Tara's Busy Kitchen (and other stories)

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My Valentines / Galentines Gift Guide

8th February 2019 2000 × 3000 My Valentines / Galentines Gift Guide

My Valentines / Galentines Gift Guide

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tarasbusykitchen

A little shout out to @thebristolloaf - a pretty y

A little shout out to @thebristolloaf - a pretty yummy foodie discovery from the weekend. On Saturday after my classes I hopped on the train to Bristol to spend the weekend with my chum and resident Bristol foodie @alex_kortland - we headed straight to The Bristol Loaf and stood in line in the drizzle to wait our turn for a table. The weather didn’t dampen our mood as we treated ourselves to a rather lovely lunch with fab service. A massive shout out to all the team. Seriously, amazing service guys. I opted for the chargrilled courgette salad with quinoa and a creamy pesto sauce and Alex a smoked salmon dish with roasted beets. Both completely delicious and would highly recommend. The Bristol Loaf is a laid back resto/wine shop/bakery/greengrocer and it has a buzzing atmosphere that I have missed these last few months. What a great way to start my foodie weekend in Bristol. They have two locations in Bristol so wherever you are in the city you won’t be far away.

It stopped raining and I went out-out! Scroll for

It stopped raining and I went out-out! Scroll for comparison. 🐆

This dish of Sicilian aubergine with lentils & sal

This dish of Sicilian aubergine with lentils & salsa rossa and that company = a smashing night out. Thank you @sonnystores 👭
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It’s official - @cakeordeathldn is open and prov

It’s official - @cakeordeathldn is open and providing me and the rest of Exeter with a regular sugar high through their delectable vegan brownies, ice cream sundaes, cookies and cakes. Want to know where to find them if you aren’t in the know? I thought you might! 😉 Cake Or Death can be found on Bartholomew Street West just off Fore Street. Sort of sandwiched between @exeterpicturehouse & @thepresshouseexeter - For all my out of Exeter followers don’t panic. You can get their vegan brownies posted to you in a funky pink leopard print box so you can enjoy these squidgy brownies far and wide. 💕💓💞(PR invite)

What’s been getting you through this hot spell?

What’s been getting you through this hot spell? For me it’s been @chococochocolates gelato and @pullo.shop iced coffee. When things are simply made with top notch ingredients you just can’t go wrong.

Saturday night’s alright. Hanging out with my gi

Saturday night’s alright. Hanging out with my girl, a glass of rosé and that view from the terrace. 💛🧡💛
Photo @serenaf66

All the beige this Saturday morning.👌🏻

All the beige this Saturday morning.👌🏻

I’m always hunting out newness in my city in the

I’m always hunting out newness in my city in the hope that I may be able to share something special with you on here. Have you tried @cakeordeathldn yet? Originally started as a letterbox brownie company in London, Katie up-sticks and moved during lockdown to Exeter. London’s loss is our gain let me tell you because Cake or Death is now a bricks and mortar shop. These brownies are unctuously moist and decadent and well worth a visit if you are in and around the Fore Street area of Exeter. I don’t know how the businesses nearby are going to not visit daily! I picked up a mixed box last week whilst passing and have been savouring them since. They freeze beautifully by the way so you don’t have to panic if you feel you can’t quite manage a box. Cake or Death also sell them separately for a little vegan sweet fix on the run. Last week when I visited they also had two types of cookies on the counter as well as a rather sumptuous looking chocolate Guinness cake. Are you drooling yet? 🤤 So, for those non brownie people out there you have an option. Coffee is from their neighbours @crankhouseroast ☕️ and I believe the coffee machine is up and running for your enjoyment.
Pictured here, a box of six sitting pretty next to my home grown hydrangeas and a couple of mugs of builders tea. The perfect afternoon pick-me-up. (Not an ad for transparency. I purchased my brownies.)

What are you eating at the moment? What is your go

What are you eating at the moment? What is your go to lunch or dinner recipe? My favourite lunch or supper at the moment is this simple roasted chickpea and courgette salad served with some yummy local cheeses and some warm crusty bread.

It’s really simple and completely yummy. Give it a go and let me know what you think.

-Roast a well drained tin of chickpeas with a little salt, pepper and a drizzle of oil.
-cut one courgette into ribbons using a vegetable peeler
-slice thinly one spring onion or half a very small red onion
-pile the cooled chickpeas, courgette ribbons and sliced onion on a serving platter.
-season with salt and black pepper
-squeeze over the juice of one lemon
-drizzle with good extra virgin olive oil
-throw in some chopped fresh herbs. I like mint, basil, parsley. A combination or one will work.
-toss altogether. Check for seasoning and throw on a few edible flowers for prettiness. (Edible 🌸’s optional)

Serve with some yummy British cheeses and some crusty warm bread and Bob’s your uncle you have a yummy meal that takes next to no time to prepare. Perfect for the summer.

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© Tara Smith 2020