Home-Style Greeting & Eating

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Guest blogger Sheri Iodice is a registered dietitian and wellness coach for everydayhealth.com  and lives in the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts, USA

 

 

 

“Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.”
Miriam Beard (1901 – 1983) US writer Realism in Romantic Japan 1930.

There is something irresistible about the look on a weary traveler’s face when hearing the words “home-cooked meal.” It must be the nurturer in me that enjoys offering a comfortable and healthier alternative to the usual formulaic restaurant meal.

If you are so inclined to invite an Ifabber to your home to share a meal, here are some tips for putting together a healthy dinner party menu
•    Set the style and mood of the party that is comfortable to you.
•    Keep the menu simple – an appetizer, soup OR salad with an entrée and side dish followed by dessert is plenty.
•    Select homemade, fresh and local ingredients, as available.
•    You can include richer and indulgent dishes but keep the portions and intake of calories moderate.
•    Share a seasonal or local specialty item, including a bit of its history if you know some.
•    Ask your guest ahead of time about any food preferences or allergies.
•    Prepare as many items as possible ahead of time so that your attention is not divided once the party has started.
•    Don’t push alcoholic drinks and offer non-caloric alternatives.

Here is my dream early summertime dinner menu as an example:
Fresh vegetables with a local cheese
Homemade pasta with pesto sauce and romaine lettuce with lemon vinaigrette
Local berries with vanilla whipped cream

To highlight some local foods and my favorite flavors, I’ll start my food shopping at the farmer’s market where I can find a nice piece of local cheese to nibble on as an appetizer while we are making the pasta.
I am comfortable with involving my guests with some of the food preparation and I know from previous parties they like to watch the process of making pasta.  I’ll use some whole wheat flour in the dough to add dietary fiber and make the texture a bit heartier.

At the farmer’s market, I’ll look for local springtime garlic scapes, early basil, and parsley to put in the pesto. The pesto sauce I can make ahead reserving the cheese – which tastes best when it is stirred in right before serving.  This is where knowing ahead about nut allergies is helpful so you can alter the pesto recipe to omit the nuts.

Since it is summer, the local berries will make a fresh and tasty dessert with little work.  I can slice them ahead and then use my mismatched wine glasses as interesting dessert dishes.  With berries, adding a drizzle of heart healthy dark chocolate won’t add many calories. Just before serving, I can’t resist local cream whipped with some vanilla extract to dollop on top of the berries.  This tops off the meal with a true homemade touch.

Enjoy!

Thanks to everydayhealth.com  for our guest post.

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Female Business Traveller? Eat Well & Stay Fit

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Frequent Business Traveller Karen O'Leary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to Karen O’Leary from www.femalebusinesstraveller.com for our first guest post: HOW TO EAT WELL AND STAY FIT ON THE ROAD

(By the way, if you’re in Amsterdam or planning a trip there you can invite for a bite with Karen! Check out: Karen’s Amsterdam invite)

How to Guide: Keeping fit and healthy when travelling on business

If you travel frequently for business you will probably know how easy it is to fall into the trap of eating a room service club sandwich and fries. When not away on business you would normally go spinning on a Tuesday evening but there isn’t a gym in your hotel, it is dark outside and you are on a wedding diet – what do you do?

Find out where there is an equivalent exercise class near your hotel.

There are plenty of drop-in yoga  and pilates classes, spinning classes and public swimming pools Many of them offer first time cheap rates, sometimes even free. Ok so it might not always be in English but you can watch and follow everyone else.

Meet a like-minded person for dinner

Do you have someone on your facebook you haven’t seen, let alone spoken to, in ages who lives in the area? This is the perfect time to get in touch – the power of social media! Eating with someone else will make you less likely to over-order the room service and talking will ensure you eat slower.

Or is there someone in the city on inviteforabite.com? You can hook up with a like-minded female and go to a healthy restaurant for some food, you get the ability to network and have some good company over dinner – just make sure you stick to your regular type of food and don’t go for a gluttonous 5 course dinner!

Don’t eat breakfast in the hotel

Hotel breakfasts are often a lavish buffet where your will-power gets tested to the max. It is very important that you have breakfast but go to a small deli or healthy take-out where you can get some slow-release porridge and fruit, or another healthy alternative such as muesli.

