scandelights – Page 23

New Forest, cooking and Easter in Norfolk

Published on May 13, 2019 by Hanna1 Comment

Our girlie weekend ended on the Monday morning when Therèse went back home to Sweden and I went to the New Forest with work (and had a nice breakfast with my favourite sandwich on the train: baguette with salami and wild garlic mayo!) where I stayed the night to be as efficient as possible.

It was good weather and the animals roaming free always put a smile on my face.

Tuesday evening I got back to London, ordered a poke bowl for supper and had some Swedish chocolate for pudding as I watched Grey’s Anatomy before going to bed early.

On Wednesday I packed my bags once again, to go to Norfolk for Easter. And I really got into the cooking groove as I made a two course dinner for myself, just because I felt like it. Wild garlic soup to start followed by mac ‘n cheese. Yum!

Thursday I did some errands and worked until I was sitting on the train north. Most of my carriage was party central so I plugged in my headphones and listened to podcasts instead. For dinner we had spaghetti bolognese and a lovely glass of wine. (Much needed after that train journey!)

The following morning I was woken up by my boyfriend’s cute nieces who wanted me to come with them to soft play (which was really fun but also felt like a proper workout – lots of running around!). Afterwards I had lunch at the golf club and a nice walk on the beach before we did some food shopping and prepared dinner that I cooked for everyone.

We had asparagus with wild garlic mayo and parmesan, lemon and thyme chicken with roasted new potatoes and jus and dulce de leech cheesecake with whipped cream and raspberries for pudding.

We had a nice little lie-in on the Saturday and had breakfast outside in the sunshine before I had my first ever golf lesson followed by lunch at the golf club (once again).

After lunch I walked around the whole course while the others were playing and in the evening we all went out for dinner at a cosy pub.

On Easter Sunday we all went to church in the morning, then the children had their Easter egg hunt when we came back and after that we did presents and brunch in the garden.

In the afternoon I decorated some Easter cookies with the girls, using pastel coloured icing and sprinkles. Great fun for them, and me!

In the evening we had roast lamb with perfect roast potatoes, vegetables and jus. Such a lovely evening!

Girlie weekend, amazing sushi and afternoon tea!

Published on May 3, 2019 by HannaLeave a comment

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I was quite tired in the beginning of the second week in April, so after work on Monday and Tuesday I just stayed in, watched Grey’s Anatomy and went to bed early.

But on the Wednesday I had more energy, so I did some errands for work and myself. Couldn’t resist going into Whole Foods to buy Easter eggs when I was nearby.

In the evening I made cookie dough so it could chill in the fridge over night.

The next day I baked them so Therése, a dear friend from home visiting for the weekend, could have freshly baked cookies – that’s when they’re the best!

In the evening we went out for tapas at Rambla…

…and afterwards we had a drink at Dean Street Townhouse nearby.

While Therése went shopping on the Friday I worked all day and so a night in seemed appropriate. For dinner we had small plates such as rösti with creme fraiche, red onions and bleak roe.

And baked camembert with saucisson, pears and baguette to dip.

As well as British asparagus, wild garlic mayo and calamari. Yum!

On the Saturday we went shopping in Covent Garden, and enjoyed all the spring flowers!

For lunch we had yummy burgers at Shake Shack (Therése’s first!) and afterwards we changed location and moved towards Oxford Street for some more shopping.

After a quick change of clothes we went out for sushi, which we both love, and we had such a lovely dinner I can’t wait to tell you all about it in a review soon!

After a sturdy breakfast of scrambled eggs and pancetta on the Sunday morning we went to V&A to see the amazing Dior exhibition. I have been before but it was wonderful seeing it a second time too!

Afterwards we went for a lovely afternoon tea (that I also want to tell you all about in a proper review!) and felt thoroughly spoilt! On our way home we popped into Liberty because I wanted to show Therèse this wonderful department store!

Back home I made dinner; this open crab lasagne I blogged about earlier this week, and a side salad to balance out all the rich food we had at the weekend. It was so much fun having my dear childhood friend here for what felt like a long sleepover, just filled with more shopping and eating out than we were little. SO MUCH FUN!

Recipe: open crab lasagne with white wine and tomatoes

Published on April 30, 2019 by Hanna1 Comment

Sometimes recipes, or recipe ideas – to be more exact, pop into my head without any context (or warning) at all. But then I do think about food an awful lot… This open crab lasagne happened just like that. I was thinking of what I could cook for the weekend and suddenly this idea formed of an open crab lasagne.

And it turned out really well! The white wine, cream and tomatoes compliment the crab beautifully without overpowering the seafood. I really wanted this dish to taste of fresh crab, although in a ‘pasta with a creamy sauce’ kind of setting. And I find it genius using lasagne sheets like this (obviously not my idea in the first place), as it puts the focus on the crab and not the pasta. I hope you enjoy this little dish of mine as much as I did!

