The Shop Around the Corner:

Daylesford Organic
I am one of those weird individuals who actually LIKES doing the grocery shopping. For basic staples and bulky items, I admit we often rely on the home delivery service from one of the big local supermarkets.  However I find it strangely meditative and relaxing wandering the isles of certain London boutique food shops admiring the impeccable displays and eye candy that always makes me feel far more as if I were in a gallery or museum rather than a food store. 

One of my personal favorites is Daylesford Organic.  I find it impossible to walk by without popping in for a fix of their authentic brand of country chic charm.  While there are several branches in London, I have become a partial to the shop in Pimlico, just a short walk from Sloane Square.  The artful displays of colorful organic produce, artisan breads, cheese wheels and bottles of rose wine from their sister estate in southern France never fail to evoke immediate nostalgia for my favorite English countryside retreats or the picturesque, sleepy villages of Provence. 

Inevitably, my visit always concludes in the organic cafe, treating myself to one of their many fresh baked pastries and one of the best cappuccinos I've found in London. Who knew grocery shopping could be such bliss? 

I Say Tomato, You Say Tomahto...

Just one of the many things pondered in the inevitable English English vs. American English discussion that ensues when an American marries a Brit. (Or as it has become known in our household, the "Your people obviously say it wrong, so just concede the point" debate.)

Fortunately, it doesn't really matter how you pronounce it, our Bernese Mountain Dog Dexter just inexplicably loves them.  So when I was selecting a treat recipe from my new organic doggie cookbook (a little post-Christmas gift to myself from the awesome Bubba Rose Biscuit Company), the delicious sounding Mambo Italiano biscuits heaping with fresh tomato sauce and Italian spices was an easy choice.

For those who don't know Dexter, he is without question one of the world's most discriminating dogs and has embarrassed more than a few London pet shop owners by eagerly accepting, then flatly rejecting their offerings of whatever treats they happen to be sampling.  Understanding that this is not exactly helpful in assisting in the sale of these treats, I cringe every time we end up in this situation, already visualizing the inevitable and awkward conclusion.  These biscuits however are sure to be bullet proof.

It is also worth noting that this recipe (and from what I can tell, all of the recipes in this book) are wheat, corn and soy free, as these are common allergens for dogs.)  If you have a beloved pooch at home who has a pallet for the finer things, I highly recommend giving this recipe a go.  Fido will definitely thank you for it!

Mambo Italiano Organic Doggie Snacks

1 1/2 cup oat flour

1 1/2 cup brown rice flour

1 6-oz. can tomato paste

1/2 cup fresh mozzarella, finely chopped

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/2 cup pureed roasted red peppers (optional)

1 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. dried basil

1 tsp. rosemary

1 egg

1/2 cup water

Preheat oven to 350.  If using roasted red peppers, puree these in food processor.

Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly until a dough forms.  Roll dough out on lightly floured surface to about a 1/4 inch thickness.  Use a cookie cutter for specific shapes, or just cut in strips with a pizza cutter.  Place on ungreased cookie sheet (they can be close together as they don't spread while baking.) 

Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool on wire rack. Store in airtight container in the refrigerator.  

Bellissimo!

When Life Hands You Lemons

Make a souffle!  At least that's what I did this weekend for Sunday brunch, and much to my surprise I think I have stumbled upon what will be my signature summer dessert. 

Despite having exactly zero experience in the oh-so-fickel art of souffle making, and armed with nothing but an obsessive desire to try out my amazing new toy (a Kitchen Aid Artisan mixer that ended up in our shopping cart during a moment of temporary insanity weakness at last weekend's Harrods sale) I jumped into the culinary deep end and went for it with this recipe.  I was more than a little dubious about the potential outcome and you can't imagine my surprise/shock/excitement when I turned the oven light on to see these amazing giant puffs of fluffy lemony eggs rising up out of their cocottes!  I highly recommend giving this a shot, as the payoff is more than worth it.  Besides if I can do it, anyone can.  *Gives knowing wink to trusty Kitchen Aid mixer...

Royal Wedding Hangover Cure

It's been a few weeks now since the nuptials of the century...you know, the one where the impossibly posh-speaking "commoner" married her prince and subsequently became the beacon of hope for pretty young things desperately hoping to turn the head of the other, still eligible prince.

For those of us who willingly (or perhaps unwillingly!) digested every last image, anecdote and fashion review of the day, life now may seem staggeringly dull as we go through post-wedding celebration withdrawl.  What on earth is there possibly left to do with the residual euphoria left over from London's biggest street party?

For me, I'm going back to the business of finishing decorating our new flat.  Fortunately, this newly found swell of British pride sweeping the country has made for some colorful and eclectic home decor options.

I was instantly smitten by this larger than life handmade Machin stamp rug I spotted at Selfridges recently. I love how it brings an amazing pop of color to a neutral room.  Especially genius is how well it plays double duty as a wall centerpiece.

However, our  decorating style is more neutral and we've just had our lounge painted in soft pallets of greys and whites, so I was instantly drawn to these amazing throw pillows that offer a nod to classic Britania while still looking chic and modern.  I'm pretty sure I'll be saying "I do" to more than a couple!