Get an early night

How many times do you tell yourself you are going to go to bed early and then before you know it you are only getting 6 hours sleep? One of the advantages of travelling is you don’t have to worry about household chores.  Treat yourself: Have a bath, put some lavender oil on your pillow and get some quality sleep.

Walk to your appointment

Get a map when you arrive at the hotel and figure out where the office or appointment is that you need to get to. Pack some flat shoes and enjoy the walk in some new surroundings – you’ll find it is often quicker than public transport, helps burn calories plus allows your body the opportunity of some exercise, getting you into the right frame of mind for your meeting.

www.femalebusinesstraveller.com offers listings of drop-in yoga classes, swimming pools and fitness classes, beauty and healthy eateries as well as more tips on how to maintain a balanced lifestyle when travelling.

 

Meet Our Ifabber Gray Cargill

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Gray Cargill

What’s your job? What do you love about it?
I work in fundraising for higher education. Probably the thing I love the most is knowing that my work results in gifts that will help students attend college and get a quality education for generations to come. I could not have gone to college myself if it hadn’t been for scholarships and financial aid, so I feel like I’m “paying it forward”.

Gray also runs a great blog called SoloFriendly. For excellent info when you’re traveling solo, click here: http://solofriendly.com/

Why do you like Invite For A Bite?
I love the idea of having a way to connect with other women when I’m traveling on my own (or here in my own town) over dinner and shared interests. I love meeting new people and this seems like a great way to do it.

What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever eaten?
Accidentally? I almost swallowed a shrimp eyeball in Madrid when I was eating paella. I have a new rule now: Never eat anything that still has a face on it. On purpose? I tried frog’s legs once when I was young and brave. I’m pretty grossed out by that now—even though, yes, they do taste like chicken. Oh—and escargots (snails). Overall, I’m not the most adventurous diner.

What’s your guiltiest food pleasure?
Any chocolate dessert that also contains alcohol.

Which women, living now or in the past, would you invite to an ifab dinner party?
Eleanor Roosevelt Nellie Bly
Amelia Earhart Dorothy Parker
Sally Ride Mary McDonnell

Where are you from, and when you’re traveling what food from your country do you miss the most?
I’m from the US. This may sound crazy, but when I go to Europe, the thing I miss the most there is thick yogurt. My favorite is the Yoplait light thick and creamy. I eat it every day.The yogurt in Europe is drippy, almost soup-like. Not exactly stick-to-your-ribs yogurt, if you know what I mean.

Name a country you’ve visited whose food you love. What not-to-be-missed dish should people eat there?
I have not visited a single country whose food I universally love. Some meals are good, and some are not so good; everywhere is pretty much the same in that regard. I will say that I love escargots with a passion. I don’t think I’ve met a plate of buttery, garlicky escargots that I didn’t love. But I’m not sure I’d recommend a particular dish to anyone unless I knew their food preferences really, really well, because it’s all subjective, isn’t it?

Waikiki

If you could be in one place right now, where would it be? Why?
Hawaii. I just visited Hawaii for the first time in February and totally fell in love with everything about it—the climate, the landscapes, the people, the food, the laid-back vibe. I could live there.

Nosy, we know, but what are you having for dinner tonight?
Tilapia, creamed spinach, and couscous salad.

Pickled Fish Cape Town Style

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Not just a recipe, a piece of history as well! Try this PICKLED FISH Easter recipe being cooked all over Cape Town this week. Thanks to our South African ifabber ANNE SHIRLEY for this.

The origin of pickled fish is unclear and varied but is definitely Cape Malay.

Cape Malay cuisine originates from a colourful history of intermingling cultures brought together by the 17th-century slave trade. Malay cuisine is characterised by the liberal intermingling of spices and the influence of Indian, Dutch and French traditional food as well as the predominance of the Islamic religion.

The history of Cape Malay cuisine in South Africa begins with the involuntary migration of Africans, Asians and Indonesians around the world, and with it their diverse origins and culinary techniques.
The colonisation of Africa and Asia by the European powers led to an explosion in the global slave trade. However, when the abolishment of slavery came about, the former slaves settled in and around the areas in which they had been living – namely Cape Town and specifically the Bo-Kaap (Upper Cape), an area in Cape Town on the slopes of Signal Hill. The name ‘Cape Malay’ refers to followers of the Islamic faith and encompasses a rich culture of Eastern juxtaposed by Western heritage.

