An insider’s guide to Paris Fashion Week

An insider's guide to Paris Fashion Week

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So most times, it’s best to bring what you know to your own kitchen. With that said, I’d like to share one recipe that my family has been making for the past 20 years: Tex Mex Queso Dip. It’s a great dip for cocktail parties or even as a meal, it’s delicious and easy easy easy to make!

I wrote in an earlier Blog, Reaching for the Skyco, about American products that can be found at Skyco.uk.com here in the UK. They are canned Rotel Diced Tomatoes and Chiles and a block of Velveeta cheese. All else can be found in any supermarket in your own neighborhood.

This is an easy recipe to follow and a sure winner at any get-together over the Holidays or summer BBQ’s!

* Equipment absolutely needed is a double boiler.

Ingredients to purchase from SKYCO:

1 can of Rotel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chopped Chiles

1 16oz Bar of Velveeta Cheese

1 jar of Medium to Hot Pace Picante Sauce (optional)

Ingredients to purchase from any supermarket:

150-200g of Mild Cheddar cheese

150 ml of Whole milk

2-3 bags Doritos Tortilla Chips (Dippers preferably)

Preparation:

Heat up the water in the pot of the double boiler. Cut Velveeta cheese,  mild cheddar cheese into cubes and place into bowl with milk. Heat over boiling water in pot until it starts to melt together. Add one can of Rotel and stir occasionally. It should take about 20-25 minutes for the mix to combine and melt together. Add 150 ml of Pace Picante Salsa to mix. Add more Pace Picante Salsa to your liking. The cheese should be melted, smooth and chunky with chiles and salsa . Heat up tortilla chips in low heated oven and serve once dip is finished.

Best with Modelo or Tres Equis (XXX) and Margaritas!

I have lived in London with my family for over 7 years and we have enjoyed every thing that it has to offer. The Parks, the architecture, the restaurants and fashion, the schools, the day-in-and-day out living, even the Cabbies are fabulous. Although I consider myself a die-hard Londonite, I do miss an occasional bag of American goodies - bring on the Pop Tarts PLEASE!

Searching for American food was a bit daunting a few years ago, but after much research through friends and the internet, I finally found a few internet businesses and even small boutique stores, that carry the likes of Lucky Charms to Kraft Mac&Cheese even Kosher Pickles! I feel like I am right at home…only 3000 miles away!

I am a huge supporter of small businesses across the UK and prefer to buy through them rather than the larger giants that seem to squash them as quickly as they come out! However, the ones I mention below have stood strong and proven they can withstand the storm!

One company I like in particular is Skyco. They are a small, family run business importing goods from all over the United States. They are friendly, very professional, quick, and turn your orders around faster than you can say Velveeta! Skyco also participates in many of the charity Christmas Fairs across London, visiting popular neighbourhoods through out, making sure we get our fix of  Dr Pepper, Tootsie Rollsand even A1 Steaksauce before the holidays! Just call Jean, she’ll hook you up!

There are the larger grocery chain stores, like Waitrose and Sainsbury that carry Kraft Mac&Cheese, Aunt Jemima’s Pancake Mix and Pancake Syrup, but not the small treats you may have grown up loving like Butterfingers, Pepperidge Farm’s Goldfish even Stove Top Stuffing! Even Costco has what we need over here, only it comes in massive bulk, which at the end of the day, you have to figure what’s more important, space or food?

Even if you are not American, these businesses have many a goody that would be great to introduce to your family, i.e. Wholegrain Cheerios, in the Yellow Box, which have absolutely no sugar! It’s great for beginner-eaters too!

And coming next week, my sisters and I have a few fantastic easy recipes to follow of yummy dips and casseroles for parties and the whole family! Our first recipe to share will be Tex-Mex Queso, most ingredients for this dip are found between Skyco and Sainsbury, we’ll specify which in the instructions. Don’t miss it, my husband swears by this one!

Watch for the ‘Fabulous Recipes’ category.

Please come back to find out more!

Here are a few other best kept secrets I’d like to share. Shop and eat well!

Internet:

http://www.skyco.uk.com (full range)

http://www.americansoda.co.uk (full range)

http://www.americanfooduk.co.uk (full range)

http://www.americansweets.co.uk (full range)

http://www.cybercandy.co.uk (sweets)

http://www.costco.co.uk/ (full range, BULK BUYS ONLY)

Stores:

Tom’s Deli (Nottinghill, limited variety)

Waitrose (limited variety)

Sainsbury (limited variety)

Costco (Watford, BULK BUYS ONLY)

I live near Nottinghill and my husband and I love Mexican food and its culture! We have tried a lot of restaurants all over and have only found a few that really stand out as exceptional. One of them is Crazy Homies, owned by Tom Conran, on Westbourne Park Road W2. Tom is also the owner of Lucky Seven’s next door, conveniently, they share the bar and the kitchen above and below.

Apart from its über-cool décor and music, Crazy Homies is one of my favourite places serving some of the best Mexcian food in London – HANDS DOWN! The food is great, ambience no where to be matched, and the margaritas are original, i.e. the ‘Skinny Agave’ made with Agave Honey instead of Triple-Sec – it’s lovely.

The food at Crazy Homies was inspired by street vendors and local Taquerias throughout Mexico. Their 4-dip-dipping platter is scrumptious and a great starter with puréed Smokey Chipotle Peppers dip, Tomatillo dip, Salsa, and fresh Guacamole served with chips. But it’s the enchiladas that get us every single time! The chicken is always perfectly cooked with an original blend of spices and they’re mild enough for children!

We even recently watched the World Cup match Netherlands vs Uruguay and the experience felt like we were in a private club – service, food and all. The service is impeccable, their staff is attentive and more importantly, knowledgeable of their food, beverages and establishment.

Visit Crazy Homies at 125 Westbourne Park Road, W2 5QL, 0207 727 6771.  Viva Mexico!

Well, I have been training since February, after signing up to take part in the big ride from London to Paris on behalf of Children In Crisis – a charity that raises funds and awareness for children’s education all through out Africa.

It’s been a very interesting ride, no pun intended, learning about the bike, how to ride the bike, and how to respect and learn about long haul rides. Just learning how to use the gears properly has been a challenge, but requires every bit of concentration. And clipping in and out of my pedals has been daunting, but something I think I have mastered enough for the journey.

I have my gear packed: padded shorts, gloves, rainproof jacket and pants, clip-in shoes, neoprene shoe covers, Camelbak pack filled with energy bars, energy drink, loads of Vaseline, and finally an outfit for my big celebration dinner once we cross the finish line under the Eiffel Tower in Paris!

I have only been training for a little but feel great and know I will carry on this new found exercise regime. My hat is off to Lance Armstrong, a true inspiration and someone I will think of often especially as we push up the mountain passes!

I am packing my car in a few and will rest up for the big start tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m. It’s an early night in and early start on.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE: http://www.justgiving.com/alexbikestoParis