• A few things you’re probably wondering…

Wandering Loulou

~ The wonderings of a wandering mind…

Wandering Loulou

Monthly Archives: June 2012

Dinner at Roseleaf bar cafe

28 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by wanderingloulou in Eating out, Edinburgh eats, Leith

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Cooking, edinburgh, food, Gluten, Gluten Free, Gluten-free diet, Home, Restaurants, Roseleaf, Salmon, Shopping, Special Diets, The Shore

I’m lucky enough to have the Roseleaf as (one of) my locals down at the Shore, and have spent many a cosy evening in this welcoming little place with friends or the boyfriend and a glass of wine.

Last night I took my Mum here for dinner, as I’d heard they have a rather good gluten-free selection – and they do! If the cute, vintage-inspired décor and pot-tails (cocktails in teapots, of course!) aren’t enough to draw you in, the food certainly should be.

Every possible dietary requirement was clearly marked out on the menu and Mum was delighted to find Goc stood for gluten free with oatcakes. I was impressed – normally it’s a struggle to find somewhere catering so perfectly to gluten-free diets.

We both went for the Sicilian Salmon – a seared salmon loin on a bed of warm caponata salad including peppers, aubergines, olives and capers, surrounded by a creamy plum tomato and yoghurt dressing and garnished with plenty of rocket.

It took a little while for our order to come out, but when it finally did I enjoyed every mouthful. I particularly liked the crispiness of the salmon skin and the rocket and creamy dressing worked well together. This would be the perfect dish on a sunny afternoon with a crisp glass of white wine.

I loved the Roseleaf before, and now I’ve tried its food I love it even more.

Enhanced by Zemanta

The “Help me with my vegetables!” Competition

14 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by wanderingloulou in Healthy stuff

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Chili pepper, chillies, competition, courgette, food, fruit, grow your own, peppers, Plant, Seedling, Tesco, tomato, tomatoes, Vegetable, Watercress, Zucchini

Remember when you were a kid and you got to grow watercress for school then eat it? I loved it. And the idea of growing my own veg at home never quite left me, so I was pretty chuffed to find grow-your-own kits in Tesco for a bargainous (reduced) price of 24p for tomatoes and £1.28 for a box with chillies, courgettes and peppers.

Eagerly I sowed the seeds, patted down, watered and set by the window. I kept my fingers crossed – they were, after all, reduced because they were past the optimum time for planting. Still, ever the enthusiast I kept a watchful eye over them and until one day…seedlings appeared!

The first seedlings to pop up were the tomatoes – easily identifiable in their own individual pot.

The second seedlings to pop up were the…well it would seem my excitement has gotten the better of me.

I planted the chillies, peppers and courgettes without leaving a marker for which was where. Problem. As far as I’ve read, each needs to be tended to differently. Could I possibly have failed on my first attempt? Faithful blog readers, I need YOU!

“Help me!” said the unidentified seedlings.

Competition time

Time to show off your vegetable growing know how. All you have to do is tell me which vegetable these seedlings will grow into – for the first person to tell me the correct answer will win the GRAND PRIZE.

The GRAND PRIZE

I shall personally and lovingly post the first fully grown vegetable to you. Have you ever received a courgette in the post? Well, now’s your chance!

Leave a comment below and both I and my ill-fated vegetable plants will love you forever and ever and ever.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Tapa review for Bite Magazine

12 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by wanderingloulou in Eating out, Edinburgh eats, Leith, Madrid, Tasty travels

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Bite Magazine, Cook, Edinburgh restaurant, food, leith, Madrid, restaurant, restaurant review, Spain, Spanish, Spanish cuisine, tapa, tapas

Recently I had the pleasure of reviewing Tapa Restaurant in Leith for Bite Magazine.

A year spent living in Madrid ignited my passion for Spanish food and the food served in Tapa would certainly not have been out of place in the sun-drenched Plaza Santa Ana, where I whiled away many a pleasant afternoon with friends and a caña or two…

Keep an eye out for the July edition of Bite where you can see the review in print and read lots of other exciting foodie related stories.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Tasty lunch idea – Avocado on Sourdough Bread

11 Monday Jun 2012

Posted by wanderingloulou in Healthy stuff, Recipes

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Avocado, Basil, Black pepper, Cherry tomato, healthy eating, Lime (fruit), lunch, Olive oil, Sourdough, tomato, vegan, vegetarian

Whip up this tasty lunch in minutes – not just a treat for the taste buds but great for your health too.

I love the freshness of the basil and tomatoes, combined with the creamy avocado and crunch of the warm sourdough bread.

Avocados boast 35% more potassium than your average banana and are also rich in vitamins E, K and B, so get stuck in!

What you’ll need:

1 avocado

5 cherry tomatoes, halved

Fresh basil leaves

2 slices of sourdough bread, toasted

A squeeze of lime

Olive oil

Black pepper

Simply mash the avocado roughly then mix with the tomatoes and basil, and squeeze in some lime juice. Then drizzle olive oil over the freshly toasted sourdough and spread the mixture on thickly. Season with black pepper and enjoy every tasty mouthful.

