Stairs Martini

This light and fresh fruity cocktail is a moreish one; that will fill up your daily quota of Vitamin C in one cocktail. 

Stairs Martini

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makes 2 martinis

2 oz vodka

4 oz cranberry juice

2 oz grapefruit juice

1 oz apple juice

1 oz pear juice

a splash of lemon juice

2 dashes of orange bitters

1 spills of simple syrup

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Add all of the ingredients. Shake and strain into chilled cocktail glasses.

Have lovely weekend everyone! - JD 

The Best 100 Vegan Baking Recipes

It seems as though, lately I have been glancing through my vegan/vegetarian cookbooks more. I do think that if it tastes the same or better than the original non-vegan recipe then why not try it, eat it, and enjoy it! If you ever thought about creating vegan baking than this book is a good one to start with. 

The Best Vegan Baking cookbook covers classic and traditional treats as well as the author's own baking creations. The 100 recipes are delicious cruelty-free baking that are rich in flavour and taste. Easy to bake recipes that offer simple substitutions for eggs and diary and baking tips and tricks to help you along. 

Each recipe has been rated 1 to 5 hand whisks; 1 being very simple and 5 being challenging. Regardless, all recipes may be conquered by those willing to try. 

To find out more about the author and other recipes click *here* 

Most of the shops here in E-town seem to have an over abundance of apples and therefore apples are on sale. So I thought I would share this simple apple cake recipe...

Cinn-ful Apple Cake

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Yields: 1 cake, 12 slices  Prep Time: 20 mins  Difficulty: 2 hand whisks 

1 1/2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 3/4 cups sugar, divided

1/2 cup margarine, melted and cooled

3/4 cup applesauce

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup milk

2 teaspoon cinnamon

3 cups peeled, chopped baking apples (such as Granny Smith)

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease and flour the sides of an 8-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. If you do not have a springform pan, a regular 8-inch cake pan will do.

In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, cream together 1 1/4 cups sugar with margarine. Add applesauce. Incorporate vanilla and milk until mixed through. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients in two batches until just mixed.

Combined cinnamon with remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Toss 2 tablespoons cinnamon-sugar mixture with sliced apples. Gently fold apples into batter.

Spread batter in the prepared pan. Sprinkle top with remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture. Bake for 65 to 70 minutes, until middle of cake is set and the toothpick comes out clean. Remove cake and let cool completely on a cooling rack before serving. Store cake covered at room temperature.

Hope everyone is enjoying their week so far. - JD 

Melrose Martini

This rosy cocktail is not intensely sweet however nicely smooth and refreshing.   

Melrose Martini

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makes 2 martinis

4 oz Vodka

1 oz Triple Sec

1 oz Cranberry juice

Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker with cracked ice and shake well. Strain into chilled martini glasses. Garnish with an orange wedge, if you wish. 

Notes: We substituted the cranberry juice for fresh pomegranate juice.

The snow has returned. Have a great weekend everyone! - JD 

Double Mocha Brownies

Coffee and chocolate, a popular culinary duo that has such a harmonious taste. These brownies are easy to whip up and their richness makes for a luscious treat.  

Double Mocha Brownies

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makes 12 small or 6 large brownies

1/2 cup butter (8 tablespoons or 1 stick) unsalted butter

2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate

3 tablespoons (50 ml) Kahlúa or other coffee liqueur

1 tablespoon instant coffee granules

2/3 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup caster sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla
chocolate chunks

Optional: icing sugar or cocoa powder for sifting over the top when sliced

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease an 8-inch square baking tin and line with baking parchment paper.

Place butter, chocolate, Kahlúa, and instant coffee granules in a medium-sized saucepan over low heat. Stir occasionally until the butter and chocolate have melted. Set the mixture aside to cool briefly before adding the other ingredients.

In a small bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Stir the caster sugar into the cooled chocolate mixture, then beat in the eggs and vanilla until the mixture is nice and smooth. Fold in the flour mixture. Scrape the batter into the prepared baking tin and place the chocolate chunks randomly on top. 

Bake until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean, about 22 to 25 minutes. Transfer the baking tin to a wire rack to cool before cutting. Sift icing sugar or cocoa powder over top, if you wish. 

