Just a quick one to say the Observer Food Monthly Awards are now open for nominations, and it’s a great award for any restaurant to get involved in. The fact that all of us can have a say means that your local restaurant can be nominated just as easily as the Fat Duck.

It’s not going to be an easy year for many restaurants, so if you have a real gem of a local restaurant or drinking joint then do think about nominating them and getting others around you to nominate as well. There’s also a section for food blogs, which would be just as hard to choose just one. Here’s a few that I really love to read, just in case you were short of ideas:

A Greedy Piglet – because Lynne blogs about the sort of food most of us would consider cooking each day.

The Butcher, The Baker – what can I say about Jules blog? Love the recipes, love the photography, love that Jules makes me feel that it’s okay to love cake and that I’m not the only one who lives an occasionally bonkers country lifestyle.

Syrian Foodie in London – I love Middle Eastern food, and it’s an area of my own cooking that I want to keep developing. This blog is really inspirational, I always want to cook things from these recipes, and find the background really fascinating.

He Eats – I’ve been following Edd’s blog for quite some time, because he writes so brilliantly about cakes. And given he won Great British Bake Off, it’s obvious that he bakes them pretty darn well too! Quite sure the book of the blog will surely follow soon, and I for one will buy it!

Comfort Bites – I’m pretty keen on my comfort food, and this is a great blog for great recipes that just feel like the sort of food that give you a great big hug!

The English Can Cook – I almost didn’t include this one, given that Kerstin has just had her first book published, but lets not penalise success! I love reading about nights at the Underground Restaurant, particularly the memorable Patrick O’Brian night and the boiled baby. I just wish we lived closer to London in order to get to one of these nights, so for now living vicariously through the blog!

So, these are just half a dozen of my favourites, any one of which I could nominate for best food blog. The thing is to actually do it, get on and nominate, and really recognise the effort that goes into each of these. Okay, some of these have books and TV careers, but they all get there with their own graft, and making their own luck, so everyone deserves every bit of recognition. Go on, make someone’s day and nominate them!

I was interested to find myself being followed by Dr Morgaine Gaye on Twitter last week, who has the fabulous title of Food Futurologist. Which is an amazing title, and in my next life that’s what I want to be!

Her website and blog are beautifully designed, and there’s some great stuff on here. I loved the post on big bold numbers on food packaging, which does seem to be a real trend. For now! I love the observation that some of these are about dictating steps to follow, and some are because they might have run out of names!

It would seem most of these are yet to come to market, but I guess if you’re trying to buy for a shallow type of foodie who wants good looks as well as good taste, then these might suit for those who want to capture a trend:

* The chutney and pickles from Jamie Oliver were the ones that came first to mind for me, as their graphic labels have been out for about 18 months. Stylish labelling, and a number of choices including this mango chutney. As you’ll get from the label this is half a pound of chutney for £4.

* Chocolate by Trish not only looks smart, but has done all the hard work, not only sourcing great chocolate, but this one gives you very tasty shards, all ready to be scattered over any dessert. There are also chocolate buttons to go at too, but definitely too good for the kids!

* Tequila seems to have been going more and more upmarket, and Calle 23 fits the bill here. Founded by Sophie Decobecq, whose background is in the cognac industry, but has gone on to produce a fine tasting, and fine looking tequila, for savouring, not knocking back!

Tasty and trendy then! Check out Morgaine’s writing for interesting stuff around food developments and trends. You’ll find me scratching my head somewhere working out how to become a food futurologist. May settle for director of curiosity/nosiness though!

Nothing to do with my age and early onset of hot flushes, but more a great resource for those of you fancying growing your own chillies. Or, in my case, great source for a gift for someone who likes it hot!

Sow Chillies has one of the most comprehensive ranges of chilli seeds I have ever seen. So many that the A-Z listings need to be split into 3! Loads here I’ve never even heard of, like Bulgarian Carrot (mild to medium, first to fruit), Numex Big Jim (in the Guinness Book of Records as one of the world’s largest chillies, pretty mild) and Red Trinidad Scorpion (as hot as it sounds, tempremental too).

So you could choose by name, by heat level, or to maximise your cropping season. Or you could do what I did, and just order one of the seed collections. Nice packaging, and the thinkings done for you. For the beginner, there’s the Chilli Taster Collection or perhaps Not Sow Hot. For the expert or heat lover, then try the Ultimate Collection or Sow Very Hot. Which really is very, very hot chillies! With the exception of the Ultimate, all three collections are under £5, and the Ultimate is only £14.95 for 10 packs of seeds, so all pretty budget friendly gifts.

Also worth checking out their veg seeds, as some good unusual seeds on offer. I’m looking forward to planting, and eating, the two lots of beetroot seeds that I got, Chioggia and Burpee’s Golden. Should make for a very pretty looking salad, not to mention tasty!

