Seeking the Southbank Centre - Cheese and Wine Festival

Now that I've been doing a better job of keeping up with my Google Reader I've had the chance to catch some cool things happening in London.

I read that London was hosting a Cheese and Wine festival over the weekend and immediately cleansed my palate so I could savour some delicious cheese and drink amazing wine.  The festival took place just outside of the Southbank Centre and appears to be part of the same festival branding as the Chocolate Festival that my bud Ashley blogged about in Brighton. Being allergic to chocolate and all meant I couldn't enjoy that festival, so I was really excited to have a few samples of cheese. I did the best I could, but unfortunately the weather got the best of us - London rain and outdoor festivals do NOT mix - even though the organiser of the event tried to stay optimistic.

Rainy London Cheese and Wine Festival

I managed to properly visit two stalls that were near and dear to my heart.  If Manchester is my 2nd home in England, then Somerset is my divorced home - you get two homes in a divorce and I've spent a decent amount of time in Wells since moving to England! On a cold and rainy London day, The Somerset Plough Man serving hot cider was a perfect pick-me-up.  We also managed to sample some 'real' cheddar according to Rob.

The Somerset Plough Man - Cider, Cheese and Chutney

Burrow Hill Cider

Just across the way, as recommended to me by fellow London lover and Queen of Underground knowledge Annie Mole, the amazing Flavours of Spain stall was serving plates of cheese to sample for £4.  While Spanish cheese isn't always something to rave about, it should be of no surprise that I spent most of my time hovering near their stall as I love all things Spain and seem to make a yearly pilgrimage to the area.  After enjoying the samples, - 1 of which was a cider cured cheese (!!?!) I went for two types of goat's cheese of varying intensities and some quince.  I have no idea where quince came from, why it exists and how it's so delicious, but man I love that stuff!

Gorgeous cheese and other things from Flavours of Spain

After waiting 30 minutes under the covered area for the rain to stop we finally gave up on trying to see more of the festival. Being cold and wet doesn't make for a happy cheese experience. To dry off, we popped inside the Southbank Centre to find a really weird mix of people enjoying the free space.

In one corner there was a group of teens with one leading the pack and playing songs on his guitar for a mass sing-a-long. In another corner, toddlers without a care in the world were rolling on the slick wooden floor and seeing how far they could slide themselves across the room. And finally, there's me and Rob, lowering the tone with our pints purchased from the bar in the area.  I'm not sure this scene would work so well in the States!

Seeking Recipes - Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

OK England, let's talk food.  I know you think you've got mac n' cheese sorted out - it's your lunch at a pub or a full on dinner on its own, but you're really missing out. Macaroni and cheese should only be a side dish on a massive plate of other comforting foods i.e. sweet potatoes, corn on the cob, collard greens, holiday roasts etc. But I'll start you off with the basics first.

Here's what you'll need:

250g of macaroni (not the quick cook kind)

2 tablespoons of butter

150ml of single cream

1 tablespoon of soured cream

2 ounces of milk

100g of extra mature cheddar chopped into blocks

2 slices of cheese singles torn

Cooking time 30-45 minutes - Serves 4

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add macaroni. Boil macaroni for 10-12 minutes while stirring or until the pasta becomes large and soft.  Remove pan from heat and drain the macaroni in a colander while rinsing under cold water.  This keeps the pasta firm and stops it from cooking and sticking together while you're making the cheese sauce.

In the same pot (it's ok if some mac is stuck to the pot), melt the butter over low heat and add the single cream while constantly stirring. Raise the heat to a light boil and add the milk, and cheeses to the mixture. Stir until the cheese has melted.

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce in the pot and stir until completely coated.  If there is too much liquid raise the heat for a few seconds and continue to stir.  

As an added touch, put a few more torn cheese slices on top, and bake in the oven on 175ºC for 5 - 10 minutes.  Sometimes I even like to add chopped crispy bacon. 

Enjoy!