Monday 7 April 2014

Local Evening Cookery Classes

I decided to pop into Chimes Restaurant (for those who do not know, it is Highbury college's Hospitality and Catering restaurant located on Winston Churchill Ave).  As I was walking past, I was pleased to discover that they are now running some cookery courses for the likes of you and I.  I was told this was a fairly new venture for them.  Having attended many cookery schools over the years, I'm glad to see the local college is running some evening classes, and I think it is a great idea for the people of Portsmouth.

I did manage to pick up a couple of leaflets as to what they have coming up, but for further information on these and as to what events are scheduled for future dates, you need to visit http://www.highbury.ac.uk/client/content.asp?Contentid=322

I think the level of classes is aimed at beginners to intermediate, and classes are being ran by the college's lecturers.  Here are the details:







Monday 24 March 2014

Seasonal Asparagus

This seasons recipe includes the use of Asparagus.  It is well known that British Asparagus is among the best in the world, and I usually have it simply with pan fried fish and boiled new potatoes.

To still enjoy this wonderful ingredient alongside my other favourites I decided to make a one pot dish that I can pop in my Rangemaster and enjoy on a weeknight with the family - quick, easy and healthy.

This dish is being entered into the Rix Petroleum's Food Blogger Competition where every month you can win Waitrose food vouchers too. Our Local Southsea Waitrose branch has recently undergone a make-over so I couldn't think of a better way to spend an afternoon browsing the new shiny isles and fresh food counters!


Roasted Salmon and Asparagus

You will need:
2 fillets of salmon
Handful of asparagus
350g new potatoes
Punnet of vine cherry tomatoes
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar

Pre-heat the oven to 200C
Add the potatoes drizzled with half the oil into an ovenproof dish and cook for 10 minutes.  
Add the salmon, tomatoes, remaining oil and vinegar and season everything with salt and pepper and cook for a further 10 minutes.
Finally and the asparagus and cook for a final 10 minutes.

So simple, and yet so tasty too! I hope you enjoy this week night dish as much as I do.


 
This is a dish for Rix Aga Inspired Recipes:  http://www.rix.co.uk/aga-cooker-recipes/



Monday 10 March 2014

Re-opening of Zizzi Port Solent

The Port Solent branch of Zizzi has had a refurbishment this March and I was invited along to take a look at the new restaurant.  It was one of the very last Zizzi's to have it's makeover, so all the staff were eager to show it off.

There was a lovely buzz in a very full restaurant, and all staff eager to please.  It's light and airy feel is a welcome change, as I do recall the restaurant before feeling very dark and gloomy.  It is on par with what you would expect a restaurant in 2014 to be. Each branch has a vibrant unique murual as a feature wall which makes a great point of interest.

To start with a sharing plate of antipasti was offered.  Nice to see calamari rings appear, as well as the usual cured meats, breads and olives.

I selected the fish stew for my main course, so often this is a terribly disappointing option for me in many chain restaurants, but there was plenty of smoked fish to give it depth of flavour and there was plenty of fish too.  My only complaint was that it appeared to have been left a little too long under the pass, and the muscles were a little dried out.  However I would still order it again.

A mini sharing plate of chocolate torte, lemon tart and tiramisu gave us an idea of desserts on offer.

All proceeds for the evening went to the RNLI and Cystic Fibrosis charities.

I think it will be one of the better choices for a meal out at Port Solent, especially during the summer months when the sliding doors will open thus giving it a real Mediterranean feel!

Like many other restaurants, Zizzi too offers a take away service and menu. 





Tuesday 4 March 2014

......Its a girl!

Yep, December 2013 saw me give birth to my daughter Cinnamon (of course it had to be food related- lol), and my little spice girl is a cutie!

I had the worse pregnancy, and a very busy first three months, hence the lack of posts for some time.

Now hopefully back on track, there is lots going on and coming up in our area, so....watch this space!