Jazz Apple, Pork And Black Pudding Sausage Rolls* | Just Add Ginger

I'm the first one to admit that although I enjoy cooking, I am no chef. I can follow a recipe no problem. But coming up with my own ideas? That's where I come across problems. 

Recently I was made aware of an apple variety I had never heard of before - Jazz Apples*. Available in certain supermarkets and greengrocers, and flavour that is described as a "funky fusion of a Braeburn and a Royal Gala – the nation’s two most bought apple varieties" I knew there was no better opportunity to get into the kitchen and toy around with flavour combinations and recipe ideas.

With Autumn as my inspiration along with the delicate, slightly sweet flavour of the Jazz apples, I sat down with Ryan and started to go through my thoughts. After discussions, a test bake, and lots of dancing around the kitchen to Radio Two, I have come up with a recipe that is hearty, wholesome, and absolutely perfect for the season (I'm really proud of it too)!

You Will Need:

Ingredients                   

1 1/2 Jazz Apples

3 Rounds of black pudding

375g Sausage meat

1 sheet Puff pastry

Salt

Pepper  

1 Egg (beaten) 

Flour

Basil leaves

Equipment 

A selection of knives

Chopping board

Mixing bowl 

Gloves (optional) 

Pastry brush

2 Baking trays

Fork 

Mug / bowl

Meat thermometer (optional)

Method

- Pre-heat the oven to Gas Mark 5. 

- Line baking trays with parchment.

- Beat one egg in a mug or bowl and set aside for later.

- Peel and finely dice your Jazz apples. Rouchly chop your black pudding rounds into small chunks and set aside. 

- Place sausage meat into a large mixing bowl and knead to separate (wear gloves to do this if you wish). Add cubes of apple and black pudding at intervals, folding them in to distribute the chunks evenly. Continue to work the mixture until all the apple and black pudding are in and fully combined. Season to taste. 

- Dust a large chopping board with flour and roll out your pastry. Cut the sheet in half to form two smaller pieces. 

- Divide the sausage meat mixture and form into balls in your hands. Place in the centre of each pastry sheet and for, into a long sausage shape, ensuring the mixture is even and plump.

- Bring each side of your pastry together over the sausage meat mixture to form a seam. Turn your newly formed rolls over onto their unmarked side. 

- Make several evenly spaced cuts in the pastry surface. Use your beaten egg to apply an egg wash with a pastry brush. To be fancy, you can mark the edges of your sausage rolls with a fork. 

- Place your sausage rolls onto your lined baking trays and cook for 20-30 minutes, checking halfway through. Once the pastry is golden, and the pork juices run clear (if you're using a probe the core temperature should be over 77°C) you are ready to serve. 

Not into sausage rolls? Don't worry! Head to the Jazz Apple website where there are lots of other recipes you can try out and enjoy. But if you do give these a go, let me know what you think.

* Thank you to Hungry Communications for letting me know about Jazz Apples and their campaign. For more information about Jazz Apples and more recipe ideas, head to https://jazzapple.com/uk/ or follow them over on Facebook, Twitter (@JazzAppleUK) or Instagram (@jazzappleuk).

A Summer BBQ's Best Friend * | Just Add Ginger

My taste in beer has changed dramatically over the past few years. The girl who used to crack open a bottle of Coors Light has been replaced by a woman who enjoys sampling all different kinds of beers, ales, IPas and Pils. A few weeks ago when the opportunity to try out some beers from UK importer Morgenrot arose, I was only too happy to get involved.

And what better excuse to crack open a few cheeky beers than at a BBQ we were holding. Since early on this year Ryan has been really involved in lighting up the BBQ and trying out all sorts of different recipes for pulled belly pork, ribs, burnt ends and more. He is an awesome pitmaster, and knowing that we would have a selection of beers to pair with his latest offering really was the cherry on top of the (very delicious looking) cake. 

