Month: November 2016

Voluptuous Veggie Risotto

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Adapted from one of my favourite feasts during university, this is a delightful dish that warms your soul as well as your body; truly comfort food at its finest.  It lends itself well to any time of year but can be particularly good as we’re heading towards the colder Welsh weather right now!  Best served if you’re cooking for many, the more really is the merrier with this dish – you can just keep on adding more to suit your party.  Add some prawns or chicken in if you really can’t live without, but I personally think half the beauty of this risotto is the absolute mountain of veggies!

Ingredients*:file_000-22

  • ¼ medium size pumpkin/~300g, cut into chunks
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • ~100g babycorn
  • Halloumi ~225g (low fat if possible)
  • 1 red pepper
  • 300g Arborio rice
  • 1 or 2 vegetable stock cubes
  • 150g asparagus
  • ~50g broccoli

The type and amount of veg you put in this recipe is completely up to you, this is just an example I made this week.  Butternut squash is also a great alternative to pumpkin and often easier to get hold of in supermarkets.

Method:

  1. Cut the pumpkin into chunks and place on a roasting tray with a little oil spray into the oven at 1800 for around 20 mins – *optional: sprinkle with some herbs and feta*
  2. Fry the onions until golden, then adding the peppers
  3. Let those brown a bit more, then add the Arborio rice and boil a full kettle – reduce the heat to low/medium
  4. Add 1 stock cube to a large jug of boiling water and mix together with a fork – you can keep topping this up throughout, it’s important not to underestimate the amount of stock needed!
  5. At this point, you can put the other veg on to steam for a few minutes or just add them in as and when, it’s up to you (I prefer to pre-steam to get the texture right)
  6. Pour in some of the stock and keep stirring in until absorbed, simmering on a medium to low heat; continue to add more and more letting it absorb each time until rice gets to a nice fluffy texture
  7. When done, add in the roasted pumpkin chunks and stir in the halloumi chunks
  8. Keep stirring and simmering for a further 10 mins or so, enough for the halloumi to melt a little – sprinkle with some extra seasoning if you like
  9. Once all the stock is absorbed, the rice is nice & fluffy and the halloumi has gone a little gooey: you’re good to go!

And there you have it!  Easy, tasty and (fairly) healthy comfort food.  It’s open to experimentation and your own tastes on what kind of things you add in or take out, but that’s the beauty.

If you’re going to save the extra portions rather than cook it for company then just be careful to cool it as quickly as possible as rice can form harmful bacteria at room temperature, whilst also being mindful that placing hot or warm things in the fridge can lower its temperature and cause other things to go off.  Also, be careful when reheating rice making sure to absolutely zap it in the microwave just to be on the safe side – check that it’s steaming hot all the way through and don’t leave for more than a day if possible.

Hope you enjoy; if you make your own creations do let me know by tagging @charlieschapter Instagram or twitter!

Diolch i chi a hwyl am nawr,

Charles xx

Another Wellfield wonder: give Chai a try!

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A welcoming cosy glow irradiates from this cute little catch at the top of Wellfield Road, Roath.  Its bright, bold colours and warm lighting make it stand out from the crowd and appear individual and independent in a cool, funky, hipster-kinda way.  Its fresh take on classic Indian dishes keeps you on your toes and entices you to try new things, mix it up.  There’s also a custom spice chart on the wall inviting you to be daring and experiment a little – because why not?  ‘When in Rome’ as they say.

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The jazzy newspaper-style menus

The first thing to put a smile on our faces was the menus which come in the style of newspapers; something funky and different, a nice personal touch I think.  Tables and chairs feature the same colour scheme as the sign on the front making the décor flow together nicely and creating a comfortable, warm and inviting ambience.  The staff are very friendly and attentive, happy to answer any questions you may have and making a point of explaining that everything is made fresh and to taste; you have complete creative freedom with your dish in terms of ingredients and spice levels – ideal for fussy eaters!  Plus, I feel this makes the whole experience more special and welcoming without the worry of who likes a lot of spice and who doesn’t.

First up: cocktails… obviously.  Chaiholics Rum Special was my poison of choice: gingerfile_002-5 and cinnamon rum swizzle with a burst of peach.  The peach softened the ginger and cinnamon into a sweet, smooth texture which went down very easily; whereas my father’s Chai-jito (adaptation of Mojito) was strong and delicious yet packed a little too much punch for our liking. A good effort, 7/10.

Starters: Okra fries.  These I’ve wanted to try for quite some time so leaped at the opportunity!  They arrived with a choice of two sauces and were fried with an assortment of light spices and chillies, altogether making a very more-ish but amazing starter we couldn’t stop nibbling on!  Delish.

Mains: in my opinion, you can’t really go wrong with a good prawn curry – or in this case, a Goan prawn curry! A top notch treat meal whilst also getting a good amount of protein in – win, win!  Despite wholegrain rice not being available on request, the sauce itself was just the right level of heat for me.  Not too hot, not mild, but just right… like Goldilocks and her porridge you might say.  This was disturbed, however, by my accidental crunching on a chilli seed that’d been hiding somewhere*; that aside, this was lush.  My parents both had lamb dishes which I’m told were succulent and tender, coming easily apart which is apparently rare and difficult to get right (not that I would know).  By the end of the evening we were all absolutely stuffed and thoroughly enjoyed (almost*) every mouthful.  I can definitely say we would more than happily return – and I most likely will.

