Love Munches

03/05/2024

love the guy commentating
https://www.facebook.com/reel/420251037402082

16/03/2023

after a long break abroad... I'm getting back to work...
Jaya and I are running retreats in Tuscany in April... 1 room left... could that be for YOU??
get in touch if it tempts. x

20/10/2022

hi
if anyone fancies a last minute weekend break... space has just become available for our yoga retreat this weekend in Sussex.
Get in touch if this resonates. ###
more info here: https://www.facebook.com/forkandbindi

Yoga • Food • Wellbeing

09/11/2021

It's that time of year again: My beloved, Jaya, and I have been beavering away... and this year's Fork&Bindi Christmas hampers are now available to order! We've absolutely LOVED creating and crafting our new range of goodies for you to enjoy... come and check out our tasty treats!

After a year spent foraging, growing in our gardens and experimenting in our kitchens… we’ve created an entirely new range of goodies to tease and tickle your tastebuds. We’re excited (and delighted) to announce this year’s selection for our Christmas hampers!

Each hamper contains:
• 1 bottle of Sloe Gin or Sloe Whiskey
• 1 bottle of Chilli Truffle Oil
• 1 bottle of Chai Syrup
• 1 box of 8 Christmas Chocini Chocolates
• 1 box of 4 Chunky Marzipan Fingers (all different flavours)
• 1 jar of Sri Lankan Devilled Nuts
• 1 jar of Sloe, Mandarin and Cardamom Jam
• 1 Scented Candle
• 1 packet of Fork&Bindi Incense Sticks
• 1 heart-shaped Christmas Decoration

All for £80
(does not include P&P… probably around £10)

A little bit about our goodies:
These are artisan products; made by hand, slowly and in very small batches. We do not compromise on the quality just for the sake of the price. Most main ingredients are organic (some were even grown by our own fair hands). Everything is absolutely dripping with our LOVE… something you can’t really put a price on… but which you can definitely taste.

This year, we’ve streamlined our packaging* and recycled even more… still the same quality products, but with a lighter footprint on our planet.

These Fork&Bindi Christmas hampers are very limited edition!
First come first served… however, some of the items may be available to buy separately. You’ll find more about each product on the following pages.

(*the hampers now come in our compact Christmas Cubes!)

21/10/2021

25/04/2021

made me laugh...

19/03/2021

boom boom!

08/02/2021

LIFE HACK!
what to do with your instant noodles...

02/02/2021

ETHIOPIAN NIGHT :: LIVE COOKALONG (ZOOM) :: FRIDAY, FEB 5th, 6pm
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This Friday, I thought we’d jump onto our magic carpets and head somewhere slightly off the beaten track… to the sunny warmth of Ethiopia! Ethiopian food is one of those cuisines that remains delightfully under explored by restaurants, takeaways and supermarket ready meals… (ie I hope you’ve never tried it before!)

So... even though we can’t ACTUALLY travel at the moment… we might, in some small way, recreate the kind of pleasure you get when travelling and exploring some far flung corner of the world for the very first time (and, if you’re like me, sampling the local food is an essential part of that experience).

WHAT'S ON THE MENU?
• my version of Misir Wot - an Ethiopian lentil stew
• Berbere spiced roasted parsnips, chickpeas and onions
• (for the meatlovers: Berbere spiced roasted chicken thighs)
• a simple limey, spiced kale salad with pomegranate
• a superquick Awaze - a super-fiery, boozy condiment
• rice or/and flatbread (shop bought)

I hope you’ll join me in creating this Ethiopian-inspired meal, created entirely by YOU (and from the comfort of your own kitchen)… It’ll be the next best thing to travelling and exploring somewhere new! As always, these cookalongs are for everyone to enjoy, regardless of diet.

please message me if you're interested in joining... and I'll send you the shopping list and login details.
x

