July 2024 favourites list

Hello again my online friends!

I am back with this month’s list of things I’ve been enjoying. This is the week that British schools finish for the year, and as a result there is a real feeling that Summer has landed. Of course, we Brits will complain when it isn’t sunny, complain when it rains, and complain when it is hot. I am writing this on the opening day of the Paris Olympics where the weather difference couldn’t be more stark; south London has sunshine and blue skies and Paris seems to have another day of rain. My sympathies to all the torch bearers, dancers, performers and Celine Dion (making her first performance in years) for yesterday's washout. The opening ceremony was great to watch on screen, but probably was not fun to execute in the pouring rain!

My photos this month are from a delicious, fun, long, lazy, afternoon lunch at Barrafina, Drury Lane. The first article in this months’ list is from London’s Evening Standard, picking out the best London restaurants with terraces for al fresco dining. I wouldn’t have discovered this particular terrace without it. Bathed in the sunshine, drinking a glass of cold Txakoli, with these delectable tapas to nibble on made me feel like I was in San Sebastian, rather than central London. 

Gambas Rojas

 

I hope you enjoy this month’s collection.

Pan con tomate

 

Food writing

Eating out – London’s best restaurants with outdoor terraces. There are some hidden gems here: https://www.standard.co.uk/going-out/restaurants/london-s-best-restaurant-terraces-b1168376.html

Croquetas

Food on film – a selection of evocative and gorgeous food and cooking scenes from cinema, from cakes, to French cooking, marmalade and beyond: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/best-food-scenes-film-cooking-b2310696.html

Travel and food – airports are usually dismal places to eat. This article attempts to select not just adequate but genuinely good airport food (the jamon and cava place in Madrid airport is definitely a solid pick!): https://www.cntraveler.com/story/best-airport-meals-according-to-travel-editors

Platter of Jamon Iberico

 

Food and politics – some people say that food isn’t political. Restauranteur and author Asma Khan disagrees, saying who gets to eat and who does not is always political: https://www.theguardian.com/food/article/2024/jul/21/asma-khan-darjeeling-express-food-is-deeply-political-who-eats-and-who-doesnt-interview

Stuffed courgette flower with honey

 

Kavey reviews Ed Smith’s fourth cookbook “Good Eggs”, a book devoted not only to 100 egg recipes, but also cooking techniques, quick hacks, tips on selecting and storage, and improvisation ideas: https://www.kaveyeats.com/good-eggs-by-ed-smith

Cooking at home – which are the cookbooks you should own? Always a contentious subject, but these are some fab (if US-centric) choices: https://www.vogue.com/article/cookbooks-that-everyone-should-own

Faletilla Iberica salad

 

Recipes

I love some cheeky chaat at home every now and then. Here’s a very American spin on the Indian snack tradition: hot dot chaat topping: https://www.eater.com/24175551/chaat-hot-dogs-toppings-recipes-chaat-dog

I love a lychee or passionfruit martini. Here’s something a little more grown up, a Green tea martini: https://www.theguardian.com/food/article/2024/jul/05/cocktail-of-the-week-down-hall-green-tea-martini-recipe

Cod with salsa verde

 

Fiona Maclean of London Unattached shares her recipe for Porchetta, Italian style roast pork: https://www.london-unattached.com/porchetta-recipe/

Recipe for pancetta wrapped cod with fennel risotto: https://www.greatbritishchefs.com/recipes/pancetta-wrapped-cod-fennel-risotto-recipe

Tuna tartare

 

What you might have missed at Snig’s Kitchen

Snig’s Statler salad (Vegetarian, but not vegan) – a spin on the classic Waldorf salad in tribute to the Muppet show balcony curmudgeons. https://snigskitchen.blogspot.com/2024/07/snigs-statler-salad.html

Secreto Iberico (pork with peppers)

 

TV and Music

Phil Lynott: Songs for While I'm Away is a fascinating and affectionate look back at the life and music of Phil Lynott, legendary frontman, singer, bass player and songwriter of Thin Lizzy. The documentary seeks to focus on his life rather than his death, and puts his songwriting at the forefront. Exploring the links between the songs and the events of his life gives some illuminating perspective.

On iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0012bsy

Cheeky YouTube link: https://youtu.be/Ej5LJ6W339k

Milhojas - Spanish Millefeuille

 

We Are Ladyparts, Season 2

The all woman all Muslim punk band Ladyparts are BACK! This series, after a mammoth UK tour, the girls have created a fandom and buzz within the music industry. Will they achieve their dream of recording their debut? Will they achieve big label success? Will they play at Glastonbury? As ever, the songs are magic, and most people’s misconceptions about Muslim women are exploded. Watch out for Malala Made Me Do It.

On All4: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/we-are-lady-parts

Santiago Tart

 

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

Snig’s Statler salad

The classic Waldorf salad involves apples, celery, walnuts and mayonnaise. It is famously named after the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, USA and was invented in 1896. Since then, it has evolved to include grapes and celeriac, and has even become a julienne style salad rather than a chopped salad. 

I wanted to change things up a little. Usually only green or white/beige ingredients are included. Hence the addition of Stilton cheese and cooked salad potatoes. To add a little variation of colour, I added the red of the salad radishes. I also switched out the classic apple for pears. My version is designed to be a meal in a bowl, rather than a smaller starter.

This salad is dedicated to the immortal Jim Henson, the creator of the character of Statler, one of the grumpy geezers who sat with Waldorf up in the gods who heckled the Muppet Show in every episode. If you know, you know. 

(Vegetarian, but not vegan).

Snig’s Statler salad

Serves 2

Ingredients

2 pears, peeled in stripes, cored and cut into small chunks

8 salad potatoes, boiled with skins on, carefully dried, then cut into chunks

6-8 salad radishes cut into small chunks

2 spring onions, cut into small rounds

1 celery stalk, peeled for strings, then finely sliced

80g Stilton cheese cut up into small cubes

A couple of handfuls of salad leaf of your choice

A couple of handfuls of walnuts

Dressing:

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Salt, pepper

Method

Take two bowls and place a handful of salad leaf in the bottom of each.

In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients together, taste and season accordingly.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the pear, potato, spring onion, celery and Stilton pieces, add the dressing and toss until all the ingredients are well coated.

Serve up in on top of the salad leaf, then top with the walnuts.