Breathe a big sigh of relief for I have returned! My my what fun I have had, packing up an entire house, unpacking an entire house, berating (well, as best I can because I am quite pathetic like that) useless estate agents, surviving without the internet and generally being poor as a result of having to furnish a completely empty new flat. But now I can relax on my new sofas (thank you Ikea) and delight in my spanking new kitchen (thank you Swiss Bank landlords who completely screwed us around). Of course we are still having fun having our internet transferred, but we have been assured this will be very simple – probably at a charge of £500. But despite all the ups and downs I will remain optimistic and say how amazing it is to have a lovely new flat, with cupboards and a fridge that are all mine to fill!!! Ah the excitement is too much for me, too much indeed.

So, food-wise I am very excited about what creations this kitchen will bring. I have been using recipes from food magazines as inspiration lately as there are loads of good articles and recipes for healthy food (much needed I tell you) and meals on a  budget (also so). I get very sad when I look through my cookbooks and magazines and see all of the things I planned to make but never did, so this is my belated resolution. I am also going to try my best to get all meat, fish and vegetables from the market and local shops, which I hope will benefit me (perhaps more cost effective and hopefully more fresh and tasty) and also the owners of said shops and stalls. What with everything going on in the world at the moment it’s important to keep as many little businesses afloat as possible. It may be more convenient to get everything in the one shop, but I love walking out to the market and getting a few bits of whatever fruit and veg looks good, then going and getting some meat or fish elsewhere and then picking up a nice loaf of bread from a bakers. Ok, I know this does seem laughably idyllic, but it really is so much nicer than stressing out and bashing trolleys in Sainsbury’s! But anyway, that’s my idea of a perfect afternoon and I must understand not everyone is as big a granny as I am…..

Anyway, this is how I spent my first free Saturday in my new area, Streatham Hill. I wandered down to Brixton and explored my new stomping ground. Ok, I know Brixton hardly fits into the idyllic picture painted above, but really there is a lot more to Brixton than you would first think and for people who are into food it is really a great place. It has everything you would want, apart from any of the pretentious impressions you might get from a more ‘upmarket’ area. From my brief little Saturday trip the best find was the fishmongers on Brixton Station Road (I think, don’t quote me, I can confirm) where I met two delightful fishmongers, who provided me with some fresh smoked mackerel and a bag of mussels. I say met with, this implies we are now firm friends when in fact the conversation went a bit like this:

Rhona: Hello, do you have any mussels?

Fish lady (an unfortunate name, but it suits all the same): Yes we do

Rhona. Thanks, can I also have some mackerel?

Fish lady: Certainly.

So no great excitement, but all was done with a loving (not just on my part I doubt) smile and some handy advice on how to cook my mussels. I appreciated the fish man’s efforts, which is why I purchased the mackerel. So, it really does pay to be helpful, it does not got unnoticed by all!

If I had managed to attack the millions of sacks/boxes of crap in the spare room and found my camera charger, I would have provided a lovely picture of my mussels, but sadly this did not happen and you will have to get by with a random picture instead. I have not yet made the mussels, so a picture of the final result is much better than a picture of a bag of uncooked mussels anyway. I believe so.

Only other news to tell you of is that I am rather bloody excited about the prospect of a new cake stall coming onto the scene at Northcote Road market. Lucy and Nat are finally going to put their amazing cake-baking skills to good use (I can certainly vouch for Lucy and I do not doubt Nat either as she does produce the best stack of Tex Mex glory you have ever seen) and start selling their goods. I am going to a tasting session next Saturday, it would only be right to do so, and will give you an update after that. Watch this space as this will be the best cake stall you have ever been to in London!!! Actually, as my main picture today I have included a picture of a chocolate and beetroot cake that Lucy and I made for our lovely Emily. It looks so pretty and it should warm you up nicely for what will be in store on the cake stall of dreams.....

Ooooooh cakes.