Enough junk food already

Plumstead Common has its' fair share of greasy food outlets and we don't need another one. Here's a petition to give YOU, the good people o' the Shire a chance to stand up and be counted for. What the heck, I don't mind if you're from Guatemala or the South Sea Islands and never heard of Plumstead Common, you can sign and show your support too.

I want to live beyond 40 years old.

What a lot of people around The Shire want is a decent place serving decent food which won't block your arteries up as soon as you take your second mouthful. Of course, some people love such cuisine and well, I hope you're balancing out your diet with a ton of veg and exercise.

The fast food joint will be within spitting distance of Plumstead Manor School and I thought there are some sort of planning rules against lard in such close proximity to schools. Unfortunately, planning has been approved, but the owners are applying for planning permission for a shop sign which (considering it's a conservation area), is anything but subtle and, despite the name, lacks any sense of taste.

Here's the planning application.

Eat more veg.

I had a particularly brilliant Friday; I was introduced to a mobile grocer. He drives around The Shire selling organic fruit and vegetables from his van. I love to support local businesses, but the grocer was simply the most charming down to earth person you could meet. Quality of service was most notable. Now that's something we don't get enough of these days.

I don't actually know where his regular stops are, so it's a bit like pinning a tail on the donkey.

I bought quite a few bits and pieces including the most delicious juicy plums known to humankind. There is a downside. I bought a bottle of pear juice and the rest of the family quaffed it before I could get a taster. What's the World coming to? You slog your guts out to earn an honest penny etcetera....

I'd love to give more details, but this is as much as I know at the moment.

I'll have to tell you about another high quality van-based food seller, but it'll have to wait for another time. Have you heard of The German Baker?

cooking

I don't watch cooking programmes in fact I hardly watch TV at all, but Masterchef looks top-notch with lots of tips towards my first Michelin star.

Apple cheese

Lots of people are passionate about cooking; it's something I just can't get into. I understand the journey of creating something incredibly delicious to eat, but I prefer to board the train at the dining table instead.

Whilst having a quick surf, I tripped over the most bizarre fusion of cuisine and (one of my other passions), apples. Well, Apple Inc., well, Steve Jobs, the head of Apple Inc.

Confused? Click here. Be warned, this is bizarre.

The Woodman is our big opportunity

One lovely listener has pointed out that The Woodman pub is up for sale. I can confirm this as I sent my aides, Margaret and Nick to take a look. The pub will be sold at auction very soon (this week I think), and has a guide price of around £175,000. I don't know what the sale includes, but a pub overlooking The Common with lacklustre competition sounds a bit of a snip to me. This could be our best chance of a decent gastro-pub. The local demographic is shifting and the demand is definitely here. If I had the resources, I'd be sitting in an auction room with a very twitchy arm.

Elvis lives!

Lots of important things to write about:-

1) Opening of the Woolwich Arsenal DLR and my sources tell me that mayor BoJo has cut the ribbon today.

2) Many fine comedians coming to The Shire.

3) Chavs......eeeeeuuuuuuuuuwwwwwwwwwwww no.

No, hot topic is that the one and only Elvis Presley is coming to Spice Island on Wednesday 21st January. Curry AND Elvis the pelvis, now that IS hot.

Brockley restaurant

At the weekend, I met up with some friends and went to a Thai restaurant in Brockley. It's a place called Just Thai Thai on Brockley Road. The interior is shabby chic, the food quite nice, but God almighty, what a wait for it to arrive. We must've waited over half an hour for our first course and that's pretty lame considering there were just eight other diners in the restaurant. The main course was spectacular though. Over an hour and a half waiting time; I'm sure my hair had grown a few centimetres in the duration.

Cold custard

I was obviously very focused on work today; it suddenly struck me that I've not eaten a custard tart for a few months. I'd not gone through 'cold custard', or even had a hankering.

My last indulgence was finishing off a Marks and Spencer ECT (Egg Custard Tart to the uninitiated). This M&S brand of ECT was recommended by one lovely listener and it certainly delivered, but I do think the pastry chefs at M&S HQ were trying too hard. I found it was a little too flamboyant for my likings.

The Sainsbury's ECT still wins head and shoulders above the rest. The Waitrose offer was just way off the mark with a kind of wholemeal pastry. I mean, what's all that about? Showboating is just not de rigeur when it comes to such culinary basics.

what a tart

Boy oh boy. Approaching tea time today, I had a craving for a custard tart.
I love 'em.
We're not talking about the Portuguese one (too tough)
























or the Chinese one (too sweet), but your English one. I remember buying them from Barton's the bakers in the 1970's. The nutmeg sprinkles makes all the difference. A good custard tart delivers, even more than a Tunnocks Tea Cake.

My extensive research has shown the best to be purchased from Sainsbury's (but of course, this is completely subjective). The taste, texture and nutmeg : custard ratio are just right.

This image on the left is an inferior quality tart due to its' slightly sunken custard and sombre complexion, but it's the best I could find on the interweb.