The Greatest Gatsby?

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All who know me well will know I am a little keen on colour. In the house, on my clothes. If it pops, I'll adore it.

Same goes for music. I love how both can make you feel better or worse, depending on your mood. So knowing that colour clever, musical storyteller extraordinaire Baz Luhrmann has directed the newest film offering of The Great Gatsby, and that we have Leonardo di Caprio in the lead role, fills me with anticipation.

But it's not the only show in town.

Northern Ballet's Creative Director David Nixon has also adapted the story for the stage this year and it's going down a storm. If you're in London you can take it in at Sadler's Wells from 14th - 18th May.

Watch some stunning excerpts here.

Back to Baz though. I loved his cinema debut Strictly Ballroom. See how strong and classic the reds and golds of the lead characters are.

And how that contrasts with the gaudy costume colours (and hair!) of the baddies, or in this case, the establishment.

You can watch the uplifting final dance scene here

I can still see Romeo and Juliet in the scene with the fish tank too. Love how the pale blue water adds to the feeling of innocence and purity of the star crossed lovers, while the colourful fish reflect the fun of teenage life. 

So on this basis I just know the colours used in Gatsby will be moody, dramatic and evocative of a time of style and excess. Add to this the fact that the director's wife is award winning costume designer Catherine Martin and that they collaborated with Prada on the clothes and you have one stunning recipe for a film.

Mr Lurhmann also has a wonderful knack of helping to portray the essence of a story using music. Whether it's 'Love is in the air' from Strictly Ballroom, Desiree's haunting 'I'm Kissing You' reflecting Romeo and Juliet's doomed love affair, or the seductively powerful 'Lady Marmalade' anthem from Moulin Rouge, you can be sure there's a hit or three in his movie soundtracks.

How fitting then that Jay Z is The Great Gatsby's musical director. Expect a stunning Beyonce version of Amy Winehouse's achingly dark Back to Black and the equally vocally blessed Florence Welch singing Over the Love. You can watch more about The Great Gatsby and the music in it here. If you're still hungry for more, here is the official trailer.

Do let me know what you think when you see it, I can't get to the cinema fast enough.

Fish at the Mercado Central, Buenos Aires

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I have to admit, I love Argentina. I know I should see Asia and that India is a must, but travelling to the home of Evita never fails to inspire.

However when I ask the hotel manager and chef if I can accompany them on their trip to the wholesale market, they look at me in disbelief.
"What, you mean you're prepared to get up at 4am to come with us?" Chef says. "Yes please" say I, keen as mustard and equipped with a new camera that I want to put to the test. "Okay then, why not."

We set off in pitch darkness, armed with coffee (not local favourite mate because we'd run out) and a big shopping list.

First stop is the fish market. The freshest kind is brought from all over Argentina's shores, including trucks from Antartic Patagonia.

Wandering sheepishly into the bear pit of action that is the Buenos Aires central market at 5am, I feel totally out of place with a touristy camera, pale skin and blue eyes. 

Not that the character above is aware of my concern. 

However, a big smile and some local pleasantries go a long way to ensuring I get some good snaps. 

This character was a star, so natural and happy. Amazing at his job too.

It was such an experience and worth the early start.

I'll post about the fruit and veg market (and the characters there) soon.

Similar posts:
How to buy fish at the market
Polenta and chilli crusted squid

A hen weekend in Cornwall

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North Cornwall holds some very dear memories for me. Many weekends of hilarity have been spent on its stunning shores.

Not only is the scenery spectacular; the whole place has a great sense of community, which I cherish each time I visit.

Introducing the hen, a dear friend and no shrinking violet.

Here she is, commandeering the Kelly's ice cream van on Polzeath beach.

We hired vintage style Dawes bikes and rode the Camel trail on what must have been one of the wettest Cornish weekends in history. The hen, true to form, kept her veil on the whole way, while I, soaked to the skin, missed the Padstow ferry - distracted by the thought of this Jack Wills jacket which I purchased to keep me warm and dry.

While I waited for the lift back I found The Blue Tomato cafe in Rock, which serves an excellent hot chocolate and gluten free chocolate muffins. Check out this beautiful drawing of it and the bay in front by the talented Simone Ridyard.

