lundi 3 octobre 2016

Michelin Stars Great Britain and Ireland 2017 - The List

The Michelin Guide for Great Britain and Ireland 2017 has been released with the big news being that Raby Hunt in Darlington was awarded two stars and The Fat Duck in Bray regained its three star status after closing for refurbishments. 

In total, the Michelin Guide for Great Britain and Ireland 2017 features one new two–starred restaurant and 17 new one–star restaurants.

Michelin also announced some special recognition awards: a specific Michelin Female Chef Award went to Clare Smyth and the Michelin Welcome and Service Award went to Peel’s restaurant at Hampton Manor, which also recieved its first star.

Nine restaurants that retained stars even though they had a change of head chef were also celebrated in a first by Michelin, something they say they will continue to do at future events.

Below you can see a full list of those restaurants to gain stars in the UK and Ireland Michelin Guide for 2017.

Two Stars Gained 

Raby Hunt (Darlington)

One Star Gained 

Crown 

The Tudor Room (Egham)

Forest Side (Grassmere)

Thomas Carr & The Olive Room in Devon 

The Wild Rabbit in Kingham

Gilpin Hotel & Lake House in Windermere 

Sosban & The Old Butchers in Anglesey

James Sommerin in Penarth

Heron & Grey in Dublin 

Peel’s at Hampton Manor 

Five Fields in London 

Céleste in London 

Ellory in London 

Ritz Restaurant in London 

Veeraswamy in London 

Trinity in London 

The Ninth in London 

Retained One Star with a Change of Chef 

The Samling in Cumbria 

Royal Oak in Bray 

Bybrook in Castle Combe 

Isle of Eriska in Scotland 

Pied à Terre in London 

Outlaw’s at The Capital in London 

Angler in London 

Pétrus in London 

Retained Two Stars with a Change of Chef 

Gidleigh Park in Newton Abbot

Regained Three Stars with a Change of Chef 

The Fat Duck in Bray 

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Michelin Stars Great Britain and Ireland 2017 - The List

Love Kheer? Learn How To Make This Enchanting Indian Rice Pudding

Fragrant, creamy and delicious, kheer is a dreamy Indian rice pudding anyone can make at home

Unlike traditional rice puddings of the West (made with just rice, sugar and milk), kheer is adorned with the scent of cardamom, the sweetness of raisins, the crunch of almonds and the natural aroma of basmati rice.

Some versions of this comforting dessert are prepared with cinnamon, saffron, coconut, mango and even pistachios and cashews. Basically, the more festive the occasion then the more ornate the rice pudding.

So if you are planning a Diwali feast or simply have a mad sweet tooth keep reading for great tips on how to make kheer like a boss. 

How To Make Kheer

All versions of kheer call for basmati rice, which is a highly aromatic long grain rice. The rice should be rinsed well before cooking. Most recipes recommend soaking the rice for at least a half hour.

Because basmati rice is very long compared to say arborio, which is short and starchy, some cooks like to put the rice in a food processor and pulse to make the grains shorter (and shorten cooking time). But if you cook the basmati long enough the grains will break on their own as you stir the kheer.

For the optimum creamy kheer you'll use about 1/4 cup of basmati rice to 4 cups of your chosen milk (a combination of cow's milk and coconut milk also works well). The longer you cook the pudding the creamier it will get. So don't be concerned that you've added too much milk.

YouTuber Sruthiskitchen illustrates the kheer making process and recommends adding ghee so the rice won't stick to the bottom of the pot (brilliant!). Take a look:

How To Make Mango Kheer

This festive version of kheer is made with mango, saffron and pistachios. The secret ingredient in the recipe? Rose water.

Learn how to make it. Once you master the technique of how to make kheer you'll be able to put your own spin on it.

Also, don't miss our tempting list of 10 Indian sweets for Diwali

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Love Kheer? Learn How To Make This Enchanting Indian Rice Pudding

dimanche 2 octobre 2016

Affordable Luxury: Where to Eat in Berlin

The savvy traveller is well aware that Berlin hosts some of the best examples of gourmet luxury dining: there are as many as 19 starred establishments within the city boundaries, dozens of prestigious cake shops and numerous exclusive five-star hotels, from the legendary Adlon Kempinski (pictured above) to contemporary venues.