26/01/2021

GNOCCHI, SUNDRIED TOMATO & SAGE PESTO.. AND AN EASY CHOCCY PUDDING
LIVE COOKALONG :: FRIDAY, JAN 29th, 6pm
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This Friday I thought we’d roll up our sleeves, get our hands dirty and have some fun making a very simple dish that’s very popular in restaurants, but rarely made at home.
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WHAT'S ON THE MENU?
• Homemade gnocchi with crispy fried sage
• A sundried tomato, roasted red pepper and sage pesto
• Simple green leaf salad with lemon
• An easy peasy, smooth chocolate pudding
(all with vegan-friendly versions)
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Gnocchi: like their less refined relative, pasta, are supremely versatile. They can be made, cooked and eaten in countless ways. I’ll show you the easiest way to make these delicate, pillowy little morsels… point out the pitfalls… and suggest different ways to make, cook and eat them.
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Pestos are one of my specialities... and this version is one that I came up with over Christmas.
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I hope you’ll join me in creating this delicious meal, made entirely by YOU from the comfort of your own kitchen. As always, these cookalongs are for everyone, with every diet catered for.
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If you fancy joining in, please get in touch.

07/01/2021

to all my friends and contacts in Somerset... I can't recommend Eat West Country more highly. Angela, who helped me get started in cooking, is one of the nicest and most supportive people I know... (and her food is DEEELICIOUS)... Please can you show her some love and support? xx

For all our lovely customers in Bruton and surrounding areas, we are now offering a 'Build your own Essentials Box', perfect for anyone isolating or unable to get to the shops.

Our essentials box has a selection of locally sourced items that will keep your kitchen stocked up with the necessities (and a few treats too!).

Should you need to celebrate at home why not order a delicious meal as a treat, put on a posh frock and open some bubbly.

We can build a meal around some of our range and can include a delicious starter, sides to accompany the main course, perhaps a decadent pudding to round things off or a delicious little cheeseboard.

To order an essentials box, stock the freezer or order a special celebration meal, please give us a call on 01749 813 082 or email us at [email protected].

We will be in touch to discuss the contents of your essentials box and to arrange a convenient delivery time.

03/01/2021

HAPPY SOUP! :: LIVE COOKALONG
FRIDAY, JAN 8th, 6pm
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Following numerous requests, this Friday's cook along will be a repeat of my Happy Soup. It's perfect timing for anyone that is looking for a healthy kickstart to their year... and It's utterly delicious and easy to make.
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WHAT'S ON THE MENU?
Happy Soup! the ULTIMATE gingery Chinese noodle broth
Cheat's Poire Belle Helene
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If you've never tried my Happy Soup before, you're in for a treat. It's really vibrant and zingy, packed with fresh, crunchy veg… clean-tasting and packed with all those flavours we associate with the Chinese food that we grew up with (and which seemed so exotic at the time); ginger, garlic, coriander, chilli and toasted sesame oil… but it totally lacks the dreadful MSG aftertaste and feeling that you get with your typical Chinese takeaway, ready meals and bought sauces.

04/12/2020

here's an animal i can totally relate to

23/11/2020

MALAYSIAN NIGHT :: LIVE COOK ALONG
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27th, 6pm

Whoop whoop! It’s party time again this Friday* and we’re going to spice things up with a visit to South East Asia, to make a classic of the region.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU?
• Malaysian Laksa
• a quick Burmese Balachaung

Laksa is a rich and hearty noodle ‘soup’… it’s fiery yet fully flavoured with aromatic spices and herbs (lemongrass, kaffir lime, ginger, chilli, coriander, mint and coconut)…. and it’s brimming with veg and other bits (perfect for any leftovers).

It’s common in places like Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia; each with their own variations. My version is mainly Malaysian in style, but is a bit more like a curry sauce than a soup... and OMG, it makes you want to sing with joy. To accompany our laksa, we’re going to make a quick version of a Balachaung… a Burmese chilli condiment.

I’m down with Jaya at the moment and I experimented with the recipes last night. Her response was that it was ‘intense’ and had balls… BIG JUICY ONES! (see photo B). I can only assume that was a good thing. I have to say, I thought it was exquisite.

It’s easy enough to make, but requires a fair bit of cooking time to allow all the flavours to assimilate and integrate (your home will be filled with exotic aromas)…. It’s got depth and layers… and it’s totally versatile: my version will be vegan, but you can tailor it how you like… because YOU will be making YOURS, with your choice of ingredients, from YOUR kitchen.

Please join me in making this TOTALLY DELICIOUS meal.
You’re in for a treat (which you’ll repeat)

* Our fab friend, Chloe, will be turning 50 that day and I’m delighted she’s decided to join us… So I’d love us all to make a bit of a fuss over her… and help her celebrate 50 years of magnificence!

