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Sliced easy banana bread with chocolate chips on a chopping board

How to make: Banana bread with chocolate chips recipe

Food and Drink, In the Kitchen Gratsiela

This easy chocolate chip banana bread recipe has been a weekend ritual for the last few months and it’s safe to say I’m still as addicted to it as I was on the first day. I can’t take any credit here, sadly, as this is also one of Sam’s mum’s great bakes (who else?). But I thought I’d share what, in my humble opinion, might just be the best banana bread recipe!

Made with wholemeal flour (just opt for gluten-free flour to make it a gluten-free banana bread) and with a delicious nutty caramel flavour, this homemade banana loaf is fluffy and stays moist for days. It makes for pretty tasty comfort food that goes perfectly with a cuppa. Trust me, your friends and family will love this chocolate chip banana bread (if you’re willing to share, that is!).  The best bit? You can also experiment with fillings such as walnuts or different chocolate chips for a fun twist with extra flavour! Because sometimes all you need is a good (thick) slice of banana bread, right?

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Sweet Little Things, Bath flower wall

Sweet Little Things, Bath | REVIEW

Around the World, Food and Drink Gratsiela

On our recent trip to Bath, Sam and I had time to squeeze in a visit to Sweet Little Things and sample their delicious cakes (one of my favourite things, as you certainly know by now). We’d heard loads of wonderful things about the charming décor and their reliably tasty dishes from Sam’s sis (who recently graduated from Bath University, yay!) and we were both really excited to grab a seat.

And the cute café was every bit as gorgeous as we’d expected. A stone’s throw from the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey, Sweet Little Things is the perfect central food spot when playing tourist. With an idyllic floral setting and a delicious selection of sweet treats, afternoon tea and brunch options, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Just try not to drool all over your keyboard while reading my Sweet Little Things review, you’ve been warned!

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Homemade protein bars with oats

How to Make: Homemade protein bars with oats and cinnamon recipe

Food and Drink, In the Kitchen Gratsiela

After several posts of incredibly delicious brunch and out-of-this-world Dutch apple pie, it seemed only fair I brought you a healthy recipe. Judging by all of my food posts, you’re probably well aware that I’m a sweet tooth kind of girl. Although I’ve recently rekindled my love for pilates and improved my daily exercise routine and diet considerably, truth is I often find myself craving sweet treats after a workout. Maintaining a healthy diet can be tricky – especially when it comes to choosing snacks that will keep us both satisfied and healthy. Let me just say that the temptation is real.

Protein bars seem to do the trick and help you get through to the end of the day. However, I’ve found that store bought protein bars aren’t only pricey, but they tend to be calorific and quite surprisingly, aren’t always that nutritious. They often come packed with processed and unnatural ingredients including sugars, additives and preservatives which isn’t what your body needs to be happy. Therefore, I’ve decided to share my newfound love – these easy and healthy homemade protein bars! They’re tasty, filling and have no added sugar as their rich sweetness comes from the natural sugars found in dates. And the best bit? These are no-bake protein bars so require no baking at all! Can this get any better?

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Winkel 43 apple pie

Winkel 43, the best Dutch apple pie in Amsterdam | REVIEW

Around the World, Food and Drink Gratsiela

Having not visited Amsterdam in over a year (I know, what was I thinking?), I was extremely excited to go back to one of my favourite cities in Europe for a quick weekend escape, especially in prime time spring. Although our main purpose was to finally see the vivid tulip fields at Keukeunhof, we couldn’t resist revisiting some of our favourite corners in the Dutch capital.

We’d heard loads of wonderful things about Winkel 43 and its delicious Dutch apple pie (appeltaart) on our first visit and it quickly began a favourite brunch spot of ours. Naturally when good food is involved, I didn’t even need to drag Sam into starting our day with some traditional Dutch pastries. Trust me, it’s hard not to go back once you try their homemade apple pie!

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Lily Vanilli Bakery miso butterscotch toasted peanut and chocolate tarts

Lily Vanilli, a dreamy bakery in London

Around London, Food and Drink Gratsiela

Tucked away in a little brick courtyard on Ezra Street, just off the hustle and bustle of Columbia Road, lies Lily Vanilli, one of the daintiest little bakery gems in town. This captivating little spot could easily go unnoticed if it wasn’t for the hundreds of recommendation lists it keeps on popping up on. This, of course, was more than enough to make me stop by after a busy Sunday morning battling the crowds on Columbia Road Flower Market in search of the perfect pot plant and seasonal blooms. Any excuse for a slice of cake and a cuppa…

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Cherry blossom at Broadway Market, London

A guide to Broadway Market in Hackney, London

Around London, Food and Drink Gratsiela

There are so many hidden treasures in London that I love, all of which cater to a variety of budgets, especially when the food and drink department is involved. Whether you’re after the ultimate afternoon tea room (the oh-so amazing Sketch or even classier Fortnum & Mason) or suddenly decide that you fancy waffles on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower (did anyone say Duck&Waffle?), I can guarantee you will find something in London.

Being the food market lover that I am, I tend to be drawn to foodie hideaways and pop-ups that scream local and deliciousness all over (my guide to best food markets in New York says it all). The beautiful Camden Market, Borough Market and Brick Lane Market, although a favourite pit stop to many, are some of the most publicised markets in every London guide there is which, in return, has made them incredibly touristy and busy. A much less crowded but still trendy and buzzing hot spot is Hackney’s Broadway Market. Let’s get straight to the facts – this charming and vibrant market is a tricky one to resist if you’re after some locally sourced goods, delicious food, sustainable/vintage clothing and artsy books and homeware.

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Moose Coffee, Granola & Chocolate Peanut Butter Pancakes

Moose Coffee, a piece of North America in Liverpool | REVIEW

Around the World, Food and Drink Gratsiela

Sometimes all you need is pancakes. The good ole fluffy, delicious and mouth-watering kind. When it comes to pancakes, America does it best. New York surprised me with Bubby’s stand out Banana and Nut Pancakes, a shoutout to the origins of authentic American cuisine with a modern touch which, to be completely honest, I thought would never be matched anywhere outside the US. Boy, was I wrong.

Some weeks ago, Sam and I spent a weekend exploring the wonderful city of Liverpool. As per usual during our travels, brunch had to happen at some point. Before we knew it, we found ourselves queuing to get inside Moose Coffee. Despite having no idea what to expect, we’d heard this cute diner was one of the best places in Liverpool to enjoy a Sunday brunch date. And OMG, if Tom Hardy and I have something in common (!!!) it’s that we were both blown away by Moose’s incredibly delicious American-style menu.

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