Afternoon Tea!

I love the idea of afternoon tea. I think in one episode of the Sopranos when Carmela and Meadow go to a stunning hotel for a high tea afternoon I always thought... ooh how posh.

We had spent the day entertaining ourselves around Edinburgh, and had filled up on breakfast, but had not had lunch, so we thought a nice cup of tea would re-fuel our batteries, and again Miss L (she does have a fantastic knowledge of great places to eat in Edinburgh) made a suggestion: Mimi's at the Shore.

As soon as I walked in I was taken aback with the luscious decor, reminiscent of a french boudoir: everything decadent, bold and oh so inviting.

As soon as we saw the menu, all 3 of us decided we'd have the 'Awe-inspiring Afternoon Tea' £13.95 per person. It comprised tea, sandwiches and a selection of sweets.

The girls preparing, behind a selection of cakes and slices.

Gasps of pleasure as our pots of tea and towers of delicious temptation arrived at our table. The presentation was absolutely divine.

Our sweets: cupcake, melting moment, chocolate-coconut bounty slice, plain scone, fruit scone, meringue with clotted cream and raspberries.

Tower for 2

Tower for one

The tea, by TeaPigs, was absolutely wonderful.

We pondered for a moment as to which order to eat our pickings, I decided savoury then sweet, and repeat.

The sandwiches were lovely, I just love sandwiches made by anyone else. I rarely eat sandwiches anymore, as I spend most of my time trying to avoid wheat, but when I do allow myself, I remember what a wonderful food bread and sandwiches are. Beautifully soft, fresh bread, and I love that they are served crusts off, and oh so little.

Ham and mustard, smoked salmon and cucumber, egg and watercress sandwiches.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Kitchen Candy Hamburgers

This is adorable!

I had one not dissimilar when I was young. But mine was just the molds and rollups were used for the cheese, biscuits for the bun etc etc: it tasted terrible. This one is meant to taste like hamburgers. Hmmm.

No surprise really... word is, that McDonalds' Cheeseburgers need the pickle, because without the veg content and with the sugar content as it is, it would actually come under 'confectionery'. Not complaining tho.

Sunday Lunch (The Australian Way)

The last time my friends B&A had be over for lunch, they introduced me to their Polish heritage. This sunday, having them as guests at mine, I thought I'd show then a fairly typically Australian Sunday lunch.

Another steak post.

If you have read my other steak post, I have based this lunch on the premise of that- Steak, Salad and Potato. But it's such a perfect combination.

I started with my meat, 2 pieces of sirloin and 1 of rib eye which i let come to room temperature (which was a measly 6deg) and marinated the steaks in cracked pepper and olive oil.

The salad was a rocket leaf mix, celery, shallot, pine nuts, avocado, nectarine, sun-blushed tomato which I dressed with a pear balsamic vinegar, and olive oil.

The baby potatoes I boiled skin on in heavily salted water and chili flakes. And I made a spicey mushroom cream sauce by sauteing mushrooms and red chillies then mixing in single cream. It was quite hot but very delicious.

As A is one of the most amazing cake makers I have ever met, I chose a cheese board for dessert. As I hadn't been to the shops, it was quite a simple cheese board, but still a tasty mix of Arran Chedder, Jarlsberg, a mild chedder, a chicken liver pate, caramelised onions, and grapes. I served these with oat cakes.

The lunch was great, B&A enjoyed it thouroughly. They were surprised at how big the lunch was, but couldn't believe how good they felt afterwards.

As a belated Christmas present they bought me the most amazing hamper of Polish sweets, treats and snacks. I have already started on it... they're amazing!