November 2013 Favourites list

Hello everyone! How is November been treating you?

Personally, I've found the clocks going back and the sudden onset of cold weather a real shock to my system. Having, on the colder days, to try to cram feet with two pairs of socks into my boots has not been fun! 

Some people love this time of year. The yellows and russets of the falling leaves, the loss of oppressive heat, the cuddly feel of wool on skin, are all things many people find pleasure from in this season. I guess if that's you, we will just have to agree to disagree!

I do enjoy the flavours of this season, thankfully! Stews, curries, soups, casseroles, roasts/bakes and generally more comforting food always meet with my approval. Time to dig the slow cooker out, and plan some suppers! And the trusty cast-iron casserole dish is bound to see some action in the coming days and weeks.

I am thinking of making some stuff with some middle-eastern influence... perhaps some Turkish or Persian flavours. So dried oregano, saffron, pine nuts, raisins and chick peas... you get the kind of impression.... I think a buying trip to find stuff like Pomegranate molasses and Sumac is in order...

I'll get my coat!

This month's pictures are from Positano in Italy, from my trip there last year. It's a picture perfect little town perched on a hill, descending down to the sea.

Blogs Worth Following:

http://cookwitch.blogspot.co.uk/

http://chasingdelicious.com/

http://www.wiveswithknives.net/

Recipes:

Originally to use up stale bread, this is a middle eastern salad which is full of colour and joy, Lebanese Fattoush.
http://www.kitchennomad.co.uk/fattoush-salad/4578695746

Authentic Pad Thai from a street vendor. You have the lovely Anjali Hall to thank for finding this down the back of the internet!
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/360251-pad-thai-recipe-direct-from-a-street-vendor-in-thailand-photos/

Vegetarian & vegan - healthy lentils with sweet potato and spinach. http://www.girlmakesfood.com/slow-cooker-lentils-vegan/

Originally to use up stale bread, this is a middle eastern salad which is full of colour and joy, Lebanese Fattoush. http://www.kitchennomad.co.uk/fattoush-salad/4578695746

Ketcheree, (or Khichuri) is the origin of Kedgeree, here is a Persian spin on the classic Indian dish: http://foratasteofpersia.co.uk/2013/03/ketcheree-a-recipe-for-good-friday/

Osso buco, one pan brussels with bacon, laksa, seared beef, sorbet - a collection of great recipes from Nigel Slater.

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/nov/05/nigel-slater-recipes-kitchen-diaries

Baked squid, Mussels and bacon on toast, Grilled duck salad with lemon grass and ginger, Orecchiette with sardines and breadcrumbs. More best of recipes from Nigel Slater: 

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/oct/29/nigel-slater-recipes-meat-fish

Nigel Slater's best veg recipes - Grilled halloumi with beetroot, Artichoke and rosemary tortilla, Cheese and chive puddings, Red aubergine curry  http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/oct/30/nigel-slater-20-recipes-veg

Nigel Slater's best dessert recipes - Chocolate praline truffle cake, Blackcurrant ripple, Blackberry friands, Fig and walnut cake, Baked apples with dates, maple syrup and brandy butter, Pomegranate and prosecco jelly, Banana ice cream with warm cranberry sauce: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/oct/31/nigel-slater-best-recipes-desserts

Smoked haddock and spinach macaroni cheese, what a twist on a classic! http://www.rylandpeters.com/blog/recipe-for-the-weekend-2/

A very traditional Bengali recipe - prawns with cooked gourd (lau chingri), similar to my mum's: http://ilishbhapa.blogspot.co.uk/2009/06/lau-chingriand-rainy-afternoon.html

Allegra McEvedy writes wonderful recipes which are simple and full of flavour. Here is her Pear, Lentil and Pork chop suppertime recipe as featured on Radio 4.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03hwbr3/features/pork-chops

How to make your own Za'atar and your own flatbreads: http://helengraves.co.uk/2013/11/zaatar-flatbreads/

Vietnamese Chicken Curry by Uyen Luu: http://www.sainsburysmagazine.co.uk/menus/vietnamese/item/vietnamese-chicken-curry

Mushy pea houmous, from Veggiestan's Sally Butcher: http://foratasteofpersia.co.uk/2012/11/persepolis-party-food-343-mushy-pea-houmous/

Articles/Know How:

Cold remedies: http://www.masalaherb.com/2013/07/recipes-for-a-cold.html

Making your list for Santa? Here are some ideas for foodies: http://marmitelover.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/18-stylish-items-for-kitchen.html

TV:

The Ambassadors

Imagine: Jimi Hendrix

Music:

Club 8 - Above The City

The Joy Formidable - Wolf's Law

MS MR - Secondhand Rapture

The National - Trouble Will Find Me

Neil Young - After The Gold Rush

Catford Broadway Market - delicious food and super treats!