For me beers and BBQ food go hand in hand, so instead of writing just a straight up review, in celebration of the summer we have (kind if) had I'll be - with Ryan's guidance - recommending meats that have worked or would work well with each beer too.

Cerveses La Pirata 

Spanish Brewery - First opened in 2015 

I went into this beer tasting deliberately not knowing anything about any one of them. I very much consider myself the voice of the every man when it comes to trying food or drink. I am not an expert. I don't know all the fancy terminology. I like to think I write the way most people think. Simple. Straight forward. Honest. 

So please believe me when I tell you that I completely fell in love with the two beers I received from Cerveses La Pirata. They were absolutely beautiful. Both with a really rich and interesting flavour without being too intense and overpowering for my palette. They also paired really well with the ribs that Ryan cooked. I tried the American IPA first and as soon as I had the first sip I knew I had to find out how I could get my hands on more. The flavour sung to all the senses and was the perfect blend of mellow citrus notes and well-bodied undertones.

The Amber Ale had a slightly more full-bodied flavour, but still went down a treat and was not too overwhelming. It complemented the meat really well with subtle hits of sweetness blending with the rub on the ribs and pulled pork and the tang of the accompanying sides. This one was slightly more malty and for my former self might have been too much. But for me, this was perfect. If I had to settle for a favourite it would be the IPA that took the edge, although the Amber cut a ridiculously close 2nd place.

Beercat Brewery 

Spanish Brewery - Established in 2012 

To be frank I wasn't the biggest fan of the Siete Vidas from Beercat. The hints of coriander in the beer were somewhat reminiscent of Blue Moon, which has always had too intense a flavour for me. After a few sips it all became a bit too much and I had to move on. However Ryan enjoyed this one. This one didn't make an appearance at our BBQ but the cilantro would have worked well with the richness of the belly pork and balanced out the flavours, cutting through nicely and cleansing the palette. 

Krombacher 

Germany Brewery - founded 1803 

I only wish I had known about Krombacher when I was pregnant. Both the Pils and the low-alcohol version were brewed so well that the flavour differences between the two were practically indistinguishable. These beers were unpretentious, light, crisp and a much more grown up version of the beers I used to drink. With a perfect balance of flavour that would make them ideal to crack open on a warm summer's day and sip with your more traditional BBQ food. 

For those who enjoy a cheeky tipple but are turned off by too intense a flavour, these are great. And for those out there who are expecting and have had to forgo their beer appreciation, if you get your hands on the low alcohol Pils for a once-in-a-while treat, you will not be disappointed at all. 

Windhoek 

Namibian Brewery 

Just like the Krombacher, this lager from Windhoek was light, crisp, straight-forward and grown up. Ever just a touch more bitter than most lagers I have tried, this would have made a good choice at one of our BBQs where either more simplistic or complex flavours were on offer. However was it clearly distinguishable or memorable from the other beers I got to sample? No, not really. It wasn't stand-out to me, but maybe that it because I've worked so long on moulding my palette so am instinctively in search of something with a bit more individuality.

I'm so grateful to Hungry Communications for the opportunity to try out these beers. Everybody's tastes are different so naturally there were some that stood out more to me than others. However if you are planning a BBQ or a big beer fan I suggest giving any of these a try. You might just find yourself a new favourite.

* I was very kindly sent all these beers by Hungry Communications for review consideration, for which I a very grateful. This however does not influence my opinions. They are 100% honest and guided by my own personal experience of products. 

Please drink responsibly and only if you are above the legal age to do so!

Fox's Ice Cream Favourites Limited Edition Glaciers* | Just Add Ginger

Look for a way to describe my affection for all things confection and it's safe to say that instead of having one appreciative tooth I have a whole set of sweet teeth! So give me a chance to try out something new and you can bet your bottom dollar I'm 99.9% going to embrace that opportunity with open arms! 

