The clocks went back and there is a chill in the air. I’m
beginning to wonder if it is still Autumn or whether Winter has crept in a
little bit too quickly. I’ve dug out my gloves, with a pair stashed in my
handbag “just in case”. The light coats have been tucked up for their regular
hibernation, since they just can’t keep me snug any more.
I hope that despite the cold, you are all well, my lovely
readers. If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram you will have noticed that I
have gone all out for comfort food this season. Casseroles, stews, braises and
sauces; the recipes call out to me from my cook books and internet browsing. The
slow cooker and cast iron casserole dish have been recommissioned into action!
This weekend, many of you will have been baking your
Christmas cakes and cooking up mincemeat, as the last weekend of November is
the traditional time to do these things. The cakes will be carefully marinated
over the period of Advent as we get closer to the big festivities. I enjoy
seeing all the different traditions of Christmas food; gingerbread, mince pies,
lebkuchen, made with love and kept ready for the holidays.
My pictures this month are of a beautiful and inspiring
recent piece of street art. “Round About Now” is a huge mural under the railway
bridge at Lewisham Station. By Artmongers, the triptych is inspired by the logo
of the local council, the London Borough of Lewisham. A group of people
joyfully dancing, holding hands in a giant circle, forming a crown. As the artists
say “the mural evolves… into a dynamic dance between diverse people having a
great time together”. The sunshine colours bring energy and warmth to a little
corner which ordinarily would have been walked past, as we rush around trying
to get from one place to another. Pausing to take it in, the vibrant colours
filled me with warmth on a recent journey into central London.
I hope you enjoy this month’s selection of stuff.
Food articles and know-how:
Foodie road trip in Kerala - Spice up a trip to this idyllic
corner of south-west India by stopping off for chicken wrapped in cinnamon
leaves, coconut dosas and cardamom-laced coffee. https://www.olivemagazine.com/travel/asia/foodie-road-trip-in-kerala
I recently discovered (through another home cooking
enthusiast on Twitter) that there is a new(ish) way of speeding up your cooking
- the "Instant Pot". It's like a small electronic pressure cooker.
Available in Canada, USA and UK: http://instantpot.org/
Diwali, the festival of lights, happened this month. Here is
a guide to Diwali celebration food: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/diwali-2018-food-festival-of-light-sweets-mithai-masala-chai-a8618366.html
A meditation on time, getting older, cooking and Makhan
Malai by Aaron Vallance: https://www.1dish4theroad.com/2018/10/indian-accent.html
Recipes:
Four recipes from Asma Khan, the brains behind the wonderful
Darjeeling Express: https://www.theguardian.com/food/2018/nov/03/asma-khan-easy-indian-recipes-raita-masala-omelette-drumstick-kebab
Gajjar (carrot) halwa, dill and lamb keema rice, Masoor (red
lentil) dahl - three more recipes from Darjeeling Express' Asma Khan: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/recipes/asma-khan-darjeeling-express-carrot-halwa-masoor-dal-cooking-instructions-a8606171.html
Thrifty and quick, this Slovakian dish, Haluski, is made of
pasta (of your choice), bacon or speck and cabbage. Perfect for weeknight
dinner: https://www.masalaherb.com/haluski-recipe
The miso ramen soup and Golabki (pork-stuffed cabbage rolls)
have caught my eye here - slow cooked recipes by Gizzi Erskine: https://www.theguardian.com/food/2018/oct/27/slow-seasonal-food-gizzi-eskine-recipes-pork-apple-stroganoff-miso-ramen-butternut-squash
Butternut squash risotto is one of my all time favourite
cook at home dishes. This version has a twist - barley is used rather than
risotto rice. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/recipes/butternut-squash-barley-risotto-toasted-walnuts-cooking-instructions-a8629626.html
I've been making a lot of stews, casseroles and comfort
dishes recently. Perhaps it is time to think about Autumnal salads. The Warm
pear, mushroom and ricotta salad and the Freekeh and chickpea salad with pulled
harissa lamb look delicious: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/recipes/autumnal-recipes-big-salads-cook-book-kat-mead-freekeh-chickpea-cooking-instructions-a8516291.html
I have just discovered that Aldi sell the little floury soft
tacos that you get in Wahaca (the Mexican street food restaurant founded by
Thomasina Miers). I think I might have to make this... https://thefoodiefamilyblog.com/2013/06/28/chicken-tinga-tacos
Marinaded in olive oil, harissa (chilli paste) and lemon
juice, this chicken thigh and chorizo one pot bake can be eaten hot in the
weekend, then taken to work and enjoyed cold for packed lunch: https://www.glamorousglutton.com/hot-cold-harissa-chicken-chorizo
For cooking in either a slow cooker (crock pot), pressure
cooker or Instant Pot, here is a Beef stew with carrot and peppers drawing on
the flavours of the far east: https://www.lavenderandlovage.com/2018/10/mongolian-beef-for-crocktober.html
Over the weekend I made a beef stew with dumplings. I made
mine on the stovetop and finished it in the oven (to bake the dumplings), but
this recipe from Janice at Farmer's Girl Kitchen uses a slow cooker: https://www.farmersgirlkitchen.co.uk/best-crockpot-beef-stew-dumplings
Chef Jeremy Pang shared his recipe for black pepper glazed
brisket bao. I love bao - steamed light buns, filled with deliciousness. Who's
going to be giving these a try? https://www.channel4.com/programmes/sunday-brunch/articles/latest-recipes/black-pepper-glazed-brisket-bao/6039
Chef Angela Hartnett's recipe for Mushroom tagliatelle (with
fresh, homemade pasta): https://www.channel4.com/programmes/sunday-brunch/articles/all/mushroom-tagliatelle/6005
For Halloween Waitrose came up with a quirky
"Eyeball" cocktail - with lychee and blueberry eyeballs in! I like
this idea a lot. But I might just sub out the Cointreau and replace with Plum
wine! https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/shop/featured/groceries/recipe/summer/lychee-eyeball-cocktail
My other writing:
Not food writing - but my latest blog post for law students.
Law essay 101. For LLB and GDL students. https://snigsclassroom.blogspot.com/2018/11/law-essay-101.html
Film:
Locke
Still Alice
TV:
John & Yoko: Above Us Only Sky
Informer
Wild Japan
Music:
Johnny Marr – Call The Comet
Nadine Shah - Holiday Destinations
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.