Date Night

The boyfriend and I don't really get much chance to go out, we always seem to be working opposite shifts. However, yesterday penciled into both of our schedules was date night (or rather it was penciled in mine and he was cajoled into going). We decided to give one of the new restaurants on Bold St a try. NoLita Cantina has been open for about a month and after hearing that they serve Southern American style dishes, our mouths have been watering ever since. Now, the boyfriend is a massive fan of Man vs Food. So we probably had some unreal expectations of the size of the food we would be eating. It wasn't huge slabs of meat, but it was delicious. We chose the burnt ends, these little chicken and cheese parcels, the beef brisket and the slow cooked pork. The highlight for me being the beef brisket, although it was all delicious. But seeing the size of the the burgers going to other diners in the restaurant made me wish I had given one of those a whirl. To round of the evening we decided to go for a little drink. I have really wanted to try the Berry and Rye, the newish speakeasy on Berry St. Walking along Berry St and entering into the bar from a plain black exterior with no signs was intriguing. It is all low lit with oil lamps on the tables. A waitress comes over and tells us to sit down and that she will be over in a second. She brings us each a glass of water and says that they have no menu, but are happy to make you anything you like, or recommend something you might like. I ask for something with elderflower in. To which I receive a champagne saucer filled with a cloudy liquid with a slice of cucumber. To say it was delish would be falling short, lets just say it went down extremely well. A gorgeous mix of elderflower and cucumber. Yum. It was a delightful end to the evening.

Nonsensical x

Brownie Time.....

After discovering a recipe in the back of one of the books I was reading for Coffee Brownies, I knew being a coffee fiend and a girl who is partial to a bit of chocolate I had to make them. So, knowing I was doing the late in work today I decided to have a go. Making brownies is one of the easiest bakes I would say, not too much technical ability is needed (or that much washing up, which is always good). After reading the recipe I decided to make a few tweaks, as I always do. After having a little taster myself, I took my wares into work to get some opinions. As a general consensus people liked them, however some felt they had a little too much coffee in. I am not fully happy with them myself yet. So next time I am thinking I may try some dark chocolate and mix the chocolate chips into the mixture (rather than on top). For any of you who fancy it here is the recipe:

450g plain flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
60g ground coffee
220g butter
450g dark brown sugar
110g plain chocolate
110g chocolate chips
3 eggs, lightly beaten

-Preheat oven to 180c/Gas 4.
-Mix flour, salt, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and coffee.
-Melt butter, brown sugar and the chocolate in a Bain-Marie, until combined.
-Allow the mixture to cool and then stir in the dry mixture and then the eggs.
-Pour it into an ungreased pan and sprinkle the choc chips over.
-Bake in the middle of the oven for 25-30 mins, until the knife comes out clean from the brownie.
-Let it cool and then cut into squares.

Nonsensical x

Foodie Purchase of the Day

With things being currently the way things are, the pennies being pinched and all that, I have found that I no longer spend my money on clothes. Instead of buying myself another dress.... I'm now buying myself little food treats. A gorgeous packet of biscuits here, some Ben and Jerry's ice cream there. Today however, I happened upon something I have never seen before.... a chocolate loaf. Now, considering it was also on offer. Well, I couldn't resist. Now the problem is, what do I eat it with? Butter? Toasted? As some sort of chocolate sandwich? Any ideas would be fully appreciated. Me thinks it may be a midnight snack night tonight.

Purchase of the Day

After a staff meeting this morning, I decided that a little bit of retail therapy was in order (to shake away the cobwebs and hopefully this burgeoning cold). Firstly, stopping off at the Body Shop to buy a lipstick that I had lost on a drunken night out, (much of my makeup has been sacrificed to these dancing evenings). Then deciding that a trip into Primark for cheap work t-shirts was unavoidable, I gritted my teeth and made my way through the glass doors. After quickly grabbing what I needed, I decided to head towards the home section. Curiosity and probably a small portion of idiocy supporting this. After wandering around for a couple of minutes a turquoise cushion catches my eye. A pug cushion! Well..... baring in mind that my boyfriend is obsessed with pugs, I couldn't resist picking it up for him (especially after seeing the price). So, with surprise present in hand I hurry to the till to purchase my items and retreat from the hell that is the Liverpool Primark. 

Nonsensical x

Coffee With Rosie

Meeting my old friend Rosie for a coffee is always an unexpected pleasure. Her living down south means we don't meet as often as we would like to. We decided to go to a little coffee shop on Duke Street, which although tiny, makes a great espresso. After ordering our drinks we are told to sit down and they'll be brought to us. After chatting away for a while the drinks appear, Rosie is ecstatic to see that in her cappuccino they've drawn a heart in her foam. 'Coffee with love', she said. The best thing about meeting Rosie is that after how ever long we haven't seen each other it is never awkward. Chattering away and flitting from one subject to another comes naturally to her. Unfortunately this was only a quick visit with me having to dash of to work after an hour or so, but fun all the same.

Nonsensical x

First Time Blogger....

Well.... this is an interesting one. Having never written a blog before, nor thought that my thoughts were interesting enough for others to read, I have decided on this little foray into blogging anyway. 

A little about myself... I am a 24 year old girl, with a love of all things baking, vintage and other things beside.

Not all my posts may be related, or make sense in any way, but I am hoping that the randomness will make it that more interesting.

Yours

Nonsensical x