Quick, easy and tasty - chinese aubergine and pork rice

Super moreish when eaten with rice


Apologies for some of the vague measurements but I didn't follow a recipe or measure anything when I made this. The idea is just contact a taste test every few steps. If you feel it needs more salt, add more salt, if you don't like it very sweet then ease off the sugar. The great thing about Chinese cooking is that you can easily find your way by trial and error.

The good thing is that as I am no Nigella, all my recipes will be fairly simple and as a result fool proof. Enjoy!

Ingredients
1 and a half aubergines cut into large chunks

2 pieces of pork chops (sliced with fat trimmed off). If you have time you can season the pork with some salt, pepper, sugar and corn flour. I like to fit in a gym session after work and still have time to quickly season the meat but if you don't it won't be the end of the world as the sauce will be more than enough flavour.

1 small red onion chopped

2 spring onions sliced

1 clove of garlic crushed and diced

Small amount of fresh ginger crushed and finely chopped

2 - 3 slices of fresh chilli (depending on how much of a kick you like)

For the sauce

2 tablespoons of sugar

Some salt
Big splash of light soy sauce (probably 2 tablespoons)

Big splash of dark soy sauce (probably 2 tablespoons)

Small amount of oyster sauce (no more than a tablespoon)

1. Heat a large pan with a teaspoon of olive until very hot. Stir fry the onion, spring onions (keeping a handful to garnish the finished dish), garlic, ginger and chilli until browned. Add the pork and continue to fry until the pork is semi cooked then add the aubergines. Fry until aubergines are softened.

2. Once aubergines are soft add the sugar, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce and oyster sauce. Slam the lid on and leave until aubergines are soft. Stir occasionally. I usually leave to stew for about 15 minutes.

3. Serve on boiled rice and garnish with fresh spring onions.



My attempt at food styling

I am back!

Apologies for my absence in the last couple of months but with so much going on I just couldn't find the time to post. I so admire the bloggers who post regularly, hopefully one day I will be organised enough to write a weekly post at least. Anyway, now that I am back I shall fill you in on what has been happening in my life. So much has happened, settling into a new house, new job, trip to Morocco, hen trip to Sardinia, wedding of my dreams, honeymoon in Hawaii and back again. So if you bear with me over the next few months I promise my blog will be a kaleidoscope of yummy food pics and epic sceneries. First, let's go a little way back to March and talk about Morocco..

Marrakesh, Morocco

Having done very little research before we jetted off I didn't know quite what to expect from this bustling city. What greeted us was a maze of covered markets packed with exotic stalls selling everything from gorgeous tea sets to pointy leather shoes (yes, just like in Sex and the City 2). It truly is an attack of the senses, with so much to look at, stall holders trying to get your attention and smell of local food cooking on the grill. Saying that, less than 100 metres away from the busiest parts you could find yourself in the gorgeous and peaceful riad (courtyard mansions converted into guest houses). Luckily we got to stay in a gorgeous villa a little bit away from the centre but we found this suited us better. I don't think I could have dealt with the hustle and bustle of the markets every single day. My favourite day was actually going on a day trip to the beautiful Atlas Mountains. It is mind boggling to think in a place hot enough to sunbathe and laze by a pool, you can actually see the snow capped Atlas Mountains in the background.

A truly unique place that should be seen at least once in your life. Word of warning though, brush up on your French if you don't speak Arabic. We were lucky to be travelling with friends fluent in French but had we been on our own I can imagine it would have been a major struggle.

My travel must haves

I just can't resist buying things from Muji. Absolutely love this handy toiletries bag and clear bottles that hold my Nivea Protect & Bronze. Perfect for hand carry only luggage.

Our beautiful home for the duration of our stay. Luckily I only had hand carry luggage otherwise half the cushions would have probably ended up in England.

Perfect weather for a dip in the pool

Atlas Mountains - well worth the day trip

Arabic Coca Cola!

YSL Gardens

Possibly THE most beautiful hotel I have ever stepped foot in. Think Princess Jasmine's home.

La Mamounia still

Pretty cakes at La Mamounia. Not cheap though, about £10 a cake!

Russell Hobbs blender review

I never used to be a fan of juices or smoothies but since owning a Russell Hobbs blender I am simply obsessed. Firstly, it doesn't cost you an arm and a leg each time you fancy a fresh juice and secondly you can do as many crazy combos as you like. If, like me you are trying to lose a few lbs, the juices and smoothies are quite filling and make nice meal replacements. They taste miles better than those awful meal replacement shakes you can get. I've also become a dab hand at home made soups, who knew it was so easy? From the pictures you would be correct in thinking I have blended Kermit several times over but I promise you no animals were hurt in the process. The blender itself is simple to use and easy to clean. Highly recommended!

