Got To Be Gourmet | Live to Eat. Don't Eat to Live.

Staying at The Residence, Zanzibar

by Megan Hallinan

After an incredible stay at Chyulu Hills in Kenya for my 30th birthday (you can catch up here about the hotel and here about the safari it you haven’t read them yet), we spent the second half of the holiday on the island of Zanzibar. I’ve always been fascinated by it as a destination, ever since I was a child. The name conjures up...

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travel

A chocolatey Sailor Jerry Easter cocktail!

by Megan Hallinan

I recently learned about and tried Sailor Jerry rum. I do love a spot of rum (particularly in a cocktail) and this one has a great story. ‘Sailor Jerry’ was born Norman Collins, and came of age in the 1920’s when tattooing was an expression that belonged to an emerging American counterculture. He left home as a teenager and travelled the US by hitchhiking...

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Drink, Drinks

How to prepare for safari – hints and tips!

by Megan Hallinan

You might have read that we went on an incredible safari in October for my birthday. If not, you can catch up on our stay at Ol Donyo Lodge here, and our safari experience here. We had so many questions ahead of our trip and we read varying advice online (often contradicting each other), so I thought it might be useful to put together...

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travel

Apple, Fennel & Russet Squire Sausage Roll Bites

by Megan Hallinan

As I’m sure you all know by now, there’s nothing I love more than trying a new cheese, I’m completely and utterly cheese obsessed. When an e-mail pops into my inbox letting me know about a new cheese, my eyes light up! And this happened recently when I learned about the new Russet Squire cheese from Curds & Croust. Curds & Croust is a...

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Cheese, cookery, Cooking

Lunch at Three Hares Cafe, Sedbergh

by Megan Hallinan

I was going through my blog drafts at the weekend and came across this one sitting there that I hadn’t completed from nearly a year ago! I couldn’t believe I didn’t post it, what an idiot. And it’s one that’s definitely worth sharing. You might recall that over the May bank holiday last year, we went on a fantastic trip to the Lake District...

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Lunch, restaurant, travel

Would you trust a robot with your wine choice? A review of Clara Wine

by Megan Hallinan

How much do you know about wine? I mean, really know about wine? I’m sure most people would know if they prefer a Merlot over a Pinot Noir, the latter seeming to be the ‘wine of choice’ in recent times, the ‘flat white’ of the wine world. Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely in that category of people who will quite happily jump onto...

February 23, 2018

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Drink, Drinks, Product reviews

On Safari in Chyulu Hills, Kenya

by Megan Hallinan

In October last year I spent my 30th birthday at the spectacular Ol Donyo Lodge in Kenya with Tim. I wrote about our experience of staying at the lodge and the superb food and drink in an earlier blog post here. But now is the time to talk about the most exciting part of the holiday – the safari! We’d never been on safari...

February 13, 2018

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travel

Blood Orange Sorbet with Solerno Liqueur

by Megan Hallinan

Towards the end of last year I was kindly sent a bottle of Solerno, the world’s first blood orange liqueur. It’s not like anything I’ve tried before, with a zesty but fruity kick. Hand-picked from the slopes of Sicily’s Mount Etna, Solerno is made from blood oranges (Sanguinello, and known locally as Arancia Rossa, for the deep crimson hue of its flesh) harvested at the height...

February 11, 2018

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Baking, Product reviews

Quick & Easy Beef Wellington Recipe

by Megan Hallinan

For Tim’s birthday this year, I thought I’d have a go at making a beef wellington. This was going to be no easy feat considering his birthday was mid-week and I’d have to prepare and cook it after getting back from work at 7pm. I’d never made one before so it was a massive gamble, but I actually managed to do a pretty great...

February 9, 2018

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cookery, Cooking

Lunch at Three Hares Cafe, Sedbergh

I was going through my blog drafts at the weekend and came across this one sitting there that I...

by Megan Hallinan

January 25, 2018

Birthday Lunch at The Black Swan at Oldstead

Ever since my Mum moved back to Yorkshire, I’ve been dying to visit The Black Swan in Oldstead, but...

by Megan Hallinan

January 17, 2018

A Sunday Lunch at Fire Stables, Wimbledon

This is a long overview blog post from late last Summer which I’m finally getting around to writing up....

by Megan Hallinan

November 10, 2017

Dinner at Rijks, Amsterdam

At the end of September, I went on a girlie weekend to Amsterdam with two of my awesome former...

