5y8xopqQM30/UQpPBF23VDI/AAAAAAAAAec/yD77TKNqtCA/s1600/bianalle+I+love+nature.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5y8xopqQM30/UQpPBF23VDI/AAAAAAAAAec/yD77TKNqtCA/s1600/bianalle+I+love+nature.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It’s about 4pm when I emerge, hungry and tired. A café cooking mackerel on a griddle calls me. I can’t resist. No need for dinner this evening. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rsd8fYaKtAY/UQpPjLQsaYI/AAAAAAAAAek/pUY0J_c0wfc/s1600/16+oct+mackeral+cooking+griddle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rsd8fYaKtAY/UQpPjLQsaYI/AAAAAAAAAek/pUY0J_c0wfc/s1600/16+oct+mackeral+cooking+griddle.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I love Turkish breakfast;
my hotel serves lovely little seseme
rolls stuffed with cheese; melon, olives, good feta cheese, tomato and
cucumbers and sage tea.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gHOhCINAbGg/UQpQChQilPI/AAAAAAAAAe0/IUjiULA43FA/s1600/16+oct+hotel+breakfast.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gHOhCINAbGg/UQpQChQilPI/AAAAAAAAAe0/IUjiULA43FA/s1600/16+oct+hotel+breakfast.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A walk to the <a href="http://www.muze.gov.tr/mosaic" target="_blank">mosaicmuseum</a>, bumping into the Istanbul
marathon on the way. The museum is ingenious. A former palace, they simply
built a wall around the remains. The mosaics are spectacularly beautiful, rare and unusual. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ypDBkBgN-Ng/UQpRI9E3gAI/AAAAAAAAAfc/fwwaR9zkPI8/s1600/mosaics+museum+goose+boy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ypDBkBgN-Ng/UQpRI9E3gAI/AAAAAAAAAfc/fwwaR9zkPI8/s1600/mosaics+museum+goose+boy.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ue7N2LOCqXM/UQpSFzAgQHI/AAAAAAAAAfs/EFi0l_sHQNY/s1600/mosaic+museum+elephant+fighting+lion.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ue7N2LOCqXM/UQpSFzAgQHI/AAAAAAAAAfs/EFi0l_sHQNY/s1600/mosaic+museum+elephant+fighting+lion.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All trams
to the Galata bridge are scuppered by the Istanbul marathon so I start walking. Taking a short cut, I come across one
of the citys’ many ancient Turkish baths and on impulse go inside.The wooden shoes given to walk into the interior take some getting used to but the surroundings are beautiful and a comfortable shelter from the rainy day. Afterwards I end up chatting
to the man who runs the shop, drinking mint tea whilst watching tennis on the courtyard television, and discussing the merits of restaurants in Istanbul, Edinburgh and London. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bFVvgZnhLVk/UQpTwcTK8WI/AAAAAAAAAgA/SyYr2ojapdw/s1600/16+oct+bath+house+shoes+ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bFVvgZnhLVk/UQpTwcTK8WI/AAAAAAAAAgA/SyYr2ojapdw/s1600/16+oct+bath+house+shoes+ed.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MYkL7noH9B4/UQpT0uOnvLI/AAAAAAAAAgI/wIjaTn7g8qU/s1600/16+oct+bath+house+women+ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MYkL7noH9B4/UQpT0uOnvLI/AAAAAAAAAgI/wIjaTn7g8qU/s1600/16+oct+bath+house+women+ed.jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">By the Galata bridge, next to the fish market there's the
strip of mackerel sandwich sellers I was seeking. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->Balık ekmek –
literaly translated means ‘fish bread’ The men
are adapt at cooking the freshly caught fillets of mackerel. Filling the rolls
with a fillet, adding raw onion, salad, chilli and a slice of lemon. Wet and windy as the day is, it's still cheap,
simple and some of the best street food in the city. There's a place on the sea front at Brighton that does fresh mackerel sandwiches. I wish they'd copy <span style="font-size: small;">the</span> Istanbul method.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J9jgssxjxVE/UQpU0HluTCI/AAAAAAAAAgU/hLVk_Hu192Y/s1600/16+oct+mackeral+sandwich+sellers+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J9jgssxjxVE/UQpU0HluTCI/AAAAAAAAAgU/hLVk_Hu192Y/s1600/16+oct+mackeral+sandwich+sellers+2.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dB0wg6U0Jqg/UQqFZJNp9EI/AAAAAAAAApI/vJAXvSZHY6M/s1600/16+oct+mackeral+sandwich+cu.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dB0wg6U0Jqg/UQqFZJNp9EI/AAAAAAAAApI/vJAXvSZHY6M/s1600/16+oct+mackeral+sandwich+cu.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The fish stalls here are
buzzing, some fish still alive and swimming around in bowls. And naturally, the cats do pretty well.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xlUuUIsFCEA/UQpVcPqpjRI/AAAAAAAAAgk/hHhcFyKa9CY/s1600/16+oct+cu+fishmarket+cat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xlUuUIsFCEA/UQpVcPqpjRI/AAAAAAAAAgk/hHhcFyKa9CY/s1600/16+oct+cu+fishmarket+cat.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lb7-0FntG1g/UQpVhEQqFnI/AAAAAAAAAgs/osAQ2g2w_e0/s1600/16+Oct+fish+market+galatea+bridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lb7-0FntG1g/UQpVhEQqFnI/AAAAAAAAAgs/osAQ2g2w_e0/s1600/16+Oct+fish+market+galatea+bridge.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fblF_fCMNQ4/UQpVk6u6_5I/AAAAAAAAAg0/9eYBHWhEvGo/s1600/16+Oct+fish+market+galatea+bridge+cu+fish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fblF_fCMNQ4/UQpVk6u6_5I/AAAAAAAAAg0/9eYBHWhEvGo/s1600/16+Oct+fish+market+galatea+bridge+cu+fish.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sATEJ5aUuMA/UQpVnLnSEVI/AAAAAAAAAg8/EibDfULxN6k/s1600/16+oct+fried+fish+plates+cu.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sATEJ5aUuMA/UQpVnLnSEVI/AAAAAAAAAg8/EibDfULxN6k/s1600/16+oct+fried+fish+plates+cu.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> By now the rain is
tipping down. On the bridge; the myriad fishermen carry on
whatever the weather. I'm too wet to get my camera out. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It’s my aim to find the
baklava shop I visited a few days earlier (see Istanbul part one) and buy baklava and quince to take
home. In the rain I take a wrong turn and manage to get lost. It takes me an
hour to find my way again. I’m cross,
fed up and very wet. But I find the shop and packs of beautiful jewel coloured quince
and hand made baklava go into my bag.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ipy_p4-QfXA/UQpXV-be5QI/AAAAAAAAAhg/mMvfMRiuvlU/s1600/quince+baklava+shop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ipy_p4-QfXA/UQpXV-be5QI/AAAAAAAAAhg/mMvfMRiuvlU/s1600/quince+baklava+shop.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> It’s still pouring. Three academics
taking tea in the baklava shop accompany me back to Istiklal street. They are charming
company, well informed and politically astute. I tell them I want to find
<a href="http://istanbuleats.com/2009/04/ficcin-the-caucasian-sensation/" target="_blank">Ficcin</a>. I’m not in the least hungry, but miserably cold and soggy. Circassian dumplings for an opportunity to
warm up and dry out. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hH8o9-2O6Lg/UQpZWfICmBI/AAAAAAAAAh8/giRyKAkrpIE/s1600/walk+turkish+dumplings+cu.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hH8o9-2O6Lg/UQpZWfICmBI/AAAAAAAAAh8/giRyKAkrpIE/s1600/walk+turkish+dumplings+cu.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">An hour later I’m in the rain again, and another café looms, this one
with beautiful art deco tiles. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bURh_E_y60M/UQpaUlPA0pI/AAAAAAAAAiI/tPSkzWBHcTA/s1600/16+oct+tiled+cafe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bURh_E_y60M/UQpaUlPA0pI/AAAAAAAAAiI/tPSkzWBHcTA/s1600/16+oct+tiled+cafe.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Time for tea and dessert. And raised eyebrows back at my hotel when I ask for old newspapers to stuff my sodden boots with. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Monday I’m back to the
shops by the spice market, this time to find the hidden gem that is the <a href="http://www.greatistanbul.com/rustem_pasa_mosque.htm" target="_blank">Rüstem Pasha Mosque</a>. The Mosque is just to the
right of the Spice Market, below the larger Suleymaniye Mosque. It's worth searching for; the exterior and interior are covered in beautiful Isnik tiles.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NMMDGFLYHag/UQpcbRkLMhI/AAAAAAAAAik/chhMdNOutNE/s1600/17+Oct+Iznik+tile+mosque.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NMMDGFLYHag/UQpcbRkLMhI/AAAAAAAAAik/chhMdNOutNE/s1600/17+Oct+Iznik+tile+mosque.JPG" height="144" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X1k8AoJYKKI/UQpcoHMACHI/AAAAAAAAAis/WqnBapQ-inM/s1600/17+oct+Iznik+tile+mosque+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X1k8AoJYKKI/UQpcoHMACHI/AAAAAAAAAis/WqnBapQ-inM/s1600/17+oct+Iznik+tile+mosque+2.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ss2pWaJ1gSY/UQpcr2tnhyI/AAAAAAAAAi0/wS8aMFphCqY/s1600/17+oct+Iznik+tile+mosque+ext+jumble+of+tiles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ss2pWaJ1gSY/UQpcr2tnhyI/AAAAAAAAAi0/wS8aMFphCqY/s1600/17+oct+Iznik+tile+mosque+ext+jumble+of+tiles.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OBaE4BhS-mA/UQpcs2h20iI/AAAAAAAAAjA/nPJjHbWI7TY/s1600/17+oct+Iznik+tile+mosque+ext.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OBaE4BhS-mA/UQpcs2h20iI/AAAAAAAAAjA/nPJjHbWI7TY/s1600/17+oct+Iznik+tile+mosque+ext.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> There's another side to the
market; a slightly strange one where flowers, bulbs, seeds, birds
animals and yes, leeches, are sold side by side. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JEa_v_UcwNM/UQqgOidIBmI/AAAAAAAAArA/uTXfsCY56Og/s1600/17+oct+pet+market+leeches!.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JEa_v_UcwNM/UQqgOidIBmI/AAAAAAAAArA/uTXfsCY56Og/s1600/17+oct+pet+market+leeches!.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FrdVfQs_3Mg/UQqgQIKdY7I/AAAAAAAAArM/2vmLhsR61BA/s1600/pet+and+plant+market.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FrdVfQs_3Mg/UQqgQIKdY7I/AAAAAAAAArM/2vmLhsR61BA/s1600/pet+and+plant+market.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w2vtMt1Ka0Y/UQqgSRW-wOI/AAAAAAAAArY/xlFGFjwEDVQ/s1600/pet+market+parrot+cu.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w2vtMt1Ka0Y/UQqgSRW-wOI/AAAAAAAAArY/xlFGFjwEDVQ/s1600/pet+market+parrot+cu.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQsnTu-nNXQ/UQqgUgB5FkI/AAAAAAAAArg/tphEGO26qOA/s1600/pet+market+rodents.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQsnTu-nNXQ/UQqgUgB5FkI/AAAAAAAAArg/tphEGO26qOA/s1600/pet+market+rodents.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QkEnHLxCEGQ/UQqgVQrc9aI/AAAAAAAAAro/0U5ZW4gS0ig/s1600/pet+market+squashed+poultry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QkEnHLxCEGQ/UQqgVQrc9aI/AAAAAAAAAro/0U5ZW4gS0ig/s1600/pet+market+squashed+poultry.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Then; across the river to Kadikoy on the Asian side for the market
and lunch.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NwXk1wgIrvw/UQqD47Xx8KI/AAAAAAAAAn8/DgA-X9650PM/s1600/17+oct+waiting+for+ferry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NwXk1wgIrvw/UQqD47Xx8KI/AAAAAAAAAn8/DgA-X9650PM/s1600/17+oct+waiting+for+ferry.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tPIMm_Oo0RE/UQpghgX9TsI/AAAAAAAAAk0/odwIkII75ks/s1600/17+oct+Ciya+ext.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tPIMm_Oo0RE/UQpghgX9TsI/AAAAAAAAAk0/odwIkII75ks/s1600/17+oct+Ciya+ext.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ciya.com.tr/index_en.php" target="_blank">Ciya</a> is legendary, not
only in Istanbul but around the world, describing itself as a garden of lost cultures and tastes. It’s busy when I arrive, but
there’s space. It’s not a starched tablecloth have you booked kind of place. In
common with many Turkish restaurants, the food is laid out at the entrance, hot
food to the left, salads to the right. You ask, you point. Salads are weighted
out once you’ve plated them.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dVYNX4E9dmI/UQpghpBXyYI/AAAAAAAAAk4/WwzgFpWjgE8/s1600/17+oct+ciya+salad+buffet+ed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dVYNX4E9dmI/UQpghpBXyYI/AAAAAAAAAk4/WwzgFpWjgE8/s1600/17+oct+ciya+salad+buffet+ed.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fb0oNl0-r-A/UQpghna1IEI/AAAAAAAAAkw/Kabne9HvtUQ/s1600/17+oct+ciya+oregana,+pomegrante+seed+salad+ed.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fb0oNl0-r-A/UQpghna1IEI/AAAAAAAAAkw/Kabne9HvtUQ/s1600/17+oct+ciya+oregana,+pomegrante+seed+salad+ed.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Oregono and pomegranate salad </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fkalQiBcAWo/UQpev5scTpI/AAAAAAAAAj0/CykDJhvjhxI/s1600/17+oct+caya+salad+plate+cu+ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fkalQiBcAWo/UQpev5scTpI/AAAAAAAAAj0/CykDJhvjhxI/s1600/17+oct+caya+salad+plate+cu+ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</a></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 5pt 12pt;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--></div>
<div style="margin: 5pt 12pt;">
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">Ciya
specialises in food with memories. The owner, Musa Dagdeviren travels the
country collecting recipes, some forgotton in recent memory. People go to eat
food they grew up with. This is food with soul. It’s delicious, delicate,
wonderful. Some of the food I've never seen before. I don't know enough Turkish
and no one knows enough English to translate. The green stems on my plate are
described as a green vegetable. I obviously have to return with Turkish
speakers.<br />
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fkalQiBcAWo/UQpev5scTpI/AAAAAAAAAj0/CykDJhvjhxI/s1600/17+oct+caya+salad+plate+cu+ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</a></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fkalQiBcAWo/UQpev5scTpI/AAAAAAAAAj0/CykDJhvjhxI/s1600/17+oct+caya+salad+plate+cu+ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--></span></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fkalQiBcAWo/UQpev5scTpI/AAAAAAAAAj0/CykDJhvjhxI/s1600/17+oct+caya+salad+plate+cu+ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fkalQiBcAWo/UQpev5scTpI/AAAAAAAAAj0/CykDJhvjhxI/s1600/17+oct+caya+salad+plate+cu+ed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fkalQiBcAWo/UQpev5scTpI/AAAAAAAAAj0/CykDJhvjhxI/s1600/17+oct+caya+salad+plate+cu+ed.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MvBRJ_4H3f0/UQperV9zwmI/AAAAAAAAAjg/JfayqQ5SeKs/s1600/17+oct+Ciya+chef.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MvBRJ_4H3f0/UQperV9zwmI/AAAAAAAAAjg/JfayqQ5SeKs/s1600/17+oct+Ciya+chef.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WPm9Z2MEzUI/UQpez7IAn7I/AAAAAAAAAkI/oxAS2W3Hcto/s1600/17+oct+ciya+cu+dishes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WPm9Z2MEzUI/UQpez7IAn7I/AAAAAAAAAkI/oxAS2W3Hcto/s1600/17+oct+ciya+cu+dishes.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--qpVYzHr5Tw/UQpgkG7OC6I/AAAAAAAAAlI/X5NmEw-zRZE/s1600/17+oct+ciya+stuffed+apple,+lamb+with+saffron+&+quince+ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--qpVYzHr5Tw/UQpgkG7OC6I/AAAAAAAAAlI/X5NmEw-zRZE/s1600/17+oct+ciya+stuffed+apple,+lamb+with+saffron+&+quince+ed.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Apple stuffed with minced lamb and a stew of
lamb with quince</span></span><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]--></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The desserts are unique; candied walnuts and
olives, a cream that tastes like marshmallow which is actually made from a tree
bark. I’m brought a spiced tea, heavy with cloves, cinnamon, walnuts. </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are a few chefs I
dream about sourcing ingredients and cooking with; Musa Dagdeviren tops the list. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_MAKBTm3kag/UQperIWTHdI/AAAAAAAAAjc/QyjlmSLZkgQ/s1600/17+oct+Ciya+dessert+plate+ed.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_MAKBTm3kag/UQperIWTHdI/AAAAAAAAAjc/QyjlmSLZkgQ/s1600/17+oct+Ciya+dessert+plate+ed.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o2PNW7_ckTY/UQpe1H61UmI/AAAAAAAAAkM/hE2eO8ak4FQ/s1600/17+oct+ciya+drink+ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o2PNW7_ckTY/UQpe1H61UmI/AAAAAAAAAkM/hE2eO8ak4FQ/s1600/17+oct+ciya+drink+ed.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The first time I came
to the market in Kadioy, it was mulberry season. Now it's pomegranates and chestnuts. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fGzRvBLcm1g/UQp_Drmvs_I/AAAAAAAAAlg/cZvTUTUjgjY/s1600/17+oct+Kadikoy+market+cu+unidentified+prods+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fGzRvBLcm1g/UQp_Drmvs_I/AAAAAAAAAlg/cZvTUTUjgjY/s1600/17+oct+Kadikoy+market+cu+unidentified+prods+2.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are fruits I’ve never seen or heard
of. I had to do a bit of research to find out what these brown/green fruits like small plums are called; jujub...More <a href="http://myphilosofia.com/tag/hunnap/#.UQqimPKs_gc" target="_blank">here </a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DWRUj47ojd8/UQp_Ec7K3WI/AAAAAAAAAlk/aGv61_z2RMY/s1600/17+oct+Kadikoy+market+cu+unidentified+prods+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DWRUj47ojd8/UQp_Ec7K3WI/AAAAAAAAAlk/aGv61_z2RMY/s1600/17+oct+Kadikoy+market+cu+unidentified+prods+3.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rh4qQrTPUUE/UQp_EjARO0I/AAAAAAAAAlo/pAIzAW0YtTk/s1600/17+oct+Kadikoy+market+cu+unidentified+prods.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rh4qQrTPUUE/UQp_EjARO0I/AAAAAAAAAlo/pAIzAW0YtTk/s1600/17+oct+Kadikoy+market+cu+unidentified+prods.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The<span style="font-size: small;">se</span> look like crab apples but I suspect not...</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zjz8sHjGEX0/UQp_IulyTdI/AAAAAAAAAl4/-creeqBtHLc/s1600/17+oct+kadikoy+market+salad+stall+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zjz8sHjGEX0/UQp_IulyTdI/AAAAAAAAAl4/-creeqBtHLc/s1600/17+oct+kadikoy+market+salad+stall+2.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--JqtJUfd5JQ/UQp_JC527mI/AAAAAAAAAl8/yb4tUM4S23Y/s1600/17+oct+kadikoy+market+salad+stall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--JqtJUfd5JQ/UQp_JC527mI/AAAAAAAAAl8/yb4tUM4S23Y/s1600/17+oct+kadikoy+market+salad+stall.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It’s stopped raining long
