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So this whole corona thing sucks big time...hope you are all well and staying mostly sane. Here are some things that have kept me on the straight and narrow this week:

  • My husband cut my fringe (pretty well) and it turns out Fleabag was right - hair really is EVERYTHING. It cheered me right up. I no longer look in the mirror each morning and mistake myself for an Afghan Hound.
  • Normal People. It’s perfect. So beautiful. So emotional. I’m actually slow-watching it so it doesn’t end so soon. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, where have you been? It’s a book, it’s been adapted for TV, it’s on iPlayer.
  • The sunshine. Just imagine if we had to go through this shit show and it was raining every day.
  • Oh and the ice cream van came round yesterday. Small things.

And at least we have food to comfort and cheer us. Scroll for my recipe favourites, some distracting TV and bargain chorizo.

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For me, Instagram has really come into its own during lockdown. So many brilliant cooks and chefs have been sharing their skills and knowledge for free. Three of my faves are:

Clodagh McKenna – her smile and energy alone will make you happy but her IGTV recipe videos are also fab. Plus you get to check out her beautiful kitchen and garden. Serious garden envy.

Bread Ahead – this Borough Market bakery is well-known as one of the best and they have very generously been sharing their recipes on Instagram Live at 2pm most days. Think cinnamon buns, ciabatta and cookies, and they have special family bakes too so the kids can join in. Find the schedule here and click on the bake to find the ingredients.

Ixta Belfrage – this was a new name for me and I'm so glad I found her. Ixta is a recipe developer with Ottolenghi and creates some amazing dishes. The biang biang noodles look so good. Look at her Insta Story Highlights to see the recipes.


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Shop local

If you can do it safely, please please support your local small businesses. The likes of McDonald’s, Dominos, Tesco and Amazon will all survive this, your local bakery or cafe might not. Here’s my highlights reel of the amazing food businesses near me in Leamington Spa who are completely acing lockdown:

Haddie & Trilby – the weekly loaf and pastries feel like such a treat at the moment. Their croissant sausage rolls (meat and veggie) are on another level. Order online and pick up.

Core – this zero waste shop is the only place I've found flour. Just drop them a message and they'll send you a product list to order online. Try the dried apricots, they taste like caramel.

Libertines – these guys recently reopened and brightened up our week. Seriously good chicken and beef burgers. They do veggie and vegan versions too.

Warwick Street Kitchen – love these guys. Their tapas boxes are delicious (see photo) plus they're now on Deliveroo and open for takeaway coffee and cake.

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5 lockdown recipes I’ve cooked again and again (part one)

I might have featured a few of these before but they are worth putting out there again. If there are any particular types of recipes you're looking for or you don't know what to do with a random ingredient, email me at becky@kitchencrumbs.com and I'll see what I can do.