The Waterside Inn

It was my Mum's 60th birthday a few days ago and we celebrated by going to the 3 Michelin star Waterside Inn, at Bray on the River Thames. It was 10 years since I was last there, and it was even more wonderful than it was before. 

The service is impeccable, and the food is so light and delicious- perfect for the hot summers day that it was. 

The location is beautiful, right on the river Thames. We had a bottle of champagne and some delectable looking canapes on the terrace overlooking the river before going in to dine.

I love the Roux brothers and their food, my parents are particular fans of Le Gavroche in London which is Michel Roux Jnr's restaurant. Alain Roux is the head chef at the Waterside Inn, and it is completely worthy of its 3 Michelin stars! I would highly recommend anyone go there, maybe not everyday but certainly for a special occasion!

These were our beautiful selection of canapes. 

Below is the Cheese board selection that we had.

My plate of cheese.

We then enjoyed copious amounts of coffee and petit fours outside on the terrace after our lunch!

The beautiful little petit fours!

The birthday girl and my Dad and I!

Looking down the river Thames from the Waterside Inn.

xXx

Zesty Cannellini Bean Dip

I have made this dip a few times in the past, but as I usually make up the recipe I can never remember exactly what I put in it the last time I made it- 

So this time I am getting the recipe down on here! 

It is a really delicious and tasty dip, that is super easy to make and is a great alternative to hummus if you don't have any chickpeas in the cupboard! I find that by using Cannellini beans the dip is really creamy and doesn't require any oil which is good. The zest gives it a nice kick as well.

Serve it with some crudites or tortillas! 

Recipe: (makes 1 large bowl/tub)

- 1 Can of Cannellini beans

- 1/2 Lemon, juice and zest

- 1 Lime, juice and zest

- Good bunch of Chives, Coriander and mint (whichever fresh herbs you have!)

- 1/2 tsp Chilli flakes

- 1 tsp ground Cumin 

- 1/2 garlic powder/ granules (can use fresh)

- Salt and Pepper

To make:

- Put all of the ingredients in to a food processor and whizz until smooth. This may take a few minutes- it will look dry to begin with but as it is whizzed more it becomes smoother! 

- Empty the dip out in to a pretty bowl and if you like, drizzle with a little oil and sprinkle with fresh herbs. 

 - Then serve with crudites and crisps!

All the ingredients in the food processor ready for whizzing!

The finished dip ready for devouring!! 

  Enjoy! 

xXx

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chunk Cookies

I absolutely LOVE peanut butter! So when I came across this recipe on Averie Cooks website, I knew they had to be made!

 I then took them with me to my friend Ginny's BBQ, and they certainly went down well. They are so easy to make, have a wonderful soft and chewy consistency and are also gluten free which is always a plus! 

Recipe: (makes 12 medium sized cookies)

- 1 cup of peanut butter

- 1 cup of light brown sugar

- 1 egg

- 1 tbsp vanilla extract

- 1 tsp baking powder

- 50g dark chocolate, chopped in to chunks (can use milk/white also)

How to make:

- Preheat the oven to 180c, and line and grease 2 baking trays.

- Measure out and then put all of the ingredients, apart from the chocolate chunks, in to a large bowl and stir vigourously (as the mix will be quite stiff) until combined. Then add the chocolate chunks and stir them in.

- Put the mixture on to the baking trays, making 12 blobs of the mixture. Space them evenly apart as they spread when they are in the oven. Bake for about 8 minutes, but keep an eye on them as they can over bake very quickly. 

- Take them out of the oven when they are golden brown on top, they will still be slightly squidgey. Let them cool on a wire rack and then tuck in! 

Note: They are best enjoyed on the day you baked them, as they tend to get a little chewy overnight. But they could probably be refreshed by popping them in the oven for a few minutes.

Photo how to:

I used Waitrose smooth peanut butter

All the ingredients in the bowl before mixing

After mixing- it is quite a stiff mixture

The mixture spaced out on a lined baking tray

And the finished cookies! Yummy!

xXx

Simple Guacamole

I have to confess that I have never been a lover of avocado's, but recently my friend Eva has converted me with her delicious guacamole that she made me. 

It turns out that guacamole is so easy to make, and with the addition of a few ingredients, its really delicious! 

(Scroll down for the recipe)

Of course the Guacamole must be served with tortilla chips (my favourite!). 

I love R.W Garcia's tortilla chips, as they have a lot of really delicious flavours. The Thai, Blue and Veggie ones are the best. Waitrose sells the Thai ones in the gluten free section, and the others are available at places like Whole Foods or other independent fine food shops. 

Recipe: (serves about 4)

- 3 ripe Avocados 

- Good sprig of Coriander

- 1/4 red Onion

- Juice and zest of 1 Lime

- 1 medium sized Tomato, chopped finely

- Sprinkle of Chilli flakes

To make:

- Put all of the ingredients, apart from the tomato, in to a food processor and pulse until combined. Scrape down the sides and whizz again, but make sure not to whizz too much as this will make it too smooth - as you want to have a few chunky bits. 

- Stir in the tomato bits and then put the Guacamole in to a pretty bowl. Serve with plenty of tortilla chips and preferably enjoy with friends! 

Enjoy! 

xXx