The Fusion Wardrobe shop in Polzeath also had a good day, as most of the party purchased something. I found these fabulous Keith Brymer Jones bowls to match the hot chocolate mugs my sis bought us for our engagement (it's a long story).



The hens stayed at the stunning Mesmear cottages near Polzeath. Not only did our host Vicky see us right on the bike tour, her son Nick is a mean cook and did us a fabulous dinner on the Saturday evening.

If you fancy some surf too while you're here, his brother Andy is involved in Wavehunters, a surf school which he set up after quitting his city job. Clever him.

We ate crab bisque and a mouthwatering black treacle tart at The Mote in Port Isaac too. Next time I'm heading to see either Rick Stein or Nathan Outlaw who are both close by...

Cornwall, thank you, we will be back. 

Go: Salmon fishing in Buenos Aires

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What makes the perfect shop? I think I found it.


In Buenos Aires' Palermo district, nestled somewhere between ice cream shops and a plethora of hairdressers, lies Salmon.

It's a beautifully curated little gem of a 'tienda'. Objects from around the world mingle with home made treasures from Argentine artists, ensuring customers see that craft is cool again.

How charming are these animal lid jars?


Even the labels are slick, love the design...


These beautiful screen printed cushions caught my eye too. So much so I bought a goldfish one for a friend. Even better that they are stuffed with sleep inducing lavender as she suffers with insomnia.

The cutest sardine tins I've ever seen.



These paper place settings were super sweet.

All presented beautifully in a fishy bag.

Where's your favourite shop?

The migraine diet

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Bota Silvia Emilia from We Heart It

Your head's banging and there's no loud music. You feel sick as a dog but you have no hangover. You're climbing the walls with pain and you just have to sit it out.

This isn't really a diet; it's more some tips on how to manage the big M. Or at least this is how I'm doing it. I hope it can help you or a friend in need too.

1. Forget alcohol. I know you non sufferers out there think migraine = hangover. In fact, I used to think the same - until in a twist of karma I started with the M word. It's not easy, but everyone I speak to who suffers migraines has a problem with alcohol. Even a couple of sips of the wrong wine can send you over the edge.

2. Look after yourself. That means regular routine, sleep, rest, eating, exercise, not too much stress.

3. Love your liver. Your liver's the place that processes all the toxins you put in, and the more toxins, the more chance of a migraine. So whether it's milk thistle, not overeating, getting plenty of sleep or plenty of exercise, your liver will benefit. Don't know why, that's just how it is in my experience. Plus that's the reason behind number 1. 

4. Watch out for processed meats. Yes I know the thought of giving up that bacon sarnie or your favourite Parma ham fills you with dread. But did you read the labels lately?

5. Drink a lot of water. It's basic, but keeping hydrated will help your system keep clean and your head migraine free, or at least, reduced. Eight glasses a day, more if you're exercising a lot.

6. Good guts. You need your gut to be regularly getting rid of any toxins, not reabsorbing them. Make sure you stay regular. Nice.

7. Try acupuncture, or massage or sauna, and make them a regular thing. Don't expect them to work if you only do one twice then quit.

8. The four C's. My doc tells me he doesn't believe in the whole caffeine, citrus fruits, cheese and chocolate trigger thing. However you have to listen to your body, so if you get a migraine after any of these things, you'll need to give them up, or at least reduce them.

9. Get a good doctor. It took me years to be referred to a neurologist who straight away tried me on a new triptan, Relpax, which takes away the pain (not the sickness or drowsiness) within 20 minutes.

10.Know your triggers.

Whether it's alcohol, caffeine, stress, hormonal changes or a combination of these, know what triggers your migraines and manage your time according to what your body is telling you.

Wishing you the best of luck and do go to http://www.migrainetrust.org/ for more on the subject.

Maple and oat scones, gluten free

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I am loving Stateside inspired baking at the moment, albeit this one's with a Canadian twist.

This recipe came in handy when our plumber came over last Sunday to help fix a broken shower. With no biscuits in the cupboard and a need to reward his gallantry, I set about making some scones.

