Franco Manca - Reading, Berkshire {restaurant review}

One of my favorite things about blogging is getting invited to restaurants for openings and reviews! I have been to many over the years some that are just okay and others that are amazing and I have to say that my experience at Franco Manca last week was the latter.

Franco Manca not only has great pizza's, but they have great pizza's at great prices and has a lively atmosphere which is a necessary bonus! We were throughly spoiled with appetisers of various mozzarella balls and meats and before the pizzas came out we were treated to a type of masterclass where we were shown first hand how the pizzas were made!

They make everything on site and use the freshest ingredients. There are only 6 pizzas on the menu and the number 3 changes every so often. They told us that they were planning on adding a 7th pizza soon. So, definitely worth checking out along with their daily specials.

Although the pizza was amazing and the mozzarella and dried/cured meats were delicious I couldn't get enough of the wild garlic pesto; made from wild garlic that the head chefs went and found themselves in Italy it was the best thing of the night! There is a pizza with it dolloped on top and I would suggest if you like pesto to try it!

They didn't leave anything out, we not only talked about wild garlic pesto, but they told us all about how sourdough has natural occurring yeast and therefore is better for your insides. We found out all about how the dough is kneaded and left to rise in wood boxes to help with the moisture before being stretched out and made into pizza! Also how they are cooked in a high temperature oven are baked in something like 58 seconds. 

We also discussed wine and the variety of mozzarella cheese balls! As I said it was a great night filled with great food and great company! If you are visiting the Oracle and in need of food and have a love of pizza at a decent price I would highly recommend Franco Manca!

*I was invited out to visit their press opening event. I was not asked to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. Please see more in my contact/policy page above.

Check out a slideshow of my photos here:

Perfecting Sourdough by Jane Mason {a book review}

Jane Mason has written 3 books on a topic she has a real passion for. Bread. Her latest title, Perfecting Sourdough, was published in May, but her love of sourdough started way before then. A long time ago her friend gave her a very old wheat sourdough starter and a copy of an old American sourdough book.

Each sourdough starter has a story, a history so to speak, and Ms. Mason’s had traveled far and wide. Even though she can’t share her sourdough starter with us, she can teach us how to make our own and in doing so we can begin our very own sourdough story.

How to make a starter isn’t the only thing this book gives us. It gives us the basic knowledge on bread, sourdough, and the ingredients and equipment we need to get started. Then it gives us recipes for Batter Breads, Everyday Rye, Everyday Wheat, Flavoured Wheat, and Sweet Breads and Buns. The book ends with top tips on sourdough and a bit on bread and our health.

Bread has been given a bit of a bad rep in recent times with so many people having gluten intolerances. If you have a sensitivity to bread and you aren’t a coeliac it might be worth having a look at the additives in your bread and in turn having a go at making your own bread. Who doesn't love the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through their home?

I have found myself a jar to get my starter started and can’t wait to share with you how I get on. I especially can’t wait to have a go at making my very own San Francisco Sourdough to make bread bowls with. Along with the Onion and Olive Bread, Rosemary Bread, Cheese and Onion Bread, and Cinnamon Rolls!!

Jane Mason takes the mystery out of sourdough and gives us to it straight that it’s actually a lot easier to make! Especially once you’ve got your starter sorted. Making bread is a very simple idea, but sometimes if it wasn’t proved long enough or under or over kneaded the bread doesn’t turn out just right. These things take experience and practice so don’t give up! Try again. Keep moving forward.

In the words of Jane Mason “Everything is good toasted, even if it’s ugly.”

notes: I was given a copy of Perfecting Sourdough by Jane Mason to review by the publisher, Apple Press. Retails at £14.99 and available now from your local book retailers or online! All opinions are my own, I was not given any other compensation nor was I asked to give a positive review, please see my contact/policy page for more information.