Saturday 30 September 2017

#Foodie - Sushi Making Ideas





Homemade Vegan Sushi Rolls are a healthy and economical way to enjoy sushi, using vegetables instead of seafood. These amazing recipes produce the an incredible taste, and at a fraction of the cost of seafood sushi. Give it a go, we dare you!


Basic Sushi Recipe

You will need:
Nori sheets (made from dried seaweed)
2 cups white rice (medium grain)
120ml water
3 Tbsp rice vinegar
3 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp mirin
2 tsp salt
1 cucumber, cut into strips
1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
1 carrot, shredded
1 avocado, cut into strips
Soy Sauce for dipping
Thai Sweet Chile Sauce for dipping
Toasted sesame seeds, to garnish

Method
  • Thoroughly rinse rice until water runs clear
  • Cook rice according to packet instructions
  • Let rice cool completely, and transfer to a non-metallic bowl
  • Mix vinegar, sugar and salt until dissolved and pour into rice
  • Gently mix rice to incorporate seasoning
  • Prepare veggies by cutting them into strips
  • De-seed cucumber
  • With rough side of the nori sheet facing up, spread the rice to a thickness of about 1/2 an inch. Leave the top 1" off the Nori sheet bare
  • Layer veggies on the bottom of the Nori sheet. Then, with a mat or towel, carefully roll up the sheet so all the veggies are rolled up firmly inside
  • Slice with a wet knife
  • Season with sesame seeds, if you desire
  • Use soy sauce or sweet chilli for dipping
Makes approximately 24 rolls




Avocado & Mango Brown Rice Sushi
Serves 4
You will need:
for the rice:
  • 1 cup short grain brown rice, rinsed well
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
for the rolls:
  • 1 cucumber, sliced into long strips
  • 1 ripe mango, sliced into vertical strips
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • ⅓ cup micro greens, optional
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, optional
  • 4 nori sheets
serve with:
  • tamari or ponzu sauce
Instructions
  1. Combine the rice and water in a rice cooker and cook on the brown rice setting. If you don’t have a rice cooker, combine the rice, water and 1 teaspoon of olive oil and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 45 minutes. Remove the rice from heat and let sit, covered, for 10 more minutes. Fluff with a fork.
  2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the rice vinegar, sugar and salt. Heat it in the microwave for a few seconds to allow the sugar to dissolve.
  3. Prep the filling ingredients for the rolls and set aside.
  4. Transfer the rice to a large bowl and pour in the vinegar mixture. Use a spatula to gently fold in the rice until the mixture is fully incorporated. The rice will start to look glossy. (Traditionally, you fan it to cool it while doing this)
  5. Place a small bowl of water and a kitchen towel near your work area as your hands will get sticky. Place one nori sheet, glossy side down, onto a bamboo mat and press a handful of rice onto the lower two-thirds of the sheet. At the bottom of the rice place your toppings (see picture). Don’t overfill or it will be more difficult to roll. Use the bamboo mat to tuck and roll the nori. Once rolled, use the bamboo mat to gently press and shape the roll. Place the roll to the side, cut side down. Repeat with remaining rolls.
  6. Use a sharp chef’s knife to cut the sushi. Wipe the knife clean with a damp towel between cuts.
  7. Serve immediately with tamari or ponzu sauce and coconut peanut sauce, if using.
This recipe is from a lovely blog called Love and Lemons: https://www.loveandlemons.com/
Avocado Mango Brown Rice Sushi


Sincerely, Madia & Matilda

Wednesday 27 September 2017

Cheltenham



It's the home of world-famous horse racing tracks, a well-established Fashion Week, a superb Fashion Academy, and the Food and Drink Festival. There is just so much to do in Cheltenham, and it doesn't stop there! Cheltenham Literature Festival is opening soon and will be running from the 6th to the 15th of October. Cheltenham has something for everyone, whether you're a foodie, a book lover, a trendsetter, or a mixture of all three.




Madia & Matilda visit Cheltenham often enough to be able to confidently recommend some great spots, for example Huffkins, a contemporary "Bakery and Tearoom" with a relaxed atmosphere. Another place well worth a visit would be All Bar One, a tasteful pre-drinks venue also offering delicious bites to eat.






Cavendish House for a spot of retail therapy. 






For anybody into sewing, Cheltenham’s World of Fabrics is an Aladdin's cave of sartorial possibility.
World Of Fabrics, 28 Albion Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 2LP, United Kingdom



Wholefoods is situated in the heart of the Cotswolds on the Gallagher Retail Park, this store offers a vast range of high quality natural foods, as well as beauty and health products
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/cheltenham

http://www.bostonteaparty.co.uk/









Great scenic views, a thriving shopping centre, the lido and some of the most tasteful restaurants and cafes and also only a stones throw away from Madia & Matilda.  http://www.madiamatilda.co.uk/



 Sincerely Madia & Matilda

Sunday 17 September 2017







New In This Autumn  

Pick up some seasonal style staples and accessories for this Bank Holiday 

Whether you're chasing the sunset, celebrating with friends at a festival, or planning a sunny getaway, we've got a few style ideas and destinations... 

This stunning rose gold bar necklace was hand-crafted by artisan jewellery-making company Lily Flo. The contemporary design makes the necklace perfect for any occasion, from day events to evening events. In a nutshell, this is your Bank Holiday statement piece!

Rose Gold Bar Neckace - Lily Flo Jewellery

If you've never been to Three Cliffs Bay, don't leave it any longer! This glorious, tucked away beach is a delightful combo of the rugged Welsh coast and a golden stretch of sunny sand (if you catch it in good weather). Pack a picnic, prosecco, a few dogs and a wetsuit, and enjoy a Bank Holiday treat. 



  Sincerely, Madia & Matilda