A Favourites List for October 2012

There is now no doubt that Autumn is with us. The temperature has dropped massively, and the shops are full of gloves, mittens, scarves and warm coats. I have just stocked up on lots of pairs of tights for the cooler days ahead. I've had my Winter coats dry cleaned in readiness for the cold weather to come. But although the weather may be a let down, the food of Autumn doesn't have to be. Autumn eating carries over some of the nicest produce of late Summer (sweetcorn, pumpkins/squashes, sweet potatoes, late beans) with the comfort food of Winter. I love hot, cooked dinners; stews, risottos, casseroles, tagines and curries. All food which has Autumn/Winter stamped all over it. 

So don't get depressed that they days are drawing in. Beat the blues by tucking into some comforting, sustaining and satisfying nosh. You won't regret it!

Here is my list of favourite things for the month of October. Enjoy!

All of these pictures were taken of the Halloween goodies range at Konditor & Cook, Grays Inn Road branch, London. Adorable, aren't they?!

 

Blogs worth following:

http://www.foodifancy.com/

http://www.inspirewine.co.uk/blog/

http://annmah.net/

http://www.quickindiancooking.com/

Thai cooking site: http://shesimmers.com/

http://londonbaking.com/

 

 

Recipes:

Save yourself a trip to IKEA http://www.waitrose.com/content/waitrose/en/home/recipes/recipe_directory/s/swedish_meatballswithredcurrantsauce.html

Making dahl http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/jun/02/how-to-cook-perfect-dal

Vietnamese crispy pancakes http://www.leluu.com/2012/09/banh-xeo-recipe.html

Summer's last gasp: http://helengraves.co.uk/2012/09/end-of-summer-panzanella/

Walnut Pesto? Cool! An alternative the usual pine nuts http://www.domesticsluttery.com/2012/10/sluttishly-savoury-walnut-pesto.html

Interesting spin on an Indian style curry, with 'superfood' quinoa: http://www.icancookthat.org/2012/09/quinoa-indian-chicken-curry.html

Chicken wings - chewy, deliciousness to gnaw at (but not for a 1st date or business lunch!):  http://appetiteforchina.com/recipes/honey-soy-chicken-wings/

Weekend cooking - slow cooked pork loin: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1170/potroast-loin-of-pork-with-celeriac-shallots-and-p

Meaty and comforting mutton curry http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/mutton-curry-091601734.html 

 

Interesting food and drink articles:

 

All about the traditional dishes of Oktoberfest: http://www.foodspotting.com/blog/posts/330-a-foodspotter-s-guide-to-oktoberfest

How to carve roast chicken http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/techniques/carving_poultry

Alvin Leung on Bo London http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/feature/starter-10-interview-alvin/14898

Real ale this Autumn http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2012/oct/05/autumn-ales-season-fresh-hops

Cooking tips http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/top-chef-shortcuts-to-save-you-time-in-the-kitchen.html

Autumn is the season for comfort food http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/comfort-foods-from-around-the-world.html

Guide to Japanese Food & Drink http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/guide-japanese-food-drink-134900786.html

 

Music picks:

 

Dengue Fever - Cannibal Courtship

Beth Orton - Trailer Park

Explosions In The Sky - Take Care, Take Care, Take Care

Alt J - An Awesome Wave

Leonard Cohen - The Songs of Leonard Cohen

TV/Film:

 

Incendies (French language film)

Engrenages, Series 1 (French language drama series)

Homeland, Series 1 (US drama series)