Quick and Easy Thai Chicken Curry

Since becoming a student, this quick and easy Thai chicken curry has become something of a staple. Though not entirely authentic, this dish is simple and delicious, and a great one to pull out if you are hosting a large dinner party for your friends. The curry can easily be bulked out with more veg, for example red peppers or mangetout, and is best served with lots of side dishes. So throw together a big bowl of salad, tear up some naan breads or poppadoms, and enjoy a large social spread with your most appreciative and hungry friends!

To feed four or five people you will need...

4 chicken breasts

A large bunch of fresh coriander

1 large thumb sized piece of ginger

1 large chilli

3 garlic cloves

1 lime

1 tsp chilli powder

1 lemongrass stalk

2 tbsp rapeseed oil

2 large white onions

1 tsp tumeric

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tin coconut milk

1 chicken stock cube

Fish sauce and rice wine vinegar to taste (optional)

You will need to...

- Chop chicken into bite-size pieces and place in large bowl.

- Chop ginger, chilli, garlic and majority of fresh coriander finely - add to chicken.

- Bash lemongrass with flat blade of knife and split. Add this to chicken along with the rapeseed oil, juice and zest of lime and the chilli powder. Mix together and leave to marinate for an hour or so. 

- Once chicken has marinated dice onions and fry in large saucepan until translucent. Add ground coriander and tumeric and fry for another few minutes.
- Add chicken and marinate to pan and cook until chicken is sealed all over.
- Stir in coconut milk, stock, and a little water if necessary. Simmer gently for 15-20 mins or until chicken is cooked through.
- Before serving stir through remaining fresh coriander and add a few drops of rice wine vinegar and fish sauce to taste.
- Serve with fluffy boiled rice, salad, naan breads, chutneys, or whatever takes your fancy!

Enjoy! C x

An Offering From Les Alpes

A trip to the alps never fails to provide an offering of mouth-watering treats, and food always seem to taste a hundred times better after a long day on the slopes. A small Traditional French patisserie I found in Val d’Isere over Easter was bursting with immaculately presented fruit tarts. 

 This tarte aux framboise appears too perfect to be handmade, biting into it the taste is pretty good too, the crunchy pastry complements the soft sweet fruit inside and the sharp raspberries are dripping with sugary red syrup, it made me want to try all the other tarts and cakes in the shop. 

Z x

Caffè Vivo - Newcastle upon Tyne

What better way to spend a sunny, springtime Saturday afternoon than enjoying a long, lazy lunch in an authentic Italian café - complete with a glass of wine and a plate of simple yet delicious food. If this sounds up your street, then head down to Caffè Vivo, a charming Italian eatery tucked away on the Newcastle Quayside. Owned by Terry Laybourne (also at the helm of the ever-popular Café 21 round the corner from Vivo), it is unsurprising that the combination of unpretentious yet tasty dishes, and relaxed, peaceful atmosphere just works. 

In search of a satisfying late-lunch, my parents and I opted for just one course each, although the choice was not easy due to the array of appetising dishes on offer, spread across the A La Carte and Express Lunch menus. Once we had made our choices, the food arrived in good time, and service was efficient and accomplished yet relaxed and subtle - adjectives which seem to sum up all aspects of the experience, from the music and atmosphere to the food itself. My father opted for the Springtime Spaghetti Carbonara - a tasty pasta dish with a creamy sauce and moreish flecks of crispy pancetta, yet still light and fresh, being packed with seasonal green veggies. 

Fresh and seasonal Springtime Spaghetti Carbonara

Caesar Salad was my mum's choice - and old classic that she believes can separate the wheat from the chaff in terms of restaurants, and it seems that Caffè Vivo was definitely the former. The generous portion included large, succulent pieces of chicken, rashers of crispy pancetta, oozing soft boiled eggs crisp lettuce leaves, and spicy croutons, all liberally coated in the creamy yet sharp Caesar dressing. Her one criticism was the rather cold eggs compared to the rest of the dish, yet in a busy kitchen I can understand the need to pre-cook and chill such ingredients until needed. Nevertheless, she was adamant that the high quality of ingredients and subsequently impressive flavours made-up for this small hiccup. 

A rustic and hearty take on the classic Chicken Caesar Salad

 I settled on the 'PLT' sandwich - a delicious gourmet take on the standard BLT that we all know and love. This Italian version substituted bacon for thin, crisp pancetta, encasing this, the lettuce, tomato and fragrant basil aioli inside a soft and fresh ciabatta roll - heavenly. All dishes were perfectly complemented by a glass of cool and crisp house white, although for the more adventurous drinker they offer an intriguing selection of unique Italian artisan craft beers - we'll save that for another afternoon!

 All in all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable eating experience. Besides the great food and informal atmosphere, it was the attention to detail that really impressed. This ranged from the charming vintage-style bread tin which held a selection of artisan breads including focaccia and grissini, to the fresh seasonal daffodils adorning the tables, and delicious home-made lemon and hazelnut biscotti served alongside our coffees. Furthermore, all dishes were reasonably priced, with everything on the Express Lunch menu costing under £10, and the Springtime Spaghetti Carbonara from the A La Carte menu costing £12. If you are ever in search of an informal supper, late lunch, or just a coffee, be sure to seek out this hidden gem!

C x

Caffè Vivo, 29 Broad Chare, Newcastle upon Tyne,  NE1 3DQ