The mix may seem a bit random as we didn't have enough sugar and milk, yet the substitutions - maple syrup and yoghurt, gave a wonderful, earthy balance of flavour. These gluten free versions don't rise quite as well as a standard flour scone either, but they taste just as good straight out of the oven with a sliver of cold butter. Even better, as we discovered, with some Yorkshire forced rhubarb compote.

Either way they won't last you long.

Maple and oat scones
(adapted from a Barefoot Contessa idea).

8oz self raising flour (gluten free here but you can use normal SR flour)
2oz cold salted butter, cubed
1 1/2oz sugar
3tbsp maple syrup
3tbsp goats milk yoghurt (you can use any thick yoghurt)
2tbsp rolled oats

Method:
1. Turn your oven on at about 180 degrees. In a large bowl, rub the flour, sugar, oats and butter together with your fingertips until you have a fine sandy mixture.
2. With a table knife, work in the liquid (in this case the yoghurt and maple syrup) until you have a dough that you can work with, which starts to form a ball as you work it. The key is not to overwork with your hands so use the knife as much as you can.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to about 4-5cm high, then cut out scone shapes with a fluted round cutter. You could tear with your hand or cut triangle shapes but I find the dough bakes more evenly this way.
4. You can glaze the top of each scone with a beaten egg mix, milk or just water. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-20 minutes depending on cutter size. The scones are done when they turn pale golden brown

RIP Big Ed

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Meet Rooster. Or Big Ed as he was lovingly known.

Big Ed had an interesting life you see. He was rescued from his first home and away from its resident 10 year old Elmer Fudd fanatic. 

Rehoused, he roamed regally with a new hen harem. Under Big Ed's care, these previously unproductive pullets found their mojo again and started to lay. Big Ed and his brood of Buff Orpingtons scratched their way happily through life for many months together.

Sadly, last week whilst strutting out with his chicks, he met the jaws of a not so fantastic Mr Fox. 

Slyly snatched in broad daylight. Ed was left alone, dead and decapitated having fought for his life. His hens survived because of his bravery.

I know you'll agree, it was a sad end for our fearless feathered friend. Big Ed, to quote a neighbour, you really were ‘one magnificent cock’.  

The innocence of narcissi

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There's something about receiving flowers that signifies pure joy to me. It's such a simple, kind act. 

These narcissi are so hopeful too aren't they? Just bursting out of their bulbs, ready to start the season ahead.

I love how the light through the white petals is perfectly pure. 

Finders Keepers: Spring things

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With a new season on its way, there's nothing like a bit of online window shopping. So here are some fabulous finds to help brush off the rainy days and see you into Easter with a spring in your step.

1. Sugar Spots Apron, £34, Anthropologie 2. Botanical side plate, £22, Liberty 3. Mayo tea towels, £7.99, Zara Home 4. Panibois wooden baking tray from £4.45 for a pack of 10, Bakery Bits 5. Yellow rafia spool in daffodil, £3.55, MidPak 6. Pashley Poppy bicycle, £450, Evans Cycles 7. Neon scarf, £45, Whistles 8. Vegetarian cookbook by Alice Hart, £14.99, Amazon 9. Easter biscuits card (not gf), £9, Biscuiteers 

Rockstar rhubarb and ginger crumble

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We’re lucky to have an early rhubarb season right now in the ‘rhubarb triangle’ around Wakefield, Leeds and Bradford in Yorkshire, England.

The stems are 'forced' in the dark, then as if by magic, out pop a plethora of pretty pink, tender shoots.

Once sweetened, rhubarb has a delicious tang that’s hard to beat. Adding fresh ginger gives an undeniably good contrast.

This recipe makes the most of a crumble topping as it should be. The oats, nuts and seeds give crunch and contrast, while the rhubarby nectar seeps into it in the oven to bind it all together.

I’ve christened it 'Rockstar' rhubarb as this recipe merits a showstopping, juicy headline.

For extra oomph try serving with crème fraiche flavoured with some syrup from a jar of stem ginger.

Rockstar rhubarb and ginger crumble

Ingredients
For the filling:
Fresh rhubarb - as much as you want. You can use up leftovers on its own or serve as a side to the crumble.
Sugar to taste
½ cup cold water
1 small knuckle fresh root ginger, peeled and finely chopped or grated.

