Eating Out @ Saddlers, Durham

There’s something I find special yet comforting about eating out at a Café with friends. They are the perfect place for catching up over tasty food that don’t necessarily cost a lot.. After all, hanging out with friends is all about the company, right? I recently travelled to Durham, one of the places I love to visit which just so happens to be where one of my good friends live. The reason I enjoy going to Durham is because of its beautiful scenery, peaceful surroundings and for shopping of course.

It was really a spontaneous day out, so we decided to meet up for some lunch and shopping, as girls do. Of course we needed energy before we started our shopping marathon so we walked around the city centre trying to decide where to eat lunch. One of the things I adore about Durham are the numerous café’s dotted around the city, some of which are hidden and only the locals would know where they are situated. We came across a café called Saddlers and decided to pop in to get a spot of lunch. BEST decision of the day! J My friend and I were both very surprised by the amount of people already eating inside as it was a weekday. But once we sat down and looked at the menu, glanced around.. We knew we had chosen the right place and the reason behind why it was such a popular spot. Plus they have a wide variety of breakfast, lunch, desserts and other scrumptious sounding dishes on the menu.

The staff were very friendly and the café felt very homely with an incredibly relaxed environment, that’s why I think Saddler’s is a favourite place for many living in the area (it could also be the affordable price of food too). I ordered the Homemade Vegetable Soup with ½ Panini & Butter, which was tasty & flavourful, a wonderful winter warmer (although winter is yet to arrive). My friend opted for the BBQ Chicken Wrap with Coleslaw, which she thoroughly enjoyed. 

The panini was sooooo unbelievably soft & tasty

I definitely recommend this Café to all who may find themselves wondering the beautiful streets of Durham in future. The prices are affordable, service is great, surroundings are comfortable yet stylish and overall it is just an ideal place to eat out.

 

  

Wendy 

-x-

Shopping @ TKMaxx

Going shopping, wandering through the shopping centre, strolling down the high street.. With a purpose, might I add, of buying a certain something you NEED.. Then-getting-distracted-and-end-up-buying-a-load-of-things-that-you-don’t-really-need-but-just-want-or-something-you-found-was-pretty-in-the-store-OR-was-on-sale-and-you-couldn’t-walk-away-and-resulting-in-you-forgetting-what-it-was-you-needed-to-buy! Yeah, we all experience those kind of days.. Even me, but especially me!

This happened to me in one store, (yes, one store!) then I went home without even buying the things I needed to buy.
 Thank you TKMaxx!

Thank you so very much!!!

Here are the items that I purchased…

Cupcake Tray

Lever Arm Fruit Juicer

Lemon Preserver

Kilner Jar Mug

Cake Decorating Turntable

Anti-Slip Chopping Board 

And I finally became a TKMaxx & Homesense Treasure Card holder! Yaaaay!

Aside from the TKMaxx Shopping Haul, which were all surprisingly kitchen items, I recommend you have a look in store, you’d be amazed at the sheer amount of things you can find and the sale/clearance items aren’t bad either. You'll be sure to find something you like.

[I would like to point out that NO, you are not restricted to only purchasing kitchenware in TKMaxx as Homeware, Clothing, Shoes, Electricals, Outdoor and Children’s sections are also available.]




Wendy x

A Cake Full of Love

A special occasion is always an ideal time to get your baking game on, which is exactly what I did. Last weekend was my Mum & Dad’s Wedding Anniversary, so I decided that it was a great opportunity to bake a cake and spent about 6 hours in the kitchen that day; preparing, measuring, mixing, whisking, baking, cooling, whisking again, washing, decorating, thinking, wishing I was sitting and taking photographs for my blog!) 

So all in all it was a hectic day, but the outcome was worth every minute.

Rather than going for my usual sponge cake recipe, I wanted to try a different recipe this time as it was a special occasion and you know what they say “Variety is the spice of life” and all that. Because I recently purchased the Lakeland 50^th Anniversary Recipe Book I decided to make the Genoise Sponge (by John Whaite p120, Lakeland 50th Anniversary Recipe Book). I’d heard of a Genoise sponge before on TV and saw recipes in magazines, but didn’t really know what was special about it or what made it different compared to other cakes.

Turns out the Genoise Sponge is different from your usual sponge as a foaming method is used rather than the creaming method (mixing whole eggs and sugar to create volume instead of using a raising agent. The Genoise sponge requires less sugar and butter than usual, so if you like your cakes less sweet, this is the one for you.. However you could always use filling and decoration to make up the flavour and sweetness instead of the cake itself.

I do believe that a Genoise sponge will be reoccurring in my kitchen as it is not difficult to make and it went down a storm. 

So here is my Parent’s Wedding Anniversary Genoise Chocolate Cake!! 

(Basically a Genoise Sponge Cake with a Fruit Explosion)

  

Rather than opting for the Chocolate Ganache filling and topping, I thought it would be easier to use Double cream, whipped with Dark chocolate and Icing Sugar.

 

Phew, that's the cake done!


DECORATING TIME...

  

Hope this gives you ideas and inspiration to bake your own cake for a special occasion.

Wendy x

*Ahem.... #TeamRichard for Great British Bake Off Winner 2014*

Eating Out: Breakfast @ Browns

Food is always a good way to bring people together, whether it is a family dinner, a catch up over lunch or desserts.. So why not Breakfast too? After all, it IS the most important meal of the day! And seeing as though we all need to eat in the mornings, you might as well make an occasion of it. 

This weekend a great friend of mine and myself decided to go for spontaneous breakfast date, which she so kindly surprised me with the location. We went to a lovely restaurant called Brown's Bar & Brasserie which is found on Grey Street in Newcastle. 

I have visited Brown's before on one other occasion for a spot of Afternoon Tea, which I would definitely recommend it to those who have not yet had the opportunity to experience. 

And the best part of Afternoon Tea.... The warm scones! :)

Back to Breakfast then..

Brown's can be found in the heart of Newcastle on the iconic Grey Street, which is accessible and very easy to find. One of the things I love about Browns is that the atmosphere is very relaxing and comfortable, yet the exterior is rather high class and quite professional looking. An ideal place for informal meetings, family get togethers or even just a catch up amongst friends. They have certain menu's depending on the time of day, arriving at 9:30am of course we went for Breakfast.

I ordered the Eggs Benedict; Honey Roast Ham & Poached Egg on a Toasted English Muffin with Hollandaise Sauce. Very delicious, might I add.

My friend opted for the Eggs Royale, which was the same as the Eggs Benedict with the difference of Smoked Salmon.

Also, the toast was AMAZING!! So tasty, soft, crispy & the crust contained seeds, which was a pleasant surprise and something I haven't come across before.

We both enjoyed our breakfast very much and chatted for a good few hours (always a plus as in some restaurants, staff rush customers out after seeing their meal is finished). 
The staff were very friendly and attentive, asking us whether the food was satisfactory or if we required any additional supplements. 

If anyone is looking for a new dining spot, it is safe to say.. You should consider Brown's!








Wendy x