2011 Favourites

Before it’s too far into 2012 I wanted to do a very short, sweet and taste-tickling post on some of my favourite foody things from 2011, be them old, new or just new to me. Round up with runners up below:

Favourite ‘posh’ restaurant I visited in 2011

Winner: Fino

Close Runners: Arbutus , Les Deux Salons, Bistro du Vin, Soho

Favourite ‘affordable’ restaurant

Winner: Young Cheng, Lisle Street, a new Dim Sum favourite with the lovely ladies I'm currently working with

Closer Runners: The Oliver Tree, Loughton , The Cardamon Lounge, Collier Row

Favourite Food Moment outside of the UK

Winner: Eating Jerk Chicken, Pork and Fish in Montego Bay, Jamaica You can read about this if you so please in my June 2011 posts.

Closer Runner: Delicious cakes at Gellert Hotel, Budapest, Hungary You can also read about this and other Hungarian delights in one of my December posts.

Favourite Food Read

Winner: 1 of my favourite bloggers of Eat Like a Girl fame had her first book published, Comfort & Spice and I attended a gorgeous brunch to celebrate this, and of course get my copy. As well as trying out several of the recipes to general applause, the writer, Niamh Shields introduced me to a new, naughty indulgence – Bacon Jam - rest assured it is the most moreish savoury delight ever.

Favourite Food Experience

Winner: Fruitpicking in Sussex and then making an array of jam, fruit pie and other delicious things with the fruits of this

Close Runners: Growing my own vegetables, some more successful than others, and using them in my home cooking attempts

Favourite New Ingredient

Winner: Maple Syrup – I’m currently obsessed with using this in savoury dishes, expect some recipes to follow (particularly the most delicious marinated ribs)

Favourite Foody TV Show

Winner: Masterchef – again I was obsessed with this show and was delighted at the winner who my boyfriend nicknamed the ‘nutty professor’ – looking forward to great things from Tim Anderson.

Close Runner: Mexican Food Made Easy (Thomasina Miers), Jamie Oliver’s Great Britain – particularly the episode that saw Jamie in an East London pie, mash shop and in Leigh-on-Sea.

Limoncello Drizzle Cake

Naughty but very, very nice!

I am no baker I have to admit, but there are a few things I can knock up that always go down well, Carrot Cake is one of my tried and tested favourites and for the last year or so I've mastered the art of the Lemon Drizzle Cake. That glorious citrussy delight that when served with a cup of English breakfast tea makes me more than a little happy.

Being a lover of food and booze I often like to add to recipes using various tipples and a few months ago I decided to experiment by adding a generous glug of Limoncello.

I have to say the result was bloody good - I made it for family, for friends and even the work colleagues and have to say it went down a treat with all.

I use this trusty recipe from BBC Good Food Adding in 2-3 tablespoons of syruppy Linmoncello results in a very moist and delicious cake which has a nice alcoholic kick and the citrus flavour is both sweet and sharp - the perfect combination in my opinion.

I like to serve with just a little cream, preferably clotted but if you're fighting the Christmas bulge then a lower calorie alternative such as Creme Fraiche is just as good.

Enjoy!