Guide to Rome

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The Alice House

Yesterday while killing time in West Hampsted (as you do) I discovered The Alice House. Perfectly balanced between a pub and a restaurant, its food was classic yet wonderfully fresh. Inside there is a quirky mixture of both the rustic and the incredibly modern which most certainly appealed to my love of aesthetically pleasing places. The staff were friendly, the wine was certainly drinkable (perhaps a little too drinkable) and the food was delicious. Great for a meal with friends or a girly catch up over a bottle of wine! 

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Food for thought

To coincide with Jane Green's Book 'The Love Verb' Penguin have made a booklet of recipe's available to download which not only raise awareness for Breast Cancer but are the perfect gift for Mother's Day.

After stopping her life to look after a friend diagnosed with stage four breast cancer,  Jane was inspired to write a novel about two sisters, one of which is diagnosed with breast cancer and the way in which it affects their lives and the lives of those around them. While she was looking after her friend she used to cook for her family each evening, and so at the end of each chapter is a recipe for one of her favourite meals. I am definitely inspired.

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Lunch time inspirations...

 

{Lunch Inspiration}

 - Spinach, Stilton and Pumpkin Seed and Olive Salad -

Simple. 

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Chickpea, Sweet Potato and Spinach Salad...

This is one of my lunch time favourites, so easy and relatively inexpensive!

You will need: 

1/2 can of Chickpeas 

1/2 a large Sweet Potato 

Spinach

(Optional Herbs and Spices: Cumin + Thyme)

For the Dressing: 

1 tsp Balsalmic Vinegar 

3 tsp Olive Oil

A Pinch of Salt

1/2 tsp Whole Grain Mustard 

1/2 tsp Sugar

Serves 1.

Peel the sweet potato, and cube. Put this in a baking tray with some olive oil (the 1cal oil spray is great if you are trying to be healthy...) season with salt, pepper and a bit of thyme. Place in a relatively hot oven for about 20 mins. Meanwhile, make up the dressing and wash the spinach. Heat the chickpeas either in the microwave or in a pan of boiling water - this usually doesn't take more than a couple of minutes. When draining them sprinkle them with a little salt and cumin for a slightly Moroccan feel then place everything in a bowl and drizzle with dressing.

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