Wednesday, 18 April 2012

La Mercat de Boqueria (Boqueria Market) Barcelona

When its a grey and miserable morning in Manchester (which it is most days lets face it) my thoughts often turn to more sunnier places I have visited.
A few years ago I spent almost a month living in Barcelona. I had just graduated University and after a four day trip there to celebrate, I fell in love with the place. On returning home I was sick with longing to be back there so myself and a friend arranged to go back for a longer time period - this time staying in a beautiful apartment where you could see the old Trividabo amusement park from our room.

Each morning, I would take a solitary walk down to La Boqueria - an historic marketplace that is a buzz of activity that appeals to every sense. I would take in all the bright colours of the fruit and vegetable stalls first, and pick up one on the freshly made juices to accompany me on my journey of exploration.


The juices were a perfect morning refreshment to accompany on my journey, with every variety of fruit sold available in juice form.



It was such a treat to see freshly picked produce, with its vibrant aromas and colours. None of that supermarket rubbish here.




There were even freshly made fruit smoothie ice lollies for those really hot days


Next I would move on to the butchers and admire the vast array of meats available.


I would approach the butchers stalls with caution as sometimes I would find stripped sheeps heads and skinned rabbits (their beady eyes staring back at me) and all manner of other gruesome looking animal guts and body parts. But it was fascinating to see the various things that are used in Spanish/Catalan cooking. We are far too squeamish in England a lot of the time, and here they were putting every last part of the animal to use in some way or other.



 One day I purchased an enourmous chicken to cook a traditional roast dinner for our flatmates, giving them a taste of a British favourite that is always a crowd pleaser! The chicken was completely intact, head and all. I watched as the butcher skillfully removed all my unwanted parts, leaving me the neck to use for a chicken stock. One thing he failed to remove though was the heart. There was a horror movie scene back at the apartment when myself and a flatmate attempted to remove it, blood spattering all over the cupboards! But the taste of the chicken when cooked was very distinctive, and so much better than those bought in a supermarket back in England.


It was in Barcelona that I first developed a taste for Seafood. I was never a fan, put off by the look of Prawns, Mussels and Scallops.  But on seeing the beautful colours and array of Seafood on display at La Boqueria I started to develop cravings for it.
I was always excited at seeing all these bizarre looking sea creatures, especially when you moved past a crab or lobster and it suddenly started to move!


Suddenly I found myself eating Paella, filled with Gambas, Languistines, Squid, Mussels - even Octopus that had been a definite no go area for me (they give me the creeps)
Next I found myself eating Moules Provencale with fresh Mussels purchased from La Boqueria.



Whilst there are plenty of Markets all over the World, La Boqueria will always be special to me. Each time I visit Barcelona, I find myself getting lost again in its hustle and bustle, admiring its wonderful variety of produce, the characters of the stall holders, and the amazing smells and colours that greet me.

Tuesday, 17 April 2012

Remember Me to All At Home...

On May 1st one of two articles written and photographed by moi shall go on sale nationally. I am so unbelievably excited about this, I cannot tell you! They will be part of the first issue of a new magazine called Pretty Nostalgic. One is a 4 four page food feature, whilst the other is about a very treasured collection of love letters, postcards, photographs and greeting cards sent between two of my distant relatives during World War II.

I won't spoil the feature by giving much more away but the collection is something that is very special to me, with its beautiful relics of this distant era. It is filled with nostalgia and romance, each letter showing the decay of time, each unique and full of longing.

I produced a handbound book featuring the artefacts as a one off a few years ago, but I am thinking of selling a special limited edtion batch of them once the article goes on sale...




Friday, 13 April 2012

Photos from the city....

A few examples of some of my street photography...






Happy Belated Easter!

Over the Easter weekend I baked these cute Spring time animal cookies! Had lots of fun decorating them, although they do look a bit like they were made by a child!

Tuesday, 3 April 2012

Banana & Cinnamon Loaf Cake....

Yesterday I was feeling a little down in the dumps, and when I feel like that I find some baking therapy usually helps. Some times I really want to bake but can't be bothered with all the faff and mess of making full on cakes with icing...all that mess and washing up is only going to put me in a worse mood!

Loaf cakes are the perfect thing to make on days like this. You make your one mix, put it in a loaf tin, whack it in the oven and wait...then there you have it! Instant cake! (well almost instant) Whilst baking away in the oven, the kitchen filled with the beautiful aromas of banana and cinnamon too which was a delight!

I love making this recipe, its deliciously moist and moreish!








Giraffes...

Recently we went to Chester Zoo for my birthday (yes I am  big kid still) I took these pics of the Giraffes.



Sunday, 1 April 2012

Stockport Vintage Village 11th March 2012 (better late than never posting this)

Its been over a month since the last Vintage Fair at Stockport Vintage Village, but it was a fantastic fair (I purchased an amazing Scottish Made red, blue and white tartan cape for a steal at £20 from a very nice lady, as well as a couple of vintage dress patterns)

I also had a chat with two ladies that had craft stalls at the fair, both with beautiful products and wonderfully presented stands...

The first was Sesame and Lilly. I was blown away by her stall which was filled with french love letters and postcards printed onto pretty floral fabrics and lace. She produces a vast array of items, from hand bound journals, to cosmetic cases and cushions, lavender pillows and sewing cases (I am definitely purchasing one at the next show)

I was particularly interested in her use of the old letters and postcards as I have recently completed a feature for a magazine sharing my own collection of  love letters, postcards, photographs and greetings cards sent between my Great Aunt & Uncle during World War II.

You can view here beautiful blog at: http://sesameandlilly.blogspot.co.uk/

You can visit her shop at: http://sesameandlilly.bigcartel.com/

(Note my pictures do not do the stall justice!!)





The second ladies stall I saw that I particularly liked was called Nellie and Elsie. I particularly liked her handbound books (but my picture did not come out very clear) as well as her earring range and the charming 'Key To Happiness' gift set.

You can view her blog at: http://nellieandelsie.blogspot.co.uk/





Oooh Betty...

I also popped into the Craft Fair that was on next to the Heaton Moor Producers Market and saw this ladies stall - Ooh Betty. I have also seen her standing at both Stockport Vintage Village and Altricham Vintage Market. I had a chat with her and took a few pictures of her stall which is absolutely gorgeous.

http://ooohbetty.blogspot.co.uk

shop: www.folksy.com/shops/Ooohbetty





Handmade Feast, Heaton Moor Producers Market

Yesterday I went along to Heaton Moor Producers Market to see Richard from the Handmade Feast and his stall. I have recently written an article for Pretty Nostalgic magazine and featured some of his Scotch Eggs. His stall was beautiful presented with a real rustic feel to it. I can highly recommend his Scotch Eggs which he does in Chorizo, Black Pudding, Confit Duck and Smoked Haddock Varieties, as well as the original sausagemeat.
His Mature Cheddar and Poppy Seed Scones are also delicious! As well as these, Richard produces flatbreads and an assortment of houmous and dips. He is available to cater for events:

http://www.thehandmadefeast.com/