The Old Boathouse, Amble

Northumberland has been generous to us this weekend both in terms of the weather the bounty of seafood on offer. We decided as a last adventure to head to Amble. Somewhere on my list but not yet visited. I had heard that the Old Boathouse was the place to eat and we got lucky. We called in. No table but they could give us a table in 45 minutes. Excellent! A wander around the lovely harbour pods that showcase local food and artists then we would eat. 20 minutes later they rang to say it was ready early. Even better. This service alone impressed me before we even got to the food.

We realised how fortunate we were when everyone else who arrived that afternoon without a reservation walked away disappointed. The great thing about this place is that it really focuses on local seafood. They have a regular menu but the excitement lies in the specials board based on local catch available that day.

We decided to share a portion of salt and chilli squid to start. Simple and delicious. The crumb on the squid was beautifully light.

When we had walked in earlier I had spotted a lady with a huge bowl of langoustines. I couldn’t get them out of my head so that’s what I ordered.

I was not disappointed. They were deliciously sweet and juicy. I made a mess but I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner!

Mr Frivolitea had whole wood roast seabass stuffed with orange, chilli and tarragon and served with an olive and sunblushed tomato salad. This was also really beautifully cooked and full of flavour.

One thing I do know is that on our next trip to Northumberland we will be booking a table here. What a discovery!

Beaches Seafood Shack

You have probably worked this out already but I absolutely love seafood. Any opportunity to eat it I will take. Today we spent the morning birdwatching on Staple Island and decided to go somewhere different for lunch in the afternoon. We decided on Alnmouth. Not far south of where we were staying and the promise of lovely views and the beach. A quick search led us to the Guardian and an article they posted last year about cheap eats in the area including mention of a seafood shack. So off we went and I am REALLY glad we did.

This place is very unassuming with a hand painted sign and hand written notes and menu outside, but it delivers in abundance.

The note on the door sealed it for me….read it for yourself….

The hand written menu inside made me grin from ear to ear, the only difficult bit was deciding what to have. Actually it wasn’t that difficult.

They had half lobster and fries for less than a tenner. Decision made. (Ten minutes later they sold out) We chose to eat in as there were three little tables inside and watched a number of people come in for takeaway. It is clearly a popular place.
My lobster and fries was perfect. That’s all I can say. It really was.

Mr Frivolitea ordered the smoked haddock Mac n cheese in a pot. He was delighted and is planning his next visit.

What a find this place was! I can’t wait to see what is on offer next time we visit.

Babushka

Babushka is exactly the sort of place you want to while away a few hours on a Saturday or on holiday. A wonderful host (George’s love of coffee and Babushka is infectious) Fantastic coffee, a small but perfectly formed menu and one of the best views you could ever wish for of the beach and the sea. Even on a bad day the view is wonderful. There isn’t really much else to say. This place is perfect. It’s why we keep coming back.

The Parson’s Nose, Hillsborough

On a short visit home recently, mum, dad and I took the opportunity to visit the Parson’s nose for Sunday lunch. The Parson’s Nose do a great Sunday lunch offer with a set price menu of two or three courses. It offers really great value and has a lot of local produce at the heart of the menu.
For starter I chose the beetroot cured Glenarm salmon, chives creme fraiche and crispy fish cake. This was a great dish. The smoked salmon was really good and the little fish cake added a great bit of texture to the plate. My dad had the smoked haddock, bacon and scallion chowder. (Scallions are spring onions for my English readers!) The chowder came with wheaten bread and Abernethy butter which is the most delicious local butter. I highly recommend you try some. I mean Heston uses it….

For main course mum and dad had the roast beef. The beef just melted in the mouth! I had the roast fillet of hake with lobster cream sauce and charred lemon. Simple and delicious.

For pudding dad and I had the buttermilk pannacotta, spiced gingerbread madeline, and orange syrup. I really loved the creaminess of the pannacotta (dad always compares any pannacotta to the Poacher’s Pocket where I haven’t yet been. He said this was nearly as good) I also loved the spice of the gingerbread. It added a lovely warmth to the dish.

I’d certainly a visit to The Parson’s Nose. The food was influenced by local produce, was high quality and it was fantastic value for three courses.

Kingston Arms, Cambridge

A brief blog! We were in Cambridge over the weekend with friends and decided to go to their local pub, tucked away off Mill Road for Sunday lunch before the drive home. Oh how I wish our local was like this. A fantastic free house, serving great beer and with a really decent menu. The menu includes regular specials including a fish specials board. Wow. We couldn’t decide. And so shared a couple of specials.

Smoked salmon, horseradish potato salad and side salad. Simple and delicious and just right for a hot summer’s day.

A slice of cold pork and mushroom pie with chips and side salad. Another really tasty dish

Mr Frivolitea also enjoyed his sticky toffee pudding

What I loved aobut this place was it’s honesty. It serves delicious plates of food with no prevention. It doesn’t need to add anything because the quality speaks for itself and it also has a great selection of beers. What a find!

Isle of Harris Distillery

We have been on numerous distillery tours over the last few years. I love whisky and I love the opportunity to find out more about how each distiller crafts their whisky (and of course its nice to have a wee dram too) However this tour was unlike any we have been on before. I can honestly say it was the best (though I feel the need to apologise to my home country and Bushmills Distillery which is very good too!)

What made this tour stand out from the rest was the story and how every aspect of the distillery, from the fabric of the building, the people that work there and the whisky and gin they are producing brims with pride for the Island and really shows the uniqueness of Harris as a community island.

