News
Should I stop drinking bottled water?
A big fat YES! In the UK there are no health benefits to drinking bottled water over tap water (in fact tap water has much stricter controls than bottled) and the environmental impact of buying plastic bottles is huge. If you live in an area where the water tastes a bit funny, then buy a filter or put it in the fridge for a bit and the chloride taste will go. Anywhere that sells alcohol has a legal obligation to provide you with free tap water so take them up on that offer next time you're reaching for a bottle when you're out and about. We're lucky in this country to have such good quality water, so drink it! Don't give Nestle, Danone or the other silly corps any more money.
Your easy guide to buying organic produce
If you would like to buy organic fruit and veg but are put off by the higher prices, then take a look at this article which details the non-organic products that contain more pesticide traces and which contain less, so you can make an informed decision on which to go for. Apples, strawberries and potatoes come out at the top of the list for pesticide residues so if you eat these regularly and are concerned about the health issues then maybe look to buy organic more often if you can afford to; avocados, pineapples and onions all have very little pesticides present so save some money and keep to the non-organic versions of those.
Are we really being poisoned by non-stick pans?
I was in two minds about including this link because it does sound rather like a scare-mongering Daily Mail headline. However my thinking is that it's best to have all the knowledge and you can make your own mind up whether to take action or not. This is clearly an area that needs more research so we can learn how risky the kitchen pans actually are; in fact the article tells us that our exposure to the nasties is much higher from 'carpets, upholstery and textiles' than from the pans. The advice given is not to throw away your non-stick pans but be careful about overheating them and scratching the surface. Have a read and see what you think...
Good cholesterol vs bad cholesterol: should we stop worrying about bacon?
Saturated fat and cholesterol have long been considered to be the baddies of the food world with butter, eggs, red meat and bacon being touted as foods to avoid or eat in extreme moderation. Recent research refutes this, instead pointing to processed foods, sugar and a sedentary lifestyle as the major causes of heart disease and premature death. It seems there is some serious scientific clout behind this, an interesting read.
Local News
Leamington Peace Festival | June 13-14th
It's sunny at the moment which hopefully (haha) bodes well for some afternoon lounging at the Peace Festival next weekend. If you haven't been before, it's well worth a visit for some lovely veggie and vegan food, inspiring talks and workshops, great music and stalls selling everything from amazing hammocks, to flower headdresses and juggling balls. Food-wise, look out for The Wild Oven's wood fired stuffed flatbreads with mozzarella and pesto and a goats' cheese, spinach and onion chutney combo, Sweet As' chocolate brownies (deemed the best by me) and The Jabberwocky's cheese-laden gourmet toasties. I'm sold!
Recipes
Chargrilled asparagus, courgettes and manouri salad
Don't be scared by the manouri (it's a Greek cheese), I hadn't heard of it either! Think it's quite difficult to find here so I substituted halloumi which works perfectly. Ottolenghi is the king of big salads bursting with flavour and colour, and this dish is no exception. The tender, spring veg adds a delicate touch to the punchy tones of the salty, browned halloumi and sweet juices of the slow roasted tomatoes. The fragrant, garlicky basil oil dressing would be a great addition to many salads or drizzled over barbecued kebabs. There are a few stages to the recipe but all are simple and you can speed up the tomatoes by increasing the oven temp and shortening the time if you're in a rush. This recipe is in Ottolenghi: The Cookbook; a brilliant book with mountains of cakes, salads and delicious meat dishes.
Seeded wholemeal loaf
I'm not a big bread baker. I've had a few half decent attempts at wholemeal loaves but both times I've tried a seeded loaf it's come out super doughy and pretty much raw in the middle. So when I spotted this seeded wholemeal bread a few weeks ago, I thought I'd give it another bash. It came out really well, I loved the rich flavour from the spelt flour and treacle and it was great toasted for breakfast. My hands and wrists are knackered from too much cupcake piping so I dug out the dough hook for the mixer and made it in there which worked just fine. If you're not sure about making bread, give this a go.
Food for Thought
How to grow herbs
Whether you have a huge grassy lawn or just a sunny windowsill, this guide advises on the best herbs to plant for success and how to look after them. Basil and mint tend to make regular appearances in summery drinks and salads at this time of year so it's a great time to start planting. Throughout the spring and summer you can sow fast-growing coriander and parsley seeds, ensuring you have a regular supply. Growing herbs is a great activity to do with kids too as they quickly shoot up and can be nibbled straight from the plant.
*says quietly* is it here? has the summer finally arrived? I'm going to a BBQ tonight so the sun better stick around! Sausages, Greek salad, chicken and veg kebabs and a lovely Asian coleslaw are on the menu, recipe coming next week... Have a good one.