by Megan Hallinan

October 15, 2017

Chateaubriand Sundays at Barbecoa, St Paul’s

Steak, steak, steak. There’s nothing I love more than a big juicy steak – I reckon at least half...

by Megan Hallinan

October 14, 2017

Beefeater ‘Punch Brunch’ at Florentine, Lambeth

An area of London that I really don’t know much about is Lambeth North (South of Waterloo), so I...

by Megan Hallinan

Staying at The Residence, Zanzibar

by Megan Hallinan

After an incredible stay at Chyulu Hills in Kenya for my 30th birthday (you can catch up here about the hotel and here about the safari it you haven’t read them yet), we spent the second half of the holiday on the island of Zanzibar. I’ve always been fascinated by it as a destination, ever since I was a child. The name conjures up...

Comments 0

travel

How to prepare for safari – hints and tips!

by Megan Hallinan

You might have read that we went on an incredible safari in October for my birthday. If not, you can catch up on our stay at Ol Donyo Lodge here, and our safari experience here. We had so many questions ahead of our trip and we read varying advice online (often contradicting each other), so I thought it might be useful to put together...

Comments 0

travel

Lunch at Three Hares Cafe, Sedbergh

by Megan Hallinan

I was going through my blog drafts at the weekend and came across this one sitting there that I hadn’t completed from nearly a year ago! I couldn’t believe I didn’t post it, what an idiot. And it’s one that’s definitely worth sharing. You might recall that over the May bank holiday last year, we went on a fantastic trip to the Lake District...

Comments 0

Lunch, restaurant, travel

Apple, Fennel & Russet Squire Sausage Roll Bites

As I’m sure you all know by now, there’s nothing I love more than trying a new cheese, I’m...

by Megan Hallinan

February 9, 2018

Quick & Easy Beef Wellington Recipe

For Tim’s birthday this year, I thought I’d have a go at making a beef wellington. This was going...

by Megan Hallinan

November 18, 2017

Making Goat’s Cheese at Home

For those of you long-term Got to Be Gourmet readers (thanks for sticking by me!!), you might remember one...

by Megan Hallinan

February 8, 2017

Gin Ice Cream with Brockmans Gin

I was recently introduced to Brockmans Gin. It was established eight years ago by a group of friends who...

by Megan Hallinan

October 10, 2016

National Curry Week 2016

Living in Tooting, we’re fortunate to be very close to a number of excellent local curry restaurants, although we...

by Megan Hallinan

September 30, 2016

Cooking Cabrito Goat Meat and ‘Goatober’

Growing up in Cyprus, we were quite literally surrounded by goats – we didn’t eat them (that we knew...

by Megan Hallinan

Pork Chops with Mango, Peach and Halloumi Recipe

Tim and I are very different cooks. He is meticulous in his cooking – he will scour our shelf...

by Megan Hallinan

Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic Recipe

I adore cooking with garlic and so I couldn’t wait to try out some recipes from my new cook...

by Megan Hallinan

February 11, 2018

Blood Orange Sorbet with Solerno Liqueur

Towards the end of last year I was kindly sent a bottle of Solerno, the world’s first blood orange...

by Megan Hallinan

A Recipe Masterclass with Jude’s Ice Cream

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to a ‘recipe masterclass’ with Jude’s Ice Cream at the gorgeous...

by Megan Hallinan

Blood Orange & Rhubarb Crumble

One of my favourite desserts to make is crumble – it’s so easy yet delicious, and I’ll happily tuck...

by Megan Hallinan

Icing Easter ‘Biskies’ at Cutter & Squidge, Soho

Last week I discovered the ‘biskie’. You run the risk of sounding like a toddler trying to pronounce ‘biscuit’...

by Megan Hallinan

Easter Cupcakes with Lavolio & Bake With Maria

One of my favourite companies I’ve come across since starting this blog is ‘Bake With Maria’, a wonderful baking...

by Megan Hallinan

Cheese & Chorizo Pie for British Pie Week

I made this pie last Summer but just hadn’t got around to posting it. British Pie Week seemed like...

by Megan Hallinan

January 5, 2016

Baileys Cocktails and Puds!

