May 2023 Favourites List

Welcome to this month’s list of the wonderful stuff I have been enjoying this month. Enjoy them with some of the spring flowers I spotted in my neighbourhood.

Food writing

What's in season in May? Asparagus, peas, strawberries, spinach, watercress and spring onions. Here is the list, and what you might want to do with them.

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/food/recipes/g42934808/may-recipes/

How to eat sushi, from conveyor belt sushi restaurants to the specialist restaurants of the sushi masters: https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230420-the-right-way-to-eat-sushi

"The British Chinese takeaway deserves respect, not sneering by ignorant Americans". A powerful defence of how food evolves and the experience of the sheer hard work running a successful take away involves, from Kate Ng: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/chinese-takeaway-tiktok-british-american-b2334781.html

Tai Ibitoye, a registered dietitian and a university lecturer in nutrition and dietetics, busts some of most persistent and misleading diet myths circulating on social media: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/dietitian_diet_myths

Recipes

Omar Allibhoy (AKA The Spanish Chef) shares his recipe for creamy Spanish (Bomba) rice with mushrooms: https://archive.md/20fGf

Koreans call it “mu”, but you might know it better as daikon or mooli radish. Here’s a spicy salad recipe from Su Scott from Kavey’s blog. Don’t forget to season the dishes in the right order: sweet, salty, sour and jang. https://www.kaveyeats.com/korean-spicy-radish-salad-musaengchae

Three Indonesian vegetarian recipes from Petty Pandean-Elliott’s book The Indonesian Table: https://www.stylist.co.uk/food-drink/traditional-indonesian-vegetarian-recipes/778673

My mum used to make a prawn and cabbage dish when I was a child, and wanted to know how to re-create it. Here’s a recipe which is pretty close: https://www.diasporaco.com/blogs/recipes/shaz-kik-s-bandhakopi-chingri-bengali-spicy-cabbage-with-shrimp

The Indian snacks known as “chaat” are one of my favourite light meals. Here’s a novel spin, using shop bought Bombay mix: https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/quick-and-easy/bombay-mix-lettuce-salad/

Jersey Royal potatoes are back in season. Here’s a reinvention of potato salad, with a lighter dressing than the traditional mayonnaise with chives: https://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/new-potato-salad/

Got a packet of instant ramen and want a change? How about… wait for it… Ramen salad. Toasted dry ramen mixed into a salad slaw. https://www.wellplated.com/asian-ramen-salad/

https://www.wellplated.com/sweet-potato-quinoa-black-bean-salad/

Three vegan Jamaican salad recipes from Denai Moore’s new cookbook: https://www.stylist.co.uk/food-drink/plentiful-denai-moore-vegan-salad-recipes/782373

Kitchen know-how

I love kitchen and cooking tips. But what about the absolutely worst tips in the history of cooking? Here they are… [They are very, very bad!] https://www.lovefood.com/gallerylist/82340/the-worst-cooking-advice-in-history

How to cook beans from dried, and bean-cooking myths busted: https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/soaking-salting-dried-bean-myths-article

I recently started cooking with either white or red miso paste. But I’m looking to expand my horizons beyond simple marinaded fish and salad dressings. This beginner’s guide from Niki Segnit (author of the Flavour Thesaurus books) is going to inform my new adventures. https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/may/13/niki-segnit-beginners-guide-to-cooking-with-miso

TV/Music

Fanny: The Right To Rock

In the 70s, there was an all woman band who truly rocked. With members who were mixed race, and lesbian/bisexual, they were trailblazers in every way. David Bowie and Bonnie Raitt were fans. Geoff Emerick engineered their records. Todd Rundgren produced them. They were the first all woman band to be signed to a major record label. This documentary tells their story. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001ln6p/fanny-the-right-to-rock

Pet Shop Boys at the BBC

A retrospective of the duo’s many appearances on the BBC in a career which has been anything but boring. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001m85r/pet-shop-boys-at-the-bbc

Reel Stories: Pet Shop Boys

Dermot O’Leary interviews Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe. The David Bowie ham baguette story told is definitely a highlight! There’s also a number of amusing moments when the boys laugh at their younger selves. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001m85t/reel-stories-pet-shop-boys

Film

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

The cast of voices supporting Antonio Banderas in this multi-layered film which is not-just-for-kids include Florence Pugh, Ray Winstone and Olivia Colman. There are laughs, fights, rooftop chases… and a cat who has to face up to the fact that life is finite as he realises he’s on his last l

(Available in cinemas and on streaming services)

A Simple Plan

It has taken me years to get around to seeing this thriller which is set in rural Minnesota where despite the sense of space, the tone is decidedly claustrophobic. Two brothers and their friend find $4m in cash. All they have to do is keep shtum about it and not act suspiciously, right? If only it were that simple… https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0078cwc/a-simple-plan

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.