July 2023 Favourites list

Welcome this month's list of stuff which has kept me occupied, inspired, entertained and enthralled.

I hope you enjoy my selections, along with some beautiful summer flowers.

Food writing

What's in season in July? Fennel, rocket, cucumber, radishes, courgettes, blackberries and strawberries. With recipe ideas. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/food/recipes/g42799372/july-recipes/

Nissin's Cup Noodle tubs are a food icon. A supermarket in Shenzen found giant size packs were such a hit, they sold out in half a day. Each giant pack has 24 regular size pots. The perfect stash of noodles! https://mustsharenews.com/giant-cup-noodles-china/  

Recipes

Ten salads to help you boost your plant/veggie intake: https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/jun/15/eat-the-rainbow-10-spectacular-salads-to-help-you-eat-30-plants-a-week

I’ve started experimenting with Korean ingredients like Gochujaru and Gochujang, so this spin on a US classic has captured my interest: https://www.saveur.com/recipes-by-course/gochujang-sloppy-joes-with-kimchi/

If you have seen any of my food pictures, you’ll know I am firm believer that toasted sesame seeds make everything look and taste great. This chicken salad recipe is going to be another excuse for me to get my fix: https://cravingsbychrissyteigen.com/recipes/sesame-chicken-salad

Three pasta salads to keep us going through the rest of the summer: https://www.stylist.co.uk/food-drink/3-quick-and-easy-pasta-salad-recipes-to-enjoy-all-summer-long/794156

Quinoa gets a bad rap from people wanting to dunk on “middle class” food. But it’s easy to cook, healthy and versatile. I’m always looking for new salads to add some quinoa to, so I’m sharing this: https://www.wellplated.com/sweet-potato-quinoa-black-bean-salad/

A cauliflower, pomegranate and pistachio salad from Yotam Ottolenghi: https://www.purewow.com/recipes/yotam-ottolenghi-cauliflower-pomegranate-pistachio-salad

“Cowboy butter” mixes up all the things which go well with steak. Great for a summer barbeque: https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/cowboy-butter/

Wagamama restaurant chain’s recipe for miso cod ramen : https://www.lovefood.com/recipes/89840/wagamama-miso-cod-ramen-recipe

 

Kitchen know-how

Barbeque cooking experts share the perfect temperature for cooking meat. It’s important to avoid food poisoning. https://metro.co.uk/2023/05/26/bbq-experts-share-perfect-temperatures-to-cook-meats-from-chicken-to-steak-18834908/  

Has a bowl of soup or porridge exploded all over the inside of your microwave? Here’s how to clean your microwave, and what not to use: https://www.hungryhuy.com/how-to-clean-a-microwave/

 

Cost of living

The Big Issue have put together a summer survival list, to help families over the school summer holiday with the cost of living. You’ll find it here: https://www.bigissue.com/news/social-justice/summer-survival-guide-summer-holidays-cost-of-living-crisis/

 

TV

The Change

Stand up comedian Bridget Christie (A Bic for Her) writes and stars as Linda, a woman who realises how dismally she is put upon on her 50^th birthday which her useless husband Steve (Omid Djalili) tries to make all about him. Taking off for a few days, much to the chagrin of her judgmental sister Siobhan (Liza Tarbuck, channelling more internal misogyny than I would normally care to see, in a great performance), she meets culture wars radio hosts Joy and Verderer, two sisters devoted to eels, and seeking a time capsule left by the younger Linda aged 10, during her journey of self discovery. I’m not going to give any giveaways from this quirky comedy drama. Available on Channel 4’s free streaming service: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-change

Je Tue Mon Mari (I Killed My Husband)

French thriller about lawyer Anna Viera who, on a dark and stormy night, initially believes she has killed her husband. Her doubts grow, and she realises she must prove her innocence. Without giving anything away, Anna realises that many things in her life have been a lie, including her happy marriage. Great performances, and effective slow burn storytelling make this uniquely watchable. (TW: rape, murder, violence and coercive control). Available on Channel 4’s free streaming service: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/i-killed-my-husband

Black Mirror – Loch Henry

The first episode of this new series, Joan Is Awful, got plenty of attention for it’s warped internet spying meta AI narrative. But Loch Henry, the second episode is more old fashioned but even darker. Travelling back home to a small lochside village, Davis wants to make a folksy documentary about an egg collector. His girlfriend Pia, upon discovering the village harboured a serial killer, convinces him that the murders should be the subject of the documentary. What then happens is something I won’t spoil for you. (TW: murder, serial killing). Available on Netflix streaming service.

Music

Olivia Dean – Messy

Prince – Purple Rain

Burning Spear – Marcus Garvey

Miriam Makeba and Harry Belafonte - An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba

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.