An Edible Voyage

August 2021 Pedro Ximenez. The taste of the sweetest, molten raisins. A perfect pairing for roasted stone fruit and chocolate.  Combine that with French toast made from chewy, tangy sourdough, and what ensues is the most indulgent brunch, made for a leisurely weekend with a perfect cup of coffee and a good magazine. For this creation, I simply roasted apricots with a little Pedro Ximenez and piled them on to French toast with some vegan chocolate ice cream I had made previously from soaked cashews blended with coconut milk and melted chocolate, chopped almonds and cocoa nibs. It had crunch, it had fruitiness, it had creaminess, and that kick of Pedro Ximenez.  One seriously stylish brunch. 

August 2021 Agrodolce. That addictive, lip-smacking Italian goodness, the epitome of Mediterranean cuisine. It's so good in fact, even challenging fennel submits to the most delicate and delicious of dinners. Heat the oil from the anchovies, fry finely chopped garlic, pine nuts and slivered fennel, before stirring in honey, raisins, red wine vinegar and the anchovies.  Simmer until the liquid evaporates and, at the last moment, toss through fresh dill.  Serve on flatbread - if you want to go homemade, see below for the softest, fluffiest, moorish, yet super simple flatbread around. Quick Flatbread Melt 50g butter in 3/4 cup warm milk.   Add 2 cups plain flour.  Knead for 2 mins.  Rest for 30 mins.  Divide in to 4.  Roll in to rounds approx 0.3cm thick.  Cook one at a time in an oiled pan over medium heat for around 90 secs on each side, or until it bubbles up and turns golden

July 2021 Cycling along the stunning, if hilly(!), coastal road from Ballycastle to Giant's Causeway, distracted by the arc of white sand against the sparkling turquoise sea that is White Park Bay, I almost didn't spot Bothy.  But something about the cosiness of the word must have registered with my brain so I stopped to investigate.  From the name, I was expecting small and eclectic.  Bothy is surprisingly large, although definitely has the eclectic factor, with a conservatory as well as a covered outdoors, complete with wood fired pizza oven. Taking inspiration from mountain bothies, they aim to recreate the comfort of "a roof over our heads; a shelter from the weather; a place to rest, eat and warm up; a haven". They want people to be able to " wander in, settle back and unwind. Curl up and read a book, or just enjoy the solitude". I found it a little busy for that - it's definitely a very popular pit stop. They roast their own coffee (bags of bea...

July 2021 Lost and Found Cafe is verging on perfection.  A short stroll along the beautiful north coast of Northern Ireland, a few minutes away from the hubbub of Portstewart Strand, nestles this friendly brew bar and eatery.   Enjoy expertly crafted espresso based coffee and innovative brunch at the stools in front of the enormous window overlooking the sea.  Salty feta, nutty tahini and the sweetness of honey, an inspired and utterly delicious toastie that I will definitely be recreating at home.    Don't leave without choosing one of their exciting homemade sweet treats (and maybe one to take home too!).  Bigger than your head cookie sandwiches are enough for several sittings, and cakes change with the seasons. Find Lost and Found Cafe on Berne Road, just east of Portstewart Strand.