The Alchemist Nottingham - Review

A few weeks back, we were invited along to The Alchemist in Nottingham to sample their food and explore their kids menu.

When The Alchemist first opened here, I have to admit, I thought it was just a place for adults; an extravagant cocktail venue, not particularly suitable for the mini folk.

But it appears my first impressions were off and the team invited us along to find out just what they have to offer for the little people as well as us grown ups.

Located in the old Prudential Assurance building, one of Nottingham's finest example of Victorian architecture, the sympathetic interior stylings of The Alchemist made much better use of the space than previous inhabitants had done.

The internal design made great use of an alchemy theme, the walls covered in scientific diagrams and the shelves lined with glass flasks and tubing. Even with the presence of a few hen parties, it still felt pretty chilled out. We were seated in a booth and it felt like we were in a little private bubble of our own.

The children's menus come in a little packet with some crayons, it isn't a huge menu but then kids menus never are; however with a choice of wraps or a bento box, it really didn't need to be as these will satisfy even the fussiest eaters in my opinion.

The kids picked what they wanted and set about colouring in, drawing and playing noughts and crosses. I loved that were were several things for the kids to do in their activity books and it pretty much kept them occupied until our food arrived at the table.

The adult menu is extensive and I loved the choice and flavour pairings.  I went for the duck with tender stem broccoli, harissa yoghurt and sweet potato fondant. The combination of sweet potato and spicy harissa worked really well and it was cooked and presented to a high standard.

The children's lunches came in Japanese style Bento Boxes, we use a Yumbox Bento box for school packed lunches and they have always worked really well. The portion sizes were above average and they came with all of the food groups covered.

I obviously had to try a cocktail, our waiter went through the menu in detail explaining the different types and what we could expect from the more theatrical options. I opted for the Tickle Me Pink, a mix of Portobello Road Gin, St Germain, Lime and Nettles. It came with a syringe full of a stingy liquid which you swished in your mouth and it tingled like nettles. It was a fun way to enjoy a cocktail, looking round the room there were lots of different cocktails being delivered to tables and they all looked just as exciting.

I loved the mix of industrial, modern and original features that made up the room, the staff were all really friendly and the service was great. I loved that I was able to enjoy a really tasteful meal out with my children, there were meals to suit all budgets and tastes and although it can get expensive with the addition of cocktails it was a nice treat and is definitely somewhere i'd take the kids back to if I fancied a nice meal with them in tow.

The addition of the children's menu come colouring book is great and the theatrics of the food and drinks made it an enjoyable experience for all.

We were invited to The Alchemist to try their kids menu, all words and opinions are my own.

Courgette Bake Recipe

This is another recipe from my hubby's aunty, she made us this fabulous side dish at a pre-Christmas/Thanksgiving meal, thanks Kate for passing this on, hope you don't mind me sharing.

Ingredients:

3 Large or 5 Medium Courgette
2oz Unsalted Butter
2oz Gran Padano grated (or any hard cheese such as Parmesan, Peccorino)
1/4 Pint of Double Cream (for a healthier option you could use half fat sour cream or creme fraiche)
Salt & pepper to taste

Method:

1. Grate the courgette and toss with salt and put in a colander or sieve over a bowl.  Leave for about an hour for the water to run out.  Squeeze as much water out as possible by hand but keep the liquid in case it needs more during the cooking. 

2. Chop the onion finely. Heat the butter in a large frying pan or wide saucepan add the onion and fry until it turns soft but not brown.  

3. Add the grated courgette and keep stirring until it is heated through and beginning to soften.  

4. Add the cheese and stir until melted.  Then add the cream and add some of the courgette liquid back if it seems dry.  Season with salt and pepper and put into a medium oven (about 160c) for about 30 minutes.  Add more cheese to the top for the last 10 minutes if desired.  

We had half of this for tea tonight and then I have put half the batch into the freezer for Christmas day.

Making Teatime Easy with Birds Eye

We have always been a fan of Birds Eye in this house, with waffles and fish fingers being a freezer staple and my go to dinner for when I want something quick, simple and tasty for the kids.

But they don't have to just be used together, for us chicken dippers makes a great addition to a Friday night buffet tea, this is a great way to enjoy a Friday night snuggled in the lounge with some yummy food.

