A Culinary Tour of Mauritius: Part 2

Posted on April 24, 2013 by

A couple of weeks ago I posted about the start of a Culinary trip around the Island of Mauritius. But that was not the end of it.. yes there is more food pictures. I had to eat for 15 days, that’s around 3 times a day right? Lucky me, Mauritius is an exotic island truly a great place for endless option fo street food, home cooked traditional dishes to the gourmet and creative elements of cuisine on the Island.

Here I continue my journey around the Island..IMG_2381lr

Taro Fritters or grated yam, fried in oil, crispy and delicious with hot chilli satini’s, great on the beach..
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A Mauritian Masterclass with Tom Aikens

Posted on April 24, 2013 by

A Mauritian Masterclass with Tom Aikens

Tom Aikens was one of the youngest chefs to be awarded two Michelin stars in the UK. Last month he cooked up a tropical storm of his creative modern French cooking for guests to attend his Masterclass at the Royal Palm hotel in Mauritius. Selina was extremely lucky enough to attend.

For three days only Tom worked with the prestigious Royal Palm to source the island’s local suppliers, seasonal ingredients and to re-claim his signature dishes and give them a Mauritian-inspired twist.

Tom commented; “I’m very much looking forward to visiting Royal Palm and working alongside Chef Michel de Matteis. It is a great honour to partner with a leading gastronomic hotel and have the opportunity to offer guests my style of cuisine with a Mauritian twist …I’m sure I will learn a few things along the way too!”

So lucky enough to attend one of his classes on arriving to the towering gates of the Royal Palm Hotel in Grand Baie, its nothing short of spectacular. The serene hotel, quiet and elegant is renowned for the best 5 star service on the Island.

A morning class, with only two other guests we are ushered into Chef’s whites and aprons to meet the modest Michelin chef waiting for us in the kitchen to re-create his special menu. His delicate vibrant green Pea Mousse, Pistachio Risotto and a Panacotta.

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Mauritian Inspired Black Sesame Tuna & Mango Coriander Salsa

Posted on April 14, 2013 by

Springtime Mauritian Inspired Black Sesame Tuna & Mango Coriander Salsa..

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Yes! The sun is out in London, it feels like Spring is finally here, lets hope it lasts! In light of this glorious occasion I have decided to share with you all some amazing Mauritian-inspired recipes and here my Black Sesame Seared Tuna with Mango Coriander Salsa is great for a spring time lunch! Continue reading →

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A Supperclub in Mauritius (Shanti Maurice Hotel)

Posted on April 11, 2013 by

Whilst in Mauritius, on a “working holiday” I enjoyed the diversity of street food, homecooking and gourmet side cuisine to the Island. Not many people can have access to all areas but I felt quite fortunate in that I was able to to do this ans experience whats offered to the high end tourists staying on the Island and getting my hands on cooking with my own family learning recipes from them. I had a wealth of inspiration whilst over there and my trusty notebook is brimming with ideas and recollections of flavour combinations.

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I was curious to visit the renowned hotel of Shanti Maurice in the South of the Island near Souillac. Who offer an experience to guests called “Grandma’s Kitchen” which is a supperclub based at a Mauritian family’s home, enlightening hotel guests with a home cooked authentic taste of Mauritius that you would not be able to experience unless you knew people there yourself! So in itself this was a great dining concept, one I was eager to experience (I would have been very shocked if I had ended up at my own Grandma’s Kitchen!)

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A Culinary Tour of Mauritius

Posted on April 6, 2013 by

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A Culinary Tour of Mauritius, my island and part of my heritage..an amazing experience after visiting more than 5 years later. With a new head on my shoulders, looking for food inspiration to bring back to the UK and cook for guests at our supper clubs and pop up events.

On first reaching there we stayed towards the East of the Island in Trou d ‘Eau Douce heading to my uncle’s local renowned restaurant popular among locals and tourists plus regulars. He dishes up some fresh, hot gajaks (du pain frier, gateaux piment, bhajias) with a dip of chilli sauce..a welcome start to the glorious food on this Island. Continue reading →

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Middle Eastern Cuisine at Honey & Co

Posted on March 15, 2013 by

A Middle Eastern Jewel in the heart of Warren Street..

