Sunday Dim Sum

On Sunday we made a flying visit to the Hoylake food fair, held in the community hall.  It's only two minutes from Joe's mum's flat and was quite an exceptional food emporium.  There were around 50 suppliers with a huge variety of treats and demonstrations, from the usual cupcakes and chutneys, to paella, to giant meringues, pies and pastries.  I think we really are blessed in Leeds with an abundance of food events, but it was refreshing to meet some new suppliers and see a few new things.

Joe was particularly excited about Adams and Russell, purveyors of fine tea and coffee.  They are the only coffee roasters on the Wirral, based in Birkenhead, and had a huge variety of coffees and some tasty looking teas.  We picked up some Jamaican Blue Mountain beans, Assam and Jasmine tea, which should keep us going for a while!  The teas will also particularly suit our bargain tea cups, a fantastic find at the Age UK charity shop in West Kirby.  Vintage coolness.

Joe's mum also treated us some pear and ginger chutney, flap jacks, and treat upon treat, home made dim sum!  That's the first time I've seen that on sale at a food fair.

So we meandered home to Leeds, stocked up with treats, and set in for an afternoon of football and dim sum.  As well as steamed sui mai and shrimp dumplings, we had a prawn and vegetable soup with wantons.  They were superb tasty treats and the perfect accompaniment to a victorious afternoon.

Our tasty treats from the food fair

New tea cups!

Sui mai and shrimp dumplings

Prawn soup with wantons

A Rainy Thursday in Edinburgh - Eteaket and Fajitas!

Invariably when Joe and I come up to Edinburgh most our time is spent eating and drinking.  It's good for us that Edinburgh has an abundance of cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants to while away your time - especially when it's freezing, blowing a gale and pouring with rain all at the same time!

On Thursday we had a meeting organised with our wedding planner, Leila, followed by a spot of shopping in town.  We also stopped in for some lunch at Eteaket, a tea boutique and cafe on Frederick Street (pronounced "etiquette" apparently).  It's a cute little cafe with bright pink walls and dozens of teas to try, as well as a nice lunch selection.  It was super busy, even at almost 3pm on a Thursday, so the Edinburgh locals clearly know a good thing!

There are a huge numbers of teas available, categorised into black teas, green teas, oolongs, white teas, herbal etc.  Each comes with a short description and then it is up to you to pick something you fancy.  Joe went for Bollywood Dreams Chai which smelt just like Christmas, while I picked Yellow Gold Oolong (supposed to make you feel a million dollars!).  Really interesting, tasty, and I'll definitely be expanding our tea repertoire. We also had lunch - a feta, sundried tomato and olive ciabatta for Joe and tomato and basil soup for me.  Very nice. 

Bollywood Dreams Chai

Feta, sun-dried tomato and olive ciabatta

tomato and basil soup

Eteaket - a great find

After some more shopping (aka battling people in John Lewis), we headed back to my mum and dad's for some relaxation and some dinner.  I usually insist on cooking for everyone at least once while I'm up and this time decided to have a fajita fiesta!  Arriba!  Home made spiced chicken and peppers, guacamole, tomato salsa, and some tasty jalapenos and cheese on the side - spicy and perfect for a winter evening!  Joe, my dad and I then stayed up for a while, drinking and having a giggle, so all in a great night.

Chicken and pepper fajitas

home made guacamole

tomato salsa

An almost rolled fajita (Joe's effort is much better than mine - I always drop the filling!)