The great thing about the Birds Eye range is the amount on offer, with everything from chicken to rice, waffles to peas, there is something to make a whole meal or to complete one.

My kids both love waffles and even more so accompanied by fish fingers or chicken dippers, or both for that matter.

Super simple dinners that can be put together easily, and it's not just for the kids. For me some rice infusions with a sweet chilli chicken is the perfect way to enjoy a delicious dinner.

This post is an entry for #Afterschoolchefs Linky Challenge, sponsored by Birds Eye. Learn more on the Birds Eye Facebook page.

NB. I received vouchers from Birds Eye to buy the food in this post, however all words and opinions are my own.

Planning Meals Ahead

Once a month we go to a local farm shop to stock up on meat, this week so we didn't just end up buying random bits we have planned our meals (for two weeks in fact).

It is difficult planning around my husband as sometimes he is away till late and sometimes at short notice and when I am at work it is difficult to have the energy and inclination to make something so I have planned meals

So this week we have on the menu:

Monday - Sausage Casserole - this is a bung it all in the slow cooker dish super easy and cheap.

Tuesday - Stew -  this week I am trying beef cheeks instead of the usual skirt.

Wednesday - Meatloaf - i've not made this before so hoping it will go well.

Thursday - It's my daughters birthday so we are having people round for tea so I am doing a big Chilli.

Friday - Slow cooker Chinese pork (as I am at work) with enough for leftovers on Saturday tea of pulled pork.

Saturday - Leftover BBQ pulled pork

Sunday - Pot Roast again with leftovers for Monday tea.

The slow cooker is the perfect way to make dinners that use cheap cuts of meat with lots of flavour, as well as being easy for when you are working or even when your not. Giving you time to spend with the children instead of working away in the kitchen.

It also ensure wholesome warming meals that are often easy on the pocket.

This week I am linking up to Meal Planning Monday over on At Home with Mrs M

Dinner at Hawsmoor Air Street

Last weekend me and the hubby went to London for the weekend, after several hours of trying to choose somewhere for dinner we settled on Hawksmoor after reading Jay Raynors review about it cooking the best steak in the country.

We chose the express menu which is £25 for 3 courses, between 5-6pm. We went with this so we could go out afterwards and look around the still open shops and visit the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.

We started with a couple of cocktails or anti-fogmatics as they are called, we chose the Marmalade Cocktail (Gin, Campari, Lemon Juice, Orange Bitters & English Marmalade) and  Shaky Pete’s Ginger Brew (Gin, homemade Ginger Syrup & Lemon Juice, topped with London Pride) they definitely woke us up and did exactly what they set out to do.

For starters we both chose the Potted Beef & Bacon with Yorkshires, not wanting to look like a blogger I decided against taking pictures so you will have to take my word for it when I say what arrived was truly a work of art.

Two huge Yorkshire puddings, a Kilner jar full of the most tastiest potted beef I have ever tasted and a small gravy boat with super soft and yummy onions, it all tasted amazing but the fun was in ripping apart the Yorkshires and spreading them with the potted meat and onions!

We both chose the Rib Eye for main, the sauces sounded fab so I chose the Stilton Hollandaise and hubby had the Anchovy Hollandaise, for sides we chose Triple Cooked Chips and Roasted Field Mushrooms to share.

The steak was perfectly cooked (hubby has his blue and very rarely does it come that way) and without a doubt it was the best steak I have ever had when dining out. The triple cooked chips were perfection as were the mushrooms, the sauce was creamy and a great accompaniment to the steak.

We chose the Borsao wine to go with dinner, even though it was the cheapest it was still very drinkable.

My husband and I had been talking to the fantastic waiter Thomas about how we were away from the kids for the night so were having cocktails etc and whilst talking about the pudding got onto the subject of salt and caramel going together so well.

We were then very kindly sent some Salted Caramel Rolo’s from the kitchen as an ‘away from the kids for the night gift’, I have a very sweet tooth and these were without a doubt one of the most amazing things I have ever tasted. If I could have taken a dozen home I would have!

Finally the pudding, by this point I was full so opted for the Plum Ripple Sundae, it was just what I needed. Although after tasting my husband’s pudding of Peanut Butter Shortbread with Salted Caramel Ice cream I was a little jealous as it was divine.