Okra fries – lush!
Goan prawn curry
The cutest colourful tea set
The spice chart on the wall

Wellfield Road is full of little gems like this, of which I have only discussed a few; but whether you live in Cardiff or you’re just visiting for the weekend I definitely recommend taking a look.  There’s so much on offer in such a small area you can’t possibly be disappointed!  It’s small, cosy places like Chai that create the homely, comfortable and laid back atmosphere of eating out on Wellfield Road, in my experience.  Friendly staff, great food, reasonable prices, lots to choose from – what more do you want!  Wellfield strikes again: an overall 8/10.

Diolch i chi a hwyl am nawr,

Charles xx

Office adaptations for a healthy lifestyle

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Let’s face it: in terms of keeping fit and healthy, office jobs suck.  But do not fear! It can be hard getting used to being sat down most of the day or not being as active as you once were/would like to be, but there are ways to adapt your working day and avoid those unhealthy habits.

I’ve been asked about this recently by a few close friends who are also new to the office job lifestyle, and whilst there are loads of different articles about this online, I thought I’d share with you all my own favourite top tips to keep your work life healthy:

  1. Make sure you move every hour

It may sound easy, but when you’ve got your head down and you’re in the zone you may not always realise how long you’ve actually been sat down.  Whether you set an alarm on your phone, have a Fitbit or smart watch to remind you like I do (see below, it’s cool), or just keep an eye on the clock, you should try your best to get up and walk around every hour to keep yourself from seizing up and to keep the blood properly flowing.  Even just getting up to go to the loo can be enough; a little lap round the office floor or up and down the stairs if you’re feeling more adventurous (and don’t mind looking a bit silly just wandering around for the sake of it).

There’s actually been research to show that your butt muscles can suffer from sitting down too long!  Which if you’ve worked hard to keep it peachy is the last thing you want! (See my favourite gal Kayla’s blog post for more)

My Fitbit hourly reminder
When you hit your hourly step goal!

 

  1. Try adding more steps into your regular journeys

Things you get up regularly for like going to the toilet or making a fresh of cup of tea can still be a part of keeping active if you tweak them a little by adding a few more steps to get there.  For example: going to the toilet on a different floor rather than the one that’s closest to you.  This is such a small, simple change that can make a big difference overall, especially if it involves an extra flight of stairs!

  1. Stock your desk with healthy snacks

Or even better, keep them in the fridge so you have to get up to go and get them!  It’s too easy to sit and snack at your desk, especially when someone brings in that freshly baked cake; but I urge you to resist the temptation as much as possible and keep healthy, filling snacks at the ready for when hunger pangs strike.

Again, there are loads of articles about this online, but my favourites are:

  • chopped veg such as carrot or cucumber sticks, with a hummus or light cream cheese dip if you don’t fancy them on their own
  • tuna mayo and Ryvita (my favourite is the oat & pumpkin seed) – the tuna is a great source of protein and the Ryvita contains lots of healthy fibre, so this snack will keep you fuller for longer and is really good for you!
  • dried fruit & nuts – both are really good for you in moderation and will keep you better satisfied than a cheeky chocolate bar or a slice of cake.  My favourite to have in my desk drawers are the packets of baked fruit from Urban Fruit (but it’s far too hard not to eat the whole packet in one).
  1. Eat lunch away from your desk

Although not always possible if you’ve got a tight deadline looming, this one is so important.  Not just for your physical health but also for your mental health & wellbeing.  It’s highly recommended that you keep work and rest in separate spaces in order to keep your mind healthy and allow you to relax as much as possible in your rest space without any stressful associations.

This is especially poignant when you’re a student or you often work from home; you should make sure to keep your work outside of your bedroom where possible as this can impact your quality of sleep and have knock-on effects on everything else.  Eating lunch away from your desk at work means that you maximise your breaks by giving your mind a rest too, coming back with greater focus once fed with fresh fuel.

  1. Go for a walk outside when possible

Even if it’s just a lap around the building or a walk up and down the estate this can really help with keeping you fit and active in an otherwise quite sedentary role, as well as bringing up your daily step count if you track it using a Fitbit or smart watch.  This also relates to the previous, giving your mind a much needed break away and breath of fresh air.

  1. Prepare your packed lunches and snacks

Meal prep is kind of a big deal these days but it really is so important in helping you stay strong and fight the temptations to veer off-plan.  Preparing your lunches and snacks beforehand rather than buying something from the office canteen or the bakery down the road allows you to make sure you’re giving your body the best fuel possible and keep your lunchbox full of nutritious goodness, as well as actually saving you money and food waste in the long run.  Win-win!