Whatever the story is, one thing is certain, in the week leading up to Easter just about everyone in Cape Town is preparing pickled fish!Just as confusing is the ‘perfect recipe’! Most are handed down from generation to generation. Mine comes from my British grandmother who got it from a Muslim lady, with a few tweaks! I do it every year and on Good Friday this followed by hot cross buns is the way to go.

Here it is!

PICKLED FISH CAPE TOWN STYLE

1kg fresh hake (snoek, kabeljoe or yellowtail also used)
3 large onions
2t salt
1D turmeric
4T curry powder
4T Demerara sugar (sticky brown)
2T white sugar
1T pickling spice
5 bay leaves
Brown grape vinegar

Coat fish in seasoned flour (salt and pepper) and fry and turn.  Set aside in a dish lined with paper towels and cover with towels to absorb oil.
Slice the onions in rings about 6mm thick and just bring to the boil and drain.
Place back in a pot and cover with vinegar – they will float so check where they level before adding vinegar.
Add one mug of water, salt, bay leaves and pickling spice. Boil for about 10 minutes.
While boiling, mix turmeric and curry powder in a little cold water to form a paste. When the onions are semi-soft after about 10 minutes, add this plus all the sugar and stir in.
Place layers of fish and onions in a deep dish till all the fish is covered then pour over the remaining liquid. Decorate with the bay leaves. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 days. Serve cold with buttered bread, LEKKER!*

*Afrikaans for luscious/tasty/sexy/cool (take your pick!)

Anne Shirley from Cape Town

 

Meet Our Ifabber Lilian Moreira

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Lilian in a cookery class

What’s your job? What do you love about it?
I work as a Project Manager for a non-profit organization overseeing production of multi‐media products and campaigns. I love the fact that everyday at work is different and I can use my creativity and organizational skills. I also love photography and enjoy blogging about my life in New York, one picture a day, at http://theforeignview.com/.

Why do you like Invite For A Bite?
Invite for a Bite is a wonderful opportunity to explore, on many levels. I can make new friends, get to know new restaurants and new cuisines. What is there not to love?

What have you invited people to on Invite For A Bite?
I’ve invited people to have sushi and currently I’m looking forward to meet some fabulous women at Republic, which serves impressive dishes from Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan and China. If you are planning to be in New York on April 20th, you should join me! (If you’d like to join Lilian, click ‘search invites’ and enter New York. Simple!)

What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever eaten?
Probably curry goat in a Jamaican restaurant. Delicious!

What’s your guiltiest food pleasure?
Dumplings. I am obsessed with those little balls of dough and will travel for good ones.

Which women, living now or in the past, would you invite to an ifab dinner party?
My grandmother Celina, who was the most amazing cook and gave my childhood a taste that I’ll never forget.

Where are you from, and when you’re traveling what food from your country do you miss the most?
I am originally from Brazil and have been living in New York for the past eight years. Feijoada is my favorite national dish (basically black bean stew with beef and pork), and that is always the food I miss the most!

Name a country you’ve visited whose food you love. What not-to-be-missed dish should people eat there?

Cupcake, mmm!

I haven’t had the opportunity to travel much but I take advantage of New York multi-cultural environment as much as I can. I am always trying new cuisines and I’m a huge fan of Mediterranean and Asian dishes.

If you could be in one place right now, where would it be? Why?
I would love to be home, baking Brazilian cheese rolls with my mom and sharing stories while drinking coffee. It is wonderful to live abroad and conquer your space and dreams, but home will always be where you belong.

Nosy, we know, but what are you having for dinner tonight?                                                Tonight I am going to a Turkish restaurant uptown Manhattan. I heard wonders about their kebabs, baklava and belly dancers!

 

Meet Our Ifabber Serena

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What’s your job? What do you love about it?
Right now I’m on a sabbatical, but I’m trained in Architectural Science and Interior Design.  I also recently started doing custom designed party cakes and wedding cakes.  I’m one of those people who know how to do so many things but cannot decide on which one to truly follow.  I also blog frequently about my life and do product reviews and giveaways on my blog, Bewildered Bug.

Check out Serena’s blog here: http://www.bewilderedbug.com/

Why do you like Invite For A Bite?     
Since September 2011 my husband and I have been living in separate countries.  For the decade we’ve been together, we have done everything together and used to love trying new restaurants and just going to our favourite familiar haunting grounds for an evening out with a good bottle of wine.  Now that he’s not here, I need a partner in crime.  Invite a Bite is excellent to connect people in similar situations just to get you to go out there and socialize.  Very exciting stuff.

