March 2017 Favourites List

Happy Spring! The clocks went forward, Spring has officially sprung and slowly but surely, the coats are getting lighter (as are the days). Leaving layers at home is making me insanely happy. I’ve had a whole fortnight of not needing gloves! Enjoy the brighter and longer days and colourful blooms. 

This month’s pictures are the huge, beautiful murals next to Kilburn Underground (Tube) station. Vibrant, colourful and reflecting all the diversity and energy of London, they made me smile. I had to get my phone out to capture all four vistas. Trouble is, I don’t like my pictures to have crowds of people in the way. This is difficult on a Saturday afternoon on a busy London High Street. So I waited around, as I often do, for a quiet moment with few people to get a decent snap. Of course, this made the good people of Kilburn think I’m a crazy person…

Recipes:

Sometimes we make this in the oven, sometimes the slow cooker. It always takes ages, but it is always lovely. Make it with burgundy wine, drink it with the same. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2017/mar/09/how-to-cook-the-perfect-boeuf-bourguignon

I make Vietnamese style Bun noodle salad with pork from time to time. I used to cheat with shop bought marinade. This is a great marinade to make from scratch. http://www.olivemagazine.com/guides/flat-rice-noodle-salad-with-sticky-vietnamese-grilled-pork/

At some point this week, we will be having a go at making this very French influenced recipe by Nigel Slater - Chicken with Tarragon:  http://whatsforsupper-juno.blogspot.co.uk/2007/06/creamy-lemon-tarragon-chicken-la-nigel.html

Getting that perfect crackling on roast pork is a tricky thing. I am hoping this might be the answer!  http://www.baldhiker.com/2017/02/26/roast-pork-with-perfect-crackling/

One pot Persian lamb stew, with pomegranate molasses and pomegranate "jewels": http://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/one-pots/persian-lamb-stew/

An adaptable soup, Moldovan flatbreads and a leftover spaghetti "tortilla"; some original ideas for using surplus food. Let us combat food waste! https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/mar/11/four-infinitely-adaptable-recipes-for-leftover-food

As we come to wild garlic season, here is a recipe perfect for the season! http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/pork-chops-with-spelt-ramsons-and-purple-sprouting-broccolli/

Mary Berry has caused a ruckus by adding white wine and cream to her Bolognese sauce recipe. Here's an approved authentic one. But if you don't pretend your recipe is the real deal, it is just how you like yours, does it do any harm to add unconventional ingredients? It's an interesting question - what do you think? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/recipes/spaghetti-bolognese-italian-chefs-show-world-correct-recipe/

An authentic Ragu Bolognese recipe, as found by my brilliant guest blogger Linda Poulnott – with translation into English and original Italian recipe link: https://www.facebook.com/snigskitchen/posts/1569939199700816

"I can make it at home for nothing! All I need is a small aubergine..." (Goodness Gracious Me)
Miso and honey aubergine recipe: http://www.kikkoman.co.uk/Recipes/All-Recipes/Miso-and-Honey-Roast-Aubergines

 

Fasolada, an easy comforting Greek soup recipe, rich in fibre, from Cookwitch Lisa: http://cookwitch.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/comfort-soup-quick-fasolada.html

 

Beyond vinaigrette - Diana Henry's recipes for Anchovy, olive and caper dressing, Asian style hot and sour salty, sweet dressing, Creamy korma dressing, Honey and preserved lemon sweet and sour dressing, Rose and raspberry dressing and Saffron dressing: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/recipes/dressings-to-sass-up-your-salads/

Miss Masala author Mallika Basu shares her recipe for tomato and tamarind glazed whole seabass: http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/foodanddrink/tomato-and-tamarind-glazed-seabass-by-indian-cook-mallika-basu-a3478631.html

 

I'm always trying to find a perfect Tabbouleh recipe. This has tonnes of parsley, an essential ingredient, from Kerstin Rodgers: http://www.msmarmitelover.com/2017/02/parsley-power-2-tabbouleh.html

  

Spotted by Foodycat blogger Alicia Fourie, this recipe for Bulgur, Feta and Oven-dried Tomato Salad: https://www.joanneweir.com/recipes/salads/bulghur-feta-ovendried-tomato-salad/

How to make your own Chicken Kiev at home, avoiding chewy chicken, non existent garlic butter and cardboardy breadcrumbs: http://timedeating.co.uk/chicken-kiev-reclaiming-classic/

Articles/Know How:

Nine inspirational women in the world of food (chefs, writers, food heroes) share their thoughts for International Women's Day (8 March): https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/9-food-icons-and-what-we-can-learn-them

 

What should you store where in your kitchen - a handy practical guide (even if I don't agree with all of it!): https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/what-put-where-kitchen

Do you think this drip free wine bottle will catch on? Or should we all just buy some more coasters? http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/drip-free-wine-bottle-invention-physicist-daniel-perlman-brandeis-university-groove-neck-answer-a7648771.html

There are loads of rubbish kitchen gadgets in the shops, hoping to part you from your cash. But could this be the worst? A gadget to make burgers in the shape of hot dogs. I have one question - why? https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/mar/15/kitchen-gadgets-review-the-ham-dogger-possibilities-as-endless-as-a-nightmare

What you might have missed at Snig's Kitchen:

The wines to watch out for among the Bordeaux 2016 vintage! Coming soon to a store near you - the great wines from the Grand Cercle des Vins de Bordeaux. http://snigskitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/grand-cercle-de-bordeaux-en-primeur.html

My brilliant and fun night out at Roast Restaurant at Hotjoint's Eat Like A Brit quiz night! http://snigskitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/eat-like-brit-hotjoint-event-at-roast.html

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.