I watched Sophie Dahl's new cookery programme on BBC 2 last night. And I actually really rather enjoyed it. It felt like a fun frolic with your ever so-slightly rebellious friend. It's had a bit of so-so media coverage and unfair comparisons to Nigella-the-godess-Lawson. She's not trying to steal her crown but yes, it's a bit similar, a bit sickly sweet and a bit pretentious. But in a way, that is all the things I love in a cookery show. There'll be 6 shows in all, each emotionally themed, this week was food for when you're feeling Selfish.
The title is unashamedly Roald Dahl. But actually, Sophie Dahl is an enchanting story-teller in her own right. And she was the muse for Sophie in the BFG. She had a excellent way with words, scripted or not, and this was the best feature of the show to me. She oozed enthusiasm in this respect but I couldn't help but feel that this didn't quite cross over in the food. It was good-looking wholesome food. I took some ideas from it, but it wasn't earth-shatteringly good. With the plethora of whimsical women donning our screens with 'new' cooking ideas I think the food in The Delicious Miss Dahl could have been better.
I did like the interludes, of Dahl in little shops musing and lusting over items. I think she tried to appeal to all the classes and all the viewers, careful not to emphasise her generous upbringing and probably sizable fortune. I think she liked food, but if anything I wanted a bit more Nigella-based indulgence.
All in all, a nice tuesday night drift into dreaming of the good-life, the good food and the good-times. I might not be buying her cookery book, but I'll be watching next week, Romance, and I may indulge in her novella.
In particular one quote that I liked was this,
"Be admired by an American, courted by an Italian, married to an Englishman and have a French boyfriend."
Katharine Hepburn
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
March 25, 2010
March 24, 2010
Je t'aime, le cool
Le cool says it all in the name. Le Cool offer a refreshing group of guides to the coolest cities in Europe. Somehow, they feel quite anti-guidebooks actually, they're pretty hotch-potch and not designed to tell you the big touristy monuments. Le Cool cover Amsterdam, Barcelona, Madrid, London and Lisbon. If you're a bit sick of Lonely Planet and like the independent feel, these are a great option.
You can get your hands on really awesome guide books which are super pleasurable to read and look at or you can go cyber and virtual-click your way through weekly magazines (also including Istanbul, Dublin, Moscow and Budapest). The weekly features are nice because it's obviously really up to the minute, and often you'll be visiting a city for a long weekend, and want to see the most hip-happening/hot-off-the-press/just-opened/one-night-only stuff, including gigs, cinema, festivals, talks, protests, clubs and museums.
This week it tells you where in London you can Make a Dress in a Weekend (Prescott place if you're interested), or go to an Alice in Wonderland inspired Manhattan Tea Party and Underground Markets. It is bursting at the cyber-seams with le cool stuff to do. It's even le cool if you live there.
What other people say,
You can get your hands on really awesome guide books which are super pleasurable to read and look at or you can go cyber and virtual-click your way through weekly magazines (also including Istanbul, Dublin, Moscow and Budapest). The weekly features are nice because it's obviously really up to the minute, and often you'll be visiting a city for a long weekend, and want to see the most hip-happening/hot-off-the-press/just-opened/one-night-only stuff, including gigs, cinema, festivals, talks, protests, clubs and museums.
This week it tells you where in London you can Make a Dress in a Weekend (Prescott place if you're interested), or go to an Alice in Wonderland inspired Manhattan Tea Party and Underground Markets. It is bursting at the cyber-seams with le cool stuff to do. It's even le cool if you live there.
What other people say,
“The guidebook for people who hate guidebooks”
The Guardian
The Guardian
“The travel guide for the been-there, done-that set”
New York Times
New York Times
“Your hippest good friend”
The Independent
The Independent
“Get your hands on one ASAP”
Grafik
Grafik
March 23, 2010
A poem by Hugo Williams
A few months ago I heard this poem by Hugo Williams whilst he was in the running for the TS Eliot Prize 2009. I really liked the close observtions he made. It's quite a power to turn the mundane into something so touching like this. The poem is from his collection, West End Final.
Marital Visit ~ Hugo Williams
The odd thing put away
in the wrong place – cups and plates
back in the cupboard
that I always leave out,
curtains open on the street
that I always keep drawn,
remind me of your recent brief
progress through here,
looking for something in the attic.
How could I forget:
butter in the fridge, but never eggs,
burnt matches everywhere,
in spite of the gas lighter,
jam jars soaking in water
to get the labels off.
How typical of you
to give the Chinese teapot a last chance
to prove itself in company.
And look at that tea towel
slung like your signature
over the back of a chair.
I could weep for the small spoons
lying down with the forks,
the corkscrew with the tea strainer.