This summer, Fox's have launched a limited edition pack of their famous glaciers all inspired by ice cream: Raspberry Ripple, Rum & Raisin, Banana and Strawberry Cream. Since moving closer to the coast there's nothing that gives me more joy than reliving out a childhood treat and grabbing a cheeky cone from the ice cream van. So if Fox's could have taken that nostalgic experience and poured it into this limited edition launch, then I was going to be very, very impressed! 

Breaking open the bag and delving in, I was of course a little apprehensive. Having only ever associated Fox's with their mint glaciers, I was really intrigued as to how they have managed other flavours. Were all four choices going to translate? And well? But as I popped sweet after sweet into my mouth, it was pretty clear Fox's have nailed it. A mix of subtle and strong, it is obvious which classic ice cream flavour you have found. Strawberry Cream and Banana are much more mellow and sweet, whereas Raspberry Ripple and Rum & Raisin are a lot more powerful. I even tried mixing things up by trying a Strawberry Cream & Banana (my personal favourites) together. This was actually pretty yummy, but I'm not entirely sure how other flavour combos would work - definitely one to try for yourselves though!

So let's talk packaging. The actual bag itself is cute and colourful, resembling the iconic waffled ice cream cone texture. However there is a slight stumbling point when it comes to the actual sweets themselves. I thought that with there being a mix of flavours Fox's would have chosen to use labels to make it clear which flavour is which - especially when there is the possibility that children might be eating these and there is a chance they might grab something so strong like Rum & Raisin. 

But all the sweets are wrapped up in exactly the same style of paper, meaning you are having to play a game of pot luck. Fine if you like all the selection, but not incredibly helpful if there is a favour you are trying to avoid! Yet this is the only minor hiccup. It didn't put me off diving in for more, nor did it hinder my enjoyment, - it's just something to be aware of. Once you come to grips with identifying each flavour by their colour, you know which you should avoid.

As far as sweets go, Fox's Ice Cream Favourites Limited Edition Glaciers are a winner in my eyes. Sure there is one I'm not a fan of, but that's no reflection on the sweets themselves. There is something there for everyone and the flavours are pretty much on point. They'd be great to have in the glove compartment for car journeys, thrown into a beach bag to take on holiday or as a crowd-pleaser at picnics. Lighter than chocolate and far less messy, for those of us who often need a fast fix of something sweet, Fox's Glaciers are ideal for this time of year. (Hands up who has ever had a 'melted chocolate bar in pocket / handbag' situation too).

These limited edition packs are available nationwide for a limited time, so if you are tempted to give them a try don't take to long! The 200g size makes them perfect for sharing, but to be honest they are so moreish that you might not want to - particularly if you have a favourite flavour.

*I was very kindly sent two packs of the Fox's Ice Cream Favourites Limited Edition Glaciers to sample. This in no way affects my opinions. They are always 100% honest and guided by my personal experiences.

Chy, Waterloo Review | Just Add Ginger

I will be the first to admit that Chinese cuisine is not my favourite. Unlike other food, I can find the flavourings of the dishes a little too potent for my palette, and often have difficulty finding enough dishes to try. 

So when the idea came up to head on down to Chy in Waterloo for an early dinner one evening, initially I was a little dubious. I hate being a fussy diner, but I just wasn't sure if there would be anything on the menu that tickled my fancy. However, never one to turn down an outing, I hopped on to the website to take a look at the Set Menu to ensure there would be something I'd be happy ordering.

Thankfully I was able to hone in on several dishes that sounded right up my street and wouldn't be too overbearing or contain ingredients that are strictly off-limits for the time being. Always one to plan ahead, I narrowed my order down to the chicken and sweetcorn soup, prawn toast, and sweet and sour chicken. Excitedly nervous, and with a tummy growling for food, we headed down to give Chy a try.