For as long as I can remember, Baileys has always been a staple in our household. I remember when...

by Megan Hallinan

December 12, 2015

Amaretto & Meringue Eggnog with Waitrose Cellar

Have you ever tried eggnog? The thought of drinking raw egg might seem a bit hideous to some of...

by Megan Hallinan

A New Year’s Resolution: 12 Plays in 12 Months

Published by Megan Hallinan

Ok ok, I know this blog is supposed to be about food. And travel (when food is involved). So you might be wondering why on earth I’m writing about...

December 19, 2017

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events, events

Graham’s The Family Dairy ‘Milk Sommelier’ & Tasting Evening

Published by Megan Hallinan

I was recently invited to an event which got me excited from the moment I saw the subject in my inbox. I was being invited to a milk sommelier...

October 30, 2017

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events, events

A potato tasting challenge with Billy & Jack and Idahoan

Published by Megan Hallinan

My blog might be called ‘Got to Be Gourmet’ but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the more comforting foods in life. When I was a kid, one of...

October 27, 2017

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events

Farms Not Factories Event at Tramshed, Shoreditch

Published by Megan Hallinan

At the weekend for a friend’s birthday, her partner organised to have a hog roast which we prepared in their garden to feed around 30 people. I posted photos...

August 22, 2017

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events, Meat

A chocolatey Sailor Jerry Easter cocktail!

by Megan Hallinan

I recently learned about and tried Sailor Jerry rum. I do love a spot of rum (particularly in a cocktail) and this one has a great story. ‘Sailor Jerry’ was born Norman Collins, and came of age in the 1920’s when tattooing was an expression that belonged to an emerging American counterculture. He left home as a teenager and travelled the US by hitchhiking...

Comments 0

Drink, Drinks

Would you trust a robot with your wine choice? A review of Clara Wine

by Megan Hallinan

How much do you know about wine? I mean, really know about wine? I’m sure most people would know if they prefer a Merlot over a Pinot Noir, the latter seeming to be the ‘wine of choice’ in recent times, the ‘flat white’ of the wine world. Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely in that category of people who will quite happily jump onto...

February 23, 2018

Comments 0

Drink, Drinks, Product reviews

February 23, 2018

Would you trust a robot with your wine choice? A review of Clara Wine

How much do you know about wine? I mean, really know about wine? I’m sure most people would know...

by Megan Hallinan

February 11, 2018

Blood Orange Sorbet with Solerno Liqueur

Towards the end of last year I was kindly sent a bottle of Solerno, the world’s first blood orange...

by Megan Hallinan

November 18, 2017

Making Goat’s Cheese at Home

For those of you long-term Got to Be Gourmet readers (thanks for sticking by me!!), you might remember one...

by Megan Hallinan

November 7, 2017

Tasty herb jellies from aix & terra

I haven’t done many full ‘product’ reviews on the blog recently but this one absolutely warranted one. I’ve been...

by Megan Hallinan

Learning about Soy Sauce with Kikkoman at Sushisamba

How much do you know about soy sauce? If you’re anything like me, then probably not a lot! I...

by Megan Hallinan

Saving the Forest with The Gin Bothy

It’s no secret now that I just adore gin. I think this was encouraged by my best friend Ceri,...

by Megan Hallinan

January 15, 2017

West Country Cheese Co – Cheese & Christmas Cake

You might have seen a few posts on the blog and on my social channels about the West Country...

by Megan Hallinan

December 8, 2016

A Fancy Trimmings Hamper from Harvey Nichols

How are you getting on with your Christmas shopping? I think I’m just about there with mine – I’m...

by Megan Hallinan

October 6, 2016

#FoodieFriends: Mel’s Fish Pie and Easy Lemon Meringue Ice Cream Recipes

I haven’t had a new #FoodieFriends post up on here for a while, so I’m very excited for this...

by Megan Hallinan

December 16, 2015

#FoodieFriends – Dan’s Trip to Tom’s Table

A big thank you to Dan for sharing his experience of the Tom Kerridge pop-up at Harrods!… I’ve wanted...

by Megan Hallinan

#FoodieFriends – Hannah’s Thai Ice Cream Experience at Yumitub

My latest #FoodieFriends post is from the lovely Hannah Fish, who has written about her experience at YumiTub in...

by Megan Hallinan

#FoodieFriends – Dan’s Review of The Pass Restaurant

This week’s #FoodieFriends post is from Dan Ericsson, a friend from University. He has an excellent taste in all...

by Megan Hallinan