Leave them where they are forever?
Or harden my heart
and put them back where they belong?
Marital Visit ~ Hugo Williams
The odd thing put away
in the wrong place – cups and plates
back in the cupboard
that I always leave out,
curtains open on the street
that I always keep drawn,
remind me of your recent brief
progress through here,
looking for something in the attic.
How could I forget:
butter in the fridge, but never eggs,
burnt matches everywhere,
in spite of the gas lighter,
jam jars soaking in water
to get the labels off.
How typical of you
to give the Chinese teapot a last chance
to prove itself in company.
And look at that tea towel
slung like your signature
over the back of a chair.
I could weep for the small spoons
lying down with the forks,
the corkscrew with the tea strainer.
Leave them where they are forever?
Or harden my heart
and put them back where they belong?
March 22, 2010
Mexican Food Made Simple
The food is rich and sumptuous. Offers at Day of the Dead, often include food- a sign of the most precious thing they can give. From the chocolate and chiles in Mole, to the guacamole, corn tortillas, tamales, churros, horchata, tinga and esquite. The list is endless and a veritible feast for heart and soul. In Mexico I didn't manage to bring back a cookery book and looking here in England I thought I'd have to make another visit just to do so.
But Masterchef winner Thomasina Miers has come to my culinary rescue with Mexican Food Made Easy. Having spent a good deal of time in Mexico and now opening the slightly unfortunately named Wahaca....why it is not Oaxaca, I do not know...in London to rave reviews, she's now bought out a Mexican cooking book, Mexican Food Made Simple. When amazon faithfully delivered the hardback brick, I was amazed at how interesting and Mexican the recipes were.
They're also, true to the title, easy to follow and have some nice stories and musings to help it go down. A few of the recipes use a master-recipe of roasted tomata salsa. Using this I made the chicken and corn humble pie. The sauce has a good punch to it, the recipe is really quite flexible and good for left over chicken and it has a light corn-based topping. It went down well and 'pretty mexican' with my Mexican guest. Tlayudas are high up on my next-to-try list.
Mexican food made simple seems like a real winner for anyone who loves the authentic mexican food. Perfect for dinner parties too, which I like because Mexico is such a friendly interactive place and food is really central to social and family life. There's also a section on the types of chile and herbs to use and a directory of Mexican food shops in the UK. A long over due Mexican cooking book that allows me to lust after mexico once more.
Ñam!
8/10
Happy, sunny days
Win a round the world trip with Lonely Planet. I've just uploaded a travel photo of some taxis I saw in Taxco, Mexico, to Lonely Planet's new competition and subsequently spent about half an hour browsing other peoples, getting inspired and dreaminig of sunnier climes.
- Taxco Taxis in Mexico
March 18, 2010
Books off the Bookshelves
I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves ~Anna Quindlen
Recently, I felt a little uncomfortable when I was drawn to this book sitting on a shelf in the bookshop. I was drawn to it but I didn't really know why. The blogosphere however tells me there's quite a few people interested in the beauty of bookshelves. A good bookshelf turns a house into home and makes the occupier a lot more interesting in my eyes.
The book was Books Do Furnish a Room and I felt that if I ever design a house....One day. One day....I would definitely make books a focal point. Sometimes, when people look at my books I feel they are seeing a little window into my soul. I find myself explaining my books, justifying and backtracking. It's the same with a music collection. Beware the power of the iPod. It's often slightly momentous for me when I recommend a book to someone or tell them of a book I've really enjoyed.
Seeing this book coincided with a programme I saw that featured Ron Arad talking about his new design and architecture exhibitioin Restless at the Barbican. Design and architecture really speaks to me, I think because it is practical and useful but beautiful at the same time. I'm a very pragmatic and organising sort of person. Ron Arad famously designed the BookWorm bookshelf, a book shelf you can mould into pretty much any shape. It's not overly useful in terms of storing a lot of books but it is a nice idea all the same.
This ceiling bookshelf is extremely space savvy. I think the idea is that about 90% of books you own don't get used a lot. I really like this idea of using the ceiling. You'd need high ceilings, and not to use your books too often.
I love this bibliochaise, although it doesn't look like the comfy all-encompassing chair you might imagine whilst spending several hours reading your book, but it is really fun. My attention span, in reality, is quite short so being able to reach for another book on whim is very appealing.
This comic bookshelf by Oscar Nunez is also fun. It's a nice alternative to the plain white shelf.
In essence though, an entire wall-to-wall bookshelf is still my favorite. When I was studying in Cambridge I engaged in trying to use as many libraries as I could, not in a bookporn kind of geek-chic way, just to relieve the boredom of studying for hours on end.
