Tuesday 19 August 2014

Recipe from foodie Elspeth Meston: Mackerel, fennel, broad bean and chicory salad

With the weather hotting up here in England the legs are out as well as all the fabulous produce that is now hitting the shelves and markets. Asparagus, broad beans, peas, tomatoes, chicory, crab, strawberries, raspberries, radishes, jersey royal potatoes, gooseberries, mackerel…the list goes on.

This salad is early summer in my eyes and perfect eaten out in your garden or balcony with a glass of crisp white wine and your friends around you.
 
 
 

Mackerel, fennel, broad bean and chicory salad
Serves 4
1 fennel bulb
a generous handful of broad beans
olive oil
s&p
4 mackerel fillets, skin on
4 heads of chicory, red or yellow
a small handful of chives
1 lemon
 
Dressing
1 tbsp fat free natural yogurt
1 tsp wholegrain mustard
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
 
Start by prepping your salad, using a mandolin or sharp knife thinly slice your fennel and then put in a bowl of iced water and a good squeeze of lemon juice (the lemon will stop the fennel from oxidising and discolouring plus the iced water will make it lovely and crunchy).
Blanch and refresh the broad beans into cold water and then pod any of the bigger beans and put to one side.
 
Season your mackerel and rub with a little olive oil. Put a large frying pan on a high/medium heat and when hot add your mackerel fillets skin side down. Hold them down for a minute to prevent them curling up so the skin goes crispy. Turn over and cook for another minute until the fish is cooked through and flaking away. Leave on a board to cool down slightly while you finish the salad.
 
Discard the outer leaves of the chicory and then peel back the big leaves and cut the hearts into quarters. Arrange on four plates along with the crisp fennel slices, broad beans and a few sprigs of chives. Finely slice the remaining chives and add to jar along with rest of the dressing ingredients and give it a good shake so that it combines.
 
Flake the mackerel over the salad and finish with a drizzle of dressing and extra virgin olive oil and a wedge of lemon. Add a few slices of grilled ciabatta if you fancy.
Lots of love
Elspeth xx
 
Elspeth top 3 things in life:
  - Lazy sunday mornings spent drinking good coffee, walking by the river and eating  croissants
 - Homemade fresh pasta on a summers evening
 - Making holiday memories with loved ones and travelling to unknown places




 

Sunday 3 August 2014

Meet the latest additions to our team

The Ribbon and Roses team has been growing over the last few months both here in Singapore and the UK, which we are thrilled about so here’s a little intro to everyone:

Marina - Owner


With a week to go before baby no 2 arrives I seem to be making the most of eating…. At any opportunity!! I’m absolutely loving NigellaLawsons Marmite pasta… totally understand, you either will Love or Hate it but certainly not the latter for me. Best Sunday supper ever so well worth trying.


I’m currently designing the latest Ribbon and Roses collection, in time for Christmas sales….  Madness having to think so far ahead, especially when I’m  going to be under a pile of new born nappies and being a ”newbie” to instragram its becoming a fast addiction for inspiration. Here are a few people I’ve been loving following:





As I seem to be expanding, my real indulgence or wish list has been also growing for bags as they are a guarantee fit! Currently I love using my blue Goyard but my real desire and first love is still Liberty London and their Tote bags.

 Blue Goyard Tote Bag


Lots of love

Marina xx

Marina’s top 3 things in life:
. Archie and Kanga (the 4 legged sausage) playing together
. Ameretto
. Dolly Parton   

Katie – Singapore events and sales

Introducing Katie who is helping Ribbon and Roses with their events and sales in Singapore.
 

I moved to Singapore from Hong Kong, just over 9 months ago and wow time has flown. Singapore has been a relaxing change to the hectic streets of Hong Kong. We are loving it here so far!

Since we moved here in late October last year, my husband and I are now expecting a wee one, come mid September.  So exciting, but at the same time hugely petrifying, knowing that the foreseeable future involves long term sleep deprivation, permanent IKEA bags under the eyes and not being able to hold a conversation for more than 12 seconds. Similar to a permanent hangover, really.

That said, I couldn’t be more excited about this life-changing step. As you can imagine, I’ve got slightly caught up in the excitement of sorting out the nursery and thinking about baby clothes. Still no idea on whether it’s a girl or a boy, but I’ve been eyeing up some beautiful things by Em & Lu. I’ve given little sleep dresses with safari animals on to friends in the past, who say that it makes nappy changing super easy! I would love one of these, the big question is…blue or pink!


