Spice Drops

Published in WH Times January 2019

Sunny Kerala might seem very far away in chilly February, but Hatfield has a fascinating connection with the spice capital of the world. Did you know that award-winning food product Spice Drops is based here? Although the spices are grown in Kerala, the heart of the UK business is right here in Hatfield.

Spice Drops is a range of spice extracts, including red chilli, cardamom, chai, lemongrass, rose, ginger, cinnamon, mint, lime zest and turmeric. Spice Drops has won many Great Taste Awards and you can buy them in Sainsburys, Wholefoods and Ocado. You can also buy them in Aaroh in Hatfield town centre.

I met Gouri Kubair who runs the UK office, and she explained the family history behind the business, which was started by her grandfather. Gouri grew up in Kerala with her younger sister and parents, who grew the business. In 2013 Gouri left her job with Deloitte to bring Spice Drops to the European market. The company in Kerala is a good local employer, with long-term working relationships with local farmers. Over 80% of the workforce is women, many of whom were disadvantaged.

I was surprised to learn that you can add Spice Drops to all sorts of recipes: cakes, coffee, tea, cocktails and of course to add flavour to main courses such as stir-fries, risottos, curries and stews. The rose flavour is very popular for baking, and is more intense than rose water. You could add cinnamon to baking, coffee or porridge, as Gouri suggests. Lemongrass is useful for stir-fries, and much cheaper and longer-lasting than fresh.

Spice Drops contain no added salt, sugar, artificial colouring or preservatives. They are gluten-free and suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets. The drops last for years, unlike dried herbs and spices. They have a growing fan base amongst well-known chefs including Nigella Lawson, Rachel Khoo, Tom Kerridge, Atul Kochhar and Cyrus Todiwala.

It’s a clever product, and an easy way for us to add flavour to our cooking, without the chopping, peeling and grating. You are also helping to support a local business, with international roots!

The Refill Pantry

Published in The Herts Advertiser February 2019

Are you horrified by the amount of single-use plastic that you bring home from the supermarket (or comes in via Ocado)? Did you watch the Blue Planet documentary that showed how our sea life is being killed by plastic? If you would like to reduce the amount of plastic that you buy (recycling is good, though reducing the amount we use is better), you should check out The Refill Pantry on London Road, up near The Peahen. It is a brilliant idea for a shop; you take in your own containers to refill with dried foods, or use the paper or fabric bags that are supplied. You can buy as little or as much as you like, so its ideal for trying something new, or buying just a small amount which helps to cut down on food waste.

Neighbours Celina Mendoza and Tania Trovatello had the idea for the shop after visiting similar places, in particular, one in Totnes owned by former Manchester United player Richard Eckersley. It’s a really stylish shop, with the food beautifully displayed around the walls including rice, nuts, cereals, pasta as well as herbs, oils and vinegars. It’s fun to turn the handles and get what you need; you then weigh it and pay at the counter. I thought the prices were very good and the quality is excellent – my cashews were crisp and far nicer than the last bag I bought in a supermarket, which went soft quickly. My chocolate buttons were divine and it felt nicely old-fashioned to have a little paper bagful to take home; the labelling is smart so I think would make a nice gift too.

I was really pleased to see so many local suppliers represented, including Dizzy Bee Granola, rapeseed oil from Sawbridgeworth, teas from Bishop Stortford, coffee from the Hertfordshire Coffee Lab in Hitchin and flour from Redbournbury Mill, along with many more. Tania showed me the large 25kg paper sacks many of the ingredients arrive in; they must save the equivalent of thousands of plastic food packets each year. I was amazed to see that some of the lentils are grown in Hertfordshire!

I really liked the baking corner which contained all sort of things from mixed peel to goji berries. It is ideal if you like to make your own muesli or want to try a new recipe without buying a whole bagful of something. I must go back and buy some nutritional yeast flakes, which I’ve never tried; apparently they sell well to veggies and vegans and you can sprinkle them over mac and cheese, pizza, pasta etc.

Tables around the shop sell well-priced eco-friendly products including water bottles, beeswax wraps, bamboo toothbrushes, fabric pads, bamboo cotton buds, deodorants, washing liquids, bath and beauty products.