Believe me, hearing the late night revellers on a Saturday night whilst sat in a dusty library isn't so fun. But I did love King's Library, the Zoology Library and Wren library (even though you can't study in that one).
This bookcase holds 16,000 books. It was designed by Gianni Botsford for his father. It’s almost as impressive from the outside of the house. It is absolute heaven to me.
One day…
Recently, I felt a little uncomfortable when I was drawn to this book sitting on a shelf in the bookshop. I was drawn to it but I didn't really know why. The blogosphere however tells me there's quite a few people interested in the beauty of bookshelves. A good bookshelf turns a house into home and makes the occupier a lot more interesting in my eyes.
The book was Books Do Furnish a Room and I felt that if I ever design a house....One day. One day....I would definitely make books a focal point. Sometimes, when people look at my books I feel they are seeing a little window into my soul. I find myself explaining my books, justifying and backtracking. It's the same with a music collection. Beware the power of the iPod. It's often slightly momentous for me when I recommend a book to someone or tell them of a book I've really enjoyed.
Seeing this book coincided with a programme I saw that featured Ron Arad talking about his new design and architecture exhibitioin Restless at the Barbican. Design and architecture really speaks to me, I think because it is practical and useful but beautiful at the same time. I'm a very pragmatic and organising sort of person. Ron Arad famously designed the BookWorm bookshelf, a book shelf you can mould into pretty much any shape. It's not overly useful in terms of storing a lot of books but it is a nice idea all the same.
- Ceiling Bookshelf, Apartment Therapy (c)
- bibliochaise
- big comic shelf
In essence though, an entire wall-to-wall bookshelf is still my favorite. When I was studying in Cambridge I engaged in trying to use as many libraries as I could, not in a bookporn kind of geek-chic way, just to relieve the boredom of studying for hours on end.
- Wren Library
- Bookshelf by Gianni Botsford
One day…
March 16, 2010
Graffiti and Cupcakes in London
I love big contrasts. The things that smack pattern and conformity in the face. On a recent mooch in London I saw some lovely contrasts. A big city has a veritable plethora of visual loveliness I find.
Then I went to the Van Gogh exhibition at the Royal Academy, which incidentally is really good. It's a selection of Van Gogh's work across his working lifetime, alongside letters to and from his brother Theo up until a few days before he died. Anyway, really near to the Royal Academy in Piccadilly, is Fortnum and Mason. The epitome of all that is over-indulgent luxury. It's been going strong since 1707. I saw some cupcakes. I wanted to eat them. Instead I looked on longingly like a child in a toy-shop.
Firstly I saw this graffiti near-by Brick Lane, the Indian corner of London. I quite like graffiti sometimes, because (i) it makes use of an other blank canvas, (ii) it's often subtly clever (iii) it's not money-making so it's really honest, (iv) it often represents a current social thought or feeling and (v) you never know when you might find it.
Then I went to the Van Gogh exhibition at the Royal Academy, which incidentally is really good. It's a selection of Van Gogh's work across his working lifetime, alongside letters to and from his brother Theo up until a few days before he died. Anyway, really near to the Royal Academy in Piccadilly, is Fortnum and Mason. The epitome of all that is over-indulgent luxury. It's been going strong since 1707. I saw some cupcakes. I wanted to eat them. Instead I looked on longingly like a child in a toy-shop.
Finally, I'll share with you Leon. More culinary deliciousness. I stumbled across the one in Spitalfield's market. Disppointed the market wasn't on, I soon recovered on spotting Leon. It's great seasonal food at shiny lovely prices. It's light-shades are made of recycled oil cans, and the food is served in brown cardboard boxes. The food is simple, I took the chilli with a chunk of lemon and some pea and carrot coleslaw. Very wholesome and very easy to recommend. I bought the bookwritten by founder and resident foodie god Allegra McEvedy. I really like Allegra's style, in herself and her food. As a bonus, the packaging is recyclable, they use produce from local farms, and give left over food to charity. This is a great, pretty ethical whilst oozingly cool restaurant.
March 15, 2010
Living Libraries
Don't judge a book by its cover
This is a really interesting idea where humans are rented out instead of books. Challenge your own prejudices with a living library.
The Human Library originated, like many forward thinking social projects, in Scandinavia more specifically, in Copenhagen, Denmark.
At its heart, it aims to address social prejudices as obvious as disability, disfigurement, sexuality, religion and race but it also covers less obvious subjects like male nannies, knitters and hiphoppers! In an increasingly globalised world this seems like a very positive idea. Also, as globalised as we are, we're becoming more and more separated from people living in our close vicinity. I'd imagine the majority of people in cities don't know who their neighbours are. I just heard a radio programme on the Human Library on Radio 4. Interestingly, the project seems to help the people living with the stigma as well as those holding a stereotyped view.