There are loads of things you can do to spice up your daily routine; the above are just my essentials for keeping myself sane and not stir-crazy!  Obviously it’s still best to keep up the gym as much as you can, there are even workouts you can do at your desk! (Just search #officeworkout on Instagram)  But these few simple steps can keep you feeling fit and healthy even when you spend most of your day sat down, especially if you’re struggling for a little extra motivation.

You can find plenty more advice online – my go-to for fitness tips and tricks is my favourite Queen Kayla – but it’s true when they say life is what you make of it!  So get up off that butt and go for a little walk, bet you’ll feel ten times better!

Diolch i chi a hwyl am nawr,

Charles xx

Juno what’s going on in Roath?

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You’ve had a long, tiring day at work: Juno is there.  You’re hanging out of your arse after a heavy night out: Juno is there.  You really just need a good old pick-me-up, even better if it’s just healthy enough not to feel guilty about: Juno is there.

Living within easy walking-distance of this little local gem has definitely been a factor in my falling in love with Cardiff.  Aside from the convenience, the staff are always so friendly and helpful even if you’re there just to get some work done with a few nibbles and a nice atmosphere.  They’re also very accommodating – you’re never too much of an inconvenience, which culminates in the laid-back, super friendly and above all cosy vibe of the place that makes it so special.

The warm, cosy interior of Juno Lounge, Roath. [Photo credit: Trip Advisor]

Menu: burgers, salads, hangover breakfasts and specials; Juno has it all.  Whether you’re a meat-eater or a fussy eater, there’s no shortage of incredible options, including a whole menu of vegan and gluten-free.  For meat-lovers: the Hero Burger.  Highly renowned as one of the best burgers in Cardiff, this beast is composed of a 6oz beef patty, chorizo, mature cheddar, fried red onion, chimichurri, chipotle mayo and marinated chilli.  10/10 for sure.  For veggies: Yossi’s Falafel Burger.  Full of flavour and goodness, this isn’t your standard veggie burger!  A wood-roasted pepper, rocket, tomato, red onion, basil pesto and garlic mayo all accompany the falafel to create this fantastic, fresh feast that will surely keep you coming back for more.  9/10 from me; close but not quite as good as the following…

Specials: I’ve had the last two special burgers in a row (I’m basically a regular now) and I can safely say both were incredible.  The first, a spiced hummus and halloumi burger, was stunning.  I’m a huge fan of halloumi anyway especially in burgers, trying new variations whenever I get chance (e.g. Street Food Circus).  On this occasion I wasn’t sure how the spiced hummus was going to work but it was perfect – salty meets sweet & spicy, with a juicy roasted pepper in the middle, whilst the all-important salad balanced it all out.

The second, a butternut squash and edamame bean burger, featuring halloumi (obviously) and served in the beauty that is a brioche burger bun, I went back for twice because I loved it so much.  I just want to be clear on one thing… this was a chunky-ass burger.  I mean it was more than just a two-hand job…  This is the first time in my life I’ve ever had to be one of those bell-ends that cuts their burger using actual cutlery instead of our God-given hands; like those people who insist on cutting pizza with a knife and fork despite the fact that it was MADE to be eaten with our hands – even cut into portions to do so!  Anyway, this burger was huge, but it was so so good.  Packed full of veggie goodness (butternut squash being rich in fibre, vitamins & minerals, antioxidants and very low in calories, similar to pumpkin) and well-balanced flavours, it’s a solid 10/10 from me – for both of the specials, in fact.

Burgers aside, I can honestly say I’ve enjoyed every single meal I’ve had at Juno (hungover or otherwise).  The Avocado Brunch is perfect for that hangover fix due to its cheeky sprinkle of chilli flakes; the Grilled Halloumi & Falafel salad is great for those days when you want to eat out but don’t want to stray too off-plan; the Triple-stacked Buttermilk Pancakes with banana, strawberries, peach sauce and Greek yoghurt are a very filling but very rewarding breakfast to bring you back to life after a heavy night or a stressful week (also available with smoked streaky bacon & maple syrup); and lastly, but by no means least, the classic poached eggs & smoked salmon on toast which has saved me on some of my darkest days.

One of the things I especially love about this place is that the friendly chilled-out vibe is also reciprocated in the staff, meaning that when the struggle is very real and the waiter or waitress can see it on your face, they give that service with genuine smile and you know that they know what you’re going through.  (Sort of like a Friends “we know that they know, we know” situation).

My cute & cosy set up whilst writing at Juno

 There’s so much more I could say about Juno Lounge; I haven’t even mentioned the Cruiser Atlantic pale ale they serve on tap, specifically a Loungers brew, or the cocktail menu I’ve been dying to try for ages, or even the tasty-looking tapas menu!  But I will certainly be back time and time and time again.  I’d recommend it to any of my fellow Roath residents and Cardiffians: embrace it as your local/regular because that’s half the beauty of the place.  It’s convenient and it’s cosy, but it’s also really good, reasonably priced, wholesome food in a place you’re always made to feel totally welcome.

Diolch i chi a hwyl am nawr,

Charles xx

*special thanks goes to my fave waiter Juno George for the genius title suggestion!

P.S.  I don’t actually know if his name is George