enough for a walk around the quay side at Kadikoy to be pleasant. The railway
station entrance at Haydarpasa pier is atmospheric. The cafe houses a rather splendid old tea machine.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqhnieIlOL8/UQqBG8p2V1I/AAAAAAAAAmg/cldLZbPfS48/s1600/17+Oct+hayderpassa+railway+station+tea+maker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqhnieIlOL8/UQqBG8p2V1I/AAAAAAAAAmg/cldLZbPfS48/s1600/17+Oct+hayderpassa+railway+station+tea+maker.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nlpBYiBDUwc/UQqCKIxBV8I/AAAAAAAAAmw/NHHsa3tXc_E/s1600/DSC00956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nlpBYiBDUwc/UQqCKIxBV8I/AAAAAAAAAmw/NHHsa3tXc_E/s1600/DSC00956.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CBbBcqyRvTM/UQqBG-mdkiI/AAAAAAAAAmk/GuKDEWVOI60/s1600/17+Oct+haydarpasa+pier.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CBbBcqyRvTM/UQqBG-mdkiI/AAAAAAAAAmk/GuKDEWVOI60/s1600/17+Oct+haydarpasa+pier.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gP8NeiNBm5c/UQqDv0U_DOI/AAAAAAAAAnM/dfJ-haAGVp0/s1600/17+Oct+aydaepassa+railway+station++ext+Kadikoy+JPG.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gP8NeiNBm5c/UQqDv0U_DOI/AAAAAAAAAnM/dfJ-haAGVp0/s1600/17+Oct+aydaepassa+railway+station++ext+Kadikoy+JPG.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PaN6OcC1WIA/UQqBE1HKhMI/AAAAAAAAAmY/6OKLXMGA4Hw/s1600/17+Oct+European+side+from+ferry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PaN6OcC1WIA/UQqBE1HKhMI/AAAAAAAAAmY/6OKLXMGA4Hw/s1600/17+Oct+European+side+from+ferry.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Back on the European side
I half heartedly search for cherry or pomegranate flavoured Turkish delight
that isn’t luridly coloured and artificially flavoured. I give up and buy rose
sweets instead. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1if_k2R28JU/UQqGIma-dVI/AAAAAAAAApQ/hHKL8vAFM7M/s1600/17+oct+sweet+shop+cu.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1if_k2R28JU/UQqGIma-dVI/AAAAAAAAApQ/hHKL8vAFM7M/s1600/17+oct+sweet+shop+cu.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ltQBF-ITW0c/UQqGIaJ7NPI/AAAAAAAAApU/XiRyhmgJtn8/s1600/17+oct+sweet+shop+ls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ltQBF-ITW0c/UQqGIaJ7NPI/AAAAAAAAApU/XiRyhmgJtn8/s1600/17+oct+sweet+shop+ls.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Another restaurant
recommendation, this one less traditional. No 9 is slightly upmarket, proud of their imaginative use of seasonal ingredients. They’re not impressed by my turning up at 6pm asking for a table for one. Here’s the thing when
travelling, either alone or with others. You’ve been out since the crack of
dawn. You’re still out at 5pm, too far from the hotel to return, feeling every so slightly scruffy
and uncomfortable. Watching well dressed beautiful people saunter through the
same street as you, you wish your backpack would melt away. 5pm is too early to find somewhere to eat. Heavens, if
it was Spain you could probably go for lunch. So you find a
café or a bar to while away the time before you can decently walk into a restaurant
and order. You start to wish that you had returned to your hotel for a shower
and change of clothes. And was it such a good idea to buy smoked fish.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-USvjVdYLGLc/UQqN1DZsjfI/AAAAAAAAAqE/2-jtTxYj2-Q/s1600/17+oct+No+9+lamb+kofta+with+whole+wheat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OMKeoTf0HiQ/UQqN1rsHWhI/AAAAAAAAAqI/cmgNxq3deWU/s1600/17+oct+No+9+restaurant+stuffed+veg+starter+plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OMKeoTf0HiQ/UQqN1rsHWhI/AAAAAAAAAqI/cmgNxq3deWU/s1600/17+oct+No+9+restaurant+stuffed+veg+starter+plate.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So here I am at No 9,
laden down with bags and feeling ever so slightly scuffy. They hustle me to the
back of the restaurant, away from the entrance area. I almost expect them to
put a screen around me. The food when it arrives is lovely. Delicately
prepared. The selection of stuffed vegetables each have their individual taste
and charm. </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The lamb kofta are served with wheat berries. But I feel there’s a
sigh of relief when I leave. The restaurant is almost empty. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-USvjVdYLGLc/UQqN1DZsjfI/AAAAAAAAAqE/2-jtTxYj2-Q/s1600/17+oct+No+9+lamb+kofta+with+whole+wheat.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-USvjVdYLGLc/UQqN1DZsjfI/AAAAAAAAAqE/2-jtTxYj2-Q/s1600/17+oct+No+9+lamb+kofta+with+whole+wheat.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It’s my last day; the
archaeology museum is simply splendid... </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ti4w553_Wuw/UQqPNf_sVbI/AAAAAAAAAqU/Oz_AleCIoYU/s1600/Archeology+museum+grave+stele++8+heads++ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ti4w553_Wuw/UQqPNf_sVbI/AAAAAAAAAqU/Oz_AleCIoYU/s1600/Archeology+museum+grave+stele++8+heads++ed.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L3ypnDVndlA/UQqPTvb3_aI/AAAAAAAAAqY/yNIqISdDX9c/s1600/18+oct+last+lunch+place.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L3ypnDVndlA/UQqPTvb3_aI/AAAAAAAAAqY/yNIqISdDX9c/s1600/18+oct+last+lunch+place.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My last lunch;
a workers café near my hotel. Can I fit anything else into my suitcase. No. And
I have enough biber to last me a long time. Till next time Istanbul. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wMBAcarygLE/UQqPtm8m5GI/AAAAAAAAAqk/H5RtOuoDoNg/s1600/17+oct+Biber+mcu.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wMBAcarygLE/UQqPtm8m5GI/AAAAAAAAAqk/H5RtOuoDoNg/s1600/17+oct+Biber+mcu.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-87744337462575187402012-10-25T14:21:00.000-07:002013-07-15T11:01:45.893-07:00 Pumpkin eaters, jack o lanterns and guests in the night<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if !mso]><img_proxy src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"> On a recent farm visit to </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Lincolnshire</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"> we passed by fields golden and
swollen with autumn crops.<br />
As we got closer we saw that the crop was pumpkins.<br />
Pumpkin carcases were scattered over the road & squashed &
discarded orbs lay throughout the fields. Such a waste. Taking this thought further
why grow pumpkins at all? They taste watery & disappointing.<br />
We grow vegetables that are going to be carved up then, thrown away.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">I know its
fun, I know they look amazing. Call me a kill joy, I think it’s worth saying
that in a time when we need all the food we can grow, we’re wasting acres of
land with pumpkins. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may seem petty but it’s a crime to grow
& buy something only to waste it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OmHboc-y3lE/UImoGTKhwCI/AAAAAAAAAb4/o0CoeOa9zos/s1600/winter+squash.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OmHboc-y3lE/UImoGTKhwCI/AAAAAAAAAb4/o0CoeOa9zos/s1600/winter+squash.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
In the north of </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">England</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"> and </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Scotland</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"> turnips (actually swede to us
southerners) were used. If you have to use a winter squash, buy one that actually
tastes of something, one is meant to be consumed & eat the contents after
you've hollowed out your masterpiece. If you're going to buy a pumpkin, eat it.<br />
<br />
That’s the soap box bit over with. Here’s a little history; Halloween was once
& still is Samhain (pronounced Sowhain) a festival dedicated to the ghosts
of all generations of our ancestors. They were welcomed back for the night as guests; ghost & guest were once the same word. Some countries,
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mexico</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"> in particular have not forgotten
their ancestors. Once we celebrated our departed and invited them into our
homes for one night to feast with us. Samhain means summer’s end, and the start
of the new year.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">It was
believed to be the night when the barrier between the living world and that of
the spirits was at its weakest. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bonfires
were lit as part of the celebrations, food shared and stories told. Gradually,
these bonfires declined, or merged with fireworks night. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
Jack-o'-lantern" literally meant "man with a lantern" (a night
watchman). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
Over time "jack-o'-lantern" became the popular term for a homemade
object also known as a "turnip lantern," In some parts of </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Britain</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"> children carried lanterns from
door to door, to represent the souls of the dead whilst begging for soul cakes
on Hallowmas. This practice was encouraged by churches as a way to replace the
ancient practice of leaving food and wine for returning spirits on Samhein
night.<br />
So can we blame the church for the monster of a tradition it turned into once it emigrated
to </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">America</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">? <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">In </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ireland</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"> and </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Scotland</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">, people began placing their own
versions of such lanterns in windows or near doors to frighten away wandering
evil spirits. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
Irish immigrants brought the custom of carving jack-o'-lanterns to </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">North America</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"> where the more commonly available
pumpkin came to be used for that purpose. It wasn't until the 19th
century that pumpkin carving became a Halloween staple across the </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">United States</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">. If you’ve ever tried to carve
out a swede, you’ll know that you need strong arm muscles.<br />
<br />
The custom of dressing up for Halloween is also a Samhain ritual where animal skins and masks were worn to confuse spirits that would pass through the
physical plane.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
The first recorded practice of dressing up in Halloween costumes in </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">North America</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"> was in 1911 when a newspaper in </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ontario</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">, reported children guising around
the neighbourhood. Later in the 1930s, firms began mass-producing Halloween
costumes for sale in stores. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Halloween
was also a time to divine the future.<br />
<br />
In the highlands of Scotland Bonnach Salainn a highly salted oatcake would be
made & eaten to induce dreams that would foretell the future.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
The hazel nut was sacred to ancient Celts; they were believed to have divining
powers and were sacred to poets. The magic power of this nut was considered to
be especially powerful on Halloween -- and was often used in marriage
divinations.<br />
<br />
Robert Burns wrote about this custom in </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Scotland</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">: ... "Some merry, friendly,
countra folks Together did convene, To burn their nuts, an' pu their stocks,
An' haud their Halloween Fu' blithe that night."<br />
<br />
Hazel nuts were sometimes named after an individual, and thrown into the
bonfire on samhain eve. The manner in which it burned would determine the
"fate" for that person for the next year.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Or try
this; <br />
Place two nuts (such as conkers or hazelnuts) on a fire. Give the nuts the
names of two possible lovers and the one that cracks first will be the one.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
Apple-bobbing was also a form of telling the future. The water bath represents the
Cauldron of rebirth, and the apple is a symbol of love and romance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Druids thought that eating an apple could
transport one to other worlds.<br />
<br />
Float a number of apples in a bowl of water and try to catch one using only
your teeth. When you have caught one, peel it in one unbroken strip, and throw
the strip of peel over your left shoulder. The letter the peel forms is the
initial of your future husband or wife.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />I always associate toffee apples with this time of year. Most commercial ones are made with the worst quality apples. Buy one from a farmers' market and you'll bite into an Egremont Russett or a crispy Cox. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k9v2pev3ZKI/UImpnwuHj8I/AAAAAAAAAcA/_tF_lUH_AVc/s1600/toffee+apples+ph+oct+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k9v2pev3ZKI/UImpnwuHj8I/AAAAAAAAAcA/_tF_lUH_AVc/s1600/toffee+apples+ph+oct+2012.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Rituals
develop and change, and we’re now smothered with the consumer chaotic, plastic
coated ritual that Halloween has turned into. I don’t suppose any of the kids
round my way would make do with a few hazel nuts and a bowl of apples. Maybe they could be tempted with pumpkin soup. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OmHboc-y3lE/UImoGTKhwCI/AAAAAAAAAb4/o0CoeOa9zos/s1600/winter+squash.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wKkxDrmpzAg/UImn-JZVVNI/AAAAAAAAAbw/UJw2zA_TpP0/s1600/pumpkins+for+halloween.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wKkxDrmpzAg/UImn-JZVVNI/AAAAAAAAAbw/UJw2zA_TpP0/s1600/pumpkins+for+halloween.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-43664201701278839372012-10-04T11:12:00.003-07:002013-07-15T11:03:09.765-07:00Vanilla <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vanilla
is one of the earliest aromas I remember. Long before I was allowed to wear
scent I dabbed vanilla on my wrists and revelled in the creamy spicy addictive
fragrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vanilla can be too sickly if
it's artificial but the real thing is glorious. It's no accident that it's the
most common flavouring for baking but that's not to belittle it. Vanilla pods
are a precious resource. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
The warmest, smoothest, most complex scent; why is vanilla often dismissed as
middle of the road, conventional, dull or unadventurous?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">It’s
vanilla that gives raw cake mixture that unmistakable, lick the spoon quality.</span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Splitting a vanilla pod
& scrapping the seeds into burgeoning custard is a delight; one of the few
culinary occasions when black specks are welcome. Like most people I never
throw the pods away. Into caster sugar they go; washed & reused until the
last wisp of scent is released.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">A few
years ago, lucky enough to attend the Slow Food Salone del Gusto and Terre
Madre, I came home with a clutch of vanilla pods, from </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mexico</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"> to </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Madagascar</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">. Recently the opportunity presented itself to
try fair trade Ugandan vanilla from <a href="http://www.ndali.net/" target="_blank">Ndali</a> thanks to Vanessa Kimbell’s Vanilla Gift Swap.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Opening up the little metal canister of
powdered vanilla, there’s a smoky, butterscotch like hit, rich and complex. I’m
going to love using it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> And vanilla powder is such a good idea. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">It's been
one of my long time ambitions to follow the spice trail, see where nutmeg &
cinnamon grow, and most of all, to see vanilla pods in their trees. Envious of
Vanessa Kimbells opportunity it was fascinating to hear her journey on the </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">BBC</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Radio 4 food programme &
listen to the stories of vanilla farmers. <a href="http://goddesswithabudget.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/the-ndali-vanilla-gift-swap.html" target="_blank">Vanessa</a> has done an amazing job of
bringing attention to this community of growers in </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Uganda</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">. I had no idea that vanilla grows
in </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Africa</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Quite rightly they say they don't want charity, just a fair price for their crops. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">All farmers the world over
deserve a fair price for the food they grow.<br />
There are many times when I've been told that farmers markets are expensive;
its easy not to think about the true price of food production & what it
actually costs a farm to raise & grow the food we eat.<br />
It's no different with a fair trade product. It can be more expensive but
that is the real and fair price. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">My first attempt;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Little
cakes drenched in my plum and vanilla cordial.
