Peanut butter and chocolate Christmas trees

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2014!!!

We will be heading to L.A for the holidays and soooo looking forward to that (I'll try to keep my instagram up to date) :) 

In the meantime I will leave you with a little super simple recipe, I took the inspiration from a rather traditional peanut butter squares recipe and shaped them into Christmas trees just to give this treat a Christmas twist!

(Click here for the recipe) 

Enjoy ;)

Pollen Singapore

And so the celebrations begin!!!

It's not everyday that you turn 30 (feels weird to even write it!), last night I was treated by my husband to a surprise spa day and a pre- birthday dinner at Jason Atherton's amazing restaurant Pollen in Singapore. Yes! It was THAT amazing that I couldn't help share our dinner pics with you, I mean, where else are you served edible soil and fish with its skin and scales that actually tastes exquisite? 

 If you are ever in Singapore this is definitely one of the places not to miss.

As for the rest of the birthday celebrations, a little birdie told me there might be a surprise weekend getaway... I can't wait for that!!!

*Selection of amuse bouche*

*Truffle arancini amuse bouche*

*Hummus amuse bouche*

*Squid ink amuse bouche*

*Homemade 'out of this world' pickled seaweed butter and warm & crunchy walnut bread*

*Carpaccio of Hokkaido scallops, guava, frozen apple and wasabi, dill yoghurt, seaweed oil*

*Country Duck, edible soil, blackcurrants and plum*

*Crispy skinned grey mullet, tomato confit, red pepper tartare, lettuce veloute*

*Loin of venison, salsify, poached quince, nitro blackberries*

*Off the menu cheese platter: Stilton & Red Leicester*

*Dessert pops*

*Tahitian vanilla homemade magnum ice-cream*

*Pollen Tatin:

Verjus, crème fraiche, caramel, red and green apples* 

*JAAL: dark plum, Pollen chocolate, pomegranate, green and purple Oba, puffed rice*

Gift guide for the foodie

From top left: Measuring conversion magnets, Sanding sugar, Cupcake spatula,

From bottom left: Cake tester, Pancake shapers, Sweet tooth book, Blueberry Pancake & Waffle mix

How easy is it to really please someone with a gift? 

I think it's one of the most difficult things as (let's be honest) very often gifts tend to be exchanged or just end up in the back of a cupboard for years until that general cleanup day comes by! That's exactly why when people ask me what I would like for Christmas or Birthdays I actually give them an answer (ok I won't be asking for Prada bags and Saint Laurent shoes;);)), in that case everyone is happy and no money goes to waste :)

If you don't feel comfortable asking what a person wants or the person doesn't feel comfortable telling you, no need to worry! Most importantly try to know what the person likes, their hobbies, their passions and take it from there. 

Here is a little gift guide Gourmet style for your foodies:

Click on each item description to shop!

*Homemade Mozzarella & Ricotta cheese kit - available here*

From left to right: Garden in a bag Basil, Pasta cutters set, Jamie's Italy book, Pasta machine, Pasta dryer  

*Homemade butter kit - available here*

From top left: Spoon swizzle stick, Ice sphere molds, Citrus bar tool, 

From bottom left: Cocktail rimmer,  Margarita chili & lime salt, The joy of mixology book, Alessi Parrot corkscrew  

*Homemade DIY cocktail bitters kit - available here*

Gwyneth Paltrow's Japanese Chicken Meatballs

You can't go wrong with Gwyneth Paltrow's recipes.

Since I received her cookbook It's all good , I really can't get enough of her light, healthy and succulent kitchen concoctions. Last week I tried out her Japanese chicken meatballs and to add a little Thanksgiving touch to it, I made a maple butter sweet potato puree to accompany them, all I can say is: YUM, YUM, YUMMM!!!

Click here for the Meatballs recipe

Tips:

*Use an ice cream scoop to make the meatballs evenly proportioned

* Bake the meatballs in the oven to add a lovely caramelized crunch to them

For the maple butter sweet potatoes (all measurements to taste):

*Boil the sweet potatoes until thoroughly cooked

*In a small pan add butter, maple syrup, 1 clove of garlic (whole) and a rosemary sprig

*Heat the butter mixture on a low flame until melted and leave to infuse

*Mash the sweet potatoes and add the butter maple mixture

Enjoy!