They don’t mind what containers or bags you bring in to use; Tania told me that one customer made fabric bags that she uses, but jam jars, old plastic wrappers, cereal boxes, kilner jars, oil bottles and anything else you can think of work just fine. The Refill Pantry was shortlisted for the Chamber of Commerce Community Business Awards in the category of Green Business 2018.

If you live or work in the city centre then shopping at The Refill Pantry is a no-brainer. Parking might be a little tricky if you want to buy a lot, although it isn’t far from the Maltings car park. You can find The Refill Pantry at 26 London Road St Albans AL1 1NG. It is open every day.

The Reading Rooms

Published in The Herts Advertiser, August 2018

Have you spotted the new micropub The Reading Rooms in Wheathampstead, right on the high street? It is a very cool addition to the village and could have come straight from Hoxton. It’s run by Nick and Matt, the Farr Brewery duo who brew their award-winning beers in nearby Coleman Green Lane. You might also recognise Ellis Tofalli who runs the micropub day to day and is the niece of Christo at Ye Olde Fighting Cocks and used to work there. It only opened in June and has already proved very popular with the village.

The Reading Rooms is a micropub (and it is tiny, with three small rooms) that serves their own Farr Brew beers on draft, as well as cider, wine and a few spirits, so there is something for everyone. It also sells bottled beers and wines to take away and their own draft beers in various size containers. The Farr Brew beers on tap including Golden, Chief Jester, both great summer beers, and also Black Listed which was created for the Fighting Cocks.

The building is a lovely Grade 2 listed former shop, so took over a year to sort out the redevelopment. I love the feel of the place; there are books and papers to read so you can pop in on your own, but there are also cosy places to sit with pals. You can probably only seat about 10 in the downstairs bar, and maybe 15 upstairs so don’t all rush there at once! Ellis told me that they already have regulars who buy the beer to take away, rather than go to the brewery, so it is ideal for summer barbecues and parties.

I went with two pals to a gin tasting evening which was held in the lovely upstairs room, full of comfy armchairs and a sofa. It was a very warm night and they had packed the room with gin enthusiasts, but we enjoyed the presentation and tastings by new local gin distillery Black Bridge, who are based just up the road. We tried four gins and a moonshine, which was a first for me. The gin is sold by the bottle or glass at The Reading Rooms, as well as at local indie shops including The Fleetville Larder, Tomoka Spirits and Carpenters. We loved the signature house gin which had grapefruit flavours without the strong gin kick – lovely with Fever Tree Mediterranean tonic. The Blue Admiral was a big hit too (it changes colour as you add tonic). The moonshine is a potent whisky with quite a vegetal aroma, which my pal loved, but might have been the reason for my dizzy head that night! Black Bridge make a bespoke gin for the pub called A Bridge to Farr, so maybe choose that one if popping in to The Reading Rooms. Black Bridge only started this year so is a very new company and everything is made by the small team so they sell out quickly.

If you need something to eat the pub does a few freshly baked sausage rolls, pasties and scotch eggs which are made locally again in Wheathamstead by Brimarks Butchers. I’d always love a veggie option so didn’t try them but others said the sausage rolls were excellent.

Situated next to the church at 36 High Street, in what I think was the florist, The Reading Rooms is open 12–9.30. It is a terrific addition to the village, and well worth the short taxi ride from Harpenden and St Albans.

The Harpenden Arms

Published in The Herts Advertiser, Jan 2019

I thought I’d focus on a pub for my January column. I realise that many of you are doing ‘dry January’ so I’ve picked a pub that has a good reputation for food, The Harpenden Arms. And if you aren’t, then it’s very good for drinks too!

January is always a quiet time for pubs; many of us are trying to drink less or save money. With the recent issues with business rate hikes, this can be a tough month for pubs in our area. I like that The Harpenden Arms is trying to counter this with a special offer in Jan – if you go to their website and sign up you can get 20% off your food and drink bill. Even if you are drinking less this month, it can be good to get out and socialise, so why not treat yourself to lunch or dinner and try a new soft drink instead. When I popped in recently, the log fire was very welcoming on a grey afternoon, and we had a walk around the pretty common beforehand.

