April 2017 Favourites List

Here is my new selection of recipes and food articles I’ve been enjoying during the month. It’s late, but just about in time for the end of the month. 

This month's pictures are Spring flowers I have been admiring and capturing recently. The longer daylight hours are bringing out the vibrant colours as we go through the different “waves” of blooms. From the earliest hellebores, to snowdrops, then daffodils to tulips. I remember a song from my 1980s childhood “The First Picture Of You” by The Lotus Eaters, with the line “seeing the flowers scream their joy”. It’s exactly how I feel about this part of the season. If you don’t remember the song, do check it out, it is a “lost” classic of the era. If you remember it vaguely, remind yourself of its beauty and euphoric, melodic joy. 

Now, onto the list!

Recipes:

Five classic recipes from the "heel" of Italy's boot, Puglia: http://www.charmingitaly.com/article/top-5-puglian-recipes

Fancy making this....although the ingredients are more Winter ones. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/recipes/9693184/Bucatini-with-chestnuts-radicchio-savoy-and-pancetta-recipe.html

A great side dish for steamed or poached fish; Asparagus with tarragon and saffron cream: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/recipes/how-to-make-asparagus-with-tarragon-and-saffron-cream-a7691636.html

 

Jack Monroe's power packed lunch recipe: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/apr/15/jack-monroe-lentil-bean-kale-salad-recipe

 

I'm not in favour of these cauliflower "rice" or "couscous" recipes. I want my cauli to be unashamedly cauliflower! https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2017/apr/13/how-to-cook-perfect-roasted-cauliflower-felicity-cloake

Chicken, sausage and lentil pot roast from Belleau Kitchen's Dominic. One pot dishes rock - less washing up! https://www.belleaukitchen.com/2017/02/chicken-thigh-sausage-and-red-lentil-one-pot-roast.html

 

A light, Springtime version of the classic fish pie: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2235/spring-fish-pie

 

Chinese sausage is a great cooking ingredient. Tasty, high in meat content, full of marbling and keeps for a long time, it is well worth experimenting with! http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/sticky-rice-with-chinese-sausage-230998

 

Three bold salad recipes which are anything but "rabbit food"... in fact, one includes rabbit! http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/recipes/nathan-outlaw-home-kitchen-salad-recipes-three-chicory-celeriac-rabbit-duck-how-to-make-instruction-a7640951.html

 

Nigel Slater shares his meatball recipes. Because who doesn't love meatballs?! https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/apr/02/nigel-slater-meatballs-recipes

 

Scandi style meatballs. Yum! http://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/family/scandi-meatball-bake-with-cucumber-salad/

The first part of the Guardian's collection of Nigella's best recipes; her mum's pot roast chicken, Coca-cola glazed and braised ham, Sweet potato macaroni cheese, Corsican omelette: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/mar/27/the-20-best-nigella-lawson-recipes-part-1-chicken-coca-cola-glazed-ham

 

Meatfree Monday can be a way in which some of us who love meat and indulgent foods can restore some balance. Here's a vegan salad recipe to try with butternut squash, a favourite ingredient of mine: http://fussfreeflavours.com/recipe-warm-butternut-squash-salad-dukkah-crunch

 

Articles/Know How:

Britain's best wine bars serving food: http://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/drink/best-uk-wine-bars-that-serve-food-top-15-enotecas/

 

How did the Brits come to love chillis? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/features/britain-became-nation-chilli-heads-embraced-spice-life/

 

What you might have missed at Snig's Kitchen:

Cremant is a French fizzy wine which deserves to be as recognised as Cava or Prosecco. Here is my round up of some of the producers which impressed me at last week's tasting. http://snigskitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/cremant-sparkling-wine-tasting-2017.html

 

Over at Snig’s Classroom:

My wonderful former students share their revision tips, hacks and advice: http://snigsclassroom.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/revision-tips-from-former-bptc-students.html

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.