Book: The Independant Coffee Book London

I ordered this book from Amazon as an 'I love you' present for my parents/ out of intrigue for myself.  Because this book is so cute I thought I must share a few of it's pages on this blog.  The book is essentially a compilation of some of London's independent coffee houses.  As a huge coffee obsessive this book is a little gem. 

I am ashamed to say that I am a bit of a coffee snob.  After getting used to drinking gorgeous strong black coffee's in the independent cafe's in South Africa (namely Melissa's coffee) or the Illy or Segafredo coffee's in Valencia, I am now accustomed to the decadent rich bitter taste.  The chain shops of Starbucks, Costa and Eat now taste like old washing up water (they use only one shot of espresso).  If all was lost I would chose Nero or Pret as their standard coffee is two shots.  However, the independent cafe's pride themselves on good coffee. Aside from helping a new independent business, you are almost guaranteed a fantastic full flavoured coffee. 

As well as the cute cafes recommendations in London,  the book also informs you of coffee terms like 'crema' and 'tamp' as well as a little history lesson about coffee. I learnt that the term 'Americano' (my favourite coffee) derives from the American soldiers adding hot water to the  typical European shot of espresso during the world war.  

Please excuse my alien hands creeping in the photos- it is a compact sturdy little book, so holding its pages open with one hand is quite tricky. 

Style File: At the Coffee Shop

Boring post?  Yes probably.  But I thought I would share with you, blog reader, that I did drink coffee the other day and that I was wearing clothes.  Nothing out of the ordinary really.  I mean you wouldn't have a coffee naked would you?  

I wore:

Grey Beanie: Zara

Neon sequin grey jumper: Whistles

Necklace: South Africa

Nails: Jessica

Leather Look Leggings: Miss Selfridge

Coat: Zara TRF

Watch: Longines

Shoes: Long black riding boots by Bertie

You have probably gained nothing from reading this post.  Its not like your learning to cook a delicious healthy recipe or learning about a cool new clothing brand.  If anything this post is just to show off that I like my wardrobe and the coffee is good at a cafe called Margo and Julia's in Parsons Green. So thanks. 

Sarah X

Style File: Harry

Once again, my stylish brother Harry.  Some say he resembles Francais Boulle from Made in Chelsea.  But I just think that gossip is his round glasses talking.  Harry certainly has better style than Francais.  Although lets not be too bitchy. Francais is the best character after all. 

Style File: Sunday Coffee

Being a country bumpkin, going for coffee is a bit more of an expedition than just walking out of your house and having copious coffee shops to choose from on your doorstep.     Coffee houses are a 15- 20 minute drive away and choice is pretty much Cafe Nero, Costa Coffee or Starbucks.  Being a lover of a strong deep roast black americano, Nero is always my go-to high street coffee.  Their coffee is much better quality than that of Starbs or Costa and their coffee's are a double shot as standard- the way it should be.  

Because going for coffee has to be planned when living in country,  the casualness of wearing pj's or unsavoury tracksuit bottoms to your local coffee house is a little less acceptable.   On this occasion I wore...

Bobble Hat: Levi's

Polo Neck Cable Knit: ZARA

Fur Gilet: My Mothers

Legging: Ebay

Handbag: Anya Hindmarch

Levi's bobble hat. 

Anya Hindmarch Newspaper and Magazines handbag

Sheepskin booties and polka dot leggings. 

Happy Sunday.

Cranberry and Almond Biscotti

I have been dying to have a go making the famous Italien biscuit the biscotti.  The biscotti is my favourite biscuit:  not just because it is super tasty, crunchy and a pretty addition to one's coffee, but also because it is a healthy biscuit- guilt free and fabulous. I finally gave a recipe a go making a few changes as I went to accommodate what I had in the cupboard and what I thought would taste nice.  So here is the recipe for my healthy cranberry and almond bran biscotti biscuits.  My oh my were they yummy. 

Ingredients:

2 eggs

1 cup all purpose flour (wholewheat preferable as it contains more fiber and flavour)

3/4 cup crushed bran flakes

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 tablespoons of skimmed milk

2 tablespoons of coconut oil (you can use canola or any cooking oil but coconut what I used)

3 tablespoons of honey

1/2 teaspoon of almond extract

2/3 cup of dried cranberries

1/4 chopped almonds

Instructions: 

1) Heat oven to 180 degrees Celsius

2) In a large mixing bowl put the flour, bran flakes and baking powder. 

3) Whisk eggs in another bowl and add your other wet ingredients (milk, oil, honey, almond extract)

4) Add your wet ingredients to the other bowl of dry ingredients and mix well. You will have a ball of dough in your bowl. Now add your cranberries and almonds and mix further making sure your cranberries and almonds are right in that mix.

5) place your ball of dough onto a large piece of clingfilm and mould into a log. your log should be about 1inch high, 3 inches across and 12 inches long. With the cling film wrap the dough on either side and shape further into a smooth log. 

6) Put a baking sheet onto a tray and now put your sticky biscotti dough onto your baking sheet removing and throwing away your clingfilm. 

7) Put your biscotti log in the oven for 25-30 minutes.  Your biscotti log should be lightly brown. 

8) Leave to cool for 10 minutes.

9) With a cerated knife, cut your biscotti into slices about 1/2 inch thick. 

10) Place back onto the baking sheet and chuck in the oven for a further 10-15 minutes until toasted, lightly brown and crispy. Leave to cool.

11) Enjoy your homemade healthy biscotti. Nom nom nom.

The Kitchen and Andy

This is my boyfriend Andy.  We have been together for three and a half years. Ever since I started this blog, Andy has asked why he has not featured.- Although he says this is a jokey way, I know he secretly wants to be championed for his dress sense.  One of the things I love about Ands is how he looks after himself. He dresses well and he takes care of his body: this only results in a very polished good looking guy ... in my opinion anyway. 

So a few weeks ago Andy and I trotted along to my favourite eatery called The Kitchen in Woodstock, Cape Town. The Kitchen is a beautiful little cafe/ restaurant which prides itself in beautiful salad platters and 'the Love Sandwich'.  The cool and quirky people of Cape Town come here for a quick lunch time plate of different salads and meats, (take away optional) or a Love Sandwich. Just to explain quickly- the love sandwich was dubbed its name because it is made with love- they take some of the doughy bread filly out and replace it with their homemade red pestos marinated meats and fresh fresh greenery. As sarnies go they are cracking. 

Andy and I came for breakfast.  So whilst we sat there drinking our coffee from vintage mugs, I told Andy that today was his day: I was going to take a few photos to share on my blog. 

Andy in front of the Kitchen.  Andy wears: 

Top: Topman

Shorts: Country Road

Sunglasses: Ralph Lauren

Watch: Hugo Boss

Shoes: Converse

Sunglasses: Ralph Lauren

Vintage ceramic flower ornament at The Kitchen

Shoes under the table: Andy's high top grey converse; my metallic and leather Kurt Geiger Lucca Plimsoles. 

The Kitchen Breakfast: Scrambeled egg with chives on top, sliced avocado, rye toast, bacon, and a mini salad with gherkins and homemade dressing. 

The Kitchen's menu board. 

If you are visiting Cape Town be sure to visit this little place.  It won't disappoint. The lovely thing about this cafe is the people who run it. It was created by a woman called Karen Dudley who is passionate about her food.  Every time I have been in the Kitchen, she personally greets you and even remembers your name. Her staff obvious love her and it has a real sense of family and friendship.  I had a lovely breakfast and a delicious coffee whilst sitting next to my stylish boyfriend.  A girl cant ask for much more in a morning can they?