AN AUSTRALIAN INSPIRED BRUNCH RECIPE...

PHOTO: SOPHIA HOME

'BRUNCH'....that lovely, yummy mix of breakfast and lunch, that for me, conjures up thoughts of lazy weekends after a bit of a lie in, with no rushed agenda.  A meal to linger over with the weekend papers and to savour. A touch of breakfast but combined with lunch, and substantial enough to combine the two and keep you going until supper time. A chance to experiment with ingredients that cross the two perfectly.

On my recent trip to Australia at the start of the year I had brunch inspiration aplenty.

  Noone does brunch quite like the Australians, and combined with sunshine and ideally a beautiful ocean view, you have pretty much a meal experience made in heaven!

Of course, no good brunch menu would leave out the holy grail of ingredients (in my book anyway!) that is the Avocado.  The Australians invented Avocado on toast and introduced the rest of the world to the idea.  Putting all jokes aside about 'Millenials spending all their money on Avocado on toast rather trying to save for a house deposit' (as a mother of three of them, I think this comment is grossly unfair!), Avocados are not only delicious and versatile, but jam packed with nutritional goodness. Containing more potassium than bananas, loaded with heart healthy monounsaturated fatty acids and fiber, cholesterol lowering, packed with vitamins K C B5 B6 and E and minerals.  Avocados really are a power house of goodness.  Also amazing for the complexion!  There are just too many reasons not to include them in your daily diet.

So back to my recipe!  

Mr. W and I came across this delicious dish on our first morning in Sydney, while staying at 'The Establishment Hotel' and went on to have it three times in the five days we were there. Yes, it was that good! So was the hotel by the way...

If you love Burrata, the silky smooth and fresh Italian cheese made from Mozzarella and cream, you're going to love this even more.

AVOCADO, BURRATA AND CHILLI TOMATO SALAD

Ingredients:

(For two people, but just double up or halve as appropriate)

Sauce:

200g tinned tomatoes

I garlic clove

1/2 fresh chilli or teaspoon dried chilli flakes

salt and pepper to taste

pinch of sugar

To accompany:

One ripe Avocado

2 fresh Burrata cheeses

Cherry tomatoes

2 slices pancetta or other cured italian ham

Pinenuts

Coriander or herbs of choice

Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil

Fresh chilli or chilli flakes

Toasted sourdough to serve.

Start by simmering tinned tomatoes with crushed garlic and chilli to reduce.  Season with salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar. When cool, drizzle around the outer edge of two plates or wide bowls.  Place halved cherry tomatoes on top of sauce around outer edge. Place burrata in centre of each plate, along with avocado cut in to slices.   Fry or bake pancetta slices until crisp and place on top and scatter pine nuts and coriander sprigs. Finally drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and extra chilli if you particularly like things spicy.  Toasted sourdough slices are particularly yummy with this, especially for when you break in to that amazing gooey burrata!

So there we are....so simple and absolutely delicious.  Not just for 'brunch' but perfect for any time of day....

Bon appétit!

Sophia xx

A GOURMET, GARDENING, ANTIQUING AND INTERIORS WEEKEND.....IN THE BEAUTIFUL COTSWOLDS.

With a suggested weekend filled with the above by Mr. W....how can a girl refuse!  He knows me well, and this sweet lovely thought, which indulges all of my passions, brought us to the beautiful Cotswolds recently, which many of my Instagram followers will know.  

We stayed at The Close Hotel in the beautiful town of Tetbury, Gloucestershire. A former 16th Century Town House, and now a stylish boutique hotel.

With beautiful gardens in which to relax (a little chilly when we visited sadly), yet right in the centre of Tetbury on Long Street with a tempting number of interior, architectural salvage and antique shops.   Shopping heaven, and I have to say that a couple of beautiful stone lion for the garden made their way back home to Kent with us, but more of that in another post!

The Close Hotel has just eighteen rooms, and has been stylishly decorated in an individual contemporary style, yet still keeping its beautiful traditional features and elegance.

With a bold colour pallet, interiors are cosy and warm.  Very comfortable bedrooms, all individually decorated, a lovely dining-room and brasserie serving delicious meals using local produce, and a great bar serving delicous signature cocktails...we were certainly spoilt.

Having arrived in rain and grey skies, we woke the next morning to blue skies and sunshine...perfect weather for making our way towards the northern Cotswolds.

Passing through the stunning, picture perfect village of Bibury...

With its beautiful and much photographed river running through it...a haven for wild life...this sweet little chap was learning to swim.

Next stop was the much acclaimed Burford Garden Company and I was intrigued to see what all the fuss was about.  Now I know why!

My few snaps do not fully capture by any means, the vast variety of garden related items sold.  Extensive buildings housing plants and garden related prducts of course, but also beautiful interior accessories and furniture, an art gallery and fabulous cafe and delicatessen.  Below is a photo of some of the gorgeous orchids for sale, just some of many stunning varieties.  Of course, these favourite white ones caught my eye!

 I was so distracted driving through one gorgeous picturesque Cotswold village after another, that sadly forgot to take any pictures.  But any of you who have visited or seen pictures before, will know how utterly perfect the honey coloured Cotswold Stone houses are, most with immaculate front gardens and surrounded by their traditional dry stoned walls. 

Late morning brought us to Daylesford, which I have long been wanting to visit.  Being a fan of their beautiful organic deli cafés in London, I was keen to visit their main organic working farm and farmshop in Daylesford itself, just outside the village of Kingham in Oxfordshire.

