Oxo Tower; Champagne Sunshine Showers
What would a romantic city break be without some super fancy wining and dining? So for our first evening in London I booked us into the Oxo Tower Brasserie upon recommendation from my Dad, who has held a number of work functions there and claims it to be one of the best views of Southbank and the city.
We arrived nice and early for our reservation at 6pm and treated to a welcome drink of champagne on the house upon arrival.
How lucky we were that the skies cleared and the most magnificent golden hour of sunshine showered the skies and glistened upon the city.
The Brasserie menu had a lot to offer serving up the finest of British cuisine alongside an extensive wine list. In fact it is part of the Harvey Nichols franchise, so I knew food would be top standard.
I opted for the Josper grilled spatchcock chicken, chimichurri, autumn vegetable slaw and maple glazed pancetta, whilst my boyfriend went for a classic Rib eye steak, green peppercorn sauce, mushroom pâté and green leaf salad.
To accompany the meal we had some potato wedges and tender stem broccoli and to drink we shared a carafe of French red wine, the perfect pairing to our meaty dishes.
Our meal was just exquisite and we both agreed it to be some of the best food we’d ever tasted! Service was absolutely impeccable too and my wine glass was never more than half empty – thanks waiter 😉
We stayed to finish our drinks and soak up those final few moments of sunset, before leaving to attend our post dinner cocktails at the Four Seasons.
I have to put the evening up there as one of the most beautiful dinners I’ve ever had. From the picture perfect setting as golden hour hues painted the London skyline, to the delicious food and wonderful service we were treated to, it was truly magical. A spacial thanks to the Oxo Tower Brasserie for taking such good care of us and ensuring our experience was so special.
The set also came with a handy recipe guide full of useful tips and tricks for making the most of this versatile machine. I was excited to learn you can even make cocktails with it! Anyway, here are some of my own creations for some healthy food inspo.
Starting with the most basic of recipes I have tried so far, I decided to make my own almond butter from scratch. The principle is simple: roast a bag of plain unsalted almonds, pour into the processor and blend until a nut butter consistency is formed.
Now this does take some time and patience, so I would allow about 10-15 minutes of processing and every so often opening the cup to combine all of the almonds. It’s very satisfying when the butter does finally come together and seeing the consistency progress until a super creamy almond butter is formed.
You can see from this series of photos as the texture changed – the more you blend it, the more creamy and smooth it becomes. It is however important to note that the Magic Bullet did seem to get very hot during this whole process, so do make sure to take regular breaks for it to cool down.
I was surprised at how well this turned out and the amount it made from just 200 grams of almonds. You can of course try this method to make any kind of nut butter and perhaps experiment adding some flavourings such as salt or honey to enhance the taste. This is such a pure and wholesome home made alternative to store brought nut butters, which often come packed with unnecessary sugars and oils.
My next recipe is another simple 3 ingredient store cupboard staple useful for breakfasts or a sweet snack anytime of day. Rawnola is a stripped back healthy take on granola using only dates, oats and coconut. For a single serve I just used 2 medjool dates, half a cup of rolled oats and a quarter of a cup of desiccated coconut.
Blitz the dates a few times before adding the other ingredients, then just a few more 10 second pulses and the rawnola is formed. Be careful not to over blend it though as it will become too dusty, whereas the desired consistency is little clusters like a granola. Believe it or not, this actually tastes like cookie dough!
The original creator of this recipe, Loni Jane, became an Instagram sensation with her creation back in 2012 and ever since people have gone mad for this nutritious delicious snack. Whilst I enjoy using rawnola in a cereal bowl soaked in coconut milk and topped with plenty of fruit, the possibilities don’t end there. Try rolling the mixture into bliss balls, enjoy sprinkled on top of smoothie bowls, bake in the oven for a crunch or even add chocolate for an extra sweet treat.
Rawnola can be made in single batches as I have done here, or alternatively multiply the ingredients to make a larger batch which can be stored in a jar for up to a week in the fridge. No additives, no preservatives or artificial flavours, just a pure wholesome snack which will have you reaching for more!
