A Disappointing Starbucks
After Pudding Mill Lane I went to Eastfield to do a bit of shopping in the Marks and Spencer there. I successfully bought the jumper I wanted and some food for tonight.
However, I was not able to buy any coffee.
A Disappointing Starbucks
Because of my stroke and a slightly wonky mouth, I do not drink coffee from cardboard or plastic cups. And that’s all you now get in this branch in Eastfield! They used to have proper mugs before the Olympics.
So I came home thirsty!
But then Eastfield is one of those gluten-free deserts. Now it seems I can’t get a coffee there in Starbucks. I usually drink in one of their stores, as I can have something to eat if I want.
A Discount For Doing The Washing Up
As I often do, I popped over to my local cafe t0 get a coffee. As I wanted to drink it at home and I took my own mug, they gave me a discount for doing the washing up.
The Curry’s Still Working!
Last night’s curry seems to be still working. I feel quite refreshed this morning, despite getting up at three to put some posts on this blog. In fact that is a good thing, as I always used to work through the night before I had the stroke.
Wikipedia says this on the health benefits of curry.
Some studies have shown that ingredients in curry may help to prevent certain diseases, including colon cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. A number of studies have claimed that the reaction of pain receptors to the hotter ingredients in curries leads to the body’s release of endorphins, curry is claimed to be one of the most powerful aphrodisiacs.With the complex sensory reaction to the variety of spices and flavours, a natural high is achieved that causes subsequent cravings, often followed by a desire to move on to hotter curries. Some refer to this as addiction, but other researchers contest the use of the word “addiction” in this instance.
I don’t go along with wanting stronger curries. But here are a few observations on my life.
- I was born a day after modern India and I’ve always had a psychological connection to the sub-Continent. I’ve also enjoyed my visits there.
- C and myself regularly ate curries.
- I do get a craving for going for a curry at times. Last night was one of those days.
- When I moved here I seemed to ask several people, where there was a good Indian restaurant. I was finally sorted in Boots by a combnation of an Asian pharmacist and a customer.
- I was very disappointed when Waitrose stopped making curry and rice for one. Does anybody still do them?
- The day C died, I went for a meal in one of the Indian restaurants we used.
I should say that when I have a curry out, it’s usually in a proper restaurant, where they have tablecloths and use gram flour.
Perhaps it’s just down to releasing endorphins, as is stated in the extract from Wikipedia. After all, I feel better when Ipswich win.
Is Curry Good For Me?
Last night I had a good curry at the Angel Curry Centre in Chapel Market at the Angel.
My throat hasn’t been good lately, but it certainly seems to have improved after the curry.
But then it’s not just curry that does that. Marks and Spencer’s roast pork in a cider sauce has a similar calming effect. There are various articles on the web, which say curry does have good effects. like this one.
But then C and I always used to go for a curry on Monday nights, although in later years we didn’t go quite as often.
So I know one thing I’m going to do to improve my health and that is have a weekly curry.
Two Gluten-Free Eateries
I went to the Brunswick Centre Waitrose to see if I could find some Musks sausages. Unfortunately, they’ve stopped selling them.
But I did find this food stall outside.
Gluten-Free Gallettes
As I’d just had a big breakfast, I passed the stall. as I walked back to get the bus up Lamb’s Conduit Street, I saw this cafe called Danny’s.
Danny’s – Home Of The Gourmet Wrap
They have quite a lot of gluten-free items and on enquiring inside, the owner could have been coeliac.
I shall return, when my stomach is less full.
The Hope Street Hotel
On Friday night, I went to Liverpool for an Alumni Dinner at the University and stayed in the Hope Street Hotel,where the dinner was held. Here’s a few pictures.
One of the reasons, I like the hotel is that it does gluten-free food superbly well. It did in the dinner on Friday night and the food was summed up by the superb smoked haddock and poached eggs that I had for breakfast.
Other hotels should take note about the breakfast as fish and eggs is so simple and also impossible to add gluten.
Hollande Shows He’s A True Champagne Socialist!
There seems to be a big row brewing in France, as President Hollande has upped the tax on beer by a whopping 160%. He left the tax on wine and spirits alone. Read all about it, here in the Belfast Telegraph. This is the first paragraph.
France is planning heavy tax increases on beer, upsetting brewers – even in other countries.
President Francois Hollande is pushing through legislation to increase taxes on beer by 160% to help fund struggling social security programmes as France tries to lower a budget deficit hit hard by the economic crisis. The tax would affect local brews and the 30% of imported beer the French drink.
I suppose though, I’m not bothered, as I’ve never heard of a gluten-free French beer. Although, there’s some passable Belgian and Spanish ones.
Debenhams Drops Stupid Coffee Names
According to this story in the Mirror, Debenhams are to use plain English to describe their coffee.
I suppose it’s their choice, but round here most people know their cappuccinos from their lattes. And I don’t just mean those that went to posh schools or were born outside of Hackney.
Baked Eggs With Tomatoes
I’ve done this recipe for years, but in the move the book with it in has got lost.
- Well butter four ramekin dishes.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C
- Take a large tin of chopped tomatoes and put in a saucepan with a a finely chopped medium-sized onion. Mix well and heat.
- When it is hot, simmer and add two tablespoons of flour mixed with enough butter to make a nice paste.
- Simmer for five minutes or so, adding a teaspoon of sugar and salt and pepper until you get the taste right.
- Spoon the mixture into the ramekin dishes, making a nest in the top of the mixture.
- Add an egg to the nest and cover with grated cheese.
- Bake in the oven until the cheese is cooked.
With practice they can be got to rise like mini-soufflés.
In some ways the great thing about this recipe, is that apart from the eggs nothing has a sell-by date. Usually I have everything required in my fridge and/or store cupboard.
Newmarket Sausage Gets European Protected Status
This has just been announced and about time too.
I actually prefer the Musks brand as does the Queen. It’s just a pity, I find it difficult to get their gluten-free ones in London. Hopefully, now they’ve got the protected status, we might see some promotion by the better food retailers.
I see on the Musks website, that they are offering a gluten-free hamper.
The Anonymous Widower 