News
Tom Kerridge: the new Government needs to help British farmers
Although this article was written before the election outcome was known, the message still rings out loud and clear - the UK needs to become more self sufficient again for the sake of our farmers, our health and the economy. By no means am I suggesting a halt on importing foreign goods, not sure we could survive without our bananas, rice and sweet potatoes now. But a big push needs to go into producing more items we can grow in this country and the supermarkets should stop importing fruit and veg willy nilly, rather their support should go to our farmers who grow some of the best in the world. If we could get used to just eating strawberries in the summer, that would be a start.
Have You Eaten Your Last Avocado?
Swiftly moving on to one of my favourite imported products.. avocados. I'll admit I am one of those people who eat it squashed on toast with chilli flakes and sea salt. No shame, it's so good. So I was a little concerned to read that the fruit (apparently it's actually a berry?!) we have grown to love is having some difficulties in the demand and drought areas. It takes around 100 litres of water to grow each avocado which environmentally sucks. Perhaps I should rethink the avo on toast habit #guilty
Can This Scientist Unite Genetic Engineers and Organic Farmers?
Genetic engineering and organic farming appear to be at odds. Hear from Pamela Ronald on how she sees the two working together to reduce poverty and hunger. Her TED talk is also worth a listen especially when she is questioned after the speech on GM food safety. I'm still not sure which side to sit on this, I feel that more research needs to go into the effect on our body of genetically engineered food but we also need to stop people dying of malnutrition and starvation asap. Tough.
Reviews
The British Street Food Awards - Oxford Heat
No, I'm not suffering from short term memory loss, I am giving another shout out to the British Street Food Awards because they were so fricking amazing on Monday. I've eaten a serious amount of street food but this was another level. The standard was so high, everything we ate was worthy of winning from Bloom Kitchen's juicy pulled brisket brioche and lamb flatbread (what was in that marinade and sauce?! 10/10) to Crabbieshack's super crispy soft shell crustaceans to Cheeky Italian's meatball calzone and beef poutine and fries. We selflessly tried something from every stall bar two (all in the name of making an informed decision, it's not fair to vote otherwise, right?). There were five of us, but still we were sporting serious food babies for sometime afterwards. The sign of an excellent feed. If you get the chance to go to one of the other heats in Cardiff, Leeds, Cornwall or the final in London, then you have got to go for the feast of your life.
Local News
Warwick Food Festival
Food events are popping up all over the country, not least in the Midlands where we can safely say the food love is booming. Warwick Food Festival makes its debut in a few weeks' time on bank holiday Sunday with a host of street food stalls and exhibitors selling everything from coffee to biscuits to jam to chocolate and gin. I'll be heading straight to the brilliant Spectacular Goat for an 'Angelina' - wood fired sourdough pizza with sweet hot peppers and black olives, swiftly followed by a visit to Big Papa's Beautiful South for American soul food. There's been big hype online over their buttermilk fried chicken and pulled cola brisket bun since they took over The Sunflower Lounge in Birmingham so they will be top of my list. Look out for the edible insects in the Market Hall Museum, these creatures might be a big part of our future meals!
Recipes
How to cook perfect French onion soup
If you haven't come across Felicity Cloake's 'perfect' series yet, you most definitely should take a look. She chooses a dish then experiments with various recipes from lauded chefs, going through the key flavour and ingredient elements before putting together the ultimate chocolate brownie, falafel, chicken korma...there's a massive back catalogue. This French onion soup deserves a mention for its thyme scented, deeply savoury flavour, syrupy caramelised onions topped off with the salty crunch and soggy underbelly of the gruyere toasts. It's the kind of meal you don't want to end, I found myself wiping a finger around the bowl to get every last little morsel. The cooking of the onions takes patience but is 100% worth it.
Courgette & tomato linguine
This is a great store cupboard recipe and quick to throw together. You don't have to use linguine or even spaghetti, any pasta will do. I put bacon in if I have some going spare, it does give an extra umami depth, but by no means essential. The sugar, salt and vinegar are key here for adding a bit of jazz to the tomatoes elevating the sauce to a new level. Keep a little bite to the courgettes to add texture and brown them a little to add another taste dimension.
Food for Thought
Symmetry Breakfast
Who doesn't love a good breakfast? Buttery, flaky croissants with homemade jam, a crisp bacon butty with dripping ketchup, smoked salmon with a soft poached egg (apparently there are people who enjoy eggs, for me they are the food of the devil, retching emoji), or a good old bowl of Crunchy Nut Cornflakes - it's the meal of dreams, literally, as most of us are still in a half slumber state when we're tucking in. Michael Zee and Mark van Beek decided to share their first meal of the day, setting up this popular Instagram account to chronicle their daily breakfasts with beautifully styled photography all taken on an iPhone. This is excellent #foodporn, avoid if hungry.
It's over. Whether you're jubilant, indifferent or downright depressed about the results, there is going to be a whole lot of people with nodding heads today after last night's/this morning's drama. A weekend of sleeping, eating and contemplation, me thinks.