Coffee

Writing helps my brain work.  It's like oil for the engine.  For some reason this one was difficult.  I must be tired or maybe Coffee was just an awkward word to use.

          Coffee, bitter-sweet,
       mOrnings favourite treat
          Flavour calls to me
 breakFast, lunch, and tea
  coffeE calls to me
          Early everyday.

Spiced Strawberry Muffins

This one is a little more unusual - strawberry muffins.  These are worthy of a dollop of cream, regardless of the dairy allergy. :)

Ingredients:

Gluten-free flour, 2 cups
Soy Milk, 3 cups.
Egg replacer, 2 teaspoons
Bicerbonate of soda, 1 1/2 teaspoons
Sugar, 1 cup
Strawberries; de-leafed and diced, 1 1/2 cups
Cinnamon, 1 1/2 teaspoons
Nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon
Ginger; minced, 1/2 teaspoon

Directions:

Pre-heat the over to 180 degrees. Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl and stir the egg replacer, sugar, bicarb and spices.  Mix in the soy milk thouroughly; an electric mixer may need to be used as gluten-free flour has a tendendcy to form lumps.  Gently stir in the strawberries.  Grease a muffin tray or two.  If you have muffin paper cups it is advisable to line the muffin tray with these as it makes it easier to remove the muffins from the tray.  Place the muffin mixture into the lined trays and pop into the oven. The Muffins will be ready when a poker through the center comes away clean.

Hey readers :)

I've noticed a fair bit of regular traffic.  If anyone would like to request recipes/culinary help, give tips, or has allergen friendly recipes of their own to share, please send me an email.

Spiced Blueberry muffins

A simple twist on classic blueberry muffins. :)  Absolutely yummy with honey or jam.

Ingrediants:

Gluten-free flour, 2 cups
Soy Milk, 3 cups.
Egg replacer, 2 teaspoons
Bicerbonate of soda, 1 1/2 teaspoons
Sugar, 1 cup
Blueberries, 1 1/2 cups
Cinnamon, 1 1/2 teaspoons
Nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon
Ginger; minced, 1/2 teaspoon

Directions:

Pre-heat the over to 180 degrees. Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl and stir the egg replacer, sugar, bicarb and spices.  Mix in the soy milk thouroughly; an electric mixer may need to be used as gluten-free flour has a tendendcy to form lumps.  Gently stir in the blueberries,  with care as blueberies bruise easily.  Grease a muffin tray or two.  If you have muffin paper cups it is advisable to line the muffin tray with these as it makes it easier to remove the muffins from the tray.  Place the muffin mixture into the lined trays and pop into the oven. The Muffins will be ready when a poker through the center comes away clean.

Cafe Koba, Brighton UK

I have decided it's time to start sharing with people all the lovely experiences Brighton has to offer.  To begin, I thought I would start with Cafe Koba; a lovely place just of western road, city central.

Atmosphere

Cafe Koba had a earthy yet modern feel to it.  From till to kitchen the cafe is decorated in earth tones, wood work and tiles.  The building itself, like the majority of Brighton, is of 1800's design and as such certain feature have been kept.  I sat opposite a wall with original brick fire place.  The front of the fire place had been remove so the coal stains could clearly be seen up what was once the chimney.  Cafe Kobe is built across two separate buildings that have been merged in one establishment.  This gives the cafe a quirky nature and, if the map in the customer toilets is anything to judge by, means an interesting experience for concerned; whether trying to find your way back to cafe, bar or bistro.

Dining Experience

Good use has been made of faux-worn wooden furniture.  The tables, a little on the small side, are well organised to make the best use of the floor space while allowing easy passage for patrons and staff.  Seating was minimal, and could use seat cushions to make the chair backs more comfortable.  When we were seated, we were immediately served water.  All in all, it was a comfortable experience, ignoring the chairs.

Food and drinks

The menu was simple, yet contained a range of options to appease any appetite.  There were a range of options suitable for any diet - Vegan, vegetarian and allergen alike.  I was slightly surprise that this information wasn't on the menu as most places in Brighton mark the menus for food items that are Gluten free, Vegan or Vegetarian.  I found myself making educated guesses as to what was safe; fortunately the menu did include a list of ingredients for each option!  The food was delicious and excellently presented.  My vegetable soup came with a dollop of pesto in the centre and was presented on a lovely board with toasted sour-dough on the side (Which I couldn't resist nibbling on for the taste).  Serving portions were also decent for the price.  My pear and Walnut salad was so generously made, I struggled to finish it!

Accessibility

This is not the most accessible building, so it is fortune that the store front is ground level.  The rest of the building is riddled with stairs.  I was unable to see a lift at any point; although it is possible there is one in the other building.  I also did not a disabled toilet, although, as with the lift, there could be one in the other building.  Over-all, this is not the most wheel-chair friendly place.

Customer Service

The staff were all very friendly and polite.  It seemed like every time I looked around there was someone asking if we needed anything.  Everyone was neat and well presented; certainly an achievement when working with food.

Location

The cafe entrance comes right of Western road. This means it is very central and easy to find from Brighton Station.

Cafe Koba

135 Western Road

Brighton

United Kingdom

BN1 2LA

http://www.kobauk.com/

Another review can be found at The Graphic Foodie. http://thegraphicfoodie.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=koba