What have you invited people to on Invite For A Bite?
I’ve only joined recently and I invited anyone in the Greater Toronto Area to join me for dinner somewhere – anywhere, preferably a good restaurant downtown – just to get to know each other and have an enjoyable dinner with new people.

(If you’d like to join Serena on April 19th, check out her invite. Go to ‘Search Invites’ at the top of this page and input Toronto. Simple!)

What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever eaten?
This is a fascinating question….um probably wild meat?  I’m originally from Trinidad (in the Caribbean) and they sometimes say that “Trinis eat anything that moves”.  When they hunt they hunt EVERYTHING.  I’ve had some meats that I’m not 100% sure what they were – they were good but very gamey.  Other than that, I’m pretty tame I think with regards to what I’ve eaten.

What’s your guiltiest food pleasure?
I’ve now been gluten and dairy free for about four years because of a gluten intolerance and a casein allergy.  Before that though, I used to eat everything.  Guiltiest food pleasure – definitely my sister’s cheesecake!  Now?  I sneak dark chocolate when I am down.  Definitely not the same but does the trick.

Which women, living now or in the past, would you invite to an ifab dinner party?
This is a hard question because there are so many to choose from!  Um. Definitely a mish-mash to make things interesting.  Mother Theresa, Cleopatra, Marilyn Monroe, Margaret Thatcher, Dita Von Teese, Jodi Foster, Jennifer Hudson, Dita Von Teese….I think….the more I think of it the more names pop into my head.  Maybe all of Henry VIII’s wives?  Mary Queen of Scots?  Mata Hari?  ”The Little Rose” St Therese?  Mary Magdalene?  Mary, Mother of Jesus? There are so many spectacular women in both real & fictional history that would definitely make interesting evenings!

Where are you from, and when you’re traveling what food from your country do you miss the most?
I’m from quite an eclectic family.  I was born in England, grew up in Trinidad, moved to Toronto for school and married a Canadian.  That’s only my story.  I think I miss sancoche.  It’s a thick, flavourful soup they make in Trinidad.  I miss it because it was just so comforting and no matter what I do I can’t seem to make it right.  Also, Trinidadians use a lot of shadow beni (bandanya) in their food.  It is a really strong flavour similar to cilantro…I substitute cilantro at times but it’s just not the same.  I also miss the fresh seafood of the islands – “Fresh” means something completely different when you live inland in a city like Toronto as compared to what you get on a small island.

Name a country you’ve visited whose food you love. What not-to-be-missed dish should people eat there?
I was pleasantly surprised by Malta.  My husband is Maltese-Canadian so we went there a few years ago.  The rabbit stew is spectacular. Their seafood is usually caught the day of and usually across the road from the restaurant in the bay. Their fruit was spectacular – the watermelons were huge!  There’s prickly pear EVERYWHERE.  Their ice creams and iced drinks are really good.  Their pizzas to die for!I also loved having authentic tapas in Spain.  In Valencia my family and I discovered this little hole in the wall who made the most spectacular paella.In Jamaica, you definitely have to go to the birthplace of Jerk.  It’s called Boston and is quite a drive, but so worth it.  They make it with fresh spices and barbecue it the traditional way in the ground between pieces of galvanized steel.  Very raw and real, but so good.  Just tear off a chunk of hardo bread, eat it with some jerk sausage and festival.  Wash it down with a Ting.  Perfection.

If you could be in one place right now, where would it be? Why?
England, because my husband is there and I miss him.

Nosy, we know, but what are you having for dinner tonight?
I have no clue at the moment.  Possibly pasta and pre-made Christine Cushing sauce (boring I know….that’s why I need iFab!!)

Meet Our Ifabber Elyse Pasquale

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What’s your job? What do you love about it?

I’m a full time foodie! I travel 100,000 miles each year for 100 great local meals around the world. I worked in theater production for a number of years but my true passion has always been food and travel. I created Foodie International in 2010 and 200,000 miles later, food and travel writing has become a career. Check out Elyse’s website Foodie International http://foodieinternational.com/

Why do you like Invite For A Bite?

As someone who travels the world constantly in search of great local meals, it’s always more fun to share that wonderful culinary experience with someone else. I love the idea that I can meet up with fellow foodies on a global scale.