I made individual versions of my plum and cobnut cake but the
syrup made the little cakes soggy although they tasted great. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5jd3-aYpGdU/UG3JBAGxu6I/AAAAAAAAAaw/fHot8451rDg/s1600/Vanilla+article+plum+cakes.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5jd3-aYpGdU/UG3JBAGxu6I/AAAAAAAAAaw/fHot8451rDg/s640/Vanilla+article+plum+cakes.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Second attempt; something simple where the flavour of vanilla would shine. In the
convents of </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Spain</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">, nuns sell sweet confections
they’ve made themselves. Rich in almonds and egg yolks they make
charming gifts. I bought the cookbook, Reposteria de Los Conventos whilst in </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Madrid</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Lionesas are choux buns flavoured with lemon,
filled with confectioners custard. I replaced the lemon with vanilla powder and flavoured
the custard with a split vanilla pod. The choux buns didn’t work; too soft, but
the custard was wonderful. Rich, creamy with a solid hit of vanilla. In the
picture the choux buns look slightly burnt because I gave them a 2<sup>nd</sup> warm
in the oven to crisp them up. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bJYVHk90KwY/UG3Iq4I9Q4I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/C_xZRc3DZKc/s1600/Creme+patisserie+choux+buns+sept+2012.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bJYVHk90KwY/UG3Iq4I9Q4I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/C_xZRc3DZKc/s640/Creme+patisserie+choux+buns+sept+2012.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Here’s the proportions. I used less sugar
than the stated 150g and it was sweet enough;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">½ litre
milk</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">one
vanilla pod</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">50g corn
flour</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">4 yolks
of eggs</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">100g
sugar </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">My second
offering, Mexican wedding biscuits also uses corn flour. They’re a shortbread traditionally flavoured with cinnamon. I used vanilla power in the mixture and
dusted them with icing sugar mixed with vanilla powder for a double hit. Very
simple, slightly sandy and delicate. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Frx7zx43Ng/UG3H-Woz9II/AAAAAAAAAaE/fYAqjDrguOY/s1600/Vanilla+mexican+biscuits.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Frx7zx43Ng/UG3H-Woz9II/AAAAAAAAAaE/fYAqjDrguOY/s640/Vanilla+mexican+biscuits.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">With their customary hospitality for the vanilla swap, Fortnum & Mason
had provided a beautiful looking selection of cakes; but after testing and
tasting confectioner’s custard all morning, I sadly wasn’t in the mood for anything
sweet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">There
were some amazing offerings on display like this flower pot cake; </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eSbTEsMmLk/UG3I7LxOT9I/AAAAAAAAAag/z98lnmCB_cI/s1600/vanilla+article+flower+pot+cake.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eSbTEsMmLk/UG3I7LxOT9I/AAAAAAAAAag/z98lnmCB_cI/s640/vanilla+article+flower+pot+cake.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Here's two of the well deserved winners:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nUdoNB_Dd20/UG3I-TXodQI/AAAAAAAAAao/acbnlUhk-lc/s1600/vanilla+article+macarons.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nUdoNB_Dd20/UG3I-TXodQI/AAAAAAAAAao/acbnlUhk-lc/s640/vanilla+article+macarons.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hgE1sIdp1_M/UG3JFRNNvjI/AAAAAAAAAa4/mioezLYpzTw/s1600/Vanilla+article+rhubarb+biscuts.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hgE1sIdp1_M/UG3JFRNNvjI/AAAAAAAAAa4/mioezLYpzTw/s640/Vanilla+article+rhubarb+biscuts.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">The gift
swap was a lovely idea and lucky me, I went home with a beautiful elderberry drizzle cake
from <a href="http://www.turquoiselemons.com/2/post/2012/10/elderberry-drizzle-vanilla-cake.html" target="_blank">Turquose Lemons </a>and vanilla penda by the talented <a href="http://gujeratigirl.wordpress.com/2012/10/04/vanilla-penda-bring-bittersweet-memories/" target="_blank">Botanical Baker</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">And a very generous goody bag </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrruClw2sSY/UG3JdwZqlvI/AAAAAAAAAbA/gmQHEHzmeAY/s1600/Vanilla+goodie+bag.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrruClw2sSY/UG3JdwZqlvI/AAAAAAAAAbA/gmQHEHzmeAY/s640/Vanilla+goodie+bag.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">As I
write this the <a href="http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/bigfairbake" target="_blank">Big Fair Bake</a></span> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>is taking place. As well as using fair-trade
ingredients from other countries, use fair trade ingredients from your local
farm shop or farmers’ market; free range eggs, butter, and flour if you can, and make the most of local
seasonal apples, pears and plums. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Thanks Vanessa, it was an inspring afternoon.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">There will be another Gift Swap at Christmas. More info on Vanessa's website <a href="http://www.goddessonabudget.co.uk/" target="_blank">here. </a><a href="http://www.goddessonabudget.co.uk/" target="_blank"></a></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-34267909370972700212012-09-03T05:59:00.001-07:002013-07-15T11:10:30.764-07:00Plum<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;">This is Just to Say</span></i></b><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;">I have eaten<br />
the plums<br />
that were in<br />
the icebox<br />
<br />
and which<br />
you were probably<br />
saving<br />
for breakfast<br />
<br />
Forgive me<br />
they were delicious<br />
so sweet<br />
and so cold</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;">William
Carlos Williams</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;">The
annual visit to the music festival I attend is marked for me by the alleyway of
Bullace plum trees. Usually, and especially in hot weather, our footsteps echo
to the drone of a thousand wasps, drowning and drowsy from an excess of plum
juice. Too tired to move far, they crawl on the ground from one prize plum to
another, and it’s easy enough to work around them, and claim any plums still
whole and ripe for eating. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;">This
year, we were too late. The wasps, no doubt sated and fat were long gone and
the last plums lay rotting on the ground. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;">The
Bullace trees near my flat were until recently still full of hard, bad tempered
looking fruit that threatened never to ripen. Finally a few weeks ago, they
gave up their harvest. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;">Bullace plums
are divine. Small and sweet enough when ripe to be crammed into the mouth in
one go; the juices pop and dissolve, and dribble down one’s chin. Not good
travellers, any I bring home are destined for preserving. I’ve just finished the
last of the 2010 jam, some of the best I’ve ever made. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;">Out of
the 2 kilos of plums I gathered, I made 3 bottles of plum and vanilla cordial
and four jars of jam. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;">For the
cordial, wash and pick over your fruit and discard any that show signs of
mould. Put in a large pan with half the amount of water and cook gently until
it breaks down. Skim if necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Put
into a muslin lined plastic sieve and stand over a bowl. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;">I learnt
the hard way earlier this year that the key to cordial making is patiently
letting the fruit drip once it’s cooked down. Show offs will be bringing out
their jelly bags. Don’t puree or push the fruit or it will go cloudy. Measure
the resulting juice and add sugar to a proportion of approximately 700g for
each litre of juice. I never have exactly the right amount, and guess it. All
you have to do is warm the juice with the sugar until it has dissolved and
bottle. Make sure your bottles have been cleaned and heated in a warm oven
first. Use a funnel. Another lesson hard learnt. This year I’ve added vanilla
in two ways, via vanilla pods with the fruit for the cordial and vanilla sugar
with the jam. The cordial has a more pronounced vanilla flavour.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qhQJHWPrs7w/UDkap4OzCvI/AAAAAAAAAZM/hiYsJYK9ha8/s1600/2012+plum+cordial.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qhQJHWPrs7w/UDkap4OzCvI/AAAAAAAAAZM/hiYsJYK9ha8/s640/2012+plum+cordial.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;">Because I
want to keep the cordial over the winter I add a tiny amount of crushed
campden tablet, (usually the ratio is one tablet per gallon of liquid). They’re used in
winemaking for sterilisation and preserving, but it’s your call. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;">Of the
larger commercial plums I love Gages for flavour and appearance. There’s
something ethereal and beautiful about green, semi transparent fruit. I love
the way sweet and subtle gages change colour as they ripen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They make the best crumble, and upside down cake, especially with a
generous handful of ground almonds in the mix and they’re wonderful roasted to
bring out their flavour. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;">Some
fruits are better at room temperature. Not plums. Straight from the chill of
the fridge, there’s nothing better on a warm Indian summer morning than an ice
cold plate of plums for breakfast. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2o7srleEeaU/UESpPi0dNgI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/CzeoNbHS2-4/s1600/PH+damsons.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2o7srleEeaU/UESpPi0dNgI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/CzeoNbHS2-4/s640/PH+damsons.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;">Damsons
never stick around at markets; rumours fly, will there be damsons today, as jam
makers hover and queue. Damsons make one of the richest flavoured jams and the
best, deepest flavoured ice cream and sorbets. Never mind raspberry, try a
damson ripple ice cream this year. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gK3cus8Nfx8/UESoZZv1ZAI/AAAAAAAAAZo/ZwBFMVli-Js/s1600/PH+plums+cu.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gK3cus8Nfx8/UESoZZv1ZAI/AAAAAAAAAZo/ZwBFMVli-Js/s640/PH+plums+cu.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;">The varieties
of plums at our farmers markets are often never seen in supermarkets. Plums for
sale can include:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;">Cambridge</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;"> gage, </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;">Opel</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;">Victoria</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;">, Czar, </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;">Early</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;">Rivers</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;">, Old Green Gage, Merryweather
damson, Marjorie’s Seedling and many others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Each has its own taste and personality. Some are better for cooking,
some for eating greedily on the spot, and going back for more. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;">Plum</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt;"> season lasts until early October,
weather depending. </span></div>
</div>
Cheryl Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02737977122155432186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-32633924504801661572012-08-25T10:05:00.001-07:002013-07-15T11:04:42.394-07:00Grainger Market<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ODjFPCONNUM/UDj7UwlPtzI/AAAAAAAAADk/b4aWEFTLVwE/s1600/TE%2BLiddle.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ODjFPCONNUM/UDj7UwlPtzI/AAAAAAAAADk/b4aWEFTLVwE/s400/TE%2BLiddle.JPG" height="394" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5780646455787108146" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="593" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I moved to </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Sunderland</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> in the early 1980’s. The chill North-East wind cut through my soft southern skin, and even the seagulls seemed to sweep down on us squawking their derision.</span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It was on </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Newcastle</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">’s gritty atmospheric quay side and in the beautiful Grainger Market that I felt most at home, and the market enthralled from the first. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I’ve always loved covered markets, and Grainger, with its stained glass and dignified shop fronts is a masterpiece of the understated. We don’t have enough covered markets in this country, certainly not in the centre of cities.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f5z0gAV3tpk/UDjxLPzEidI/AAAAAAAAABE/5EVikfXFh28/s1600/Finlays%2B2.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f5z0gAV3tpk/UDjxLPzEidI/AAAAAAAAABE/5EVikfXFh28/s640/Finlays%2B2.JPG" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5780635297251625426" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="528" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Grainger is in the middle of </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Newcastle</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> city centre; put into perspective, it’s like finding a covered market building next to Top Shop at Oxford Circus. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Barcelona</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> has around 40 covered markets. How many does </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">London</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> have? Markets that cater to ordinary every day shopping I should add. Not enough. Not anywhere nearly enough.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fxUNmtQVSmg/UDjtarYZdzI/AAAAAAAAAAg/EADzzmwDEL0/s1600/roof.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fxUNmtQVSmg/UDjtarYZdzI/AAAAAAAAAAg/EADzzmwDEL0/s640/roof.JPG" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5780631164307470130" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="500" /> </a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YjHH76vpwAY/UDj4qlqJ0LI/AAAAAAAAADE/aEp5J5Myh34/s1600/DM%2Bwide.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YjHH76vpwAY/UDj4qlqJ0LI/AAAAAAAAADE/aEp5J5Myh34/s640/DM%2Bwide.JPG" height="424" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5780643532277141682" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /> </a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54lXtaMAIuw/UDj_arkgg8I/AAAAAAAAAEo/NlKjYdngnyc/s1600/snack%2Bbar%2Bwide.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54lXtaMAIuw/UDj_arkgg8I/AAAAAAAAAEo/NlKjYdngnyc/s400/snack%2Bbar%2Bwide.JPG" height="709" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5780650955567563714" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="472" /></a></span><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Under its covered porticos Grainger Market caters to the needs of everyone. From locally grown leeks, to dog chews, coltsfoot rock, first communion outfits and rare teas.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nJm1UkfGlyc/UDjvQ_ViYdI/AAAAAAAAAAs/fxLMjFBo6kE/s1600/Special%2BTeas.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nJm1UkfGlyc/UDjvQ_ViYdI/AAAAAAAAAAs/fxLMjFBo6kE/s640/Special%2BTeas.JPG" height="424" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5780633196888744402" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yn55vGXcYgY/UDj7URzAulI/AAAAAAAAADY/YdoAnvrFtiA/s1600/Finlays.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yn55vGXcYgY/UDj7URzAulI/AAAAAAAAADY/YdoAnvrFtiA/s640/Finlays.JPG" height="424" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5780646447523347026" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br />There are tripe stalls, opticians, a weighing house (originally for butchers meat, now used by customers)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MFZ8HoQFk3s/UDjxNNCoJAI/AAAAAAAAABo/fWNj-omdwZs/s1600/weigh%2Bhouse.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MFZ8HoQFk3s/UDjxNNCoJAI/AAAAAAAAABo/fWNj-omdwZs/s400/weigh%2Bhouse.JPG" height="598" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5780635330871305218" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="398" /> </a></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yn0qJ8dWvHc/UDj7VWVMEfI/AAAAAAAAADw/H6Z06Xa8iok/s1600/wig%2Bshop.JPG"></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vp5Ggw_6tY/UDj_ZX007jI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/KfZsgSlHTEk/s1600/opticians.JPG"><br /></a></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vp5Ggw_6tY/UDj_ZX007jI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/KfZsgSlHTEk/s1600/opticians.JPG"><br /></a></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vp5Ggw_6tY/UDj_ZX007jI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/KfZsgSlHTEk/s1600/opticians.JPG"><br /></a></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yn0qJ8dWvHc/UDj7VWVMEfI/AAAAAAAAADw/H6Z06Xa8iok/s1600/wig%2Bshop.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yn0qJ8dWvHc/UDj7VWVMEfI/AAAAAAAAADw/H6Z06Xa8iok/s640/wig%2Bshop.JPG" height="424" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5780646465920307698" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vp5Ggw_6tY/UDj_ZX007jI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/KfZsgSlHTEk/s1600/opticians.JPG"><br /></a></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vp5Ggw_6tY/UDj_ZX007jI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/KfZsgSlHTEk/s1600/opticians.JPG"><br /></a></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vp5Ggw_6tY/UDj_ZX007jI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/KfZsgSlHTEk/s1600/opticians.JPG"><br /></a></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vp5Ggw_6tY/UDj_ZX007jI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/KfZsgSlHTEk/s1600/opticians.JPG"><br /></a></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vp5Ggw_6tY/UDj_ZX007jI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/KfZsgSlHTEk/s1600/opticians.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vp5Ggw_6tY/UDj_ZX007jI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/KfZsgSlHTEk/s400/opticians.JPG" height="691" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5780650933087432242" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="460" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vp5Ggw_6tY/UDj_ZX007jI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/KfZsgSlHTEk/s1600/opticians.JPG"><br /></a></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vp5Ggw_6tY/UDj_ZX007jI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/KfZsgSlHTEk/s1600/opticians.JPG"><br /></a></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">and most famously, one of Marks and Spencer’s original penny bazaars with the original stained glass.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KG9DR_TiaVg/UDjvRHxpw2I/AAAAAAAAAA4/sKOKF1_rG88/s1600/M%2526S.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KG9DR_TiaVg/UDjvRHxpw2I/AAAAAAAAAA4/sKOKF1_rG88/s640/M%2526S.JPG" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5780633199154152290" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="425" /></a></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is still an air raid shelter underneath the building. Tours started up this year to view the tunnels.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hqu8z5dc7qc/UDjxMdQHYGI/AAAAAAAAABc/TmiAn0VT4PE/s1600/Robinsons%2BPet%2Bstore.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hqu8z5dc7qc/UDjxMdQHYGI/AAAAAAAAABc/TmiAn0VT4PE/s640/Robinsons%2BPet%2Bstore.JPG" height="424" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5780635318042976354" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over the years, I’ve returned to Grainger market each time I’ve revisited </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Newcastle</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> and I’m always glad to see that it never changes. There are slight signs of gentrification; the quietly wonderful <b><a href="http://www.mmm-food.co.uk/">Mmm Quality Foods</a></b> has settled into Grainger Market as if it belongs there.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8zJEwmg25Ss/UDjxL7ebZTI/AAAAAAAAABQ/hHx9TYEvWYQ/s1600/Mmmm.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8zJEwmg25Ss/UDjxL7ebZTI/AAAAAAAAABQ/hHx9TYEvWYQ/s640/Mmmm.JPG" height="424" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5780635308976203058" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Its stock of locally sourced products doesn’t appear to be a threat to the existing stalls. Rather, it’s a welcome addition, especially if it brings new people into the market. People who will stay and shop. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m1ju2vlePIU/UDj4p4ELfDI/AAAAAAAAAC4/CJg5cuNr2i0/s1600/communion%2Bclothes.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m1ju2vlePIU/UDj4p4ELfDI/AAAAAAAAAC4/CJg5cuNr2i0/s640/communion%2Bclothes.JPG" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5780643520038272050" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="425" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9 butchers</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6 green grocers</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3 fishmongers</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3 newsagents, including the wonderfully named ‘cheap tabs shop’ straight out of Viz.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-28n65hoKWHQ/UDj4pqjbcpI/AAAAAAAAACs/8y_PPJdhKFQ/s1600/balloons.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-28n65hoKWHQ/UDj4pqjbcpI/AAAAAAAAACs/8y_PPJdhKFQ/s640/balloons.JPG" height="424" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5780643516411245202" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Coffee specialists, cheese specialists, a hair dresser, a watch mender, a branch of ice cream makers <a href="http://www.marktoney.co.uk/">Mark Tony</a>, founded in 1902 , music shops, shoe repairs stationers, florists and more.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CsCQcwrNEpQ/UDj1OKdQEaI/AAAAAAAAAB8/ecdKMZc6eso/s1600/ladies.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CsCQcwrNEpQ/UDj1OKdQEaI/AAAAAAAAAB8/ecdKMZc6eso/s400/ladies.JPG" height="615" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5780639745404047778" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="409" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxtmND2MgH8/UDj1OqOo0CI/AAAAAAAAACI/O1ffDkIt5Tk/s1600/nail%2Bscissors.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxtmND2MgH8/UDj1OqOo0CI/AAAAAAAAACI/O1ffDkIt5Tk/s640/nail%2Bscissors.JPG" height="424" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5780639753932689442" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The other change I’ve noticed is the rather proud realisation amongst devotees and locals alike that the Grainger arcade is almost unique in the </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">UK</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. Built by Richard Grainger in 1835, it is one of the oldest covered markets in the </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">UK</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, still going strong. A market to be celebrated.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m4-Qq-jxGzg/UDj27eS9lTI/AAAAAAAAACU/1_sOqdkaHAQ/s1600/148.JPG"><br /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y-CQCnfZ9tk/UDj271wnE0I/AAAAAAAAACg/_N2cKtkJaPY/s1600/all%2Bour%2Bbest%2Bcustomers%2Bwear%2Btails.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y-CQCnfZ9tk/UDj271wnE0I/AAAAAAAAACg/_N2cKtkJaPY/s640/all%2Bour%2Bbest%2Bcustomers%2Bwear%2Btails.JPG" height="424" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5780641629633712962" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /> </a></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-itDVWG4D9BE/UDj_Z7MApDI/AAAAAAAAAEc/kdpq8ouKhWk/s1600/Revlon.JPG"> </a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-itDVWG4D9BE/UDj_Z7MApDI/AAAAAAAAAEc/kdpq8ouKhWk/s1600/Revlon.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-itDVWG4D9BE/UDj_Z7MApDI/AAAAAAAAAEc/kdpq8ouKhWk/s640/Revlon.JPG" height="424" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5780650942579909682" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">These photos were taken at the tail end of the days trading to capture the space.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lwjryYZ5c-k/UDj_YzeQFwI/AAAAAAAAAEE/RCxlLUNepSw/s1600/M%2526S%2Bwide.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lwjryYZ5c-k/UDj_YzeQFwI/AAAAAAAAAEE/RCxlLUNepSw/s640/M%2526S%2Bwide.JPG" height="424" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5780650923329066754" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /> </a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grainger Market</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grainger
