A Good Day In Gdansk
One of the waitresses in Carluccio’s was right, when she said I should visit Gdansk. It is lovely, there is no language difficulties and I’ve eaten well without any trouble. Even if the waiters don’t know much English, they usually get something nutricious and safe for a coeliac.
Gdansk
The picture was taken yesterday, along the canal that runs through the city and gives a flavour of it. Note the weather.
On a train to Warsaw today.
Lunch In Kubicki, Gdansk
My guidebook said Kubicki was a good restaurant.
It was! And I didn’t have to worry about the gluten-free or the prices. My meal cost me just £17.70 for a salad starter, the exquisite fish and a large glass of reasonable wine.
As with Kubicki, most restaurants in Poland seem to have at least one member of staff, who understands the importance of gluten-free food to some people.
As the other restaurant I saw, Goldwasser, has good recommendations on the Internet, I would suspect that anybody with a food allergy; serious or just preference, will not have trouble with food in Gdansk.
Leon Now Does Kedgeree
I had to leave early to get to the Burnley match for the 12:15 start. So I had this breakfast of mackerel kedgeree in Leon at Kings Cross station.
Leon Now Does Kedgeree
Very nice it was too!
I always think that kedgeree should be cooked more often!
You might wonder what this has to do with my trip to Gdansk!
I will be flying out of Liverpool Airport to Gdansk after seeing Ipswich at Burnley.
A Gluten-Free High Street In Watford
I went to see Ipswich play at Watford yesterday and ate lunch in Carluccio’s in the High Street there. Their restaurant is actually in a sandwich between Nando’s and Jimmy’s World Grill, both of which seem to cater for gluten and other allergies.
A Carluccio’s Sandwich
There is also a Pizza Express on the other side of the road.
For the first time, I used the Overground to get to Watford, by travelling to Watford High Street station. This station is due to be rebuilt in the next few years as part of the Croxley Link project. As the Watford Junction station and the tracks through it are also being remodelled, it looks like Watford is getting a full transport makeover.
A Shepherd’s Pie With A Crust
Last night I experimented with the Genius bread and parmesan crust on a shepherd’s pie.
The recipe I used was my standard one. I actually just made enough for one, although I’ve now got enough in the fridge for a lunch later in the week.
It was good, but the next one will be better! Especially in the looks department.
The great thing about it, is that you don’t need to feel and mash the potato. I’m quite capable of doing that with my gammy left hand, but I like to try to be the laziest cook in London.
Celery, Ham And Spinach Gratin
This recipe from Lindsey Bareham was my supper last night and there is enough left for lunch today.
Celery, Ham And Spinach Gratin
Perhaps the most interesting thing is the topping. I just took two slices of Genius soft brown sliced loaf, took off the crusts and then blitzed them in my Little Chopper with a couple of table-spoonfuls of finely grated parmesan. Simple, efficient and perfect every time! I use the same topping in Cinty’s fish pie.
I said I would have it for lunch today. This is the cold gratin on my plate.
Cold Gratin For Lunch
It was very nice and the crust held-up well after a night in the fridge.
Gluten-Free Quiche At Romeo’s
This gluten-free quiche was delicious.
Gluten-Free Quiche At Romeo’s
I now seem to go most Friday’s for lunch.
Cod, Potatoes And Onions
This was a simple recipe of Lindsey Bareham’s that I did last night.
Cod, Potatoes And Onions
It was cooked in one saucepan and although it looks a bit anaemic, it was tasty. Lindsey cooked her’s with peas and I think that would be better.
I’ll be doing it again. But with peas!
Cauliflower Cheese Like My Mother Didn’t Use To Make!
I like cauliflower and as a child, my mother used to make cauliflower cheese quite often. So when I saw Lindsey Bareham’s recipe for a good cauliflower cheese, I just had to make it.
I started by cutting up a medium sized cauliflower into florets and grated about a 100 grams of cheddar cheese.
Cauliflower And Grated Cheese
I also took two sliced of Genius gluten-free bread, which after decrusting, I mixed with some grated parmesan in my Little Chopper.
Making Breadcrumbs
The cauliflower was cooked in boiling salted water and then drained and placed in one of my Le Creuset dishes.
Cooked Cauliflower
I then made a sauce by melting 25 grams of butter in a saucepan and adding 75 grams of gluten-free flour, a teaspoon of English mustard, about 100 grams of the water from the cauliflower and 200 ml. of milk. When it boiled, I simmered it for 5 mins and then stirred in the cheddar until it melted. It was then poured over the cauliflower.
Cauliflower In Cheese Sauce
Then the breadcrumb mix was added over the top, with a couple of knobs of butter.
Ready For The Oven
I then cooked it for 20 minutes in the oven at 220°C.
Cauliflower Cheese
I did make a mistake and cooked it at 240°C, so it was slightly over-cooked, but it was certainly very tasty. I’d also added slightly more mustard than recommended, but that was probably better to my taste.
It was very definitely, a good cauliflower cheese. I shall be cooking it again!
The East Beach Cafe At Littlehampton
On my way to Yeovil, I had lunch at the Thomas Heatherwick-designed East Beach Cafe at Littlehampton.
It was a good gluten-free lunch of fish and chips and a glass of wine.
The cafe was very busy too and I suspect on a lovely summer’s, it might be difficult to get a table.
It was also a fair walk to and from the station and as ever the signs could have been better.
I don’t know whether Thomas Heatherwick has ever been to Felixstowe, but the ceiling detail was very like the walls of Charlie Manning’s Amusements in the town.
The Anonymous Widower 