News
Green jackfruit: is ‘pulled pork for vegetarians’ the next big food craze?
Believe it or not this rather meaty looking taco from Club Mexicana is in fact entirely veggie based with BBQ 'pulled' green jackfruit. Apparently veggies and vegans in the know have been using it for years, often fooling meat lovers who can't believe that the fibrous, tasty flesh is not their beloved pork. You can buy it in tins from Asian shops and some supermarkets. Click through for the recipe.
Why is sourdough bread the healthiest bread?
Not only is sourdough bread really tasty, it can also be more digestible for our delicate systems and more tolerable for people with wheat intolerances. Sourdough guru Vanessa Kimbell gives us the science behind it, explaining why it is healthier and if you delve further into her website you can find simple recipes for a starter (your own wild yeast, not as crazy as it sounds) and the bread if you fancy giving it a go yourself.
SORTED Food - YouTube
Four friends from London have created an online food community where you can share videos and recipes as well as watching the guys create some great dishes, give cooking tips and have a lot of banter. Genuinely funny with some brilliant recipes, those uploaded in the past few weeks include chocolate meringue cake, Vietnamese pork and homemade bagels. With over a million subscribers they must be on to something good!
What's all the fuss about kale?
Super healthy kale is so trendy right now but what do you do with it? Kinda boring just on its own but so full of good stuff that you feel you should get involved. I usually throw some in a minestrone soup 5 mins from the end or saute it with garlic and leeks for a nice side dish to fish or a roast. Sainsbury's Magazine gives you the nutritional lowdown and some great recipe ideas for a sausage stew, stir fry and a juice drink to make you feel very virtuous.
Reviews
The Canary Gin Bar, Bath
I spent a couple of gluttonous days in Bath over Easter feasting on Nepalese beef, garlic spiced dal, carrot cake, Ben's cookies and herby chicken and sunblush tomato bruschetta which was all washed down with some very special gin cocktails. The Canary Gin Bar stock about 250 different types of gin including their own Bath Gin which is perfect served with good tonic and a kaffir lime leaf. Really fresh, crisp flavour. I had a champagne gin cocktail and another one with elderflower and a drop of fennel extract - so good and very drinkable! Definitely stop by if you're in the area.
Local News
UK Burger Battle - BURGERGEDDON
Oh yeeeah, it's time for Burgergeddon! WTF, you ask? Birmingham nightclub, Spotlight, hosts two renowned burger teams each with an insane meaty feast, you eat both of them (gulp) over a four hour period and pick a winner, then party all night with DJs. Sound good? Take a look at the menu: in the red corner we have Le Bun from London with 'Le Holy Fire' - Seared Scotch Beef Patty, Slow Cooked Pulled Pinot Ox Cheek, American Cheese, Beef Jus Onions, Pickled Chilli, Onion Rings, Truffle Mayo, Bacon Salt, Dill Pickles, Gem Lettuce, Brioche Bun; and in the blue corner hailing from Newcastle we have Fat Hippo with their 'Born Slippy' burger - Double Northumbrian Beef Patty, Slow Braised Baby Back Pork Rib Meat, Monterey Jack Cheese, Shredded Lettuce, Jalapenos, Homemade Hippo Smokey BBQ Sauce & Chilli Jam, Brioche Bun. Gutted I can't make this, it sounds amazing. Tickets are £20-£25 which includes the two burgers, a magician, retro game battle, drinks bus, DJs and after party. Wowsers. That's what I call a good night.
Recipes
Purple sprouting broccoli, leek & almond tart
Nice spring meal with seasonal veg, perfect with a little salad. To make sure the pastry cooks in the middle, put a tray to preheat in the oven before putting the tart in and squeeze the leeks to get rid of excess moisture. No need to use a massive 500g slab of pastry, I saved time (and calories) and bought a pre-rolled 320g pack and didn't bother shaping it into a circle, just left it as it was. Be sure to season the creme fraiche mix, I tasted a little to check the salt.
Nutella Stuffed Brown Butter + Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies
Oh My Gawwwwd. These are, like, the best cookies EVER. I've made them a few times and always have great difficulty in stopping myself from eating the whole batch in one sitting. They are that good. When you bite into the soft cookie you'll find a gooey Nutella centre with delicious chocolate chunks. Wow. The browning of the butter is not essential but if you've got time, give it a go as it adds an extra nutty dimension. You can buy cheap American cup measures from most supermarkets so don't let that hold you back. You've got to try them! *actually salivating*
Food for Thought
Warwick Rocks 2015
If you ever wander through Warwick you might have seen the Warwick Rocks posters over the last couple of years that many businesses have proudly displayed in their windows. Warwick Rocks is a brilliant initiative that celebrates Warwick, promoting independent business in the town through their informative website and by organising events such as the Food and Film Festival where they show films on a big screen in the market square with lots of yummy street food. The organisers are currently raising funds so they can put on more exciting festivals this year - Midsummer Music Festival in June, Warwick Rocks Food and Film Festival in August and Warwick Rocks Christmas in December. I'd definitely like to sit in the sunny square with my friends watching a film and snacking on delicious food and drink so I've supported their Crowdfunder project. Ends on Monday at 5pm, get involved if you'd like to join me!
Spring spring spring, love this time of the year! Everyone seems a bit more smiley when the sun is shining plus it heralds the start of the food and drink festival season. Good times. It's lovely to hear that some of you have been trying my recipe recommendations, feel free to email pics or comments or post them to Twitter. I'd love to hear what you thought. Have a good one.