Street</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Newcastle</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/business/markets/grainger-market">http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/business/markets/grainger-market</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Cheryl Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02737977122155432186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-15840591730701363902012-04-08T14:40:00.001-07:002013-09-09T11:37:02.766-07:00Pickle Head<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm addicted to new green cucumbers. Crisp & crunchy, garlicky with a hit of dill, they're an occasional expensive to buy treat. The solution, make my own. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">For anyone who doesn't know New Greens, pickled cucumbers are an Eastern European thing, a Jewish thing, and a Polish thing. Obviously also an American thing brought to the shores by immigrants. Other cultures understand pickles. In the </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">UK</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">, this understanding seems to be slow on the uptake and manys the website that is devoted to Americans trying to find the pickles they know and love. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Growing up I could never understand my friends wrinkling up their noses at the slices of pickles in their burgers. To my mind they were often the best bit. What we knew as pickled cucumbers were dismissed derisively as gherkins. Most countries in the world have good pickle recipes... <br />
Is it just the British who have a misunderstanding with pickled cucumbers?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">In the </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">US</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> pickles are either sours or half sours but either way, the mixture used is either brine, or vinegar, or both. A half sour gets a shorter fermentation period and stays crisp and green; voila, the new green cucumbers I love. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">My mum’s recipe for making new green pickled cucumbers was one of those never written down, I just make it up as I go along methods:~<br />
<br />
Fill a glass sweet jar 3/4 with cold water. Add acetic acid a spoonful at a time, plus enough salt & sugar. Keep tasting until you have a salt, sweet, sour & acid balance. <br />
<br />
Add washed crook cucumbers; throw in pickling spice, garlic cloves & a sprig of dill optional. <br />
<br />
Screw lid on & put in a dark place for about a week then taste. Keep tasting until ready. Should keep for a few weeks. <br />
<br />
Whenever I tried this, my mixture would fizz & go off within a week. I now use a mixture of brine & vinegar and store in the fridge. I do not use acetic acid. Sadly I have no glass sweet jar. So far the cucumbers have kept beautifully although the colour isn’t as fresh and green as I’d like. More experiments with lacto fermentation lie ahead.<br />
<br />
New green cucumbers to me, need crooks, those thin, crisp, curvy cucumbers found at Greek or Turkish grocers. I used to think that crooks were a type of cucumber. Now I know, after years of trying to find the seed that they're the rejects, the ones that usually get away. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6atYCSM33c8/T4IEpVMTqcI/AAAAAAAAAYg/t68b-HZA2ag/s1600/pickled+cucumbers+crooks+ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6atYCSM33c8/T4IEpVMTqcI/AAAAAAAAAYg/t68b-HZA2ag/s640/pickled+cucumbers+crooks+ed.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span class="style1091"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">New Green Cucumbers </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Fresh crooks, about 15<br />
Water<br />
50g pickling salt</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">25g sugar (optional) <br />
a dried chilli<br />
Whole peppercorns</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Mustard seeds<br />
Whole garlic cloves (peeled) <br />
A fresh dill sprig <br />
Distilled white vinegar <br />
Glass Jars</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The salt you use must be without additives; sea salt is fine if you can’t find pickling salt. How many cucumbers you use depends on the size and number of your jars. The quantity here made enough for the one large jar I had (see photos) plus one jam jar size quantity. Make sure the lids are coated, with no damage or scratches. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Put your jars and lids in boiling water and soak thoroughly. Empty the jars and put them upside down in the oven for 10 minutes at 100 degrees C to dry. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">2. In a large pan, combine a litre of water, 2 oz of salt, and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">6 tablespoons </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">white vinegar. Include 1oz of sugar if you want a sweet/sour flavour. Bring the mixture to a boil until all the salt is dissolved. Taste and add more sugar or salt if you like.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">3. In each sterilized jar place: one large sprig of dill weed, a dried chilli, 3 cloves garlic, a few black peppercorns and a handful of mustard seeds. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">4. Wash the cucumbers in cold water, pack them carefully into your chosen jars and pour in the hot vinegar mixture to within 1 inch of top.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">5. Seal the glass jars and store out of the light for at least 2 weeks. Once you've opened and tasted, keep in the fridge. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's the one I made earlier... </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wsPE2xAbvnk/T4IE4HXi_jI/AAAAAAAAAYo/pLNpYx8dH28/s1600/pickled+cucumbers+stage+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wsPE2xAbvnk/T4IE4HXi_jI/AAAAAAAAAYo/pLNpYx8dH28/s400/pickled+cucumbers+stage+one.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">And two weeks later </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nXI-WAU0Br0/T4IE5vUPabI/AAAAAAAAAYw/pX6ee47wQpo/s1600/pickled+cucumbers+stage+two.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nXI-WAU0Br0/T4IE5vUPabI/AAAAAAAAAYw/pX6ee47wQpo/s400/pickled+cucumbers+stage+two.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Crispy, garlic flavoured pickled cucumbers, just as they should be. BTW I adapted a recipe I found on the web, but can't find the original. If anyone recognises it, I'm happy to add the link. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-31068782859621722392012-03-05T02:06:00.000-08:002012-03-05T02:06:41.527-08:00Getting past the hungry gap; Dandelion, burdock & other spring roots<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /> <style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">I love winter farmers’ markets; crops heaped up on stalls often have a coating of field frost on them, and the sweetness of root vegetables and the cabbage family are really appreciated. Despite this most farmers and customers are glad to see signs of spring and a return to the abundance of spring and summer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We’re still in the hungry gap. A period that not so long ago for most of the population would have meant a bland diet until the first green shoots could be harvested or found. Winter roots and top fruit are running out and it’s still a while until new crops come through. However it’s not all doom and gloom. Parsley is verdant, spring onions are on show, rhubarb is a welcome pink blush on stalls and sprouting broccoli & wild garlic are seasonal highlights. Last year, thanks to the cold snap, sprouting broccoli made rarer appearances, this year it’s plentiful.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">At the equinox on the 20<sup>th </sup>March, it’s traditional in Wiltshire to drink dandelion and burdock. The recipe goes back to medieval times, to the cleansing herbs eaten or drunk after the bland winter diet. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apocryphal and totally unverified tales say that St Thomas Aquinas invented it, reaching for the first herbs at his feet. I’m more inclined to put the recipe down to trial and error and women herbalists who lived by their skills and knowledge. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Dandelion root helps cleanse the liver whilst the leaf helps remove toxins through the urine. Burdock is a powerful tissue cleanser.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">If you can’t get hold of either, nettle leaves are known as a blood tonic with many essential minerals. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">American root beer is a relation of dandelion of burdock. And one of my favourite </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">London</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> shops, the herbalists <a href="http://www.baldwins.co.uk/Essential-Oils/571?gclid=CMbMvsC-z64CFQMhtAod6AOt_w%20%20%20" target="_blank">Baldwin’s</a> at Elephant and castle still serves sarsaparilla from the counter. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Root beer to me was an alien brew drunk by characters in the Snoopy & Charlie Brown cartoons drank. I love the fact that it shares its history with Dandelion & Burdock, which was just as foreign to our suburban </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">London</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> ways. Friends at college who hailed from Northern towns bought and drank it, but I can’t remember ever tasting it until a few years ago.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Is there a north-south Dandelion & Burdock divide? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">From the 1830’s onwards, temperance bars thrived in </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Lancashire</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">, especially, in towns with a strong Methodist following. One still exists, <a href="http://www.mrfitzpatricks.com/" target="_blank">Fitzpatrick’s Herbal Health</a> where sarsaparilla has been made since 1890. Mawson’s in </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Oldham</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> continues to produce soft drinks with a similar traditional character including cream soda and sarsaparilla. No-one would claim any health benefits for them, but the flavours; ginger, liquorice, and aniseed are delicious.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The dominant flavour in these drinks is usually sassafras or wintergreen, both now derived artificially rather than from the plant itself, in part because during the 1960s safrole, the major component of the volatile oil of sassafras, was found to be carcinogenic. All of these drinks, while tasting similar, do have their own distinct flavour. Dandelion and burdock is most similar in flavour to sarsaparilla. Thanks to companies such as Fentimans, the drink has had its popularity increased. I’ve found recipes using burdock root and dandelion root and spoken to foragers who have made their own soft drinks.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Try poaching pears in dandelion and burdock, adding extra elements such as five spice and vanilla, or liquorice. I went further and made a milk jelly using these flavour elements. Not for children, it had a decidedly grown up flavour, probably because I kept the sugar content down. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Last year Amazing Botanicals man <a href="http://www.bokersbitters.co.uk/d&b_ver2.html" target="_blank">Adam Elmegrab</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was at 69 Colebrook Row demonstrating his range of bitters, which includes a dandelion and burdock version. These were destined for cocktails at Colebrook Row and the Zetter. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The idea of a temperance bar is delightfully tempting, especially if the range of drinks is wide ranging and exotic. Many of us are guilty of drinking too much, and it gets boring to hear about yet another hangover. So why not, an alcohol free haven, without the religious fervour of the previous centuries, but all the deliciousness of the drinks. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-19746768645809273222012-01-19T09:43:00.001-08:002012-03-05T02:10:33.906-08:00SKILL IT<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">To my eternal shame, the pasta maker I bought when working at Heals over 15 years ago has never been used. Every now & again I think, I must use it. More often I'm thinking wouldn't it be a good idea to gather together a group of likeminded people preferably with one person who has used a pasta machine & spend a jolly afternoon learning to make pasta together? I call it skillet or rather skill-it. Maybe that sounds too much like a government youth work programme but I hope the idea is clear!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"> I had lunch with <a href="http://foodtri.ps/" target="_blank">Florian Siepert</a> on Monday & mentioned my idea. He showed me the website of a group in </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Germany</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"> called <a href="http://produktionstag.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">The Producers</a> who got together & in one day made ketchup, rillets, jam, roasted coffee beans & even had their own labels. No fees involved & shared costs so you leave with a few jars & bottles instead of hundreds. We want to bring this idea to </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">London</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">. <br />
Interested? We'd love to hear from you. We need people with talents & culinary skills to share, people who don't mind sharing their kitchen space. From baking to pickling, jam making to pasta, from Polish pierogi to Danish pastries, share your cultural and culinary knowledge.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">We share costs & kitchens, ideas & enthusiasm. Any takers? I can't be the only person in London with a pasta machine gathering dust! </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-18076081705986148032012-01-05T15:18:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:47:03.378-08:00Why cookbooks are like the contents of my wardrobe<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Post Christmas, and I’m ill with the dreaded Norovirus. I’m not going anywhere; for something to do other than tidy my office I’m counting my cookbooks. Thanks to Neil Davey’s admirable cook book auction at the Clerkenwell Coach and Horses I’m down to 274 in my library and a small bookshelf of around 32 titles in my kitchen and I’m down to one Norwegian cookbook. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vVs4h8iWEBE/TwYjCCsioNI/AAAAAAAAAVc/xY9S-UqWYz0/s1600/2011+cook+books+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vVs4h8iWEBE/TwYjCCsioNI/AAAAAAAAAVc/xY9S-UqWYz0/s640/2011+cook+books+011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">In front of me now on my kitchen table are half a dozen titles amongst them <b>Marc Diacono’s A Taste of the Unexpected, and Niki Segnit’s Flavour Thesaurus.</b> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<a name='more'></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">A pile in the spare room that I grandly call my library is waiting to be filed. On top is my latest purchase. Something by a hot new food writer perhaps? Or a TV chefs newest blockbuster. Nope, neither. My new arrival is the <b>Dick Emery cookbook</b>. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6F9_ExPw5RY/TwYjkth5H5I/AAAAAAAAAVo/i_2IXURaq34/s1600/Dick+Emery.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6F9_ExPw5RY/TwYjkth5H5I/AAAAAAAAAVo/i_2IXURaq34/s640/Dick+Emery.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">For many people I’ve probably just made the cookbook admission akin to that embarrassing CD or outfit that hides in the dark recesses of the wardrobe. Something at the back of the bookshelf that should never sees the light of day. But I hold my head up and face the scorn; I love the social element that places food writing firmly in context and era. I warm to the social aspects, the anthropology of food. And if I’m honest, I wanted to see what Dick Emery’s alter egos would represent. Solid British fare with a European twist and a few surprises it seems. Pumpkin scones anyone?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">It was great to give away some of the books I don’t ever use or refer to (adieu River Café cookbooks) and say hello to some of the tomes gathering dust. What does my library say about me? Whether my books represent faux pas of the highest standings or impressive credentials, I keep them because they’re part of my food experience.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">My very first cookbook was a Christmas present. <b>The Brownie Cook Book</b> was devoured greedily but most of the recipes either didn’t really work or weren’t exactly exciting. Grilled chops? Teddy’s honey sandwiches? I could do better.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I cooked from my mother’s Family Circle magazine and we worked our way through <b>The Carnation cook book</b>. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kQF6PsdmM4c/TwYkGQEX9sI/AAAAAAAAAV0/4zDOoLtGS-0/s1600/Carnation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kQF6PsdmM4c/TwYkGQEX9sI/AAAAAAAAAV0/4zDOoLtGS-0/s640/Carnation.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> A friend of my mothers emptying out her attic gave me the entire <b><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/features/fanny-cradock-first-lady-of-food-1625847.html" target="_blank">Fanny Cradock</a> cookery course</b>. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I loved her snobbery, the way that Fanny & Johnny over decorated their dishes, and insisted on calling pastry ‘paste’. But, her recipes worked and they taught me loads. Her frangipane was magnificent, her chocolate pancakes cutting edge, and one Christmas her iced Christmas pudding earned me praise from on high (my cordon bleu grandmother). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cuHcTEIs5Pg/TwYklO4cbcI/AAAAAAAAAWA/6PI4l1fAsKA/s1600/Fanny+Cradock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cuHcTEIs5Pg/TwYklO4cbcI/AAAAAAAAAWA/6PI4l1fAsKA/s640/Fanny+Cradock.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> The book I coveted was my grandmother’s copy of <b>Elizabeth David’s’ Italian Food</b>. On the rare occasion I was left to my own devises at my grandparents’ house, I laboriously wrote down recipes. Her copy did eventually find its way to me, but I still have my handwritten recipe for apricot ice.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLUDfePzFJk/TwYk8nRGP3I/AAAAAAAAAWM/AoSR6LB3WFg/s1600/2011+cook+books+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLUDfePzFJk/TwYk8nRGP3I/AAAAAAAAAWM/AoSR6LB3WFg/s640/2011+cook+books+013.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> I went to college with Jocasta Inne’s The Paupers Cookbook, My flatmates and I didn’t think much of Jocasta’s recipes, but cooked our way through the copy of <b>Delia Smith</b> I was given for Christmas. Friends would come round on Sunday lunchtimes after their beans on toast and remark on our culinary expertise. From cheese soufflé pancakes to gigot of lamb, we did it all. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">In 1984, The Observer series on British food introduced me to <b>Jane Grigson</b> and Jane very kindly led me to <b>Claudia Roden, Alan Davidson</b>, and into the world of <b>Eliza Acton & Elizabeth Ayrton</b>. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q_yIpjDqWo8/TwYqepwriSI/AAAAAAAAAYA/nVwFP1oIgmI/s1600/Observer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q_yIpjDqWo8/TwYqepwriSI/AAAAAAAAAYA/nVwFP1oIgmI/s640/Observer.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">A la Carte</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> was a magazine of the 1980’s and it shows. Despite the achingly dated design, and self conscious forays into the lives of the ‘A’ list (no change there then) it’s remarkable for the people who wrote for it from <b><a href="http://www.thegoodwebguide.co.uk/food-wine/table-talk/a-truly-modern-classic/10810%20%20%20" target="_blank">Frances Bissell</a>, </b><span class="ptbrand">Marguerite Patten</span><b> and Jane Grigson</b> to a very young <b>Nigel Slater</b>. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uWVFHU0-gOQ/TwYldVY9kdI/AAAAAAAAAWY/IrF_m8twT7o/s1600/A+La+Carte.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uWVFHU0-gOQ/TwYldVY9kdI/AAAAAAAAAWY/IrF_m8twT7o/s640/A+La+Carte.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> The beautiful, inventive food photography was another first and opened the culinary door for the images we’re so used to seeing today. I devoured each edition in my cold </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Sunderland</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> bedroom, not unaware of the extremes it represented; one mile down the road, miner’s strikes and poverty, whilst on the glossy pages of A la Carte, people living charmed lives, with fabulous houses and food. I cooked from it for my flatmates one December, making Christmas crackers out of filo, and a 12 course menu that took days to prepare. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Forays into vegetarianism led me to <b>Martha Rose Shulman, the extraordinarily talented <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Spencer" target="_blank">Colin Spence</a>r. and Madhur Jaffrey.</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ztg5G_sgKhg/TwYpBGB0wXI/AAAAAAAAAXc/VMMc8zRMExc/s1600/Colin+Spencer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ztg5G_sgKhg/TwYpBGB0wXI/AAAAAAAAAXc/VMMc8zRMExc/s640/Colin+Spencer.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Like most people I had the <b>Cranks</b> cook book, but I have never been able to get excited by nut loaf. No doubt there were and are people who think that marmite flavoured slops are a good thing but I wanted something different. Colin proved that vegetarian food could be a colour other than brown. Determined to make Martha’s enchiladas despite the lack of tortillas in </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Sunderland</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">, I managed to track down masa harina by post and made my own. The less said about cling film in the frying pan, the better. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Few food columnists had the panache of the much missed <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/food-and-drink-the-man-who-ate-everything-1114055.html" target="_blank">Jeremy Round</a>; <b>The Independent Cook </b>his first and only book is one I’ll never give away.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a7CyxbESb04/TwYpQHyf2xI/AAAAAAAAAXo/JwYXmBk0EE8/s1600/jeremy+round.