The Harpenden Arms is a large pub, and they have divided up the space well. On the left hand side is the more traditional bar area, with plenty of space for just going in for a drink or a coffee. There are comfy seating areas too, and we bagged the sofa near the fire. The interior is quirky, with funky hanging baskets and you can order bar food and lunch to eat in this area. The large room “The Orangery” to the right is used mainly for dining, and it gets very busy on weekends, especially for Sunday lunch. It has also hosted many big birthday and work celebrations; it is one of the largest and lightest dining rooms in Harpenden. As it needs to be in Harpenden, it is welcoming to children of all ages too. There are rooms upstairs that get hired out for book events, private dining and work drinks; it is a hard-working pub!

I had a veggie chilli with rice which came with guacamole and pea shoots on top. The chilli was perfectly nice and had a good flavour. The portion size was small compared to my partner’s parpadelle and ragu and the guacamole wasn’t super-fresh, although it tasted fine. Service was friendly and efficient. I like the sound of the build your own salad, where you choose your protein (halloumi, lemon chicken or salmon) and then add a salad such as smokey aubergine and rocket or baby gem and minted pea; I would want two or three of them though! You can also get a decent sandwich for under 8.00, such as fish finger or prawn and crayfish. If you prefer a classic such as fish and chips, you might like to know that they use Fuller’s own beer Frontier in the batter; probably worth getting a half to go with it.

I like that the pub is also aware of the eat less meat movement that is so popular at the moment; if you are trying veganuary they have introduced some new vegan dishes such as BBQ pulled jackfruit tacos with mango salsa. Jackfruit is a fruit that grows in many warm countries including India and Australia. It pulls apart when cooked which is why we are seeing it pop up as an alternative to pulled pork and similar dishes. The puy lentil and mushroom ‘meatballs’ sounds good too. I like that they are using smaller, independent companies such as Laverstock farm to supply their ingredients; the chocolate and coconut vegan ice cream sounds good.

The Harpenden Arms is a Fuller’s pub so their beer reflects that, with London Pride, Oliver’s Island and Cornish Orchards cider (which is also vegan by the way!).

If you are getting together with pals this January, you might like to know that you can get 2-for-1 cocktails between 6-9pm. They also sell a good range of gins, along with the new non-alcoholic Seedlip ‘gin’ which is well worth a try. January can be a long month to not go out, so why not treat yourself and visit one of our local pubs?

Clothes and coffee

Purple Coffee Shop

Published in The Herts Advertiser Feb 2019

The indie coffee shop craze hasn’t quite swept Harpenden in the same way it has in St Albans; Costa and Cafe Nero seem to have quite a stronghold. But I’d like to tell you about a new coffee shop that unless you are out shopping for men’s clothes, you might have missed.

Eight Ounces opened in November as part of Purple menswear, just up near Godfrey’s. Owned by Paul Monks, it is a stylish stop that sells designer menswear at the front (including a range by David Beckham) and has a Menspire barber shop at the back. The coffee shop is in the middle, and has seating for about 10 people, and more when the weather is good, as it has a great little secret garden area.

Paul won Young Entrepreneur of the Year in a local business awards last year, and has been featured in Drapers. His sense of style is evident in the coffee shop. It is a bright room, with funky green banquettes and a large vintage-style mirror which makes the most of the space.

They sell Campbell & Syme coffee, which is roasted and ground in King’s Langley. My partner’s flat white was perfect. It is the same coffee that Hatch in St Albans sell, and Fred and Ginger in Berkhamstead. Paul told me that they serve glasses of tap water with coffee too, in the Italian style. I chose a Moroccan mint tea, which was by Brew Co Tea – it had a good flavour but needed to be served in a small teapot which is usual for that brand; then you can get two cups out of it. The coffee and tea prices are good, with most at the 2.00-2.70 mark, which is similar to the chain coffee shops. I like the smart coffee cup branding.

There is a small range of pressed juices too and I was intrigued by the charcoal lemonade, which contains lemon, lavender and activated charcoal.

