Love this Feta!

This is such good feta cheese. Not only is it organic but also just the right combination og firm, crumbly and fresh fresh tasting.
Does things on my tongue that any good cheese should!

The tears of Christ and orange cake

I needed to buy a nice, not too expensive, red wine for easter so I phoned Lene from Kraftbyraa.
She suggested Vesevus Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio 2008. I didn't just get a wine suggestion though, I got a whole story! Story has it that when Lucifer was thrown out of heaven he landed on earth creating what is now called the bay of Naples. He had nicked a piece of heaven as he left and, you guessed it, that is now Naples!! Christ wept as he realised his loss and where his tears fell to earth the first grapevines grew. Lacryma Christi means Christ's tears and is one the oldest wines from Italys Campania region.
Did I mention that it was DELICIOUS!!
All day before dinner I had been thinking that I wanted to make an orange cake. But I wanted a really compact and juicy orange cake. So after googling for a good while I found a perfect recipe on a this food blog
I think this is one of the greatest cakes I've eaten for ages and ages and unfortunately for my waistline I just want to make it again straight away.
Here's the recipe
For the cake -
2 large oranges
115g butter
340g sugar
2 eggs
190g flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
50 grams shredded coconut
Put the oranges in a pan of cold water and bring to the boil. Pour off the water and repeat twice more. When the oranges have been boiled three times remove any pips and then mince the oranges, peel and all, in a food processor (if you haven't got one you can use a hand blender and if you haven't got a hand blender you can chop and chop and chop..)
Mix the butter, eggs and sugar well and then add the orange pulp and mix in. Blend in the flour and coconut. Put in a greased 22cm cake tin and bake for 45min at 180° or until a tester comes out clean.
While the cake is in the oven make the syrup -
Mix these things in a small saucepan.
Zest of one orange
160ml orange juice
80ml water
225gm sugar
Bring everything to the boil and let boil for 3-4 minutes.
When the cake is finished leave to cool slightly on a rack ,transfer to a deep cake dish and pour the syrup over it. Decorate with orange slices, zest or whatever you want! EAT AND ENJOY, but preferably while still warm.
P.S for all the coconut haters out there, you can't taste coconut at all really, I think it just makes the consistency great and helps keep the cake juicy.

Sunday afternoon tea.

Today I had a friend visiting and we went for a walk down to wander on the roof of the new Opera. Afterwards we went for tea at the Winter garden at the Hotel Bristol. Not a usual haunt for this eastside girl but I love this place. Big old Chesterfields, nice and dark, dulled voices mumbling over prawn sandwiches and tea and coffee served in proper pots! The service isn't great but I don't really mind waiting here, it's comfortable and I know they aren't going to rush me off. Nice place to sit in the warmth after being out in the rain and I like to checkout the diversity amongst the other guests while I sit and feel a bit like a cuckoo in their nest in my engineer boots and naff old mac!

one a penny ........

My sister just reminded me that we're getting close to easter and Hot cross bun day,more commonly known as Good friday in Britain and Long friday here in Norway! (here is a link with name explanations for all you etymology boffs Good Friday)
When I was little we used to sing the hot cross buns nursery rhyme and I think everyone should check out this great song here Hot cross buns with indian accent! Just to get you in the mood :-)
And here is a recipe for what looks like a really cool version that I think we need to practice a lot before April 2nd!!
Hot cross buns with stout And thank you Claire for reminding me how I can enter even more calories into my life.

Introducing -

If you like to eat and drink this may be the blog for you. Two friends who work with food and wine. In addition writing for newpapers and magazines they also have wine and food courses on themes ranging from 'basic wine knowledge' and 'cheese and wine' to more specialised courses such as 'risotto and barolo'.
Lovely pics and great wine, beer and spirit tips. Check out their site here Kraftbyraa For those of you who don't read norwegian, you can probably still pick up wine tips thanks to the dice system :-) Otherwise look for the google translate button!

Sinfully delicious

Burrata is a mozzarella that makes grown men, and this woman, weep. Well, it nearly brought tears of joy to my eyes first time I ate it. Last time I sat at home alone eating it I probably moaned enough to make my neighbours mistake my seance with a cheese for something more carnal!!
Originally made with buffalo milk, Burrata is now generally made with cows milk. Made as an ordinary mozzarella but filled with a mix of scraps of mozzarella and cream, yes cream!
I like to eat it with just a drizzle of olive oil, some coarse salt, good tomatoes and maybe some nice bread.
Hard to get hold of as it has a very short shelf life. In Oslo, where I live, you can only get it at Cafe Vespa as far as I know. Best to ring and check when they get it in or follow their facebook group!!
Cafe Vespa on facebook

Feeling hungry and unimaginative?

Well check out this website. Just plot in what you've got in the fridge or larder and, hey presto, up pops a list of what you can make with said ingredients. Then it's just a matter of whipping up something wonderful without even having to leave the house to shop first, or you can just peruse the recipes, ignore them, stick a piece of stale bread in the toaster and eat it with the left over ice cream in the freezer.
http://www.cookingbynumbers.com

Nighthawk Diner

The lovers booth at the Nighthawk Diner Oslo
for the most authentic diner food, atmosphere and service this side of the Atlantic, let alone the 30's visit the Nighthawk Diner in Grünerløkka in Oslo.
coffee 'on tap', enormous fluffy pancakes with maple syrup, eggs Benedict, organic burgers, shakes, jukebox....the works! Enjoy!!

In Norway 'thinking suitcase' is a dirty thing...

But in the Golborne Road that was unavoidable.

These lovely suitcases were on sale in Golborne Road Market on a sunny friday in March. The best day to go to Golborne Road Market and the Portobello Market according to Maya. Golborne Road Market has existed since the 1800s but started being known for it's antiques in the 1950's. you can buy fruit, veg, music, ceramics, furniture and posters there today. There is an ordinary market there Monday to Thursday and the main market Friday and Saturday. Tube to Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill or Westbourne Park.
Make sure you pop into one of the Portugese cafes there for some pasteis de nata.

Portugese custard pies that are sold in a variety of sizes so you can be modest or pig out depending on your mood or how shy you are!!