What have you invited people to on Invite For A Bite?

A few upcoming foodie adventures! In the next month I’m heading to San Sebastian, Spain for a pintxos (Basque tapas) crawl, Addis Ababa for great Ethiopian cuisine and my other home base of Tuscany where I spend four months each year.

What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever eaten?

I’m willing to try everything at least once! I’ve eaten scorpions in Beijing, sea cucumber in Tokyo, guinea pig in Lima, whale in Reykjavik, reindeer carpaccio in Moscow, pig face on a Tuscan farm, kitfo (raw ground beef) in Addis Ababa, kangaroo in Sydney and a bacon milkshake in New York City.

What’s your guiltiest food pleasure?

I’m a sucker for Cool Ranch Doritos.

Which women, living now or in the past, would you invite to an ifab dinner party?

I’d love to sit down and share a fabulous meal with Hilary Clinton, J.K. Rowling, Tori Amos and Cindy Sherman.

Where are you from, and when you’re traveling what food from your country do you miss the most?

I live in New York City and a tiny village in Southern Tuscany. When I’m away from Italy too long I crave spaghetti carbonara and fresh salsciccia. When I’m away from New York too long I crave Shake Shack cheeseburgers. I have to say that I don’t “miss” any food because every day is such an incredible culinary adventure. I never know what I’ll discover and fall in love with next.

Name a country you’ve visited whose food you love. What not-to-be-missed dish should people eat there?

There are so many! I’ve eaten my way through nearly 60 countries. My favorite foodie destinations are: Italy (duh!), Turkey for fried anchovies, kokoreç, döner kebap, and some of the best breakfasts ever. Japan for mind-blowing sushi, okonomiyaki, chicken skin yakitori and pork belly ramen.

If you could be in one place right now, where would it be? Why?

I’m so happy to be exactly where I am – in New York City, in transit between Costa Rica and San Sebastian, Spain. Here in New York I have the flavors of the world at my fingertips. However, I’m so excited to travel to San Sebastian in two weeks. The town is a foodie Mecca, the seat of Western cuisine. It’s at the top of my culinary bucket list.

Nosy, we know, but what are you having for dinner tonight?

I’m heading to a friend’s birthday party at a New York restaurant that serves both Italian and Cuban cuisine so I’ll have to decide when I arrive, but I do know that multiple mojitos will most definitely be involved!

What about YOU dear reader? What food from your country do you miss when you’re on the road?

 


Meet Our Ifabber Danielle Donker

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Danielle Donker

What’s your job? What do you love about it?

Soon my boutique guesthouse will open in the Ourika Valley. A beautiful and peaceful valley in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, forty five minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech. I am currently working on the interior design of the guest rooms.

I also search for and buy vintage Moroccan Berber carpets and other beautiful things which I sell on my website and in the very near future in my boutique.

My work gives me an opportunity to be creative, to travel and to meet interesting people. I love my work!

(Check out Danielle’s website: http://www.beyondmarrakech.blogspot.co.uk/
Danielle is hosting an invite: Dinner in bella Calabria).

Why do you like Invite For A Bite?

It is a very unique and informal way to meet other travelling women who may also be carrying a book or magazine to the dining table for a little company!

Beautiful Calabria

What have you invited people to on Invite For A Bite?

A dinner in Calabria, the beautiful south of Italy!

What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever eaten?

Piranha’s in Venezuela.

What’s your guiltiest food pleasure?

Italian ice cream (only the real thing in Italy though!)
Oh, and in Verona (address: Corso Porta Nuova) there is a Japanese restaurant called Ikai which serves the best, most delicious warm chocolate cake topped with green tea flavoured ice cream! Had two portions last time I was there!

Which women, living now or in the past, would you invite to an ifab dinner party?

Buying Carpets In The Souk Of Marrakech

Cleopatra, Mary Magdalene, Maria Montessori, Stevie Nicks, Karen Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Dawn French and I could go on and on…

Where are you from, and when you’re traveling what food from your country do you miss the most?

I am from The Netherlands but before moving to Morocco my home was in Italy. When I travel I don’t really need to miss Italian food because in every city worldwide there is always a great Italian restaurant. The Dutch are not particularly famed for their cuisine but enter a snack bar in The Netherlands and you will not want to leave!

Name a country you’ve visited whose food you love. What not-to-be-missed dish should people eat there?