With summer heating up here in England, my go-to recipe with the Magic Bullet has definitely been smoothie bowls. There are numerous combinations and flavours to try with smoothies and with just a few simple tips, you’re sure to have a super thick bowlful every time. Frozen banana, ice cubes and of course the work of the Magic Bullet will provide you with the basis for a perfect consistency whatever combo you opt for.
Frozen fruits are preferable and I’ve even tried adding a little bit of frozen cauliflower to fluff up my smoothies, which actually worked really well and added volume to my bowl. Serve in a coconut for those tropical aesthetic vibes and don’t skimp on those toppings, particularly the rawnola!
Finally, moving onto a savoury recipe, I decided to make a roasted butternut squash and carrot puree. This is another useful one for meal prep, as the mixture can be stored in a jar and kept in the fridge for a ready made sauce or even just a dip.
Once again this is a super simple process using minimal ingredients. For 1 jar full, cut about half of a butternut squash and 1 carrot for roasting. Bake for around 20 minutes, then place in the food processor along with garlic powder, salt, pepper, nutritional yeast, lemon juice and a dash of almond milk. Begin to blend and gradually add a little water to loosen the mixture until a thick puree is formed. Taste and adjust seasoning as required, perhaps adding more nutritional yeast if you would like a cheesy sauce.
I used a tablespoon of this batch straight away for a creamy pasta and stored the rest in a jar for the week. Again, I would encourage you to get creative with this idea as you could use many other combinations of vegetables and seasonings, such as sweet potato and chipotle or cauliflower and cheese.
Upon review of the Magic Bullet, I am extremely impressed with the diversity of ways in which you can utilise it’s functions. Having one small and compact device which blends, mixes and processes food all in one makes food prep quick, easy and fuss free. I can’t wait to try some of the suggested recipes in the booklet and I know those handy on the go lids will come in useful when I finally return to work.
A simple vegetable dahl is a great way of using up those veggies and can easily be adapted according to what you have in stock. I used curry powder, a few chilli flakes and coconut milk to flavour the sautéed vegetables before adding the cooked lentils. Alternatively, you could easily swap those spices for any curry paste you may have leftover and replace the coconut milk for any kind of milk or plain yoghurt for an equally creamy consistency.
My favourite nourishing bowl which always leaves me full and satisfied is a take on the classic buddha bowl. Choose a grain of choice for your base along with a generous mountain of salad greens, then top with your herby roasted veggies and sprinkle with seeds. I also finished this bowl with my current go-to dressing of hummus mixed with lemon juice and a splash of water. Any kind of creamy dressing you have to hand would work well on this too as well as those extra goodies like nuts, seeds or even a soft boiled egg for some extra protein.
If you’re looking to vamp up your vegetables or perhaps win over that person who doesn’t usually enjoy them, making a simple batter or coating them in breadcrumbs and then baking, can turn veggies into something far more indulgent and appealing. I recently discovered the wonder of buffalo cauliflower wings (recipe on my blog – 
Having a well stocked pantry with the essentials is the secret to always having the means to throw together a balanced meal with whatever is going in the fridge. Know what your preferred herbs and spices are as these change the entire flavour of a dish. My current go-to ones would be garlic powder, herbs de provence (a mix of Italian herbs), paprika, curry powder and chilli flakes as well as the standard salt and pepper. In regards to a carb source I usually opt for couscous, quinoa, lentils, beans, chickpeas, pasta or noodles, again the typical store cupboard basics.
And finally, I am a condiment queen so I rarely have a meal without some kind of dressing or dip. Balsamic vinegar, hot sauce, ketchup and bbq sauce are my essentials, as well as chutneys and pickles which you will always find in my fridge. Whilst it’s good to use up fresh condiments such as hummus first, having some long life sauces are super handy for that finishing touch on your bowl of goodness. If your veggies are really on the turn, you could even make your own pickles, chutneys and reserves from scratch. These are just some tips and tricks on how you could make your groceries last longer and create delicious nutritious dinners from ingredients that may have otherwise gone to waste.