Due to the proximity of the clothes shop and barber shop, Paul has decided not to sell hot food, and I think that makes perfect sense for this small shop. Instead, they sell a small range of filled bagels, yoghurt pots and cake slices. I like that the bagels are made fresh each day by Silver Palate, just a few streets away. Paul calls them each day to order for the next day. When I went in they had tuna melt bagels, turkey and cheese and ham. I was surprised not to see a veggie/vegan option and Paul explained that they usually have a hummus, aubergine, red pepper and spinach bagel, but had sold out. They offered to toast the bagels, and ours was nicely served on chequered paper in a paper box.

The cakes were mostly chocolate-based, which isn’t a problem for me. You could choose millionaire shortbread, fridge cake, cornflake cake or Italian filled twists. Something gluten-free or lemony would be a good option.

There is a small selection of branded tote bags and sweatshirts with the Eight Ounce logo on, I guess for any teen customers popping in, and a few reusable coffee cups for sale too. I was pleased to see that they are supplying paper straws and napkins made from recycled paper. The bathroom needs a good clean – hey, this is Harpenden, and people are going to notice.

A useful addition to Harpenden High Street, that supports local suppliers. This is the way to keep shoppers visiting small, indie retail spaces as we shop more and more online; making it a lifestyle space to visit often, whether you want to buy a gift, get a whole new spring wardrobe, or just pop in for coffee. A clever idea.

St Albans Museum and Gallery Cafe

Published in The Herts Advertiser June 2018

I feel quite emotional writing about the new St Albans Museum and Gallery – the transformation is, at last, complete, and we now have a terrific cultural space right in the centre of our city. I had been to the old cafe in the Town Hall, as it was known then, over the years and it was always busy, especially on market days when people would sit outside. I think it looked dated with the swirling fans and dark panelling everywhere.

The new cafe space feels very different. As you walk into the Museum and Gallery, the counter and kitchen occupies the right-hand side of the entrance, leaving space opposite for tourist information and the shop (with the poshest tea towels ever). Queue up with a tray along the smart, marble counter, and order lunch, cakes and drinks as you move along to the till. Seating is either outside under the four large umbrellas, or you take your tray into the courtroom, which now has seating. I love the new use of the courtroom – when I went in people were really exploring it, sitting in the judge’s chair and standing in the dock before heading down to the cells. Tables are located as you walk into the courtroom so there is flat and easy access if you need it (cafe staff will help you with your tray if you need it). You can also sit at benches that wrap around the courtroom or sit in the ‘pit’ area; light floods the room and there are fresh flowers on the table. Surely this must be one of the quirkiest cafes in the country? The loos are in the old cells so go and check those out!

We went in last week for lunch and the cafe has a short and seasonal menu that changes most days. The chefs you see working in the kitchen make all the food (save a few baked goods) so they can vary the menu easily. There is usually a soup (good value at under 5 a bowl), a couple of cooked options and hearty sandwiches. I chose stuffed pepper with two salads for under 8; I thought the watermelon salad was delicious. The potato salad was pleasant but together they were an odd combination. The pepper was very good but I would have liked both halves for the cost. The feta, rocket and chutney sandwich looked lovely and generous, and I saw a few people choose the sausage turnover with date and ale chutney (a nice British touch). The queue moved along quickly and the staff were smiley and keen to help.

I’ve been in twice for cake; the first time was towards the end of the day and they had run out of nut-free cakes (for my partner), but the second time the selection was excellent. Bakewell tart, pistachio and blueberry buns, carrot cake, raspberry and oat slice, chocolate brownie, and with prices from 2.50 to 3.95, good value. I shared an almond and raspberry cake, which was divine and you could pick up a free recipe sheet if you want to make it yourself. Coffee was very good and I like that you can get a mug of tea for 1.50. The herbal teas were a little pricey at 3, but you get enough for two cups. There are jugs of tap water with proper glasses (yay, no plastic). It was easy to find somewhere to sit, and there was a lovely atmosphere outside on market day, with music from a nearby stall.

Keep an eye out for the late night events at the Museum and Gallery; the bar will be open and the plan is to offer food specially themed to the touring exhibitions. I love that the cafe team run by Leafi (who also run a cafe at Somerset House, Turner Contemporary and Burgh House in Hampstead) can offer this flexibility – the large chains just can’t. I look forward to going again.

New Year, New You?

