Franco Manca - Balham

The perfect pizza ... it's a touchy subject; nations have been divided over what constitutes the perfect slice. New Yorker's favor thin, hand stretched bases, whereas those in Chicago like their deep-pan pies laden with toppings. Pizzas even differ considerably between regions in Italy, however one fact is not disputable, pizza, as we know it today originated from Naples. Neapolitan pizza making is an art form, so much so that it has its own association to decide whether the pizza is worthy of the Neapolitan stamp, the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana.

Previously, the best pizza I had consumed outside of Italy was found in a family owned pizzeria in the backstreets of Greenwich, New York. Franco Manca swiftly changed this, providing me with possibly the closest experience to pizza perfection I’ve had so far.

Franco Manca specializes in Neapolitan pizza baked in a tufae; a traditional wood burning brick oven. However what really distinguishes the pizza at Franco Manca is the base, made from slow rising sourdough, left to prove for a minimum of 20 hours, giving the dough a unique texture and flavour.

There are five locations spread across south London with the newest addition to the Franco Manca family located just off of Balham high-street, which is where I had the pleasure of spending my Friday lunchtime.

The restaurant is stylish, minimalistic and to the point; very much like the pizza. Every detail has been carefully considered, from the decor to the simplistic menu; everything has its place.

As for the pizzas, there are only six with toppings such as olive, caper and anchovy. They are basic, but refined, the way a pizza should be. Every element on the menu has been selected with great care, ham from rare breed Glouscester Old Spot pigs, tomatos, only picked in the summer months in Salerno and organic, non-sulphite wines. When the core ingredients are of such a high quality, pizza needs no embellishments. 

Onto the meal itself, there were two specials that day, one meat and one vegetable. We ordered one of each with a couple of beers, brewed in the Cotswold’s, to wash it all down.  The meat special was topped with organic mozzarella, Gloucester Old Spot pancetta, Colston Basett Stilton and butternut squash. As expected the pizza was perfectly balanced, no one topping overpowered the others and the superb quality of the ham really shone through. The vegetable pizza was equally delicious, organic mozzarella, baked potato, cherry tomato, onion, sundried tomato and a wild garlic pesto. For me, the star of the show was the wild garlic pesto, which was outstanding.

The sourdough crust deserves recognition on its own; it is baked for a mere 40 seconds in a scorchingly hot wood fired oven, the result is a soft, elastic crust with delicious, just-charred blisters adorning the outside. There is the distinct twang of sourness, typical of this type of dough, however don’t be off put, combined with the sweetness of the tomatoes and saltiness of the mozzarella the flavours blend together to give you an unforgettable pizza.

The pizza may not be to everybody’s palette, those who like their pizza topped with lashings of barbeque sauce and delights such as donner meat and tandoori chicken may want to steer clear. However those who do favor the traditional art of Neapolitan pizza making should definitely stop by, I highly recommend they do so. 

You can find their website here: http://www.francomanca.co.uk

Crab, Avocado and Lime Salad

During the summer months there is nothing I enjoy more than fresh seafood. This Nigel Slater recipe combines sweet crabmeat with a punchy Asian dressing and creamy avocado giving a lovely light salad, perfect for a summers day or even as a first course when entertaining. 

Fresh crabmeat is preferable for this dish, however its availability can be limited, tinned crab meat is a good alternative easily found in the supermarket and tastes just as good!

Crab, Avocado and Lime Salad (serves 2 as a main, 4 as a starter)

• 300g crab meat 
• 2 small avocados
• 10cm piece of cucumber
• 2 spring onions
• 1 red chilli 

For the dressing

• 1 tbsp (heaped) palm sugar (you can use caster sugar)
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 4 tbsp lime juice
• Small handful of coriander leaves

To serve

• 4 slices of ciabatta
• Olive oil
• 1/2 a lime

1) Finely chop the chilli and spring onions.

2) Peel and deseed the cucumber; dice the flesh into small cubes.

3) Peel and dice the avocados them mix with the cucumber, chilli and spring onion.

4) To make the dressing add the palm sugar to a mixing bowl with the lime juice and fish sauce; stir until all the sugar has dissolved. Finely chop the coriander and stir into the dressing.

5) Toast the ciabatta until golden brown and crisp, drizzle with olive oil and lime juice.

6) Add the crabmeat and dressing and stir through gently, trying to avoid breaking the crab up too much. Serve atop of the toasted ciabatta. 

Perfect served with a nice, chilled glass of Riesling.

Happy Friday

Nice glass of homemade elderflower cordial to start the day. Might even add a cheeky splash of gin, it is Friday after all!

Happy Friday!

Fancie - Sheffield

Fancie is a deli cafe and bakery located on Sheffield's golden foodie strip, Ecclesall road. Next-door is Fancie's flagship bakery - the powerhouse behind it all. The exterior is simplistic and understated, however a there is a fabulous display of cakes, sure to lure in passing window-shoppers. The interior resembles something like Cath Kidston meets industrial warehouse; bare brick walls and stripped oak tables juxtaposed with antique china and flower filled mason jars. 

