News
Petition - Jamie Oliver needs your help fighting for food education
Love him or hate him, you'd be a big meanie to disagree with what Jamie's saying here - let's all push together to make practical food education compulsory in schools across the world. Listen to the very short video, it says it all. He's trying to get 1 million signatures, will you join in?
Would you pay for your dinner before you've eaten it?
'Will diners really pre-pay for restaurants as they do for the theatre, gigs and sporting events? asks Marina O'Loughlin. Tock is a new ticketing system winging its way from America which aims to reduce restaurant losses through no shows by getting punters to pay in advance for their meal. Think it will be better suited to fancy places with expensive set menus rather than your local Pizza Express but could be a good plan. I'm very happy to pay a deposit when booking a table, especially for a large group.
7 Reasons to Start Eating Goat - baaah
I have to admit that I haven't tried goat before and I don't like goats' cheese - will the meat have that same farmyardy taste? I'm interested to find out as it's being touted as a lower calorie alternative to all meats including chicken and it's (relatively) humane as the male kids who are routinely killed at birth, now have a purpose. Sad I know, but less wasteful. Not sure how easy it is to get hold of in shops outside London but there are multiple online stores selling it. Let me know if you try...
10 Reasons to Support Ugly Fruit and Veg
'At least 20% of all [fruit and veg] produce is wasted just because of its size, shape, colour, or appearance.' This is a pretty crazy stat, what's wrong with a wonky carrot or bumpy potato? It all tastes the same! End Food Waste has started a campaign on social media (@uglyfruitandveg) to persuade supermarkets to start stocking 'ugly' fruit and veg in their stores. The initiative is gaining traction with Asda getting on board in January with their 'Beautiful on the Inside' range which will hopefully be rolled out nationally later in the year.
Reviews
Magpie. Design with a British edge.
Love love love this company - beautiful designs and great ethics. Their massive range is ever expanding with everything from cake tins to tea towels and espresso cups to notebooks with distinctive, bright motifs. At the moment they are offering 50% off their baking ranges, just quote 'bake' at the checkout. Hurry though as it ends midnight on Sunday!
Local News
Spring Market in Birmingham
This street food, drink, craft and music extravaganza was set up by the lovely people behind the Bournville Waffle Company; if you've ever tried their waffles or seen their brilliant van you'll know that they have very good taste - you won't be disappointed. I went up to Digbeth for the Winter Market last year and it was so much fun (apart from nearly freezing my fingers off trying to eat a burger without gloves). The street food line up looks amazing - The Original Patty Men, Buddha Belly, Fresh Rootz, Hungry Toad, Cake Doctor, to name but a few. The food is not the only draw though - the quirky arts and crafts stalls really set this event apart from others along with the ale bus, cocktails and DJs, you know it's going to be a good day. At only a 10 minute walk from Moor Street station, it's got to be done! Can't wait!
Recipes
Mushroom and Lentil Salad
Even though this salad is touted as being autumnal I think it still works perfectly at this time of year when we're not quite ready to launch into full cold salad mode and spinach is on the seasonal menu. If the name doesn't inspire then just look at the flavours - earthy mushrooms and lentils, salty feta and sweetness from the cider and balsamic. This is so good, I couldn't stop eating it! Have a look around TwinnyDip's blog for other great recipes including coffee chicken mole (that's Mexican sauce, not the animal :p), brownie cheesecake and lots of delicious dips.
Oven-baked risotto
This is a perfect one pot recipe for the nights when you want to shove something in the oven quickly and have little washing up afterwards (I don't have a dishwasher anymore which makes me very, very sad #firstworldproblems). I'll quite often swap a leek for the onion to add a bit more flavour; you could also add peppers instead of the tomatoes if you fancied a change. The risotto, although not traditionally made, still has a gorgeous creamy texture, and allows you to put your feet up for 20 mins, bonus.
Food for Thought
Carl Warner's Foodscapes
Carl Warner's photography work might be familiar to you through his high profile tv/print adverts and various viral threads on the interweb. His fantastic scenes are meticulously hand crafted out of food with unbelievable waves of lettuce, bread roll mountains and cucumber bridges. You can see his full range of foodscapes and making of videos on his website. It's all in the details.
So hands up who is still wandering around in a chocolate and sugar induced stupor? Yep, me too, that Green & Black's Butterscotch egg is ridiculously good. What is it about Easter eggs that makes them taste better than normal chocolate? It's impossible to eat less than half an egg in one sitting, or maybe that's just me. This week has brought the first sunny hint of summer so I've been doing my homework and geekily filling my diary with all the exciting food and drink happenings over the next few months. There's lots to be happy about, I'll keep you in the loop over the new weeks and point out the events not to be missed.