The weather may be warming up, but I still love to make my favourite oatmeal topped with fresh fruits and creamy peanut butter. I often add apple slices to thicken the oatmeal and with it being berry season, juicy red strawberries and warmed blueberry compote are my current toppings of choice.
This breakfast is so satisfying and keeps me full until the afternoon. Balanced with carbs, fats and natural sugars, my oatmeal bowl replenishes my body after a workout whilst helping to build muscle too.
Served in an aesthetic coconut bowl complete with a wooden spoon, this reminds me of the beautiful acai bowls we had almost everyday in Bali. Simply warming the blueberries in a splash of water creates that dreamy pool of purple jam to sweeten the oatmeal without artificial sugars.
The simple pleasure of taking the time to sit down and enjoy my delicious brekkie is definitely something I will miss when I return to work. I take this moment to plan my objectives for the day and have a browse of my favourite blogs for inspiration and ideas. I’ve really tried to use this period of lockdown as an opportunity to be innovative and learn some new skills too, because sometimes I think it takes a little slower pace in life to reignite that passion for learning and creating.
The ingredients are actually pretty simple and the sort of things you may have in your kitchen cupboard at home. The spicy dipping sauce is just maple syrup (or I used golden syrup) mixed with hot sauce, then for the cauliflower batter you need:
Make sure to pre-heat the oven to approximately 180 degrees (fan assisted) and line a tray with baking paper beforehand as things get messy from here! In a large mixing bowl whisk the flour, milk, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper until combined, before dipping each floret of cauliflower into the mixture. They must be fully covered but not dripping too much.
Once all of the cauliflower is coated and ready on the baking tray, oven cook for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Meanwhile, whisk together the syrup and hot sauce to taste, ready to drizzle over the finished wings as well as saving some extra for dipping.
I plated mine up with some spring onions and coriander to garnish. These turned out to be super tasty and perfect wing texture with that crispy batter crunch coating the tender cauliflower florets. Being so spicy, I would definitely serve these with a cooling yoghurt or tatziki style dip next time along with some more fresh salad too.
These would be perfect finger food for a party and are even relatively cheap and easy to make, not to mention a whole lot healthier than your usual buffalo wings. I love finding these awesome recipe hacks which mean we can enjoy some healthier alternatives to those more indulgent treats.
The recipe is super simple, you just need medjool dates, walnuts (although I used plain mixed nuts as that’s what we had in stock) and cacao powder. Start by blending the nuts then adding the medjool dates and finally cacao powder until a thick sticky batter is formed. Spoon out the mixture into a lined baking tin and use your hands to smooth out the batter to the desired thickness for your brownies. This bit can be quite messy so roll up those sleeves and don’t wear white!
For the topping simply melt coconut oil, honey and more cacao powder on the hob until a liquid consistency, before pouring over the brownies making sure to cover all of the top. I chose to sprinkle coconut chips on mine at this point (optional addition) and then left the brownies to set in the fridge for at least an hour.
Once set, cut into bitesize chunks as big or small as you like. These are super rich and gooey, so store in the fridge and take out 15 minutes or so before serving. You can experiment using different nuts in the mixture and whatever toppings you prefer, but the essential basis to these are just 3 wholesome ingredients and require very little effort to make. Simple, indulgent and believe it or not, healthy brownie treats! Let me know if you try these and what you think – enjoy :)
I was intrigued to try this sweet treat for myself and pleasantly surprised at the simple list of ingredients required. Taking the above recipe which I found on Instagram, I swapped the sugar for stevia sweetener and opted for soya milk.
It certainly takes a good 10 minutes of whisking if done by hand, but be patient and soon your coffee will form a creamy butterscotch foam. As I prefer a less milky coffee, a short tumbler glass with large ice cubes is my favourite way to enjoy this beverage.
This is of course a treat and takes a little more time to make than your usual coffee. However with so much time on our hands at the moment everyone has jumped on the whipped coffee band wagon!
I’d be keen to try experimenting with flavours for the creamy whipped topping, perhaps cinnamon or even coco powder like a Frappuccino . Enjoyed in the sunshine whilst reading my book makes for the perfect morning routine or afternoon pick me up.
