Dear Diary: 09/04/1999 (aged 14)

Didn't do anything until 6 when I went all the way over to Selina's just to get ready for Nina's party (which was excellent by the way). Rachel was the murderer. She was really showing off. She won't stop talking about Michael and James.

Dear Diary: 07/04/1999 (aged 14)

Today was Chessington. Which was good although we had to wait ages in the queues. We went on Samurai, the new ride - v. good. Later was Legends. Catherine and Rachel got off with Paul and Nigel (Rachel's 1st time!). This gay bloke kept staring at me then I got asked to dance by this disgusting boy with his collar up. Basically it was boring!

Dear Diary: 05/04/1999 (aged 14)

Today we went to Sutton 2 get our passport photos done. Lisa was such a cow + her comebacks R awful. I got a navy skirt 4 Legends. Rachel phoned, she loves a boy called Michael. She saw Rich + Billie in Bournemouth. I begged Mum to let me have a 3rd hole but she said not 4 a while. Not fair! 2morrow ice skating!

Recipe: Moroccan Tagine

This is a much simpler version of to Antony Worrall Thompson's BBC recipe which replaces lamb with vegetables. This is such a delicious Sunday dinner and will serve 4 or keep in the fridge all week.

Ingredients:

2 tsp ground pepper

1½ tbsp paprika

1½ tbsp ground ginger

1 tbsp turmeric

2 tsp ground cinnamon

One handful of sultanas or raisins

One handful dried apricots, chopped roughly

1 onion, finely chopped

3 cloves of garlic, crushed and chopped

1 can chickpeas

1 courgette, chopped into 1 inch pieces

Half a butternut squash, chopped into 1 inch pieces

1 can chopped tomatoes

200ml stock (vegetable, chicken or lamb all fine)

Large handful chopped coriander

3 tbsp clear honey

1. Mix the spices together. Sprinkle half over the butternut squash and courgetter and retain the other half

2. Fry the onion gently in olive oil until soft (do not brown). Add the remaining spices and stir

3. Add the garlic, butternut squash and courgettes and fry on a medium heat until the veggies have warmed through and are beginning to brown

4. Add the fruits, chickpeas, chopped tomatoes, stock and honey and bring to a simmer

5. Cover the pan/wok with lid or foil and simmer for half an hour, until the butternut squash is cooked through

6. Uncover and simmer for a further 10 minutes to reduce the liquid

7. Serve with couscous prepared to your liking (I add lime zest and coriander). Garnish with plenty of coriander

Top Ten Perfumes (w/c 10/05/1999)

1. Tommy Girl
2. Eternity
3. Fetish
4. Exclamation
5. Adidas Womans
6. So...?
7. CK One
8. CK Be
9. Quiddity
10. Hugo Woman

Fave places in London: Franco Manca

In normal circumstances I would wholeheartedly recommend this place BUT I don't want it to get any more popular, so yeeuugh - stay away! These fresh and lovely pizzas and made with slow-risen sourdough and local ingredients.

Gorge gorge gorge gorge gorge.

After 2.5 years in Brixton, I finally braved the queue (on my birthday, no less) at around 1pm and it was worth the wait!

The queue moves very quickly and the dude in charge is aaall over the table situation. We were given a menu to look at while we waited, which was great as it was a really difficult choice!

The fact that they have about 8 choices, with a couple of specials on the board is a testament to how uncomplicated but 'fresh' this restaurant is.

I had the ham and wild mushroom which was heavely. My sister had the chorizo/meaty one - she did comment that 'it's a bit too much chorizo for this time of the day', but this is my review, not hers :-)

Dear Diary: 09/05/1999 (aged 14)

It's only 2.15. I've got a headache. Got up at 10.30 for Church. I can't believe Selina and Danielle were smoking. Lisa's back from Devon. There's this really good programme on T4 called Real World. I'm glad SATs are over.

Fave places in London: Lamb & Flag Pub

It's tucked away but signposted, and is a really lovely, authentic historic pub, right in the heart of Covent Garden but within easy reach of Leicester Square/Strand.

There is a large selection of ales (although I went for a Simmons cider) and plenty of standing room out the front for the summer time. Upstairs there is a large area of tables/booths and chairs and I BELIEVE they serve food - the ketchup bottles on the table were an indicator - although I haven't eaten there yet.

This pub is VERY popular with Thursday/Friday after work drinkers and the very narrow bar area can feel very tight. I was last there last night (Monday), and it was absolutely fine.

My only real gripe is the harsh, bright lighting upstairs. I came for a relaxing drink and catch up with a friend so we sat upstairs, but the lights are as bright as a toilet cubicle which just made it feel a little less 'chilled'.

Other than that, a very endearing place.

Recipe: Coconut Fish Curry

I saw this on Saturday Cookbook and thought it looked  easy and delicious so decided to recreate it. It tasted so good, I had to share it!



Serves 3/4

Ingredients:
Enough white fish for three people (cod, sea bass, monkfish), skinned, deboned and cut into 1 inch pieces
1 onion, sliced
1 chilli, chopped
Thumb sized piece of ginger, grated
2 tbsp tumeric
2 tbsp tamarid paste
1 lime
Handful of coriander, chopped

1. Sprinkle fish with tumeric, set to one side
2. Fry onions gently until soft and coloured
3. Add chilli, ginger, coconut milk and tamarind, bring to the boil and add the fish
4. Turn down heat and simmer for a couple of minutes until fish is cooked through and flakes apart
5. Serve with rice and a wedge of lime, sprinkle generously with coriander

Dear Diary: 08/05/1999 (aged 14)

I was tired this morning from Lisas Ninas Lucys party. It was good. Party was good. Selina + Danielle were smoking. Catherine got off with 2 boys. Danielle with 2. Nina with 1. Katie B with 1.