Good stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip or savour – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy.
Tacopedia: The Taco Encyclopedia
Published by Phaidon, this delicious tome is filled with graphics and “everything you need to know about one of the world’s most popular dishes,” including 100 authentic recipes, maps, cartoons and mucho mas!
Claw Pop-up at The Three Compasses
Crabby pop-up, Claw, is offering a menu of five seafood burgers from now until the end of January 2016 at Dalston pub, The Three Compasses. Highlights include the Samphire (Devonshire handpicked crab with iceberg lettuce, samphire and “Claw sauce”), the Kimchi (Devonshire handpicked crab, iceberg lettuce, kimchi, and sriracha remoulade), and the Octopus (Newlyn barbecued octopus, pickled cucumber, smoky BBQ sauce and coriander). All are served on organic brioche bun with tarragon salted fries and price between £9.50 and £11. Sides include crab & mac, crab and mozzarella arancini and coleslaw.
Armand de Brignac Blanc de Noir
For connoisseurs who think they’ve got it all, there’s Armand de Brignac’s Blanc de Noir made of 100% Pinto Noir from a blend of three vintages of grapes grown in Montagne de Reims, Champagne . With only 3,000 75cl bottles released (and those being pewter and stamped with a large spade), the Blanc de Noir is available only at Harrods for £695 each and offers lovers of bubbly a crisp and delicious quaff with a complex nose, a fruitful flavour and a long finish (you decide if it’s worth the price).
Speaking of Pinot Noir, Bolney Wine Estate is producing a fantastic cool climate Pinot here in England. I was surprised by just how much I enjoyeding sampling it and thought it went great with the mushroom risotto I paired it with.
Chunk of Devon has released a range of festive season pies and pasties. I had a taste of all and enjoyed each bite, the venison and port with bacon and juniper berries pie especially so. Other yummers include a turkey and ham pasty with cranberries; game and red wine pork pie with redcurrants, turkey and ham pork pie with cranberries; and pork, chicken and ham pie.
A fun read and a great gift idea for the bon vivant in your life is The Life Negroni, a photo rich book by authors Leigh and Nargess Banks (published by Spinach Publishing Ltd) that tells the story of one of the world’s most delicious and glamour cocktails.
With a different country featured each month, Kitchen Trotter kits give would-be cooks the chance to try out cuisines from all around the world in the comfort of their own kitchens. I just received the Indonesia kit with an awesome assortment of exotic ingredients needed to prepare a variety of easy to make recipes. Can’t wait to get cracking!
I see Kitchen Trotter doesn’t include The Seychelles.
You should get in touch!