Svensk Midsommar i London

Midsommar. 

I've spent the past five midsummers abroad, but it's one of those ocassions Swedes still take quite seriously and the home-sickness really kicks in. So I decided to get a little gang of Londoners together, whip up a truly Swedish feast, and enjoy the eve with flowers in our hairs while playing cheesy tunes on Spotify. 

(Even Stylist was getting in the mood!)

Traditions vary as with everything, but for me a Midsommar feast requires at least a few key bits of food porn

Gravadlax
Sill (pickled and often multi-flavoured Herring)
Nypotatis
Rödbetssallad (Beetroot sallad mush)
Skagenröra (google this one)
Gräddfilsdipp med gräslök (or try creme fraiche with chives)
Something BBQd (in this case hot dogs and various forms of marinated chicken)

ScandiKitchen is the holiday saviour with their fresh imports of Swedish groceries, so after a trip there to stock up the fridge the above concoction had a slightly more authentic feel to it. 

Obviously for me dessert is key at any decent dinner party or holiday and this was no different. 

Traditionally home made kanelbullar (cinnamon buns) are standard but as my time was limited I went for gifflar from ScandiKitchen instead. 

Of course this left time to put together the true classic, the strawberry cake. 

YUM! And completely Lactose free so my tummy was doing the happy dance. 

It's a truly delicious bake and a piece of cake (see what I did there :) to whisk up!

You'll need

4 Eggs (Medium)

5dl Sugar

6 dl Flour

2 tea spoons baking powder

2 dl water

6 dl whip cream (I used Arla's Lactose free variant and 1 1/2 proved more than enough)

Whip up the egg + sugar first. Then start adding the flour and baking powder, and start slowly adding the water. It'll feel quite soggy and light at the end. 

Pour it all into an oven-safe baking tray and shove it into the middle of the oven at 175C for about 1 hour (or until browned and you can pull out a knife with no residue of cake). Then go lick the spoons as you wait. 

Voila! Leave to cool for a while (or go enjoy the dinner). When you're ready, cut the cake into two levels. 

Add half a cup of mushed up strawberries evenly over the first layer. You can even pour a little extra fruit juice in so it soaks up the flavour and adds some moisture. Then pop the lid/second floor on and cover in whip cream and strawberries. 

 

 Final result should look something like this!

Then go be merry!!

xoxo

P

The Oblix - Dinner in the Shard

Finally, after repeated re-scheduling, we made it up the Shard for some food-porn and London views. 

The Shard is London's latest addition to its' skyline, standing 310m tall with 72 floors available to the public. It includes a viewing platform (floors 68, 69 and 72), a swanky hotel (the Shangri La) and the Oblix restaurant on level 32. 

The Oblix has its own entrance and elevator allowing access to the restaurant only. If you want to get to the viewing platform this involves getting back outside and walking around to a separate entrance. You also have to book these tickets separately (all in all a bit of a pain but the views are sure to be worth it). 

We started the evening in the Cocktail Lounge

I went for a funky sounding honey sugared cocktail while the man stuck to a classic Earl Gray cocktail. Mine even came with a little teapot!! 

Within a few sips though I had convinced him to swap with me. Cute as it was there was nothing sweet about that, a man's drink hidden in a cosmo glass!  

We then moved into the restaurant, guided through lovely interiors through an open aired kitchen and views facing central London. 

I started with the Lobster Scallops Ceviche... A lovely fresh light mix of flavours. 

The man went for the Salmon which arrived on what can only be described as a pizza! Very yummy though. 

For the main course he went for the rib-eye 300g with all the sauces available (there is a 800 g challenge too, not recommended after the Salmon Pizza but sure to be yummy). I went for the grilled dover sole. Mixed up with mac'n'cheese, Broccoli and and super-salty frenchies. 

The food was yummy, and claims are the rib-eye was perfection. I will admit I wasn't blown away myself by any of it, but the views and the lovely staff made it a lovely dining experience nonetheless.

                                      

                                                 

                                                 

All in all a great date-night, the staff were great and the atmosphere quite relaxed. My food selection may not have been as epic as expected but again, I hear the rib-eye was quite exceptional.  

xoxo

'P'

The Breakfast Club expands

Ever since my first outing to their Islington/Angel branch I have been a big fan of 'The Breakfast Club'. 

Smeg fridges, American brunch menues, friendly fun staff and quirky interiors. 

Oh, and back when I could still munch dairy, epic pancakes. 

Not to mention that when we found ourselves visiting the Mayor at the Brick Lane locale we devoured some of the most memorable chicken wings to date. And we all know how important chicken wing quality is to moi. ;)

Naturally I was beyond excited to realise they had expanded and opened up shop on Battersea Rise, only a jog away from the house. The obvious reaction? Mentioned brunch to Victoria and have ourselves a little trial.

It's a very cute interior, and positively huge in comparison to most of their other branches. 

The menu also hints to another secret. Much like the Mayor, I hear the King also offers cocktails in the eve ;). 

As miss Victoria was stuck on a bus that decided to re-route mid trip (not okay) I decided to start with the basic obligatory morning soy latte.

//H&M Bangles // 

The drinks menu features these super-smoothies. Blueberries, Raspberries, super vitamins 

Apparently I'm no longer the man in this relationship...

We decided to go for the breakfast burrito and the French bacon and banana toast. Deliciousness ensued!

All in all it was a lovely Brunch and the location is great for us south of the river folks. However, while the waiting staff started out absolutely lovely and charming there was a sense of over-attentiveness (we don't need more napkins... or spoons...). Although I suppose in the end I would rather deal with that then no service.

The eve ended with a lovely cup of Söder Te curtsey of miss Victoria. Time to unwind on the sofa!

xoxo

'P'