BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER

Food is my favourite thing in the world. I don't say that lightly - cooking and eating really is my passion in life. It sounds so cheesy (mmm cheese) when I write it, but it's 100% true. When I can't sleep, I think about what we're going to eat the next day. When I sit down with my computer I go on pinterest and read recipes. I watch all cooking shows that come in my way on Netflix and Youtube, I mourn not finding more food based podcasts to listen to.  At the bar we're constantly busy and I don't have a lot of time to cook for us. Breakfast is normally eaten after a couple of hours of work, after a cup or two of coffee to keep us going. Being forced to stay at home has brought back time for cooking. Our kitchen at home is tiny, but it's amazing what you can do with a bit of planning. I've cooked buffet style meals for 10+ people here. These days it's only the two of us, obviously, and I thought we could have a look at what we may eat on a given quarantine-day. Maybe share a bit of inspiration?  BREAKFAST Hash browns! Takes a little time, but it's super simple. It's really just grated potato, put in a medium hot pan with a bit of butter and oil, pressed flat with a fish slice then left to cook. My most common mistake is that I try to move it around or flip it before it's ready. Unless you have an amazing non stick pan, it will be sticking at first. Once it cooks though, it forms a surface that comes off easily. So patience is key! I'd say at least ten minutes before attempting a flip. Perfect with a poached egg on top. The crispy potato together with the silky yolk, an amazing combo. Coffee and grapefruit should just come with every breakfast if you ask me 👌 Bonus breakfast: Blueberry Pancakes 🥞 The secret is to 1. make your own buttermilk, 2. to not add the berries to the batter but to the pancake once it's already in the pan (otherwise the batter goes all blueish grey) and 3. to glaze some extra berries for garnish. And butter. Lots of butter. Mmmm.  LUNCH It's warm out and we don't even have lunch most days to be honest. But the other day I was inspired - bring on the Vietnamese rolls! A bit of chopping and rolling to do, but easy once you get the hang of it, and infinitely versatile. These ones I filled with lettuce, rice noodles, mango, carrot, cucumber, red pepper and coriander. Some of them got a dollop of Samourai sauce as well, which is basically chilli mayonnaise. If I'd had beetroot at home I would have added that too, mostly for the colour 😬 Dip in soy, rice vinegar, sesame oil and chili flakes. Feel like a fresh, healthy and accomplished person. 🙃 DINNER Something we eat fairly often chez nous is tacos. And burritos. And nachos. To change it up the other night I decided to make enchiladas! Basically leftovers rolled up in a corn tortilla, covered in cheese and baked. Easy and SO TASTY. From memory these ones were filled with a veggie chili (rice, beans, red pepper, fresh chili), creme fraiche, tomato and more red pepper. Side of mango salad: mango, tomato, fresh chili, lime juice and coriander. The tangy, spicy salad balances out the rich & creamy enchilada really well. Bonus dinner: Grilled veggie plate 🌶 Served with tzatziki! No explanation needed, just really damn tasty.  What have you been eating during the lock down? Has it made you cook more or less than usual? For me it's become something that gives my day structure and makes me feel like I've done something with my time, even if it is just something as simple as grilling veggies and mixing up a dipping sauce.  Love letter to food, done for today 💘