Longitude 199 East means we’re about to enter our third century of scans, and feels like we’re already racing back home to 0. The stream of local latitudinal fare’s still way non-mainstream; We start our cooking trail at the Cook Islands, 15 tiny volcanic islands and atolls covering 2.2million square kilometres of the Pacific Ocean. Mangaia is notable for its abundance of coconuts (zzz) and pupu (sic) – the snail shells painstakingly threaded into its famous ‘eis’ neckbands, while pukapuka, like our group, is renowned for its beautiful girls No kidding: the US once claimed sovereignty over many of the islands under its 1857 guano act – paraphraseable, pre-Rumsfield, as ‘your shit is my shit.’

Further North Jarvis island was mined for just this poopoo prize. Its sole resident committed suicide in 1883 and the island is now uninhabited, “unincorporated and unorganised.” The adjacent Line Islands stretch over 2,000 km from the confetti of Kiribati (or Gilberts) in the West towards Hawaii. Kiribati has its own London & Poland on Christmas Island Though one of the world’s poorest countries and dependent on exports of fish and coconut, the former has also been home to all sorts of hi-tech developments, from the laying of the Pacific cable to Japan’s current development of a Spaceport. J. Maarten Troost wrote the autobiographical “The Sex Lives of Cannibals” here. Smiling whilst dancing is generally considered vulgar here.

And then, at last, as we alight on mainland Alaska, we find our 2nd US state: the nineteen moments of Hawaii (once Sandwich), where everyone greets each other with love and their traditional feast is called a luau. Like so many of these gorgeous Pacific islands, Hawaii seems to exemplify our Latitudinal travels, blending tourism and agriculture, its islands awash with macadamia, papaya, coffee beans and drinkers. Martha says she’ll join us with her hula later.

Avarua or Arorangi, Hanapepe or Honolulu, Kekaha or Kilauea, who’s hitching a Shoreditch ride with us?

So there I was at Shoreditch Church and enjoying a beautiful day of sunshine and a whole lot of strangers – the nicest strangers ever. While they weren’t all from my neighborhood, they were all frequent participants in the Latitudinal dining scheme. Everyone brought a dish inspired by one of the countries on the 199 marker, which meant lots of fish, fruit, salad … and a surprising lack of SPAM! Each person had an opportunity to talk about what they brought, ingredients, cooking methods, etc. Everything was good, but my vote goes for the slow cooked chicken legs. Tasty!

Photo via Latitudinal Cuisine

I made an ‘Alaskan’ salmon and dill dip, which I spread over some salad leaves, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and served with lemon on the side. The dip is quite good and easy to make. The recipe follows:

1 (14 3/4 oz.) can salmon, drained <- I had fresh packaged smoked salmon from M&S
1 c. dairy sour cream
3 tbsp. green onions, chopped
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. dill weed
1/4 tsp. salt
Dash bottled hot pepper sauce <- I did not add this because I did not have any on hand

Photo via Latitudinal Cuisine

I also made Hawaiian nut loaf. It took a bit more than the 50-60 minutes it stated on the recipe, but other than it being quite crumbly, the taste was good.

Ingredients
* 2 eggs
* 1/2 cup butter, softened
* 1 cup white sugar
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* 1 (15 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
* 1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, cream together eggs, butter and sugar. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda and salt.
Stir the flour mixture into the egg mixture. Fold in the pineapple and nuts. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean.

There were a lot of wonderful dishes to try and everyone was so nice. It really is a great event and such a nice way to meet other people. I hope to meet up with the Latitudinal group again as they continue to travel the world culinarily.

I have heard of Trader Vic’s before, but had no idea what to expect. When I stepped through the door and was greeted by Polynesian statues, I got the giggles – this would be fun, I thought to myself!

As I walked down the stairs, there was a mix of decor – from the carpet that seemed like it belonged in a Ruby Tuesday’s to the coral, shells, tiki men and … oh my gosh is that really a canoe filled with fruity cocktails?!

Indeed, folks! This place is full-on themed from the walls to the staff. It seemed out of place for the location, but the clientele was easy on the eye!

They had a great bar and the staff was very attentive. I cant say much about the food, as I only had a (pretty decent) BBQ rib, but this place could be a whole lot of fun for a party.

I rarely get out of the ‘ditch, so a trip to Clapham – SOUTH! – seems like a trip to the country. Thank goodness it’s only just a 30min ride on the Northern line because I cant wait to go back!