In fact, the distillery refers to itself as a social distillery and that is exactly what it is. The distillery was built by the people of Harris for the people of Harris and that is what will make it successful. In fact one of the builders involved in building the distillery is now a distiller. The ethos of this place is to train and grow local people to become experts rather than bring people from outside. Photos of those that work in the distillery adorn the walls showing them at work and in their daily lives.

Unlike other tours we began in the tasting room, a wonderful room reflecting a whisky cask. The Harris tweed abacus was used to explain the flavour notes of the Whisky they are producing called Heurach. They are aiming to bottle at 4 years but will only bottle when it is ready. It was also explained that they are planning a full voice and softly spoken whisky. (the names again being a reminder about the connection to the island)

From the tasting room we then had the opportunity to learn more about the flavours of the whisky and gin up in the gallery and then a chance to look at the stills and the warehouse. The interesting thing about the Isle of Harris gin is the addition of sugar kelp to the botanicals, giving it a unique (and really lovely flavour) There is only hint of the sugar kelp but the distillery also sells sugar kelp water that you can then add to your gin if you want more of the flavour.

We had a great opportunity to chat with those that work in the distillery and you really felt a part of their community when on the tour.

After the tour we went into the ‘canteen’ for lunch. A fantastic little place where even in here the island is reflected in the oak tables and metal legs in the shape of an H. The canteen has a simple menu of soups, cakes and scones. Today’s choice was Broccoli, cheddar and basil soup and Haddock Chowder. We had one of each and they were really delicious

When we returned back to the croft at Arivruach we decided to have a gin looking out over Loch Seaforth to toast a great day out!

Mountain Cafe, Aviemore

For many years we have made the long (long long) trip to the Outer Hebrides. It is worth every second of the long journey but more of that another time. For the last 5 years, thanks to a recommendation, we have stopped at the Mountain café in Aviemore en route. I love this place, the walls and ceilings are decked with climbing gear and the cake counter is a thing of beauty. The café’s popularity is clear to see from the many awards on the walls and the queue to get in. The food is fresh and creative with plenty of healthy and vegetarian options.

One of my favourite dishes (the one I have usually ordered) is the New Zealand style sweetcorn fritters (the chef patron is from New Zealand).

When we visited this time I had a mild panic as it wasn’t on the menu. However, I then spotted curried cauliflower fritters with sour cream and mango chutney on the menu. Panic over. Cauliflower is my favourite vegetable and this dish did not disappoint. Wonderfully light fritters packed full of flavour. The mango chutney and sour cream really brought the dish together.

On our journey back from Lewis we stopped again, this time queuing for 20 minutes ( I told you this place was good). This time I had the special – chilli coriander haggis pakoras with minted yoghurt and mango chutney. Words cannot explained how wonderful this was. Really stunning. I’m craving them now as I type.

You need to visit here, really you do.

Cookbook Challenge April

This month’s cookbook was Hemsley and Hemsley. A mixed month with some recipes working well and others just not having the flavour I’d hope. The revelations for me were the cauliflower mash and celeriac fries. They will become staples in the Frivolitea household.

Week 1 Huevos Racheros with guacamole. We really liked this. The guacamole was a great addition and we will add this to Shakshukit / Huevos rancheros every time from now on.

Week 2 spicy chicken thighs with watercress salsa verde. ( lacked flavour which surprised me!)

Week 3 no fry chicken curry with broccoli rice. This was easy to do in the slow cooker but rather wet. Would add less liquid in future.

Week 4 chicken comfort pie ( cauliflower mash topping) this was a great ‘leftovers’ recipe and the cauliflower mash is a real hit.

The extra recipe! Mexican beef and carrot burgers with celeriac fries. A real hit with enough mix left to make some meatballs to have with courgette and tomato sauce for another meal.

Blueberry and Lemon Scones

I made these scones using my thermomix but they are easily done by hand.

370g self raising flour

40g golden caster sugar

1tsp baking powder

Zest of a lemon

80g unsalted butter

150g blueberries

100ml single cream

1tsp vanilla extract

2 eggs
Heat oven to 180c

Put the flour, sugar, baking powder, lemon zest and butter in the thermomix and knead for 20 seconds on the dough setting ( if doing by hand rub the butter into the mix to resemble breadcrumbs)

Mix the cream, vanilla extract and eggs together. Add this to the mix along with the blueberries and knead again for 10 seconds on the dough setting ( if doing by hand mix to combine it to a dough)

Tip out onto a floured surface and shape into a round. Transfer to a baking tray and score into 8 triangles.

Bake for 25 minutes

Wild Garlic Soda Bread

I’ve said it before, I love soda bread, it’s quick and easy to make, it smells amazing and most of all it reminds me of home. I also love this time of year and nature’s gift of wild garlic. So here’s my new recipe for wild garlic soda bread.

450g plain flour.

1 teaspoon each of sugar and salt.

1 1/2 teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda.

1/4 tsp chilli flakes.

Approx 50g wild garlic chopped.

284ml tub buttermilk.

100ml milk.

1 tbsp lemon juice

Preheat the oven at 180c fan

Sift the dry ingredients into a bowl, then add the wild garlic.

Add the buttermilk, milk and lemon juice and mix until the dough starts to come together.
On a floured surface knead lightly and shape it into a round loaf or put in a bread pot ( I like the way this bakes the bread)

Bake for about 40-45 minutes ( until golden and it sounds hollow when you tap the bottom of it)