Pancake Day Recipes
By Les 100 Ciels Team • March 1, 2019 • EVENTS, INSPIRATION
Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day, is upon us and we are really excited to get our frying pans out and have pancake flipping sessions around the kitchen! It's the one day in the year where no one can judge you for eating an entire stack for breakfast…. we think. Historically speaking, Shrove Tuesday was the last day to use up eggs and fats before the fasting for Lent began (40 days before Easter). This year we will be celebrating the day with sweet and savoury options, varying from crêpes to American-style pancakes, plus a variety of delicious toppings!
Sugar & Lemon crêpes
Butter, lemon and sugar, to serve
Sift the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the centre of the bowl and add the egg, some melted butter and milk. Whisk the ingredients all together to form a thin batter. Heat a small frying pan and add some butter to prevent the mixture from sticking. Pour in the batter and cook at medium heat for one or two minutes, flipping the crêpes with a spatula to make it cook on both sides. Once placed on a plate, sprinkle with sugar and lemon juice.
Spinach and Courgette crêpes
220g buckwheat flour
1 tbsp melted coconut oil, plus extra for frying
1 large courgette, grated
1 fennel, sliced
400g tinned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 tbsp tahini
Starting with the fillings, drain the chickpeas and add the tahini sauce, olive oil and salt, mix to create a mixture. Separately, bake the fennels for 30-40 minutes, till tender and crisp. To make the pancake batter, add all the remaining ingredients to a bowl, and blend on a high speed. In a small pan, add coconut oil, and gently drop in the mixture. Cook for a few minutes on each side. Once on a plate, add the chickpea mixture, the fennel seeds and the avocado, and serve with a sprinkle of olive oil and pepper.
Ricotta Pancakes with Blueberry Sauce
1 cup ricotta
squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons lemon zest
For the Blueberry sauce
1/2 tablespoons squeezed lemon juice
Starting with the filling, pour the frozen blueberries in a pot with some water. Once defrosted, add the sugar and mix until it gets smooth and thick. Leave on a side. To make the pancake batter, drop in a bowl all the ingredients, including the ricotta and blend at a high speed. Take a small pan, add some oil, and gently drop in the mixture. Cook for a few minutes on each side. Once placed on a plate, add the remaining fresh ricotta and the warm blueberry compote. Serve immediately.
Quinoa Pancakes with Bacon and Maple Syrup
1 X 250g Quinoa
2 tsps lime zest
8 – 12 rashers of streaky bacon
Add eggs, flour, baking powder to a bowl and whisk together until smooth. Heat your quinoa in the microwave and then add it to the mixture together with the sugar, butter, lime and vanilla. Leave it to rest for 1 hour. Take a small pan, add some oil, and gently add in the mixture. Cook for a few minutes on each side. Then set aside and fry the bacon until crisp. Serve with the pancakes and maple syrup.
We have willingly tested all these recipes, and they simply taste delicious! Pancakes are the perfect dish to bring together friends and family… and if you have some leftovers, wrap them up and make a long day at the office a little more endurable.
Winter Reads
Easy Gift Wrapping ideas
Three Books to inspire your New Year
By Les 100 Ciels Team • January 11, 2019 • Editor's Picks, INSPIRATION
With a New Year starting, it's inevitable to remember all the things we wanted to but didn't get around to achieving in the previous year. Remember when you planned to eat healthier and do more exercise? Or learn French? We all know that resolutions are tough to stick to, that's why we made a selection of our most loved books to inspire you in 2019! From motivational books with goal setting advice to how to change your life habits for the better, we have rounded up 3 must-reads to stimulate you this year.
Wear no Evil – Greta Eagan
Why not start the New Year with a more sustainable approach? Sustainable fashion has grown fast in the last few years and as a brand we deeply support this practice. This new book, titled, "Wear no Evil" is written by Greta Eagan, a New York based eco-stylist, who has provided us with a useful guide to navigate this important area of the fashion industry. As well as being an educational read, the book is a guideline for all fashion lovers who want to dress ethically and still look glamorous. We loved this book, as it offers valuable insights into alternative and more eco-friendly materials, consumer empowerment and ideas on how to be more commercially transparent. It also signposts a number of sustainable brands who are acting as role models and examples of how we can shape the future of eco-fashion in a millennials market.
"Greta Eagan has ignited the beginning of a movement towards more conscious and honest fashion where what you wear surpasses aesthetic, and is elevated to an action that enforces good commercial practices and ethics." – Savant Magazine
Becoming – Michelle Obama
Is January synonymous with new challenges, new jobs or a new life stage for you? If the answer is yes, then you will want to read "Becoming." The debut novel of Michelle Obama, speaks eloquently and passionately about strength and change, giving readers an insight into the ex First Lady's life- from a childhood growing up in a one bedroom flat in the South Side of Chicago, to her arrival at the White House and the political tensions felt during those years. This book is a revelation we didn't know we needed, not because of any obscure stories we may have always wondered about, but because her honesty in speaking about her career, and the hopes and dreams she was carrying for herself and her country, are ones we can all identify with and draw encouragement from.
