Hertfordshire Hangout | The Brewery Tap | Ware

After looking for a place that was open on a Sunday evening in the small Hertfordshire town of Ware where I live, my friend and I found The Brewery Tap (formerly known as The Tap Bar) and were really impressed!

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Undergoing an amazing transformation, The Brewery Tap looks incredible, and may have just become my new favourite hangout! Walking in the door I was really surprised as the last time I'd been in there it was called The Tap Bar and that was a few years ago, so it was like walking into a completely different pub!

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This Pub/Bar has been given a whole new interior, leaving it looking hip, trendy and beautifully chic. In the main bar area, the décor brought rustic greys, dark wood and leathers together with contemporary looking copper and silver accents. Combined with very modern, ultra cool lighting fixtures including re-purposed Jim Bean bottles as light bulbs and bare bulbs hanging from the ceiling by bold rustic pipes, the bar is a real mix of rustic warehouse meets contemporary Shoreditch bar and is a really cool place to go for a nice quiet drink/ pub lunch.

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My favourite interior piece is the accent strip of wall by the bar which is made up of 1 pence coins, which creates a strangely beautiful mosaic of copper and dark brown. Not going to lie.. I WANT a similar thing in my flat! Possibly an ultra trendy kitchen splash-back with white marble counter tops. I just love the contrast of the copper and modern/chic wood or stone.

The Brewery Tap also offers a cellar bar which is available for private hire, with a wine bottle ceiling and a glass hatch view up to the main bar above, looking down, you can see the bare beam and chic interior of the cellar conversion. Definitely going to look into hiring this space for a Herts Bloggers event at some point! They will also soon be offering Accommodation in their upstairs space.

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Sourcing their ales and food from local breweries and farms, you cannot fault their menu! With a selection of pies, craft beers, ciders, ales and lagers, you're spoilt for choice. All locally sourced from areas such as Buntingford and St. Albans, The Brewery Tap is certainly a great place for a casual drink. Have you ever been to The Brewery Tap? Know of any other pubs/bars worth checking out? Let me know in the comments below!

Spicy Pork and Rice Recipe | Under 500cals | Hairy Dieters

This is literally one of my favourite recipes. It's a weekly menu regular for my household!  So much so, that I'm actually eating it as I'm typing this!! Yummy! I bought the Hairy Bikers' book Hairy Dieters Eat for Life (I now have 3 of their books!) when I was on a diet a while ago (they're quite frequent but never last!) as they have so many amazing recipes that are healthy, low in calorie and quick to make! After creating a weekly shopping list of various recipes within the books, this dish seemed to be our meal of choice almost every week. The combination of succulent pork, mixed with the spiciness of the chilli and chorizo, is just so nice on the palette. It's spicy without being unbearable and texture is similar to that of paella. It's super simple and easy to make, only takes 30 minutes on the hob and is only 395 calories per portion! (serves 4) It probably doesn't look anywhere near as good as it tstes so you'll have to trust me!

We usually cook the full measurements and box up the remaining two portions to have for lunch/ dinner the next day. Making 1 meal stretch further! So here's what you'll need:

2 tsp olive oil

1 medium onion, sliced into thin wedges

500g pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into 1cm slices (make sure to get rid of all the fat!)

50g chorizo (mild or spicy) sausage, skinned and cut into 5mm slices

2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1 red and 1 orange pepper, deseeded and sliced

100g green beans, trimmed and cut into short lengths

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

½ tsp hot chilli powder (I put in 1 tsp)

150g easy-cook long-grain rice

750ml chicken stock, made with 1 stock cube

flaked sea salt

freshly ground black pepper

Method:

Heat the oil in a large, non-stick deep frying pan or sauté pan. Fry the onion wedges over a medium-high heat for 3 minutes until they’re softened and lightly browned, stirring regularly.

Season the pork with salt and black pepper, then add it to the pan and stir-fry with the onion for 2 minutes until lightly browned. Add the chorizo, garlic, peppers and beans and stir-fry together for 2 minutes more. 

Sprinkle with the spices and stir in the rice, then pour over the stock and bring to the boil.

Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes, stirring regularly, until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice and pork are both lovely and tender.

See! Easy!

Have you tried this recipe before? Do you have any of the Hairy Dieters' Books? Let me know in the comments below!

Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Meringue Frosting | The Hummingbird Bakery Recipe

It was our little brother's 17th birthday last weekend, so naturally, I wanted to bake! Knowing his love of chocolate, I knew exactly which book to find a recipe in... One Kirsty had bought me for my Birthday/Christmas (sorry!  I can't remember!). The Hummingbird Bakery's Home Sweet Home.

A perfect collection of amazing sweets and savouries and of course a selection of incredible chocolate cakes fill this beautifully bound pink baking bible.

After finding the perfect recipe; Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Meringue Frosting, I went out to buy the ingredients and to collect my brother to help me bake!

