Is this the best plant based chocolate cake?

I’m going to say yes. Recipe link below plus where you can get other great plant based things, takeaway lunch and chocolate treats by post.

I’ve just arrived in Copenhagen!

Please do let me know if you have recommendations for food or things to do that a 4 year old will like / tolerate! 😄

Or reply to this email! ☺️

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This week’s Delicious Things

• treats from Phil Khoury’s new book

• Broadway Market lunches

• Pecan buns by EK Bakery

• Sardinian pizza and cocktails at The Gantry

• Pretzel Buttercrunch by Chocolatia

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I bought takeaway lunch every day in Soho last week and it felt pretty depressing that the best I had was from Gail’s. No shade meant against Gail’s, I like them. I just had hopes that smaller, independent places might do better than somewhere with so many stores.

Admittedly, I didn’t go to any of the places with the long queues.

If you know great takeaway lunches in Soho, please let me know. One day I’ll face the massive queues to try Bibi’s salads. If you’ve tried already, would you let me know?

In contrast, at Broadway Market and Netil Market on a recent Saturday, all of these three vegetarian options from three different stalls were excellent:

The picture in the centre was from the Delli pop up stall in Netil Market and made with Yang’s Noods hand pulled five spice noodles. 👌 You can order them from the Delli app.

I shared them all with friends after a gorgeous, still-warm, sticky pecan cinnamon bun at EK Bakery.

📌 Broadway Market, E8 4QJ

NEAREST STATION: Cambridge Heath

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A revolutionary new plant based cookbook

My friend Phil Khoury, one of the nicest guys you’ll meet, launched his debut cookbook at Harrods, where he is the Head Pastry Chef. It’s called A New Way To Bake and every recipe is completely plant based, but without using ingredients that will vary dependent on where you live. So no “vegan butter”. Instead he uses olive oil or coconut oil or something else entirely, but all easily available.

These aren’t health-forward, nutrition-packed recipes for your kids or diet, like many vegan baking books specialise in. These are genuinely delicious alternatives to things you love. His goal is to help dessert lovers minimise the environmental impact of the egg and dairy industry without compromising on taste and texture.

I am SO excited for this. I eat as a vegetarian if someone else is making, but I can’t bring myself to bake with eggs anymore. I acknowledge the cognitive dissonance. 🤷🏻‍♀️

So many vegan baking recipes produce results that feel lacking; having tasted a selection from Phil’s book at the launch party: you are in for a treat. The banoffee pie was particularly impressive.

If you can get yourself to Harrods, Phil and his team are making a selection of them for sale, including the cookie. It’s a thin and chewy choc chip cookie which is definitely moreish.

Here’s the recipe for his incredible vegan Triple-Chocolate Fudge Cake in that picture above:

https://www.harrods.com/en-us/stories/easy-vegan-dessert-recipes-philip-khoury

📌 Harrods Patisserie Hall, 87-135 Brompton Rd, London SW1X 7XL

NEAREST STATION: Knightsbridge

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Have you ever had Sardinian pizza?

I’m sad to tell you that the best savoury thing I ate this week was only available last Saturday as a one off, but I’m hopeful that The Gantry will bring back the pizza for future events or on their permanent menu. Made by the Sardinian head chef, Salvatore Coco, this is pizza Sardinian-style which apparently means something that I would call focaccia. God, it was good. Giant slabs cut into squares, the quality of ingredients on top contributing to its fabulousness just as much as the bubbly dough with gloriously crispy edges.

The Botanist gin have taken over the first floor terrace and we enjoyed the sunset with excellent cocktails alongside our pizza.  Based on the pizza I’m keen to go and try more of Salvatore’s menu.

If you’re going to Olympic Park, the Velodrome or Olympic Swimming Pool, or shopping at Westfield Straford, then I’d definitely check it out. If you’re coming from Stratford station, go through the shopping centre and just past Stratford International station.

📌 Union Social, The Gantry, 40 Celebration Ave, East Village, London E20 1DB

NEAREST STATION: Stratford International

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Something to get anywhere

Chloe of Chocolatia sent me her new product, Pretzel Buttercrunch. (It’s chocolate covered, despite the appearance in the photo.)

When I tried it in the morning it felt too sweet. When I tried it in the afternoon I struggled to stop trying it. 🫣 She also popped in a few of her Pecan Pie bon bons which are my kryptonite. Seriously, if you get them and don’t like them then I’m not sure we can be friends.

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Looking forward to your Copenhagen recommendations. 🙏

My first priority tomorrow morning is Juno which everyone told me is the best bakery in town. All other suggestions of places to eat or things to do or general tips are very welcome!

Jen xx

P.S. Lovely paid subscribers, I’m still planning to chat to you next Monday at 8pm but I’ll let you know if somehow I’m not free and we’ll switch to the Monday after. I’ll be visiting Friis Holm’s chocolate factory in the day!

P.P.S. Don’t forget this is the last week to sign up with the GoCardless £1/month option if you’d like to join us next Monday!