Photography Archives - Page 7 of 8

Casa Ali ~ March menu + <3 dinner update

14 Feb dinner update and gallery

Why did I buy into the glamour of Valentines day when after all it was a Thurs-day? The symbolic has great power to re-ignite the past in a jiffy. I love all things ritualistic which you can make your own. It was a very intimate dinner for four guests and three arrived. Sebastian my sous chef had to go rescue a friend in need who was under pressure from the enormous expectations of the day. Valentines day was worth £1.3 billion to UK retailers and American spend on the day fetched $17.6 billion.

Scallops, mushrooms, pumpkin and lotus root

Candied carrots, vanilla ice cream, parsnip and pistachio

I was well chuffed at how the evening turned out at Casa Ali. Jon and Sara both live within 10 miles of South Norwood, where as Kehkashan made an epic journey all the way from Continue reading Casa Ali ~ March menu + <3 dinner update

Casa Ali ~ culinary treats for spring

Casa Ali supperclub gatherings in southeast London will take place first and third week of each month, four times in a month, on Fridays and Sundays. As you will see below there are some special dates as well. The courses will change according to what is seasonally available and may vary between 5 to 6 courses with a fixed price of £32.

Continue reading Casa Ali ~ culinary treats for spring

Lets call it a Black & White Rice Pudding!

By coincidence, Casa Ali’s first lunch of 2013 and the Chinese New Year, both were on 10th February. A few days before the gathering, I dreamt guests were waiting around as I returned from my grocery shopping. Anxiety dream some would say! I am a good planner though, all was in hand and there was nothing to worry about. The menu was published three weeks in advance and all the dishes were about ready… save the red onion purée I concocted just 24 hours before the event. Continue reading Lets call it a Black & White Rice Pudding!

Casa Ali ~ launch dinner of southeast London supperclub

Having publicised the first Casa Ali supperclub event, butterflies fluttered in my belly. On 13th december as I walked to buy fresh groceries, it was freezing cold and I could not find my gloves for love nor money. A brisk twenty-minute walk to Leslies and back with the heavy bags slung across got my energy going. I was in work mode after that and as the prep got going the butterflies dissipated, cooking took centre stage and the rest just flowed beautifully. Some of the guests knew each other and some were going to share the evening for the first time around my table.

Lentil soup, crisped ginger and toasted seeds — 02

Aubergine, chickpeas and mung sprouts — 03

Black sticky rice pudding, lime, cream and nutmeg — 07

Breaking bread together has an ultimate magic of connecting, however as a host there is always a little ‘what if’ the people don’t click. People arrived mostly on time, however one Continue reading Casa Ali ~ launch dinner of southeast London supperclub

Casa Ali

Casa Ali ~ is a supper club inspired by all those with whom I have broken bread and shared food as a host or as a guest.

Labne with spicy blackberry compote, jerusalem artichoke, poppy seeds, ginger and butternut squash

Red lentils with toasted seeds and infused oil

Nasturtiums, courgette, lamb tongue, goats cheese and black berry salsa

Parsnips , romanesco broccoli and raw sweet peppers

Chicken and salsa with leeks and rose petals

Plantain, beets, sweet red pepper and grapes

Aubergine and yogurt with herbs and spices

Courgette, butter bean, onion, tomato, mozzarella and prawns

Leek, potato, tomato, shallot, chicken heart and cobnut

Plantain, avocado, mangosteen salsa with bitter almond

Plantain, cucumber, avocado, carrot and lettuce salad

Puy lentil with parsley, crisped ginger and sunflower seeds

Butternut squash, celery and sweet red pepper

Plantain, red cabbage, celeriac, carrots and shrimp

Sweet potato, butternut squash, sweet pepper, garlic and shallot

Aubergine, prawns, cheese and almond on wheat cracker

Red lentils, salmon, courgette and mushrooms

Sea grass, carrots, beans, red cabbage, black berries in agar and prawns

Red cabbage, lotus root, mushroom and coriander slasa

Sweet potato, broccoli, mushroom, bean sprout, sweet pepper and grape

Chicken, rice, butternut squash and plantain

Located, south of the river in London, Casa Ali is just 11 minutes by train from London Bridge + a ten minute walk from Norwood Junction. The exact location is a secret (will be given out via e-mail a week in advance of the meal), it adds a little mystery! Continue reading Casa Ali

14 Feb dinner update and gallery

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Casa Ali ~ is a supper club inspired by all those with whom I have broken bread and shared food as a host or as a guest.

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