If you want any advice on growing chillies, then read my interview with Craig of the We Grow Our Own blog, and chilli expert in residence for Wahaca.

Oh, and if you wonder if the Ring of Fire chill is hot, my guess is that the clue is in the name!

Been feeling jealous recently, as lots of friends and colleagues seem to have been heading off to Paris for a few days R&R. I don’t even particularly love Paris, but I even them the food possibilities! And then killing time in Foyles at St Pancras, I found a few food guides to Paris, that made me yearn for the trip so I would have a reason to buy them.

Whether you’ve got a trip planned, or want to plan a trip, here’s five I’d be thinking of:

The Patisseries of Paris: Chocolatiers, Tea Salons, Ice Cream Parlors, and More by Jamie Cahill – see, there’s why I want to visit Paris in just one book title. This is the book that first caught my eye in Foyles, because it’s such an attractive cover, and then the content is equally enthralling. I want to work through each and every page. My waistband says I don’t. But when did I ever listen to that?

The Authentic Bistros of Paris by Francois Thomazeau – for me, you can keep the Michelin Guide, I’d rather eat in places like these in Paris. In fact, some of my most memorable meals in Paris have been in good bistros. Of course, some of the worst have been in bad bistros, so I’d want a reliable guide. Helpfully organised by arrondissement, this has great photography and evocative descriptions. Perfect.

The Historic Restaurants Of Paris: A Guide to Century-Old Cafes Bistros and Gourmet Food Shops by Ellen Williams – these are really the Parisian institutions that have stood the test of time. Some of these names you’ll recognise, or the names of their customers from times gone by, such as the tea shop where Proust indulged his love of madeleines. These are the places that perhaps are at the root of Paris’ gastronomic reputation.

Parisians’ Paris by Bill Gillham – get an insiders view on some of the places I guess they’d prefer we didn’t know about. Seems fair, there’s parts of London we don’t want to share, right? Whilst not consistent by area, you’ll get  some interesting thoughts on things like cheese shops, places for breakfast, coffee stops, dinner stops, and places to recover and get a good night’s sleep!

Clotilde’s Edible Adventures in Paris by Clotilde Dusoulier – can there be a better food guide to Paris? I love the Chocolate and Zucchini blog, and this is Clotilde’s guide to the places she loves in Paris. Not just places to indulge, but also how to decipher the menu, even how to order coffee properly. How not to cause a diplomatic incident over coffee is always valuable advice!

Of course, if you don’t want to lug a guide book round, then I would just have read of everywhere that Edd Kimber visited, as they sounded amazing. And he knows a good cake when he tastes one! He also recommended some of the tours available from Meeting the French. For example, get to see the inside workings of a bakery and pastry shop or, as Edd did, visit Gerard Mulot’s chocolate shop. Sounds a great treat for an inside track on Paris

Now, where’s that Eurostar booking page?

Great bistro shot by Alainlm on Flickr.

Sky High Cakes

Last week was a busy baking week, getting ready for BFF’s big birthday, which required a big and tasty cake. I knew exactly which cookbook I wanted to bake from: Sky High Cakes.

I bought this book purely because I had drooled over the results that Ed Kimber had shown on his blog, He Eats. The Boston Cream Pie, the Coconut cake…I was sold! On reading it the first time I was slightly intimidated, as there were types of sponge in there that I’d not tried to make before. But having made three different things now, all with great, if not downright spectacular results, then I’m getting over that.

There is something special looking about a 3 tier cake, and it really does say special occasion. There are fruit based cakes, vanilla cakes, cakes for chocolate lovers, wedding cakes…really something for every kind of occasion and every kind of cake lover.

And BFF ended up with a version of the Strawberry Shortcake, with a few more types of berries thrown in. There wasn’t much left, so I take that as a good sign. Definitely one to add to the shelf, if you’ve got room for one more cookbook. I’ll definitely be baking from it again. Particularly if more come out like this:

Great cake results

All steps lead to...tasty treats in Regents Park

Me, I shall be exhibiting some very bad dance moves under the influence of half a shandy at Party in the Park. Which is a serious dent in my foodie credentials (not to mention cool rating) as I guess I should have been heading to Taste of London. And having read Niamh’s review of her preview of the food over on Eat Like a Girl then I’m quite sad that I won’t be there.

From Niamh’s post, I would be making a beeline for Salt Yard’s stuffed courgette flowers, and Bentley’s fish and chips. If you head over to their Facebook page you can see all the menus, and I’d have to add The Modern Pantry’s chermoula baked sea bass, Odette’s whipped goat’s cheese and pickled beetroot, and the fois gras parfait from Tom’s Kitchen. Quite how many dishes you can fit into one visit I’m not sure, love to know what anyone’s record is!

