Recent Gastronomic Adventures St. Ives Showground

We have been enjoying a rollercoaster ride of various tastes recently. The whole of last week turned out to be one big tasting session. We tried out pizzas from two new local pizzerias. One was mediocre, but the other one called "Hunta’s Pizza" was very satisfying indeed. We tried out their ‘Beer Nuts’ and ‘Pig Belly’ pizzas. Yes, the names are quite interesting and amusing at times, but they taste great. ‘Beer Nuts’ was roast chicken on a bed of Satay sauce sprinkled liberally with sweet roasted red pepper and roasted cashewnuts. ‘Pig Belly’ was gorgeous with goeey cheese, crunchy caramelised onions, egg and bacon.

The weekend began with lunch at our local "Blu Water Grill" Cafe. It is one of our favourite haunts for that ocassional something. There was a crispness in the air and the chill coupled with the warm drafts emanating from the outdoor heaters made our al fresco experience very cosy. We sampled succulent lamb burgers with fries, beautiful prawns braised in simmering olive oil, garlic and herbs served in a cast iron pot with wood-fired bread followed by dessert. The homemade tiramisu was a gorgeous concoction of layers of soft marsala soaked sponge fingers, cheese, cream and drizzles of coffee. The Brulee Of The Day had a lingering coconut aftertaste and a crunchy caramelised sugar topping.

A lazy Sunday spent at the massive St.Ives Showgrounds browsing the Heritage Craft Fair & Markets turned out to be very rewarding. Lunch was Chicken Satay and Thai Noodles followed up with ‘Poffertjes’, the little Dutch beauties that melt in your mouth. Oooh, I am a convert!! I think these little pancakes are plain delightful with strawberries and cream. We went on a tasting spree and bought caramelised macadamias [yum!!], red onion chilli jam [can't wait to cook with it], homemade chocolate and plain shortbread and warm fresh apple pie!! Need I say more …..??