I went to Fancie on my brothers suggestion for a catch up lunch, the relaxed atmosphere was perfect for such an event. The menu was simple but elegant, boasting locally sourced ingredients with chalkboards displaying seasonal specialities hanging from the exposed brickwork.

My brother ordered the Fancie steak sarnie and I, the crispy fish sandwich with sweet potato wedges and marinated tomato salad to accompany. 

The steak sarnie was to die for, perfectly cooked beef, rare on the inside with a smokey, well seasoned crust, grilled tomatoes and a piquant cocktail-esq sauce served on a fresh ciabatta roll. 

The crispy fish sandwich was equally delicious, light, crispy goujons of battered cod and salmon that were delicately soft in the centre served with an avocado salsa and same cocktail-esq sauce. 

The sides also impressed, the marinated tomato salad was well rounded with its homemade pesto dressing and kalamata olives and the sweet potato wedges - wow, just wow!

Despite feeling rather full by this point we felt obliged to order one of Fancies esteemed cupcakes from an extensive selection which includes a chocolate, peanut butter and caramel cupcake! After much deliberation I settled upon the spicy carrot and orange cupcake, carrot cake being a personal favourite.

The cupcakes definitely live up to their reputation; gently spiced carrot cake bursting with fruit and a creamy vanilla frosting, yum. My only regret is that I didn't try more flavours.

Fancie is a quaint deli cafe, serving local, seasonal produce at reasonable price. It has a lovely warm atmosphere with friendly staff who are enthusiastic about what they sell - I will definitely be going back!

Blueberry Lemon Cupcakes

In honour of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge giving birth to a baby boy here are some blueberry lemon cupcakes to celebrate!

I love the classic combination of blueberry and lemon, in this recipe the sweet blueberry buttercream is perfectly balanced by the tart lemon curd at the core of the cupcake. The frosting is a swiss meringue buttercream with a fresh blueberry compote mixed through, giving it an intense fruity burst. 

Blueberry Lemon Cupcakes (makes 6)

• 40g butter (room temp)
• 140g caster sugar
• 120g plain flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• 120ml milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• zest of 1 lemon
• 6 tsp lemon curd

1) Preheat the oven to 170°C 

2) Combine the butter, flour, sugar, salt and baking powder in a freestanding electric mixer with the paddle attachment, (or use a hand held mixer), beat on a slow speed until all the ingredients are combined to a sandy consistency.

3) Mix the milk, egg and vanilla in a separate bowl then add slowly to the cake mix, beating at a slow speed until everything is evenly combined forming a smooth batter, (approximately 3 mins).

4) Stir through the grated zest of one lemon.

5) Spoon the mixture into the paper cases, filling them 2/3 full. 

6) Before baking spoon 1tsp of lemon curd into the centre of each cupcake.

7) Bake the cupcakes for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden brown and springy to touch.

8) Allow cupcakes too cool completely before icing. 

This cupcake mixture is one of the runniest ones I have used, but have faith, this is normal and results in beautifully light and moist cakes.

Blueberry Compote

• 250g blueberries
• 1-2 tbsp caster sugar (depending on taste)
• Juice of 1/2 lemon

1) Combine all the ingredients in a pan and simmer on a low heat until all the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes a jam-like consistency, (approximately 5 mins).

Blueberry Swiss Meringue Buttercream

• 2 large egg whites
• 140g caster sugar
• 150g butter (room temp)
• 4 tbsp blueberry compote

1) Over a pan of boiling water combine the egg whites and sugar, whisk continuously until the sugar has completely dissolved and the mixture is warm to touch. (approximately 5-8 mins electric whisk highly recommended)

2) Take the mixture off the heat and continue to whisk until the mixture forms cool, stiff peaks (10 mins)

3) Turn the whisk down to a slow speed and continue to whisk whist adding the butter a tablespoon at a time (it is very important the butter is at room temperature).

4) Continuing to whisk at a slow speed add the blueberry compote.

5) If the mixture looks like it is becoming too runny, turn the whisk up to a high speed and whisk for a good 5-10 minutes.

6) Add food colouring if desired then decorate your cupcakes and enjoy!

Cupcakes fit for a King (or Queen)

With the royal baby due any day now, one question still remains, is it a boy or a girl?

Either way, here are some regal cupcakes to celebrate the birth.

Strawberry and elderflower for a Princess,

or blueberry and lemon for a Prince.

Which will it be?

When the long awaited news is announced I will post the recipe for the corresponding cupcake, so you can celebrate the royal birth in style. 

Red Velvet Cake

Red velvet cake is one of my go to recipes when it comes to baking for friends. Nothing says happy birthday like 4 layers of seductively crimson chocolate cake sandwiched between cream cheese frosting. 

You may think I am getting a little over excited however wait until you try it, you wont be disappointed.

I use Hummingbird Bakery's recipe which you can find here:

http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/recipes/475341/Red-velvet-cupcakes

I double the quantities and divide the mixture between 4 x 20cm cake tins. You can decorate these cakes many ways, cake crumbs, fresh fruit and chocolate truffles are some of my personal favourites. 

This deep red cake with a hint of chocolate is perfectly balanced by the luscious cream cheese frosting and will make a stunning centrepiece to any event (or just accompanying your morning coffee). 

Enjoy!