  • Published in WH Times, Jan 2019

There is a lot of information about eating at this time of year: veganuary, weight loss plans, juicing, 5-2 diets, marathon training plans… but what many of us need is just some sensible support and advice that is tailored to us. We are all different, after all, with different needs.

I have been following Deirdre Swede on instagram; she is based in Welwyn and I like her sensible, real-life approach to eating well. I got in touch with Deirdre to ask if she had any advice for our readers this January.

Deirdre has been a Registered Nutritional Therapist for a year, and offers relaxed, one-to-one support as well as group workshops. She is very easy to talk to and her focus is on helping you to feel great, more energised, and to make small, positive changes if you need to. Deirdre told me that we tend to focus on what we need to cut out, but her approach is to make sure we eat enough of what our bodies actually need. “So many of us beat ourselves up about what we eat; I think we should focus on what we do well”, she explained.

In January, Deirdre suggests eating plenty of warming and nourishing porridge, soups and stews. She mentioned that eating salads and raw foods can be a bit tough at this time of year. One tip is to treat yourself to a veg box delivery scheme; it is a great way to make sure you eat seasonal, fresh vegetables, including some you might not always buy, and will help you to “eat the rainbow”.

Deirdre also offers group workshops: her most recent was on hormone health and was ideal for peri- or menopausal women (basically most of us in our 40s and 50s!). At the workshop Deirdre spoke about how sleep and stress can have an impact on your health, and cooked beetroot dip, dahl, roast vegetables and soup to show how easy it is to get more vegetables and pulses into your day. The next workshop is planned for 11 February (19.15-21.30). You can contact Deirdre via nutrition@deirdreswede.co.uk and her facebook page has lots of ideas for eating well.

Datchworth Coffee Shop

Published in WH Times, November 2018

Pretty Datchworth is tiny, but incredibly well-served for good food, with The Tilbury and lovely Datchworth Coffee. The former Post Office was transformed earlier this year by owner Jas Newington and has a smart new look. I love the modern grey signage alongside the red phone box and post box. Inside is ‘industrial chic’ with exposed brickwork and funky lighting. There is an enclosed courtyard area at the back too which is very popular with cyclists and dog walkers (there are heaters if needed).

We popped in for lunch midweek and I liked the short, useful lunch menu including a soup, a couple of hot sandwiches and two salads. I chose the nicoise salad which was generous and I liked that the potatoes were freshly pan-fried. My partner chose a bacon, avocado and tomato melt which was served open and looked very appealing. The hummus and roasted vegetable panini sounds good too.

The cafe gets lots of regulars in for morning coffee and breakfast. Avocado on sourdough with eggs and bacon is very popular and you can also choose American-style pancakes, bacon baps and full cooked veggie and meaty breakfasts. The team use local suppliers including Bridget B’s for meats, Dawlicious ice cream and Tring Brewery, and their very good coffee is roasted in Hertfordshire by Campbell & Syme.


Jas’s home-baked cakes are a big draw, especially for the weekend cyclists, and we bought a slice of lemon drizzle cake to take home. You could also choose Bakewell tart, carrot cake, gluten-free chocolate brownies or freshly baked croissants.

Datchworth Coffee does monthly supper clubs, although you do have to get in quickly! November’s Winter Warmers sounds lovely, with hearty pies and sticky toffee pudding, but I’m afraid it has sold out! If you want to check out the menu for next time, pop in to talk to the team. They have an alcohol licence too.

Datchworth Coffee is open every day except Monday, and Jas told me that she has felt very welcomed by the locals. I think it is a great asset to the village.

The Cowper Arms, Cole Green

Published in WH Times, December 2018

Winter is the perfect time to head to a cosy pub and sit by a real log fire, and if that is after a country walk, all the better. The Cowper Arms in pretty Cole Green is right next to the Cole Green Way, surrounded by trees and is the perfect escape from working life. I visited last week to see the new refurbishment, and it has been transformed, with a smart new interior that makes the most of the lovely old building and surrounds.

If you just want to pop in for a drink, there are three cosy areas at the front of the pub, with two real fires. They have expanded their gin, cocktail and fizz list; I chose a Sevilla bitter orange gin which went well with a sprig of fresh rosemary.