Open crab lasagne with white wine and tomatoes, serves 2

4 lasagne sheets

1 tbsp butter + 1 tbsp neutral oil

approx 120 g cherry tomatoes, cut in half

50 ml white wine

150 ml double cream

1/4 vegetable stock cube

100 g fresh crab meat (white and brown)

1/2 lime, zest only

dill, finely chopped + extra for serving

parsley, finely chopped

salt & pepper

dried edible flowers for serving (optional)

Boil the lasagne sheets until soft in salted water. Heat up a non-stick frying pan, add butter and oil and when melted the tomatoes. Let them caramelise and soften for approx 5 minutes. Pour in the wine and let it boil for a minute or two. Add the cream and the stock cube and stir. Let it thicken for a few minutes. Add lime zest and season to taste. Add half the crab meat and all the herbs (apart from the garnish).

Place two low bowls or plates near the stove. Take one lasagne sheet at the time and place it in the frying pan to coat it with sauce. Move it to the bowls/plates and place one, a bit folded over, on each plate. Add a spoonful more of sauce on each plate. Place the second sauce-covered lasagne sheet in the bowls slightly overlapping the first one. Add more sauce and divide the crab meat. Decorate with dill and dried flowers.

The return of the meatloaf, a trip to the countryside and the boat race

Published on April 29, 2019 by HannaLeave a comment

Monday, sunshine and a lunch meeting in the park with a sandwich! Not a bad start to my week a few weeks ago.

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Afterwards I walked by the Thames and felt so happy spring had finally come back. Just love this time of year (minus the pollen) this time of year!

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In the evening I heated up a piece of aubergine lasagne from the freezer and felt very smug I didn’t reach for a takeaway. Utilising the freezer is the best!

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On the Tuesday I made the best meatloaf ever. I haven’t made it for years but got a sudden craving and it’s AMAZING! Will definitely make it soon again as it wasn’t just me who liked it! Post dinner we watched the first episode of Billions, that I had been dying to watch but had to wait a week for a certain someone to come back from a skiing holiday. Loving this new series!!

Wednesday evening I just took it easy at home and packed my bag for a little work trip.

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Thursday I went down to the New Forest for work and obviously made sure to go for a walk and take in the countryside as well.

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I had dinner at The Master Builder’s and really enjoyed my local asparagus and whole crab. Plus it was a really cosy setting with rustic wooden tables and a roaring fire.

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Friday was an intense work day that finished with a meeting back in London. In the evening we stayed in and I made carbonara. The best Friday meal with a glass (or two) of red wine!

Saturday we woke up late and a scrambled eggs for breakfast. I thoroughly enjoy the weekends where I don’t have to set an alarm!

In the afternoon we went for a lovely little walk checking out the ducks and swans and just enjoying being outside!

And then we went to the driving range… Not my comfort zone at all but tried to be a good sport (haha) and hit a few balls. Suddenly it was quite late so we ordered burgers for dinner. So good!

Sunday and another lie-in followed by another cooked breakfast. Heaven!

Then we met up with friends for lunch at a new to me vegetarian restaurant that was really good (and child friendly). Review to come!

Afterwards we joined the crowds for the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race and had a great time cheering, chatting and drinking rosé in the rain (it’s England after all).

Recipe: rhubarb custard tarte

Published on April 24, 2019 by Hanna1 Comment

Spring. For me it’s about feeling the sun on my face. Shedding a few layers of clothing and watch all the flowers blossom.

And I get terribly excited about the fresh produce. First the wild garlic, then the asparagus, rhubarb and new potatoes.

At the moment we can enjoy all these things and it makes me rather giddy with happiness! FINALLY winter (although it wasn’t an awful one in London this year) is over!

To celebrate the arrival of Yorkshire rhubarb to the shops a few weeks ago I made a lovely puff pastry tart with pink lovely rhubarb (cooked just enough to still be a little firm) and a glorious custard. Eating this in the sunshine makes me so happy!

Custard rhubarb tarte, serves 6-8

Translated from and adapted after Tidningen Hembakat’s recipe.

1 roll all butter puff pastry

Custard (oven proof):

1 vanilla pod or 1 tsp vanilla

300 ml milk

50 g caster sugar

3 egg yolks

50 ml corn starch

25 g butter

Warm milk, sugar and vanilla in a nonstick saucepan. Mix the egg yolks with corn starch in a bowl. Add the warm milk to the egg mixture a little by little. Then return the mixture to the saucepan and warm on medium heat until the mixture has thickened, approx 2 minutes. Whisk continuously. Remove from the heat and stir on the butter. Pour into a bowl, cover with cling (all the way down on the mixture) and leave to cool.

