August 2021 favourites list

This month's photos are from a yarnbombing I found a few months ago. I loved the exuberance and cheeky creativity of them, so I photographed them all. Located near the garden centre in Catford, you can see where they got the inspiration for the knitted planters from! They seemed even more cheerful in the sunshine.

Some years ago street art was just dismissed as vandalism. But I think attitudes have shifted, and we see how they improve the urban environment. Guerrilla gardening with a touch of yarnbombing might just be the next level?

I hope you enjoy this month's list and photos.

Food writing and articles: 

What's in season in August? https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/whats-in-season-august

Kavey on the subject of the intensely sour and utterly delectable taste of tamarind: https://www.kaveyeats.com/a-taste-for-tamarind

Chef share their cooking tips from choc chip cookies to roasted veggies and mashed potatoes: https://www.insider.com/chef-tips-for-recipes-everyone-should-know-how-to-make-2021-6

 

Nowadays beans and pulses are recognised as a healthy source of protein and fibre. But once upon a time, it was thought they induced lust and libido. https://www.historyextra.com/period/stuart/when-beans-were-the-food-of-lust/

We imagine Sylvia Plath hunched over her typewriter writing poems in her unique style. But she was also a keen cook who typed up her own recipes with great care on index cards. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/sylvia-plath-recipes

 

“Steakhouse butter” is a simple way of fancying up grilled or barbecued steak. Here’s how: https://lifehacker.com/how-to-make-steakhouse-butter-at-home-1847102251

Cooking tips which go beyond fixed recipes: https://www.buzzfeed.com/hannahloewentheil/best-cooking-tips-according-to-chefs

Kavey on the subject of the intensely sour and utterly delectable taste of tamarind: https://www.kaveyeats.com/a-taste-for-tamarind

 

Recipes:

Kala Channa (or black chick peas) have an ultra nutty flavour. Here’s a black chickpea hummus recipe to ring the changes: https://aahaaramonline.com/black-chickpea-hummus/

For my friends who are growing their own tomatoes, a puff pastry tomato tart with caramelised onions: https://frugalflexitarian.com/tomato-tart-with-puff-pastry/

Heidi Swanson’s Vaghareli Makai – while summery sweetcorn is abundant: https://highgatehillkitchen.com/2015/10/15/heidi-swansons-vaghareli-makai-makhaniya-lassi/

 

Korean inspired cheeseburgers, ginger lime chicken, salmon and couscous salad with cucumber-feta dressing, salad pizza with white beans and parmesan, and yo po mian (oil sprinked noodles) with pak choi: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/week-meal-ideas-summer-burger-b1856872.html

With lavender in bloom, you might want to make use of these fragrant and edible flowers: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/recipes/lavender-shortbread

 

Tacos Norteños with chunky guacamole: https://food52.com/recipes/86188-best-tacos-nortenos-recipe

Nigel Slater’s recipes for couscous with apricots and mint, and mozzarella with tomatoes and parmesan: https://www.theguardian.com/food/2021/aug/08/nigel-slaters-recipes-for-couscous-with-apricots-and-mozzarella-with-tomatoes

A “no knead” onion bread for home baking fans. https://www.tinnedtomatoes.com/2021/01/quick-no-knead-onion-bread-no-yeast.html

Film:

Stop Making Sense (Talking Heads)

TV:

Time

Ghosts (series 1, series 2, Christmas special)

Music:

Arlo Parks - Collapsed In Sunbeams

Thom Yorke – The Eraser 

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.