August 2018 Favourites List

In my Favourites List last month, I shared my impressions of going "on safari" for the first time. Since then, I've been trying to go through the many photos I took. I confess to having been completely snap-happy!

Going through my pictures, I am struck by how the wild animals of southern Africa all have a story. Sometimes that story is known by rangers and trackers. They can tell you all about the daily struggles and life story of some of the animals. Other times, the animals are recent visitors, mysterious and enigmatic. 

Powerful elephants roam around, sometimes devastating the bush, trampling trees or stripping them clean of leaves and fruit. Marula fruits are their favourites. These hungry giants have an inefficient digestive system, forcing them to roam. Yet they show their family group tremendous tenderness and loyalty. You can see how the baby elephants are looked after by all the females in the group. They all invest their time and care into the next generation, an amazing act of altruism. 

Cheetahs roam around, solitary and regal. Conserving their energy when there is nothing for them to hunt down. They'd beat Usain Bolt at a sprint hands down, moving with effortless skill. Yet, watch them try to climb up and down a tree and you see their evolutionary disadvantage; their claws, which cannot be retracted, render them clumsy at climbing. 

Families of warthog dig deep burrows, which they ensure they sleep in, facing the exit. Beware the predator who dares try to invade their home... they are in for a ferocious attack! 

My favourite group among these animals were the three little lion cubs. Cubs with an astonishing life story. Their dad died of old age, their mum was killed by other lions. Their sister took them on, with her brother. A highly unusual family group, the cubs play with their uncle and aunt with seemingly no cares in the world. They don't know there are other males in the area, who would dispose of them without a second thought. Their secret defenders are their other aunts, who sneakily keep the dominant males busy to prevent them investigating the local area. Who knew that big cats can show such self sacrifice, strength, tactical awareness and love. The odds are against them, but I am cheering them on. I hope you will too.

I hope you enjoy this second instalment of safari photos, taken on the edge of the Kruger National Park where there are a number of private game reserves and lodges. If you missed the first, you will find it here: https://snigskitchen.blogspot.com/2018/07/july-2018-favourites-list.html

Now it is time for me to share my list of fab stuff for the month. I hope you enjoy it all, and do get in touch with your feedback on your safari experiences or on any of the items in this list!

Recipes - food, drink, quick cooks and no cook dishes: 

Chicken and spinach pasta from Jack Knight's food blog: https://jackknightcooks.wordpress.com/2018/04/05/pollo-florentine-pasta/

Pimm's isn't just for Wimbledon! Here's a classic Summertime Pimms and a Pimms Spritz from Fiona Maclean at London Unattached: https://www.london-unattached.com/pimms-perfect-summer-drink/

No cook salad with broccoli, daikon, cucumber and dried cherries. The dressing keeps for a week if you want to make up a batch. https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/broccoli-salad-with-peanut-dressing

You might be a bit too hot to fire up the barbeque, but these Japanese inspired skewers by Tash of Food I Fancy remind me of Izakaya Yakitori sticks: https://www.foodifancy.com/chicken-and-leek-teriyaki

Too hot to cook? Here's a no cook Scandi style chopped salad with smoked mackerel: http://www.goodhousekeeping.co.uk/food/recipes/scandi-chopped-salad

Chef Romy Gill's Bhindi Subzi (okra/ ladies' finger curry) - vegetarian and vegan): https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/recipes/romy-gill-okra-sabzi-recipe-cooking-instructions-a8470861.html

Marinaded lamb cutlets, with cannellini beans in a pesto dressing: https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/quick-and-easy/lamb-cutlets-with-pesto-and-beans/

From the BBC series Eat Well For Less - Slow cooker lamb and Sweet potato tagine with couscous: https://www.bbc.com/food/recipes/slow-cooker_lamb_and_79282

Nothing says Summer holidays to the Med like Paella! Felicity Cloake's Seafood Paella: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/aug/01/how-to-make-seafood-paella-recipe-masterclass

Want to make your own soft flour tortillas for tacos, burritos and quesadillas? Here's how: https://www.whereyougetyourprotein.com/tortilla-recipe/

Sometimes, the most effective recipes are the simplest ones. And the simplest, the most effective. Who's have thought simply dipping courgette juliennes in milk then rolling in plain flour, seasoned with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper could be so satisfying? https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2990/courgette-fritters

Full of Spanish flavours, this prawn stew is a quick cook dinner. https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/fish-and-seafood/smoky-prawn-pepper-and-new-potato-stew/

School holiday cooking? How about Unicorn Poo Meringues? https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/unicorn-poo-meringues

What you might have missed at Snig’s Kitchen:

Brand new recipe blog post - Sichuan inspired salad: https://snigskitchen.blogspot.com/2018/08/sichuan-inspired-pepper-carrot-and.html

Film:

Spirited Away

Music:

Mojo and Trojan present "Reggae Nuggets" 
Burning Spear - Marcus Garvey/Garvey's Ghost

TV: 

Search Party (Season 1)
Search Party (Season 2)
The Carole King Story

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.