September 2016 Favourites List

This month's pictures are from Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社, Fushimi Inari Taisha) in Kyoto, Japan. Tourists call it the Thousand Torii Gate Temple because of the hundreds and hundreds of vermilion wood Torii gates in the temple complex. It was originally founded in the year 711, but with the gates being made of wood, they have to be replaced from time to time. I wouldn’t like to bet on how much of the site is “original”. Not that it matters.

The shrine is a Shinto one at the base of the Inari mountain. This is important since Inari is the god of rice, a major staple of Japanese food. Hence devotion shown at this temple leads to abundance of food and therefore prosperity. It should come as no surprise therefore that the gates are often funded by Japanese businesses.

Even with the throngs of visitors who come here each day, religious pilgrims, tourists and instagrammers, it is still possible to achieve a feeling of calmness here. The beauty and grace of the place remains, unspoiled. This is thanks to the perfect little Torii gates, the hillside, the forest and trees, the overall sense of being surrounded in nature despite being quite close to the city. It is, quite simply, a lovely place to be.

The temple’s symbol is a wily jackal, often with a key between its teeth. This key is that for the rice granary, highlighting the link to Inari and the hope for the proliferation of food in the future.

To get here you need to take the JR Nara line from Kyoto to the Inari station. It only takes 5 minutes or so, it is a rapid and easy journey. Or you can get there from the Keihan railway via the Fushimi-Inari station. 

I hope you like the pictures. But here is the stuff you came here for, my selection of stuff which has piqued my interest this month!

Recipes:

Mung bean noodles are called Cellophane noodles as they are so transparent. Here's a recipe from Bangkok's Chinatown using just soaked Cellophane noodles, pork and prawns: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/recipes/pan-fried-pork-and-prawns-with-cellophane-noodles/

A seasonal beetroot and pink peppercorn gratin. Perfect as for meatfree Monday, or as a side dish with meat.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/recipes/beetroot-and-pink-peppercorn-gratin/

5 minutes to prep, 50 minutes to cook and it will create its own gravy. Honey and mustard chicken thigh tray bake: fussfreeflavours.com/honey-mustard-chicken-thighs-traybake

Preserving and pickling is back! Here is a recipe for old fashioned English Piccalilli and a ham and egg pie to eat it with. (You could cheat and just buy a Melton Mowbray one, though!) http://www.foodurchin.com/2016/07/cooking-with-sarsons-homemade.html

Roopa suggests this as a side dish for your curry night. But why not have it with pork or lamb chop on a weeknight? Or even as your veg with Sunday lunch? http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/cabbagewithmustardse_9992

Hank Williams (and later the Carpenters) sang "Jambalaya, Crawfish pie, File gumbo". But did you know that File is a powder made from ground sassafras leaves? Here's a recipe for File Gumbo. Now, where can I get some File from...
www.today.com/recipes/tujague-s-creole-gumbo-t102801

Sicilian food is unique; Italian but with Greek and Middle Eastern influences and ingredients. This Sicilian baked sausage with potato, tomato and herbs by Diana Henry has those typical flavours of chilli, fennel, garlic and spicy sausage. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/recipes/sicilian-baked-sausage-with-potato-tomato-and-herbs/

I love Thai sweetcorn fritters. This Indian version by Thomasina Miers just means a little added spice! https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/sep/09/sweetcorn-recipes-indian-spiced-fritters-quail-warm-corn-salad-thomasina-miers

A spin on the classic Thai dish Larb Gai from 2014 Masterchef winner Ping Coombes. http://goodthingsmagazine.com/spicy-minced-chicken-lemongrass-parcels/

Pa amb tomaque or Pan con tomate is a classic Catalunyan tapas dish. So simple, so flavourful. http://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-make-pan-con-tomate-spanish-tomato-toast-article
 

A guide to Garam Masala by Kavey - what it is, how to use it, and how to make it! http://www.kaveyeats.com/2016/08/a-taste-for-garam-masala.html

Articles/Know How:

Raw eggs deemed safe for pregnant women: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-36888285

The Mediterranean diet isn't so much a food deprivation and starvation programme (as many diets are), it's more of a philosophy on food. http://www.today.com/health/5-surprisingly-simple-ways-follow-mediterranean-diet-t102464

Back to school time! So here's a useful and practical guide to healthy packed lunches for school children. http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/h…/guide/healthy-lunches-for-kids

Interesting ideas on how to put together salad dishes without being a slave to fixed recipes.  https://food52.com/blog/17583-7-steps-for-composing-your-salad-like-a-chef
 

What you might have missed at Snig's Kitchen:

A review of Cafe Spice Namaste's Curry For Change Khaadraas Club. Featuring the dream team of Cyrus Todiwala, Romy Gill and Pervin Todiwala. An amazing night of food, drink, chat which has made a big difference to a small charity with a massive impact.
http://snigskitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/curry-for-change-khaadraas-club.html

My review of Kate Tempest’s show, playing her new album Let Them Eat Chaos in full on her home turf at Brockley’s Rivoli Ballroom: http://snigskitchen.tumblr.com/post/150726673634/kate-tempest-rivoli-ballroom-brockley-london-20

My review - now at online magazine Flush The Fashion: http://www.flushthefashion.com/music/music-kate-tempest-rivoli-ballroom/

Film:

Deadpool

Bladerunner

The Runaway Jury

TV:

Fleabag

The X Files (1^st Season)

Music:

Mogwai – The Revenants

Mogwai – Rave Tapes

Explosions In The Sky – Take Care, Take Care, Take Care

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.