April 2022 favourites list

This month's favourites list is a celebration of Springtime and the colour and joy the season brings. My photos are of Spring flowers and the new life they bring with them.

Food writing

What's in season in the UK in April: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/whats-in-season-april

How a reluctant cook found her confidence – this is a great read with some good tips for people who’ve convinced themselves they can’t cook or for kitchen first timers: https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/mar/02/cant-cook-wont-cook-here-are-the-tips-that-saved-me-from-a-life-of-terrible-meals

 

Apparently using a ruler to test the bendiness of spaghetti is the best way of telling if it is al dente or not. I'm not sure this will catch on. Imagine having a "spaghetti ruler" in your kitchen drawer! https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/03/how-to-tell-if-your-spaghetti-is-perfectly-done-using-just-a-simple-ruler/

The joy of cooking blasphemous fusion food. A possibly controversial cooking essay, with a recipe for author Danny Chau’s Sunday gravy and Monday Taiwanese beef noodle soup:  https://www.newyorker.com/culture/kitchen-notes/the-joy-of-cooking-blasphemous-fusion-food

 

Annada Rathi writes about poha (Indian flattened part cooked rice), examining the regional variations and how it is a perfect savoury breakfast treat: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/all-about-poha

Free “Remix” cookbook to cut down on food waste with suggestions for each season: https://toogoodtogo.co.uk/en-gb/download/remix-recipe-food-waste-book

Japanese convenience stores serve up surprisingly good food. Here, Time Out identify the best food to buy at each convenience store chain in Tokyo. Perfect for travel on a budget. https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/restaurants/best-convenience-store-konbini-food-in-tokyo 

Rome has a new museum. But this one isn’t just about antiquities. It’s dedicated to the gentle art of cooking: https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20220307-romes-new-museum-dedicated-to-cooking

This is one of the most moving pieces of food writing I have ever read. Chinese cooking helps me connect with my mother and helps me prepare to lose her: https://electricliterature.com/chinese-cooking-helps-me-connect-with-my-mother-and-helps-me-prepare-to-lose-her/

Recipes

Mediterranean style lentil and kale soup made in the slow cooker: https://cupofjo.com/2018/01/easy-slow-cooker-lentil-kale-soup/

Orzo “paella” with prawn, Italian chicken sausages and peas: https://www.thekitchn.com/weeknight-orzo-paella-260248

A south Indian style chana dal recipe from Tamal Ray: https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/mar/19/chana-dal-recipe-tamal-ray

Felicity Cloake’s pork miso ramen with ramen eggs and chilli sauce: https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/mar/09/how-to-make-miso-ramen-recipe-felicity-cloake

Air fryer chips by Melissa Thompson – video demo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CXRX_LAlVFW/

If you really enjoyed Stanley Tucci’s Searching For Italy series, here is the 4 ingredient courgette pasta dish he waxed lyrical about: https://www.insider.com/stanley-tucci-zucchini-pasta-how-to-make-photos-2022-3

Seolleongtang Noodles with Scallion Gremolata - a version of a Korean restaurant dish by Eric Kim: https://tastecooking.com/recipes/seolleongtang-noodles-with-scallion-gremolata/  

How to turn leftover veg into a nourishing soup – recipe for "fridge raid borscht": https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/apr/02/how-to-turn-leftover-veg-into-nourishing-soup-recipe-fridge-raid-borsch-zero-waste-cooking

Baked cabbage and baked cauliflower in a tahini dressed crispy salad: https://smittenkitchen.com/2022/02/crispy-cabbage-and-cauliflower-salad

Two recipes from Joe Wicks – Sweet potato nachos and Gingerbread cupcakes with date caramel: https://metro.co.uk/2022/03/24/joe-wicks-shares-two-feel-good-healthy-recipes-16321776/

Recipe for wild garlic macaroni cheese from Thomasina Miers: https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/mar/28/thomasina-miers-recipe-for-wild-garlic-macaroni-cheese

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.