Venues that promise some memorable experiences, without necessarily breaking the bank, but only on condition you follow our tips on where to eat in Berlin and what to try on a budget of 25, 50 and 100 Euros.

Where to Eat in Berlin from 0 to 25 Euros

At breakfast time or mid-afternoon, a plunge into the spirit of Berlin calls for the bitter sweet flavour of chocolate in the temple dedicated to the "food of the gods", Rausch Schokoladenhaus-Café & Restaurant (two hot chocolates topped with cream, 15 Euros).

Alternatively, a vast selection attends you on the sixth and seventh floors of the KaDeWe, a huge luxury department store opened in 1907. KaDeWe is the short name adopted by Berliners to identify the Kaufhaus des Westens (western department store).

As an aperitif, you may choose to pick up a plate of 7 oysters with an equal number of sauces to go with them (starting from 19 Euros) or wild salmon, rye bread and salted butter with a glass of Prosecco and still remain within the limits of your budget or spend a few extra Euros by ordering Champagne.

Where to Eat in Berlin from 25 to 50 Euros

Chef Tim Raue's establishment in Rudi-Dutschke Strasse 26, not far away from the historical Checkpoint Charlie, even appears in the top 10 restaurant charts drawn up by German food critic Heinz Horrmann. This is the chef who, back in 2013, cooked for Barack Obama, Angela Merkel and their guests. Also on that occasion the menu revealed a touch of Asian influence, his signature mark.

From his midday menu, we recommend the chicken Dim Sum with Jerusalem artichoke foam, hearts of palm, water cress and black truffle, and the Peking duck interpretation TR: dishes of a perfect equilibrium (3 courses, 48 Euros).

A visit to the Fischers Fritz with its two Michelin stars, awarded for seven years running to the restaurant run by chef Christian Lohse, will also afford a glimpse of the sumptuous Regent Berlin, one of the most exclusive hotels in the city adorned with gilt mirrors, marquetry and crystal chandeliers.

To enjoy a classic, order the trout in bread crust accompanied by a great Riesling and you will also be treated to a perfect gueridon service (50 Euros approximately, only in the evening).

Where to Eat in Berlin From 50 to 100 Euros

Even the prohibitive dream of a meal at Reinstoff can be realized by juggling the accounts a little. A visit to this two-starred establishment is well worth it, if just for the location, a former industrial building of pared-down design, the Edison Höfe at Mitte, where the first German lamp bulbs were produced.

The "ganznah" is the nearest menu and the "weiterdraußen" means further away. Daniel Achilles is able to transform even the humblest of ingredients into great dishes. The manageress Sabine Demel will be delighted to illustrate the dishes on the complete menu of six courses at 110 Euros. Remember that it is only open in the evening and deserves a visit anyway, even if you have to do without wine to stay within your budget.

Hugos in Budapester Strasse is popular for its cuisine and the breathtaking view it offers of the city. Enter the lobby of the Intercontinental Berlin hotel, get the lift up to the 14th floor and order a couple of drinks and some tapas as you enjoy the view. If you wish to dine on your highest budget, you can afford the 4 course vegetarian menu at 85 Euros, comprising Roasted bell pepper (Borlotti beans, sweet onions, smoked oil).

For those who love rooftop restaurants, another address is that of Facil in Potsdamer Strasse 3, on the fifth floor of The Mandala Hotel, where chef Michael Kempf masterfully runs the two Michelin-starred venue with his exuberant dishes and a dash of well calibrated innovation. It would even be worth it just for the creations of Pastry chef Thomas Yoshida, awarded in 2016 by the Gault&Millau guide. The lunch menu, 16 Euros for each course, is an ideal solution for budget management.

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Affordable Luxury: Where to Eat in Berlin

Vegan Celeriac and Spinach Soup

Vegan Spinach Soup Recipe with Celeriac and Kale Chips

To prepare the vegan spinach soup recipe start preaheating the oven to 180°C (160°fan)| gas mark 4.

