All posts by thehorsesmouth

About thehorsesmouth

If you would like your Newmarket venue or event reviewed please contact me on laurenelizabethhorncastle@hotmail.com View all posts by thehorsesmouth →

Bren Pauls Beauty – Wax, chat, and always go back!

February 20, 2014relaxationbeauty, HDBrows, Newmarket, waxingthehorsesmouth

Newmarket’s gorgeous beauty salon (and my favourite waxers), Bren Pauls have launched their website.

http://www.brenpaulsbeauty.co.uk/

Offering a full range of waxes for both men and women, I regularly pop along for waxing and to have a catch up with the lovely Michelle and Sasha.

The interior decor is glam but has a feel that welcomes both sexes.

Whether you are looking for a relaxing pamper session or a less-painful-than-you-might-think waxing session make the effort to book in to Bren Pauls, Newmarket!

Each time I have my eyebrows “done” I am surprised by how much my facial shape changes! When will I learn that this is a treatment that I need to regularly keep up with. I have never fallen into the trap of waxing or shaving (!) my eyebrows into a skinny slug like shape on my face but the flip side of this is that perhaps I have had years of bushy brows!

During one trip to Bren Paul’s, Michelle gave me “HD Brows.” -What a phenomena!

Before the treatment, Michelle explained that HD Brows is actually a treatment, developed to leave with you the best brows for your face.
1526819_10202128026074801_417703135_n Results of my HD Brow experience!
The steps experienced are as follows –

1) Consultation – Michelle will chat to you to determine which brow shape will best suit your face and what colour your brows should be.

2) Tinting –Unlike me, if you have over-plucked brows, Michelle will will tint your brows to match your natural colour. As it was my first HD treatment Michelle gave me a light greyish black colour. My brows are naturally quite dark so next time I am ready to go a little darker to achieve an even more striking effect! The dye is left on for a matter of minutes and then simply wiped off gently.

3) Waxing – Ankles are a no-go area for waxing for me but I find eyebrow waxing pain free. Both Michelle and Sasha are so quick and skilled that by the time i’ve started to recall my latest “interesting” story I want to share with them, they are finished! Michelle will then wax your brows to create the perfect arch for your face shape.

4) Trimming –Michelle then gently combs and trims your brow to ensure that each single hair perfectly sits in place.

5) Tweezing – My least favourite part of any waxing experience but lucky for Bren Pauls clients it is always a quick step of any treatment.

This is my favourite treatment to have done! HD Brows completely changes my look and has honestly lasted around 2 and a half months before (now) it is ready to be done again. It is great value for money and something I highly recommend.

Michelle or Sasha can be contacted on 01638 664441

Clean Stuffed Butternut Squash with Spicy Beef and Quinoa

February 18, 2014Clean eatingthehorsesmouth

•1 butternut squash (halved, seeded)
• Beef, mince portion for 2
• Coconut Oil
• Chickpeas
• 1 onion
• 2tsp Cumin
• 1/2 Tsp extra hot chilli
• 2tbsp Paprika
• Handful Cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup Quinoa

Heat grill to high.

With the skin facing up place both halves of butternut squash on a baking tray under the grill for 15minutes.

Add quinoa to boiling water and cook on medium heat for 30minutes.

Turn the butternut squash, season and add 1/2tsp of coconut oil to each piece. Cook under grill for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile cook the mince on high heat for 15 minutes.

Season the mince whilst cooking. Add chopped onion, chickpeas, cumin, chilli, paprika and tomatoes.

Scoop out butternut squash flesh and chop. Mix the vegetable with the mince and quinoa and pour it into the space available in the butternut squash shell.

If you wish, add a light layer of Parmesan.

Return dish to oven for just under 5 minutes to bond/set.

(Not at all Clean) Gooey Cadbury Creme Egg Brownies

February 18, 2014Clean eatingbrownies, chocolate, creme egg, naughtythehorsesmouth

Now and again it’s okay to treat yourself… right?

I convinced myself that these were part of my boyfriend’s Valentine’s gift… even though I knew full well I would be eating them.

This recipe makes about 20 small brownies or 10 BIG ones. Lucky for us, we have a hungry loved one at uni that we could ship the leftovers off to when we needed to get them out of sight (never will these tasty treats be out of mind!)