This week I ventured with food loving friends Feel Good Foodbook, Mondomulia & Felcity Spector to the popular quaint joint called Honey & Co. Based in the quiet back streets of Warren Street, this small restaurant/cafe light and airy, already packed when we reach there having had to make a reservation to secure our place.

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Perusing the menu, whats not to like? Dishes such as falafel, lamb humus, pomegranate chicken stew on cracked wheat to the devilishly amazing looking homemade cakes perched overlooking the counter. Continue reading →

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Coriander Grilled Prawns & Mango Salsa

Posted on February 23, 2013 by

Tropical Grilled Prawns, for the Grill or BBQ, with SWEET mango salsa!

Morning! It’s a Saturday, after a one of our most successful Croydon supperclub night’s yesterday AND first SEAFOOD supper. It was awesome, such a happy feeling still didn’t get my lie in  but having a cuppa with breakfast over Saturday Kitchen is still quite good!

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I wanted to share with you this morning one of my recipes I cooked last night, in the aim to bring a little bit of Mauritian beach side bbq living, but using my griddle pan because lets face it, it was pretty darn cold outside for a bbq! The picture above, shows two types of marinade, one was our traditional coriander, chilli combination and the other is one I didn’t make last night but resulted in a sweet coconut flecked grilled prawn. Continue reading →

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Mauritian-Inspired Exotic Fruit Salad, Vanilla Syrup & Lime Syllabub

Posted on February 14, 2013 by

Spiced Exotic Fruit Salad, Vanilla Syrup & Lime Syllabub

No it’s not just a fruit salad, but this recipe has a slight twist to make it more interesting! With infused spices, sweet syrup and a tangy lime syllabub to eat it with, it’s a perfect dessert for a loved one or super  easy to rustle up for one.IMG_0902

Using tropical fruits from Mauritius normally, but you can add what you fancy, I found the best combination is below.. I added the strawberries for some bright colour! Continue reading →

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Flippin Good Pancakes

Posted on February 7, 2013 by

Flippin Good- Pancake Day

Get your frying pans at the ready folks, February 12 2013 is Shrove Tuesday, another year has come round again when pancake action is hot on our heels. Compelling people to cook up some crepes, pancakes; loaded with whatever toppings we wish for breakfast, lunch or whipping up something fun with the kids.

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Shrove Tuesday marks the last day before Lent, traditionally a period of abstinence, associated with clearing your cupboards of goods such as sugar, fats and eggs. It’s commonly known as Pancake Day because it represents a good opportunity to use such ingredients ahead of the fasting period. Continue reading →

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Winter Comfort Food

Posted on January 26, 2013 by

Brrrrr.. its Winter. Let’s make a snowman & eat big bowls of stews!

What with the snow causing havoc these last weeks its been all about the comfort food…and getting home or moving the car..  From stews, soups, wholesome and hearty flavours with perhaps a little spice in there to warm up the cold nights.

Even if I have been out and about there’s nothing a bowl of steaming ramen won’t sort out, which is what’s been making it ways into my stomach these last few weeks. With a wealth of inspiration in flavours from cooking up a Ottolenghi Family Feast, digging into Tonkotsu at Bone Daddies or making a humble pea and mint soup, these wintry feasts are perfect for this time of the year.

Mauritian Fish Curry-Cooked at home with my lovely mother, a family recipe of thick pieces of fish in a spiced Mauritian mix of flavours, with okra. Eaten with fresh puri’s its all you need on a cold day to spice it up!

blog 33Rum Baba’s- A bit like doughnuts, soaked in a naughty rum-liquered and spiced sauce with cinnamon, orange zest, cardamom and brown sugar. Perfect supperclub dessert coming up with my homemade ice creams & exotic sorbet.

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