Fancy it?

Enhanced by Zemanta

Five foodie activities for the Jubilee weekend

01 Friday Jun 2012

Posted by wanderingloulou in A wee bit of what you fancy, Cafes, Edinburgh eats, Food markets, Portobello

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

ale, beer, diamond jubilee, edinburgh, fynefest, holiday, ice cream, jubilee, looking glass bookshop, lovecrumbs, market, portobello, weekend

Sunshine may be looking a little dubious, but that doesn’t mean this hungry weasel won’t enjoy every minute of the long weekend. I’ll be spending it munching my way around the capital in search of new Edinburgh culinary adventures.

Queenie may favour a cucumber sarnie or two, but if you fancy something to royally tantalise your taste buds, then read on for my top five tips for things to eat (and drink!) in Edinburgh and beyond over the Jubilee weekend…

1.Head to Porty beach for an ice cream

I don’t know about you, but I still enjoy an ice cream by the seaside as much as I did as a kiddie! Just make sure you eat it before it melts everywhere. Pop along to Portobello Market on Saturday and peruse the lovely produce – from cakes and jam, to soap and crafty gifts.

2.Look into the Looking Glass

The latest newcomer to Edinburgh’s coffee, cake and erm…book scene is Looking Glass Books – an independent book shop, which I hear sells a wicked coffee and sumptuous cakes from Lovecrumbs. I’ll certainly be investigating this place soon.

3.Skip along to Stockbridge Market

Get your hands on some perfect Sunday brunch sausages from this compact little market by the Water of Leith. An Artisan Coffee is sure to blow away any cobwebs from the night before.

4.Raise a glass

On Monday I’ll be joining some ale nutters…oh I mean enthusiasts, for an epic journey across Edinburgh taking in 10 of the best ale pubs including Dirty Dicks and Brewdog Bar. You can sign up for the event right…here.

5.Feeling Fyne

Fynefest takes place on the banks of stunning Loch Fyne and offers plenty of beer, food and entertainment to keep you busy all weekend. Try some of those famous Loch Fyne Oysters, washed down with some of Fyne Ales finest…

Oh yes! And a happy Jubilee to you, your Madge! I know she loves reading my blog.

What are your foodie plans for the weekend?

Louise Boyd

Louise Boyd

Top Posts & Pages

Tasty adventures in Portugal: A trip to the market
5 tasty treats you absolutely should eat in Paris
Hen party at the Hidden Lane Tearoom
Curry, bhajis and dosa at Edinburgh Mela
A photography course in Edinburgh: the joy and terror of stepping out of your comfort zone
Tasty lunch idea - Avocado on Sourdough Bread
Super simple prawn stir-fry
Curiouser and curiouser…an evening of beer and chocolate
Reaching the finish line
30 notes to my 20 year old self

Recent Posts

  • 5 tasty treats you absolutely should eat in Paris
  • A photography course in Edinburgh: the joy and terror of stepping out of your comfort zone
  • 30 notes to my 20 year old self
  • Reaching the finish line
  • Fiction: Derelict

ale beer birthday Bite Magazine Black pepper cabbage cafe cake cheese chicken chillies chocolate chocolate brownie churros coffee Cook Cooking courgette craft beer creative writing creme egg cuckoo's bakery Curry delicacies dinner easter edinburgh fiction flash fiction flat white food foodie Francesinha garlic Gluten Free goose barnacles health healthy holiday Home horror ice cream immune system leith lovecrumbs lunch Madrid market meat mercado do bolhao nutrition onion oranges Porto portugal pub recipe restaurant sandwich sardines Scotland seafood seasonal food sheffield soup Spain spring greens steak stout takeaway tomato travel treats writers block writing tips

Twitter Updates

  • RT @MagicalgirlMia: Late congrats to Mysta for 900k!Your streams make me smile every time 🧡#MystArt #900KMystakes https://t.co/DNXHOtZURU 5 months ago
  • RT @Fulgur_Ovid: Happy birthday @uki_violeta! Noctyx wouldn't be who we are today without you so here's a special message from me, @alban_k… 6 months ago
  • RT @huhu1012: GN😴💪 https://t.co/YqWT21YvkU 6 months ago
Follow @wanderingloulou

Archives

  • February 2015
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • May 2014
  • November 2013
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • October 2011
  • August 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011

Pages

  • A few things you’re probably wondering…

Al fresco dining A wee bit of what you fancy Beer Cafes Canonmills Chocolate Cookery classes Delightful drinks Eating out Edinburgh eats Food festivals Foodies Food markets Glasgow eats Healthy stuff Leith Life is good Madrid Mexican Music festivals Portobello Portugal Recipes South Queensferry Stockbridge Takeaway Taste Tasty travels Uncategorized Writing

Blogroll

  • Discuss
  • Get Inspired
  • Get Polling
  • Get Support
  • Learn WordPress.com
  • Theme Showcase
  • WordPress Planet
  • WordPress.com News

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 501 other subscribers

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • Wandering Loulou
    • Join 51 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Wandering Loulou
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...