I am back for another favourites list. Hope your month has been a good one.
I am hoping that you are all safe and well. I am sending you all warm wishes for your good health and safety.
What have I been doing? Not much which is noteworthy, I'm afraid. I have been working from home, doing things online and virtually, rather than in person. My workplace has still not yet opened up the buildings for us to have access, so travelling into Central London is not something I need to do yet. I'm lucky to be in employment in these uncertain times, and even more fortunate my work can currently be done online.
Being at home has resulted in more time spent cooking, and more time spent in the garden. Looking for kitchen inspiration has become more important now than ever, and I am digging out my old cook books and scouring websites for ideas. I'm chatting about food online with my friends, and we are often swapping recipes, tips and ideas. There are some great foodie reads out there, with the Vittles newletter being a welcome new guest to my inbox. Initially conceived by Eater London writer (and mango lover) Jonathan Nunn as a food newsletter for these new and strange times, it has grown into a place for diverse, thoughtful, beautiful food writing and unique one-off artwork. You can investigate and/or sign up here: https://vittles.substack.com/
The current "new normal" in England involves wearing face coverings on public transport and in shops. It's a small, but effective way of keeping ourselves and other people safe. There are some who are resisting the requirement, but I think we are all generally thoughtful and considerate people, and from what I have seen most people are sticking to the rules. Maybe some of the refusers will change their mind, as they see public opinion is supportive of looking after each other. We shall see, as it is early days.
Restaurants have been reopening these last two weeks. Some are simply ensuring they have social distancing. Others are taking greater additional precautions such as staff wearing masks, temperature testing customers before allowing them entry, asking people to sanitise hands on arrival and limiting the number of people going to the bathroom. The challenges faced by the hospitality industry are enormous and I am hoping that my favourite business, large and small, local and further afield are able to come through these difficult times.
Maybe I should have done what all the motivation people on social media told me to do with this time.... like write my first novel, learn a language, start my own business. But I think that's easy to say in the abstract when you aren't thinking about how difficult lockdown and social distancing can be. I've managed to get work stuff done. I've also succeeded in sitting down at my computer each day having showered, washed my hair and gotten dressed. I say that's good enough. Some of us have found these times a real strain, and if you found some days too much to take, I do understand. There have been days staying in my dressing gown all day, doing very little, has been tempting.
My students have been doing the best they can to prepare for next month's centrally set knowledge exams. Trying to revise the highly technical and fiddly subjects of civil and criminal litigation, and the nuanced and practical professional ethics in these conditions has undoubtedly been more stressful for them. I've been hearing from some of them, as they do their best to stay focussed and motivated on their revision. I am so impressed by their resilience, resolve and determination. Please join me in wishing them every success.
So, onto this month's collection of the stuff which has kept me going this month.
Recipes:
I am hoping that you are all safe and well. I am sending you all warm wishes for your good health and safety.
What have I been doing? Not much which is noteworthy, I'm afraid. I have been working from home, doing things online and virtually, rather than in person. My workplace has still not yet opened up the buildings for us to have access, so travelling into Central London is not something I need to do yet. I'm lucky to be in employment in these uncertain times, and even more fortunate my work can currently be done online.
Being at home has resulted in more time spent cooking, and more time spent in the garden. Looking for kitchen inspiration has become more important now than ever, and I am digging out my old cook books and scouring websites for ideas. I'm chatting about food online with my friends, and we are often swapping recipes, tips and ideas. There are some great foodie reads out there, with the Vittles newletter being a welcome new guest to my inbox. Initially conceived by Eater London writer (and mango lover) Jonathan Nunn as a food newsletter for these new and strange times, it has grown into a place for diverse, thoughtful, beautiful food writing and unique one-off artwork. You can investigate and/or sign up here: https://vittles.substack.com/
The current "new normal" in England involves wearing face coverings on public transport and in shops. It's a small, but effective way of keeping ourselves and other people safe. There are some who are resisting the requirement, but I think we are all generally thoughtful and considerate people, and from what I have seen most people are sticking to the rules. Maybe some of the refusers will change their mind, as they see public opinion is supportive of looking after each other. We shall see, as it is early days.
Restaurants have been reopening these last two weeks. Some are simply ensuring they have social distancing. Others are taking greater additional precautions such as staff wearing masks, temperature testing customers before allowing them entry, asking people to sanitise hands on arrival and limiting the number of people going to the bathroom. The challenges faced by the hospitality industry are enormous and I am hoping that my favourite business, large and small, local and further afield are able to come through these difficult times.