Spread the kale out on a baking tray and season with salt and pepper.

Bake for 12 - 15 minutes until dry and crisp at the edges. Remove to a wire rack to cool.

Heat the oil in a large saucepan set over a medium heat until hot.

Add the garlic, onionceleriac and fry for 3 minutes, stirring frequently.

Add the stock, stir well, and cook until simmering.

Simmer for 8 - 10 minutes until the celeriac is very tender.

Stir in the spinach and yogurt, and then blend in a food processor until smooth.

Return the soup to the saucepan and warm over a low heat.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Cut half the lemon into slices and reserve the other half.

Ladle the vegan spinach soup into bowls and top with kale chips, lemon slices, and a squeeze of lemon juice.

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Vegan Celeriac and Spinach Soup

No Freshwater Required for These Tomatoes

A solar farm set to open in southern Australia will use sunlight and seawater to grow bumper crops of tomatoes.

The Sundrop Farms site, in Port Augusta, 300km north of Adelaide, has 23,000 solar panels, the energy from which is used to desalinate saltwater pumped from the nearby Spencer Gulf. In all, the $200 USD solar farm facility only relies on the grid for 10% to 15% of its power, and, requires no freshwater.

Head grower Adrian Simkins told ABC: “It's almost the perfect water ... You're taking all the salt out of it, there's no disease aspects, it's very pure and then we're able to enhance it with the nutrition that the plants require."

The greenhouse on the facility is expected to produce at least 15,000 tonnes of tomatoes commercially a year. Further sites are planned for Portugal and the US, as well as more in Australia.

Did you know there is a geothermal greenhouse in Iceland where you can dine amongst the tomato plants all year round?

Discover how this California company plans to build the world’s first truly off-grid neighbourhood.

All images: Sundrop Farms/Facebook

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No Freshwater Required for These Tomatoes

samedi 1 octobre 2016

The Week in Bites 02 October 2016

Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants

This week at Fine Dining Lovers was all about Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants, which were announced during a special ceremony in Mexico City on Monday. 

We hosted the live stream where restaurant Central, from Peruvian chef Virgilio Martinez, was proclaimed king of the list for the third consecutive year. There were many other surprised along the way.

See the full list of Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants for 2016.

Spotlight on Virgilio Martinez

Fresh off his win at Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants ceremony chef Virgilio Martinez shared his plans for the future with FDL.

He and his wife Pía Leon run all of his restaurants and together they have big plans for expansion.

Read all about it in our exclusive interview.

Lifetime Achievement Award

French born chef Claude Troisgros was announced as the recipient of the 2016 Diners Club Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the celebration for Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants list.

Troisgros, who now resides in Brazil, was recognized for his undeniable influence in the gastronomy of Rio de Janeiro.

Get to know this talented chef in our exclusive Q&A.

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The Week in Bites 02 October 2016

4 Michelin-Starred Recipes To Wow Your Friends With

One look at the image above and you'll see why  it's impossible to resist the whimsical cuisine of Michelin-starred chef Andreas Caminada.

For the past 13 years the chef has worked at the acclaimed Schloss Schauenstein restaurant in Switzerland where he's perfected the art of making beautiful dishes that are a joy to eat.

Luckily, Caminada has shared some of his amazing Michelin-starred recipes with FDL. Now  you can try your hand at cooking recipes with a chef's touch in the comfort of your home. Enjoy!

Blackberry and Verbena (pictured above)

This stunning dessert features blackberries and verbena prepared in a variety of ways including a sorbet,  gel and marshmallow.

Goose Liver with Fresh Goat's Cheese and Maize

Maize, aka corn to Americans, is prepared as a sorbet and a gazpacho in this creative recipe featuring goose liver marinated in white wine

Roasted Roe Deer Loin

This wild game recipe is prepared with carrot puree, spiced bread and a mouthwatering chicken stuffing paired with roe deer loin.

Seared Brook Trout with Beets and Peas

A colorful recipe featuring fresh trout, roasted onions, a tarragon sauce, red beets and pea puree.

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4 Michelin-Starred Recipes To Wow Your Friends With