Lime Wood - A Review

If you are looking for some R&R not too far from London, then look no further than Lime Wood, New Hampshire. Less than two hours by train from London Waterloo it's close enough to be a nice simple trip but far away enough to make you truly feel like you have left the big smoke behind. Surrounded by the stunning New Forest (complete with ponies!!), you will feel like you have stepped into some enchanted fairy tale as soon as you feast your eyes on the lush greenery. Arriving by taxi from nearby Brockenhurst station you can check in and leave your stresses at the door. 

New Forest, strictly stress free zone

With the delights of the Herb House spa, you can indulge in an array of treatments. I went for the Signature Bamford, promising myself to stay away to enjoy every moment but halfway through I was so relaxed I couldn't help but fall asleep. Feeling a bit famished after all the treatment, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi (all this relaxing sure takes it out on a girl) my friends and I went for a quick bite to eat at Raw & Cured. I never knew uncooked food could taste so good!

Our dinner at Hartnett Holder & Co did not disappoint either. The service was impeccable and the food simply divine. We decided to retire early that evening to enjoy a long forest walk before heading back to London the next day. The beds were so comfortable I drifted off to the Land of Nod as soon as my head hit he pillow. 

Breakfast is served in the Scullery, where we enjoyed the amazing cold buffet spread along with full English breakfasts. We couldn't have asked for a better way to start the day. With our bellies full our mission was to walk it off in the surrounding forests.

Luckily for us, Lime Wood are considerate enough to provide much needed (and coveted) Hunter wellies. I prompted fell in love with my floral pair (having left my beloved pink ones at home thinking it was going to rain and thus no walking).

Armed with a map (which we ignored), we set off on the path that led to the forest. What followed was two hours of walking and admiring the New Forest in all it's glory. 

Even as a bona-fide city girl, at that moment in time I wished I lived closer to this amazing part of the country so I could do it every weekend. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and we set off back to London. Having arrived at rush hour, the relaxed bubble we were in prompted burst and we all vowed another trip back to Lime Wood as soon as we could!

Oblix - over rated or outstanding?

When my other half announced we were going to Oblix for my birthday meal I fully expected it to be one of those poncy places with amazing views but not so amazing food (was still uber excited to try out though I must say). I am pleased to say I was completely wrong. The food was as impressive as the views with my steak being so flavoursome and sublime I didn't even need any of the peppercorn sauce with it (as good as the sauce was). I thought the views from Oblix trumped Hutong's, although maybe I was just more dazzled because we got a great window seat. Highly recommended!

Clockwise from top left: Soft Shell Crab, Fish cakes, Steak and Scallops

Spring in January?

Despite the month of January being windy, rainy and more than a little depressing I managed to cheer myself up with the help of some pretty pastel nail colours. Illamasqua and Essie are two of my favourite brands (along with Boujois). I must have opened Mink and Milf over a year ago yet the texture of the polish is still as smooth as the day I broke the seal!

Left Hand

I think I have finally managed to master the  nail dotter using my left hand, the right hand actually looks over for once. Excuse the messy sides, this is a pre-clean up pic. Dab of nail polish remover on a cotton bud does wonders.

The Big Four

As an avid foodie there were four places I was absolutely desperate to try before the end of the year, Hakkasan, Sushi Samba, Hutong and Nobu and I'm pleased to say I finally did it! Food was delicious at all four restaurants but it's a very close call between Hakkasan and Sushi Samba. Both offer different cuisine but if I had to chose my favourite it would probably have to be Sushi Samba. The food was just simply amazing, every other mouthful was followed by 'Oh. My. God'. On the day we went, it was absolutely pouring down outside so we didn't have a great view of London but that did not bother me in the slightest because I was so impressed with the presentation and taste of the food. A definite must try, the lift ride itself up Heron Tower was super fun, not for one with fear of heights though.

A quick run down of each:

Hakkasan

Amazing food and decor, everything was top knotch and it is my new favourite chinese restaurant in town!

Sushi Samba

Food out of this world from melt in your mouth pork belly to wagyu beef gyoza. Just when we thought we could not possible fit in another mouthful a huge plate of sushi came out and we actually finished it within ten minutes because it was so delicious.

Just when we thought we could eat no more...

Almost gone in 60 seconds

Hutong

I must say the views from Huton definitely trumps Sushi Samba but the food wasn't quite to my taste as it was quite spicey. However, if you are a fan northern Chinese spices then do give it a try. The portions were big so justified the price tags to match. The soft shell crab dish was super more-ish dispite the ma-lat spice numbing my tongue. Also, don't miss the amazing views from the toilets!

Spot HMS Belfast

Nobu

Ah Nobu, often seen as the original go to place for Japanese food. As soon as I walked in the smell of the food was like a party in my nostrils!! I could not wait to tuck in, but although each dish was delicious (yes the black cod was AMAZING) I did feel prices were inflated and I could go to some very good Japanese places in central London and have similar food for half the price. Old school Nobu is lovely but perhaps needs to up its game a little to keep up with the new kids on the block such as Sushi Samba.