Cauliflower Crust Pizza Recipe

This is a recipe taken from the Deliciously Ella website (it's incredible-click here for those that have not seen it!). I have to say I was hesitant before I made it as I wasn't sure how a pizza base made of cauliflower would taste, however I was pleasantly surprised.

Cauliflower Crust Pizza with Goats Cheese, Parma Ham and Spinach.

 

 Ingredients (for 1 pizza- I did double this recipe):

- 1 cauliflower

- 1 cup of brown rice or buckwheat flour

- 1/4 of a cup of ice cold water

- 1 tablespoon of tamari

- 1 lemon

- dried oregano

- dried basil

- salt

 

For the Topping:

This is completely up to you. I used Goats Cheese (as my house mate is non-dairy and so cannot have cows milk), Parma Ham and Spinach. Deliciously Ella recommends sliced tomatoes, sweet corn, mushrooms and basil leaves. Ensure that you always used tomato puree for the base.  

 

Method:

Place the cauliflower in a food processor and blend until a flour like substance forms, this should take about a minute. Add this to a mixing bowl with the brown rice flour, lemon, tamari salt and dried herbs. Mix these ingredients well before slowing pouring in the ice cold water. Use your hands to combine the water with the flour, making a sticky dough.

Line the base of a pizza dish with a generous amount of olive oil and a sprinkling of flour before evenly spreading the dough out over it. (if you don’t have a pizza dish simply use a baking tray and mould the shape accordingly)

Bake in a 200C oven for about 20-30 minutes, if you’re not using a pizza dish then you may also want to flip the base over half way through. Once the base is firm and ever-so-slightly crispy remove it from the oven and add the tomato puree and then your other toppings, before baking again for another 5-10 minutes.

Remove from the oven, sprinkle with salt and pepper, slice and serve.

 

This really is a surprisingly delicious pizza- especially for those that are gluten free like my house mate. I definitely recommend cooking the base until you feel it is sufficiently crispy as you don't want a soggy bottom. Enjoy, and I would love to see any pictures of the completed pizzas once you have made them!

 

MM xx

Restaurant Review: Moreish, Bristol

There is often very little to do in Bristol at the weekends, so I tend to take up my Saturday and Sunday mornings trying all the different brunch places Bristol has to offer (see previous review of Deco Lounge). Yesterday I went with 3 friends to test out Moreish which is located on 6 Chandos Road in Redlands (the heart of where Bristol University student's live in 2nd year.) There was a wide selection on the menu, and prices were actually very reasonable. I went for a delicious portion of french toast with maple syrup and banana. The french toast was thick and crispy, yet still light and not stodgy. There was just the right ratio of maple syrup and banana also. 

My delicious french toast- £4.95!

Outside view of Moreish.

Two of my friends went for the Eggs Benedict (a delicious combination of thick cut toast, two poached eggs, parma ham and plenty of hollandaise sauce), whilst another friend had some incredible looking pancakes (Crêpe not American style) with maple syrup and multiple rashers of bacon. 
Other options on the menu included a full english (and a vegetarian one), Eggs Florentine and Eggs Royale, and homemade granola with natural yoghurt and honey. 
Moreish is not only a brunch place- it offers a good lunch menu (with a wonderful build your own sandwich deal), tapas deals from Monday to Thursday, and a wonderful dinner menu. They are currently taking bookings for Christmas and have a great Christmas menu on offer, and trust me this is somewhere that you want to book in advance for!

Here is a link to their website. So, if you are in or around Bristol I highly recommend paying Moreish a visit. And those students that are on a budget, Moreish is a great place to bring the parents too!  

MM xx

Yume Kitchen Bristol - Restaurant Review

I must admit, it has been a rather long time since my last blog post- not only has University work taken over my life slightly, but I also thought it's not very interesting for you to read about what life is like in the University of Bristol Geography Library!However, yesterday I went out for supper with a friend to Yume Kitchen (which means 'Dream Kitchen' in Japanese), which is based in the Clifton Down area of Bristol. We had our eye on the restaurant for a while, and we finally decided that we needed a little extravagance in our lives and so decided to make the trip!The restaurant itself is rather small, however whenever I walk past I have never seen it completely jammed packed, so I would say there is no need to book (this is not however a reflection of poor quality food as you are about to hear). The menu has a huge variety, and we both thought that prices were rather good, especially when you compare it to any sushi restaurants you would visit it London such as Nobu or Sushi Samba. I decided to go for a takeaway box (even though I ate in) of mixed fish sushi. This was mainly because I was craving the seaweed and edamame beans that came with this box and doesn't come when ordering from the restaurant menu. I have to say even though not made there on the spot for me the assorted fish rolls were just delicious and really hit the spot. My friend Niamh went for the salmon and tuna nigiri (5 pieces) and the fish maki (12 small pieces). I have to say I did have a bit of food envy as hers did look incredible, and especially as it was made fresh to order for her. She also had a green tea to accompany this, and her bill only came to £11- for the hardcore sushi lovers amongst you will realise she got quite a good deal!

Niamh with her Maki and Nigiri

Close up of the delicious sushi!

Sushi was not the only thing Yume Kitchen had to offer on the menu- there is also plenty of hot dishes from curries to noodles, as well as multiple different side dishes, drinks and desserts. Unlike many of the cafes/ restaurants in Cotham, Yume Kitchen is open both through out the day and the night, therefore there is no excuse not to check it out. I am already looking forward to my next visit...though I am not sure I will branch away from the sushi on the menu, its was just too delicious! 