10/11/2020

ANYONE FANCY AN INDIAN TIKKA(WAY) THIS FRIDAY?
LIVE COOK ALONG (via zoom) :: FRIDAY, NOV 13th, 6pm
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This Friday, we'll be spicing things up a bit with another Indian night... but this isn't like your typical Friday night curry (for a start, there isn't any curry).

WHAT’S ON THE MENU?
• Tikka kebabs (your choice: either fish, paneer or tofu)
• Spiced herby carrot and coconut salad
• Fiery lemon and mint chutney
• Pomegranate raita
• Super-quick and easy homemade naan
• Popadoms

This menu is my twist on Indian street food... and it promises to be an explosion of authentic taste sensations... some of which you may never have experienced before.... and the best thing about it, is that it will be cooked entirely by YOU... from the comfort of your kitchen.

I hope you'll join me for this Friday feast of flavours.
For more details, shopping list, login, etc, please get in touch.

09/11/2020

Last year, my partner Jaya and I created our first Christmas hampers… and the reaction was overwhelming. So, this year, we’ve been beavering away at Fork&Bindi (our yoga retreat business); inventing some new (and utterly unique) products and improving on others.
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Please check out what's on offer... it's not just hampers... some of the items can be bought individually.
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We've loved making our goodies...
and we hope you love them too!
x

We’re very excited to announce this year’s selection of goodies for our Christmas hampers!

Each hamper contains:
• 1 jar of Truffle Roasted Cashews and Sunflower Seeds
• 1 small bottle of Plum Gin
• 1 jar Rosemary and Orange Marinated Olives and Hazelnuts
• 1 tin of 7 Luxury Christmas Pudding Chocolate Truffles
• 1 jar of Lemon, Chilli and Fennel Seed Jam
• 1 packet of 3 medium Chocini Sesame and Butterscotch Hearts
• 1 box of 8 Lemon Chai Flavoured Pasticcini di Mandorle Biscuits
• 1 jar Lemon and Geranium Hand Scrub
• 1 bottle of Festive Twinkles - something to add some sparkle to the occasion
• 1 packet of Fork&Bindi Incense Sticks
• 1 packet of bindis!

All for £80
(does not include P&P… probably around £10)

A little bit about our goodies:
These are artisan products. EVERYTHING was made with LOVE; slowly, by hand and in very small batches.
We do not compromise on the quality just for the sake of the price.
Most main ingredients are organic. Some were even grown by our own fair hands, or in the gardens of our families.
Everything is absolutely dripping with our love… something you can’t really put a price on… but which you can definitely taste.

These Fork&Bindi Christmas hampers are very limited edition! First come first served… however, some of the items are available to buy separately. You’ll find more about each product (and whether they can be bought separately) on the following pages.

06/11/2020

YUM!
FiMally someone has taken the stress and mess out of egg prep... just think how much time this'll save you (once you manage to get it out of all that packaging)
I enjoy.

03/11/2020

SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS :: LIVE COOK ALONG
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6th, 6pm

Lockdown is looming!
This Friday, like last week, I’ve chosen a very simple meal that’s just oozing with flavour and comfort… perfect for this time of year AND for the onset of lockdown (and the accompanying blues). Not only is it simple in flavours, but this is super easy to make… something to ease you, very gently, back into these cooking classes.. AND make you feel like an expert Italian Mamma!

It may be simple, but it’s another slow-cooked dish, requiring time, patience and heaps of LOVE. For those of you that have children, this is a great meal for you to get them involved.

My greatest wish, is that you’ll join me in creating this stunning meal, made entirely by YOU!

WHAT’S ON THE MENU?
• Spaghetti with meatballs (and a vegan version) with a simple, herby tomato sauce
• Rocket, basil, avocado salad with a truffle balsamic glaze

Spaghetti and meatballs is an old family favourite, filled with nostalgia... and many of you probably have your own tried and tested recipes… but this recipe TOTALLY rocks.
This isn’t just a taste experience. This meal is about texture. Honestly, these will be the BEST, most tender, meatballs you’ll have ever had… (let alone cooked yourself!)

Because I love this dish so much, over the years that I have been avoiding meat, I have experimented with loads of meat-free versions, trying to replicate the experience. I’ve developed quite a few recipes, but this version, which I devised a couple of months ago (specifically for these cookalongs), is by far the easiest and quickest.