July 2023 Favourites list

Welcome this month's list of stuff which has kept me occupied, inspired, entertained and enthralled.

I hope you enjoy my selections, along with some beautiful summer flowers.

Food writing

What's in season in July? Fennel, rocket, cucumber, radishes, courgettes, blackberries and strawberries. With recipe ideas. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/food/recipes/g42799372/july-recipes/

Nissin's Cup Noodle tubs are a food icon. A supermarket in Shenzen found giant size packs were such a hit, they sold out in half a day. Each giant pack has 24 regular size pots. The perfect stash of noodles! https://mustsharenews.com/giant-cup-noodles-china/  

Recipes

Ten salads to help you boost your plant/veggie intake: https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/jun/15/eat-the-rainbow-10-spectacular-salads-to-help-you-eat-30-plants-a-week

I’ve started experimenting with Korean ingredients like Gochujaru and Gochujang, so this spin on a US classic has captured my interest: https://www.saveur.com/recipes-by-course/gochujang-sloppy-joes-with-kimchi/

If you have seen any of my food pictures, you’ll know I am firm believer that toasted sesame seeds make everything look and taste great. This chicken salad recipe is going to be another excuse for me to get my fix: https://cravingsbychrissyteigen.com/recipes/sesame-chicken-salad

Three pasta salads to keep us going through the rest of the summer: https://www.stylist.co.uk/food-drink/3-quick-and-easy-pasta-salad-recipes-to-enjoy-all-summer-long/794156

Quinoa gets a bad rap from people wanting to dunk on “middle class” food. But it’s easy to cook, healthy and versatile. I’m always looking for new salads to add some quinoa to, so I’m sharing this: https://www.wellplated.com/sweet-potato-quinoa-black-bean-salad/

A cauliflower, pomegranate and pistachio salad from Yotam Ottolenghi: https://www.purewow.com/recipes/yotam-ottolenghi-cauliflower-pomegranate-pistachio-salad

“Cowboy butter” mixes up all the things which go well with steak. Great for a summer barbeque: https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/cowboy-butter/

Wagamama restaurant chain’s recipe for miso cod ramen : https://www.lovefood.com/recipes/89840/wagamama-miso-cod-ramen-recipe

 

Kitchen know-how

Barbeque cooking experts share the perfect temperature for cooking meat. It’s important to avoid food poisoning. https://metro.co.uk/2023/05/26/bbq-experts-share-perfect-temperatures-to-cook-meats-from-chicken-to-steak-18834908/  

Has a bowl of soup or porridge exploded all over the inside of your microwave? Here’s how to clean your microwave, and what not to use: https://www.hungryhuy.com/how-to-clean-a-microwave/

 

Cost of living

The Big Issue have put together a summer survival list, to help families over the school summer holiday with the cost of living. You’ll find it here: https://www.bigissue.com/news/social-justice/summer-survival-guide-summer-holidays-cost-of-living-crisis/

 

TV

The Change

Stand up comedian Bridget Christie (A Bic for Her) writes and stars as Linda, a woman who realises how dismally she is put upon on her 50^th birthday which her useless husband Steve (Omid Djalili) tries to make all about him. Taking off for a few days, much to the chagrin of her judgmental sister Siobhan (Liza Tarbuck, channelling more internal misogyny than I would normally care to see, in a great performance), she meets culture wars radio hosts Joy and Verderer, two sisters devoted to eels, and seeking a time capsule left by the younger Linda aged 10, during her journey of self discovery. I’m not going to give any giveaways from this quirky comedy drama. Available on Channel 4’s free streaming service: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-change

Je Tue Mon Mari (I Killed My Husband)

French thriller about lawyer Anna Viera who, on a dark and stormy night, initially believes she has killed her husband. Her doubts grow, and she realises she must prove her innocence. Without giving anything away, Anna realises that many things in her life have been a lie, including her happy marriage. Great performances, and effective slow burn storytelling make this uniquely watchable. (TW: rape, murder, violence and coercive control). Available on Channel 4’s free streaming service: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/i-killed-my-husband

Black Mirror – Loch Henry

The first episode of this new series, Joan Is Awful, got plenty of attention for it’s warped internet spying meta AI narrative. But Loch Henry, the second episode is more old fashioned but even darker. Travelling back home to a small lochside village, Davis wants to make a folksy documentary about an egg collector. His girlfriend Pia, upon discovering the village harboured a serial killer, convinces him that the murders should be the subject of the documentary. What then happens is something I won’t spoil for you. (TW: murder, serial killing). Available on Netflix streaming service.