•85 g plain flour
•2tbsp cocoa powder
•170g milk chocolate
•113 g butter
•2 eggs
•140g caster sugar
•1tsp vanilla extract
•10 Cadbury creme eggs
Followed by…
•85g golden syrup
•2tbsp butter
•1/2tsp vanilla extract
•170g icing sugar
And finally…
•100g milk chocolate
•50g butter

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C.
Grease and line a baking tin. I used a 20cmx20cm tin – just remember that the smaller it is the chunkier the brownie will be.

Melt the butter and chocolate together over a low heat in a pan. Keep stirring to ensure the mixture doesn’t burn.
Remove the mixture from the heat and beat in the eggs, vanilla extract and sugar.

Sift in the flour and cocoa powder. Gently fold it into the mixture until it begins to combine.

Pour the entire mixture into the lined baking tin. Keep the paper tall around the edges!

Stud the mixture with the creme-eggs, pushing them right down into the brownie mixture.

Bake for 25-30 minutes. Keep an eye on this part. I took mine out at 25 mins exactly so they were still a little gooey.

Next, beat the golden syrup, butter and vanilla together until smooth. Slowly add in the icing sugar and beat until creamy.

Once the brownies are cool spread this mix over the top. Then chill the brownies in the fridge for approx 2 hours.

Finally, melt the butter and chocolate together in a heavy based pan. Pour over the top of the brownies and leave to set.

Clean Seared Balsamic Venison with Asparagus and Vegetable Quinoa

February 17, 2014Clean eatingasparagus, balsamic, clean, lean, venisonthehorsesmouth

•Venison shoulder
• Onion
• Red pepper
• Asparagus
• Carrots
• Mangetout
• Balsamic vinegar
• Coconut oil
• Lemon juice
• Basil
• Quinoa (“Keen-war”)

Prepare onions, pepper, asparagus, carrots and Mangetout. Season well and place in roasting tin with a teaspoon of coconut oil. Drizzle 3 tablespoons of Balsamic Vinegar over veg. Cook for 20 minutes on a low heat. 150 degrees.

Pour boiling water over 1 cup of quinoa and cook over heat for 30 minutes.

Season venison shoulder and sear in a skillet with a teaspoon of coconut oil. Approx 5 minutes each side.

Stir veg, season if necessary and return to oven for 10 minutes.

Add 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 2 teaspoons of basil to quinoa. Remove from heat.

Place seared venison in the oven for 5 minutes.

Add quinoa mix to veg and cook in oven for 5 minutes.

Nancy’s Tea Shop – Such charm!

February 16, 2014foodiebrunch, cake, lunch, Nancy's tea shop, Newmarket, Tea, Valentine'sthehorsesmouth

Since moving out of my family home in July to live with my boyfriend, my Mum and I strive to put dates in our diary so we can have some uninterrupted catch up time together. Not only do we get to catch up on gossip, share troubles and of course put the world to right – we get to eat CAKE!

I have glanced into Nancy’s tea shop whilst driving past on numerous occasions but if I am perfectly honest the amount of pink has been a little intimidating. Hearing more and more positive things about the tea shop (including a rugby player highly rating their fry up) I suggested popping in to my Mum.

Proved wrong! Yes, there is a lot of pink and the atmosphere is delicate and vintage rather than my preferred style of rustic, farm house chic but it is absolutely wonderful.

With it being just one day after Valentine’s Day we could benefit from their loved-up menu. We opted for tea and heart shaped cherry scones. The waitress, who I presume is the manager spoke about the teas as if they were close friends.

“A bligh-tea you say? If you are having the scones and like chocolate why not treat yourself to a chocolatey flavoured naugh-tea?” she suggested.

What’s more the lovely waitress said that if the tea wasn’t to our taste she would swap it for our original request.

Sitting on the sofa in the window, we curled up and gossiped whilst thoroughly enjoying the sweet tea and treats. We think we witnessed a subtle proposal AND saw a charming Dad watch his family’s faces light up as his wife received a bouquet and his beautiful daughters a single flower each from the local florists! What a wonderful Valentine’s treat for the family, afternoon tea at Nancy’s and fresh flowers!

