May 2022 favourites list

Welcome to the May edition of my favourites list. This month's photos are of some recent cooking exploits. I hope you find something here to interest and inspire you. 

Pa amb tomaquet - Catalan style tomato bread

Food writing and food articles

What is in season in the UK in May? Spring cabbages, Rhubarb, Garlic, Asparagus, Lettuces, Radishes, Spinach, Spring onions. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/whats-in-season-may

Jaffa cakes to bring out a white chocolate version following customer requests... But will this change its status for tax purposes? https://metro.co.uk/2022/04/28/jaffa-cakes-tease-white-chocolate-version-after-fan-requests-16549790/

I’ve been saving parmesan rinds for stocks and risotto and using mustard in my mac cheese, but some of these other secret ingredient tips are new to me. Worth investigating! https://www.buzzfeed.com/hannahloewentheil/home-cooks-sharing-favorite-secret-ingredients

If, like me, you are unlucky enough to have hay fever, I send my commiserations. Unfortunately, hay fever sufferers can have a connected set of food allergies. Here’s some useful information on pollen food syndrome: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/pollen_food_syndrome

Homemade nachos

A foodie’s parody of Fifty Shades and other romantic fiction, by Fliss Freeborn. This is genius level writing. https://studentcuisineforthegloomyteen.com/2021/03/21/50-shades-of-chicken-satay/

Termitomyces Titanicus is the world’s largest edible mushroom… at up to three feet across, it definitely lives up to its name! https://www.atlasobscura.com/foods/termitomyces-titanicus-largest-edible-mushroom

As price rises and the NI hike bite, many will find it harder to feed themselves. Here is a useful BBC guide to food poverty, including how to seek (and give) help: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/food_poverty

Thinking about having a barbeque? Here’s how to avoid your food flipping/rotating around on the skewer, something which really annoys me! https://lifehacker.com/how-to-keep-your-meats-from-flipping-around-on-the-skew-1848849185

Jack Monroe’s Twitter “no waste” cookbook: https://twitter.com/BootstrapCook/status/1516118968280432641

Burmese coconut chicken noodles

  

I first saw tomato stems being used as an ingredient by Rukmini Iyer on Saturday Kitchen, and was intrigued about the idea of imparting extra tomato flavour by using something I’d ordinarily throw away. https://lifehacker.com/you-can-eat-tomato-leaves-and-stems-no-really-1847674203

As soon as I was able to eat solid food, I was fed my Mum's delicious home cooked Bengali-Indian food. So it surprises me that decades later (I'm old!) we are still wondering if babies can eat spices and/or strong flavours. https://metro.co.uk/2022/05/16/why-its-ok-to-give-your-baby-spicy-food-and-how-to-do-it-safely-16650869/

Recipes

Recipe for Tibetan vegetarian Thukpa noodle soup, with spring onions and pak choi, at Kavey Eats blog:  https://www.kaveyeats.com/tibetan-vegetable-thukpa-noodle-soup

Marcus Wareing’s recipe for Ras-el-hanout-spiced chicken and herby wild mushrooms with chargrilled, garlicky sourdough toasts: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/spiced_chicken_with_wild_39868

What chefs make when they are feeling under the weather, from ramen to tom yum to tomatoes on toast: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/mar/25/it-hugs-your-soul-10-dishes-get-you-fighting-fit-after-illness-ramen-noodles-spicy-tom-yum-soup

Black bean chicken with steamed rice

 

Japanese chicken stew Chikuzen-ni, with burdock, carrots, bamboo shoots and lotus roots: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/chikuzen-ni

Three recipes for asparagus: asparagus with roasted Jerusalem artichoke and blue cheese, asparagus minestrone and bang bang asparagus: https://metro.co.uk/2022/04/19/asparagus-season-three-easy-and-delicious-recipes-to-try-16492307/

Dr Rupy Aujla of “The Doctor's Kitchen” shares his speedy recipe for Greek-style beans: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/greek-style_beans_55449

Chicken Congee (Rice Porridge) - Chao Ga Recipe by Helen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mOjTiVeHs5c

Jack Monroe’s Dal makhana – a cross between madhi dahl and shahi rajma – low cost cooking for the slow cooker: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/dal_makhani_30779

What you might have missed at Snig’s Kitchen

My recipe for Risotto Primavera: https://snigskitchen.blogspot.com/2020/07/risotto-primavera.html

TV

Derry Girls Season 3

Film

The Father

Mindhorn

Music

Depeche Mode - Songs of Faith and Devotion

Depeche Mode – Black Celebration

Rest in peace, Andy "Fletch" Fletcher of Depeche Mode. The news of your passing is a great loss to electronic music.  

Spanish style Bomba rice with chorizo, prawns and peas

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.