Who says you can't? You do. – Daniel Chidiac
The start of a New Year should be a time for self-care and a focus on wellbeing. This book is an excellent self-help book that will give readers a platform to take a deeper look into their life. How many of us often live a moment or an entire phase of our life where we don't feel any kind of enjoyment or fulfilment? Daniel Chidiac's book supports you to begin the journey to the life you deserve and reflect on how to re-direct your energy in a positive way.
"We can have all the knowledge in the world, have ten university degrees, travelled the globe, or know how to speak five different languages, but if we don't have true knowledge of ourselves, we will never create the life we want." – Daniel Chidiac
We hope these books will help you grab 2019 with all the energy and spirit in you! Go for it!
Les 100 Ciels X M2M
By Les 100 Ciels Team • November 30, 2018 • BEHIND THE SCENES, EVENTS
This season we are proud to support Mothers to Mothers (m2m), an International non-profit organization focusing on bolstering African healthcare systems, while delivering empowerment opportunities for women. From their launch in Cape Town, South Africa in 2001, m2m have developed to address the causes and effects of HIV, delivering benefits at almost all stages of life. m2m employ, train and help to empower HIV-positive women as community health workers. These "Mentor Mothers" work in local communities, supporting understaffed health facilities to ensure that women and their families get the health advice and medication they need and are supported on their treatment journey.
In support of their work, we at Les 100 Ciels have committed to donate the profits of the sales of our Kasia 100% Cashmere jumper to the m2m cause. As part of this commitment, we organised a workshop in collaboration with The Yard Café in London, inviting the members of the Mama Club and our customers, to join together to take part in an embroidery class and awareness raising talk. The aim of this event was to support a good cause and build awareness of m2m amongst our customers and the general public.
With the help of a sewing tutor, we have created about 20 embroideries, inspired by the m2m logo, which will then be pressed on our Kasia jumpers and sold in store.
We want to provide our customers with more information about worldwide issues, while offering the best products with the highest quality. We hope to not only help less advantaged people to have better living conditions, but also to share the message that there is so much we can do as a brand and individuals. If you would like to give a thoughtful gift this year and contribute to a good cause, you can find the Les 100 Ciels X m2m jumpers online and in our St. Christopher's Place store!
Les 100 Ciels X Sally Lane Jewellery
The Barbican Centre Photoshoot
Explore: St Christopher's Place
When Style meets Recipe – Winter season
By Les 100 Ciels Team • October 24, 2018 • INSPIRATION
The intersection of colour, taste, texture and fabrics.
Fashion has always been a source of beauty, aesthetics and craftsmanship, and a natural extension of this is the sculptural and artistic forms that can food can take. Just like fashion, culinary trends develop season after season, with new colours, shades and textures. And just like a white shirt can be classic and timeless many dishes are go-to meals that are comforting, delicious or even evocative of childhood.
This week, we explore this union of style and food and bring together some of our most loved Winter styles with a selection of fresh and easy-to-cook recipes for the upcoming winter and christmas period! Let us know what you think!
Petra Chunky Cashmere Roll Neck
Inspiring our
Warming pumpkin soup with chickpea and salvia sage topping
Instructions: Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook the leek, stirring, for 5 minutes or until soft. Add the garlic, oregano and if preferred some chilli powder. Cook for 30 seconds or until aromatic. Then bring your pot to boil, add the stock, pumpkin and the chickpeas. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender. For a nice creamy soup, blend the pumpkin mixture until smooth. Top with sour cream and sprinkle with salvia for a perfect finish!
Jordan Pink Colour Block Jumper
Gravad lax- Cured Beetroot and Salmon
Instructions: Blitz the beetroots, orange, lemon zest and berries in a food processor until you get a fairly smooth paste. Transfer this to a bowl and stir in the rock salt and sugar. Pour in the gin and give it a good mix. Lay the side of salmon skin-side down on a large baking tray and slowly pour over the beetroot cure with a spatula. Wrap the salmon in a double layer of greaseproof paper then wrap it tightly with cling film and place it in the fridge for 24 hours.
The next day, take the salmon out of the fridge and carefully unwrap it so you can rinse off the cure. Wash it with some cold water. For the second herb cure, mix together the chopped herbs and gin then slather it onto the salmon using your hands. Wrap it again with a double layer of greaseproof paper, then a tight layer of cling film. Pop the salmon back in the fridge for another 24 hours.
The next day your salmon will be perfectly cured and ready to eat. Simply slice the salmon as finely as you can and serve it cold! Delicious!
