Hello lovely readers!
It's Favourites list time again!
The month has flown by in a hectic daze at what is one of the busiest time of the year for academics. Time to get a bit of headspace...
It is for this very reason that this month's pictures are from the Beth Chatto Garden, near Colchester in Essex. Sadly, Beth died last month. Her garden, designed and tended by her for six decades, remains and will continue as a place for appreciating the beauty of plants and flowers.
Beth wrote many books about gardening, and her key philosophy was about pairing plants to the correct environment. Beth managed to establish 5 distinct garden spaces; Gravel garden, Reservoir garden, Scree Garden, Water garden and Woodland garden.
It's a beautiful place to feast your eyes and your mind. Taking in the peace and tranquility, I found my cares and worries ebb away.
If you take the time to stop and look, there's a world of beauty in something as simple as a flower.
I hope you will enjoy the pictures, food writings, recipes and cultural knick-knacks.
Food articles and food writing:
As passionate about food and cooking as he was opinionated, Anthony Bourdain lifted the saucepan lid on what goes on in professional kitchens with his groundbreaking "Kitchen Confidential" book. If you haven't read it, treat yourself; still relevant and amusing 18 years on. His food and travel writing and TV journalism was inspirational. I've personally chased down places he recommended, all of whom proudly and happily displayed pictures of the man himself dining there. Despite his reputation as a "Foodie Bad Boy" and the observations of how aggressively male professional kitchens can be, his support of the #MeToo movement online shows there was more to him than laddishness. Reports suggest he took his own life - at only 61. Simply tragic news. Rest in peace, Chef Bourdain! https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jun/08/anthony-bourdain-chef-found-dead-61
Anthony Bourdain's classic 1999 piece "Don't Eat Before Reading This" - the precursor to his Kitchen Confidential book: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1999/04/19/dont-eat-before-reading-this
Diana Henry talks about her new book which focusses on menu planning and organising your timing in the kitchen. Planning the steps to be taken and keeping track of it is such an important element of cooking skill! https://www.splendidtable.org/story/vegetables-require-more-than-technique-you-need-a-good-plan
Food funnies (cooking and food fails and other LOLz): https://www.buzzfeed.com/jamiejones/people-who-failed-to-understand-how-food-works
Recipes:
Some more BBQ recipes here - the carrots with spiced nuts looks like a great side dish for sunny days: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/recipes/berber-qs-guide-bbq-honeyed-pork-charred-carrots/
It's unashamedly retro, but who doesn't love potato salad? Here is Diana Henry's ultimate recipe: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/recipes/8466934/The-best-potato-salad-recipe.html
A Japanese snack or lunchtime dish which is quick and yummy - Sesame chicken: https://www.japancentre.com/en/recipes/1423-japanese-style-sesame-chicken
Aperol Spritz has become one of the most popular Summertime cocktails these days. Somehow, it always tastes better in the sunshine. It always seems a little more bitter when there are clouds around, or is that just me? http://www.goodhousekeeping.co.uk/food/food-news/aperol-spritz-recipe
I found this Beef Rendang recipe. I loved this dish in Malaysia (it originated in Indonesia, and hopped across). http://tasteasianfood.com/beef-rendang-recipe/
Chick pea Chaat - I'd add some sev, amchur and a sprinkling of freshly ground cumin. A little tamarind chutney would be good, too. http://m.tesco.com/mt/legacy.realfood.tesco.com/recipes/spicy-sour-chickpea-chaat.html
Will need some overnight soaking of the beans and quite a long cooking time, but this is a meal-in-one - Lamb rump with flageolet beans: https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/meat-and-poultry/roast-lamb-rump-with-flageolet-and-spring-veg-ragout/
Summery courgette and mango in this fresh wholewheat giant couscous salad: https://www.everydayhealthyrecipes.com/giant-wholewheat-couscous-mango-salad/
Super easy and quick carrot and quinoa salad for weekday lunchboxes. I'd add some cooked edamame beans, maybe some sweetcorn (if I had leftovers): https://amp.foodandwine.com/recipes/quinoa-and-carrot-salad
Watching Rick Stein on TV I want to give this Kozani chicken (with saffron and prunes, served with pilaf rice) a try: https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/recipes/kozani-chicken-with-prunes-saffron-and-paprika
What you might have missed at Snig's Kitchen:
Greek style pilaf rice: https://snigskitchen.blogspot.com/2018/06/greek-style-pilaf-with-saffron-pine.html
TV:
A Very British Scandal
BBC Music Big Weekend - Father John Misty
BBC Music Big Weekend - Courtney Barnett
BBC Music Big Weekend - Beck
Film:
99 Homes
High-Rise
Music:
Johnny Marr - Call The Comet
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.
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