The ingredients are as follows: Decoration 60g (2oz) Milk Chocolate 50g (1 3/4oz) White Chocolate Sponge 170g (6oz) Unsalted Butter, Softened 350g (12oz) Soft Light Brown Sugar 3 Large Eggs 80g (3oz) 70% (min) Dark Chocolate 225g (8oz) Plain Flour 1 1/2tsp Bicarbonate of Soda 1/2tsp Salt 225g (8oz) Soured Cream 2tsp Vanilla Extract 2tbsp Instant Coffee Mixed with 240ml (81/2fl oz) Boiling Water (If you don't like coffee, don't worry, I hate it and couldn't taste it at all!) Frosting 300g (10 1/2oz) Caster Sugar 80g (3oz) Golden Syrup 120ml (4fl oz) Water 4 Large Egg Whites 1/2 tsp Cream of Tartar 1tsp Vanilla Extract

Method: To make the chocolate decoration, melt the milk chocolate and white chocolate separately in two small bowls, either in microwave-safe dishes in the microwave or set over small pans of simmering water. Turn one of the cake tins upside down and place a thin piece of plastic or clingfilm over the top of the tin. Place a blob of the melted milk chocolate in the centre and a blob of the white chocolate next to the milk chocolate. Using the back of a spoon, gently spread the chocolate around, marbling the two colours in a round disc that is the same size as the base of the cake tin. (Go crazy with this, we tried a swirly pattern and used a toothpick to create our design). Once done, carefully lift the plastic sheet and set aside on a flat surface for the chocolate to set completely.  Preheat the oven to 170C and line the cake tins with baking parchment. In a freestanding electric mixer with the paddle attachment or using a hand-held electric whisk, cream the butter and the sugar together until light and fluffy. And the eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl and mixing well after each addition. Melt the dark chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave or in a glass bowl set over a small pan of simmering water. With the mixer or whisk on a slow speed, pour the melted chocolate into the creamed butter and sugar mixture. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt. In a jug, mix together the soured cream, vanilla extract and coffee. With the mixer or whisk on a slow speed, add the dry ingredients to the creamed butter and sugar in alternating additions with the coffee mixture. Once everything has been added, scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix well to form a smooth, even batter. Divide the batter evenly amongst the three prepared tins. Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes or until the sponge bounces back when lightly touched. Remove from the tins and allow to cool completely before frosting. Next, make the meringue frosting. In a medium saucepan, dissolve the sugar and golden syrup in the water. Bring this to the boil. This much boil, without stirring, until the sugar reaches the soft ball stage (a little bit of the syrup dropped into cold water will form a soft ball). If you have one, use a sugar thermometer to check when it is ready - it needs to reach 115C. Meanwhile, whisk up the egg whites with the cream of tartar and vanilla extract. This should be whipped up only until it is just beginning to become white and frothy. When the syrup is ready, carefully pour it onto the egg whites while the mixer is on medium speed, gradually increasing the speed whilst pouring. Once all the syrup has been added, turn the mixer speed to high and let the meringue whip up. It will become very white and glossy and the bowl will be warm to the touch. Let it continue to mix until the base of the bowl has cooled to lukewarm. Once the sponge layers feel cool to the touch, you can assemble and frost the cake. Place the first layer on a plate or cake stand and top with 3-4 tablespoons of meringue frosting. Smooth the frosting out using a palette knife, adding a little more if needed. Sandwich the second layer on top, then add more frosting, followed by the third layer of cake. Next frost the sides and top of the cake, covering it completely so that no sponge is showing. Carefully peel the plastic off the chocolate disc and place the disc on the top of the cake to finish. If the chocolate disc breaks, break it up further into more pieces and decorate the top of the cake with these.

NB. This recipe was taken out of The Hummingbird Bakery's Home Sweet Home recipe book. Some wording may have been changed to simplify.

BINKY X Launch | In The Style | Wishlist

Made in Chelsea star Alexandra (Binky) Felstead attended her press day today for the launch of her new clothes line BINKY X with InTheStyle.com. Having been to a recording of a MIC special of Virtually Famous a few weeks ago, and following her Instagram account, I already knew about her upcoming line. At the filming she was wearing the most amazing tartan check shirt/dress and knee high boots (both above). I fell in love and knew I had to have them! Searching and searching online, I discovered they were due to be launched this week, so eagerly awaited the announcement! The day finally came.. and I forgot about it! Typical me! But I reminded myself today, and unsurprisingly, its sold out already! :( They come in sizes to suit all, from a 6 to a 16! The next dispatch is in late October so make sure you get your orders in! They're also offering 20% off for students too! Her collection is full of chic autumn essentials, from floaty frocks, jackets and fringing, you'll be sure to look like you're "Made in Chelsea"! 

I LOVE two items in particular; her Red/Navy Check Shirt (£33.99) and her Black Plunge Neck Drape Dress (£34.99). I just love how casual they are but can so easily be dressed up or down! My favourite looks are the Faux Suede Over The Knee Heeled Boots (£44.99) and the floaty plunge dress, and the check shirt dress with Black Suede Ankle Boots (£36.99)! I need all of this in my life! Have you bought one of these? What do you think of her new line? Let me know in the comments below!