After dinner we both opted for an Espresso Martini as an alternative to a coffee, it was the perfect way to end what was truly a fantastic meal.

So if you are in London and looking for somewhere to go I can highly recommend it, the service was excellent, friendly but not intrusive and the food really was the best I have had, add to that the gorgeous setting in there Air Street restaurant made for a truly wonderful evening.

Our visit to Zizzi Lincoln

After our trip to the seaside on Saturday we stopped off in Lincoln for some tea, we went to Zizzi and from the start I was impressed by how fab the staff were with the kids.

My son wanted to sit in a specific seat so whilst he decided where that was, the lovely staff member waited and then when he had finally decided she bought us over a highchair and some crayons and colouring paper for the children.

We asked for some water as we were all thirsty from the car drive and they bought a jug over with a special pink and blue cup for my son and daughter to make them feel special.

They were very patient with us even though it was a Saturday night and didn't make us feel at all unwelcome.

My son and I popped to the toilet and on the way stopped to watch them making the pizzas, they said hello to him and we watched without any funny looks.

When we asked for a normal Pizza between the children they bought it out on separate plates so there was no faffing about at the table splitting the pizza between plates.

My salad was devine and my husbands pizza was great too, the children thoroughly enjoyed theirs and we took the leftovers home in a little box which they bought over for my son to fill. He ate the rest the next day and no dinner was wasted.

I haven't received such great service from a restaurant with the children in such a long time, they bought the children hats to wear and we took a couple of balloons home with us too.

I have never been to Zizzi before but will definitely be going back.

Insalata Tricolore

Favourite Recipe Friday - Cheesy Chicken Nuggets

We love home made chicken nuggets in our house and this recipe is one I have been testing out recently, the addition of cheese is genius and although a little messy to make they are much better than shop bought ones.

Ingredients:

400g Chicken breast
2-4 Slices white bread (depending on how big/thick your bread is, do less you can always make more)
1 Egg
40g Plain flour (you can season with some salt and pepper if you like)
60g Cheese (I use cheddar but you could use other hard cheeses such as parmesan)

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180c
2. Place the flour into a bowl, in a separate bowl whisk the egg.
3. In a food processor blitz up the bread to make fine breadcrumbs and pour into a third bowl
4. Grate the cheese finely and mix into the breadcrumbs
5. Slice the chicken into chunks or fingers if you prefer
6. Dip the chicken into the flour, then the egg then the breadcrumb mix until well coated, place the nuggets on a baking tray and cook for about 15 minutes (turn half way through cooking) until they are golden brown and sizzling.
7. Serve with your choice of potato (we have herby wedges) or a salad.

Favourite Recipe Friday - Chicken, Leek and Bacon Bake

I have decided to post my favourite recipe every Friday in a section called Favourite Recipe Friday.

Today is one of my new favourites, it is perfect for winter and is so simple. It takes virtually no time at all and could be turned into a vegetarian dish quite simply. It was originally a recipe from Good to Know but I have adapted it a little to fit the tastes of my family.

Chicken, Bacon and Leek Bake - Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1tbsp oil
• 4 chicken breasts, diced (could use potato, pasta or veg instead of chicken)
• 2 leeks, washed and sliced
• 4 slices of bacon (leave out if vegetarian)
• 25g butter
• 2tbsp plain flour
• 300ml milk (I use full fat but you could use semi-skimmed for less calories)
• 125g Cheddar cheese, grated

Method:

1. Heat the oil in a large, non-stick frying pan and fry the chicken for 5 minutes. Add the leeks and bacon and fry, covered for 10-15 minutes (until the chicken is cooked through).
2. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small saucepan and stir in the flour. Cook for 1 minute . Take off the heat and gradually whisk in the milk, bring to the boil until thickened, keep stirring (I use a wonder whisk if you haven't seen these they are great). Season with a little salt and pepper and add half the cheese, stir until melted.
3. Place the chicken in a heatproof serving dish and pour over the cheese sauce. Sprinkle over the remaining cheese and place under a preheated grill for 2-3 mins until golden and bubbling.
4. The great thing about this dish is that it can be kept in the oven for 5 minutes whilst you set the table and get the children ready. You can then take the dish to the table and serve straight from the dish.

Serve with a salad or as I usually do some roast potatoes and veg.