December 2021 Favourites list

Hello everyone!

We've made it to the end of the year. I know for many of us it has been a tough and trying twelve months. Food and cooking have been helping keep me sane, whilst sustaining me physically. Music has particularly soothed my mind.

I wish you all the best for the festive season. This month's list has a number of Christmas themed recipes and other food writings. 

The photos this month are a few of my cooking adventures. 

Merry Christmas and happy new year to you all.

Food articles:

What’s in season in December? Pears, potatoes, Brussel sprouts, spring green cabbage, Savoy cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, kale and leeks: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/whats-in-season-december

Need to find a gift for the foodie in your life? Here are some Christmas pressies ideas for you: https://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/christmas-gift-guide-for-foodies/

The best Christmas markets and food festivals: https://www.olivemagazine.com/travel/best-food-festivals-and-christmas-markets/

Vegan Christmas pressie inspiration – ideas for the perfect present for the vegans in your life: https://www.stylist.co.uk/food-drink/vegan-christmas-gift-guide-ideas/588916

Chicken tagine with hot buttered couscous

Gary Fenn, AKA Big Spud, chooses his favourite cookbooks of 2021: https://bigspud.co.uk/my-favourite-cookbooks-of-2021/

The winners of the 17th annual British Curry Awards have been announced – which establishment has won in your region? https://metro.co.uk/2021/12/01/britains-best-curry-houses-have-been-revealed-15695823/

Cooking tips - what happens if you've got not flour, eggs or lemon juice? 20 substitutions you can make. Maybe we all need to freeze tinned chick pea water (aquafaba)? https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/apr/09/no-flour-pasta-or-eggs-the-perfect-substitutes-for-20-common-ingredients

Travel:

Top 10 sights in Peru, a guest post by Julian Mordret at Kavey Eats: https://www.kaveyeats.com/top-10-sights-in-peru-for-culture-and-history-lovers

Recipes:

If you're bored of the same Christmas dinner vegetable side dishes, here's some inspiration from Yotam Ottolenghi: https://www.theguardian.com/food/2021/dec/11/alternative-christmas-vegetable-sides-recipes-yotam-ottolenghi-chipotle-roast-pumpkin-charred-sprouts-gingery-beetroot-peanut-dressing

Crispy roasted chick peas - maybe for eating in front of a box set or film of your choice this evening? https://getpocket.com/explore/item/how-to-make-crispy-roasted-chickpeas-in-the-oven

Salad with toasted seeds and sprouted seeds

 

Looking for a snack to make either as a Christmas gift or a festive nibble to have with a little drinkie? How about this seed and nut mix with salt and honey: https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/quick-and-easy/salted-honey-nuts/

This Moroccan sweet potato salad with roasted sweet potato and carrots looks like a fab colourful dinnertime salad: https://weheartliving.com/eat/moroccan-roasted-sweet-potato-carrot-salad-recipe/

Winter salad recipe from Nigella Lawson, with radicchio, chestnuts and blue cheese: https://www.nigella.com/recipes/radicchio-chestnut-and-blue-cheese-salad-with-a-citrus-grain-mustard-and-honey-dressing

Rosa’s Thai Café recipe for Som Tam (Thai hot green papaya salad): https://www.rosasthaicafe.com/recipes/papaya-salad

Som Tam - I used Rosa's recipe above

Archive Christmas recipes from Snig’s Kitchen:

Brussel Sprouts with Garner's Pickled Cabbage - A Christmas side dish: https://snigskitchen.blogspot.com/2013/12/brussel-sprouts-with-garners-pickled.html

Christmas entertaining: Slow Cooker Mulled Wine: https://snigskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-entertaining-slow-cooker.html

Music:

Villagers – Fever Dreams

Collapsed In Sunbeams – Arlo Parks

Immigrants – Nitin Sawhney

Daddy’s Home – St Vincent

My playlist of music from 2021: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcZVuU7Jd5ia3XMrQSwrLu8w8DW6zhQbT

A veggie rich low cal ragu - recipe by Pinch of Nom

 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.