For the topping:
150g rolled oats
50g gluten free self raising flour
70g demerara sugar
75g mixed nuts and seeds (I used pecans, brazil and sunflower seeds)
3tbsp mild olive oil
50g salted butter.

Method:
1. Roughly chop and lightly stew the rhubarb with the water in a covered pan until soft. It usually takes about ten minutes on a medium – low heat. Add in the ginger and sugar to taste. Place enough of the mixture to fill one third of an ovenproof bowl that’s deep enough to add the crumble topping to.

2. In a separate bowl, rub in the butter and oil with the flour, oats and sugar. If using unsalted butter add in a pinch of salt.
3. Add in the nuts and seeds and mix thoroughly. Place on top of the rhurbarb mixture, even out the topping so it’s touching the sides of the bowl.
4. Bake in a medium oven for 15-20 minutes or until the topping is a pale golden brown.

How to do: Raw Food

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This week we’re talking to raw food evangelist Renee Maguire. Renee is a chef, raw nutrition coach, food writer and motivational speaker.

Here she talks to adventures in fussy eating about her passion...

Q: Renee, thanks for joining us. Could you tell us a little more about raw food?

A: When you choose to eat more raw food, you are opening yourself up to a wealth of nutritionally dense foods that taste sensational.

Traditionally we cook our food at over 38 degrees c / 120 degrees f. During the heating process, natural enzymes of fresh food are depleted by up to 80%. These enzymes help our bodies to digest food properly. The art of raw cooking is to prepare the food at 38 degrees c / 120 degree or below, so it can retain its nutritional value and do us good.

Q: How did you get into raw food?

A: Food has been my passion, my friend and (at times) my foe. My world turned upside down when my beautiful sister passed away from breast cancer. Embroiled in grief, I turned to anti depressants, took comfort in overeating, and explored various forms of escapism. I became a shadow of my former self – my body was toxic and extremely nutritionally depleted, I would fall ill easily with common colds, migraine, skin outbreaks and extremely low energy levels. Eventually all these ailments became the norm.

Everything changed when I sampled raw food for the first time while at a detox centre in Thailand. I was truly inspired – not only at how densely nutritious raw food is but just how delicious it can taste! As a chef I was hooked immediately. I felt as if I had discovered a whole new way of cooking and preparing food. As soon as I landed back in the UK, I began creating my own raw dishes.

Q: What types of things can you eat on a raw diet?

With the use of organic, fresh and seasonal vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds, you can create some fabulous dishes.

I make things like courgette and sun blushed tomato spaghetti, pecan pancakes and raw lemon cheese cake. The trick is that you never need to feel denied. I still eat crisps, chocolates, nachos; it’s just that mine are prepared raw.

I explain to clients that when we eat food that is bland and dull, we feel dull too. On the other hand, eating foods that are vibrant in colour makes us feel vibrant.

Q: So why is raw better than cooked?

A: Through eating a diet rich in raw foods you’ll experience a brighter, luminous complexion, enjoy natural weight loss, glossier hair and sparkling, energised eyes. Many clients report heaps more energy in their daily lives.

Personally it has given me increased confidence, better clarity of mind and subsequently better relationships. I am also never sick with headaches, colds or flu.

Q: Who can benefit from eating raw?

A: Everyone! In particular an increase raw food offers great benefits for people suffering from diabetes, or from lactose or gluten intolerances. It also aids symptoms of IBS, chronic fatigue, arthritis, psoriasis, and many other food related allergies.

Q: Where can we find out more? 

A: You can have a look at my site and get in touch if you’d like to know more. We also do a ‘Chocolate Alchemy’ course which comes highly recommended! All the recipes we do are dairy free, soy free, gluten free and chemical free too.

The (nearly) top 20 places to eat for fussy eaters

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If you're a fussy eater, you’ll know that eating out can often feel like the Wild West. 

Filmore & Union, York

Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, dairy, gluten or nut free, here’s our list of the best 20 places to eat. They’re cool too. Not a sandal wearing hippy in sight, we promise. Enjoy.

1. Nopi - London. My trusted media sources say this is the place where London’s super skinny fashion pack go. Owned by chef du jour Yotam Ottolenghi, dishes offer bold, sunny flavours, plenty of herbs and are by default just the thing for fussy foodies. 