The Avalon is a lovely, large pub with huge tables outside for large groups to gather. There’s seating inside and a dining area just beyond the main pub area.

Our gathering sent us straight out the back into a large garden space. I’m impressed with the size of it because it went back much farther than seemed possible.

There is a large grill outside and since we were there for a grilled meat class, it was the perfect venue for a sunny summer evening.

With plenty of Pimms to get me going, I popped on an apron and helped put some mince rump burgers on the grill. They were huge! Once cooked, we dressed them up with salad and creams and munched while our second course got going.

Next up was peri-peri chicken. We watched the marinade mix in the food processer before getting generously massaged onto the massive butterflied breasts. Served up with some salad – delish!

Our final tasting was Cumberland sausage – blanched before grilling! This might have been the best trick I learned all night – cook your sausage then grill them just to get the skin nice and carmelized. Truthfully, they were perfect!

I checked out the menu, gazed at the other plates passing by (especially the desserts) and declared I needed to come to Clapham more often – with friends – to Avalon!

Check out my review of The ‘Avalon’ Gastro Pub – I am katmabufay – on Qype

I had no expectations, but I think I was still somewhat surprised that it was a ‘fast food’-type place by the look of it. But after meeting the guys and being offered a nice, thick mango lassi, I relaxed at a table and enjoyed watching Qype members challenge Sam to win a week’s worth of Moolis!

Then, the chutney came out: mint/apple, tamarind, roasted cumin raita, tomato (my absolute favorite), and spicy green chilli. Served alongside toasted poppadoms, I was in munching heaven. Each chutney was tasty and vibrant. I wanted to take them all home with me! After being told that they are made fresh daily that I would have to consume them the same day, my thoughts of a week of munching were dashed.

Getting thirsty again, I asked for a lemonade with mint (they also offer one with Indian rock salt?!) before heading into the kitchen to learn about R2D2 and Moolita. These two machines are responsible for helping churn out hundreds of roti daily. After seeing a demonstration, learning about the ingredients and history, we were able to taste one directly off the grill. Yum.

We also were treated to the recipe and demonstration of the mint and apple chutney. I will be making this at home for sure!
Ingredients:
1 bunch of mint – chopped
1 bunch of cilantro – chopped
1 green apple – chopped
1 green chilli – whole
10g fresh ginger or ginger puree
1 lemon – juiced
salt and water for taste/consistency

Directions:
Add the lemon juice to the blender first to prevent discoloration of the bright green. Then, slowly add the ingredients to the blender by the fistful. Add cold water to aid the rotation if it becomes to thick.
Serve with poppadoms, roti or your prefered dipping food.

Finally, we were able to taste a Mooli for ourselves. I chose a beef mooli, which is kerala beef with crunchy coconut, raita and salsa. It was delish. I considered trying the goat with punjabi potatoes, but I admit that I was not feeling adventurous. I did hear rave reviews that it was really tasty, though.

I will definitely return to Mooli’s. It has a convenient location in Soho, the prices (less than a fiver!!) work for my budget, the ingredients are super fresh and the staff is charming and hospitable. What more could you ask for?

Check out my review of Mooli’s – I am katmabufay – on Qype

Another Qype event brought me to Salt Bar, a whisky bar on Edgware Road. I’m slowly trying to learn to like whisky. Usually I have to have mine mixed with gingerale. Yet, a pairing of whiskies with traditional Scottish foods sounded intriguing. Talisker Whisky from the Isle of Skye was our host and we sampled three of their whiskies along with salmon blinis, haggis and tatties, and a chocolate mousse. Yes, folks, I tried my first haggis, which was first addressed by a Robert Burns poem:

Address to a Haggis.

Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o the puddin’-race!
Aboon them a’ ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy of a grace
As lang’s my arm.

The groaning trencher there ye fill,
Your hurdies like a distant hill,
Your pin wad help to mend a mill
In time o need,
While thro your pores the dews distil
Like amber bead.

His knife see rustic Labour dight,
An cut you up wi ready slight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
Like onie ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin, rich!

Then, horn for horn, they stretch an strive:
Deil tak the hindmost, on they drive,
Till a’ their weel-swall’d kytes belyve
Are bent like drums;
The auld Guidman, maist like to rive,
‘Bethankit’ hums.

