February 2016 Favourites List

This month's pictures are from Boulders Beach, in the suburbs of Cape Town. The seaside is nice here, but it isn’t the main draw…. That accolade goes to the super cute and adorable African penguins. Protected citizens, penguins rule the roost here at Boulders!

Buses and car loads of people make their way here to admire and coo at the dapper little fellas. They have an irresistible charm. They display unique personalities as you watch them interact with each other.

Whatever mood you arrive here with, you find yourself uplifted, a big smile on your face after communing with these beautiful creatures. Spending time with them will relieve you of your cares, and fill you with the joy of living!

I hope you enjoy the pictures… now for my monthly selection of cool stuff!

Recipes:

As hoppers are about to become the "It" food in London this year, here is how to make your own! http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Hoppers

Poached chicken with crunchy vegetables and herb dressing. Fresh tasting and colourful home cooking. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/chicken-recipes/amelia-freers-poached-chicken-crunchy-vegetables-and-herb-dressing/

A salad of wholegrain freekeh, beetroot and mackerel from Thomasina Miers. http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jan/22/smoked-mackerel-beetroot-freekeh-kale-salad-recipe-chocolate-chip-cookies-thomasina-miers

Yotam Ottolenghi's Za'atar recipes: Manakish flatbreads, Black-eyed bean feteh, Amaranth stuffed mushrooms with za’atar and pine nuts: 

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/feb/06/zaatar-recipes-bread-beans-mushrooms-yotam-ottolenghi

Mug cakes, mug cookies, mug brownies and mug crumbles! All made in the microwave for baking phobics like me! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/cake-recipes/the-best-microwave-mug-cake-recipes-to-make-in-minutes/

Lamb stew with mushrooms and chick peas served up with celeriac mash: http://goodthingsmagazine.com/new-zealand-lamb-stew-with-celeriac-mash/

Culinary history is fascinating. My brilliant friend Karin found me this article about a Victorian recipe for curry. To me, it seems strange to use sour apples, dripping and milk. Interesting that "curry powder" is used, with no defined amount or ingredients. Anyone willing to give it a go? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-30718727

Potatoes, cooked beef, thyme and stock make a simple, classically Gallic one pan meal, Lyonnaise Potatoes: http://goodthingsmagazine.com/one-pan-lyonnaise-potatoes/

Make ahead over the weekend so you can enjoy on weekday mornings. Granola of pecan nuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and coconut chips. http://food52.com/recipes/15831-nekisia-davis-olive-oil-and-maple-granola

Super quick and easy soup for dinner. Wrap up warm today, it's chilly! http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/curried-sweetcorn-soup-chicken

A savoury bread pudding? Something different, fresh and new from Cookwitch Lisa; Leek and Halloumi Bread Pudding. Perfect for using up leftover bread. http://cookwitch.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/halloumi-bread-pudding.html

Keema is basically minced meat. Keema curry is a spicy mince stew which is a bit like Indian bolognese.... or Indian Shepherd's pie filling.... a fusion you might want to try out! http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/461642/keema-with-peas

If you've never visited the Mamta's Kitchen website, you are missing out of a wealth of fantastic Indian cooking recipes. Here is a lamb with spinach recipe which is perfect for weekend cooking. http://www.mamtaskitchen.com/recipe_display.php?id=10479

A slow cooked pork dish I have to give a try! Slow cooked braised pork with plums and Far Eastern flavours: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/12841/braised-pork-with-plums

Gennaro Contaldo's Neapolitan family recipe for beef and pork meatball lasagne:: http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/the-big-meatball-lasagne/

Sumptuous vegetarian (but not vegan) soup for this grey day, watercress, turnip and blue cheese soup: http://www.belleaukitchen.com/2016/01/watercress-turnip-and-blue-cheese-soup.html

Articles/Know How:

Rethinking the "science oven" [American Hustle reference, there!]: how your microwave might be a useful tool for cooking vegetables. (I swear by cooking rice in a microwave - perfect every time!) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/recipes/stephen-harris-how-microwaves-work-miracles-with-veg/

Indian food fans, curryholics and spice fiends - REJOICE! Zoe Perrett (The Spice Scribe) points you to what's going on this month! 

https://culinaryadventuresofthespicescribe.wordpress.com/2016/01/31/february-indian-food-restaurants-pop-ups-supperclubs-recipes-products-gifts-ideas/

Beneficial effect found from frying vegetables in olive oil rather than boiling. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/12114055/Frying-vegetables-in-oil-is-healthier-than-boiling-them-and-prevents-cancer-research-shows.html

Don't believe me about hoppers being the latest food to watch out for? Don't take my word for it! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/features/move-over-crepes-sri-lankan-hoppers-are-the-hot-new-pancake/

What you might have missed at Snig's Kitchen:

Whether you like white, red, rose or bubbles, you will find wine of high quality in the wineries of South Africa. This is my pick of the highlights of my travels from Cape Town to the wine country (Stellenbosch-Paarl) and the Garden Route. http://snigskitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/south-african-wineries-snigdhas.html

Cape Town is blessed with a vibrant restaurant scene where excellent produce combined with care, love and skill in the kitchen makes eating out a pleasure. Here is my list of favourite place to eat in this amazing city: http://snigskitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/places-to-eat-in-cape-town.html

Excellent sushi and robota food with a few fusion dishes to keep up the variety. A great little find in the Carnaby quarter of London. My restaurant review of Oka, Kingly Court: http://snigskitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/oka-restaurant-kingly-court-london.html

Meanwhile, over at Snig’s Classroom:

Barristers have to advise clients in writing, the skill of “opinion writing”. Students find it tricky, because they think their task is to show off what they know about the law – here is my analysis of what is involved: http://snigsclassroom.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/opinion-writing-walk-in-woods.html

Film:

Ricki And The Flash

Zero Dark Thirty

TV:

Deutschland 83

Tripped

David Bowie - Five Years

Music:

Guy Garvey – Courting The Squall

Kraftwerk – Computer World

Julia Holter - To Have You In My Wilderness

Esther Phillips – From A Whisper To A Scream

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.