I've recently been posting about the goings on in the Nation of Catford, where I happen to live. It has long been a scruffy corner of London whose distance from any Underground line has led to it being perceived as undesirable.

That is all beginning to change. Regeneration is bringing much needed investment to the fabric of the community. Local initiatives are also changing the face of the community. One of these is by shaking up the Catford Broadway Market.

One trader who deserves to do well is Colonel Tom's Gumbo. Tom Warden, its founder, learnt how to make traditional southern Gumbo, which he serves with either rice or homemade cornbread. 

His Gumbo packs a mighty flavour punch, which I found intense and satisfying. Tom told me that his Gumbo intends to be rich, with a chilli kick in the finish. That afterglow is very pleasing indeed, and will be even more so as the temperature drops and we head into Winter. 

Pastaficio Mansi, of Ladywell, Lewisham, were in attendance, selling their artisanal handmade pastas. 

One of the recent Catford Broadway Supperclub hosts, I can attest to the loveliness of their delicate raviolis, generously filled with butternut squash. 

Another Supperclub host, Capo Caccia, are bringing their wares to Catford Broadway Market.

Pane Carasau, Mustela, Lardo, organic Pecorino, all great quality products from small producers in Sardinia.

There are lots of tempting baked goods for Catfordites and visitors to sample. 

I couldn't resist Sweetroot's take on baking, incorporating vegetables into their cakes, muffins and mini loaves. 

The sugar free Parsnip and Banana mini loaf was moist and delicious. It was hard to believe it doesn't have any sugar added, but clearly the parsnips and banana have given up their sweetness in a delectable and satisfying way. I may even have got one of my five-a-day and I did so by eating cake!

One very welcome trader is Elvira's Pantry, an artisanal Italian bakery selling Gluten, Yeast and Dairy free products. A great way for people with dietary requirements and food intolerances issues to enjoy a little bit of something sweet. 
 

The market isn't all about food, there are some fun and interesting stalls for other interests. This jewellery stall had some cool costume jewellery pieces for that urban bling look!
 

Amanda of local shop "Gorgeous Gifts and Accessories" has brought her special homemade natural skin care products to Catford Broadway. 

Her products smell divine and are made of herb and fruit extracts. A lovely treat for yourself or a gift for someone, perhaps?

Jozeen, another Catford local, runs "Light and Bubbly", making small batches of handmade candles, soaps and bath treats.

But back to the food!

Uli's jams, chutneys, scones and macarons are a popular and tempting stall.

The macarons stood out for me. The pistachio macaron was delicious and the rose was redolent with fragrance. A complete bargain.

 
 Jouvert are dishing up their West Indian delights.

Two Hungry Bees have brought a little bit of Saigon to Catford.

Their steamed buns are filled with sour, sweet, tangy spicy salad and meat.  

Or you could have one of their spring roll and salad boxes. 

The most recent Supperclub hosts - in the new Catford Canteen pop up restaurant, In A Pikkle are the final foodie traders at the Broadway market. Their food is Bajan, but made with an emphasis on keeping it healthy and light.

So in the middle of your Sunday, when trying to get the weekly shop done or popping out for Sunday lunch, why not come to Catford Broadway's Monthly Market? It's on the first Sunday of the month, and when the rebuilding works are finished, it is going to be a very pleasant little environment to stroll around and browse. 

Come and support your local market, people of the Nation of Catford!

Koya, light lunch in Soho

Social networking is great, and many of you will know that I am a big user of social networks. However, I still believe that nothing beats socialising for real: proper, old fashioned in-the-flesh meetings. 

I have been in touch with, and known the very lovely Kavey of the Kavey Eats blog for some time. When we last bumped into each other we didn't have much time for a proper chinwag. So we agreed to meet up for a foodies afternoon of grazing, scoffing and natter.

We were both keen to go somewhere neither of us had been to before. Kavey came up with the suggestion of Koya. I recently bought a mighty tome published by Phaidon called "Where Chefs Eat". It's a huge and ambitious book where loads of prominent and respected chefs were asked to give details of their favourite restaurants. 

Koya was featured in the book, with a glowing recommendation, having been suggested by 11 chefs. "Radiating a low-key authenticity, Koya's udon noodles - made on site in the traditional way, served with umami-rich stocks and a range of toppings - would hold its own back in Japan." Naturally, I was keen to go as a result.