This will certainly be one of the most unique periods of life for our generation, as we learn to accept social distancing measures for an extended period of time. In the UK the lockdown has allowed us to get outside once a day for exercise and as we welcome in a particularly sunny springtime, it’s a blessing that we can still enjoy the gorgeous weather and boost our mood with some vitamin D.
Being on ‘Furlough’ from my job has given me the gift of time, so it’s been a great opportunity to get on with my ‘To Do’ list and finally see to those longer term projects which I’ve always wanted to do (more on this in a later post!). I’ve also been able to spend more time looking after my wellbeing as I get rested and can priorities those things which matter most to me; staying fit with home workouts, brushing up on my dance skills in the garden, cooking yummy creations in the kitchen, reading books, taking photos and of course, writing my own blog 🙂
Cooking has always been one of my favourite hobbies too, so I’ve been experimenting with a few new recipes and even tried some baking. The popular quarantine sweet treat which everyone has been making is banana bread and being my first time, I was impressed with my creation pictured above. With the sun shining over the past few weeks, I’ve also been making a lot of delicious fresh summer dishes, including this easy Greek salad.
Maintaining sanity during this time has pulled family, friends and community together as we all find ourselves in the same position. Our extended family now have a weekly ‘Zoom’ quiz every Sunday evening and my work colleagues organise regular drinks via video conference too. Creativity is key also as my Dad decided to host a neighbourhood quarantine disco from our back garden last weekend! Having posted fliers around our surrounding neighbourhood to notify them of the party and to text in with song requests, my Dad setup his sound system in the garden ready for two hours of music from 7-9pm on Saturday.
With the BBQ lit and the bubbles flowing, before we knew it requests for songs were flooding in! At 7pm on the dot we heard cheers from the neighbours in their gardens as we got the music pumping. By the end of the set, we counted over 70 messages from neighbours sending their song choices and thanking us for the disco. Being such a success, our plan is to do the next one to raise money for the NHS which I’m sure our neighbours will appreciate.
So as we continue forward in this period of uncertainty and apprehension, I remember how incredibly fortunate I am to be in my position during this pandemic. With my job secured, a comfortable home to reside in a lovely village and most of all a healthy family, I’m optimistic that my life will go back to normal once this all blows over. In the meantime, I hope this pause on our busy lifestyles will help us all slow down, appreciate the simple things and build a stronger relationship with loved ones as well as ourselves.
Being my 3rd year in a row celebrating in Aus, it’s always a big one as coincidently my birthday falls on Australia Day – the anniversary of when the first fleet of British ships arrived on the shores of Australia. Although a controversial national holiday given the impact white man had on the indigenous Aboriginal people of the land, it’s an excuse to get out the BBQ and join together with friends to soak up the peak of summertime.
This year I found myself back down in the Southern Highlands with my closest friends from my time in Aus. It was also another friend’s birthday that weekend, so the guys pulled out all the stops for a fantastic party including delicious food, good old Aussie garden games and even a coffee cocktail cart!
One of my old housemates comes from a Portuguese family of foodies, so produce is super fresh and nothing done in half measures. I was very happy with the array of cocktails on offer, including my favourite Espresso Martinis made with the best Australian roasted coffee. The night previous I also got involved prepping homemade hummus and even fermenting sauerkraut and kimchi. However the star of the show was the Hog Roast which got going on the spit from 9am to be ready for the afternoon.
After such a feast and plenty of beers down, we spent the arvo basking in the sunshine and listening to Triple J Radio top 100, before going out into the field at sundown for an obligatory game of Cricket. It just wouldn’t be an Australia Day if we didn’t play Cricket and it’s become a tradition to do so on my birthday… along with the need for VB Beers to keep me smiling of course!
As golden hour glowed and the sunset, I was so happy to have spent another fabulous birthday in the land down under. I’m very lucky to have made such special friends during my time living in Sydney and I don’t doubt we will be partying together again in the very near future. Cheers for the beers and awesome times Straya!
Dani Aneka 