I picked up these herbs for the garden plot: bronze fennel, borage and oregano.
After exploring the Botanic Gardens again, we went for a wander into the town of Carmarthen.
I was rather surprised at the number of vegetarian places in Carmarthen, there were two as I recall someone once telling me that there were none, little fibber. There were also a couple of independent wholefood places including Aardvark Alternatives where I got this China Rose Radish Sprouts from; and Waverley Wholefoods, which I will write more about when I share photographs of our day exploring Carmarthen. I loved these sprouts, they added a lovely peppery bite.
Whilst exploring the castle and then the streets, some narrow ones - we came across a little deli called Blasus Delicatessen. Blasus means tasty in Welsh and Blasus Delicatessen was a Runner Up in 2016 Observer Food Awards. I love savoury things, and picked up this bag of Torres Black Truffle potato chips. I must report, wow - It was truly flavourful and enjoyed with a good glass of red wine. I must confess I ate most of the bag.
Blasus Deli sell a wider range of gorgeous edibles and drinkables like good wines, artisan bread, cakes, Welsh and European cheeses. D picked up some blue cheese that was recommended by the owner and a loaf of sourdough bread to accompany it. Both were good.
I picked up these Mason pie pots a little while back, and use them not that long ago for some Vegetable Pot Pies,
I saw this Cake Stand fountain in a charity shop; If you look close next to it is another cake stand that I got for Christmas.
Look here they are enjoyed over the weekend with some waffles.
I have made pierogies in the past, but I saw these Peter and Pat' Potato, Chili and Garlic Pierogies at a Road show and had a taste of a sample, I was sold and came home with a big bag. We have been enjoying them when I don't have the energy to cook after work.
And finally, I am a little ashamed to admit it, but what the heck I found some Pot Noodles, not mine - honestly, D got these while back and I mean a while back as its best before date is gone.
Clearing out cupboards, found some tubs of pot noodles Bombay Bad Boy and Jamaican Jerk.
I am sharing this with Sherry Pickings for In My Kitchen series. IMK was started by Celia of Fig Jam and Lime Cordial and its one of my favourite blog events to join in with as I get to nosy in other peoples kitchen, please do join in.



Those truffle crisps are addictive. Unfotunately, M&S sell them in their food hall here so all too easy to buy!
ReplyDeleteso good to hear from you Jee. Sincerely hope your well. I have not seen them in the M&S in Wales, but thanks for letting me know.
ReplyDeleteI'm fine, thank you. Still reading lots of blogs but not writing. Occasionally posting on instagram as j.erskine. We've been in Cardiff several times lately -used to live there, so nice to be back in Wales.
DeleteThanks for letting me know. I remember you saying you lived in Cardiff, its changed a lot over the years - in a good way.
DeleteThose truffle crisps look really good. I love your little bird pot pie dishes. Love all your purchases from your little welsh trip and also that you have some good short cuts like the pierogy for a busy day - I need some of them in my freezer - how do you cook them?
ReplyDeleteThanks Johanna. Yes I do too, shame you don't see them as covered by the filling, but I know they are there. The pierogi is cooked from frozen, just takes a few minutes. Heat either oil or butter and pan fry with lid on for 8 minutes, then flip over and cook the other side until golden and serve. Yum, they are really good. I want to get some more if i can
DeleteWhat an interesting selection of items and beautiful pie dishes. I like the sound of the truffle crisps and your raspberry dressing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kari, the truffle crisps were pretty potent in flavour. Yeah, I am pleased with the pie dishes too.
DeleteWell if THAT title didn't grab my attention I don't know what will, Shaheen! Then I went on to peruse your delightful post. Aardvark Alternatives sounds like a wonderful place... Blasus Deli, too. (I hear ya on eating a bag of fabulously flavorful chips with good glass of red wine, LOL!) Are your Pot Noddles rice based? I've been sustaining myself on "Thai (rice) Noodles" lately with whatever else I throw into the mix... salmon, tuna, veggies, etc. Loved their "names" and looking forward to your comparisons!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim. Aardvark was really amazing, you stepped into a stop what on the outside appeared like a dark stall and then are amazed, its like a tunnel with loads of wholefood goodies, there was an upstairs too. I could have spent ages in there, but D was wanting to go home. No the noodles are not rice based, they instant noodles like you get at the Chinese supermarket and pour hot water on.
DeleteWhat a wonderful shop you discovered, Shaheen! (Loved your description of it, too.) I enjoy poking around in places like that -- treasures at every turn. Wish we could go shopping together! (My beloved has his limits, lol.) Thanks for answering my question about the noodles.
DeleteYour very welcome Kim.
DeleteYes, love the idea of shopping together, if only :)
All of these Northern Hemisphere posts telling me spring is here! We just left Austin, TX and the wildflowers were everywhere. To be honest, whilst it may be Autumn in the rest of Australia, it is far to hot to still go out in the sun in Brisbane. Those little Mason dishes are delightful. So full of whimsy and a surprise at the bottom of the pie. Just lovely. Pot Noodles – lol!
ReplyDeleteI'm back from a break from blogging and reading blogs so enjoyed reading your post. Thanks for sharing
Thanks Fiona, welcome back from your blogging break and I am humbled that mine is a blog your read :) Yes, Spring is here, but it does still feel very wintry - we are still have cold snaps.
Deletethanks for joining in this month Shaheen. those black truffle crisps sound pretty amazing. i have never been a massive fan of black truffle but i bet they were tasty. love your little pie pots - so very cute. we love raspberry vinegar on our salads in this house, and i do sometimes make my own. but there is a great berry farm that makes wonderful vinegars so i often buy it from them. see you next month... cheers!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sherry for coming by.
DeleteGood to know that your a fan of raspberry vinegar, as well as making your own supporting local businesses is great.
I was just going to say that I'm sure I've seen those truffle crisps in M and S and I can see another commenter has confirmed this. I will have to try them now! I must admit I enjoy a very occasional Pot Noodle - the beef and tomato one is vegan.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, I haven't seen them in M&S here, maybe available at bigger ones in the city. I will let my husband know that the 'Beef' pot no0dles are veggie, if he wants to try, they are back up snacking for him.
DeleteThe truffle crisps with a glass of wine sounds like a wonderful treat. Your pie dishes are lovely. I think I could have found some lovely treasures in those shops, looks like you had a good time.
ReplyDeleteThank you Gretchen.
DeleteYour kitchen is fun as always! That cake stand is so pretty! What a find.
ReplyDeleteThe raspberry vinegar sounds lovely, it inspires me to make a raspberry salad dressing as we are entering our summer months now here.
And the truffle chips!!! Ooooh yes =)
Thanks Kimmy.
DeleteTruffle chips sound yumm Shaheen! Never seen anything like it & I really want some now :) Love your pie pots too. Sounds like your market trip was amazing xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Miss Food Fairy. The truffle chips were pretty potent, a little def. goes a long way.
Delete