April 2020 Favourites List

Hello from UK Lockdown!

Here in the UK we are in a Coronavirus lockdown. Public gatherings such as sports events and shows have been banned. Restaurants, pubs and bars are not permitted to open. These measures have been necessary to "flatten the curve"; to ensure that the numbers of people required to be hospitalised, both each day and in total, is a number that our health service can cope with. We can go out for an hour of exercise or to buy essentials, but otherwise, should stay at home. People who can work from home, have been told not to go into work, and many workplaces have closed their buildings. Only those who cannot work from home are going into their places of work. 

In this lockdown, it is our key workers who have done such a stunning job in keeping things going. This means the health care workers in our hospitals, the carers in care homes, the delivery drivers supplying shops and essential services, the teachers still teaching the children of key workers at school and teaching other children online, the shop staff keeping us provided with the fundamentals, the posties delivering the mail, the refuse collectors keeping things clean and clear. These people don't always get a lot of credit, and often don't get paid as well as perhaps they should. When all this is over, I hope that they will not only have received our gratitude, but some boost to their remuneration. They are the heroes, not the CEOs, the billionaires or the politicians.

My university has closed its buildings for the forseeable future and learning is happening online. This has put me on a steep learning curve. I had studied technology enabled higher education teaching and how information technologies can be used in the university setting, and I had experimented with some e-learning in my work. But to suddenly be providing a term's worth of teaching online, with little time to plan it, has been challenging. Some days I am full of ideas, and get lots done. Other days my computer and WiFi seem intent on thwarting me. But that's all OK. If a low upload rate is the worst thing I have to deal with in the current climate, I have nothing to complain about. 

I hope that wherever you are and whatever your situation is in this global pandemic, that you and your family are safe and well. There are going to be days when we feel positive, and others less so. It is fine to feel ups and downs. 

But I do believe we will make it through this. Stay safe!

Here are this month's favourite things. You will note that the TV section is much longer than normal. I have indulged in a lot of binge watching. 

I hope you like this month's selection of Spring flower photos. Flowers are providing me with a boost right now. The garden is slowly blooming and my windowsill orchids are currently in full flower.


Food writing and articles: 


How to help avoid food waste by the Queen of thrifty and delicious food, Jack Monroe: https://cookingonabootstrap.com/2020/02/20/tips-to-reduce-your-food-waste-love-food-hate-waste-x-jack-monroe/

Is reheated rice safe to eat? Yes, if you store it properly and reheat well. Something my mum has been doing for decades. https://www.theguardian.com/food/2020/mar/24/is-reheated-rice-safe-to-eat

Best-before and use-by dates - A sensible guide to food labelling:
https://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/a-sensible-guide-to-food-labelling/

Storecupboard recipe inspiration - for pasta, noodles, risotto and more: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/top-10-storecupboard-recipes

Recipes: 

Lamb with olives and preserved lemons by Diana Henry: http://dianahenry.co.uk/recipes/lamb-olives-preserved-lemons/

"Foodycat" Alicia Fourie shares her mouthwatering recipe for Passionfruit pie: http://foodycat.blogspot.com/2020/03/passionfruit-pie.html

Missing your fancy coffee shop brew? Here are some cheater's recipes using humble instant coffee. My colleagues swear by Azera: https://metro.co.uk/2020/03/28/instant-coffee-recipes-make-fancy-drinks-now-cant-get-coffee-shop-12469538/

Looking for an easy weekend cooking project? How about making two bottles of your own Sriracha chilli sauce?

https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/quick-and-easy/homemade-sriracha/

Ishan Kolhatkar, editor of the Billable Hour Cookbook, shares his receipe for Spaghetti Carbonara: https://medium.com/@kolhatkar/carbonara-29781604f078

Five Australian chefs share their storeroom recipes: https://www.theguardian.com/food/2020/mar/25/back-of-the-pantry-five-australian-chefs-share-their-storeroom-recipes

Tash at Food I Fancy has reinvented Scotch eggs. Check out her Spicy Potato Scotch Eggs here: https://www.foodifancy.com/spiced-potato-scotch-egg

Tins, packets and short ingredient lists are what you need for lockdown cooking, here Rachel Roddy shares her Italian recipes for lockdown:

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2020/mar/26/rachel-roddy-italian-recipes-for-lockdown-certainty-in-uncertain-times

Wild garlic season is right about now, but if you blitz in oil and freeze it, you can enjoy all year round! Here's Kavey to teach you how, with a wild garlic, bacon and pasta recipe, too! https://www.kaveyeats.com/2011/04/how-to-have-wild-garlic-all-year-round.html

50 most simple, delicious three-ingredient recipes from top chefs and cookbook authors: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/apr/15/easy-as-123-chefs-on-the-50-most-simple-delicious-three-ingredient-recipes#maincontent

What you might have missed at Snig's Kitchen

My home baking recipe for Lockdown Bread Pudding: https://snigskitchen.blogspot.com/2020/04/lockdown-bread-pudding.html

Free things to do in Lockdown or Self Isolation or Self Shielding: https://snigskitchen.blogspot.com/2020/03/free-things-to-do-for-self-isolation.html

TV: 

The Windsors (Season 3)
Noughts and Crosses
BBC Radio 6 Music Festival: Nadine Shah
BBC Radio 6 Music Festival: Kate Tempest
BBC Radio 6 Music Festival: Bombay Bicycle Club
BBC Radio 6 Music Festival: Ed O'Brien
BBC Radio 6 Music Festival: Jehnny Beth
Glastonbury 2019: Michael Kiwanuka

Music:

Nick Drake: Five Leaves Left
Fiona Apple: Fetch The Bolt Cutters

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.