Music

Olivia Dean – Messy

Prince – Purple Rain

Burning Spear – Marcus Garvey

Miriam Makeba and Harry Belafonte - An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba

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.

June 2023 favourites list

Welcome to this month's favourites list. 

This month's photos are from my recent visit to Darjeeling Express, Asma Khan's acclaimed and boundary pushing restaurant. With its emphasis on home style Indian food cooked by a team of women who would not usually be working in the commercial catering sector, it is great to visit upon its return to Kingly Court in Soho, London.  

Food writing

What's in season in June? Artichokes, asparagus, blackcurrants, cherries, courgettes and elderflowers. With recipe ideas. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/food/recipes/g42752918/june-recipes/

Three London restaurants make it to the list of 50 best restaurants in the world. They are British-Mexican fusion restaurant Kol, Ikoyi restaurant specialising in sub-Saharan African cuisine, and modern British restaurant The Clove Club. https://metro.co.uk/2023/06/22/worlds-best-restaurants-london-nabs-three-spots-in-top-list-18995104

An examination of sexism in wine culture: https://lithub.com/do-wines-make-women-giggly-on-sexism-in-wine-culture/

I've been Twitter chatting about instant noodles today, the lifesaver of workplace lunch when you are in a rush or didn't pack lunch in advance. Food bloggers Gingeybites reviews instant noodles, a helpful resource for noodle enthusiasts. https://gingeybites.com/guide-to-instant-noodles

If you love food and travel, then Kavey’s guide to Vietnam, complete with itinerary and top tips, is well worth reading. https://www.kaveyeats.com/3-week-vietnam-itinerary-food-culture-history-cities-nature

Can you increase your chilli heat tolerance, and what causes differences in tolerance in the first place – a fascinating look into capsaicin: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/spice_tolerance

 

Recipes

South East London’s Babur restaurant is a must visit for fans of Indian food. They have been lovely enough to share their recipe for Dal Makhani: https://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/dal-makhani/  

From Su Scott’s book : https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/meat-and-poultry/korean-bossam-poached-pork-belly-wrap/

How to make Saag Paneer from scratch, including how to make your own Paneer: https://getpocket.com/explore/item/saag-paneer-is-the-luscious-indian-comfort-food-you-need

Algamja jorim are Korean soy sauce braised baby potatoes. A slightly time consuming dish to make, but one which is well worth the trouble. https://mykoreankitchen.com/gamja-jorim-korean-braised-potatoes/

 

Kitchen know-how

Many Instagram food posts include flowers. Please only use edible flowers. This article identifies them and how to use them. [NB Sweet pea flowers are not edible, but pea flowers are. Don’t get confused!] https://www.marthastewart.com/edible-flower-varieties-guide-7510570

How to make super smooth hummus with either dried chickpeas or tinned: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/super_smooth_hummus

A major study has found the Mediterranean diet could cut the risk of dementia in later lift by 25%. Here’s a summary of the findings, and what to eat and how to incorporate the Med diet foods in your diet. https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/diet_reduce_dementia_risk

13 alternative to wheat flour, from grain flours to bean flours and more: https://lifehacker.com/your-guide-to-13-alternative-flours-1850414480

If you love garlic as much as I do, you’ll love this. Kaitlyn from the Woks of Life food blog gives her guide on how to cook with garlic: https://thewoksoflife.com/cooking-with-garlic/ 

 

TV

Colin From Accounts

Offbeat Australian comedy in which an impulsive spur-of-the-moment piece of cheekiness leads to an accident which brings two unlikely people together as they struggle to do the right thing behind the innocent pooch they call “Colin from accounts”. TW – dog injury in a car accident. On iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0f255x9/colin-from-accounts

Glastonbury 2023

Gabriels: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0ft12mg/glastonbury-gabriels

Los Bitchos: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0ft1qtj/glastonbury-los-bitchos

Rick Astley & Blossoms play The Smiths: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0ft6w7z/glastonbury-rick-astley-blossoms-perform-the-smiths

Chvrches: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0fsyy41/glastonbury-chvrches

Hozier : https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0ft12v9/glastonbury-hozier

Caroline Polachek: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0ftbbbs/glastonbury-caroline-polachek

Kelis: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0ft0pdc/glastonbury-kelis

Music

Charlotte Gainsbourg – 5:55

Film

She Said

In the mould of investigative journalism films like Spotlight and All The President’s Men, I found this film documenting the investigation which exposed Harvey Weinstein and birthed the “Me Too” movement highly engaging. The performances are stand out. Good to see so many women in starring roles in a journalistic drama, although obviously the circumstances are horrible. [Available on streaming services].

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.