Restaurant Review: Pizza Express The Leggera Pizza… Holeyer Than Thou???

Few words strike fear into the hearts of calorie counters and weight watchers as comparably as the word ‘Pizza.’

With gargantuan amounts of melted mozzarella, fat laden meats, and bursting stuffed crusts, this iconic Italian staple is certainly no friend to those looking to shed a few pounds.

Of course over the years, the much loved pizza pie has been subjected to many a healthy living makeover. The more adventurous amongst us, will perhaps advocate tortilla based incarnations, topping deficit veggie delights, or even cheese free alternatives (which I personally feel should be criminalised.)

But whilst these innovations are all well and good in the comforts of the homestead, out and about in the real world, you’re as likely to find a pizzeria serving pitta bases, as you are flying pigs.

In light of this reality, the Scoffing Cow was shocked to learn in recent weeks, that a renowned restaurant chain specialising in Pizza had taken significant steps to appeal to the diet conscious proprietor. Indeed, the Pizza Express franchise, had not only become one of the country’s first few restaurants to publicize their nutritional values, but had also admirably launched a Weight Watchers endorsed range of pizzas; the Leggera. Better yet, there was no mention of eradicating the cheese!

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Recipe of the Moment: Apple & Cinnamon Sugar Snap Porridge

For those of you who follow the musings of the Scoffing Cow on a regular basis, you may have realised by now, that I undeniably hold a particular penchant for porridge (and alliteration too it would seem.)

Yes indeed, I am a porridge whore. And sadly, would be content beginning each and every day with a steaming great big bowl of oats for all of eternity.

But alas, that doesn’t mean that I’m averse to variation, and in fact, often treat porridge creation as if I were preparing an a la carte meal.

You see, a sprinkling of sugar or a dollop of jam will get you so far, but really, with such a versatile substance, porridge can be so much more.

Don’t worry, I’m not about to get all ‘Heston’ on you; snails and camel ears have no place in my breakfast routine, but you’d be surprised how sexy porridge can actually be, with just a few little tweaks here and there.

So why not get a little creative…

Grated nutmeg and a swirl of honey; maple syrup with ground ginger; apple sauce with powdered cinnamon; the possibilities are unashamedly endless. And provided we maintain a little self control when adding any of the above accoutrement, you're porridge will remain a healthy and nutritious breakfast, with significantly more pizazz.

Still not convinced? Well let me see if I can change your mind with the Scoffing Cow's very own recipe, for Sugar Snap Porridge.
This recipe works with about any flavour or spice creation you can fathom, and adds an indulgent and sophisticated addition to even the most simple concotions. (Okay perhaps not sophisticated, it is still porridge for gods sake.)

Try it, and let me know what you think....
Unless you don't like it of course... in which case, ignorance is bliss.

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The Perfect Porridge Pilgrimage; The Scoffing Cow takes to the streets.

In my last blog, I rather virtuously pledged to scour the globe (well… Nottingham at least) for eateries offering a healthy, nutritional and hearty start to the day, in the form of the latest brekky on the block, porridge

Although my follow up is slightly tardy… (turns out that porridge hunting is not a valid excuse for arriving at work an hour late) I can finally bring to you…reader… the fruits of my labour.

Rated, slated, and berated; Pret A Manger, Starbucks, McDonalds and Le Pain Quotidien square up in the battle of the breakfasts.

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Breakfast on the Hoof

Bacon, eggs, sausage and fried bread; four of the most renowned and revered components of the traditional English breakfast. With derivatives boasting black pudding, baked beans, potatoes and tomato, it’s pretty clear that that the concept of eating breakfast like a king, was devised by an Englishman.

The notoriety of the ‘Full English’ is undisputedly epic.

One need only take a stroll down the local high street, past any early doors pub, café, or suitably coined ‘Greasy Spoon,’ to fully fathom the extent of its popularity.

And despite an ever increasing awareness regarding the intake of saturated fats and cholesterol heavy foods, business in the cooked breakfast trade is positively booming.

But what about us weight watchers? What about those who wish to shy away from the institution of the ‘fry-up,’ and preserve the sanctity of their coronary arteries for at least one more day?

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Recipe of the Moment: The 'Skosmopolitan' Cocktail

As any health conscious cook will tell you, the difficulty in creating a ‘skinny’ anything, is that in order to eliminate unwanted calories, we often inadvertently eliminate much desired taste.

Why?

Well because life is cruel of course, and ironically the nicest tasting food, is often the most damaging to our health.

Of course we can reduce quantities, make substitutions, or even remove the offending ingredient entirely; but if the result resembles its full-fat counterpart as much as Michael Jackson resembled his teenage self, we may as well not have bothered in the first place.

In the realms of mixology, the task of ‘skinny-fying,’ is even more treacherous.

Not only do we have to ensure that taste isn’t sacrificed, we also have to avoid eliminating a rather crucial yet calorific component – Alcohol.

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