March 2026 favourites list

Hello my brilliant readers! Welcome to this month’s favourites list, when we are really beginning to feel the literal spring in our step as the leaves are regrowing on the trees and the spring flowers are blooming.

This month’s pictures are from taking my Mum out for Mother’s day for some Thai food. She always enjoys the chillis and punchy flavours. We had a colourful, cracking lunch, with flowing conversation and laughs. 

 

I hope you enjoy this month’s selections, and that you find something here to tickle your tastebuds.

Food articles and writing

The Observer’s guide to the best places to eat noodles in the UK, with contributions from Angela Hui, Nicola Miller, Andy Lynes and the Observer staff writers: https://archive.ph/sply7

Weighing in at 1.83kg, The Complete Illustrated Guide to Japanese Cooking: Techniques, Ingredients, Recipes by Sachiyo Harada is an encyclopaedic work devoted to Japanese food. Kavey has given this highly tempting potential purchase a test drive, putting the book through its paces. https://www.kaveyeats.com/complete-illustrated-guide-japanese-cooking-sachiyo-harada

Thai seafood salad

 

A heavily US focus, but nevertheless, some beautiful and fascinating  brand new cookbooks here: https://www.eater.com/books/949453/best-new-cookbooks-spring-2026

Issue 2 of Vittles’ print magazine on Bad Food was an amazing collection of thought provoking food writing. This, reviewing the moral panic about parents' and childrens' rebellion against a Rotherham school ban on "fast food" is on that theme.  https://www.vittlesmagazine.com/p/bad-people-bad-food-bad-place

The world’s favourite noodle dishes from the Observer food monthly noodle special issue: https://observer.co.uk/style/food/article/favourite-noodle-dishes-from-around-the-world

Thai aubergine salad with roasted rice

My Bluesky friend Chris Bulow shared this, and as he says, keep reading, because the practical suggestions further in are well worth reading – 12 “lazy” ways to eat more vegetables: https://www.salon.com/2026/02/18/lazy-ways-to-eat-more-vegetables/

Recipes

The 15^th March is also known as the infamous “Ides of March” which Julius Caesar was warned to beware. He didn’t and his fate was sealed. Here is a cocktail recipe for “Bloody Caesar”: https://www.theguardian.com/food/2026/mar/06/cocktail-of-the-week-chet-hoxton-bloody-caesar-recipe

Corn cheese is a Korean BBQ restaurant side dish many of us grew to love after visiting South Korea. Here is how to recreate it at home: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/party-ideas/a69811768/korean-corn-cheese-recipe/

Wolfgang Puck’s famous Chinese chicken salad from his restaurant: https://archive.ph/HBRmH

Tamarind prawns

 

Malaysian-born chef and MasterChef winner Ping Coombes explains how to cook rice and shares her recipe for Baked honey and soy chicken rice: https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/food-and-drink/recipes/how-to-cook-rice-ping-coombes-recipe-b2918132.html

Gennaro Contaldo shares his recipe for a Sicilian inspired pasta with anchovies and breadcrumbs for a quick supper or weekend lunch: https://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/recipes/2026/0304/1561643-gennaros-pasta-with-anchovies-and-breadcrumbs/

Life Kitchen’s Ryan Riley shares his recipes for comfort, joy and healing: umami noodles, French (pickled) onion soup, Kimchi salmon with ginger greens, Cauliflower and potato coconut curry, Black olive, feta and honey twists, Sweet and sour apple crumble with sweet basil cream: https://archive.ph/dTGgL

Kitchen tips

Why Yorkshire puddings go wrong (and how to fix them): https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/cly8zlpyydlo

It is back to school time in Japan, as the new school year starts. Here are some beginners tips for packing children’s lunchtime bento boxes (which are useful for grown ups taking packed lunches to work, too!): https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2026/03/18/food-drink/back-to-school-kids-bento

Pan fried fish fillets can be the basis of speedy weekday dinners, but how can you get that restaurant style crispy skin? https://www.theguardian.com/food/2026/mar/10/whats-the-secret-to-crisp-skinned-fish-kitchen-aide

What you might have missed

I had a wonderful trip to South Korea last year which included a visit to beautiful Jeju Island. Here I write about my visit to the Osulloc Tea “Museum” on the island. https://snigskitchen.blogspot.com/2026/03/osulloc-tea-museum-jeju-south-korea.html

Thai chicken stir fry

 

TV

Boarders, Season 3

This is the end of the school careers of our South East London fishes out of water at posh boarding school St Gilbert’s. They still have to deal with dreadful racist headteacher (who demands to be called “mistress”, a red flag if ever I heard of one!) along with all the other traumas of taking A levels. Will they make it through? Will they get to go to their chosen universities? I’m not giving you any spoilers.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m001wjyk/boarders?seriesId=m001wjyk-structural-3-m002spbr

 

Golden bags or golden parces

Film

I Swear

Robert Aramayo’s BAFTA winning performance as John Davidson, leading British campaigner for Tourette’s syndrome awareness is one compelling reason to watch this film. Davidson’s story of his Scottish upbringing in the 80s when the UK had virtually no recognition, let alone empathy, for the condition is another. Finally, the ensemble of performances is a real treat, with Maxine Peake being particularly wonderful in her role.

Available on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/82681782

Massaman curry

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.