With the majority of my travel posts shared; it is fabulous to be back in the kitchen. 
- JD 

Wagamama

This was one eatery we kept passing by. It became our culinary shadow until finally we gave in and had lunch there. The food was clean and the Gin and Tonics just how I like them... all dressed up. I had the Shiitake Donburi, a mushroom and broccoli omelette served in a light lashing of teriyaki sauce on brown rice with fresh vegetables. Over all the cafeteria style atmosphere was pleasant, the food clean and tasty. 

To find a Wagamama near you or more information about Wagamama click *here*   



Hope everyone had a lovely weekend! - JD 

Smoky Martini

This martini is another crisp, strong cocktail that is definitely neat! We gave this cocktail as a nod to the late American actor, Burt Reynolds.  

Smoky Martini

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makes 2 cocktails

6 oz Gin

1 oz Dry Vermouth

1/2 oz Scotch

Pour ingredients into a shaker with cracked ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glasses. Garnish with a lemon twist, if you wish.

Have a great weekend everyone! - JD 

Bake & Bubblewrap

One of my favourite places in London is China Town. Prior to our visit I read up about Bake Pan-Asian Bakery, located at 9 Wardour St. Their bestseller is the Char Siu Bao, a fluffy cloud-like barbeque pork stuffed steam bun. Which is what we tried... twice! They were that good. There are many sweet and savoury treats and their ultimate snack is their take on a Japanese Taiyaki - a fish shaped cake. However their Taiyaki is a fish shaped waffle cone filled with soft matcha tea ice cream.

To find out more about Bake Pan-Asian Bakery click *here* and search under find a place or use the search button (located in the upper left hand corner next to the letters EN) 

Bubblewrap...

These decadent desserts are also located along Wardour St. Bubblewrap has brought one of Hong Kong's most popular street snacks, the egg-shaped waffle, to London. Customers may choose a plain, chocolate or matcha base and then select from a variety of fillings and toppings to create the ultimate wrapped up waffle cone a.k.a the bubble waffle or bubblewrap. My kids were is awe of their selection; one a peanut butter delight and the other an Oreo chocolate delight. I was able to try a spoonful of each and they were absolute amazing and moreish.        

To find out more about Bubblewrap's award winning treats click *here*  and search under find a place or use the search button (located in the upper left hand corner next to the letters EN)  

Hope everyone is having a good week. - JD 

Fudge Kitchen

When travelling for some reason fudge seems not that far behind... I guess I should have   said when travelling with teenagers fudge seems to be found. The Fudge Kitchen in Bath is worth every morsel. Traditional and unique flavours and some dairy free options to tempt you. We chose four, Dark Chocolate Sea Salt, Sea Salt Caramel, Lemon Sorbet and Rum Raisin, which is pictured above.  

To find out more about Fudge Kitchen click *here*

Hope everyone had a great weekend. We did! The weather is changing... do I dare say,  it fells like winter is on it's way. -JD 

Jack Rose Martini

I do not know for whom this martini is named after however I do know it is one sweet punchy cocktail.  

Jack Rose Martini 

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makes 2 cocktails

4 oz Vodka

4 oz Brandy

2 oz Lime juice

1 oz Grenadine

Pour ingredients, except the Grenadine, into a cocktail shaker with cracked ice and shake well. Strain into chilled martini glasses. Place a drop of Grenadine in each glass. Garnish with a lime twist, if you wish. 

Have a great weekend everyone! - JD 

Paxton & Whitfield ~ London Cheesemongers

This was another destination on our list, sheerly based on the selection of cheese we kept eyeing over on their website. An unsuspecting gem that will make any cheese board proper and some cheese kitsch to compliment. The staff were friendly and helpful as we made our selection. We opted for Finn and a Blue Stilton. Both were wonderfully semi creamy and ranging from subtle to strong in flavour. The selection of biscuits ensured us a nice light lunch or snack. 

To find out more about Paxton & Whitfield click *here* 


September is here. Leaves are turning and back to school for my two. - JD 

L'eto Caffe

L'eto Caffe was a surprise find and the window display of crafted and creative desserts had our eyes wide and mouths drooling. See the Fig & Cardamon Tart above and the Violet & Raspberry Macaron Cake with gold leaf below. The multitude of delights, both sweet and savoury, to tempt the most reserved. The caffe itself was packed so we decided on a selection of delectable sweet things to go. L'eto was most obliging and courteous despite all the hustle and bustle. Next time a proper sit down will have to do to absorb all that L'eto has to offer. 

To find out more about L'eto click *here* 

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend! - JD