News
Wilderness Festival - Very Special Food & Drink, Music, Hot Tubs
I like festivals, a lot. Although I've ever only been to Glastonbury previously, this year I'm branching out and heading to a smaller one - Wilderness. The food they have on offer is very different to how other festivals do it, think long banqueting tables, big sharing platters, proper seats (well, haystacks) and massive feasts. Food from Moro, Nuno Mendes, Mark Hix and Angela Hartnett are among the highlights which is very exciting. The prices are high eek but it does look very special. Elsewhere Ben Howard and Bjork are the musical headliners, there is also a lake surrounded by hot tubs, circus acts, creative workshops, yoga and speakers talking about important stuff.
The Murky World of Convenience Food
Most of us eat convenience food in some form, whether that's an Indian ready meal, a loaf of bread or pack of biscuits but do we really know what's going into these products? If you take a minute to read the ingredients list, there are often many mysterious chemical sounding substances of unknown origin. This article brings to light a few facts from Joanna Blythman's new book, Swallow This, which goes behind the scenes in the world of processed foods in order to give us the knowledge to make more informed decisions about what we're putting in our mouths. Whether or not it'll change your mind on scoffing that chocolate hobnob tonight is a personal choice but it's worth having a think about.
Ban Fast-Food Outlets from Hospitals, MPs demand
I couldn't quite believe what I was reading here: there are McDonalds and Burger King 'restaurants' in hospitals?! In actual hospital buildings. How was this ever allowed to happen? Wrong wrong wrong. If you enjoy a fast food meal every now and then, fair enough, whatever floats your boat, but how can the NHS have any credibility in promoting healthy eating when they are housing two of the biggest, unhealthiest food chains under their roof? Don't get me wrong, the NHS is a fantastic organisation with many brilliant employees but the people that are in charge (MPs I'm looking at you) need to get their act together especially when this fact came to light this week: "...the NHS is now spending more on bariatric (gastric band) surgery for obesity than on a national rollout of intensive-support lifestyle intervention programmes..." There are many bad guys in this healthy vs unhealthy food battle but please NHS don't make yourselves one, you're the good guy we're rooting for. Ditch the fast food!
Cakes to Crisps: eight foods you didn't know you could freeze
As you've probably guessed by now, I have a bit of a thing about food waste. I attempt to limit the amount of food that ends up on a landfill site via our dustbin by putting together a meal plan each week (oh yes, I'm one of those) but still a few ingredients fall by the wayside. The food item I throw out most is fresh herbs as I'll often use a little bit then leave them languishing in a mug of water on the counter until they go limp and stink (has anyone smelt off coriander before? seriously bad). I need to befriend my freezer and stuff the herbs in ice cubes pronto. Other such freezer friendly foods are discussed above.
Local News
Food & Craft Market at Fargo Village
If you haven't been to Fargo Village yet then you should head Coventry way this Saturday to take a look at their food and craft market. Fargo Village is a Camden-esque space with independent traders, a great cafe, art exhibitions and creative workspace; there's great energy behind this exciting venture with the feedback being massively positive since it opened in September last year. They are currently building The Box which is to be a live performance venue. Lots of good stuff going on. Go share the fun vibe this Saturday with the fantastic Scoff food collective and their merry band of food traders - pimped up hot dogs, noodles and pizzas plus lots more on offer.
Recipes
Thai Satay Stir-Fry
This stir fry sauce is a brilliant base that I've used for many years - 3 tbsp sweet chilli sauce, 3 tbsp peanut butter and 2 tbsp soy sauce. First up fry some veggies and meat if using, then add the sauce mixed together with a little hot water. Let it simmer, stirring occasionally for a couple of mins, then add cooked noodles. Taste, add more soy and chilli sauce if necessary...and that's it! Very quick midweek meal. The recipe on BBC Good Food serves four people but I tend to use the same sauce quantities for two, it depends how strong and saucy you like your stir fries!
Chocolate & Spice Hot Cross Buns
With Easter just around the corner and grey weather predicted this weekend, maybe it could be a good opportunity to get into the kitchen for some hot cross bun baking. If you have kids, they would love this recipe as it involves lots of kneading and watching the dough grow, as well as munching on chocolate, fruity buns, bonus. The rich dark chocolate chunks, juicy raisins and sticky orange glaze make these buns deliciously moreish! There are a couple of proving stages but they aren't too long and that time can be spent elsewhere. I found the buns needed a bit more spice, if you want a more intense flavour I'd add extra cinnamon or bring in mixed spice.
Food for Thought
Flow Hive: Honey on Tap Directly from your Beehive
So, I'm not a beekeeper but this product looks so cool and easy to use that I'm seriously tempted to get involved! No more crazy outfits, smoking out and disturbing the bees or risking multiple stings - you simply turn on the tap and honey flows forth. So far this project has raised over $7 million, the largest sum ever donated on the crowdfunding site, Indiegogo. There's going to be a whole lot of happy bees out there. Take a look at London based Urban Bees if you'd like to get involved in city beekeeping and click here to see the massive, often unseen and unknown, effect bees have on our food chain.
Anyone having meat withdrawal sweats yet from Meat Free Week? Despite the fear of alienating you, I have to admit that unfortunately I'm going to a BBQ smokehouse this Saturday so haven't been able to commit myself fully to the challenge! I'm sorry. Next time I'll fully practise what I preach. There's a tiny bit of politics this week, roll with it and get involved, I'd love to hear your opinions. Have a good one.