'Farmshop' does not even begin to describe this unbelievable set up, created by the multi talented Lady Bamford, whose drive and passion for organically grown and artisan food,  and all round organic and sustainable living are beautifully showcased in the stunning collection of barns and buildings.  

Gorgeous 'Bamford' clothing on display in the Bamford Barn....I loved their fresh, understated, simple lines, all produced from beautiful natural fibres.

Striking topiary in the central courtyard...

...and you can just imagine the incredible scent in the flower room.

The main farmshop did not disappoint, with its wonderful selection of artisan food products, a butchery, bakery and beautiful displays of freshly harvested organic vegetables from the farm.

Delicious artisan cheeses and beautiful pale pink 'Chateau Leoube' rosé from their own Provencal Vineyard were yummy treats to take home.

With two gorgeous stylish restaurants,  serving delicous organic food,  a beautiful selection of kitchen ware and interior accessories, the 'Bamford Spa' in another of the stunning stone barns, an extensive range of inspirational courses and the loveliest of holiday cottages to rent.....well quite frankly, I think I could be tempted to move in for a while!

Although we would have been very happy indeed to have lunch at Daylesford, we had a booking for Sunday lunch at their own cosy pub, 'The Wild Rabbit' in Kingham.

This 18th Century pub, restaurant and rooms has been given the same stylish attention to detail as the rest of the 'Daylesford' empire.

So warm and welcoming as you enter the cosy bar, which opens up in to a light and bright dining room, with a view of the chefs cooking in front of you.  All ingredients are of course organic from the farm,  and our delicous traditional roast beef and yorkshire pudding lunch was undoubtedly the best I have ever tasted.

We shall most definitely return and hope to stay next time, in one of the beautifully decorated rooms.

A perfect end to an inspirational and lovely couple of days.  If you haven't visited any of the above, then do put them on your wishlist...you won't be disappointed.

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To see more of the daily things that inspire me, do follow me on Instagram @sophiahomelifestyle

Wishing you a very happy Wednesday,

Sophia xx

GIRLS TRIP TO PARIS....!

Paris was as beautiful and inspiring as ever.  It is one city that I know I shall never grow tired of.  Each time I return, there is always something new to discover, along with the familiar that makes me so happy to visit each time.  So easy to get to for us....a thirty minute drive to the Eurostar at Ashford last Thursday morning and under two hours later, the train drew in at Gare de Nord....perfect timing for lunch!

On this occasion, my daughter Georgie and I decided to rent a small Airbnb apartment in our favourite location of Le Marais.  I have never done this before, but would highly recommend it!  With more space than Paris's notoriously tiny hotel rooms, and a fraction of the cost, it was the perfect choice.   Our helpful and charming host was out of the country, hence the availability of his apartment, but everything was meticulously organised for us and our accommodation was so clean and comfortable....I shall definitely consider this option again.

Situated just a stone's throw from the beautiful 'Place des Vosges'....it could not have been more perfect.  For those of you who might not be familiar with Paris, Le Marais is an historic district on the right bank, spreading across the 3rd and 4th arrondissements.  With beautiful buildings of historical and architectural importance, original and inspiring artisan shops and boutiques, wonderful array of bars and restaurants, and a cool artistic vibe...it has something to please everyone.

The very slight draw back to the apartment was possibly the six steep flights of stairs leading to it! However we decided that this was a positive....great exercise to work off all the delicious food and wine that we enjoyed over the three days!

The reward for being so high up was also this fabulous view from our floor to ceiling windows, overlooking the rooftops and with the iconic 'Sacre Coeur' Cathedral in the distance.

Le Marais area is famous for its wonderful bakeries....tempting breakfast treats.

Floral and culinary inspiration everywhere we went....

...and no shopping trip to Paris would be complete without also a visit to the fabulous 'Galeries Lafayette' in the 9th arrondissement.

The newly restored Picasso Museum was a highlight...

...with the stunning architecture as much of a draw as the art.

Beautiful gardens in hidden squares were a delight to discover....

Several fantastic meals were had....and the trip would not have been complete without a visit to our absolute favourite restaurant 'Chez Janou' in Rue Roger Verlomme!

We must have walked miles over the few days we were there...enjoying the elegance of the lovely St. Germain district and the charming Ile St. Louis.

As we closed the magnificent doors to our apartment building, with our suitcases a little fuller than when we arrived....we were sad to leave.  A wonderful mother and daughter trip...special times with special memories.

 

Paris we miss you....but one thing is for sure....we shall return!

***

Do you have a favourite area or place to visit in Paris?  I would so love to hear!

Wishing you a happy Thursday...

Sophia xx

SPECIAL TIME...

After two days of eating, drinking and celebrating, it was a welcome chance this recent 'Boxing Day' to get out of the house to blow away the cobwebs!

With the beautiful stretches of Camber Sands near Rye on the south coast, only a thirty minute drive away, we set off en famille with two very excited dogs in tow!

As we climbed over the magnificent dunes, with the beach stretched out in front of us, we saw that we weren't the only ones to crave some fresh air and exercise....

There is something very special about being by the sea...it gives such a sense of freedom and is so calming don't you think? 

 Special time to be together...

All that fresh air and exercise certainly builds an appetite, and we found the perfect post beach lunch at the very stylish and welcoming 'The Gallivant', just across the road from the sand dunes.  With its warm and contemporary interior and open fire, not to mention the delicious food...

....it was the perfect end to a perfect day.

***

Happy Friday everyone, and wishing you all a very happy weekend!  

Sophia xx