And then there’s the shopping as well. I’d have a few tins of Nudo extra virgin olive oils in my bag, some Munchy Seeds for the journey home and then a tasting selection from Paul A Young’s gorgeous chocolate. None of which would do my waistline much good, but what the heck? You could go the whole hog and go for the whole weekend. Even stay within stumbling distance and still have great food at your beck and call with a night at York & Albany.

There is still time to book and buy your crowns, which is a great system I think, as you get to set your budget in advance. I would allow a little leeway though, you just know you are going to get tempted by something additional on your way round!

I loved this photo of the event from another year by acme over on Flickr. Enjoy if you are going!

Green shoots are coming!

And in the kitchen all sorts of things change for me. I know that it’s Spring when I start reaching for Bill Granger cookbooks and put away Delia’s Winter Collection. I start craving different things to eat, lots of South East Asian, lots of lighter stuff. What else might be going on?

1. The casserole might be heading back into the cupboard, and the wok might be heading out more permanently. Quick, easy and full of fresh flavours!

2. The grow your own foodies will be busy prepping their fruit and veg plots, as well as working out what seeds to order in. I am really keen on Seeds of Italy, and there are some really unusual varieties of tomatoes and basil, as well as things like spelt and garlic chives. I told Dr T he should be chitting potatoes, but his hearing is not so good and he went a bit pale. If you’re not great with seeds, then order in seedlings ready to go in the ground. I like Sarah Raven and Thompson and Morgan, and I won’t tell your more green fingered friends if you don’t!

3. The pancake loving foodie will be dusting off their crepe pan ready for Shrove Tuesday. The less well co-ordinated will be looking at their ceiling and worrying. The really inept amongst us might choose an electric crepe maker!

4. The globe trotting foodie will be lured around the world to track down a huge variety of flavours. They were probably in San Francisco yesterday at the Crab Festival, and next weekend they could be at Menton in the South of France for the Lemon Festival. And you could head anywhere with a Chinatown next weekend ready for Chinese New Year.

5. Those of us with just Oyster cards will be enjoying a Parisian experience in W1, by heading to Pierre Herme’s instore patisserie at Selfridges for some truly magnificent macaroons. These are exquisite looking, and taste as good as they look. If you want to try recreating them, his book is only avaiable in French through Amazon France, although I can recommend a read of the experiences over on the He Eats blog. I particularly want to give the Salted Caramel and Apple ones a go.

So, even if more snow comes, just hang on in there, the Spring is on it’s way along with all the bounty that will bring.

Interesting shot of shoots by sciondriver over on Flickr.

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How wrong could I be? But in preparation for warmer times (i.e. when it returns to above freezing) then Sarah’s list gives you some great insight into her passion for foraging, wild food and truly eating seasonally. Here’s Sarah’s perspective:

What better way to assure yourself of the finest, freshest ingredients than to forage for your own?  You will be surprised what you can find in hedgerows, woodlands and even local parks.  What’s more, your palate will be treated to full flavoured produce for free.  My advice is to arm yourself with a spacious basket, a pair of wellies, definitely a hat of sorts to protect yourself from falling grub(s), and the essential guide books and recipes.  The rest is pure, indulgent, foodie enjoyment.

Here is a list of books, both old and new, that have become my friends, dare I say bibles…

The Wild Food Year Book

1. The Wild Food Yearbook by Country Kitchen - this is one of my favourite books; well, it is almost like a thick magazine in true year book style.  Each chapter is separated into Season, detailing what is available to forage at any given time, and providing straight-forward useful ideas for each; from everyday recipes for delicious meals, to brewing your own beers and wines, to jam, jelly & chutney making. This is a practical guide for any wild food enthusiast, or wannabe forager.

2. The Easy Edible Mushroom Guide by Prof David Peglar - There are so many books dedicated to wild mushroom foraging, although this guide ticks all of the boxes for me.  It is small enough to be stuffed into your backpack and used as a field guide; clear photography and a size guide help you to easily distinguish between tasty fungi and potential poisoners!  The guide also includes a month by month calendar, so you know what to look for and when.  Some good recipes at the end of the book provide inspiration on how to best prepare and cook your rich pickings.

3. First Steps In Winemaking by C J J Berry- When you get into making your own home brew, you will rarely turn back, it is a little addictive, and the results are surprisingly good.  This benchmark guide is invaluable; from the rundown of what you will need to start off, to step-by-step recipe instructions, and the essential ‘trouble-shooting’ chapter.  The book is set out in a ‘wine-making year’ style, so you can follow and experiment as the months and season’s unfold, utilising the produce available.  I would include a serious amount of alka-seltzer if buying this book as a present!

