Carrot, Coconut and Chocolate Cake with Coconut Cream Frosting

150ml coconut oil

100g light brown sugar

2 eggs

75g honey

125g self raising flour

50g oat flour

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp bicarb

200g grated carrots

50g desiccated coconut

50g dark chocolate

 

200g coconut cream

 

Preheat the oven to 160C/Gas 3. Whisk all wet ingredients well. In a separate bowl, mix remaining ingredients then add the wet mix. Bake in a lined tin for 30 minutes then test with a skewer, if it comes out clean remover from the oven. If not, continue to bake in five minute intervals until ready. Leave to cool. For the frosting, simply whisk the coconut cream until light and fluffy. Spread on the cake and enjoy!

 

To make this cake vegan, swap honey for maple syrup and eggs for flax eggs. To make gluten free, use 175g of oat flour.

Afternoon Tea @ The Lane, Deal

This afternoon tea at The Lane is definitely one of the best I've had. The interesting mix of sweet and savouries were different to a standard tea. Mini brioche buns filled with pulled pork and slaw were fantastic! All treats shown in the photo above were for one person so at £14.50 it was good value for money. Overall, I was really impressed at this modern take on a traditional tea and if you can't manage it all staff are happy to box up the leftovers!

I will definitely be back to sample the cocktails and amazing-looking cakes on offer!

 

https://www.thelanedeal.co.uk/

Roast @ Cowdray, West Sussex

After a friend's wedding the night before, I sampled this delicious roast dinner at the Cowdray Estate. The café offered a varied menu, full of fresh ingredients and there were lots of options for those with allergies. The farm shop next door is also worth a visit!

http://www.cowdray.co.uk/eat/the-cafe/

Fifteen, Watergate Bay, Cornwall

I had been wanting to try Jamie Oliver's beach front restaurant for a while. I opted to order off the main menu and not for the five course sample menu. This worked out better as there was more choice with bigger portions and not as expensive.

The crab pasta to start was simple which complemented the fresh crab. For the main, the pork chop with lentils and salsa verde was delicious and nothing like I'd ever tasted. I don't normally eat pork but this was chargrilled making it superb, and the salsa verde cut through the lentils rich flavour. Though my favourite course was the dessert. The panna cotta was so silky smooth with a strong hit of vanilla, like the nicest milky bar yogurt you've ever eaten!

I would also strongly recommended sampling the cocktails, they were superb. I had a coconut mojito followed by an apple pie martini, both were so well balanced and refreshing.

I was very impressed by the whole experience, it was a lovely treat and will definitely be back to try the seasonal variations.

https://www.fifteencornwall.co.uk/

The Italian Kitchen, Bideford, Cornwall

I visited The Italian Kitchen for new years eve for a venetian themed evening. Everything was so fresh and seemed very authentic. It was also great value for money for the amount of food served. I can fault anything each course was so tasty. I am very keen to visit again to sample the everyday menu.

 

https://www.facebook.com/Theitaliankitchenbideford.co.uk

Afternoon Tea @ Fistral Beach Hotel, Newquay, Cornwall

I was very impressed with Fistral Beach Hotel's afternoon tea. It was good value for money and it came with lots of fresh fruit. The staff were lovely and were very accommodating. The dining room also has a stunning view over Fistral beach. It was very relaxing, enjoying the tasty treats whilst watching the waves roll in. I would definitely recommend trying this one!

https://www.fistralbeachhotel.co.uk/eat/afternoon-tea/

Christmas Afternoon Tea @ The Capital Hotel, London

 I booked this special treat as part of my friend's hen party. It was a very sophisticated affair. The staff at The Capital welcomed us, taking our coats and showing us to the bar. They provided some swanky nibbles as we perused the cocktail menu. My Polish apple martini was stunning.

There was an array of interesting sandwiches provided with the tea. The matcha tea bread was a bit lost on me, but the others were delicious. The festive sweet treats were intricate with some unusual flavour combinations. The pantone and marmalade macaroon was my favourite. You cant go too wrong with scones, clotted cream and jam.

Overall, the food wasn't the best I've had in an afternoon tea but I think the whole experience was worth while, we all felt spoilt!

http://www.capitahotel.co.uk/afternoon-tea