South Road in Waterloo is a relatively new commodity when it comes to dining experiences. I've only ever popped in to a few of the restaurants before, and with so many on the one street, it can be difficult to pick somewhere out. Situated on the end of a parade of places to ear, Chy instantly makes it mark by looking incredibly sleek and sophisticated from the outside. The interior follows suit, with beautiful décor creating an intimate yet elegant atmosphere. It was also lovely to see quite a number of tables already full, with couples and families dining happily and chatting away in a low buzz. 

We were served almost instantly, with drinks and food orders taken, and it wasn't long before our first course came out. For being on the set menu, it was a nice surprise to see such a generous size portion of soup arrive, accompanied by a bowl of prawn crackers to share (something I had to really try and remember - prawn crackers are just too yummy)! The soup was really flavourful, and unlike some I have had in the past, not too salty. I guzzled down nearly all the bowl, only leaving a bit at the bottom to ensure I had enough room for the other courses. Had this been the only starter course, I wouldn't have readily woolfed it down!

Prawn toast soon followed after our soup bowls were collected. Three pieces of delicious-looking sesame-coated toast sat waiting for me alongside a sweet chilli dip. Jam-packed full of succulent prawns, and with a crispy coating to complement, I really wish there had been more than just three portions on my plate - they barely touched the surface of the plate before they had completely vanished! I could have gone back for more and more, and were definitely some of the best prawn toast offerings I've ever tasted.

Last up from the set menu was my sweet and sour chicken accompanied by a portion of rice. Looking appetising, and smelling equally as yummy, the only downside to this dish was that I stupidly forgot to check to see if it came with any vegetables. My own mistake, I picked out a majority of the peppers and put them on Ryan's plate for him to enjoy. Although this made the plate much more appealing for me, it did mean that the plate looked a little empty. But having the rice to hand definitely helped bulk out the dish, and once again I was really impressed with the amount of flavour the sweet and sour sauce had - a far cry from that artificial flavour that some sweet and sour dishes have when you order them from takeaway menus.

You would have thought that after all that food we would have been full. But no. Instead of admitting defeat, it wouldn't be a complete meal without something for pudding. Not available on the set menu, we ordered from the main dessert menu - me opting for the cheesecake, and Ryan for banana fritters. 

Rich and creamy, my cheesecake was bursting with sweetness from the strawberry sauce and ice cream, working brilliantly with the unique taste of the marscapone in the cheesecake filling. A generous size for a dessert, like with all the dishes I had ordered, this didn't last very long. Ryan in turn really enjoyed his fritters, which were absolutely ginormous. 

Going to Chy really changed my mind about Chinese food. Although the early bird set menu was only a small selection, I did take a peek at the main menu choices and there were quite a number that I would go for. The prices are also really reasonable. At £12.95 pp for the set menu, and all other dishes coming in under £20 (even for the specials), I can see this soon becoming a family date night hotspot. 

To find out more about Chy, their other chains in the city, or to take a peek at the menus, click here.

25 Food Question Tag | Just Add Ginger

It's no secret that I absolutely adore my food. I love cooking it. I love eating it. I love going out to restaurants to sample it. Put a plate of food in front of me, and I am one happy girl. Last week when we were away, I put on 5lbs....5lbs! Yes, as soon as the wedding dress came off, the bridal diet was well and truly over!

I found the 25 Food Questions Tag whilst searching online and knew I just had to give it a go. If you are as passionate about food as I am, then TAG you're it....it's your turn to have a go next!

1. What's your favourite breakfast?

I go through phases, but at the moment it would either be chocolate porridge, banana and yoghurt, or smashed avocado on toast. I've just discovered avocado, and am literally obsessed!

2. How do you drink your coffee?

With a splash of milk. I used to be one for having all the syrups, but now I like keeping it simple.

3. What's on your favourite sandwich?

Hmmm...that's a tough one. I have a love/hate relationship with bread, and don't really eat a lot of sandwiches any more. But if I had to pick something it would be mozzarella, fresh basil leaves, chopped tomatoes and pesto.

4. Soup or Salad? 

Soup. There's nothing like a big hearty bowl of soup on a cold day or to have as the ultimate comfort food. Spiced parsnip is my favourite!

