Friday 30 October 2015

Halloween chocolate whoopie pie

Halloween chocolate mousse whoopie pie


Ingredients 
165 grams plain flour
65 grams unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ½ teaspoons bicarbonate of soda
½ teaspoon salt
113 grams unsalted butter, softened
200 grams light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
250ml skimmed fat milk

Method
1. Preheat oven to 180C. 
2. Line an oven tray with foil and grease it
3. Sift together the flour, cocoa, bicarb and salt in a bowl and set aside.
4.In a mixer beat together the butter and sugar until light and creamy in texture. 
5. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until the mixture thickens 
6. Add one third of the flour mix and fold in, then add half of the milk, fold in, another third of the flour, last bit of milk, then last bit of flour - always fold don't mix 
7. Bake for 12-15 min. Take out while still soft so u can cut them in shapes with biscuit cutter.
8. Decorate and serve!

Thursday 29 October 2015

Paint Nite , various venues

Paint Nite, various venues

https://www.paintnite.com/

Rating: 4.5 out of 5


So basically, this is a social painting  event where you enjoy a drink and socialise as you paint. No experience necessary and the instructor is actually extremely good as she guides you through various techniques (not as in a painting class but she gives some good pointers).
They provide you with all the paints, brushes, canvas, aprons, etc so you don't have to bring anything. You also get to take your panting away which is nice.
So in brief here is what I liked about the experience:
1. The instructor is extremely good - you good some great pointers on painting
2. Atmosphere was great - Fun night
3.  No need to bring anything even previous experience!!
4. You do go away with a nice painting you didn't think you could do at first!

Definitely worth going to
My only reason for giving it a 4.5 was the venue - we painted Monet's Japanese Bridge at the Trafalgar, King's Rd and the lighting is far from ideal (and food is not that great either) so a change in venue would be good

In summary, fantastic night out and highly recommend it!








 

Monday 26 October 2015

Whiteout by Ken Follet

Whiteout by Ken Follet
Rating: 3 out of 5

Ken Follett is one of may favourite writers - its always a page turner with him. And he didn't disappoint in this book - it keeps you hooked.
The book involves a plot to steal a top secret virus form a Scottish laboratory on Christmas Eve.  The book then focuses on the thieves getting away with a deadly virus during a blizzard whiteout.
Characters are very well thought out and its definitely a fast paced thriller.
So why the 3 rating? Its not as good as his other books. The story is very weak behind the action (basically attempted theft and recovery)
He chose a technical thriller genre but there is no technical research or science in the book - they could have really stolen anything
In summary, its a page turner with a superficial story

Wednesday 21 October 2015

Trafalgar, 200 Kings Rd, London

Trafalgar, 200 Kings Rd, London 
Rating 2 out of 5

Disappointing dinner experience. The interior could definitely benefit from a makeover. It's very dated and tired looking.
The service was ok. Food was disappointing. Chicken was all bones and not pre specified in menu (I assumed it will be breast since Douthern Fried is usually breast). Fish was ok but made us sick later!
  
The place lacks atmosphere and could do with a re vamp
Disappointing for such a good location