News
National Burger Day: The World’s Best Burgers
If you're on Twitter or Instagram you probs will have noticed a fair few pimped up burgers making an appearance yesterday for National Burger Day. It's one of those days I wish I lived in London as there were so many meat-feast events happening, sad times. About Time have put together a list of what they consider the best burgers in the whole wide world, see if you recognise any from your travels. My personal fave is Burger Bear's Grizzly - cheese, double oak smoked bacon and BACON JAM. Catch him at Old Street Roundabout, Stoke Newington or Peckham for disco beats and top burgers.
In defence of the NHS's gluten-free prescriptions
Interesting one, this. What the NHS spend their/our money on always seems to be a bit controversial. Should coeliacs get gluten free food through a prescription or do you think they ought to buy the (often expensive) products themselves? Coeliac sufferer, Rosie Norman, puts her defence forwards.
Join the hen party: how the humble egg became a culinary star
If you follow any foodie-minded people on Instagram you will no doubt be inundated with avocado and egg images; the newly crowned king and queen of breakfast and brunch. Diana Henry looks into the reasons behind the rise of the yolky one - recent health research and the brunch trend play a part. I'm still not convinced in any way, I hate the things. Avo on toast all the way.
No, You Do Not Have to Drink 8 Glasses of Water a Day
Paediatrician, Aaron E. Carroll, puts a few things straight about water and dehydration. The bottom line is that you get water from a number of sources aside from drinking a glassful - fruit, veg, tea, coffee, even beer - so the emphasis on getting 2.5 litres down you is not accurate. Read on for more details.
Reviews
Dinerama - Street Feast
If you live in London or are visiting between now and 4th October, get down to Shoreditch for Street Feast's Dinerama to enjoy a meal of epic proportions. I went a few weeks back for lunch and having heard amazing things about Smokestak's beef brisket, I had to give that a go despite the many other temptations. It was worth it: juicy, tender cuts of brisket with hot, sweet chillies enclosed in a brioche bun (see pics on my Instagram). That was followed up with You Doughnut's nutty, salted caramel mini doughnuts which were another winner. There were over 10 food stalls ranging from Indian snacks to pizza to Taiwanese steamed buns to corn tacos plus loads more. Open Thursday-Sunday from noon. Street Feast are also hosting events at Dalston Yard and Lewisham until the end of Sept/early Oct so visit those too if you're super keen.
Local News
Birmingham Independent Food Fair
On 12/13 September Dine Birmingham is bringing a gin bar, street food, chef demos, talks and live music to Birmingham's Millennium Point for fun times all round. The food line up is pretty stellar; my key pick would be BAKE who make gorgeous, American inspired cupcakes, brownies, layer cakes, slices. Their peanut butter cake is the tallest and most tempting I've ever seen, you need to be quick to grab a slice of that one. Cakes aside, there is a massive amount going on at this event, take a peek if you're nearby. Tickets are £6.50.
Recipes
Salted Caramel + Nutella Stuffed Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
Now I think you'll agree with me in thinking that these cookies sound really, really horrible. For research reasons I thought I'd take one for the team and try them out to make sure they were as nasty as we believe. Turns out they taste awful - who would enjoy a chewy chocolate cookie with a molten caramel and Nutella centre and dark chocolate chips? Crazy people, that's who. I wouldn't advise trying them but if you insist and are short of time don't bother with making the caramel, just do as I did and throw in a Rolo or Cadbury's caramel chunk. Yuck. Sarcasm aside, the Top with Cinnamon blog is beautiful with many more treats and stunning photography - I'd postpone the diet. DIY chocolate hobnobs, anyone?
Smoked mackerel with herb & beet couscous
At the other end of the culinary spectrum, here is a healthy, delicious dish which is very difficult to stop eating. Sweet and earthy beetroot, salty fish, fragrant dill and mint, punchy red onion and cool cucumber topped off with horseradish spiked yogurt. Only takes 20 mins to bring together and it'll give you two portions plus a lunch the next day. Bonus.
Food for Thought
Baking SOS: How to solve 10 common bread problems
Anyone watching the Bake Off? Yep, I thought so. If you were inspired to try your hand at making some bread or are just having a few doughy issues, take a look at this guide from last year's GBBO finalist, Luis Troyano. I also came across these tips which offer some extra wisdom to help make the perfect loaf.
August bank holiday is upon us, bringing a whole host of food events to my part of the world - Birmingham Gin Festival, Warwick Food and Film Festival, Hilltop Farm's Chill on the Hill...but I'm off to Devon for beginners' surfing eek so make sure you eat enough street food for me too. If you have any restaurant or pub recommendations in the Croyde area, let me know. Have a good one!