5. What's your favourite cookbook? 

I'm a really big Jamie Oliver fan. And his Ministry Of Food cookbook is brilliant. I know how to cook several dishes in there by heart and they always hit the spot.

6. No more sweets or no more hearty food? 

Do I really have to choose? Really? Oh gosh this is such a tough decision. I guess if "sweets" means desserts then I'd have to get rid of them. I love my puddings, but nothing beats big dishes of hearty, home-cooked food.

7. What's your favourite cuisine (country?) 

Italian or Indian. It's a tough call. I love them both.

8. What's your favourite food movie? 

Chocolat....Johnny Depp and chocolate. Is there any better a combination?

9. What's your most guilty pleasure? 

There's a dessert at our favourite restaurant that I just love. Every time we go there I order it, even if I'm full. And I once ate two in one sitting. At home though it's a big mug of hot chocolate...delicious!

10. What's your greatest inspiration source? 

Watching Masterchef. I watch it every year and after it's finished that's when my passion for food goes in to overdrive. Watching Ryan cook is fascinating too. He has such a palette and isn't afraid to try anything. I really wish I was more like that.

11. Cooking at home or going out to dinner? 

A bit of both. Home-cooked food is amazing, but going out is such a treat, and something I really look forward to.

12. High end or low profile? 

If this is in terms of restaurants I like to sample both. I love supporting local businesses, so visit both family-style, or one off restaurants and high flyers. I learn a lot from both and always appreciate the food. 

13. What's your favourite restaurant? 

Yukti. Every time.

14. I do my grocery shopping at...? 

Tesco mainly, with a few visits to Asda every so often.

15. The tastiest food I've ever eaten was...? 

Again, this is a really difficult question, and one that's so hard to answer. I can't say there has been one dish that has surpassed all others, but I was blown away by a sea bass dish I had at Bill's last weekend. It was divine!

16. What's your favourite cocktail? 

Basil Grande. They are quite difficult to come by so as soon as I spot one on a cocktail menu I order it.

17. Coffee with George Clooney or Heston Blumenthal? 

Has to be Heston - I'd love to pick his brain and learn more about him as a chef. I think he's fantastic.

18. What should not be missing in your kitchen? 

Herbs and spices. I'm not the most confident at experimenting but I love adding things to make dishes extra tasty.

19. What's your favourite snack? 

Depending on how I feel, either some cheeky chocolate biscuits, crisps, or cheese and crackers.

20. What's on your pizza? 

Same as my sandwich - mozzarella, pesto, basil and tomato.

21. What food do you really dislike? 

There are a few. I really can't stand celery, radishes, marzipan, cherry liquor, and anything pickled!

22. What's your favourite food blog? 

She doesn't write exclusively about food, but I do like watching Niomi Smart's food videos on YouTube. Everything looks so delicious and colourful.

23. What's the weirdest thing you've ever eaten? 

Sheep testicle. I didn't realise what it was, and I really thought it was yummy. 

24. What's on your food bucket list? 

I'd love to go to a really high end restaurant to eat. There's no food item on my bucket list really. I love being curious and discovering things as I go.

25. I couldn't live without...? 

Chocolate. Or cheese. Both hold a pretty big place in my heart,

Fancy having a go at this tag? Leave your links or answers in the comments!

Bet you're feeling hungry now, aren't ya? 

#AtoZChallenge / X Marks The Spot: 3 Restaurants You MUST Visit In Liverpool

Food plays a huge part in my existence as a human being. I love the stuff. Where I used to save the majority of my money to buy tons of make up and copious amounts of clothes, now I always make sure I have enough to go out to at least one fancy meal a month.

Now I know that some of you reading this may not live in Liverpool or know the area that well. So, for the sake of thinking that you might pay a visit, I wanted to share my top three restaurant picks in Liverpool. The ones that have seriously impressed me, and where I highly recommend everyone to visit. 