400 g rhubarb, trim the ends

200 ml water

200 ml caster sugar

Cut the rhubarb into 4 cm long pieces and place in an ovenproof sig with sides. Bring sugar and water to the boil in a saucepan. Pour the syrup over the rhubarb and place in a 100C oven for 20 minutes. Leave to cool completely.

Assembly:

Roll out the puff pastry and place on a parchment paper lines baking sheet. Cut a thin incision only along the surfaces of the dough, approx 2 cm in from the edge, all around the dough. Prick the dough inside of the “frame” with a fork. Pre-bake the dough for approx 7 minutes (it should bake a bit but not colour) in a 200C oven.

Remove from the oven and spread a thick layer of custard onto the dough inside the “frame” and place the rhubarb pieces on top with a little space in between. Bake for another 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven. Leave to cool and dust with icing sugar before cutting into smaller pieces and serving.

Girl’s night, book club and an al fresco luncheon

Published on April 17, 2019 by HannaLeave a comment

Sorry for the radio silence… It’s been non-stop lately but as I have a little time now I’m posting this weekly from late March, so let’s rewind until then.

The Monday was a sociable one for me (which is not my usual), with a girlie dinner at home.

I made prawn cocktail in lettuce leaves to start, then we had chicken satay with jasmine rice and a cucumber salad for mains and chocolate pots (or pudding as I found out it’s called in the US as well). It was such a lovely night catching up with dear friends!

Tuesday and Wednesday I took it easy in the evenings, but one of those nights I had the first asparagus of the season. With hollandaise sauce. So yummy!

Thursday night was book club night and Mary-Lou had made her own delicious pho for us! Really lovely evening!

Friday night I was really tired and didn’t feel well so ordered Shake Shack (love that I can now do that!!) and watched easy series like Grey’s Anatomy and The Rookie.

Saturday I met up with a friend visiting from New York for lunch. It was a beautifully sunny day so we sat outside in the sunshine at Daylesford Organic and had a lovely afternoon.

Afterwards I raced home, changed clothes and went to a friend’s birthday party. As always the nibble game was on point and as usual I had too much cheese!

Sunday was also a lovely day, but a little colder, so venture out for lunch and tried Market Halls by Victoria. Such a nice (but loud!) place.

Steak, surprise party and SPRING!

Published on April 4, 2019April 4, 2019 by HannaLeave a comment

The week before last started with a quit day. Just work, and an early night at home.

On the Tuesday I had some work errands and as it was nice weather I put my trenchcoat on and enjoyed the sunshine as I went from place to place. In the evening I made fried halloumi with potato wedges, roasted peppers and red onions and tzatsiki for dinner. Love this kind of easy cooking on a weekday! And it’s SO yummy!

The next evening I met up with two girl friends for steak and a catchup at Hawksmoor. We had such a lovely evening drinking wine, eating steak and chatting away.

On the Thursday I went away with work for the day, but was all shaky and sweaty (very unlike me!) by the time I got to the train station, but luckily some paracetamol helped. But the day felt really long because of the travelling so when I got back to London we ordered burgers for takeaway and watched the first episode of the new series of Billions. Love this series so much!

More errands on Friday but I still felt a bit shaky so took it easy in the evening. And most of Saturday too, but in the evening I put some heels on and went to a friend’s really fun surprise birthday party!

On the Sunday I slept in and met a friend for a late lunch. It was sunny and although not warm the weather was still nice, so I put my trench and new sneakers on because SPRING! Obviously I got a nasty blister that took over a week to heal, but still…

Recipe: salted butter chocolate chunk shortbread cookies

Published on March 29, 2019March 29, 2019 by Hanna1 Comment

You might have heard about these cookies already, as they almost broke the internet? If so, see this as a friendly reminder to bake them again. And if not, you’re in for a treat!

Quite literally of course, because these salty buttery cookies with chocolate chunks and a lovely edge of crunchy demerera sugar are INSANELY good. I’m obsessed and can’t wait to bake them again although I sort of know that it’s a bad idea because I will eat them all.

I think Aliso Roman has invented the PERFECT cookie, which is no small feat. So if you haven’t already, start baking! They’re really easy to make and the reward is HUGE!

Salted butter shortbread chocolate chunk cookies, makes 24

Adapted from Alison Roman’s recipe via Smitten Kitchen.

255 g salted butter, cold, cut into small pieces

100 g caster sugar

50 g light brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

295 g plain flour

170 g dark chocolate, chopped (you want chunks, not thin shards of chocolate)

1 large egg

demerara sugar, for rolling

sea salt flaked for sprinkling

Beat the butter, caster sugar, brown sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, scraping down bowl as needed. Add flour, and mix just until combined. Add chocolate chunks, mix just until incorporated. Mixture will look crumbly.

Divide between two sheets of parchment paper or cling and use your hands to form the dough halves into log shapes about 5 cm in diameter. Chill until firm, about 2 hours.