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a7CyxbESb04/TwYpQHyf2xI/AAAAAAAAAXo/JwYXmBk0EE8/s640/jeremy+round.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Books bought from 2<sup>nd</sup> hand shops for their design as much as contents included the David Gentleman illustrated Plats du Jour, by Patience Gray and Primrose Boyd, which eclipsed Elizabeth David when it was published in 1957.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m-lNx-BpdTc/TwYl8ejBQII/AAAAAAAAAWk/162moxptukk/s1600/Plat+du+Jour.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m-lNx-BpdTc/TwYl8ejBQII/AAAAAAAAAWk/162moxptukk/s640/Plat+du+Jour.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> I spent hours at Books for Cooks, staggering out under the weight of books including <b><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2005/mar/18/guardianobituaries.food" target="_blank">Patience Gray</a>’s Honey from a Weed, <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-richard-olney-1116214.html" target="_blank">Richard Olney</a>’s Simple French Food, and The Carved Angel Cookbook. </b>You must cook a lot, they told me. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Reading Richard Olney taught me how growing good food and cooking go hand in hand. One of his salad recipes uses rocket flowers. They were unknown and unavailable so I tracked down the seed and grew them.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The hunt for old imprints, especially Faber books continues. <b><a href="http://www.faber.co.uk/archive/asset/140508/" target="_blank">Home Baked; a little book of Bread Recipes by George & Cecilia Scurfield</a> </b>is one of my favourites. Publishers today sometimes scoff at books without photos. As much as I love food photography, there is something calming about books without image to show you what the perfect recipe should look like. There’s less likelihood of panic setting it. Or at least, that’s my theory.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Books from the 1950’s-1970’s fascinate me, as much for the lurid highly coloured illustrations as for the recipes. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nfy7lcmjEVU/TwYm2r8rM0I/AAAAAAAAAW4/jZu05YZ6HUI/s1600/Sweetheart+cake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nfy7lcmjEVU/TwYm2r8rM0I/AAAAAAAAAW4/jZu05YZ6HUI/s640/Sweetheart+cake.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNMcVpqD6NQ/TwYmZe-62gI/AAAAAAAAAWw/4A00AP9vGA0/s1600/She.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNMcVpqD6NQ/TwYmZe-62gI/AAAAAAAAAWw/4A00AP9vGA0/s640/She.JPG" width="425" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I have a fair number of historical and novelty books; for reading, for reference and for fun. It’s badly written but<b> the Elvis cookbook </b>is fascinating. I’m not in a hurry to cook a congealed American salad of lime jelly, cottage cheese and tinned fruit but I wouldn’t say no to deep fried dill pickles.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Af270hTuy9Y/TwYnsSsD7bI/AAAAAAAAAXE/HyOZ3hTvCk4/s1600/Elvis+dill+pickles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Af270hTuy9Y/TwYnsSsD7bI/AAAAAAAAAXE/HyOZ3hTvCk4/s640/Elvis+dill+pickles.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The Little house on the Prairie cookbook; </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">the Laura Ingells Wilder books contain many references to meals they ate. I continue to be amazed at their skills, their tenacity; where did it all come from, how did they know what to do in each situation? How they managed to survive and not starve and to cook using the most basic equipment is a miracle. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">On the top shelf is<b> <a href="http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/foc/%20%20">The Forme of Cury</a></b>, the very first printed cookbook; bought for the documentary I made about whelks, where we reproduced a medieval recipe using the critters. Can’t say I’ve used it since, but I can’t give it away. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The Dean & Deluca</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> cookbook took me through my time in catering. Their recipe for Ras al Hanouut brought me compliments from Moroccan kitchen colleagues, and their mix of recipes are useful and sensible. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Friends and family have stopped buying me cookbooks; they’ve seen how many I have, but I can’t stop buying. A cookbook editor told me that we only ever cook a handful of recipes from a book, and therefore we’re always looking for the next fix. Does anyone actually cook their way through a book the way we did at college? I buy now because I’m hungry for the past, for food anthropology,<b> </b>or to read new styles or ideas. Because I like the style of the writer, or I’m seduced by the concept. Or quite simply, if I open a book, read a recipe and think, yes, I’d like to make that. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">There are books I turn to for inspiration when I’m writing; books I use when I’m cooking for friends or family and want to find ideas. It’s rare I’ll follow a recipe to the core. I’m more likely to take ideas from one recipe and merge it with others. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BKgflnjPrTs/TwYoSOzD3LI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/p6wRaU3FgQI/s1600/cookbook+shelves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BKgflnjPrTs/TwYoSOzD3LI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/p6wRaU3FgQI/s640/cookbook+shelves.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I’m not the only person to take cook books to bed with me. There are books which tell stories, histories, tread paths. Food during and after the 2<sup>nd</sup> world war from <b>Constance Spry, </b>food from the eccentric family<b>; The Roald Dahl cookbook. </b>I have endless respect for food writers who research the roots of their recipes. <b>Jane Grigson</b> and <b>Claudia Rodan </b>as mentioned earlier. Wisps of food history take me from era to continent and on to new finds, new foods, new friends. I’d rather be Jane Grigson than Nigella. Scholarly writing that respects the past and recognises where an ingredient has come from, as well as its place in the present, that’s more impressive to me. So much is novelty and reinvention. That doesn’t stop me from reading Nigella or using her recipes. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GMyt38d3Qf4/TwYptT8pI1I/AAAAAAAAAX0/L-Cs3Tm0c1E/s1600/constance+spry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GMyt38d3Qf4/TwYptT8pI1I/AAAAAAAAAX0/L-Cs3Tm0c1E/s640/constance+spry.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Some books are more than recipes, they’re history and design and story. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.jaketilson.com/%20" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Jake Tilson</span></b></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> <cite><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></cite>was a customer at our Peckham Farmers’ Market and I feel a real affinity with the way he writes and collects; I love images, graphics, tins, packaging. His book, <b>A Tale of 12 Kitchens</b> is a genuine reflection of his personality, one which makes me wish I’d kept more menus and shopping lists over the years.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Last Christmas I was given the <b>Toulouse Lautrec</b> cookbook, the Art of Cuisine, written & illustrated by the artist himself, the man who was said to have invented chocolate mousse. It’s unlikely that I will make a mock rabbit pate (veal, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Bayonne</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> ham, truffle, sausage meat) or a Whole Sheep Roasted Out of Doors and there are details I’m unable to follow to the letter; Broad beans with savory begins;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">‘Have some young fava beans from the peat bogs of the </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Somme</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">, still green…’</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HIiYnrsacI8/TwYrHViA6wI/AAAAAAAAAYM/9mmCu-_Njek/s1600/Toulose+Lautrec.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HIiYnrsacI8/TwYrHViA6wI/AAAAAAAAAYM/9mmCu-_Njek/s640/Toulose+Lautrec.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">However, there are many delightful dishes such as chick peas with spinach, as long as I use Spanish chick peas, the French ones according to the author being smaller and harder. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">It’s always tempting to drop into the wonderful <b>Persephone Books</b>, five minutes from our office <cite><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></cite>I love their reissues, such as <a href="http://www.persephonebooks.co.uk/pages/titles/index.asp?id=28" target="_blank">Florence White’s Good Things in </a></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1931361650"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">England</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.persephonebooks.co.uk/pages/titles/index.asp?id=28">. </a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">My current passion is <a href="http://www.penguin.co.uk/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780141198682,00.html?strSrchSql=great+food+collection/The_Great_Food_Box_Set_VARIOUS" target="_blank"><b>Penguins’s Great Food collection</b></a>. I’ve just finished Alexandre Dumas’s Alphabet for Food Lovers and am half way through MFK Fishers’ Love in a dish. The rest of these recently released slim beautiful volumes of semi obscure classics, many of which have been on my wish list for aeons are waiting for me. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Do I have a wish list? Oh yes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The Moomins cookbook, because I love the Moomins. That I have to admit is nothing to do with the recipes. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Classics – chasms in my library to be filled, for example I have nothing by </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1931361747"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Elizabeth</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://elisabethluard.com/" target="_blank"> Luard </a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The Len Deighton cookbook</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Robert May's The Accomplisht Cook and most of <a href="https://prospectbooks.co.uk/samples/ProspectTitles2011.pdf" target="_blank">Prospect Book</a>s’s intelligent catalogue </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">All by Colin Spencer; The Heretic’s Feast – a History of Vegetarianism</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">, the award-winning <i>British Food – an Extraordinary Thousand Years of History</i> & <i>From Microliths to Microwaves – The Evolution of British Agriculture, Food and Cooking</i></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">My wish list is a fluctuating, organic thing, that changes with whim and the seasons. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">After my recent cull I won’t be saying goodbye to any more books for a while but chances are I’ll be adding to them.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">How do your cookbook shelves compare? What’s your culinary equivalent of the kipper tie?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tnAV8w7ZeHQ/TwYuwCSJxMI/AAAAAAAAAYY/ssvE4AadHAY/s1600/collection.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tnAV8w7ZeHQ/TwYuwCSJxMI/AAAAAAAAAYY/ssvE4AadHAY/s640/collection.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-22782025319548360432011-11-24T11:50:00.000-08:002012-01-08T12:37:23.532-08:00I never put butter on a bacon sandwich<span style="font-family: Arial;">Last week I played a game of Jewish </span><i style="font-family: Arial;">I never have...</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"> I never have knowingly eaten kosher meat.<br />
And then I remembered; being sent down to the kosher butchers as a child to buy a boiling fowl for my mother.<br />
How rapidly memories return... Watching her clean a chicken so carefully & thoroughly. Knowing that she’d been made an orphan at an early age I always wondered who had taught her. A box of matches sat by the sink, with which to singe every hair. When I think of the way I clean a chicken, make sure the giblets aren’t inside, wipe its bum and slam it in the oven, it’s not a skill I inherited from mother. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">The unformed eggs from the boiling fowl were poached in the soup. The giblets would be added, the liver saved for chopped liver. The heart was given to the cat but the cooks perk according to my mother was the pupik, the belly button. Bet you didn’t know that chickens have belly buttons. </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">The food we ate was Ashkenazi, from </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Eastern Europe</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">. This explained the passion my mother has for putting sugar on the weirdest things. Sugar on omelettes and potato latkes. Sugar in stews; the attempt to sweet and sour everything possible. </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Sunday morning had its own routine. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"> Hebrew classes, (alas), down the road for sweets & fizzy drinks, and to Jacks, the much loved delicatessen, always crowded on Sunday mornings with people talking as much as shopping. At the front of the shop, Jack himself would wield his long serrated knife and expertly carve soft slices of smoked salmon. Alongside him sat deep dark barrels of new green pickled cucumbers lurking beneath the surface in their sweet salty brine. At the back of the shop we picked up little plastic tubs of chilled rich cream cheese, chopped herring, and chopped liver. There were piles of bagels and platzels. Nothing varied, everything the same. Cake was pound cake, with the same piped icing around the edge. Bread was bagels, white caraway seed rye bread, soft sweet platted cholla. </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Then home to watch Thunderbirds, eat lunch, watch The Persuaders, and begrudgingly head upstairs to do our homework. With the sound of Stars on Sunday; down to tea, supper, play time, bed. </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Home cooked food if Jewish never varied either. Fish balls always had their little circle of carrot anointing each one. Fish fillets were fried in egg and matzo meal and served cold. If poached it was salmon, if chopped, it was herring. There was no salami but there was Hebrew National wurst, and instead of sausages, viennas, both bright red, no doubt with food colouring. To this day I won’t eat frankfurters unless I know the provenance of the meat.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">I have an unfinished poem about the way food identifies us. It starts;-</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">‘We were stained with chrain our Jewish stigmata….’</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">I took it as a complement if someone told me that I was the most un-Jewish person I know, but I still love meeting Jewish people. Like members of a secret club, we know what chrain is. We understand the pain of Hebrew classes, and being forced to go to shul. We know what it means to have Jewish grandparents. We know the jokes and we know the reality.</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">There were occasional trips to Blooms and other </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">East End</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"> Jewish delis, for barley soup, salt beef, fish balls and latkas, but it wasn’t a regular occurrence. We were just as likely to eat out at a Chinese restaurant or a vegetarian one if with our salad loving grandmother.</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">At junior school, during Passover we were excited to be called apart. Mainly because we got to bring a packed lunch to school. And the foods so strange to others were normal to us. We made Scooby Doo sandwiches with matzos and marmite, piling little pieces up as high as we could. Nibbling at our almond biscuits, we swapped and rooted around in each others lunch boxes.<br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Never one of those families that searched out every scrap of levan and had separate crockery for milk and meat, my mother and her friends still threw themselves with gusto into Passover baking and the almond industry did very well. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Cinnamon balls, coconut pyramids, almond macaroons, almond pudding, and the sedar night meal with burnt eggs and a lamb bone on the table. We ate eggs in salt water because we liked them. I’ve not thought about that dish for many years. </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Back in the Jewish kitchen, my mothers’ food bible was and is the redoubtable Florence Greenberg, first published around 1934 and revised in 1951 to include ‘foreign’ influences in the kitchen.<br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MLRhVU5tiJo/Ts6bIQYOk2I/AAAAAAAAAVI/5GQi_qKmgEY/s1600/DSC01206.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678646746298618722" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MLRhVU5tiJo/Ts6bIQYOk2I/AAAAAAAAAVI/5GQi_qKmgEY/s400/DSC01206.JPG" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 213px;" width="266" /></a></span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="t1" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Commissioned by her husband, </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Leopold Greenberg <span class="t1">the controlling editor of the Jewish Chronicle, </span></span><span class="t1" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Florence</span></span><span class="t1" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> wrote the JC’s first </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">cookery column. She served as a nurse in Gallipoli during the First World War, and was decorated for bravery. Whether this contributed anything to her determination to make it easy for Jewish women to cook is not recorded. </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">‘Let’s see what Florrie says’ was my mother’s usual phrase. Whilst not bothered about keeping kosher, there was never a breath of bacon in the house. No pork, no shellfish. Once when our next door neighbours gave us a box of frozen prawns, they stayed in the back of the freezer for years. When I dared to defrost them mum wrinkled her nose in disgust and gave me no encouragement as to what to do with them. They ended up in the bin.</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">At school we were introduced to pale, flabby pork (with thick gravy and apple sauce) bacon rolls served with liver, and sad, thin, pork sausages. But still the only sausages at home were beef ones. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">We were amazed to see our father and uncle strolling along the seafront at Cliftonville munching on shellfish, a trail of pink carcasses crushed by the disapproving heels of my mother and aunts spike heels. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">The introduction of non Jewish foods was a drip drip, dripping, slow and steady. When I left home and could eat what I liked, I still found myself repulsed by my flatmates eating habits. Butter on a meat sandwich? Yuck. Bacon on a roasting chicken? Can I sneak it off without them noticing? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">And do I still eat Jewish food? You bet. I make the best chopped liver, my chicken soup is fantastic, and I’ve occasionally attempted fish balls. I love chopped herring and I’ll go out of my way to find a decent bagel. The difference is, the meat I use is free range or organic. I’ve made this food for non Jewish friends and they always love it. Food as ever, crosses boundaries especially when it’s comfort food and Jewish food is nothing but. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">It took years before I ventured to eat a cheeseburger. A ham and cheese sandwich still feels wrong. I can and do eat lardo, air dried ham, sausages, salami. Hand made sausage rolls, scotch eggs and pork pies are bliss; give me a decent bit of free range pork and I’ll embrace it. And I’m sorry Mother, but I love crispy pig ears. </span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Just don’t expect me to put butter on my bacon sandwich. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">*For those who need to know, chrain is a rather delicious condiment, a combination of horseradish and beetroot. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Wurst is beef salami</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Viennas are of the frankfurter family</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">You’re in the wrong place if you need to know what a bagel is. </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>Cheryl Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02737977122155432186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-79827798675921605302011-10-30T09:55:00.000-07:002012-01-08T14:18:32.953-08:00Eating Istanbul part one<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Some people go for the Blue Mosque, the Aga Sophia or a Bosphorus trip. I returned to </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Istanbul</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> for the food. Particularly the mackerel sandwiches sold by the Galatea bridge, and dried flaked pepper, pul biber. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Friday morning 9.30am I’m ready and waiting in Cihangir, sitting outside a café nursing a cup of chai, watching the rain drip through the plastic awnings. I’d booked a food tour with <a href="http://istanbuleats.com/">Istanbul Eats</a>, which organises tours for small groups of people to get a taste of the real city. The cost (it’s not cheap) and the thought the places we’d see would already be on the tourist trail had made me apprehensive. Both considerations went out the window from the word go. Meghan greets me cheerily, takes me to our first venue and disappears to round up the other guests.</span></span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B8HRRsmLn24/Tq1eyhvYx2I/AAAAAAAAARg/y9CEMtUHOdA/s1600/walk+chai.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B8HRRsmLn24/Tq1eyhvYx2I/AAAAAAAAARg/y9CEMtUHOdA/s640/walk+chai.JPG" width="425" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<a name='more'></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> In a modest looking café, we’re introduced us to the two chefs preparing vegetables to stuff. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4q-BxtpIayk/Tq1gj3EVaGI/AAAAAAAAARw/Eq56zFP_26U/s1600/walk+chefs+breakfast+place.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4q-BxtpIayk/Tq1gj3EVaGI/AAAAAAAAARw/Eq56zFP_26U/s640/walk+chefs+breakfast+place.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We’re brought Turkish coffee, chai and dishes of kaymak – clotted cream made from water buffalo milk, and rose petal jam both made on site.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_YQ6k8B9HZI/Tq1fwz0ggQI/AAAAAAAAARo/qGNgYmslggY/s1600/walk+buffalo+milk+clotted+cream+rose+jam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_YQ6k8B9HZI/Tq1fwz0ggQI/AAAAAAAAARo/qGNgYmslggY/s640/walk+buffalo+milk+clotted+cream+rose+jam.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> The cream is nothing like our English clotted cream, it’s lighter, as if clotted cream could be skimmed, and works beautifully with the delicate jam. Next up, the waiter prepares a dish called menumen, eggs, scrambled together with peppers, tomatoes & spices, brought to the table sizzling hot. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TAWFlsgg88k/Tq1hK89QoeI/AAAAAAAAAR4/5ieDfw02r0g/s1600/walk+waiter+breakfast+place.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TAWFlsgg88k/Tq1hK89QoeI/AAAAAAAAAR4/5ieDfw02r0g/s640/walk+waiter+breakfast+place.JPG" width="425" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Before we leave we’re introduced to the classic milk and mastic based puddings of </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Istanbul</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">. Here they even grind their own rice. More about them later. