Certainly Not Paella.

This was my quick and tasty one pan dinner. Now, it has lots of similar ingredients to a paella, but I simply cannot call it one, because firstly I didn't add any turmeric or saffron to the rice, and I didn't cook it in an awesome paella pan. Which you must do if your making a paella! Anyway, I boiled some long grain rice, and once it was almost soft I removed it from the pan, in to a bowl. I then fried some onions and bacon. Once softened I added prawns and chorizo. Then when cooked through, some frozen peas and loads of parsley. I then added the rice back to the pan and mixed it through. Was really nice and oddly refreshing. :)

Catch of the Day- Fresh Whole Trout.

A couple of weeks ago I went for a nice day out to a place called the Meon Springs, in East Meon. Whilst there I was able to try out some fly fishing. Considering my first attempt was quite poor, I bagged a catch in the end. Once home my boyfriend and I gutted our fish, pin boned them and portioned them up. I had mine, that night, topping it with homemade breadcrumbs, grated lemon zest, parsley, pepper, and a squeeze of half a lemon. I baked it in the oven for just over 5 minutes (super quick!). It was amazing. The best trout I've ever had, and I've eaten it in restaurants before! It's such a reward and so fresh. Give it a go, whether you catch your own or by it fresh from the fishmongers. :)

The Best Coffee You'll Find.

Now, in Hamburg and all around the North of Germany actually, there is this great, cute, chain of coffee shops, called: Campus Suite. They always have really friendly staff, great atmosphere, tasty food (hot or cold), fresh juices, and... the most amazing coffee's. I'm not even that big on coffee, I'm more of a tea person (addict), but, this caramel macchiato (my prefered choice), was so good! If ever you are in Germany, I strongly recommend you try this place. Really great. :)

Dauphinoise Potatoes.

These are my home made dauphinoise potatoes. Now, I think I probably didn't do these exactly how you're meant to, however, they were still pretty good. They make a great alternative to the other more common potato variations. Simply boil and slice some potatoes, lay them flat in a tall dish, placing sliced onion, garlic and sprinkles of butter in between each layer, until you get to the top. Then pour cream over the top, more butter, and grated cheese. It all sounds very bad, potato, cream, butter etc. But it's not. It's just good. :) Have a go, and try to perfect it, then let me know! ;)

Beautiful Black Forest Gâteau.

This was possibly the best cake I've ever had. Now considering I was in the country that invented the Black Forest Gâteau at the time, I think it might of slightly enhanced the experience. Regardless, it was simply, incredible. I'm not over exaggerating, I know it's just food, but oh my goodness. Delicate whipped cream, rippled with cherry jus, layered on top of the lightest coco cake, marbled between sweet and sour cherry conserve, with a hint of liquor, all sat bountifully on top of a crumbly, biscuity, cakey base, and more cream and chocolate sprinkles dusted on the back. (Wow.)

German's Know How To Cook A Potato.

Okay, so, it's fairly obvious I didn't cook either of these things. But! It is necessary that I share them with you none the less, because they are too good not to! The  image on the top was an amazing turkey steak, grilled, with a sweet pineapple slice and the most awesome, fruity curry sauce! (They love their curry sauces, and this one was top notch). To serve with meat dishes like this, the German's often have very finely sliced potatoes, fried with onions and bacon. The most amazing things ever. (At the time I gave up pork for Lent.) Can you imagine, being in one of the best sausage nations of the world...Anyway, so I had mine without the bacon. Still good! :)

Herb Crusted Lamb Chops with Bulgar Wheat.

A taste of home and a bit of spring too! This was my Mum's yummy herb crusted lamp chops, with a sneaky bit of crushed pistachio, and Parmesan, griddled along with some sliced courgettes (Mmmm) and the best ever Bulgur wheat salad. With a combination of crunchy spring onions, sweet tomatoes and fresh mint. Such a simple yet satisfying spring dish. Superb!

Awesome Dal Bhat.

This is my version of a dish I've come to love. Sweet potato and carrot vegetable curry, with wild basmati rice, and the best ever lentil dal. In Nepal (which is where I got the recipe from!) they have lentil dal (which is kind of like a lentil soup) with rice, (bhat) all the time. ALL the time. It is really nice though! The secret is to cook your lentils in chicken stock! Makes the best flavour ever. Plus, if you can, steam your rice. The combinations of everything work so well, the heat from the curry, the mild rice, and the savoury dal to add substance- BOOM.

Forgive Me Food.

Firstly... let me just apologise! I'm terribly sorry that I haven't posted for a long while. You see... I had been away in Germany, sampling the cuisine of Deutschland and so on. However, that is for another post! This, was my quick and easy, creamy, mushroom, fusilli pasta, with wholegrain mustard and rosemary! (The reason I added the rosemary was because recently I've discovered I like the taste of mushrooms and good old rose'm together: just don't use too much!) The creamy part of this dish is Philadelphia cheese! YUM.