The dinner menu has lots of choice, including plenty of pub favourites. We loved the roasted lentil falafel from the meze plate; a light texture with whole chickpeas in it. My king prawn roll with dipping sauce was beautifully prepped with crisp, fresh julienne vegetables. I chose lobster and crab fishcakes with smashed peas and it was a generous plateful for 13.50. The fishcakes were good but I didn’t think the asparagus was needed and is out of season in December.

My pal thought the roasted pork belly with seared scallops was great; it was served with dauphinoise potatoes, green beans and toasted almonds so you don’t need to order side dishes. I thought the menu was a little light on interesting vegetarian and vegan options, but if you like fish, steaks and pizzas there is plenty of choice for you. We chatted to manager Russell, who like many of the team, have worked at The Cowper Arms for years, and I am sure the chefs can adapt the menu if you need them too.

Everyone seemed excited and proud of the new pub and were looking forward to seeing all the regulars back again. I will definitely be back, and am looking forward to the lovely garden in summer!

St Albans’ best restaurant?

The Abbey, George St, St Albans

Published in The Herts Advertiser, November 2018

The cathedral quarter in St Albans goes from strength to strength and has attracted some very good restaurants, bars and food shops recently. It always looks lovely at this time of the year, and I am sure many of you will be heading there for Christmas drinks and food.

I have been meaning to write about The Abbey for a while, as it opened earlier this year with a very smart launch, but I wanted to go when the fuss had died down, to see what it is really like. Executive Chef Cat Ashton has an excellent background; she was head chef at Petersham Nurseries and at Paradise by Way at Kensal Green. Petersham Nurseries held a Michelin star and is known for its creative seasonal cooking, and Kat has brought that experience with her to St Albans. It’s also interesting to note that Kat is the only female head chef in Hertfordshire at the moment; I hope this is the start of a trend!

Set in an old, narrow building on George Street, The Abbey has a smart bar area as you go in, though space is limited so it is probably best for a quick pre-dinner drink. The area at the back of the ground floor is lovely, with a quirky floral wall that brings a lot of character to the enclosed space. Upstairs there are two rooms, one of which is ideal for private dining, which is becoming ever more popular in St Albans. The Living Room at the front of the building has a large fireplace and views over George Street and the smaller Abbey View holds one long table that sits up to 10 people and would be lovely for a group of pals.

We were seated downstairs and I didn’t love the spot; it felt like we were in a busy corridor – I realise this is tricky to avoid in a narrow building, but they might need to rethink the room layout so every customer gets a good experience. It is busy, so you do need to book.

The menu is short and seasonal, with four starters, four main courses and four puds. I chose Grilled sea bream with curry butter, corn and coconut purée, curly kale and mushrooms; it was a clever combination of seasonal elements with a nod to Kat’s Australian background. It was beautifully presented, well-balanced and delicious. My husband chose Brown-sugar glazed short ribs with celeriac purée, fennel remoulade and pomegranate, and we ordered some autumn greens which went well with both, I also liked the sound of the roast pumpkin and halloumi wrapped in filo with pistachio mayo, which is more interesting than the usual veggie options. Mains range from about 15 to 22 pounds, which is pretty standard for this level of cooking.

I loved my medjool date and Kahlua crème brûlée with fresh figs and walnut cookie for pud; the date compote was a fab combination with the brûlée. I tried some of the dark chocolate torte with pear and rosemary honeycomb, and that was excellent too. Service of 12.5% is added; I prefer to add my own, but this does seem to be the norm now in many restaurants. The food arrived promptly, which shows that the kitchen is well-organised but otherwise I thought the service seemed a bit chaotic which added to the feeling of sitting in a corridor.

I have heard good things about the bottomless brunch they serve at weekends. Main courses sound wonderful, for example: Cream cheese stuffed french toast with crispy bacon, blueberries and maple syrup and Scrambled eggs on sourdough with chorizo, rocket salad and roast pumpkin. You can get Autumn cherry Bellinis to go with it.

The Abbey has already gained a good reputation locally for great cooking and I think has the potential to be St Albans’ best restaurant; it just needs to work out how to make the best of its historic building.