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bnrc1paUqFU/Tq1hukB0QQI/AAAAAAAAASA/nQ2U4DPox9M/s1600/walk+borek+salon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bnrc1paUqFU/Tq1hukB0QQI/AAAAAAAAASA/nQ2U4DPox9M/s640/walk+borek+salon.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Next destination is the borek shop. I thought I knew boreks, I didn’t. Here in </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Turkey</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> shops specialise. The bread shop sells bread. The borek shop sells only boreks. Four different types. For water boreks the pastry is boiled first, the layers filled with a crumbly cheese and baked, like a lasagne. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VpC41ZCAn1c/Tq1jeMlUHoI/AAAAAAAAASI/BhL3Bq5IEgI/s1600/walk+borek+plate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VpC41ZCAn1c/Tq1jeMlUHoI/AAAAAAAAASI/BhL3Bq5IEgI/s640/walk+borek+plate.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Plain borek we dust with icing sugar. Two stuffed versions, one with spinach, and the other with meat are delicious. The pastry is made with yogurt which gives it a unique stretchy, chewy texture. Knowing that we are only at the start of our journey we hold back and don’t finish our plates. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Barely five minutes walk away we reach the pickle shop. You can’t miss it. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fUJsCsDpLcQ/Tq1keonFlII/AAAAAAAAASQ/dKTz_LJ6dlw/s1600/walk+pickle+shop+window+display.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fUJsCsDpLcQ/Tq1keonFlII/AAAAAAAAASQ/dKTz_LJ6dlw/s640/walk+pickle+shop+window+display.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The window display is completely filled with bottles and jars of seasonal colourful pickles. On the shelves are display bottles of pickles that date back to the 1920’s and 30’s. They pickle whatever is in season. When they sell out, they shut up shop until pickle season next year. At the back of the shop, pickles are sold loose by the kilo. Everything from garlic, baby okra, the size of finger nails (the only okra worth eating to my taste), baby aubergines, and various peppers and chillies. I’m tempted by the pickled green almonds but not sure how I’ll get them back to the </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">UK</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Back to our reason for visiting; black turnip pickle juice which they sell by the half pint.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lOonDxBq9nU/Tq1lJykQN5I/AAAAAAAAASY/fcTkf9yTKJU/s1600/walk+pickle+juice+cu.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lOonDxBq9nU/Tq1lJykQN5I/AAAAAAAAASY/fcTkf9yTKJU/s640/walk+pickle+juice+cu.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> It’s delicious; bracing, slightly sweet, and to those of you who may have been introduced to pickle backs this year, Turks have been drinking pickle juice for many years. It’s also well known in </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Eastern Europe</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> as a pick me up and hangover cure. One of the people on the tour says her Polish grandmother gave them pickle juice every morning when they were children. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">There’s a great article <a href="http://www.todayszaman.com/news-188879-118-forget-about-choosing-between-lemon-or-vinegar-just-make-some-tursu.html">HERE</a> about the Turkish love affair with pickles <a href="http://www.todayszaman.com/news-188879-118-forget-about-choosing-between-lemon-or-vinegar-just-make-some-tursu.html"> </a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Onwards through the streets of Beyoklu, Meghan telling the familiar and sad story of shops changing hands from butcher and baker to antique shop and frozen yogurt chain. I loved the greenness of this grocer, and the size of the leeks</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f-_EUvQn52A/Tq1mZs2zpiI/AAAAAAAAASg/jx_e08AvbuU/s1600/Walk+greengrocer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f-_EUvQn52A/Tq1mZs2zpiI/AAAAAAAAASg/jx_e08AvbuU/s640/Walk+greengrocer.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We emerge from the back streets onto the busy thoroughfare of Istiklal cad, the </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Oxford Street</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> of </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Istanbul</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">. Almost immediately we turn into the tiny wooden doorway of Inci famous for its custard filled profiteroles. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k70x6AMbc0w/Tq1nfY2oGjI/AAAAAAAAASo/VsRyaNqGPsA/s1600/walk+Inci+int..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k70x6AMbc0w/Tq1nfY2oGjI/AAAAAAAAASo/VsRyaNqGPsA/s640/walk+Inci+int..JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">You may think it’s not exactly a Turkish dish but try telling Inci that. This is the kind of place that in </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">London</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> would be torn down and replaced by a chain. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nLeJtJO120g/Tq1orEA3SdI/AAAAAAAAASw/m2HczZulbaM/s1600/walk+fish+frying+putting+fish+in+oil.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nLeJtJO120g/Tq1orEA3SdI/AAAAAAAAASw/m2HczZulbaM/s640/walk+fish+frying+putting+fish+in+oil.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Galataray fish market is surrounded by restaurants and cafes and lined with tiny stalls selling fried fish. Yusef has been standing over his fryer since 1961. Tell him his fish is good and he’ll shrug and say, yes, ofcourse it is. Perched on little stools at the back we sample anchovies and boned sardines. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sOYQFlLID5I/Tq1sYfXxQyI/AAAAAAAAATA/svQTom84bjw/s1600/walk+fish+frying+sardines+and+anchovies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sOYQFlLID5I/Tq1sYfXxQyI/AAAAAAAAATA/svQTom84bjw/s640/walk+fish+frying+sardines+and+anchovies.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Salted. They must be salted, and served with lemon. So simple and made with the freshest fish, which Yusef buys from the fish shop opposite him. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tzCVGGOooxI/Tq1qewnRdQI/AAAAAAAAAS4/PinzcXAeP_4/s1600/walk+fish+market+cu.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tzCVGGOooxI/Tq1qewnRdQI/AAAAAAAAAS4/PinzcXAeP_4/s640/walk+fish+market+cu.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Note the way that the gills have been turned inside out to show the freshness of the fish. We’re introduced to fish that’s just come into season. Some don’t translate, they’re local varieties. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Onto a small café; we’ve been warned and given notice about this. Meghan has explained that nothing has to be tried, and we won’t be chucked off if a dish is not to our taste. So here we are, facing tripe soup. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IKRigh0hkUs/Tq1trq_r8gI/AAAAAAAAATI/damTjpPCOdA/s1600/walk+tripe+soup+vinegar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IKRigh0hkUs/Tq1trq_r8gI/AAAAAAAAATI/damTjpPCOdA/s640/walk+tripe+soup+vinegar.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Into the very white liquid she spoons garlic puree, pul biber and chilli vinegar, telling us that we’ll need them. It tastes, not surprisingly, of garlic and chilli vinegar. The tripe itself has been cut into tiny pieces. It’s a texture that’s not unpleasing but not to our taste. I feel sorry for the restaurant which must see tourists come and go, soup untested. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCfi89Dk6Yw/Tq1vhkhhvlI/AAAAAAAAATY/HrdX8QV-b7Q/s1600/walk+baklava+shop+ext.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCfi89Dk6Yw/Tq1vhkhhvlI/AAAAAAAAATY/HrdX8QV-b7Q/s640/walk+baklava+shop+ext.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Around the corner is the baklava shop. It's quince season, and resplendent in the window, a tray of preserved quince, shiny, copper, glowing. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mDspSvAwI78/Tq1uj0Rgt8I/AAAAAAAAATQ/bEQFOq5ismU/s1600/walk+quince+dessert+baklava+shop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mDspSvAwI78/Tq1uj0Rgt8I/AAAAAAAAATQ/bEQFOq5ismU/s640/walk+quince+dessert+baklava+shop.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We’re given a plate of assorted baklava including chocolate (not to my taste) pistachio and walnut. And chai. We need chai.Next comes the quince, served with clotted cream to cut the sweetness. It's delicious, one of the best things I taste during my trip. I'll return to buy some to take back to London. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Opposte the baklava shop is a butcher with an amazing display of lamb organs, worthy of Harrods. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OlkguYG4Ts8/Tq1w0dGLZrI/AAAAAAAAATg/LFh9Zc9AnIc/s1600/walk+butchers+window+display.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OlkguYG4Ts8/Tq1w0dGLZrI/AAAAAAAAATg/LFh9Zc9AnIc/s640/walk+butchers+window+display.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Livers, lungs, kidneys, all hung beautifully. Lungs apparently aren’t for human consumption. People buy and cook them for the neighbourhood wild cats. These animals may live on the streets but they’re well fed. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WlTnEuTzdVI/Tq1yCJ8PXeI/AAAAAAAAATo/INkw4JiqqfY/s1600/walk+cafe+alley+way.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WlTnEuTzdVI/Tq1yCJ8PXeI/AAAAAAAAATo/INkw4JiqqfY/s640/walk+cafe+alley+way.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It’s not even lunchtime yet. Weaving in and out of alleyways, there’s always something new to look at, more food stalls, cafes, more passionate people plying their wares. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A quick stop for what we’re told is the best Turkish Coffee in </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Istanbul</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">. We’re asked if we can guess what the mystery ingredient is, as they’re not sharing. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4kButOrgIaw/Tq1y783G5aI/AAAAAAAAATw/q2OyTxMnklI/s1600/walk+turkish+coffee+maker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4kButOrgIaw/Tq1y783G5aI/AAAAAAAAATw/q2OyTxMnklI/s640/walk+turkish+coffee+maker.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Meghan produces a package with a flourish. ‘you’d forgotton about this hadn’t you’ she says. It’s <em><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Tavuk Göğüsü a milk pudding made with chicken breast, very fine shreds added for texture, not taste. With</span></em><em><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"> </span></em><em><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">cinnamon on top, and the bottom caramelised, it’s delicious but we’re saving ourselves for lunch. </span></em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HFBcd7HTKC0/Tq10aTjrqzI/AAAAAAAAAT4/_DNaWxgZU4I/s1600/walk+pudding%2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HFBcd7HTKC0/Tq10aTjrqzI/AAAAAAAAAT4/_DNaWxgZU4I/s640/walk+pudding%2521.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Ficcin specialises in food from the </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Caucasus Mountains</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">, bordering </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Georgia</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">. We eat delicious meat filled ravioli, very similar to pirogi; they are tossed with pul biber scented oil and served with a yogurt sauce; dishes of mint, sumac and pul biber are added and mixed in. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G47MyVpCJgI/Tq11bDtx6lI/AAAAAAAAAUA/SA0mbVddYSM/s1600/walk+turkish+dumplings+wide.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G47MyVpCJgI/Tq11bDtx6lI/AAAAAAAAAUA/SA0mbVddYSM/s640/walk+turkish+dumplings+wide.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We’re also served a dish of chicken pureed with walnuts and garlic, and a salad of cubed celeriac. Somehow we find room for a second dish of ravioli. Yum.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">And on to Sahin Lokantasi. From the outside I’d probably be too scared to enter. It’s a typical working man’s café, and yes, it’s full of men eating lunch. There’s not a single woman inside, but safety in numbers, we enter and go upstairs. It’s a simple place, famous for its range of water bath dishes. Up to 40 are prepared every day, and the earlier you arrive, the more choice you have. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MRupGyMrJ54/Tq12dTjpxCI/AAAAAAAAAUI/IuKG46bPP2M/s1600/walk+Sahin+reviews.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MRupGyMrJ54/Tq12dTjpxCI/AAAAAAAAAUI/IuKG46bPP2M/s640/walk+Sahin+reviews.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A huge framed selection of reviews has pride of place. Sahin is not exactly off the culinary map.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V5u7hk5YK6A/Tq13juK-JmI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/l90U7CNGCgA/s1600/walk+Sahin+stuffed+aubergine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V5u7hk5YK6A/Tq13juK-JmI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/l90U7CNGCgA/s640/walk+Sahin+stuffed+aubergine.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> We are brought aubergine stuffed with minced beef, courgette in yogurt sauce, and a bean stew. All very simple, and expertly prepared with great skill. The chefs here take it for granted that they're as good as any Michelin stared chef. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tPmQ5IfEyas/Tq14JLNMIUI/AAAAAAAAAUY/u7qGaoDZLdg/s1600/walk+Sahin+chefs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tPmQ5IfEyas/Tq14JLNMIUI/AAAAAAAAAUY/u7qGaoDZLdg/s640/walk+Sahin+chefs.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">On the way out, the place has emptied and there’s a woman eating, on her own. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i_eHGvV20Fw/Tq18yw02TSI/AAAAAAAAAUo/WD0Gc9MRMDk/s1600/walk+int+woman+dining.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i_eHGvV20Fw/Tq18yw02TSI/AAAAAAAAAUo/WD0Gc9MRMDk/s640/walk+int+woman+dining.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Note the plate of cloves to freshen the breath. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3dbQquHEWKM/Tq14pMEfWUI/AAAAAAAAAUg/7hLUIxhxaYw/s1600/walk+Sahin+plate+of+cloves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3dbQquHEWKM/Tq14pMEfWUI/AAAAAAAAAUg/7hLUIxhxaYw/s640/walk+Sahin+plate+of+cloves.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Finally, our last taste of </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Istanbul</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> for the day, and the beloved street snack of </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Turkey</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">, the kokorec. A long roll of lamb, with lamb intestines wound around the outside, and lamb sweetbreads in the centre. Cooked over charcoal, a slice is cut off, chopped very finely with peppers, tomatoes, wild thyme and pul biber added, and the lot piled onto fresh bread.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pzQy2LVR2j4/Tq191US1A-I/AAAAAAAAAUw/TSApbe26OmE/s1600/walk+Kokorec+preparing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pzQy2LVR2j4/Tq191US1A-I/AAAAAAAAAUw/TSApbe26OmE/s640/walk+Kokorec+preparing.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It’s totally delicious and I can see why the Turks fought for the right to continue to sell it. In 2003 when membership of the EU was being prepared, word spread about the possible banning of certain animal parts, including intestines. What sausage makers would do hasn’t been considered. Songs were sung about it, t shirts worn,all to protect a product that is dear to the hearts of the Turkish population. We love it. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We repair to a local bar to discuss further recommendations. What a fantastic tour. Totally worth it to see behind the veneer of the city. Day one in </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Istanbul</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">. Dinner unnecessary. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-28906241426886958042011-10-08T08:40:00.000-07:002013-07-15T11:09:11.031-07:00Conversations with my food<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">For dinner last night, not feeling particularly hungry I ate a bag of peas. Raw peas in their pods, I didn’t crunch my way through a bag of frozen petit pois. Still hungry an hour later I added to the feast with a couple of Peters Yard crisp breads and smoked trout pate. If I’m alone, it’s my choice. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Brought up to believe that food is to be shared, a social occasion,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">eating alone conjures up loneliness. Is one fun? Eating alone can make me feel as if I’m being punished. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">How many of us don’t bother cooking because ‘it’s just for me’ or eat standing at the sink or in front of the open fridge? Do we ever turn that around and celebrate the possibility and pleasure of eating at the open fridge because there’s no-one around to point a finger?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Eating alone can be meditative, contemplative or swing right round to boring, frustrating, annoying, something to be cancelled out.<br />
The relationship is with the food on my plate in front of you.<br />
</span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">At home alone do you:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Eat at a table<br />
Or</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Eat in front of the TV?<br />
If the former do you eat to the accompaniment of the radio or music? Do you read a book or the paper?<br />
Can you honestly say that if eating alone it's just you and the food on your plate?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I find it really challenging to eat at the table. I know I should eat consciously. It’s just that I don’t want to. After a long day I want to collapse on the sofa. I want immediate gratification. I want to make sure that whatever I’ve recorded on Sky + is there ready and waiting for me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">There are people who are happy to dine on a bowl of cereal or toast because they can’t be bothered to cook. Am I the only person who does bother? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">When I’ve time, I’ll cook in advance, enough to last me a few days and I’ll congratulate myself for being organised. so that I just need to reheat when I come home. That’s if the amount I cook doesn’t get polished off in one evening. Note to self; Portion Control.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Two people I know who work hard and live alone have very particular eating habits. One who works in the food world will get home late and order a takeaway. She’ll never cook for herself. The other won’t eat anything hot; it has to be a salad or a piece of cake. Both eat in front of the TV. I have yet to meet anyone who dines solo seated at a table. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Is eating alone more a matter of eating self consciously, than eating consciously?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A few days ago I ate lunch alone. Asking for a table for one, the waiter repeated back my request, but he said ‘only one’. Why is one ‘only’ and why should that make me feel apologetic or self conscious? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Today at the farmers’ market, I found myself using the dreaded word ‘only’ when asked how many people I was buying for. Only one. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
Eating in public alone has different rules whether it’s a supper club, or fine dining to casual every day dining and pubs; to holiday and travelling eating.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">At a supper club food is king, at a restaurant it's possible that no one cares what they eat. It’s easy to go to a supper club alone as chances are you’ll be placed at a shared table with other like minded people. I’ve done this several times when I couldn’t find anyone who wanted to go. I’m past the point of staying at home because my friends aren’t foodies! But still there will usually be a comment of admiration because I’ve dared to dine alone. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Eating alone in restaurants takes courage. For some it is the pinnacle of pleasure. I wish I could locate the quote from a 1940's set novel in which one of the characters celebrates his birthday with a solitary dinner at Rules & relishes every moment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
It’s drummed into us that food is to be shared. There aren’t many food adverts that show a solo diner. Always the complete family and two children or group of friends. Are we supposed to feel guilty if we’re childless or partner less? Hell no. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A solo diner never advertises a food product. It would be seen as greed personified. There’s something inherently gluttonous about eating alone in public view. The social aspects are cancelled out so therefore the food is under the spotlight. For women especially, it can be uncomfortable, and there’s something unladylike about that. Reclaim what’s rightly yours. Are women still supposed to be lady like and eat like birds? To leave most of the contents on our plates. The classic line always quoted is not ordering chips and then pinching them from the boyfriends’ plate. I love seeing women eat honestly, with gusto. <br />
