My Perfect Smashed Avocado Recipe

It's been a phenomenal year or so for the humble avocado. You can't go into any cafe, restaurant or coffee shop now without assessing the smashed avo options, and to serve poached eggs without it is quite frankly a crime.

It's my absolute go-to brunch option and a frequent weekend favourite. If I'm not eating out for brunch, recreating a delicious smashed avocado dish at home is something I love doing.

Here's my go-to smashed avo recipe that's sure to live up to your fave independent coffee shop standard!

(Serves two)

- 1 large avocado, ripened
- Freshly squeezed juice from 1/2 lemon
- Sprinkle of large rocksalt
- Sprinkle of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Sprinkle of Sumac, to top

Cut your avo, scooping out the stone. Make sure you spoon out all the flesh near the skin too. Using a knife and fork, chop and cut your avocado in a bowl until it's been broken down into small pieces. Using the back of your fork, mash your avocado.

Squeeze in your lemon juice and mash this into your avocado. Add the salt, paprika (it's important to used smoked paprika here, as it gives a really nice smoky taste) and pepper and continue to mix.

Once mixed, top with your sumac and scoop out onto your plate.

Top with a toasted, buttered bagel and two poached eggs. Breakfast goals everyday...

#LesMillsLive

Last Saturday Sophia and I were invited to the Les Mills Live convention in Manchester. It was one of those events that came round really quickly and I hadn't had too much time to think about it, so when Sophia sent through the workout schedule and asked which classes I wanted to go to, I didn't know where to start - the classes ran from 10am - 6.30pm!

I hadn't realised just how much of a cult there is around Les Mills. My gym offers their classes, so I'd done a couple of GRIT classes before, and when we were away on our little blogger weekend a few months ago, Sophie & I were asked to come along and try the local Les Mills Body Balance class - where I'd mused that the thought of the same class being taught all over the world on the same day was a really nice idea.

Les Mills Live then, a global fitness festival, was the perfect way to be immersed head first into what the movement is all about. Picture a huuuuge convention space, thousands of people in lycra, really loud music and lots and lots of squat jumps. I was in my actual element!

Soph and I were whisked quickly upstairs to get changed before being ushered into a GRIT strength class, with what seemed like a hundred other people. What struck us both (as we sweated profusely through bent over rows and squat presses), was that there were soo many people in the room who knew all the moves. Before our instructors could shout them out, people were doing press ups and onto the next before we'd even dropped  to the floor.

The class was great, and truly got us in the Les Mills zone.

Pic: Sophia Hall

I loved that there was a real mix of men and women at the festival. I'd say it leaned towards there being more females there but there was a huge guy presence too, which was really nice to see such an encompassing movement that appeals equally to women and men.

What also struck me was the varying ages of people there. Girls in groups, mums out with other mum friends, loads of lads and older blokes - the day was for everyone. It really felt like a big community. The international element struck a chord too, with American, Australian and English accents.

After walking around some more and a quick coffee stop, we braved it to the front of Sprint - a 30 min cycle class that mixes speed, power and strength exercises on the bike. It. was. touuugh. Really really sweaty, but I was totally pumped for it - the music was great and everyone was buzzing!

pic:Sophia Hall

They've also just teamed up with Reebok to launch a lush new activewear collection - which Reebok very kindly gave to us so we could blend in at the event!

My top is a deep berry with 'leave them speechless' emblazoned in purple and gold lettering, and the leggings are reversible (I later found out); black on one side, with Les Mills in white writing, and a rainbow of black, berry, red and yellow on the other side - very power hour! I'm also being sent some gorgeous trainers too, and can't wait to get them on.

I had such a great day, and it completely encompassed one thing I love most about fitness movements - the sense of community and togetherness. It was totally uplifting - so thanks so much to Reebok & Les Mills for letting me be a part of it!

Pic: Sophia Hall

Asian Spiced Pork

I'm absolutely in love with this dish. It's soo tasty, packed full of gentle spice and delicious flavours. It's a great go-to meal now the night's are drawing in, and so simple to cook - you only need one pan!