1. YUKTI

Come on...how many of you knew I was going to say Yukti as my first choice? Boyfriend and I really love this restaurant. It is such a hidden gem in the city when it comes to food and deserves all the praise in the world. Each dish has always been cooked to perfection, with my taste-buds doing a happy little dance with each mouthful. The staff go above and beyond to make sure that your dining experience is the best possible, and do their best to take in to account food allergies and requirements when suggesting dishes. We go there so much that we don't even really need to order any more. We trust the staff implicitly to make amazing choices for us. There hasn't been a meal so far that I haven't liked. The ambience is really lovely too. Twinkling tea lights sit prettily at each table. The lighting is low to create a romantic and peaceful atmosphere, and there is even a little homage to Liverpool in the décor. It is just beautiful in there.

I'm always telling my friends to pay a visit to Yukti. It's not just my favourite Indian restaurant. It's my favourite restaurant of any that I've been to in the city. And there have been quite a few of those, believe me! 

To read my food reviews on Yukti, click here and here

2. HANOVER STREET SOCIAL 

I am always tempted to pop back in to Hanover Street Social every time I bring a friend in to own. But nearly all the time the restaurant is full to the brim. And if that doesn't say something about this place then I don't know what does. The food is just exquisite. Unlike Yukti, I wouldn't say the food is of a certain food genre. It is well-made, hearty, and totally fabulous and definitely speaks for itself. I had one of the most amazing main courses here ever, and even now, almost two years on, thinking about it makes my mouth-water. It left that much of a mark on me. 

The restaurant décor is the perfect combination of modern, rustic and ever so slightly Bohemian. Everything always looks so warm and inviting, and every time I've been in, the atmosphere has been electric. 

For a more in depth review of Hanover Street Social, click here. 

3. BISTRO JACQUES 

Discovering Bistro Jacques was definitely a very happy accident. After seeing a concert at the Liverpool Philharmonic on Valentine's Day, we popped our heads in to the restaurant to see if they had a table left. And boy am I glad they did. I love this place. Sitting in Bistro Jacques really is like stopping off at a Parisian cafe. The décor is gorgeous, with the most wonderful attention to detail, and the food is just divine. It's not al frogs legs and snails (although these are on the menu.) There is something for everyone, and everything is cooked beautifully. Certain special price menus are also available. I know that there is a 3 course lunch menu, a pre-theatre menu and a wine and dine menu on Monday and Tuesday nights too! 

To read my full review of Bistro Jacques, click here 

Which are your top three favourite restaurants in your city? 

When Indian Cuisine Met Scouse | Just Add Ginger

It was about a week or so ago that Boyfriend and I discovered that one of our favourite restaurants, Yukti, was putting on a menu to celebrate Global Scouse Day. Well, of course we had to book ourselves in for a little date night and see what it was all about didn't we? Now I've only ever had a bowl of Scouse once, so my mind was completely open about what to expect, but Boyfriend is a bit of a Scouse fiend, so both of us waited with baited breath to see what Yukti had to offer us. 

We knew that it was going to be a bit of a feast, so made sure we ate only little during the day. When it comes to our visits to Yukti, we don't hold back on ordering food because it is all so delicious. We knew instantly that we would be ordering the Global Scouse Day menu, but couldn't help ourselves and ordered a non-vegetarian platter to share as well 

After diving in to our poppadoms and pre-starter (which was a little bite-sized piece of heaven,) we tucked in to our platter. I could not fault anything! The chicken was soft and succulent, the lamb was meaty and beautifully spiced, and the salmon - which was by far my favourite - just melted when I touched it with my fork. It was the perfect way to whet our appetites, and the accompanying sauces worked brilliantly. The purple sauce - which I think may have been beetroot - married sublimely with the meat and the fish. It was the perfect size starter for the both of us, and after we'd cleared the plate, we couldn't wait for our mains to arrive.