Another great find I have discovered, since being in the ‘nesting zone’ is Samantha Robinson, who I stumbled across on a recent trip to Bali. Samantha has beautiful collection of mugs, dishes and vases. Although the artist is based in Australia, they ship worldwide. Samantha has stunning little pieces, which make lovely wedding presents or gifts. I have a few weddings on the horizon, so I know where I’ll be heading…


This next place, is my little sanctuary to escape to for some serious indulging- Cowshed. I don’t go there very often but usually end up taking myself off there for a reward of some sort, like after a big deadline is due or if I’ve being working like a dog. Pottering down to the Cowshed is the perfect start to a Saturday morning for some R&R. I can’t imagine I’m going to get the chance t go there any time soon! Sigh…perhaps a Christmas present to myself when I’m back in December.


Stay tuned with Ribbon and Roses for up and coming events and sales here in Singapore.

Lots of love

Katie
xxx

The three top things in life.
A large square of dairy milk (if not the whole bar!)
. Being pampered
. A movie night in at home

Laura – UK wholesale and events
Introducing Laura who is helping Ribbon and Roses with their wholesale and events in the UK.
 

Having known Marina for over 16 years when she asked if I could help out with Ribbon and Roses in London I jumped at the chance! 

I am Mummy to two little monkeys, Poppy, 3 and Bea 18 months, life is full on but there is still time to find a few luxuries in life.  Here are a few things I love.

One thing I could not do without is Headmasters....having a trip to the hairdressers makes one feel instantly better about oneself even if you are covered in yoghurt from another messy meal time...why can't my children find their mouths!

Having just moved house I am constantly looking for new ideas. We have taken on quite a project and the end result is still in the distant future but browsing websites for inspiration is a little light relief in between trying to find a builder! I have come across Duck Egg, a fantastic company that offers a whole range of things for the home, unique fabrics, household bits, one off pieces of furniture and super cute personalized toy boxes, definitely something I want for the girls bedrooms.

Duck egg

Moving house is stressful but discovering new and exciting things to do is great fun. We have recently discovered Alice Holt. It's is a wonderful forest with loads of paths and an amazing playground and a Go Ape. But the best thing there at the moment is the Gruffalo trail.  A lot of you will think what on earth is a Gruffalo trail but if you are fond of Julia Donaldson then you will know love it! 
Enjoy and watch this space for Events in UK for Ribbon and Roses.

Love 
Laura xx

Three favourite things in Life:
. When my girls play nicely together.
. Cashmere bed socks
. Coffee/Chocolate brownies/Wine! 

Please contact Laura with regards to wholesale on:
Laura@ribbonandroses.com or 07879424232.


Mimi – Social media


As a country girl dumped in the city for work, my ideal Saturday consists of waking up in my flat (usually feeling a little sorry for myself) and walking up Parsons Green to my new little hangout... Hally's - my perfect vers de gris paradise! Not only are all the waiters far too good looking but, the people consist of yummy mummy's and their angelic shop bought looking children, usually a group of three eighteen year olds wearing the make up and gossiping from the night before (feeling probably a lot worse than me) and the occasional old couple - who look as though they've been together forever yet still on their honeymoon! It is a bustling place of love and laughter, and a great place for me to go on my own. After ordering my avocado, rocket and chilli on sourdough bread I get to work on Ribbon and Roses, another new found passion of mine! 


As Whole Foods has recently opened in Fulham Broadway, I often after Hally's walk along the parks and grab together some lunch, a new fave recipe I put together is a pea and mint purée, with avo, rocket, watercress, soya beans and asparagus topped with chilli and olive oil dressed crayfish tails and fresh squid - super healthy, easy and ideal for making both for one or for a group of people as a starter! 


The person I most enjoy following on Instagram at the moment is probably my sister who lives in Singapore with my 7 month nephew Orlando. @millsheath set up Vaughan lighting in Singapore and has just put together a new amazing looking show room. Not to mention has at the same time just moved house and has made it completely her own with mix and match fabrics with Ikat in mind, both of ours absolute fave! 



My quote in life "Do not dwell on the past, do not dream of the future...instead concentrate the mind on the present moment" - Buddha


Love
Mimi McMullen xxx
Three things I can't live without:
. My 8 Heathfield Girls
. My puppy Islay
. Rowntrees fruit pastilles 

@mimimcmullen

To get in touch with any of the Ribbon and Roses Team, contact info@ribbonandroses.com

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