TOP 5 FOODIE FINDS - NOVEMBER

 

1 – Truckle Cheddar

 

I bought this at the Edinburgh Farmer’s Market on Saturday from Jimmy’s farm. (He also had a very nice sheep’s milk cheese aptly called ‘See Ewe Jimmy’, he he!) This cheese is delicious, strong but not overpowering. Fab with some chutney or chilli jam. They used to serve it on the cheese plate many years ago when I was working as a waitress at the fantastic Ubiquitous Chip in Glasgow but you don’t see it too often. I am going to have to go back to the market this weekend to get some more!

 

 

2 – M & S Seasonal Range

 

Sometimes after a hard day’s work in this cold, dark, winter weather a bit of cheating is a must! M&S have some really good new products in just now. My favourite find so far, Leek and Bacon Mash –AMAZING! Hearty stodge. It’s not just mash, it’s M&S mash, yum!

 

 

3 – Pillars of Hercules Organic Farm Shop and Café

 

This place is a wee bit out the way but if you are passing through the nearby area, Falkland in Fife , it is well worth a bit of a detour. My friend Caz took me here when I was staying with her for the weekend and it is a great find. A lovely eco-friendly, quirky, spot in the courtyside. The timber clad farm shop and café has a range of reasonably priced organic seasonal produce on sale from the farm.  There is a relaxed vibe and it is fun just to browse. On a sunny day there is a lovely decking area to sit outside. The farm also has a ‘pick your own herb’ garden which is a great idea and really good for people like me who don’t have a garden of their own!

 

 

 

4 – Nigellissima

 

Oh Nigella, every cookbook you write gets better and better.  As soon as I bought this I poured a large vino and read it from cover to cover! It has some beautiful Italian recipes, some really easy and simple to make. I am still ploughing through the book but so far one of my favourites is ‘pasta risotto with peas and pancetta ‘. It is made with orzo pasta which is delicious and really easy to cook. You can have yourself an easy quickie risotto in 10 mins with these little pasta nuggets. Loved the TV show too, naughty as ever! Am also SUPER excited to go and see Nigella at her book signing in Glasgow later this month, hope I can get a pic!

 

 

5 -  My Chinese Rice Bowls

I bought these gorgeous rice bowls and spoons when I was in Kuala Lumpur earlier this year. I have finally found a space for them and I just love them. I haven’t used them too much yet as I am scared of them getting broken after getting them half way across the world in one piece! I am going to have friends round to try out some Malaysian dishes I learnt how to cook at a course I took when I was there. You might not be able to get these ones here but look out for bowls like this in oriental shops.  They are so pretty!

 

REVIEW

 CUP TEA LOUNGE, GLASGOW

This city centre venue is the second branch of 'Cup' to appear on the Glasgow scene, with the first opening 2 years ago in the west end. This branch however is trying to do something a bit different by expanding out to the evening crowd opening late for cocktails, fizz and desserts.

Situated in a corner building on Renfrew Street the interior of Cup is certainly impressive. Filled with mirrors, chandeliers, candles and impressive displays of fresh lillies, it has an air of opulence and indulgence. Perfect for a girly treat.

Desserts, and a variety of cupcakes are served all day, with afternoon tea and a lunch/snack menu served up until 6. There is a large selection of teas, over 35 to choose from and your tea is served with a little timer to get the brewing time just right! There is also a creative and very reasonably priced cocktail menu and a wine list. Cup will also facilitate packages for hen parties, birthdays and baby showers and other events. Staff were very friendly, helpful and happy to answer any questions.

The desserts are inventive and clever and fall into 5 categories - fruit, chocolate, tea and coffee, classics re-worked and classics. There is a sense of Heston Blummethal about the recipes, for example try the 'a tea, a cake and a biscuit' which consists of a set elderflower and blackcurrant tea custard, a caramel cake, rose shortbread and chai ice cream. For something with a fruitier flavour you could opt for 'Rhubarb and Vanilla Sushi' which is made up of chilled vanilla rice pudding, rhubarb puree, wasabi caviar and lime sorbet.

Desserts can be taste matched with cocktails falling into corresponding categories and again the drinks go from classics to unusual. Whilst my friend enjoyed an espresso martini, I sampled an apple and ginger mojito. Both were delicious. Other options were the chocolate based 'millionaires shortbread' or a glass of earl grey fizz.

There are a selection of cupcakes, all of which look fantastic. They are presented beautifully with edible glitter, different decorations and served with dainty silver forks. The cupcakes however were the one downfall of our visit, and for a place such as Cup, this is not a minor issue. Whilst the cakes looked beautiful, all which we sampled were very dry and missing that spongy, light goodness. The icing was far too sweet and we couldn't finish them.

The cupcakes were a real disappointment and defintely need some serious attention. As one of my companions pointed out, if the name 'cup' is derived from their cupcakes, it would be most unfortunate if their cocktails became the star of the show. A change in name to a shortened version of 'Cocktail' wouldn't necessarily have the same ring to it!

However the concept of Cup is different and daring. It is definitely designed for girls although men are of course allowed! It offers a little bit of luxury in a quirky way and is the sort of place that you will leave talking about and telling your friends to visit. All in all definately worth a visit but stick to the cocktails and desserts.