An Edible Voyage

January 2021 Having living in Melbourne for several years, the coffee bar was set high and I became a bit of a coffee snob.  This definitely has it's disadvantages as it makes finding a coffee that I really enjoy tricky.  I had sort of given up on finding one in Banbury, satisfying my cravings on visits to Oxford, London or in the nearby village of Great Tew at Quince and Clover (you can read all about that in a separate post).  One day I was cycling to the swimming pool early in the morning when I passed a coffee cart.  It was still closed at that time but I stored it in my 'to be tried at some point' part of my brain (although I must admit, I didn't have particularly high expectations) and then promptly forgot about it.  A few weeks later, an article popped up on my phone about it.  Reading that Harriet had worked as a barista in London for 12 years got me excited - it seemed she could be the one to make me a great flat white! From her small cart, The Bar...

February 2020 Shrove Tuesday! Arguably the best day of the season.  So many delicious pre-Lent treats from all different cultures. Dutch Pancakes What better way to celebrate than at a Dutch pancake house.  Dutch pancakes are a slightly thicker version of French crepes, and there are some weird and wonderful flavour combos.  I loved the concept of this one where the bacon is cooked in to the pancake batter.  The sweetness of the apples pair perfectly with the saltiness of the bacon, whilst adding some bite.  Syrup optional.  Does this count as the main course or pudding pancake?! Try it at Little Amsterdam in Banbury. Semla Or go Swedish with a semla.  Generally sold from January until Shrove Tuesday, these are cardamom buns filled with almond paste and whipped cream.  Heavy buns, full of flavour - strong cardamom and almond, which I found a little overpowering, and lashings of cream.  Although I wasn't altogether taken by...