News
The Art of Dining
I love this. Moro trained chef Ellen Parr and set designer Alice Hodge come together to host an amazing evening of fun, food and nostalgia. The latest theme is 'After School Club' - think fine dining school dinners, pencil cases for your cutlery, art and English lessons, all overseen by a strict headmistress. The creative duo have hosted various pop-ups across London including 'The Colour Palate' where everything changes colour for each course (food and dining room), a take on Abigail's Party with kitsch 70s decor and a menu to match, and 'Gone Camping' which recreates those family memories of cooking food on a little stove in the British countryside. Each event has been planned down to last detail to create a memorable night with fantastic food. The 'After School Club' runs from 22 July - 5 August, tickets available now.
Out on the piss? Danish festival recycles urine to make beer
Recycling in its most natural form. Fun, engaging idea that will make people think twice about peeing up a tree.
Chocolate: 10 health reasons you should eat more of it
It's been World Chocolate Day this week, hope you celebrated appropriately. I certainly don't need another reason to eat more but here's ten in case you're finding it tough to justify that square (or five) before bedtime.
The time when the government tried to feed everybody
This interesting read looks back at the 'national kitchens' of the early 20th century and how they should be considered again today in conjunction with food banks as a way to combat food poverty and obesity. There are already many community kitchen projects organically springing up, including the brilliant FoodCycle who now have 20 sites over the UK. They are always looking for volunteers in the kitchen, and also for fundraising and PR/marketing, so take a look if you'd like to help out.
Reviews
Breakfast in London: Top Breakfasts for £5
These recommendations from About Time make me want to be eating breakfast in London more often. A breakfast burrito? I'm take that, thank you very much. Even being the strange egg-hating person that I am, I'll admit that Dishoom's fried eggs on chilli cheese toast looks a little bit good (pic above). At all under a fiver, go crazy and have a breakfast feast.
Local News
Warwick Beer Festival
Fancy trying 40 real ales and 30 ciders at Warwick Racecourse next Friday or Saturday? You pay £5 entrance which gets you a glass, then buy strips of tokens to try third or half pints of the drinks. I went last year and it was much fun even though I only drink cider. Lots of local brews on offer, live music both days and hot food stalls.
Recipes
How to cook perfect patatas bravas
Sometimes you come across a dish that transports you to another country, this is one of them for me. The combination of crispy potatoes and sweet, spicy tomato sauce drizzled with pungent garlic mayo evoked memories of sunny evenings in Malaga and Barcelona's tapas bars. It is seriously good, definitely one of my favourite meals this year. Perfect for tapas for four-six people or as a main meal - the recipe makes enough for two portions plus a mini one for lunch. If you want to add more spice (and meat) then throw some chorizo in with the onions. The mayo sauce isn't hard to make, just be patient as it'll takes 30 seconds or so to thicken up; I used a stick blender in a wide jug which worked just fine.
Good-for-you granola
I've made this recipe (or a version of) 100s of times; the great thing about it, is that you can swap bits in and out, add nuts or make any other changes you fancy. Cook up a double batch and it'll last for ages. It's delicious with yogurt and some fresh berries or banana. The knowledge that this is in my breakfast bowl actually makes it easier for me to get out of bed in the morning, which is a big deal for a super sleeper.
Food for Thought
The Science of Dry-Aging
If you've noticed the words 'dry-aged' on a steak menu recently and are intrigued to know what exactly this means, have a read of this piece which explains the science behind dry-aging and how you can do it at home. This project is for the serious experimenters and meat-lovers among us but also anyone who has a spare, empty fridge lying around.
Hands up if you've had a little tennis window in the corner of your computer this week? Or a discreet headphone in the ear for Radio 5's live action? Sue Barker's annual return to our screens, the smoky smells lingering in warm, evening air and sun-scorched shoulders in need of shade means only one thing - the British summer has truly arrived.