Here is the link to their website - pop in and give it a try!

MM xx

Spa/Restaurant Review of the Lido, Bristol

After a delicious brunch at Deco Lounge (see my previous post) we continued my friends birthday celebrations by treating ourselves and heading to the spa and restaurant the Lido in Bristol. Having been voted 'UK Best Restaurant' runner up in the Observer Food Monthly Awards we were expecting great things- and by no means were we disappointed. 

  When we arrived three of my friends headed to the spa, whilst myself and another friend headed  to test out the award winning restaurant. Due to having just consumed a very large brunch neither of us were therefore very hungry, and so we decided to stick to the tapas menu. I ordered a glass of the house red wine, and then between us went for some delicious giant marinated olives, Spanish tortilla and some deep friend tiger prawns with sweet harissa. Due to so many tempting things on the menu we couldn't resist then going on to order some patatas bravas and a quince tart even though we were both incredibly stuffed already. When our friends emerged from their swim they ordered bread and oil, a charcuterie board and some delicious looking pineapple and cucumber coolers.

A selection of the food we ordered

Delicious Quince Tart

The extensive tapas menu

                                     
  The Restaurant, which covered two levels was in prime location overlooking the outdoor pool of the spa. Those that swam were very positive about the spa itself, saying there was a great sauna, steam room and jacuzzi on offer. The only negative comments they had was that they found the outdoor pool itself slightly cold, and that the main changing rooms were outside and so therefore getting changed in the middle of winter wasn't the nicest experience! There were indoor changing rooms, however there was a lack of benches to put clothes on when you were changing so instead they would get wet on the floor. Building works are currently underway to create an end of pool terrace which will further extend the cafe/restaurant area for guests.

The view of the pool from the restaurant

                                                                         

All in all we came out of the Lido feeling very happy and refreshed. If you want a true spa experience then this may not be the best of places for you, and you may be better of travelling further afield to Thermae Bath Spa in (unsurprisingly)Bath! However, if you fancy mixing swimming with a relaxing cup of tea and cake from the cafe, or a delicious meal in a top notch restaurant then the Lido is really what you are looking for. I look forward to my return trip!

MM xx

Cafe Review - Deco Lounge, Bristol.

Pancakes. Ultimately one of the greatest food creations ever invented. My friends and I are obsessed with them, and so when the opportunity arose to organise a birthday brunch for a friend we were all on full internet menu browsing alert to try and find somewhere original in Bristol to test out some pancakes. Luckily, one very clever friend suggested Deco Lounge, a new cafe/bar that recently opened on Cotham Hill- a conveniently short walk from the University Campus.

Deco Lounge on Cotham Hill

It took all of us an entire 10 seconds to eye up the menu before knowing exactly what to order- of course the 'Triple-stacked buttermilk pancakes with sliced banana, blueberries, peach sauce and crème fraîche.' We could also go for pancakes with bacon and maple syrup (although all 8 of us that got the pancakes went for the banana option!) THEY WERE DELICIOUS. Just the right ratio of sauce to fruit to pancake, and enough to make you feel pleasantly full but not stuffed. 

The Delicious Pancake Stack

The rest of the menu looked incredible, so I will definitely be returning to Deco Lounge again to not only test out some other brunch options, but also to sample the rest of their extensive menu. It ranges from ciabatta sandwiches, to hot dogs, to burgers, to tapas and a fantastic pudding selection.

Deco Lounge is part of a large chain of 'Lounges' that was established by a trio of friends in 2002. The first was opened in an empty opticians in Bedminster, and it has been expanding ever since. The aim of the Lounges is to create a relaxed and friendly environment where family, friends and locals can meet for a coffee, a drink or something to eat. 

The interior was really fun (and rather eccentric!) and I liked they little touch of providing boardgames that were available for people to play with- such a great idea.

So, a trip to a 'Lounge' is hugely recommended- you know what I would advise you to order, however for those of you that are not such avid pancake fans as myself then there is a huge selection of other delicious looking things on the menu to go for....Enjoy! 

Here is their website: www.thelounges.co.uk

MM xx

Delicious Ginger Banana Cake with a Lemon Frosting

Delicious Ginger Banana Cake with a Lemon Frosting

My finished masterpiece...sort of!

Today I made this delicious ginger and banana cake which tastes so yummy i just had to share the recipe! The original version of the recipe can be found in the Australian Women's Weekly 'Cakes & Slices' Cookbook:

Ginger Banana Cake

• 90g butter
• 2 tablespoons of golden syrup
• 1/4 cup of caster sugar
• 1/4 brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2/3 cup mashed bananas (I used 2)
• 1 1/2 cups of self-raising flour
• 1/2 teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda
• 2 teaspoons of ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon of milk

Lemon Frosting

• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
• 1 1/2 cups of icing sugar
• 30g of butter
• 1/4 cup of chopped glace ginger

1. Grease a 20cm ring pan and turn the oven on to 180°C.C
2. Cream the butter, sugars and golden syrup in a bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
3. Add the egg, beat until combined, and then beat in the mashed bananas.
4. Stir in the sifted dry ingredients and milk. 
5. Pour the mixture into a prepared pan and cook in the oven for about 45 minutes.
6. Let it stand for five minutes before turning it out of the tin and leaving it on a wire rack to cool. 
7. For the lemon frosting combine the sifted icing sugar with butter and enough lemon juice to make it a spreadable consistency.
8. When the cake is cool spread on the icing sugar and then place the glace ginger on top.
9. Eat and ENJOY!