I would highly recommend Nancy’s to ladies wishing to catch up over tasty treats in a pretty setting but also to anyone that is a tea lover! I will definitely be going back to try some more flavors and infusions and have in fact booked a table with my Mum for Grandad’s birthday in April. With him being such a tea lover, we might be there a while!

http://www.nancysteashop.co.uk/

Kings Restaurant, Newmarket

February 16, 2014foodieDining, Food, Groupon, Kings Restaurant, Newmarket, Set Menue, Valentine's Daythehorsesmouth

This Valentine’s Day I was surprised to a meal at Kings Restaurant in Newmarket.

When dining out in my home town I want to feel like I am being transported to a destination far away from the betting shops, worn-out pubs and drunks on the Newmarket high street. With the restaurant being so close to Unique bar I am always impressed with the tranquil and luxurious atmosphere Kings succeed to create.

The waiting staff are passionate and attentive and this is an attribute that the manager is very proud of. Rightly so too, it wasn’t just on Valentine’s Day that we were treated so well. Just before Christmas we enjoyed an evening meal at Kings and were equally as impressed with the menu, staff and atmosphere.

The conservatory space is now chic and contemporary with a new viewing gallery into their spotless kitchen. We were so impressed with our meal at Kings Restaurant on Valentine’s Day that we will be returning this Friday with friends. I hope that the service and food is as fantastic for a table of 6 as it is for a table for 2.

I must admit that our next trip to Kings is fueled by a voucher from Groupon! Pork Belly, Tofu or Salmon for two for £13.00! I am sure we will be adding starters, desserts and a continuous flow of red wine to our bill but their menu always proves to be great value for money.

With it being Valentine’s Day I resisted from taking snaps of my food. The presentation was great and the taste even better!

The set menu cost £42.50 per head:

Valentines Menu

Amuse Bouche
Pea Veloute with Mint Foam
oOo

Pressed Ham Hock Terrine

wrapped in Parma ham sleeve, quail egg & grain mustard cream
Red Onion Tart Tatin,
glazed goats cheese, pickled walnuts
oOo
Chef Prepared Citrus Cured Gravalax,
avocado emulsion, pink grapefruit
oOo
Roasted Rump of Lamb
with herb crust dauphinoise potatoes, carrot puree, wilted greens, port wine jus
Roasted Supreme of Chicken,
ballotine of leg stuffed with basil & pancetta, pomme fondant, roasted cherry tomato sauce
oOo
Assiette of Desserts To Share
chocolate delice, pistachio crème brulee, praline parfait honeycomb sauce

Photo’s taken from the Kings Newmarket Restaurant website: http://www.kingsnewmarket.co.uk/

Clean Spicy Cod

• 2 Fresh cod fillets
• 2 Small red onions, sliced
• 1 Handful green olives
• 1 Can tinned tomatoes
• 1 Tsp Coconut Oil
• 1 Tsp Crushed Garlic
• 1 Tsp Chilli Powder

Hands on time 5 minutes
Cooking time 15 minutes
(Total of 25 if adding brown rice)

Heat a large pan of coconut oil.
Season fish with salt and pepper.
Add fish to pan, white side down for 3 minutes.
Remove fish from pan and set aside.

Add onion to pan and cook for 3 minutes.

Add olives, tomatoes, garlic and chilli to pan and cook for 3 minutes.

Return the fish to the pan and cook for approx 7 minutes. The flesh will start to flake when cooked.

If cooking brown rice remember this takes approx 25 minutes. NB. I add a chunk of my homemade (and now frozen) chicken stock to the rice to add extra flavour!

One of my favourite dishes- enjoy!

Clean Pork and Apple Burgers

January 29, 2014Clean eatingClean Eating, lean, pork and apple burgerthehorsesmouth

Clean Pork and Apple Burgers
• 1tsp Coconut Oil
• 50g Dried apple, finely chopped
• 1tbsp Sage, finely chopped
• 500g Lean pork mince
• 1 egg

Makes 6-8 burgers

10 minutes hands on time
45 minutes cooking time

Pre heat oven to 200C if you wish to add clean chips to dish.

Mix dried apple, sage, egg and pork together with hands. Season generously and “squidge” the mixture together into burger shapes.

If you wish to add clean chips to your meal. Chop potatoes (I use 1 per person) into wedges. Pre-boil for 5 minutes if you wish or immediately put potatoes on baking tray and drizzle with coconut oil.

Cook clean chips for 45 minutes. Turn and season well half way through baking time.

Cooking burgers on a hob will take approx 15minutes to cook on each side on a low/medium heat.

Serve pork and apple burgers with clean chips, salad and balsamic vinegar.