Peppercorn Pizzas are on Sale!

Tomorrow at 5pm our pizzas go on sale! We have opted for a 9" pizza; a good size for a child's supper and not too big for someone with a larger appetite to enjoy two (which also means the possibility of different toppings in one meal!). Jenni, Ollie, Emily and I have been experimenting with bases and toppings over the last couple of weeks, and we are extremely pleased with the results. Our bases are crispy thin with a hint of fennel, our tomato base is rich and lightly spiced, and we've decided on four toppings for now:

• a classic Margherita
  
• roasted aubergine and garlic
  
• prawn, rocket and chilli
  
• lamb with red onion and 'Boharat' (one of our favourite spice blends that includes nutmeg and rose petals – don't be afraid it is truly delicious)
  

We have had a go at developing a gluten-free pizza base but, to be honest, with little success – any recipes/advice most welcome. We hope that we've kept the pizza menu reasonable with prices starting at £5.50.

In our last blog entry we said that corkage would be charged at £3 per bottle, but on reflection we felt that this was a bit steep so have settled on beers at 50p and wine at £1. As previously stated, soft drinks and hot drinks will be available to buy, and you can also finish your meal with a slice of cake from our wide selection. Do come down to enjoy pizzas at the café, or take them away to enjoy elsewhere!

On a sweet treat note, our meringues are back to being light and crispy – goodness knows what the problem was but it seems to have resolved itself (I suspect that it has something to do with me not making them anymore but leaving them to Jenni and Amy).

Inspired by the blustery weather our specials menu this week has included our trusted Lebanese tomato soup and a flavoursome pea & ham soup with minted cream. However, we are convinced that summer will be back and so (thanks to Jenny at Toppers Too giving us the marrows) we've reintroduced marrow schnitzel with marinated olives and feta. The sun will shine again soon, preferably by Wednesday when Jenni and I hoping to enjoy a performance of Madam Butterfly at the Minack.

It's lovely to have Amy, Izzy and Becca back at Peppercorn even if they have been parading around the south of France (Amy & Izzy) and Valencia (Becca) drinking fine wines and feasting on mussels and squid!

Summer Holidays and Peppercorn Pizzas

The sun is high, the weather is sweet (-ish), the holidays are here and Peppercorn Kitchen Café is proud and excited to announce that from Monday 18^th July we will be open until 7pm. So, if you fancy picking up a bite to eat and to take a sip of something South African and chilled after a day at the beach, or you sense the need to feed sleepy children quickly then get them home for bath and bed then we are the place to be. Our regular menu with our tantalising specials will run from 9am – 4.30pm as usual, and then between the hours of 5pm – 7pm our Peppercorn Pizza menu will take over (topping, size and price details to follow). You can bring your own wine (corkage £3 per bottle) or you can buy soft drinks, hot drinks, puddings and cakes from us.

Summer is definitely reflected in our menu of the moment. Currently on offer we have a refreshing green salad with watermelon and feta as well as a halloumi and nectarine salad with a light chilli dressing. Seafood has really taken off with our fragrant Thai crabcakes, pan-fried local mackerel with gooseberry compote along with our fish Provençale (pollock caught in Perran). Our puddings are light and airy with the still popular 'Summer in a Glass' as well as a new addition, white chocolate and basil mousse (we sold out today so will be making more tomorrow –get them while you can!). We are having a slight setting problem with our meringues probably caused by us using a different lining for the trays – we'll be back to the usual silicone paper and will let you know the results!

We would like to mention the arrival of what must be a record for the youngest customer – two hour old baby Margaret with proud parents came to the café one soft summer morning last week to enjoy the peace of the village with a reviving smoothie (for Margaret's mum) in our picnic garden. Congratulations and we hope to see you back again soon!