Arancia Long Line Cashmere Cardigan
Peach and Blueberry Tart
Instructions: Roll your pastry out. Using a sharp knife, score the dough to form a 1-inch border. Sprinkle the border with 1 tablespoon coarse sugar. Refrigerate for 10 minutes then bake for 10-15 minutes or until pastry is puffed up and golden brown. In the meantime, in a large bowl, gently toss peach slices and blueberries with 1 tablespoon flour and the remaining 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and salt. Use another bowl to whip together the softened cream cheese and the sugar using a hand mixer on medium speed. Gently spread the cream cheese in a thin layer over crust inside border. Top the crust with fruit mixture and arrange as desired. Bake until fruit is tender, about 15-20 minutes. In a small bowl, vigorously stir together apricot preserves and water until thinned. Brush crust and fruit with preserves. Return to oven 1-2 minutes until lightly caramelized. You can serve this delicious tart warm or at room temperature.
Alise Loose Camel Jumper
Scrumptious Banana Bread
Instructions: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), and butter a 4×8 inch bread pan. In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until completely smooth. Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas. Then add in the baking soda and salt. Stir in the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Mix in the flour. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour at 350°F (175°C). Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for a few minutes, then remove the banana bread from the pan and let it cool completely. Slice and serve!
In conversation with Morgan McFie
By Les 100 Ciels Team • October 12, 2018 • BEHIND THE SCENES, INSPIRATION
This week Les 100 Ciels met Morgan McFie, a contemporary abstract artist based in Barnes. Morgan's paintings are intuitive, fluid and full of texture, taking inspiration from aerial perspectives of natural landscapes. Read more to learn the intricate and fascinating process of giving life to a canvas.
Where and how did you learn your craft?
I have always loved being creative and painting. I nearly did an art degree, but chose the safe route of doing a business degree at the end. After university, I wanted to get back to being creative so started painting again in my spare time. Things really changed when I moved to New Zealand for a year and was hugely inspired by the art scene in Australia and New Zealand where artists use bright and bold colours. I began experimenting with abstract fluid techniques and then once I started using resin I felt like I'd found my style.
Your latest art pieces are beautiful. What inspires your art?
I find aerial perspectives of coastlines and estuaries really beautiful and I look to try and capture the movement and subtlety of tones in my paintings. I find traveling also hugely inspiring and recently found lots of inspiration after a trip to Bali.
What materials do you use?
For my work I mainly prefer to use resin, pigments, acrylic paints. Resin is such an incredible material and creates depth to the painting and cures with a glass-like finish making the painting very reflective. I love adding touches of gold pigment which creates a fine shimmer and different texture to the surface when the painting catches the light.
How has your work evolved since your first commission?
So much so! One of the things I love about resin is that it is a very volatile material, so initially I was meticulously planning the composition of each piece, but then was thrown when the resin didn't move as I expected or the colour pigments shifted as it cured. As I have become more experienced, I've learnt to go with the flow and let the painting evolve in front of me. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but when it works well the paintings often turn out far better than I could have planned.
Can you describe your workspace? Where do you like to work?
I work from a home studio in Barnes. One of my walls are covered in photos and they are my main source of inspiration, along with an endless stash of acrylic paints and my equipment. I tend to base myself wherever there is the best light at home that day.
Describe briefly the process of making your paintings…
I start by creating a mood board of images that inspire me – it could be shapes, colour combinations or textures. I sand and prime the boards and then mix the resin and pigments. Resin is fluid and has about one hour working time which really motivates me and I go into a state of flow. I pour the resin and use gravity and a blowtorch to change the viscosity of the resin which alters how it moves across the board. Each layer of resin cures over 24 hours and I finish the piece by painting the edges for a clean finish.
What would you like to achieve in the near future?
I would love to sell internationally, start a print range and collaborate with other artists.
What is a common misconception about your art?
Lots of people mistake the resin for ceramics or glass as the finish is so glossy and reflective.
If you could visit anywhere in the world where would that be?
There are so many countries I would love to travel, but Sri Lanka has been at the top of my list for a while now. The food, the jungles, the mountains and the surfing culture all massively appeal to me.
The Les 100 Ciels team are always looking for like-minded people to collaborate with and we were so excited to discover Morgan McFie! Her abstract art is inspiring and beautiful and her passion for what she does is evident in every piece. A range of Morgan McFie products is available in our St Christopher's Place store in Marylebone. We highly recommend viewing Morgan's art in person to fully grasp the depth and intricacy of the pieces.
L100C Listen: Dean Lewis
By Les 100 Ciels Team • September 28, 2018 • Editor's Picks, INSPIRATION
Are you looking for new music releases or a different kind of sound?
We are excited to share with you the music that we love at Les 100 Ciels and our edit of new artists we are currently listening to. Feel a part of the Les 100 Ciels community with a selection of the best tunes played at our stores, and be able to listen to them whenever you want and wherever you are!
Ease into the new season with our new favourite artist, Dean Lewis. Five-time ARIA Award nominee, Lewis is an Australian singer-songwriter from Sydney best known for his debut single "Waves." By the end of 2018 Lewis' newly released single "Be Alright," reached number one in Australia and was certified platinum within four weeks of release. The lyrics of this talented musician are beautiful so be sure to add his music to your playlist and don't miss his next studio album expected in 2019!
Lose my mind
Need you now
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