From superfood pizza to Skinny Prosecco – Sophie Farrah enjoys some tasty local treats that won’t affect the January diet…
Detox schmetox – I’ve always thought that dieting in January is a truly terrible idea. It’s cold, grey and all the fun of Christmas is over, so why make the month even worse by giving up booze and chocolate? So instead of depriving myself, I’ve scouted out some of the best local hangouts where one can indulge in some guilt-free gluttony this month.
Just because the festive season is over, it does NOT mean that the bubbles must come to an end, and thanks to wine brand Thomson & Scott we can still knock back the fizz this month without feeling guilty. Their Skinny Prosecco, served at Richmond’s boutique Bingham Hotel, is organic, vegan and has less than 50% of the usual added sugar content, making it a mere 66 calories per 100ml glass. Hurrah!
If you are courageously undertaking Dry January or just fancy giving your liver a rest, then let me introduce you to Seedlip, the world’s very first range of non-alcoholic distilled spirits. Free from sugar, sweetener and artificial flavours these tasty tipples are also zero calories, and if you head to Richmond’s stylish SoBar they can mix you up a delicious Garden Sour using Seedlip’s fresh and herbal Garden 108, cloudy apple juice, lemon juice, cider vinegar and egg white, garnished with a sprig of rosemary and thyme. Mocktails do not get much healthier than this.
When it comes to guilty pleasures, for me nothing quite beats a hot cheesy pizza and thanks to Basilico’s Sweet Potato and Kale creation, it doesn’t actually have to be that guilty. This tasty superfood pizza is loaded with vitamin C-rich pieces of artichoke, mineral-packed fresh kale and truffle-infused sweet potato slices, a sprinkling of pine nuts, as well as Greek feta cheese and fresh fior di latte mozzarella. Delizioso!
If you’ve got a craving for steak then head to hip Aussie hangout Antipodea in Kew Village, or to its recently opened branch in Richmond. Amongst its many temptations is spiced cauliflower steak served with hung yogurt, summer peas, baby gem, toasted cashews and caviar lentil salad – a perfect January dish that’s both nutritious and delicious.
Finally, soothe your sweet tooth without damaging your diet with a visit to wellbeing hotspot bhuti’s pretty café where you can enjoy healthier versions of traditionally naughty treats. How about a ‘raw’ salted caramel snickers slice, ‘nutella’ doughnut, or perhaps a chunk of sweet potato brownie? All vegan, organic and free from gluten and refined sugar. Thank you, I’ll take one of each.
Food news
Cheat your diet with this recipe for bhuti’s healthy sweet potato brownies.
Ingredients: 4 medium sweet potatoes (roasted flesh), 1.5 cup oats, 10 dates, 1.5 cup ground almonds, 1 cup cacao powder, 1/2 cup agave syrup, 5 tbsp coconut oil. For the icing: 5 tbsp coconut oil, 1/3 cup agave syrup, 1/3 cup nut butter, 1/2 cup cacao powder.
Method: Blend all brownie ingredients in the blender and pour into lined baking tray. Bake for 45 mins at 180ºC and leave to cool. Mix the icing ingredients together and then pour over the brownie, top with rose petals and enjoy! Store any leftovers in the fridge.
- bhuti, 50 Hill Rise, Richmond TW10 6UB; bhuti.co.uk
If, like me, Dry January isn’t for you then why not kick off the New Year in style at Rick Stein Barnes’ riverside restaurant and bar, where you can sample some new and rather special cocktails created by Rick himself, son Charlie and internationally renowned, award-winning bartender Mr Lyan, aka Ryan Chetiyawardana. Featuring a mix of new creations as well as intriguing versions of the classics, this unique collaboration draws inspiration from Cornwall and Rick’s extensive travels. The delicious Campari Fizz made with cognac, Campari, grapefruit sherbet, lemon thyme and champagne is guaranteed to brighten up the darkest evening.
- Rick Stein Barnes, Tideway Yard, 125 Mortlake High St, SW14 8SN; rickstein.com/eat-with-us/barnes
A New Year is always a great time to learn something, well, new, and at urban smallholding Hen Corner in Brentford the opportunities are endless. This month owner Sara is teaching eager foodies how to make sausages, sweet and savoury bread, cheese and more, and at the end of the month she’ll be hosting a toast and marmalade masterclass where you can learn how to make your own loaf and two types of marmalade to go with it! You’ll also get to meet the resident chickens and bees and indulge in Sara’s delicious homemade cake. What’s not to love?
- Jan 9: Bread £90; Jan 17: Cheese in a Day £90; Jan 24: Simply Sausages £50; Jan 30: Toast & Marmalade £90 hencorner.com
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