When our mains arrived, Boyfriend's eyes lit up with excitement. This was the moment we had been waiting for....when Indian food met Scouse....was it going to work? Would the balance be right? Whereas these excitement-fuelled questions filled my head, Boyfriend just dived in to the dishes. I followed, my stomach growling. 

And oh. My. Goodness was it beautiful. Beautiful, but - at least for me - hot! Which wasn't unwelcome. My pallet is nowhere near the spice-tolerance level of Boyfriend's but it is getting there, and the main Scouse-fusion dish was just on the comfortable side of hot for me. It just meant I had to take my time. If you are not used to spicy food, or do not like it, then it may have been too much to handle. But for us, it was perfect. The chunks of beef was tender and melt-in-the-mouth, and the tomato sauce was hearty, and jam-packed full of vegetables. I knew that the chef had been nursing the curry for hours beforehand, and you could tell. All of the flavours came together and were absolutely beautiful. And the beetroot side dish with its subtle sweetness complemented the spice of the curry to perfection. The garlic naan bread was great to have as something to dip in to the curry sauce. Ooo... just thinking about it all now my mouth is watering! 

I'm going to be honest...All the dishes combined were a little big for me. I think its because Boyfriend and I are in to such a good "three square meals" a day routine now. But I had to leave some of the curry and side dishes. Boyfriend gobbled up ever last mouthful with relish, and was so excited about the meal that it was all he could talk about. Even though I couldn't finish it all, the Scouse curry was a big hit with both of us! 

I have to give a mention of the wine we chose as well. Because the meat in the curry was beef, Boyfriend picked out a bottle of red for us to have with the meal. Now I am rubbish with describing wine notes, but believe me when I tell you that this one was absolutely delicious. It had a great balance of spice, with a little hit of sweetness as an after-taste that really reminded me of chocolate (almost similar to the wine we had at Bistro Jacques on Valentine's Day.)

Even though I was ready to burst, I just had to order my favourite dessert...I always go for the same thing every time because I just love it. The dark chocolate and raspberry hits all the right spots for me, and after a hot curry, was the most amazing way to calm my taste buds down. It was so chocolate-y and rich and delicious that I think it lasted all of ten seconds before I devoured it, leaving only one small bit on my plate because no matter how much I wanted to, I just couldn't fit any more food in. 

Our Global Scouse Day meal at Yukti was a fantastic success, and both Boyfriend and I loved everything that was on the menu. Yukti worked really hard to blend two different dishes and that hard work really paid off. Boyfriend could not sing the food's praises enough to the staff, and I really, really hope that the menu is back next year! 

Click here to read my first review of Yukti.

And to find out more about Yukti, or to book a table, head to: 

http://www.yukti.co.uk/

Valentine's Day at Bistro Jacques | Just Add Ginger

This year, it was my turn to plan what The Boy and I were going to do for Valentine's Day. Having planned a very romantical excursion to The Liverpool Philharmonic to watch the Valentine's Day concert there, I thought that after we had seen the performance, we could jump a taxi home and just fix something to eat there. 

But on a whim, after we left the concert, we decided to just pop our heads in to Bistro Jacques to see if they happened to have a free table. I didn't hod out much hope. It was about 10pm on one of the busiest nights of the year. There was not a chance a table would be free for us. 

To my delight, a table had just become free....And the kitchen was still open. This was our lucky night. After being shown to a corner table, and handed our menus, my tummy did a little somersault in delight. 

I have never been to Bistro Jacques before. I have visited Bistro Franc with The Boy and my mother and father-in-law, and I wasn't disappointed then. But I was intrigued to see how Bistro Jacques was in comparison.

The atmosphere in the restaurant already surpassed that of Bistro Franc. The restaurant seems much more intimate a setting, with French-themed décor adorning the walls lit with low-lighting.  The intimacy added additional romance to the evening, and made it seem like you really could be sitting in a Parisian restaurant on a magical, romance-filled evening. 