2. Wholefoods - London. From California’s sunshine coast to London’s High Street Ken. Now going down a storm in Soho too. Try here if you want choice a plenty for you or your fussy eating friends. 

3. Baker and Spice - London. Even if you’re gluten free this chain ticks the boxes with its fresh salads and local, seasonal and organic sourcing ethos.  

4. Filmore & Union - York. The food’s so good here you’d never know they’re catering for nut free, low sugar and other intolerances. Now open in York Station, Harrogate and Wetherby, Yorkshire, UK.

5. The Kitchin - Leith, Edinburgh. Handling seasonal cooking from ‘nature to plate’, celebrity chef Tom Kitchin and his wife Michaela offer healthy dishes at Michelin star quality.

6. Leon - London, various. With restaurants in Carnaby St, Ludgate Circus and King’s Cross on the list, the Leon team’s philosophy that food should ‘taste good and do you good’ means this place is a fussy eater’s paradise. Try the Baked Falafel and Tangy Carrot Rice Box, or the Gluten Free Pecan Pie is a personal favourite.  

7. Wahaca - London, various. When Masterchef winner Thomasina Miers exploded onto our screens with her fresh take on Mexican street food, the fussy eaters among us were ready for fiesta. Plenty of vegetarian and dairy free options with zing.

Wahaca, London

8. Sesame - Leeds Uni and St Paul’s St, Leeds. This Leeds institution is a favourite with the office and student sets alike for its wholesome, healthy food. Try freshly made smoothies, the owner’s dad’s home baked cakes or the legendary Falafels on a Thursday.

9. Otto - Notting Hill, London. Anyone with a gluten intolerance will understand how tricky it is to negotiate an Italian meal. The chefs at Otto come to our rescue with their ‘made without gluten’ pizza and cornmeal pizza crusts - low in wheat to satisfy those circular cravings. 

10. Zuma - London, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Dubai, Bangkok. This stalwart of the celebrity scene has been creating healthy food in London’s Knightsbridge for years. Its informal Japanese style of eating and drinking give the place a buzzing atmosphere. Also try its sister restaurant Roka on Charlotte St or Canary Wharf for Rotabayaki (fireside) nosh.

Zuma Knightsbridge, London

11. Dirt Candy - NYC. When this popped up recently on celeb chef Ching He Huang’s Healthy Eats programme, it just had to make it on to the list. The carrot steamed buns look unbelievably good. Vegetables at their best and then some. 

12. Hakkasan - London. No fussy eating list would be complete without mention to Alan Yau, founder of Hakkasan, Yauatcha, Busaba Eathai and Wagamama. He’s an expert at creating stylish restaurants with freshly cooked food that packs a real flavour punch. Because of the Asian influence it’s easy to be fussy in them too.

13. Claridges - London. If you’re craving a real English high tea, make for the Art Deco luxury surroundings of Claridges, W1. An English institution, Claridges started catering for gluten free tea and cakes a few years ago. Always a step ahead of the curve.

14. Food for Friends - Brighton. Brighton's original vegetarian place, it's been drawing in the coastal crowds for years.

15. The Wallace by Peyton and Byrne - London W1. If you crave culture with your cuisine, head down to the wondrous Wallace Collection for some excellent vegetarian choices on its a la carte menu. Also try the Inn the Park sister restaurant for one of the most peaceful meals you’ll find in central London. 

Inn the Park, London

16. Bread & Circus - Sydney. Lots of dairy free, wholefood options at this sweet Sydney cafe.

17. Cafe Gratitude - Los Angeles. Thank you to Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop for highlighting this one. Healthy food to the max in laid back California style. 100% organic, 100% vegan, local fare which is free of refined sugar, flour, and additives.

18. Bar Burrito - Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield. Looking for a fast, fun and fresh take on Mexican food? Look no further. Try the veggie Burritos and Burrito bowls for a gluten free option. 

19. Your choice!

20. Your choice! Where do you go for your fussy food? The last two places are your choice and the places with the most mentions make the official list! 

Vote now by commenting below, or on twitter by mentioning @fussy_eaters #top20fussyeats

Entries close March 15th 2013. 
All rights reserved www.adventuresinfussyeating.com.