Eat Like an Italian: A Pick of Summers Best (Foodie Favourites)

12 years ago on a family holiday I discovered a love for Italian food and and everything Mediterranean really. I've been eating pizza and pasta ever since (who hasn't) and have dreams of living there one day.  The truth is that Mediterranean diets are scientifically proven to be some of the healthiest in the world, full of fresh fruit and veg and monounsaturated fats (the healthy fats). Families in some parts of Italy (such as Sardinia) regularly live beyond 100. Parmiagana melanzane is an aubergine and mozzarella dish and is up there as one of my favourites!

For a simpler summer salad that isn't all green lettuce and rabbit food (can you tell I'm not fond of the stuff?) try a basic Caprese salad by slicing mozzarella and tomato, sprinkling with olive oil, salt and pepper and adding basil leaves.

Frittata or quiche are other options for using up veg and eggs without eating lettuce all summer long. This is a sweet potato and green bean frittata made by my mum.

Strawberries and blueberries are great but peaches have to be the best of the summer fruit, right?

I hope you enjoyed this post and maybe even got some ideas for your shopping list or menu. Ciao!

Carpe Diem xx

Foodie Friday: Cooper's Sour Dough Bread

I've always liked the idea of baking and eating fresh pastries and bread, mostly because my mum has always been into it. Today we went on another foodie adventure, this time to collect fresh sour dough bread from a local deli that is supplied by Cooper's. Cooper's Bakehouse is a small business that bakes fresh bread from scratch every day and supplies delis and businesses in south London. Yum! A chewy, well-baked texture that passes the 'sniff' freshness test.

http://www.coopersbakehouse.com/

Carpe Diem xx

Foodie Friday: Fruitarians for the Day (A Spitalfields Market Adventure)

There are amazing wholesale fresh fruit and veg markets all over Europe and the world. They are often hidden gems that masterfully supply produce to restaurants, market stalls and traders. I love an adventure and when I was invited to go the Spitalfields New Market in Leyton, East London, at 5am, I said yes. Secret melting pots of culture and languages, places like this are even better when you find them 'under your nose'.

We came back with plenty of mangoes, strawberries and cherries to start a health kick and become fruitarians for the day. Homemade foodie chutney, jam, ice cream and sorbet to come!

If you could exist on one fruit alone, which would it be?

Carpe Diem xx

Foodie Friday: The Goods Shed Canterbury Restaurant Review

I went for lunch at The Goods Shed in Canterbury to celebrate my birthday with my parents. The Goods Shed is a tucked-away farmers market in a large warehouse building. On a mezzanine level is The Goods Shed restaurant, which serves fresh homemade dishes made from local produce, some from the Kent area.

For Main: I wasn't feeling hungry, so I just had a vegetarian...joking! So, even though I was very hungry, nothing could have prepared me for what would arrive when I ordered the vegetarian platter! The Christmas-turkey sized plate was packed with delicious rocket, stuffed mushroom on toast, apple and leek soup, couscous, roast carrots and boiled egg. Generally very good quality and fresh ingredients, but the quantity was too much for little me to be able to finish!

For Dessert: Of course I had to leave room to treat myself...with chocolate brownie and salted caramel ice cream and clotted cream! Slightly dry but delicious with the ice cream, which tasted home made.

When my mum first asked for a place to take me out for lunch I was a little dazed as Canterbury has one of the high streets most densely populated with cafes and restaurants than I've ever come across. However, slightly off the beaten track and off the main high streets, set in a charming farmers market setting and spacious surroundings, The Goods Shed was definately the best choice I could have made!

The Goods Shed: Station Road West, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 8AN, 01227 459153. 

Open lunch, Tues-Sun, noon-2.30pm (3pm Sat & Sun), dinner, Tues-Sat, dinner 6-9.30pm. Three-courses for about £30 a head, plus drinks and service.

Carpe Diem xx