Koya doesn't take reservations, so we didn't have the option of booking a table. Lunch service starts at 12. Kavey suggested we meet at the restaurant fifteen minutes early. I was surprised, but given that her knowledge of the restaurant scene is excellent, trusted her. We sat on a bench outside the window, waiting for midday. Slowly, small groups of people started congregating. We were let in at noon, and half the tables were instantly full. On a Monday lunchtime! By half past, the place was full. Very impressive!

We decided to get a warming pot of tea (£4.20 for 2) while we studied the menu and decided what to have. The weather had taken a turn for the worst, and hot tea was just what we needed to drive the chill out of us. 

The blackboard of specials is something that repays good investigation. We found ourselves utterly torn between the regular menu dishes and the choice of specials, which cover all of the types of food served at Koya, from pickles to soups to sides. 

We ordered one of the specials, the Nuka pickled carrot and turnip, £2.90. 

The pickles arrived, looking like art on a plate. The colours were vibrant and lush. The carrot had been washed, but not peeled and was firm, with lots of crunch and sweetness. The turnip, again, washed but not peeled, had retained a very pleasing shape. I particularly liked the hint of the turnip tops which had been retained. These veggies had been very lightly and delicately pickled, so that they still tasted very fresh, like all the nutrients were still alive and kicking. I'll confess that I didn't think they represented great value for money, they were devoured in a matter of seconds, but they were tasty and beautifully presented.

Another special was crab meat and egg on sweetcorn kakiage tempura for £8.90.

This dish was pleasant; conflicting textures of soft, creamy and crispy. However, I felt a little let down that there was so little crab and far too much egg. This was a dish where egg was the main event rather than crab, and the description had led me to believe the opposite was the case. 

We then had to choose what kind of main dish to have.  We thought about the Donburi dishes (rice in a bowl), but knew that Koya's speciality was udon. We ruled the Donburi out quickly, although we would love to try it another time. 

So, which kind of Udon noodles to have? There were 3 types of Udon available. Atsa-atsa udon which are hot udon noodles in hot broth, with several varieties available (plain, tofu, pork and miso, mackerel, chicken, mixed seaweed, beef, mushroom and walnut miso and duck). These were proving very popular with other diners. However, noodle soups are something we've both had plenty of times before, so we decided against this set of options. Next to consider were the Hiya-Atsu udon; cold udon in hot broth. Again, several varieties were available (plain, pork and miso, chicken, beef, mushroom walnut miso, duck, vegetable tempura, fish and vegetable tempura). Finally there was the Hiya-Hiya udon; cold udon with sauce for dipping or pouring. There were 4 dipping options; plain, sesame sauce, vegetable tempura, fish and vegetable tempura. The pouring sauce options were: fried tofu and spring onion, pork and miso, smoked mackerel and green leaves, mixed seaweed).

It was a tough choice, but we decided that the Hiya-Hiya style was the most unfamiliar to us so should be the first dish we went for. We chose the Zaru Gomodare, cold udon with cold dipping sauce of sesame, £8.10. 

Here are the udon noodles, topped with shredded seaweed sprinkles.

The udon noodles themselves don't look like an awful lot of food, do they? However, they are very substantial! They are dense and chewy, but in a good way. They aren't bland. They are very different from any kind of udon noodle I have had before. 

The sesame sauce was rich, creamy and packed with sesame flavours. 

It hadn't been watered down at all and was vivid with sesame flavours. When coated with the sesame sauce, which clung to them perfectly, the udon noodles had so much more flavour than you believe you have any right to expect.

The Tanuki tempura crispies are a great little sprinkle to add a new texture to the mix. 

This is an extra topping, only 60p.

Tomago egg (£2).

The tomago egg was not something I tucked into. I left this for Kavey. I don't like eggs, which I have been advised is because I have a mild allergy to them. I don't get ill, but have been informed by a specialist is the reason for my lifelong ambivalence to them. 

I could see that these had been carefully soft boiled and retained a high degree of runny middle with a just cooked egg white. Kavey enjoyed the tomago egg very much, so I would say if you love soft boiled eggs or the marinaded eggs on the top of ramen at say, Bone Daddies or Shoryu, then this is for you.

We had a very enjoyable lunch. The service at Koya is very friendly. We were shown a degree of kindness and care which is uncommon, such was its genuineness. We had heavy bags with us, which we were allowed to store. The check on how we were enjoying our food came with genuine concern. And the table staff are full of effervescence in all of their customer interaction. They were busy, and could have treated us as a hassle. Rather, they seemed to really like seeing people come out to enjoy themselves.

I will be going back.

Snigdha and Kavey paid honest lucre for their lunch.