August 2014 Favourites List

The end of August means that school children are trying to squeeze the last bits of fun out of the school holidays whilst their parents frantically try to get things in order in time for September. New school uniforms for kids going up "to the big school", replacing items torn or worn beyond rescue, replacing outgrown bits of kits, all these have to be found in the approved colours and in a size which will allow for a few months worth of growth. Books from the teachers' recommended lists, bought in anticipation of the term to come. New stationery in bright, vibrant colours. The shops are full of Back To School stuff, reminding the children that the end of Summer is on its way.

I have my new diary for the academic year 2014-15. My new students will be arriving next month. I have been doing my resit assessment marking, the very last task at the end of one academic year, before the start of a new year. I am in desperate need of having a clear out of all my out of date materials from the year just ended, and a big tidy up. So I know all about that "back to school" feeling. 

Before we do find ourselves back in the classroom, doing homework, marking and all those things that term






time brings, I hope we will all take a little time to have a breather. A little time to enjoy the sunshine. A walk in the park, a lazy weekend, meeting with friends, an evening out. These are the things that help us refresh ourselves. We need a little refresher before the craziness begins.

This month's pictures are my Summer colour pictures from my Instagram account. I've been learning how to use Instagram this Summer, and have been experimenting. Summer flowers are always a delight, and I love their colour, zest and fun. They are defiant, that despite lasting only the blink of an eye, they will make the most of their time. 

If you want to follow me on Instagram, my handle is snigskitchen.

Recipes:

Summer sunshine means it's cocktail time! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/recipes/10980795/Glorious-Goodwood-cocktail-recipes.html

Henry Dimbleby shares Leon restaurants' Moroccan meatball recipe and talks about how to make perfect meatballs: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jul/18/how-to-make-perfect-meatballs

Tips on how to marinade, which marinades to use with which meats and a 5 herb and garlic marinade recipe from Rachel Phipps for BBQ season: http://www.greatbritishchefs.com/community/5-herb-garlic-barbecue-marinade-recipe

Law student and cooking genius Dewi makes his return after exams to share a vegetarian Harissa spiced lentil salad recipe (egg on top is optional): http://boycancook.wordpress.com/2014/07/05/harissa-spiced-lentil-salad/ 

Ferran Adria, legendary El Bulli chef, shares his Gazpacho recipe: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Gazpacho-367950

Jason Atherton's salads for Summer; crab and asparagus salad with radishes, Avocado, baby gem and sauteed baby carrot salad, Beetroot-cured sea trout with roast beetroot and horseradish cream: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/may/23/summer-salad-recipes-jason-atherton

Pork chop with pears, ginger and lentils by Allegra McEvedy: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1rsDfc9Jp5cphyKgNDFKjnn/cook-the-perfect-pork-chops 

Tony Singh's Satay inspired dish of peanut butter chicken thighs with caramelised nuts and steamed rice:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/peanut_butter_chicken_63146

3 vegetarian bruschetta ideas: http://thomasvinicombe.co.uk/2014/06/14/bruschetta-3-ways/

London Unattached's Fiona McLean's tasty tuna for the 5:2 diet: http://www.london-unattached.com/2014/08/healthy-grilled-tuna-5-2-diet/

Summer juice recipes: http://www.today.com/food/summer-juices-quench-your-thirst-1D79996681

Three part salad masterclass from Leon's Henry Dimbleby.

Part 1: 7 Salad dressing recipes: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jul/25/how-to-make-salad-dressing-recipes-henry-dimbleby

Part 2: Warm salads, what makes a great cooked salad:  http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/aug/01/warm-salad-recipes-beetroot-carrot-henry-dimbleby

Part 3: How to put quinoa, bulgur and rice to good use in a healthy salad:  http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/aug/08/grain-salad-recipe-quinoa-rice-bulgur-jackson-pollock

Final Destination & Heroes actor Ali Larter gives her blueberry crumble recipe: http://www.today.com/food/ali-larter-shares-her-blueberry-crumble-recipe-summer-favorite-today-1D80027599

Pad Thai from Mimi Aye's book on noodle dishes: http://www.live.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3DxTv6pC9vq0zrP22H8pyJL/pad-thai-noodles

Articles/Know How:

What I eat or don't eat, my size and body shape are none of your business. Shocking stories of women being confronted by strangers for something so simple as actually enjoying food.

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/womens-blog/2014/jul/24/women-meal-choices-control-female-bodies-food-policing

Ooops! A reminder of how to behave when eating out: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/features/put-your-phone-away-at-the-dinner-table-lets-return-to-the-golden-era-of-good-manners-9592704.html

Tim Ho Wan is the cheapest Michelin starred restaurant in the world, serving up affordable Dim Sum. Shame it's all the way in Hong Kong! http://lisaeatsworld.com/2014/08/17/tim-ho-wan-the-cheapest-michelin-starred-restaurant-in-the-world/

Film:

Divergent

TV:

The Joy Of The Guitar Riff

Music:

Jessie Ware - Devotion

The Lilac Time - lilac6

Jackson C Frank - Jackson C Frank

Please note: as with every monthly Favourites List, all of these items have been selected by me simply because I love them. I do not receive any money, benefits in kind or other incentive for posting these links or recommendations.