Morocco, tagine with prunes and almonds! Will definitely organise an invite for atagine bite at my home here in the Ourika Valley!

 

What about YOU dear reader? What food from your country do you miss when you’re abroad?

Meet Our Ifabber Lucy Dodsworth

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Lucy at Symonds Yat in the Forest Of Dean, England

What’s your job? What do you love about it?
I’m a freelance editor and designer and started working for myself a year ago. I do a bit of everything – from proofreading books to designing brochures, doing photoshoots and even painting murals. I love the variety and being able to work where and when I want to (which seems to involve a lot of my sofa!). I’ve also got a sideline as a new travel blogger at www.ontheluce.com which lets me combine my big loves of photography, writing and travel.

Why do you like Invite for a Bite?
I do a bit of solo travel and never liked eating on my own so the site is a great way to meet up with other women from around the world. Plus I’ve moved to a new area recently so it”ll also be good to meet people who live nearby or are travelling here.

What have you invited people to on Invite for a Bite?
I fancy learning to cook something new so have put up an invite to see if anyone would like to do a cookery class in the Forest of Dean, learning to make pasta or tapas or something (and obviously eating it afterwards!).

What’s the most unusual thing you’ve eaten?
I did a wine-tasting tour around Margaret River in Western Australia, and a few wineries in we had a picnic and got to try kangaroo, crocodile and pate made out of mealy grubs. Must have been the wine as I wouldn’t have eaten them sober!

What’s your guiltiest food pleasure?
I love cheese in any form – goats, soft, blue. I did a tasting at Neal’s Yard Dairy in London recently and was in heaven.

Which women, living now or in the past, would you invite to an ifab dinner party?
My mum and grandmothers, Judi Dench, Alex Kingston and Meryl Streep.

Where are you from? When you’re traveling what food from your country do you miss the most?
I’m from Herefordshire in England. My favourite English foods would definitely be a roast dinner and a good cup of tea!

Name a country you’ve visited whose food you love. What not-to-be-missed dish should people eat there?
The food in Morocco was fantastic – don’t miss the tagines with lots of mint tea.

If you could be in one place right now, where would it be?
On a beach in South East Asia, drinking a cold beer and eating freshly caught fish off the barbecue.

Nosy, we know, but what are you having for dinner tonight?
I’m cooking up a roasted vegetable lasagne.

What about YOU dear reader? Why not leave a comment or answer one of those questions yourself right here!

Meet Our Ifabber Andrea Banfi

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Ifabbers like to have fun!

What’s your job? What do you love about it?

I am in charge of record management and adjudications at the London HQ of Guinness World Records. I love our record holders and the sheer variety of my daily work. I love to witness the moments when records get broken, to see how the faces of our record holders change when we announce the success of an attempt. It is often emotional and I love being part of it, it has fed my enthusiasm for the past 6 years.

Why do you like Invite For A Bite?
My team and I travel a lot both in the UK and abroad to adjudicate record attempts. So the idea of a website where I could find another woman to have dinner with sounds great. Often after a long day I prefer to go to bed without dinner to having dinner in a restaurant on my own or resort to ordering room service. I will definitely use it myself and recommend it to my colleagues.

What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever eaten?
I don’t count pigeon and frog legs, I had crocodile soup and fried snake, both in China.

What’s your guiltiest food pleasure?
My mum’s cream caramel, the meringue roulade served at the Marshmallow Restaurant & Tea Rooms in Moreton in Marsh, Brazilian cheese bread, I could go on!

Which women, living now or in the past, would you invite to an ifab dinner party?
Harper Lee, Mother Teresa, my grandma and Hillary Clinton.

What food from your country do you miss the most?(Andrea is from Hungary)
The great thing about London is that you can get hold of everything. Except sour cherries. I miss sour cherries.

Name a country you’ve visited whose food you love. What not-to-be-missed dish should people eat there?
The best food I had abroad was in the Middle East, I love mezzes and their fresh herby salads, and in China, Cantonese food is my second favourite.

If you could be in one place right now, where would it be? Why?
On a sunny beach in Brazil, slurping a cocktail. Why? It’s obvious, I think!

Nosy, we know, but what are you having for dinner tonight?
I am cooking a vegetable jalfrezi tonight. Mmmmmh

Hello dear reader, why not choose one of those questions and answer it right here!