Monday 9 March 2015

Staycation North Norfolk: Wells Deli, Holt


We popped into Holt last month after exploring nearby Baconsthorpe Castle. I love Holt, it is a very lovely town with a good high street, some specialty food shops, and a great selection of Cafés. In the Autumn we checked out Wells Deli, but we were too late in the afternoon to really relax and take our time having our coffees, so I was keen to visit again.  


There is a small area at the back of the (very busy) cafe where children can sit and read, colour or play games.  It was a little bit messy (the cafe was packed) so we quickly tidied up the books, crayons and games before letting Lyra loose.  She absolutely loved having her own little area to do her own thing while us adults sat and talked.  Of course she joined us for a snack...peanut butter on a toasted bagel...but wolfed it down quickly so that she could get back to her colouring.  

The coffee was good, service was quick even though almost every seat in the cafe was occupied. There are plenty of high chairs, room for pushchairs, and of course the colouring area is a big bonus.  

Wells Deli 

7 Market Street 
Holt
Norfolk 

@wellsdelinews
check them out on Facebook



Thursday 5 March 2015

Staycation North Norfolk: No.1 Cromer

There's a new chip shop in Cromer and we couldn't wait to try their fish n chips while we were visiting in February.  During our last visit we ran out of time (and energy) to try it out so  it was on the top of our list for this trip. No.1 Cromer sits on the corner of New Street and has lovely large windows overlooking the beach and the pier, there is a sit in restaurant as well as a take-away, a posh restaurant upstairs and during the summer months there is also a Ice Cream shop (where the ice cream is made fresh on the premises). 


Lyra eats early so we went over to the restaurant at 5:30, there were a few other tables of customers but we were still able to get one of the tables by the window AND even more lucky to catch the last of the daylight views of the beach. The staff were very friendly, and especially attentive to Lyra.  It didn't take us long to decide what we were going to eat and our food arrived pretty quickly, as well. 


Lyra had cod bites and chips from the kids menu, which was more than enough for her. She could have shared my MASSIVE adult portion of cod and chips, but the kids meals are served in a bucket with a spade so WE HAD TO HAVE THAT! The fish and chips were tasty and the tartar sauce was perfectly chunky. Slightly more expensive than the other fish shop around the corner, but worth it. 

Staff were friendly, good drink selection and nice wooden high chairs (the tray flips behind so older toddlers can pull right up to the table). 

If you are spending the day (or week) in Cromer and want good fish n chips we definitely suggest you try out No.1 Cromer. 

No.1 Cromer 

1 New Street 
Cromer 
Norfolk 
NR27 9HP 

@No1Cromer


Recipe: Carrot Fritters

Carrots are one vegetable that Lyra is really fussy about, she will eat them cooked in a stew or soup but if I just boil or steam them she won't even try them.  It is like she knows that they aren't going to be soft enough, or just bleurgh...I don't get it.


In a bid to get her to eat more than a couple of pieces of carrot we made some fritters together. For the last week or so Lyra has been helping me make EVERY snack and meal we've had by standing up on her little step stool and chucking ingredients into bowls or onto plates. Having Lyra help me is so much fun, but it really takes a lot of organisation and planning on my part...like I have to think about how much chopping I might have to do, if there is any raw meat or eggs, how long things take to actually cook (patience isn't a trait she has developed yet) and I also have to try to get all the ingredients and stuff out and ready before she pulls the stool over to the counter and climbs up.  


These fritters are great because they don't have any added egg so it doesn't matter so much if little ones feel the need for quality control.  We managed to make the batter for the fritters and fry them with very little difficulty, the hardest part was letting them sit until dinner time (that pesky patience again).  Lyra ate 2 and a half with her dinner of leftover stuffed pepper, and I enjoyed 4 with some salad and couscous. There were 4 or 5 leftover and they tasted great cold the next day.  

Carrot Fritters

Ingredients 
200g grated carrots (or courgettes, or a combination) 
50g grated cheddar cheese
50g plain flour
pinch of ground cumin
pinch of ground coriander 
2 TBSP water 
oil for pan frying

Method 
In a bowl combine veg, cheese, flour and spices and mix to distribute the ingredients. 
Add the water a little at a time until you have a batter that is sticky but not runny. 
Heat a frying pan on medium heat and add the oil. 
Once the oil is hot gently plop TSBPs of the mixture into the pan and flatten slightly with the back of a spoon. 
Fry for 3-4 mins on one side, flip carefully and fry until golden on the other side. 
Remove from pan and place on paper towel to soak up any extra oil. 
Repeat until all the batter is cooked. 

We put ours in an oven proof dish and kept warm in the oven for a couple of hours until SOMEONE couldn't stand it anymore and started crying at the kitchen door. 

Enjoy with some creme fraiche for dipping, or on their own.