Is there that owre his French ragout,
Or olio that wad staw a sow,
Or fricassee wad mak her spew
Wi perfect sconner,
Looks down wi sneering, scornfu view
On sic a dinner?

Poor devil! see him owre his trash,
As feckless as a wither’d rash,
His spindle shank a guid whip-lash,
His nieve a nit:
Thro bloody flood or field to dash,
O how unfit!

But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread,
Clap in his walie nieve a blade,
He’ll make it whissle;
An legs an arms, an heads will sned,
Like taps o thrissle.

Ye Pow’rs, wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware
That jaups in luggies:
But, if ye wish her gratefu prayer,
Gie her a Haggis!

From the time I stepped in for a pint and ordered some chips (with some yummy garlic aioli) to the time I met Henry, the world’s cutest chef, I was smitten.

The atmosphere is intoxicating (yeah yeah, har har) and the food on the plates that passed me looked delish. And while I cant speak for the things I saw (including some rarely seen cuts of meat, hello HEART?!!), I can say the Scotch eggs are worth a nibble. I’d also pull up a chair to the bar and order one of the charcuterie platters, filled with delicate slices of meats and amazing fresh breads.

Yum-o!!

Check out my review of The Coach and Horses – I am katmabufay – on Qype

London – Eating & Drinking – Restaurants – Eating & Drinking – Restaurants – Turkish

Great prices for a ton of food. Boy and I chose to share the Meze platter. We had so much food for us that it was silly. I dont know how to pronounce most of what we had, but as far as the standard eats – the tastes were right on! Lots of good veg and tender meat bites served with a basket of pita for the many dips and delicious sauces — yum. The only bummer for me was that the dolmas/dolmades did not live up to my taste standards. But one dish out of ten is not too bad.

Check out my review of Gallipoli Again Restaurant – I am katmabufay – on Qype

Today is my last day in London. I had eggs on toast with baked beans for breakfast. We dont normally eat baked beans at home for breakfast, but I think it’s good.

After breakfast, we went to Covent Garden and to a creperie and I had a crepe with Nutella. I went shopping and I got a magic trick and my mom got two scarves for us to share. I also got to mix my own tea for my teacher Mrs. DiLeo. It has cinnamon in it. Cinnamon smells sooooo good. I sat in an area between the market and another building and watched a street performer. He made five boys dance and three people be judges and the guys that had to dance were probably embarrassed by what they had to do. It was funny because one of the guys had to do a somersault.

From Covent Garden we grabbed a taxi to the Houses of Parliament because we were going to have a tour of the inside. My favorite parts were seeing the throne that Queen Victoria sat in where she rubbed the velvet off the armrests because she was nervous when she had to speak in front of people. My other favorite thing was seeing where the Queen sits when she visits the House of Lords.

When we finished the tour we went across the street to Westminster Abbey for Evensong. The choir is made up of boys and men. There were some boys my age in the choir. As we were leaving, we looked at the steps where the King or Queen walks up when they are being crowned King or Queen. We also asked one of the Reverends how many people are buried inside Westminster Abbey and he said approximately 3000!

After the Abbey, we went to a pub where I saw a special bell for the members of the Houses of Parliament (a division bell to signal the members when to return to Parliament — km). Then, we got on the tube and went to Chinatown. It had lots of hanging paper lanterns and bright colors like red, yellow, orange and pink.

For dinner, we went to Inamo. It had magic tables. There was an overhead projector over the table that made all these different colors and designs on the table. You could choose which one you wanted by using your finger as a mouse on a round place on the table (like a touchpad — km) and you could also play games like Battleship or picture puzzles, order food and drinks, and even call a taxi. I accidentally called one! I liked going to the chef cam where I could watch what was going on in the kitchen. I ate steak, rice and edamame. Yummy!

We left Inamo and went to Snog for frozen yogurt. I had chocolate yogurt. We walked back to Chinatown and went to a food shop to see all the different foods. Above the check-out desk were some candy toy guns and I got one for Evan and one for me.

We came home and packed because we go home to Kansas City in the morning. I wish we had the London Eye and the [architecture and interiors of the] Houses of Parliament and a Queen in Kansas City. I want to come back to London again some day to see the Thames River, do all sorts of fun things and try all kinds of different foods. I had a wonderful time.

See you all soon!

(More videos coming next week when I have time to finish editing them. As you can see, we have been VERY busy during our visit. Keep checking and I will try to post them within a week. The clips are hilarious. It’s hard to know what to choose! — km)