Breakfast

Photos by tomo koh 

 Breakfast is my favourite meal! From poached eggs to crusty bread with lashings of butter and home made jam... YUM! I love it even more when I sit around a table with my fiance and friends. Eating with others can bring people together. It's here around a table eating good food when bonds are formed and sustained. It's a time when to listen, inform indulge and entertain each other. In a society that values individualism at the expense of community I can't think of a better way to start the day by simply sharing warmth, love and having a sense of belonging. Oh yeah and a full belly in the morning means a better working brain during the day. Remember this next time you try to skip breakie. Tomo Koh from Tokyo captures my favourite part of the day perfectly.

Basil Infused Vodka

photos by Jen Gotch

The weekend is coming up and I thought this recipe for infusing vodka with basil wasn't a bad idea to kick it off.  It's very easy and a great way to spice up your average vodka. I really like this on the rocks or in a Bloody Mary...(hick-up)

Ingredients:

• 2 large sprigs of basil
• 750ml bottle of premium vodka
• infusion jar with tight-sealing lid

Preparation:

1. Rinse the basil to remove any unwanted chemicals. There is no need to chop or remove the stems.
2. Place the basil into a clean quart-sized mason jar.
3. Fill the jar with vodka.
4. Secure the lid on the jar and shake well.
5. Store the infusion in a dark place at room temperature for 4 days.
6. Strain the vodka through a coffee filter into a seperate container.
7. Store as you would any other vodka.

Entertaining at home

Footage by James Whitaker

I want to ask you a question straight up. Do you entertain at home? Are you one of those people who loves inviting friends to your pad and creating a 3 course dinner or perhaps you choose a more casual affair? Or are you someone who prefers to meet friends at cafes, pubs or restaurants instead of having them in your little sanctuary. Me I love having people over. But I want to hear how you entertain or not.

Harry Potter Feast Banned By Muggles

Warning do not host a Harry Potter party for Halloween. British Newspaper, The Observer, reported that the owner of The Underground Restaurant, who uses the pseudonym Ms Marmite Lover has been banned to host a Hogwart feast.

She regularly holds themed evenings at private homes for adventurous, British foodies and for her latest event she had planned a menu of food and drink enjoyed by Harry Potter and friends in the JK Rowling stories. However, Warner Bros has written a warning that if she uses any influence of the story she will be breaching copyright laws. All a little bit different to Marmite's response when they heard about one of her themed parties to include the spread in every dish. The company was so pleased they stocked her up with plenty of Marmite and all for free. The party is continuing but the name of the event is now called "Generic Wizard Night", suggested by Warner Bros. I have no doubt the night will be still a hit and so much more fun coming up with spinoffs of the famous tale. The Underground Restaruant is a brilliant idea. A great way to meet new friends, taste great food and best of all a little chance to sticky beak around someone's home. Here are a couple of pictures from Ms Marmite's events.

All pictures via Ms Marmite