Bistro Jacques offered a Valentine's Day 3 course meal with a complementary glass of fizz. And this suited us well. Having only really eaten rubbish during the day, we were ready to sample something hearty and nutritious, and the menu offered plenty of choice.

For starters, I opted for toasted brioche. The Boy went for the pigeon breast. Neither of us could find fault with our choices. My brioche was soft and delicious, neither too small nor overbearing. The chive hollandaise sauce complemented the combination of mushrooms and prosciutto to perfection. It was easily one of the most beautiful starters I have ever had. It wasn't too heavy, and really got my appetite going ready for the rest of the courses. 

The Boy's pigeon was tender and succulent. I, having never eaten pigeon before, was pleasantly surprised when I sampled a piece. The Boy must have been impressed too because he polished off the plate in next to no time. Similar to my choice, the portion size was perfect for a starter, and got us both even more excited for our mains. 

For our main, we could not have chosen two dishes more opposite in direction. The Boy chose the beef bouguignon, and I, the salmon. Looking back, the dishes we chose could not have been more perfect for us. It makes me laugh because if you had asked us to pick for each other, these would have been our first choices. 

I love salmon. Boyfriend can be a little funny with fish so we rarely have it in the house. Salmon is my little treat to myself from time to time and this makes me a little picky about the way it's cooked. But I needn't have had reason to worry. The salmon was thick and meaty and gorgeous. The skin was crispy and delicious, and the ratatouille, which I confess I had been a bit nervous about, was a lovely, and unusual accompaniment, and one that I never thought would have worked. But it did. The fish herb pesto really hit the spot and really highlighted the flavour in the salmon. Ohh...just thinking back to how yummy it was my tummy is starting to rumble.

The beef bouguignon was Boyfriend's first try of the dish. It came presented beautiful, in a rustic pot atop a wooden board. The pot was filled right up to the top and fit to burst with vegetables and pieces of beef. I'm not really a fan of beef unless it is minced and in a meatball or burger patty, but I did try a little piece. It was buttery, tender, and nearly melted away in my mouth. The gratin daupinois was creamy and rich, but at the same time a lot lighter than other potato-ey alternatives. 

And the wine.. Oh my goodness I just have to mention the wine. Even though I had salmon, the bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape we ordered was the perfect choice. It was deep, and rich, and spicy and beautiful, leaving a subtle after-taste in your mouth that I can only describe as"chocolatey" (it probably isn't chocolatey at all, but there is a hint of sweetness there that cuts through the spiciness.) 

That's not mess on the table....it's passion!

By the time dessert came around I was starting to feel a little bit full. My belt had to be undone two whole notches! But it was all so worth it. I decided to take a risk and ordered bread and butter pudding (which I'd never had before.) The Boy was more traditional and ordered the cheeseboard. 

My bread and butter pudding was yummy. My photo doesn't do it justice, because as soon as it came out I tucked in straight away and forgot all about documenting the experience! I really don't know how to describe the flavour to you, but just trust me when I say that it was delicious, soft, and very, very more-ish. If you take a trip to Bistro Jacques and it is on the board as a dessert, definitely give it a go. If you're sweet-toothed like me you won't be disappointed. 

Boyfriend's cheeseboard offered a range of different cheeses to sample, with accompanying crackers, celery, butter and chutney. He enjoyed it very much, especially coupled with some sips from his glass of Chateauneuf. I'm definitely more of a sweets person at dinner, but if you aren't really in the mood for pud or want something to share, then the cheeseboard would be perfect. 

There was something really exciting and magical eating so late. It made us feel very French indeed and we sat back and reminisced about our little Parisian getaway in the summer, and the night we got engaged. We left the restaurant feeling comfortably and jolly. I had one of the best dining experiences at Bistro Jacques, and I can't wait to return to sample more of the menu!

For more information about Bistro Jacques, and to peruse the menu, head to:

http://www.bistrojacques.com/