January 2015 Favourites List

Brrr! I am writing this post wrapped up as warmly as I can manage. My boots have some extra space in them (I always try to buy them that way), allowing for double sockage. When the going gets tough. the Snigdha wears at least two pairs of socks!

Things were so different for me just a matter of weeks ago! I was in Penang, wandering around Georgetown, enjoying the street food and street art. 

This month's pictures are from that trip, and were taken in the "Khoo Kongsi" in Georgetown. 

Many Chinese migrants came to live and work in Penang in the days of Empire. To assist them with settling in and getting established, they set up "clan houses" where people who came from the same region of China with the same family name (surname) could live and find support. These clans, by their hard work, prospered, and they reinvested in their clan houses. The Khoos were particularly successful, and the Khoo Kongsi is a celebration of their financial success and their devotion to their faith and culture. It's a gorgeous building and shows exactly why the historic centre of Georgetown is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. 

Recipes:

Tibetan dumplings, chicken momos. http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/chicken-momos/

A purple inspired whole grain recipe by Sarah of Maison Cupcake, Freekeh and beetroot salad: http://maisoncupcake.com/beetroot-salad-with-freekeh-whole-grains-recipe/ 

Columbian style braised beef. Slow cooked meaty heaven by the brilliant Kavita (aka Kavey): http://www.kaveyeats.com/2014/12/colombian-cartagena-braised-beef.html

Roasted Butternut Squash and Chorizo Soup: http://howtobeagourmand.com/roasted-butternut-squash-and-chorizo-soup/

Anyone up for a 100 year old curry recipe? Victorian curry recipe unearthed. What are your views? My thanks to Karin Struyk for bringing to my attention!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-30718727

Nigel Slater’s tuna with miso, edamame and wasabi recipe, a quick and tasty fish supper for midweek nights: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/dec/02/nigel-slater-tuna-with-miso-edamame-and-wasabi

10 mins prep, 40 mins to cook, a weekday freezer recipe for casserole: http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/quick-lamb-and-chickpea-casserole

Vegetarian Chilli with sweet potato and kale. Warming, satisfying and inexpensive! http://wallflowergirl.co.uk/sweet-potato-kale-chilli/

Roasted "curried" carrot salad. Or, as I am thinking, an alternative accompaniment to the Sunday Roast.
http://www.thekitchykitchen.com/?recipes=/roasted-curried-carrot-salad-with-raisins-and-pine-nuts/

Articles/Know How:

If "detoxing" is... well.... a load of bollocks.... then what can we do to get healthy? http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/dec/05/detox-myth-health-diet-science-ignorance

Fay Maschler's round up of London's best curry restaurants. A brilliant and varied selection. My thanks to Kavita of Kavey Eats blog for bringing it to my attention!
http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/restaurants/keep-calm-and-curry-on-londons-best-indian-restaurants-9982343.html

What you may have missed at Snig's Kitchen:

Penang's street food demystified by my hosts at Chulia Mansion: http://snigskitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/mini-hawkers-affair-chulia-mansion.html

Come facette mammeta (like mother makes) or How to cook like a Neapolitan Mamma! (guest post by Linda Poulnott): http://snigskitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/come-facette-mammeta-guest-post-by.html

Risotto with mixed (fresh) mushrooms, second Guest Post by Linda Poulnott: http://snigskitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/risotto-con-funghi-misti-guest-post-by.html

Film:

Get On Up

The Book Of Life

A Walk Among The Tombstones

TV:

The Sounds of The Eighties

BBC 4 Sessions: The Great American Songbook

Synth Brittania

Music:

Atoms For Peace - Amok

Depeche Mode - Black Celebration

Nitin Sawhney - Beyond Skin

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.