Whenever I make this I always batch cook so that there's at least four or five portions worth, so it's perfect to make for the week ahead.

To make, you'll need:

• 500g lean pork mince (I use 5%)
• 1 large red onion, sliced finely into small pieces
• 4 big carrots, diced into small cubes 
• 1 courgette, diced into pieces
• 1 glove garlic, crushed
• 4 tablespoons tamarind sauce
• 4 tablespoons fish sauce
• 3 tablespoons reduced salt soy sauce 
• 2 tablespoons garam masala 
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• Black pepper, to season

Chop all your veg into tiny chunks. Heat a large frying pan with the sesame oil and add your onion and garlic. It should start to smell amazing. After the onions have turned a golden brown, add your carrots and courgette. Sprinkle over the garam masala, stirring so all the veg is covered. 

Next, add your pork and break up the mince. Let everything mix together for five minutes, then add the tamarind sauce, coating all the ingredients. After this, add the fish sauce and soy sauce and again, stir thoroughly. 

Pop the heat on a medium level and cook for a further 15 minutes until the pork is cooked through.

Serve, and enjoy!

The other great little thing about this is its versatility - it goes with so much. I like it simply with warm rice, but black beans would go really well for a bit of a 'taco' feel. It's also great in a wrap with iceberg lettuce, or on its own with a simple green salad.

Sunday @ Altrincham Market

You've probably already been to Altrincham Market. Needless to say, I'm a little late to the party. I'd been hearing good things for months but couldn't seem to find the time to fit in a visit, and I'd seen so many Instagram posts about the place I almost felt like I'd been..

So last Sunday after a cheeky river run, we made our way down to enjoy the markets in all their glory - they are so lovely! The whole place has a really village-y feel, and it was buzzing. It made it even better that the sun was shining, so each market stall just looked even more appealing (got to love the sun for that).

I was craving pizza so we ambled over to Honest Crust (I've never had their pizzas before but again had heard good things). I can't remember the name of the pizza I went for but know it had fresh tomato sauce with mozzarella and lots of nduja - my fave, and James ordered the Salami pizza; topped with fresh basil and mozzarella too.

I think this picture sums it up pretty well. How good does it look? It was insane.

Even the crusts on their own were delicious; warm, soft, chewy dough. Honest Crust only uses flour, water and salt in their dough, and sources all ingredients from small scale British suppliers - thumbs up from me.

We were really impressed with the portion sizes - I was expecting an 'artisan' sized portion (i.e. not very big), but the eight slices we got were absolutely ample; I couldn't finish mine (much to James's delight), which is pretty much unheard of for me and pizza.

There was live music right in front of us, which is always a winner in my eyes.

James opted for a pint, whilst I had a lovely, creamy cappuccino from the Chorlton based passion fruit coffee roasters. It was an ideal little pick me up for the afternoon. FYI if you're in Chorlton, they have a really great cafe called Barbecue, you should check it out.

We also took home a chocolate brownie to share from a stall that I unfortunately didn't catch the name of, which is annoying as it was so good. Gooey, sticky and really fudgey, you know the type.

I love the fact it's not just open on weekends. It runs Tuesday through to Sunday (it's closed on Wednesday) and each day has a different focus, with the weekend editions combining as many stalls as possible. Tuesday is grocery day - meat, fish, fruit, veg, local delicacies, cakes, smoothies etc. Thursday is 'thrifts and antiques', and fresh fish. Friday houses the farmer's market, and flea market every third one of the month. Saturday is a mish mash of the best of everything...

On Sundays the market rotates on a weekly basis so each week there's a different focus - the first Sunday of the month is design, then there's food (there's food all month round FYI), then vintage, then crafts. We went on a craft week, and I can't tell you how sad I was that it was the week before payday as I literally wanted *SO MANY* pieces of jewellery and homeware.

As well as being yummy mummy heaven, there were groups of friends catching up over wine and pizza, hangovers being soothed by coffee and couples eating crepes - basically, it's a great place, whatever your age.

I'm already itching to go back, and can't believe it took me so long to go in the first place!