<br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Some years ago whilst working for the TV unit of the Foreign Office, I was assigned to accompany a Thai film crew who were making a documentary about </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Northern</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Island</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">. We landed in </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Belfast</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> and the crew, jetlagged and uninterested in </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Belfast</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> nightlife had an early night. I on the other hand was not unduly suffering the stresses of such a short flight from the </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">UK</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> and itching to meet </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Belfast</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">. Room service was dull and depressing, and would cost me almost as much as a meal out. I took myself off to Roscoffs, then making waves in </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Belfast</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> city centre. It didn’t worry me that I was alone. I was on official business, I had expenses, I was power dressed, and I hasten to add, the British tax payer wasn’t going to be taken for a ride on my account. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Some restaurants when seating a single diner will put them in what they consider to be shame corner. Behind a pillar, or by the entrance to the loos. Not Roscoffs. They seated me centre space facing into the room so that I had a fine view of the audience. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I still have the menu from that evening and I remember everything I ate because I valued each mouthful. I had no distractions, no companion to talk to. I had no book with me, no phone (this was well before the era of mobile phones). No security blanket, on purpose. Just my food and I. Was I self conscious? Oh yes but I was determined not to show it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The face of my boss when I handed in my expenses was a picture. It was lunchtime; he had a canteen egg sandwich in one hand, and my Roscoff bill in the other. The room was silent as he read out what I ate and I swear his sandwich wilted. It wasn’t done to eat out alone. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Some of my favourite meals have been eaten solo on holiday. It’s part of an adventure, exploring a </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">new city</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">. New flavours, scents, tastes. I can spend hours finding the places I want to eat, which drives some of my friends mad. The disadvantage is not having anyone to share the immediate experience with. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Every day dining and pubs seem to have different rules. Lunch is acceptable alone, dinner isn’t. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Eating alone in a greasy spoon or every day sort of place is allowed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">For women eating or drinking alone in a pub is ok, depending upon the establishment. Upping the quality of food made it far easier to enter a pub. There are very few places where I’d now feel uncomfortable eating. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I have several times challenged myself to sit alone at a bar. It wasn’t comfortable. Men seem to be able to do it, no problem, staring into space with a pint in one hand. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Eating at the bar however is something I love. From tapas bars in Spanish markets to shellfish bars in </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">London</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> I can perch on a bar stool, watch my food being prepared, watch the room, talk to the bar staff and observe the world go by. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, here’s the rules.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Don’t apologise and don’t use the word ‘only’ as in, it’s only me. A table for one please, head up assertively. If you can, book in advance. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Dress appropriately to blend in. Unless you’re a masochist and want to stand out. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Don’t be fobbed off with a table in </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Siberia</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">. You deserve the best</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Take a comfort blanket with you if you wish; book, newspaper, notebook, mobile appliance if you must, but don’t use it. Keep it in reserve; you know it’s there if you need it, but you don’t., really you don’t. Use your camera or phone if you have to. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Don’t check your work emails. This is your space, your precious time. It’s not a working lunch, and that’s an anathema anyway. Work and food don’t mix well. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Enjoy your surroundings. Relax. There’s nothing sad or bad about you eating alone. No-one is looking at you. Ok, they might be, but they’re envying you your independence and audacity. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Order whatever you like. Nobody is going to criticise your choices or steal food from your plate. It’s all yours. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You can pretend to be a food critic and scrutinise everything on the menu, ask awkward questions about provenance or cooking methods. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You could if you choose order everything on the menu. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Here’s the one disadvantage to eating alone. Food that’s great for sharing; dim sum, tapas is sad eaten alone because if you want to experience the entire pick and mix flavours, you’d have to over order. But feel free, indulge. You can always take the remains away with you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The last time I over ordered at a Lebanese place and left half my food, a woman waiting for a take away order asked if she could have my leftovers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Enjoy your food; develop a positive relationship with it. You’re eating for one. You. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Smile but don’t over do it. People will expect you to talk to yourself or the plant on your table. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Be nice to the waiter but he or she is not your best friend. Just because you’re alone, you don’t need a security blanket (did I say that?).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Eat slowly, tip well and leave with your head up. Don’t slink out. You’re not a thief. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Repeat at regular intervals. And do not ever apologise or feel guilty about eating alone. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">This week I’m off to </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Istanbul</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">. Will I eat my words? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cheryl Cohen May-Oct 2011 </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-37412942154462769442011-09-19T03:00:00.000-07:002012-01-08T14:29:36.262-08:00In Praise of Plain<div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Cupcakes, overdressed, over iced, over here.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
There are many types of stalls at our farmers’ markets; cup cakes stalls aren’t amongst them. I banned them a few years ago and we’ve never relented. Some of our home made cake makers have them on their stalls, along with a range of other cakes. I’ll turn a blind eye to a bit of what I regard as bad taste. But it’s in context along with a range of other cakes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
When I was a child cup cakes were made by </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Lyons</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> and came in boxes of six. Indifferent sponge topped with a layer of thick over sweet solid chocolate icing that crept into the crevices of the foil container. That was the best bit, extracting every nodule of sweetness from the foil. The cake itself was always disappointingly dry & uninteresting.<br />
</span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Fairy cakes were never shop bought. They belonged to home kitchens, to fetes and jumble sale tea rooms & school cake sales. Water icing, dribbling down the sides, with hundreds & thousands or those inedible silver balls, sugar flowers, dolly mixtures, or jelly diamonds.<br />
Butterfly cakes had their tender little wings attached with butter icing, just enough to make them fly.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">What distresses me is that even fairy cakes are being labelled cupcakes. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I love fairy cakes & at the end of the strange idea of cupcake week it’s an opportunity to rage against the invasive cupcake and say enough. Over dressed, over iced and over here. Anything with a greater percentage of icing to cake is just wrong. I’m mystified as to why they have taken hold of the national consciousness. We eat with our eyes and with cup cakes the child in us takes hold. Isn’t it style over content? On the rare occasion I've tasted one I find myself throwing away most of the sickly sweet icing. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I’ve heard of cupcake courses where students have been told that taste doesn’t matter, appearance is everything. That says it all for me. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Earlier this year judging for a major food award, all of the judges on my table, myself included groaned to see a dish of cup cakes. One of us defended the icing; the rest of us agreed with me that we’ve just had enough. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
I think I've had more calls from cup cake makers than any other, & they sometimes don't understand when we tell them no, sorry. Any cake seller with us must produce a whole range of patisserie. Not just these over pampered monstrosities. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Now, I understand that it’s only a bit of cake. It’s not a life threatening issue (unless you eat a boxful). I’m writing this mainly<b> </b>out of bemusement that such a product that can be celebrated to such an extent and given a week of celebration. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Sometimes I find myself yearning for a piece of Madeira cake, or a fatless sponge. Cakes whose looks belay their taste. Appearance isn’t everything where cakes are concerned. I’ve made pastries which emerge from the oven with their edges slightly scorched, pastry caramelised and crumbling. But the taste is something else. With a cup cake it’s the other way around. The wrong way around in my humble opinion. Less is more. Less cupcakes preferably.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">When I was little I fell in love with a flower shaped cake in a </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Bristol</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> bakery. Nose squashed against the window I had to be dragged away. Surprised at teatime with my green flower cake I found out that it was marzipan and imitation cream. Nasty. I threw most of it away. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It’s not snobbery to be sick of cupcakes. It’s yearning for something plain and simple. That got me thinking about the nature of plain.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Bill Bryson wrote that we are the only nation which stirs itself in collective appreciation for a cup of over milky tea & a plain biscuit. Is that still true? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm not going to jump for joy if the only biscuit left in the tin is a rich tea. No one gets overtly excited if offered one. But a piece of home made shortbread or a buttered crumpet or a scone. That's something else entirely. The British are so good at fireside teas even without the hearth these days. The toaster may have replaced the toasting fork but in our hearts we come alive on a cold rainy afternoon over the fragrant tea pot.<br />
<br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Plain means containing little fat as opposed to a 'rich' product high in fat (& presumably taste). Then we add the fat afterwards in the form of a layer of butter. Or cream. And home made jam please, damson for preference.<br />
<br />
Plain has come to mean boring, without taste or zing. It’s not sexy, too worthy. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">There’s plain in recipe, and plain in looks. A magnificent maderia cake is plain but rich in butter. Seed cake, old fashioned and almost non existent is a plain confectionary. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Many of the pastries in a French patisserie will look ordinary; discs of scorched puff pastry that hide their fillings of almond rich frangipane, confectioners custard, or seasonal fruits. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">But does plain have to mean unappealing or homely? A scone to my mind is the pinnacle of plain. Never mind it's what we anoint it with that brings fulfilment, the fact remains, it's the scones simplicity that perfects it. I’ve made scones flavoured with lavender and rose but in the end, the ratio of fat to flour remains the same.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-de44mnpK6_8/TncR9RhRo3I/AAAAAAAAARY/Z9YMKjmHlOo/s1600/madelains+recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-de44mnpK6_8/TncR9RhRo3I/AAAAAAAAARY/Z9YMKjmHlOo/s400/madelains+recipe.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
<br />
For a recent family celebration tea I made a range of cakes including a Genoese sponge filled with soft seasonal fruits, a </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Victoria</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> sponge & orange flower water Madeleines. I made Financiers, rich with ground almonds. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sqD8doxj0eY/TncSaPQMvrI/AAAAAAAAARc/Aw4QAjgMouw/s1600/cakes+2+ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sqD8doxj0eY/TncSaPQMvrI/AAAAAAAAARc/Aw4QAjgMouw/s400/cakes+2+ed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
At school we made rock cakes, and my mother sandwiched Marie biscuits together with butter. Very acceptable.<br />
<br />
No one wants to eat something that is dry & uninteresting. Moist & tender is a more attractive proposition. But that doesn’t mean I’ll ever be tempted to buy a cupcake. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-33322213500910073372011-08-28T11:26:00.000-07:002012-01-08T14:25:39.178-08:00Colours and shapes Parliament Hill farmers' market<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yesterday at Parliament Hill, the market was looking so vibrant, so rainbowful (can I say that?), I just wanted to take close up shots of all the colours, shapes and textures. The produce is the star here. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vlRNoO4aXHE/TlpLbeZSumI/AAAAAAAAAN4/msKDSL4EOaA/s1600/PH+green+striped+squash.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vlRNoO4aXHE/TlpLbeZSumI/AAAAAAAAAN4/msKDSL4EOaA/s640/PH+green+striped+squash.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--fiMJpvq85Q/TlpJ4RF8-AI/AAAAAAAAANs/5AllHIdCYGc/s1600/PH+fruit+tarts+cu.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
<img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--fiMJpvq85Q/TlpJ4RF8-AI/AAAAAAAAANs/5AllHIdCYGc/s640/PH+fruit+tarts+cu.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J0f_tzAR0Vo/TlpKV8A6BwI/AAAAAAAAANw/U1nVhigkVbo/s1600/PH+goats+cheese+taster.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J0f_tzAR0Vo/TlpKV8A6BwI/AAAAAAAAANw/U1nVhigkVbo/s640/PH+goats+cheese+taster.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Efm91LrwSBw/TlpK2uJM94I/AAAAAAAAAN0/Dt2CdGXG-tc/s1600/PH+grapes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Efm91LrwSBw/TlpK2uJM94I/AAAAAAAAAN0/Dt2CdGXG-tc/s640/PH+grapes.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vlRNoO4aXHE/TlpLbeZSumI/AAAAAAAAAN4/msKDSL4EOaA/s1600/PH+green+striped+squash.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dLsSXqX-cpc/TlpL5_pN3bI/AAAAAAAAAN8/jszLHXQC__A/s1600/PH+green+tiger+tomato.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dLsSXqX-cpc/TlpL5_pN3bI/AAAAAAAAAN8/jszLHXQC__A/s640/PH+green+tiger+tomato.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3i--DQRz3Ac/TlpNHwU3jEI/AAAAAAAAAOE/Rpd_ZJpZJiw/s1600/PH+kale.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3i--DQRz3Ac/TlpNHwU3jEI/AAAAAAAAAOE/Rpd_ZJpZJiw/s640/PH+kale.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Mr4VQIIUtE/TlpNv59UlzI/AAAAAAAAAOI/dj3TwoOydYI/s1600/PH+lipstick+chard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Mr4VQIIUtE/TlpNv59UlzI/AAAAAAAAAOI/dj3TwoOydYI/s640/PH+lipstick+chard.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R79WRWL-AQM/TlpOTKpjgqI/AAAAAAAAAOM/PoL4vln5bjc/s1600/PH+marrows+foreground+Janet+background.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R79WRWL-AQM/TlpOTKpjgqI/AAAAAAAAAOM/PoL4vln5bjc/s640/PH+marrows+foreground+Janet+background.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lH0ZnoEG-uI/TlpOyDrf8JI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/RU4ObvkBMXA/s1600/PH+new+season+apple+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lH0ZnoEG-uI/TlpOyDrf8JI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/RU4ObvkBMXA/s640/PH+new+season+apple+sign.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DxeQCAqjGm8/TlpPRr25a3I/AAAAAAAAAOU/WeLXtJ3I_CQ/s1600/PH+orange+squash.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DxeQCAqjGm8/TlpPRr25a3I/AAAAAAAAAOU/WeLXtJ3I_CQ/s640/PH+orange+squash.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5WtzvtBMX9M/TlpPv0dnaLI/AAAAAAAAAOY/vnfAxGDoWDk/s1600/PH+organic+tomatoes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5WtzvtBMX9M/TlpPv0dnaLI/AAAAAAAAAOY/vnfAxGDoWDk/s640/PH+organic+tomatoes.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V6C48y9knuo/TlpQOB5ViYI/AAAAAAAAAOc/jhlZxF6RYpY/s1600/PH+peppers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V6C48y9knuo/TlpQOB5ViYI/AAAAAAAAAOc/jhlZxF6RYpY/s640/PH+peppers.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O6XzkQfkTA0/TlpRRA3A7XI/AAAAAAAAAOk/4fNxU6Aa04o/s1600/PH+plum+toms+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O6XzkQfkTA0/TlpRRA3A7XI/AAAAAAAAAOk/4fNxU6Aa04o/s640/PH+plum+toms+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_2agE3j9Axg/TlpR07wGVWI/AAAAAAAAAOo/Dpo56eNs4AY/s1600/PH+plums+blackberries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_2agE3j9Axg/TlpR07wGVWI/AAAAAAAAAOo/Dpo56eNs4AY/s640/PH+plums+blackberries.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fass6j6Oecs/TlpSWNFwGyI/AAAAAAAAAOs/MbJY-1rPOF4/s1600/PH+plums+cu.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fass6j6Oecs/TlpSWNFwGyI/AAAAAAAAAOs/MbJY-1rPOF4/s640/PH+plums+cu.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4RRG1G8QeoI/TlpTBGDobrI/AAAAAAAAAOw/dZnG7WNQmHs/s1600/PH+purple+cauli%252C+green.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4RRG1G8QeoI/TlpTBGDobrI/AAAAAAAAAOw/dZnG7WNQmHs/s640/PH+purple+cauli%252C+green.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f71N20EMLsk/TlpTjlgdNsI/AAAAAAAAAO0/dMc8yWWhak0/s1600/PH+radishes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f71N20EMLsk/TlpTjlgdNsI/AAAAAAAAAO0/dMc8yWWhak0/s640/PH+radishes.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mKkrUZBClVk/TlpUGdkProI/AAAAAAAAAO4/nVjWLf-gWjU/s1600/PH+red+cabbage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mKkrUZBClVk/TlpUGdkProI/AAAAAAAAAO4/nVjWLf-gWjU/s640/PH+red+cabbage.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4RkHuB88hHI/TlpUpoZwE6I/AAAAAAAAAO8/AHOTgDNKUO8/s1600/PH+red+potatoes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4RkHuB88hHI/TlpUpoZwE6I/AAAAAAAAAO8/AHOTgDNKUO8/s640/PH+red+potatoes.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vJ8vrKT_ClA/TlpVNV2a5SI/AAAAAAAAAPA/vTPmVG0ACWU/s1600/PH+ripe+raspberries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vJ8vrKT_ClA/TlpVNV2a5SI/AAAAAAAAAPA/vTPmVG0ACWU/s640/PH+ripe+raspberries.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fHOG-fCb9Oc/TlpWUnZm7MI/AAAAAAAAAPE/2IIZM1xszpM/s1600/PH+russets.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fHOG-fCb9Oc/TlpWUnZm7MI/AAAAAAAAAPE/2IIZM1xszpM/s640/PH+russets.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DED8Pu9bZhA/TlpXevDA6aI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/DlBcCvf3eOs/s1600/PH+salad+foreground+stalls+back+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DED8Pu9bZhA/TlpXevDA6aI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/DlBcCvf3eOs/s640/PH+salad+foreground+stalls+back+cropped.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dN3xBRRIwSQ/TlpYBEv9U0I/AAAAAAAAAPU/lCwJG0B3LW0/s1600/PH+salad+leaves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dN3xBRRIwSQ/TlpYBEv9U0I/AAAAAAAAAPU/lCwJG0B3LW0/s640/PH+salad+leaves.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u9Z0iF4I6Rs/TlpZBaH7tBI/AAAAAAAAAPc/JzoK-Nm_Fek/s1600/PH+salads+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u9Z0iF4I6Rs/TlpZBaH7tBI/AAAAAAAAAPc/JzoK-Nm_Fek/s640/PH+salads+2.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T5DrQPy1Zxk/TlpZk_uJsGI/AAAAAAAAAPg/tw0pE0J72j0/s1600/PH+sausages.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T5DrQPy1Zxk/TlpZk_uJsGI/AAAAAAAAAPg/tw0pE0J72j0/s640/PH+sausages.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4RgxqFhzj6k/TlpaSPFYDHI/AAAAAAAAAPk/J2WmA19iEjI/s1600/PH+shopping+basket+ground.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4RgxqFhzj6k/TlpaSPFYDHI/AAAAAAAAAPk/J2WmA19iEjI/s640/PH+shopping+basket+ground.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_34ZLrmbpSk/TlpbCmgYLzI/AAAAAAAAAPo/jNqKyQl4TBM/s1600/PH+shopping+trolley.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_34ZLrmbpSk/TlpbCmgYLzI/AAAAAAAAAPo/jNqKyQl4TBM/s640/PH+shopping+trolley.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CZv1OyG8770/TlpboaGgWhI/AAAAAAAAAPs/TXoH8PRsP-0/s1600/PH+2+colour+beans.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CZv1OyG8770/TlpboaGgWhI/AAAAAAAAAPs/TXoH8PRsP-0/s640/PH+2+colour+beans.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_fPN41ZtsCc/TlpcKMwSPAI/AAAAAAAAAPw/pc1_-EoNHWI/s1600/PH+apple+tartes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_fPN41ZtsCc/TlpcKMwSPAI/AAAAAAAAAPw/pc1_-EoNHWI/s640/PH+apple+tartes.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Onysb5jHW8g/Tlpco-lGUYI/AAAAAAAAAP0/nkyPAzAQxZc/s1600/PH+apples+herbs+man.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Onysb5jHW8g/Tlpco-lGUYI/AAAAAAAAAP0/nkyPAzAQxZc/s640/PH+apples+herbs+man.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XljtMitexqk/TlpdW_zQ0NI/AAAAAAAAAP4/AUi1-EtFwlQ/s1600/PH+berries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XljtMitexqk/TlpdW_zQ0NI/AAAAAAAAAP4/AUi1-EtFwlQ/s640/PH+berries.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mkmWTv0dkL0/Tlpd78qa0uI/AAAAAAAAAP8/3uh3Q7GYv5s/s1600/PH+black+cabbage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mkmWTv0dkL0/Tlpd78qa0uI/AAAAAAAAAP8/3uh3Q7GYv5s/s640/PH+black+cabbage.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-90B097OX9sg/TlpehYfcwtI/AAAAAAAAAQA/bhMqBwl-Zys/s1600/PH+black+kale.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-90B097OX9sg/TlpehYfcwtI/AAAAAAAAAQA/bhMqBwl-Zys/s640/PH+black+kale.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DhiBxMwpeJI/Tlp0f98CUFI/AAAAAAAAAQE/hmeppaTTRsQ/s1600/Tomato+plants+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DhiBxMwpeJI/Tlp0f98CUFI/AAAAAAAAAQE/hmeppaTTRsQ/s640/Tomato+plants+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rk5ZJAolcKo/Tlp0_372RlI/AAAAAAAAAQI/ToZlJtvqTG8/s1600/PH+buffalo+cheese.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rk5ZJAolcKo/Tlp0_372RlI/AAAAAAAAAQI/ToZlJtvqTG8/s640/PH+buffalo+cheese.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fQQWE4sNRNs/Tlp1k6dtrUI/AAAAAAAAAQM/dt27MrPHlkQ/s1600/PH+camomile.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fQQWE4sNRNs/Tlp1k6dtrUI/AAAAAAAAAQM/dt27MrPHlkQ/s640/PH+camomile.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tBmNomVuX-c/Tlp2Mn5tMxI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/tAhhxt2GW-E/s1600/PH+carrot+tops.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tBmNomVuX-c/Tlp2Mn5tMxI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/tAhhxt2GW-E/s640/PH+carrot+tops.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Lu8Yz7pN7Y/Tlp2xCBgstI/AAAAAAAAAQU/CVil3mlML8c/s1600/PH+carrots.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Lu8Yz7pN7Y/Tlp2xCBgstI/AAAAAAAAAQU/CVil3mlML8c/s640/PH+carrots.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QvDhf5_pwW0/Tlp3WPoO-6I/AAAAAAAAAQY/UE6mBqM4eik/s1600/PH+celery+in+basket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QvDhf5_pwW0/Tlp3WPoO-6I/AAAAAAAAAQY/UE6mBqM4eik/s640/PH+celery+in+basket.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P0pyxFcwXD4/Tlp4AWezW8I/AAAAAAAAAQc/oqFGM9TJ2Ss/s1600/PH+cu+marrows.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P0pyxFcwXD4/Tlp4AWezW8I/AAAAAAAAAQc/oqFGM9TJ2Ss/s640/PH+cu+marrows.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GIFhl3Br5lk/Tlp4oHZL3eI/AAAAAAAAAQg/BzZx4iwHNEI/s1600/PH+cucumbers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GIFhl3Br5lk/Tlp4oHZL3eI/AAAAAAAAAQg/BzZx4iwHNEI/s640/PH+cucumbers.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5dHc11cGQE0/Tlp56--RTeI/AAAAAAAAAQk/CHlu-E2deTo/s1600/PH+damsons.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5dHc11cGQE0/Tlp56--RTeI/AAAAAAAAAQk/CHlu-E2deTo/s640/PH+damsons.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-83nQLHSyOEU/Tlp7QLWQoPI/AAAAAAAAAQo/4co8tCmWVks/s1600/PH+dirty+onions.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-83nQLHSyOEU/Tlp7QLWQoPI/AAAAAAAAAQo/4co8tCmWVks/s640/PH+dirty+onions.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jVSdTuIKkKg/Tlp7u4TUHxI/AAAAAAAAAQs/PXlgOw0tyu8/s1600/PH+discovery+apples.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jVSdTuIKkKg/Tlp7u4TUHxI/AAAAAAAAAQs/PXlgOw0tyu8/s640/PH+discovery+apples.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q3qh3nghJXU/Tlp9HqO8v6I/AAAAAAAAAQw/MWptz5Gnbxg/s1600/PH+eggs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q3qh3nghJXU/Tlp9HqO8v6I/AAAAAAAAAQw/MWptz5Gnbxg/s640/PH+eggs.