British Seasonal Food by Mark Hix

4. British Seasonal Food by Mark Hix- Mark Hix brings to us a serious seasonal foodie guide in this fabulous book.  Chapters are separated by month with a brief of what is good ‘right now.’  The recipes range from simple everyday cooking ideas to more challenging dinner party feasts.  Witty illustrations, beautiful photography and Mark’s down to earth enthusiastic writing style, make this book a real treasure.  From a cookery beginner, stuck for ideas for what to do with their veg box, to the passionate foodie looking for seasonal inspiration – this book in my opinion, is a must.

5. Game: A Cookery Book by Tom Norrington Davis & Trish Hilferty - The latest addition to my bookshelf, Game: A Cookery Book has fast become my latest love.  The book covers all aspects of sourcing, prepping and cooking wild game, and is arranged by animal type – two legs (game birds), four legs (the bigger beasts & furred game), no legs (mostly fish).  The two London chefs join forces to celebrate game hunting and cooking in all of its glory.  The recipes range from the classics to modern fusion styles; simplistic to challenging, and all ensure that your prized catch gains centre stage.

So, once we’ve all come out of this temporary hibernation, it’ll be a great time to get out there, look at the food that’s around us, not to mention finding great seasonal food in your locality. And if you’d overspent at Christmas, then finding some food for free has to be a good thing. Another thing to think about is that after a tough winter like this one, local food supporters are going to need us more than ever. And if you’re in the Essex area, then check out Sarah’s site, Essex Gourmet, for a great guide to everything that is great to eat in the area.

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Kicking off Christmas for English Mum

No post from me on here today (although Twitter followers will find photographic evidence of Dr T’s black eye in my tweets!) as I am returning a favour. A few weeks ago, English Mum gave us her 5 favourite old farts, or the cookbooks by them, and today I am starting her Christmas countdown with my top 10 favourite festive foodie presents.

And no, it’s never too early to start! My big advice on gifts is always start early, presents bought in haste are always repented at leisure. And probably brought up on a regular basis by the recipient.

Normal service to be resumed back here later in the week!

First up is the shining star of wonderful gorgeousness that is English Mum, and her old farts. I’ll let her explain…

Floyd on Italy

I love a cookery book.  I perpetually annoy my family as they fall over random piles of them that mushroom in every room in our house: in piles by the bath, stacked up in a leaning tower next to my bed and stuffed into already-groaning shelves in the kitchen.  My husband sighs every time he sees me glued to Ebay, desperately bidding on another ‘must have’.  Seriously, I should get out more.

Firstly, then, I suppose I should qualify my chosen title by assuring you that it’s not the authors of any of these classic cookery books that I am referring to as ‘old farts’, but the books themselves.  They’re my old faithfuls; always close at hand, well-thumbed, well-used and loved.  I find myself coming back to the doddery old dears time and time again and would be lost without them:

 1.  Floyd on Italy, by Keith Floyd.  Not just as a tribute to the late and much-loved Floyd, this one had to be included as I return again and again to his perfect ‘fresh tomato sauce’.  The ‘white bean goulash’ is also a stunning dish – brilliant for using the ham bone after Christmas too (oops, I said the C word, sorry!).  Not only a boozing legend, he was a serious craftsman in the kitchen too.

2.  English Food, by Jane Grigson.  As far as I’m concerned, Jane Grigson was the Grande Dame of English cookery.  She was delightfully scathing about fast food and supported the use of fresh, local produce long before it was popular.  First published in 1974, this is one of her best and should be on everyone’s kitchen shelf.  It’s a great back-to-basics book to buy for a beginner or student, and the stories between the recipes will entertain any food lover.

3.  A Book of Mediterranean Food, by Elizabeth David.  This was Elizabeth David’s first book and I find myself returning not so much for the recipes as for the wonderful, slightly ‘posh’ way that David writes about her travels and the Mediterranean cuisine that must have seemed impossibly strange back in the 1950s.  Her ‘courgettes au tomates’ is a simple classic.

4.  Good Housekeeping Cookery Book: The Cook’s Classic Companion.  I’ve got two versions of this veritable cookery

Good Housekeeping Cookery Book

bible, the first one presumably pinched from my Mum some time in the 1970s, then a revised edition from 1985.  This is probably my most referred-to book, not only for basic weights and measures, but for inspiration when a certain ingredient is glaring at me from the fridge, demanding to be used.  There’s great information about ingredients and cooking methods too.

5.  Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management, by Isabella Beeton.  Try to find an unabridged version of this, a bestseller of its time.  Yes, it’s a weighty tome, but doesn’t everybody need to know how to dispatch a turtle to make classic turtle soup (apparently, it’s best to ‘cut off the head of the turtle the preceding day’) or handle the manservants?  A must-have for entertainment value if nothing else.

So there you have it, from flamboyant Floyd to impeccably organised Isabella: five old farts that should grace every bookshelf.  Enjoy!

And you can’t argue with that!