Category: Lifestyle

Some things just go together like eggs + bacon, strawberries + cream and so on. For me, chilli and Nachos are a winning partnership! Having tried unsuccessfully to get into Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen in Cornwall, my friend and I ended up in the Beach Hut restaurant which is part of the Watergate Bay Hotel in […]

I woke this morning to the most stunning view of the beach. It really set me up for the day and if it had been even just a little bit less chilly, I might have been tempted by a swim in the sea! Instead, I wrapped up warm and stood on the balcony of my […]

I was dining in the main restaurant in the lovely Watergate Bay hotel in Newquay and this starter just jumped out at me- Beetroot hummus, barrel aged feta and coriander I love all these ingredients so putting them together was a no brainer for me! The beetroot hummus was so delicately flavoured and garnished with […]

The watergate Hotel in Newquay is situated in quite a dramatic setting with stunning views of the beach. It has a very casual atmosphere suitable for the surfers that usually frequent the place. This is my second time in the hotel. The first time the sun was shining, we ate al fresco and I enjoyed […]

While waiting for friends to join us for a late lunch in the Watergate Bay hotel in Newquay, my friend Adam and I had a sneaky little shared platter. To be fair we had an early flight in and no breakfast so we were famished The vegetarian platter was second to none with roasted butternut […]

That’s what I was always told growing up and unfortunately I have always done the opposite (typical rebel!) which probably explains why I am not the healthiest person on the planet, even if I do try. I am now deciding to attempt to follow the mantra and today I have started my day with the King […]

This Pataks Madras curry paste makes a delicious curry without all the hassle of grinding the spices. I have tried a few of the varieties and am keen on the balti too but this one is a favourite as it is just a tad stronger. Made with a blend of coriander, cumin, chilli, turmeric, ginger, […]

Natural yoghurt is definitely one of the most versatile ingredients!  I use it in everything, from salad dressings and soups, to sauces, dips and desserts. it is a healthy option and I often use it as an alternative to cream or creme fraiche. I particularly like using this in curries and spicy sauces as it […]

I haven’t had a Loveheart sweet since I was a kid (and that wasn’t yesterday!). I saw these in the flybmi lounge and just had to have them. The sweet sugary taste and fizzing sensation took me straight back to childhood. If the taste hasn’t changed, the sentiments certainly have- I couldn’t believe it. Instead […]

I do love sauces. Anything in a sauce works for me and a sauce on the side just completes a dish. Whenever there is a choice of sauce though- it creates a diIemna for me and I just struggle to decide. I was in the Groomsport inn for a spot of lunch and ordered the […]

I love soups. All different types of soups and the thing I love most is that they are so easy to make. Sometimes however a shop bought soup is hard to resist and I couldn’t resist the look of this one when I saw it on the shelf on Tesco It boasts open cup, shittake […]

I adore popcorn but it really has to be salted. I could eat bucket loads of the stuff if I had the chance. If I’m very honest, I find myself suggesting an outing to the cinema, just to get my mitts on the popcorn!! Today was no different. I went to see the film Contraband […]

I am very fond of a good coleslaw but it is very easy to get it wrong. I love coleslaws made with a bit of a twist and the more unusual the better! This is a lovely combination of cabbage, onion and chopped cranberries with mayonnaise and sweet chilli sauce I used this to fill […]

The packaging for this caught my eye and I thought it would make a tasty lunch. It is simple to cook with a foil bake bag. All you do is place the bag on a baking tray in the oven with enough room for the bag to double in size. I chose the sweet chilli […]

I love the cocktails in the Merchant hotel, Belfast.  They are exquisite and a lovely start to any evening.  This cocktail, is normally called  a blushing lady and is made with Vodka, fresh pomegranate juice, fresh white grapefruit and lemon juices, house-made orgeat syrup and a dribble of rosewater.  It has recently been renamed as the […]

Tayto crisps are generally considered to be the ultimate in crisps. I have spent many a happy hour doing the Tayto castle tour in Tandragee where you can see the crisps being made. Even better, you can eat the crisps straight out of the fryer! I haven’t eaten Tayto onion rings for years but I […]