The Hackney Butchers Association

This books rocks!  It is a book for foodies, even the index is delicious. I bought this to take on a recent holiday to Turkey and read it cover to cover quite a few times.  The recipes are simple, totally achievable and look beautiful. The photography got me hooked within minutes of opening the book.  This a passionate book by someone who clearly loves their food, and it's very contagious! I would highly recommend it to anyone who likes Eastern Mediterranean food.  It draws influence from Turkey, Syria, Jordan and the Lebanon. The recipes are all based on traditional ideas but have a very light modern feel.  It's really very clever. Bulgarian born Silvena, affectionately includes the teachings of her half Turkish dad, which gives the book a personal feel.  It's a history book, family story and inspiring cook book all in one.  A lovely book. The meat dishes are incredible, (including Grilled Red Mullet with toasted citrus and Nastur...

Thanks to Amazon I am now the proud owner of four new curry books!  Very exciting stuff for me.  I've gone for quite a diverse selection, so it should be an interesting mix of old & new. The first to arrive is a very dated looking book called, "The Curry Secret: Indian Restaurant Cookery at Home" | PaperbackAuthor: Kris Dhillon It was a best seller at some point, but can now be picked up for the princely sum of 1p. Yes 1p.  I'm not sure there can be a better way to spend a penny.  Well, you know what i mean.  First published in 1989, it was updated & re-published in 2008.  Back by popular demand, so it must be good eh? It's written by an Indian restaurant owner & chef who spills the beans on restaurant 'tricks of the trade'. I'm yet to put it to the test but am already learning some top tips.  Loving it! For instance...I love the mint sauce that comes with onion bhaji & popadoms.  I have tried making it at home...

This is becoming a bit of a habit.  Another unmissable music track, with the lame excuse that you could listen to it while cooking? The original by Feist is also really beautiful.  It has a really old school, Carpenters type feel.   Amazing what a bit of sub-bass can do though.  Awesome song either way. I don't think it's been released as a single & youtube have removed it since I posted. But you can still hear it on Hype-M.  Click here for link    Phew. CLICK HERE

Totally unrelated to food except for a few apples, but great none-the-less.

I got these great chilis from a brand new deli, "The De Beavoir Deli" opposite the Northgate pub.  Their website isn't built yet, but will be soon be found HERE .  It has only been running for a month (it's Nov 2009), but already has some nice stock.  It's got a lot of potential & worth a trip. The Chipotle are quite spicy.  The Guindillas are less hot, but really smokey.  They can both be ground up and added to pretty much anything.  Yum! They can also be ordered from the SOUTH DEVON CHILLI FARM along with another 98 varieties.  That would make a cool present for a chilli-head like me!

I just came across a brilliant food blog.  Very stylish, beautiful photography and interesting recipes.  Inspiring stuff... Cannelle et Vanille

159 Farringdon Road Clerkenwell , London EC1R 3AL Tel: 020 7837 1353 Brilliant food. Bloody hard to get a table. Worth the effort.