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nPwvDwAde5M/Tlp91XwNpyI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/UEket_QPA2k/s1600/PH+fennel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nPwvDwAde5M/Tlp91XwNpyI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/UEket_QPA2k/s640/PH+fennel.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oyA2nVt1lgk/Tlp-cpzwU-I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/LOGHNpQsK3c/s1600/PH+runner+beanss+garlic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oyA2nVt1lgk/Tlp-cpzwU-I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/LOGHNpQsK3c/s640/PH+runner+beanss+garlic.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TIco6yHLLCo/Tlp-7wgXc2I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/S6hbUhzqQ20/s1600/PH+strawberries+on+a+plate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TIco6yHLLCo/Tlp-7wgXc2I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/S6hbUhzqQ20/s640/PH+strawberries+on+a+plate.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9BlrYKhOFjM/Tlp_dZltfDI/AAAAAAAAARA/R4JycWKFDYg/s1600/PH+sunflowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9BlrYKhOFjM/Tlp_dZltfDI/AAAAAAAAARA/R4JycWKFDYg/s640/PH+sunflowers.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5WYHh2P4ajo/TlqACfsyJTI/AAAAAAAAARE/UtpD6IZNe4g/s1600/PH+sweetcorn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5WYHh2P4ajo/TlqACfsyJTI/AAAAAAAAARE/UtpD6IZNe4g/s640/PH+sweetcorn.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nYG4cgaz0Ys/TlqAj2qhaOI/AAAAAAAAARI/7RW5qhD9AkQ/s1600/PH+tiger+stripe+toms.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nYG4cgaz0Ys/TlqAj2qhaOI/AAAAAAAAARI/7RW5qhD9AkQ/s640/PH+tiger+stripe+toms.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lGcr2M9y6WI/TlqBJUPEZWI/AAAAAAAAARM/L8bRPWKze-0/s1600/PH+tomato+plants.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lGcr2M9y6WI/TlqBJUPEZWI/AAAAAAAAARM/L8bRPWKze-0/s640/PH+tomato+plants.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UqjV7ZUzEow/TlqB0hoqZYI/AAAAAAAAARQ/h4D41kyjbgQ/s1600/PH+victoria+sponges.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UqjV7ZUzEow/TlqB0hoqZYI/AAAAAAAAARQ/h4D41kyjbgQ/s640/PH+victoria+sponges.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--itr2Nc2o7A/TlqC1yMOdYI/AAAAAAAAARU/77r5kN5dIpc/s1600/PH+yellow+squash+2+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--itr2Nc2o7A/TlqC1yMOdYI/AAAAAAAAARU/77r5kN5dIpc/s640/PH+yellow+squash+2+.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yvWRZ0N6gCg/TlpJWR7yiqI/AAAAAAAAANo/bt2RrTYgfkM/s1600/PH+sold+out.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yvWRZ0N6gCg/TlpJWR7yiqI/AAAAAAAAANo/bt2RrTYgfkM/s640/PH+sold+out.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-83179941373326185942011-08-25T09:16:00.000-07:002012-01-08T14:25:24.277-08:00London Honey Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ee6m3ePq1AM/TlZmRC58_UI/AAAAAAAAALs/UzRzuNCX43A/s1600/one+2011+honey+fest++wide+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ee6m3ePq1AM/TlZmRC58_UI/AAAAAAAAALs/UzRzuNCX43A/s640/one+2011+honey+fest++wide+shot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's just past midday on Sunday as I hurry into the entrance of the Royal Festival Hall. I expect it to be fairly empty but the place is buzzing. Capital Growth's honey festival celebrating the huge interest in bee keeping in the city is alive with chatter. Showcasing the huge range of honey available from south London allotment to Liverpool Street Station plus the chance to sample, sign up and support bees.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a name='more'></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyNtgdcyyqY/TlZpBZcD3SI/AAAAAAAAALw/DLbaSm9T8Rs/s1600/2011+honey+fest+Camilla+Goddard+tasting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="552" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyNtgdcyyqY/TlZpBZcD3SI/AAAAAAAAALw/DLbaSm9T8Rs/s640/2011+honey+fest+Camilla+Goddard+tasting.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xnd5NavhCd0/TlZpHlzn78I/AAAAAAAAAL0/DLnRIcvwPeI/s1600/2011+honey+fest+capital+growth+stand+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xnd5NavhCd0/TlZpHlzn78I/AAAAAAAAAL0/DLnRIcvwPeI/s640/2011+honey+fest+capital+growth+stand+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u05PkOoWmCI/TlZq1qO1BzI/AAAAAAAAAMY/KlaUZJOAAoE/s1600/2011+honey+fest+wide+honey+selection+%2526+boy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u05PkOoWmCI/TlZq1qO1BzI/AAAAAAAAAMY/KlaUZJOAAoE/s640/2011+honey+fest+wide+honey+selection+%2526+boy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stall after stall was packed with families watching show hives, tasting honey, and most importantly, talking to the bee keepers themselves. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YayCcq42slw/TlZpWoGQCmI/AAAAAAAAAL8/mgV3YFixmTg/s1600/2011+honey+fest+bee+watching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YayCcq42slw/TlZpWoGQCmI/AAAAAAAAAL8/mgV3YFixmTg/s640/2011+honey+fest+bee+watching.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At the back of the room, a queue of people formed, waiting for the chance to taste some of the 50 different honeys on display. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TCLTbOm3DWM/TlZqlE7Zz9I/AAAAAAAAAMI/ncl_XoGBrck/s1600/2011+honey+fest+tasting+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TCLTbOm3DWM/TlZqlE7Zz9I/AAAAAAAAAMI/ncl_XoGBrck/s640/2011+honey+fest+tasting+table.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--CAX0NQH5qQ/TlZqnkvK-uI/AAAAAAAAAMM/Ldz3cWgkTY4/s1600/2011+honey+fest+tasting+table+child.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--CAX0NQH5qQ/TlZqnkvK-uI/AAAAAAAAAMM/Ldz3cWgkTY4/s640/2011+honey+fest+tasting+table+child.jpg" width="604" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-98cI6soVeYs/TlZqw7bQp0I/AAAAAAAAAMU/ISTu3s56XAE/s1600/2011+honey+fest+tasting+table+people.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-98cI6soVeYs/TlZqw7bQp0I/AAAAAAAAAMU/ISTu3s56XAE/s640/2011+honey+fest+tasting+table+people.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you're still buying blended honey from the supermarket try to seek out some of the indiividual honeys for sale at your local farmers' market or independent shop. The range of tastes is a rainbow of sweetness, from delicate florals to deep sticky fudginess that can vary from month to month. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PDIqnqOA_jI/TlZwQ9-1W7I/AAAAAAAAAMk/GnJ8uOHIPf8/s1600/2011+honey+fest+hackney+city+farm+honey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PDIqnqOA_jI/TlZwQ9-1W7I/AAAAAAAAAMk/GnJ8uOHIPf8/s640/2011+honey+fest+hackney+city+farm+honey.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We need bees to pollinate our orchards. That's nothing new. What is exciting is the enthusiasm with which amateur bee keepers are taking it up. If you can't keep bees, the word is out; whether you have a window box, a balcony or garden, grow flowers and plants which will attract bees. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">London honey man Steve Benbow told me years ago that city honey is often more interesting & complex than that from rural areas because of the breathtaking range of plants available in our public parks and gardens. Steve has hives in places as diverse as Wapping, on the roof of Fortnam & Mason, and the London wetlands centre.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A very persuasive person from BeeUrban told me that their Walworth allotment honey has notes of mint and vanilla. I bought some. She's not lying, it really does. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cwth_EQHceU/TlZxI2jcUdI/AAAAAAAAAMw/01r-ujaJfQE/s1600/2011+honey+fest+BeeUrban+honey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cwth_EQHceU/TlZxI2jcUdI/AAAAAAAAAMw/01r-ujaJfQE/s640/2011+honey+fest+BeeUrban+honey.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Camilla Goddard's Greenwich Park honey is Summer moving into Autumn, its floral notes fading into a deep richness. More about Camilla's bees <a href="http://www.capitalbee.co.uk/">here </a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1IuOC9nfhOY/TlZ0JSYLxzI/AAAAAAAAANA/m3YEsSQEBaE/s1600/2011+honey+fest+capital+growth+stand+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1IuOC9nfhOY/TlZ0JSYLxzI/AAAAAAAAANA/m3YEsSQEBaE/s640/2011+honey+fest+capital+growth+stand+2.jpg" width="426" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NAq04yvYP_w/TlZzdsj7nSI/AAAAAAAAAM0/jGvXTqFr1gY/s1600/2011+honey+fest+Cordwainer+beans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NAq04yvYP_w/TlZzdsj7nSI/AAAAAAAAAM0/jGvXTqFr1gY/s640/2011+honey+fest+Cordwainer+beans.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.capitalgrowth.org/bees/">Capital Bee</a> is part of Capital Growth, and set up by Sustain to give communities a chance to try their hand at bee keeping.There are now seven training centres and a new generation of enthusiastic apiarists on their way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can get involved by adopting a hive; the </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.adoptabeehive.co.uk/default.asp">British Beekeepers Association</a> has details </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h-nIOeoS56M/TlZwalbcSeI/AAAAAAAAAMs/E88uU3CzyLs/s1600/2011+honey+fest+liverpool+st+station+honey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="566" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h-nIOeoS56M/TlZwalbcSeI/AAAAAAAAAMs/E88uU3CzyLs/s640/2011+honey+fest+liverpool+st+station+honey.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KbsC-zqGTao/TlZwXPwT86I/AAAAAAAAAMo/8ZyyaVsczlc/s1600/2011+honey+fest+honey+club.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KbsC-zqGTao/TlZwXPwT86I/AAAAAAAAAMo/8ZyyaVsczlc/s640/2011+honey+fest+honey+club.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5uR6Zmuqo20/TlZwK-m6RFI/AAAAAAAAAMg/DIXAoQB4khI/s1600/2011+honey+fest+Festival+Hall+honey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5uR6Zmuqo20/TlZwK-m6RFI/AAAAAAAAAMg/DIXAoQB4khI/s640/2011+honey+fest+Festival+Hall+honey.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AAyr028zeM4/TlZzkBF_iXI/AAAAAAAAAM4/aWQVrgoFG3w/s1600/2011+honey+fest+honey+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AAyr028zeM4/TlZzkBF_iXI/AAAAAAAAAM4/aWQVrgoFG3w/s640/2011+honey+fest+honey+map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7035604585140670074.post-7580648735650097972011-08-15T13:51:00.000-07:002012-01-08T14:25:06.953-08:00One week in Edinburgh in pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D5vf4xg-u14/TkmXZf3ZcpI/AAAAAAAAALk/fdhtz06rclA/s1600/2011+Edinburgh+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D5vf4xg-u14/TkmXZf3ZcpI/AAAAAAAAALk/fdhtz06rclA/s640/2011+Edinburgh+008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ten theatre performances, six comedy shows, two art exhibitions, a couple of bars and we still found time for breakfast at Peters Yard, lunch at Kitchin and Mark Greenaway, and lunch at the bar at Ondine. I love Edinburgh.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">First stop Peters Yard</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5a7qZOZ8wy4/TlY0srO7USI/AAAAAAAAALo/sgNxnnz17Mw/s1600/Peters+Yard+for+coffee+and+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5a7qZOZ8wy4/TlY0srO7USI/AAAAAAAAALo/sgNxnnz17Mw/s400/Peters+Yard+for+coffee+and+cake.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<a name='more'></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Contender for the best coffee in Edinburgh, and for cardamom lovers like myself, heaven on a plate. Only problem is the queues; the take away outlet a block back has seating too, and quicker service.<br />
<br />
Seven of us met up for lunch at The Kitchin on Leith Docks We booked about two months in advance, and the place was packed. Impeccable staff, polite, knowledgable, without being overbearing, the food came to table with precise timing. Great wine menu, excellent sommelier. I'd given myself the rule of sticking to lunch menus this week. We were presented with both A la Carte and set market menu and as predicted, I wanted to eat almost everything on the A la Carte. The set menu left me feeling a little luke warm. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8IgxGqriVUI/TklewC2pl2I/AAAAAAAAAJw/uUH7NhbCZAg/s1600/Kitchin+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8IgxGqriVUI/TklewC2pl2I/AAAAAAAAAJw/uUH7NhbCZAg/s640/Kitchin+one.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Prestarter, gazpacho, Kitchin</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GfxOGq0dtP8/TklfHtcK2kI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/1UVTvhPCCAY/s1600/Kitchin+two.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GfxOGq0dtP8/TklfHtcK2kI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/1UVTvhPCCAY/s640/Kitchin+two.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Terrine of line-caught Eyemouth mackerel </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxoHxh9Ok64/Tklffco33oI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/gBvSojqcshQ/s1600/Kitchin+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxoHxh9Ok64/Tklffco33oI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/gBvSojqcshQ/s640/Kitchin+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Below; Ravioli of braised ham hock from Clash Farm served with sauteed Perthshire girolles. Veggie version above; more girolles, with poached hens egg</div><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pUJoFUUU0B0/Tklf0f83cvI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/0MV-gp1Nk08/s1600/Kitchin+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pUJoFUUU0B0/Tklf0f83cvI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/0MV-gp1Nk08/s640/Kitchin+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yIUVHqCSrD8/TklgIkhY3KI/AAAAAAAAAKA/oVWuG8t8Kbg/s1600/Kitchin+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yIUVHqCSrD8/TklgIkhY3KI/AAAAAAAAAKA/oVWuG8t8Kbg/s640/Kitchin+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Roasted duck from Loomswood Farm served with beetroot, carrot and an orange sauce</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TU_4xHWSAGU/TklgfJJs2VI/AAAAAAAAAKE/DLn35eSKZiE/s1600/Kitchin+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TU_4xHWSAGU/TklgfJJs2VI/AAAAAAAAAKE/DLn35eSKZiE/s640/Kitchin+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rump of Highland lamb served with artichoke barigoule and crispy shoulder</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Xw78jXhSBc/Tklg0pp9HQI/AAAAAAAAAKI/FEDMADVUdYs/s1600/Kitchin+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Xw78jXhSBc/Tklg0pp9HQI/AAAAAAAAAKI/FEDMADVUdYs/s640/Kitchin+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Raspberry vacherin served with vanilla ice cream, poached peaches and Perthshire raspberries</div><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kiU8wElP5eQ/TklhJZ04ZTI/AAAAAAAAAKM/BG8Sl292w8Y/s1600/Kitchin+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kiU8wElP5eQ/TklhJZ04ZTI/AAAAAAAAAKM/BG8Sl292w8Y/s640/Kitchin+8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lemon souffle served with chocolate ice cream</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The food at Kitchin was good as expected. There were no surprises, no challenges on the plate, just great ingredients faultlessly presented.</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0krA4HDKxfI/TklnJgGMrqI/AAAAAAAAALY/YCjwI_ld7VY/s1600/White+Stuff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0krA4HDKxfI/TklnJgGMrqI/AAAAAAAAALY/YCjwI_ld7VY/s640/White+Stuff.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Changing room at White Stuff; behind every wardrobe door is a different room. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They must have spend a fortune on set dressing this shop</div> <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yvXX9tb43G8/TkmJBiozwII/AAAAAAAAALc/wLgQ95gAM1k/s1600/Ondine.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E4rfYmP55Hw/Tklh0QwfWmI/AAAAAAAAAKU/OhKcKBr5v0M/s1600/Whitestuff+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E4rfYmP55Hw/Tklh0QwfWmI/AAAAAAAAAKU/OhKcKBr5v0M/s640/Whitestuff+2.jpg" width="419" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody></tbody><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yvXX9tb43G8/TkmJBiozwII/AAAAAAAAALc/wLgQ95gAM1k/s1600/Ondine.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yvXX9tb43G8/TkmJBiozwII/AAAAAAAAALc/wLgQ95gAM1k/s640/Ondine.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> </tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ix_hf306Y-o/TklllzHWpZI/AAAAAAAAALE/PsVSbAgeuYc/s1600/Ondine+bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ix_hf306Y-o/TklllzHWpZI/AAAAAAAAALE/PsVSbAgeuYc/s640/Ondine+bar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ondine</div><div class="" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Clean flavours, simple shellfish. Ondine is Marine Stewardshop Council approved, one of the reasons I wanted to go. The other reason was the oyster rarebit. However, the waiter swore blind that they'd never had it on the menu. Back home and checking the menu on line, there it is. I can't be the only person to go a restaurant in search of one particular item. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> Loved sitting at the bar on a rainy lunchtime and watching the world go by. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K4M_L_BY-5w/TklmsWiZTFI/AAAAAAAAALU/IfqQ8p0h3bs/s640/Prestarter+mark+greenaway.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lunch at Mark Greenaway, 12 Picardy Place</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Prestarter; potato & hazelnut espuma with truffle oil. In my world, there is no such thing as too much truffle. Hazelnut flavour, the burst of truffle, even the wood the glass sat on, all added to the warmth of the dish.Apologies for soft photo</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o2rxcRgxsSw/TklkddNTNII/AAAAAAAAAK4/LQO4pTYHUXA/s1600/Mark+Greenaway+starter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o2rxcRgxsSw/TklkddNTNII/AAAAAAAAAK4/LQO4pTYHUXA/s640/Mark+Greenaway+starter.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Hake raviolo, langustine broth, caviare. Two of us thought we could do without the foam. One of us had a little pieceof shell in her dish, other than these tiny caveats, clean, exquisite flavours. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQh3AE7XjKE/Tklj20pdeAI/AAAAAAAAAKw/tjZQyU6tQs8/s1600/Mark+Greenaway+pork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQh3AE7XjKE/Tklj20pdeAI/AAAAAAAAAKw/tjZQyU6tQs8/s1600/Mark+Greenaway+pork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQh3AE7XjKE/Tklj20pdeAI/AAAAAAAAAKw/tjZQyU6tQs8/s640/Mark+Greenaway+pork.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">11 hour slow roasted pork belly, spiced fillet, toffee apple sauce</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the best pieces of pork belly I've ever eaten, a perfect dish. </span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YhmdcKpAHZs/TkliDH8UMBI/AAAAAAAAAKY/9TZ-OKN1SDg/s1600/Mark+Greenaway+cheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ckqVMA22IXY/TkljQukEjLI/AAAAAAAAAKo/6Sa_W57wvwk/s1600/Mark+Greenaway+menu+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ckqVMA22IXY/TkljQukEjLI/AAAAAAAAAKo/6Sa_W57wvwk/s640/Mark+Greenaway+menu+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LPvqTDIvP3w/Tklk23DJ0aI/AAAAAAAAAK8/oACOshBJVF0/s1600/Mark+Greenawy+decor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LPvqTDIvP3w/Tklk23DJ0aI/AAAAAAAAAK8/oACOshBJVF0/s1600/Mark+Greenawy+decor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LPvqTDIvP3w/Tklk23DJ0aI/AAAAAAAAAK8/oACOshBJVF0/s1600/Mark+Greenawy+decor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LPvqTDIvP3w/Tklk23DJ0aI/AAAAAAAAAK8/oACOshBJVF0/s640/Mark+Greenawy+decor.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IuhswTc25LM/TklkMWiJUDI/AAAAAAAAAK0/mRmLhnifSdk/s1600/Mark+Greenaway+predesert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IuhswTc25LM/TklkMWiJUDI/AAAAAAAAAK0/mRmLhnifSdk/s640/Mark+Greenaway+predesert.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pre dessert. Whether we needed it, we ate it and loved it. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Strawberry 'cheesecake', honeycomb, pistachios</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XTs62s0TAwc/TklimUfbZCI/AAAAAAAAAKg/4jN4iaIoZQU/s1600/Mark+Greenaway+desert+jampot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XTs62s0TAwc/TklimUfbZCI/AAAAAAAAAKg/4jN4iaIoZQU/s640/Mark+Greenaway+desert+jampot.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Jam jar; red gooseberry sorbet,jelly, vanilla, rice pudding. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">I've always hated rice pudding but I put my fears aside, that's how much I wanted to try this dessert. A grownup knickerbocker glory, rice pudding and jam, compote and custard and none the worse for it, it was a pleasure to run the spoon to the bottom of the jam pot and pull out warm and ice cold layers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">One of my friends got most of my rice pudding. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YhmdcKpAHZs/TkliDH8UMBI/AAAAAAAAAKY/9TZ-OKN1SDg/s1600/Mark+Greenaway+cheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WUg3DMmmiFQ/TkliUsmTQ2I/AAAAAAAAAKc/-NeSB_4LCzU/s1600/Mark+Greenaway+desert+apple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WUg3DMmmiFQ/TkliUsmTQ2I/AAAAAAAAAKc/-NeSB_4LCzU/s640/Mark+Greenaway+desert+apple.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bramley Apple served six ways </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YhmdcKpAHZs/TkliDH8UMBI/AAAAAAAAAKY/9TZ-OKN1SDg/s1600/Mark+Greenaway+cheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YhmdcKpAHZs/TkliDH8UMBI/AAAAAAAAAKY/9TZ-OKN1SDg/s640/Mark+Greenaway+cheese.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cheese plate</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XTs62s0TAwc/TklimUfbZCI/AAAAAAAAAKg/4jN4iaIoZQU/s1600/Mark+Greenaway+desert+jampot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sle-kjPzdbE/Tkli6Vmy9NI/AAAAAAAAAKk/FCXMaZAiV7c/s1600/Mark+Greenaway+empty+jampot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sle-kjPzdbE/Tkli6Vmy9NI/AAAAAAAAAKk/FCXMaZAiV7c/s640/Mark+Greenaway+empty+jampot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vLANfT_Adm4/Tkll5mt4c7I/AAAAAAAAALI/YEuknG4S7Pc/s640/petit+fours.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Petit fours </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Lunch at Mark Greenaway must be one of the city's best bargains. £20 for three courses of perfect food, with pre starter, pre dessert and petit fours thrown in with our mint teas and coffees. Too much for us, we asked for a box to take away the chocolates in. It's plainly obvious that Mark is an extremely talented chef. We were wowed by our food; presentation, taste, ingredients in the hands of a master. Some smart surprises, but nothing that seemed like a novelty for the sake of the idea. This chef is one to watch. I couldn't understand why the restaurant was half empty. It deserves to be packed out. Probably the best food I've eaten, not just last week but this year. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--V5RZjm2708/TklmJx9-WHI/AAAAAAAAALM/jaKnb1pP96c/s1600/pie+shop+menu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--V5RZjm2708/TklmJx9-WHI/AAAAAAAAALM/jaKnb1pP96c/s400/pie+shop+menu.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After leaving Mark Greenaway, we swore we wouldn't be eating again ever. But by 8.30pm that night and on our way to a theatre performance, we had to admit to hunger....a little something on Grassmarket. </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm sorry I didn't make it to Castle Terrace, but there's only so much one can cram into a week.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hys-40O08Dc/TkmW8yWGuFI/AAAAAAAAALg/zquDvU5SigE/s1600/2011+Edinburgh+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hys-40O08Dc/TkmW8yWGuFI/AAAAAAAAALg/zquDvU5SigE/s640/2011+Edinburgh+023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1121352120"><br />
</a><br />
<a href="http://www.petersyard.com/">http://www.petersyard.com/</a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.thekitchin.com/kitchin/home">http://www.thekitchin.com/kitchin/home</a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ondinerestaurant.co.uk/">http://www.ondinerestaurant.co.uk/</a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.no12picardyplace.com/">http://www.no12picardyplace.com/</a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2