News
Tesco to ban children's sugary drinks from its stores
Not sure about this. Personally I'd prefer to be ingesting sugar (in moderation) rather than artificial sweeteners and if I was a parent I'd like to have the choice of what to give my children. It's a tricky one and I think it comes down to education again - teach adults and children what a healthy diet consists of, how much sugar is in these drinks, what sweeteners are etc, and then they can make their own mind up. But that doesn't seem to be top of the agenda.
Which oils are best to cook with?
In recent years there have been a fair few new oils appearing on shelves up and down the country but which should you use for what? This article should clear up the confusion a bit; also worth taking a look at this infographic for further interesting info on the breakdown of the oils and facts on some more unusual ones. I'd take the dramatic headline of avoiding coconut oil with a pinch of salt though as recent studies have stated that sat fat isn't the big bad monster originally thought but that's a separate discussion.
Love Food Hate Waste App
Food waste is a big issue as we know, with recent news on supermarkets trying to reduce their load; there's also a lot of wasting that goes on in our homes which this app can help you tackle. The app enables you to plan your meals and shopping for the week, browse the recipes to see how you can use up those brown bananas and also get the lowdown on portion control - the handy portion planner will tell you how much rice/potatoes/meat etc you should serve per person. I always misjudge pasta so this will be getting some use.
Reviews
The big chilli sauce guide: how to tell your sriracha from adobo
The lovely Diana Henry has put together a splendid guide to all things chilli sauce - if you've got a bottle lurking at the back of the cupboard and you're not sure what to do with it, have a look at this list for recipe ideas. There's everything from harissa to hot pepper to Tabasco to super trendy sriracha.
Local News
Digbeth Dining Club
If you haven't heard of DDC then you are missing out, IMHO it's the best street food event around. The standard of food is always immense plus there's great music, a fun atmosphere, indoor seating and no paralytic idiots (or not many at least). It's on every Friday night in Digbeth, only 10 mins walk from Birmingham Moor Street station; on August 21st they are ramping it up for their third birthday with 16 stall holders. Yes, you read that right, SIXTEEN - including my faves Buddha Belly, Delizie Italiane, Habanero, Bournville Waffle Co. So I am pretty gutted not be going (how many more Fridays and weekends are going to be taken up with people getting married?!? Selfish much? Geeeeez). If you have the chance, go go go! Try and get there earlyish to sample the best food before the masses arrive.
Recipes
Herby lemon chicken with Tuscan beans
If you're thinking of sacking off the Sunday roasts with the warmish weather then this is a flipping fantastic alternative - a herby spatchcocked (ask your butcher or watch this) bird which can be roasted or put on the BBQ, served up with umami-tastic butter beans. Very easy to put together and tastes ace.
Key Lime Pie
This is one of my mum's classic desserts that she brings out for family get togethers and I love it. The crunchy ginger biscuit base combined with the creamy, zingy topping is superb. Very simple to make and a real crowd pleaser. It's the one on the right of the pic obvs, I usually decorate with squiggly melted chocolate for a modern art finish.
Food for Thought
Cheese Wheel Chart for Cheese Lovers
I like these infographic things; this one is particularly cool as it looks like a round of cheese. If you're a cheese geek or know someone who is, then have a look at this to discover many many more to eat your way through.
I'm back. Sorry for the unannounced hiatus, I was planning on sending mini newsletters whilst on holiday but the internet was rubbish so it didn't happen. I've included two of my favourite dishes this week, let me know if you make them, I'd love to see pics. Have a good weekend, I'm planning for a Nepalese meal for eight tomorrow night. Eek.