Way of Life Blogger

Hello Melissa here! I thought I’d share a round of up my FAVE TOMATO RECIPES as we are happily in the thick of tomato season and I don’t know many people who don’t love tomatoes. Actually I do know a few who prefer them cooked than raw, so here are some speedy fresh tomato recipes and some slow roasted ones too. Hope you enjoy. And if your tomatoes aren’t ripe, keep them on the windowsill or in as much sun as possible, you’ll really taste the difference. P.S. Anyone else growing their own?     Chickpea Greek Style Salad This Chickpea Greek Style Salad brings everyone’s fave Greek Salad plus chickpeas together for extra heartiness. Or if you’re having a nice big fridge or cupboard rummage then add any beans you’ve got that need using, like butter beans or kidney beans.   Get the recipe.     Burrata, Mint & Two Way Tomatoes Burrata is certainly a luxury ingredient so for a very special occasion (in this case, a reunion with my fr...

Hello Melissa here! I thought I’d share a round of up my FAVE TOMATO RECIPES as we are happily in the thick of tomato season and I don’t know many people who don’t love tomatoes. Actually I do know a few who prefer them cooked than raw, so here are some speedy fresh tomato recipes and some slow roasted ones too. Hope you enjoy. And if your tomatoes aren’t ripe, keep them on the windowsill or in as much sun as possible, you’ll really taste the difference. P.S. Anyone else growing their own?     Chickpea Greek Style Salad This Chickpea Greek Style Salad brings everyone’s fave Greek Salad plus chickpeas together for extra heartiness. Or if you’re having a nice big fridge or cupboard rummage then add any beans you’ve got that need using, like butter beans or kidney beans.   Get the recipe.     Burrata, Mint & Two Way Tomatoes Burrata is certainly a luxury ingredient so for a very special occasion (in this case, a reunion with my fr...

The weather may be changeable, but there have been an awful lot of very hot days around these parts lately. On a scorching day when I’m just looking to cool down, these recipes are some of my sweet pick-me-ups for keeping cool and calm. Fennel, Grape & Mint Refresher This is a beautifully fragrant and refreshing alternative to a summer Pimm’s, especially since alcohol is dehydrating. You just need a blender and a sieve for this one. Frozen Grapes The easiest recipe ever, frozen grapes are exactly what they sound like, and they are a taste sensation. You’ll wonder why you’d never frozen your bunch of grapes before. Tamarind Juice Ditch the cola for this sweet tangy nectar that I first tasted on my travels to Zanzibar a couple years ago. It’s made using dried tamarind pulp or fresh tamarind if you can get your hands on it. Mango Lassi Mousse If your sweet tooth is calling, this mango lassi mousse is just the thing. It’s light, airy and super summery, and can be made with...

The weather may be changeable, but there have been an awful lot of very hot days around these parts lately. On a scorching day when I’m just looking to cool down, these recipes are some of my sweet pick-me-ups for keeping cool and calm. Fennel, Grape & Mint Refresher This is a beautifully fragrant and refreshing alternative to a summer Pimm’s, especially since alcohol is dehydrating. You just need a blender and a sieve for this one. Frozen Grapes The easiest recipe ever, frozen grapes are exactly what they sound like, and they are a taste sensation. You’ll wonder why you’d never frozen your bunch of grapes before. Tamarind Juice Ditch the cola for this sweet tangy nectar that I first tasted on my travels to Zanzibar a couple years ago. It’s made using dried tamarind pulp or fresh tamarind if you can get your hands on it. Mango Lassi Mousse If your sweet tooth is calling, this mango lassi mousse is just the thing. It’s light, airy and super summery, and can be made with...

Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, we’ve seen the hospitality sector struggle more than we could have ever imagined. Having had to close the doors to our Hemsley Cafe along with the rest of Selfridges was incredibly hard. Now we’re back open, we want to do everything we can to make sure everyone who visits the cafe feels safe, relaxed and enjoys the experience as much as their food! We’re proud to say that Selfridges are leading the way across the board with their commitment to creating and maintaining a safe environment for customers to enjoy their visit in-store and at our cafe as well as the other eateries within Selfridges.  You’ll notice the cafe has been rejigged in line with the new regulations too, so we are operating with a reduced capacity. We’d advise booking ahead to avoid disappointment – just give us a ring on 020 7318 3170 or book online here.  Now that the oven is back on and the fresh veggies have been stocked up, we have all hands on deck and the kitche...

Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, we’ve seen the hospitality sector struggle more than we could have ever imagined. Having had to close the doors to our Hemsley Cafe along with the rest of Selfridges was incredibly hard. Now we’re back open, we want to do everything we can to make sure everyone who visits the cafe feels safe, relaxed and enjoys the experience as much as their food! We’re proud to say that Selfridges are leading the way across the board with their commitment to creating and maintaining a safe environment for customers to enjoy their visit in-store and at our cafe as well as the other eateries within Selfridges.  You’ll notice the cafe has been rejigged in line with the new regulations too, so we are operating with a reduced capacity. We’d advise booking ahead to avoid disappointment – just give us a ring on 020 7318 3170 or book online here.  Now that the oven is back on and the fresh veggies have been stocked up, we have all hands on deck and the kitche...

It’s salad time! I’m not one for craving or missing salads, but when that sun kicks in, I definitely get that salad feeling. With a dish that’s light, seasonal and nourishing, there’s truly something for everyone. Here are some of my favourites that play with textures and ingredients to keep things fresh and delish. Vata Pakti Bowl: Sautéed Cucumber, Green Beans, Beetroot and Carrot Designed to ground you when you’re feeling wired, this bowl of sautéed veggies is a great one to wind down from stressful summer days. Pitta Pakti Bowl: Caramelised Celery, Avocado and Radicchio Salad Bowl ( East by West page 144) Designed to cool you off with that creamy avocado and crunchy veg, this is the ultimate hot summer day recipe. Kapha Pakti Bowl: Roasted Broccoli, Cauliflower and Aubergine Salad Bowl ( East by West page 145) This bowl is perfect for when you need a bit of a kick — slow, sweaty August days, anyone? Caramelised Celery, Courgette and Pumpkin Seeds With Mint, Manchego and ...