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Tucked away on a charming hilltop in the victorian seaside town of Swanage, is a gorgeous gem of a Hotel, filled with beautiful history and artefacts from a bygone era.
This summer I had the privilege of meeting the delightful owners that carry with them a dash of french to this old English Hotel, once owned by George Burt, named the “King of Swanage” by Thomas Hardy.
The sun was high and a heatwave swept across the city, but inside this majestic Hotel overlooking the sea, I was swept away to another time and place altogether.
It is such a pleasure when meeting the people, and in this case, the family behind a Hotel and see how they pull from each others strengths to build a gorgeous hideaway for travellers both local and from faraway.
Work side by side and inspire each other.
For even if you may want to spend a weekend here with a beloved, its restaurant and lounge is open for the public all year round. So if you should wish to nestle up with a cup of afternoon tea after hours exploring the town, you’ll welcomed warmly.
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I perused its beautiful garden, explored its enchanted plant nursery where they grow vegetables for their restaurant, took in the vista, and sat down in the old church on the premises, that’s now turned into a restaurant, to cool off from the summer heat and to indulge in delicious courses prepared by their talented chef.
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It was a quiet afternoon before the evening guest would fill the restaurant, and the family that runs the Hotel generously shared of their time to walk me through the history of the house, and how an english girl went to France and met a boy, and how they ended up running this beautiful hotel together, working side by side, and now also with their son passionately involved.
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As I listened, true to form, my belly started rumbling, and it was time to visit their chef and have a peak at his kitchen.
I simply adore being able to watch artists at work, and chefs are truly artists.
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A pan was sizzling with freshly caught halibut fillets, and the chef asked me if I wanted to taste and have the recipe…
I nodded eagerly and couldn’t contain my excitement, “Yes, please!”
When good male chefs are at work in their kitchen, there is a certain masculine elegance to how they work, it’s like a dance with an intriguing rhythm.
I watched, snapped eagerly away with my camera, and tried to pick up a few cooking tips along the way.
First on the list; get a freakin griddle pan!!
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So I thought I’d share the recipe with you, and in true chef style, there is no dl, gram and oz nonsense, it’s just the ingredients straight up, which to me, makes cooking much more exciting than having it all measured out.
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Halibut with stir fry vegetables with coconut sauce
Ingredients:
Fillet of Halibut
Shallots
Yellow and red peppers
Water chestnut
Bamboo shoots
Bean sprouts
Fresh Coriander
Olive Oil
Pinch of salt and pepper
Lemon
Rice:
Basmati rice
Saffron
Pinch of salt and pepper
Sauce:
Coconut milk
Shallots
Double cream
Butter
How to make it:
Step one
Season the fillet of Halibut with salt, pepper and lemon, place on grill.
Step two
Slice the peppers and Shallots, and stir fry together with the water chestnuts, bamboo shoots and bean sprouts for 2-5 minutes.
Step three
Chop shallots finely and add to pan with butter, salt and pepper.
Fry until they are golden in colour, and add the coconut milk and double cream until reduced.
Step four
Cook the rice with a pinch of saffron and salt.
Serve the Halibut warm on top of the stir fry vegetables with rice on the side and a drizzle of the coconut sauce.