Maybe I should have done what all the motivation people on social media told me to do with this time.... like write my first novel, learn a language, start my own business. But I think that's easy to say in the abstract when you aren't thinking about how difficult lockdown and social distancing can be. I've managed to get work stuff done. I've also succeeded in sitting down at my computer each day having showered, washed my hair and gotten dressed. I say that's good enough. Some of us have found these times a real strain, and if you found some days too much to take, I do understand. There have been days staying in my dressing gown all day, doing very little, has been tempting.
My students have been doing the best they can to prepare for next month's centrally set knowledge exams. Trying to revise the highly technical and fiddly subjects of civil and criminal litigation, and the nuanced and practical professional ethics in these conditions has undoubtedly been more stressful for them. I've been hearing from some of them, as they do their best to stay focussed and motivated on their revision. I am so impressed by their resilience, resolve and determination. Please join me in wishing them every success.
So, onto this month's collection of the stuff which has kept me going this month.
Recipes:
Mildred's is a brilliant vegetarian restaurant in London.
From their cookbook, this is their roasted vegetable and puy lentil salad: http://www.mildreds.co.uk/2015/05/23/recipe-puy-lentil-salad/
An excellent critique of how badly the Times got their
report on the Bon Appetit fiasco wrong by Jonathan Nunn and some thoughts on
Sambal, with a recipe by Lara Lee: https://vittles.substack.com/p/vittles-216-sambal
Turkish Lahmacun (minced lamb topped baked flatbreads)
rolled with salad is a favourite of mine. Here is a recipe for making them at
home, from Kavey: https://www.kaveyeats.com/2020/06/homemade-lahmacun-lamb-flatbreads-easy-recipe.html
Romy Gill’s radish recipes: http://archive.is/12MW0
Coleslaw with sesame and charred chillies recipe http://archive.is/CKDuP
Stale bread, ripe tomatoes and olive oil combine with store
cupboard ingredients to make Tuscan salad Panzanella: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/panzanella
Kim Neilsen recreates a Danish stew of pork loin and wiener
sausages from his childhood: https://nordicfoodliving.com/danish-pork-stew-morbradgryde/
Bored of the same old salad dressing? Here are 10 simple
quick dressings to help you mix it up a little. https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/10-salad-dressings-you-can-make-minutes
Pasta all'Amatrice, bucatini pasta with a sauce of pancetta,
tomatoes: http://www.thepasadenachef.com/2020/03/pasta-allamatrice.html
Karen Gokani, the director of Hoppers in London, shares four Sri Lankan seafood recipes, Banana leaf mackerel, devilled prawns, Mussels hodi and pol sambol: https://www.theguardian.com/food/2020/jun/20/four-sri-lankan-seafood-recipes-for-a-spicy-staycation-treat
Food articles and writing:
How to avoid the most common baking errors and disasters: https://www.theguardian.com/food/2020/jun/25/dough-how-to-avoid-the-21-biggest-baking-disasters-from-burnt-cakes-to-soggy-pastry
Some philosophical thoughts about recipes. Are we becoming
too constrained? With some interesting insights into Covid-19 era cooking. https://www.eater.com/2020/6/17/21255211/what-is-a-recipe
After recent revelations and many apologies from leading
media outlets, there is still much which needs to be done to fix the racism in
food writing and media: https://www.grubstreet.com/2020/06/food-media-must-work-harder-to-fix-racism.html
My vegan and vegetarian recipe for Okra fritters (bhindi bhaji): https://snigskitchen.blogspot.com/2020/07/spicy-crispy-bhindi-bhaji.html
Music:
Burning Spear – Marcus Garvey/Garvey’s Ghost
Julia Holter - Have You In My Wilderness
Nick Drake - Bryter Layter
Music writing:
"Greek, withouth the sex: Nick Drake and John Martyn's folk bromance" - an account of Beverley and John Martyn's friendship with Nick Drake: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/jul/15/nick-drake-john-martyn-complex-friendship-small-hours-extract
Julia Holter - Have You In My Wilderness
Nick Drake - Bryter Layter
Music writing:
"Greek, withouth the sex: Nick Drake and John Martyn's folk bromance" - an account of Beverley and John Martyn's friendship with Nick Drake: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/jul/15/nick-drake-john-martyn-complex-friendship-small-hours-extract
TV:
The Luminaries
The Luminaries
Radiohead at Glastonbury 1997
The Cure at Glastonbury 2019
Beyonce at Glastonbury 2011
Beyonce at Glastonbury 2011
David Bowie at Glastonbury 2000
Philomena
The Lady In The Van
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.