When you’re ready to bake the cookies, heat your oven to 180°C. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Lightly beat the egg and open up your chilled cookie logs to brush it over the sides. Sprinkle the demerara sugar on the open paper or plastic wrap and roll the logs into it, coating them.

Using a sharp serrated knife, cut logs into 1 cm thick rounds. You’re going to hit some chocolate chunks, so saw gently, squeezing the cookie to keep it from breaking if needed. Arrange cookie slices on prepared sheets a few cms apart and sprinkle each with a few flakes of salt. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to get golden brown. Let cool slightly before transferring to the cookies to a wire racks to cool down.

Not the best week but a great weekend!

Published on March 27, 2019 by HannaLeave a comment

Is it spring now?! The calendar says so but not sure the weather gods got the memo. I’ve been longing for spring for so long now, it seems strange that it’s arrived. But I’m really enjoying the lighter evenings and no longer freezing (just cold!) temperatures. I even dared to put on a trench coat a few times.

But I’m really behind on telling you what else I’ve been up to, so let’s get started.

Week before last. Aaand go!

Well, it wasn’t the best week. I had a nice and relaxing Monday night (which is my preferred way – Mondays are hard anyway). But then on the Tuesday I didn’t feel very well and had to cancel my plans.

Same on the Wednesday. I had so little energy I ordered takeaway for dinner. Grateful for healthy options as I wasn’t craving burgers or pizza, so a poke bowl was the perfect supper!

Thursday I was a bit better but took it easy so I could enjoy the weekend. Friday was one of those days when it felt like the world (or London – which IS my world) was against me. It was incredibly windy and cold, lots of street were closed for road works or Brexit demonstrations (they all seem to blur into one) and no buses to be seen. So I took a taxi to my meeting the looong way around but luckily was on time. On the way back I thought I’d be good and walked to the bus stop. Where I and lots of other people waited and waited for buses that never arrived. Whitehall was empty (surreal) and the cab I hailed to get me home just breezed through. But after that excursion I was cold and tired and really windswept.

But I had just enough energy to cook a three course meal for us and a friend in the evening.

Crostini with smoked salmon spread to start, delizie alla romagnola for mains and chewy lemon cake for pudding. It was so nice with home cooked food after not feeling well all week and the others loved it too!

Saturday I had a lie-in and a chilled day. I read my book and feel asleep on the sofa but in the evening we went out for dinner to one of our (mine) favourite places for truffle pasta and other lovely food!

Sunday we slept in, had a cooked breakfast and went to visit friends in the afternoon. We played with Peppa Pig themed toys and in the evening after bed time we (the grownups) had pizza for dinner.

When we got home I made us hot cocoa with whipped cream and we watched another episode of Goliath. It’s still really good!

So to sum it up; pretty rubbish week but a lovely weekend!

Recipe: baked Vacherin Mont d’Or

Published on March 22, 2019March 22, 2019 by Hanna1 Comment

Anyone else who LOVES melted cheese?! Well, then this is for you. Cheese haters, please look away now.

I’ve only had this amazing cheese (seriously, it’s HEAVEN!) in restaurants before but thought it would be a good supper for Valentine’s Day, especially since we were going to the theatre but needed to eat something afterwards.

This beauty of a cheese; Vacherin Mont d’Or, is a French unpasteurised cheese and is only produced during the winter months (until March or so). The reason for this is that the same cows whose milk normally goes towards the production of Comté and Gruyère, are on a different diet in the winter and so their milk tastes different and is perfect for making this creamy dreamy cheese.

It’s quite gooey at room temperature but when baked it becomes the best cheese fondue (see below picture) and is both gooey and rich AND light at the same time. The recipe I used is courtesy of David Lebovitz and is of course completely fool proof and the only guidance one needs.

So what to eat with these cheese?! We had a lot of bits for dipping; prosciutto, cooked ham, bresaola, saucisson, cornichons, apple slices (Pink Lady and Granny Smith), crusty baguette and cold cooked new potatoes. Everything worked well, but my favourite was without a doubt the cold new potatoes. You must try it!

Baked Vacherin Mont d’Or, serves 4 as a starter or 2 as a main course

Adapted from David Lebovitz’s recipe.

1 Vacherin Mont d’Or cheese 450-500 g, at room temperature

1 clove garlic, peeled and thinly sliced

60ml dry white wine

Preheat the oven to 200ºC. Wrap the container of cheese securely in foil, making sure to enclose it so the foil goes up to the top of the outside of the container, but leave the top exposed. Set the wrapped cheese on a baking sheet.

Poke eight-to-ten slits in the top of the cheese with a paring knife and slide the slivers of fresh garlic in them. Pour white wine over the cheese, and bake the cheese until it’s very hot – it will take between 20 and 30 minutes.