Fortunately, they don't try to preach a doctrine or to convert people. It also doesn't just seem to attract people who are already quite liberal and accepting. Even if you are liberal and open you still might not have the knowledge to completely understand a group of people.Or you might not think you stereotype at all and it's completely reasonable to, let's say struggle to understand fundamentalism and pro-life. You might be a Darwinist and think creationism ridiculous. But listening to someone else's viewpoint might open you up a bit, you might learn more about the topic and broaden your horizons.
I think, it's important to recognise that having stereotypes is innate and useful for us as human beings to function. It's important to challenge your views though. And in a politically correct society it's also useful to have a floor to discuss stereotypes in. Interestingly, some venues for the human library projects don't like posters to use certain words that might offend the public.Hmmm.
I'm not sure you'd get every type of person to participate in this idea, but it's novel and nice tangent to come at the topic of stereotypes from. I'm sick of hearing about what a waste of time and money prison is, and about the lack of understanding in the world creating mindless conflict. It's the type of thing our government should endorse. My advice- Get down to your local (human) library.
This is a really interesting idea where humans are rented out instead of books. Challenge your own prejudices with a living library.
- The Living Library Project
At its heart, it aims to address social prejudices as obvious as disability, disfigurement, sexuality, religion and race but it also covers less obvious subjects like male nannies, knitters and hiphoppers! In an increasingly globalised world this seems like a very positive idea. Also, as globalised as we are, we're becoming more and more separated from people living in our close vicinity. I'd imagine the majority of people in cities don't know who their neighbours are. I just heard a radio programme on the Human Library on Radio 4. Interestingly, the project seems to help the people living with the stigma as well as those holding a stereotyped view.
Fortunately, they don't try to preach a doctrine or to convert people. It also doesn't just seem to attract people who are already quite liberal and accepting. Even if you are liberal and open you still might not have the knowledge to completely understand a group of people.Or you might not think you stereotype at all and it's completely reasonable to, let's say struggle to understand fundamentalism and pro-life. You might be a Darwinist and think creationism ridiculous. But listening to someone else's viewpoint might open you up a bit, you might learn more about the topic and broaden your horizons.
I think, it's important to recognise that having stereotypes is innate and useful for us as human beings to function. It's important to challenge your views though. And in a politically correct society it's also useful to have a floor to discuss stereotypes in. Interestingly, some venues for the human library projects don't like posters to use certain words that might offend the public.Hmmm.
I'm not sure you'd get every type of person to participate in this idea, but it's novel and nice tangent to come at the topic of stereotypes from. I'm sick of hearing about what a waste of time and money prison is, and about the lack of understanding in the world creating mindless conflict. It's the type of thing our government should endorse. My advice- Get down to your local (human) library.
March 12, 2010
Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf?
'For most of history, Anonymous was a woman' ~ Virginia Woolf
Lots of 'hear it for the girls' recently, but as it's the week of International Women's Day I figure, once more won't hurt. I watched The Hours recently, a film about the life of Virginia Woolf. It was well-crafted mixing three stories of three women from different periods of time, one was Virginia Woolf, the other two were more recent Woolf fans. I didn't realise how she struggled in her life and her fight for liberation from her husband, her friends and her society. After this, I was inspired to read Mrs Dalloway, before deeming Woolf, 'too hard'. It was pretty hard and unfortunately not as life-changing as I'd hoped. Even so it was an interesting read and it seemed semi-autobiographical.
Lots of 'hear it for the girls' recently, but as it's the week of International Women's Day I figure, once more won't hurt. I watched The Hours recently, a film about the life of Virginia Woolf. It was well-crafted mixing three stories of three women from different periods of time, one was Virginia Woolf, the other two were more recent Woolf fans. I didn't realise how she struggled in her life and her fight for liberation from her husband, her friends and her society. After this, I was inspired to read Mrs Dalloway, before deeming Woolf, 'too hard'. It was pretty hard and unfortunately not as life-changing as I'd hoped. Even so it was an interesting read and it seemed semi-autobiographical.
March 03, 2010
Girl Power
Do it for the girls! I can't stand this kind of pro-feminist slang. I find it comes across to make females sound weak and pathetic, and let's face it- a bit of a joke. Nonetheless I've said already- feminism is a big 'yes'. But using the word 'girl' in a feminist statement is something of an oxymoron for me.
Anyway, the point is, I completely adore Women's Hour on BBC Radio 4, 10am weekdays. It's a small moment of brightening pleasure in my day. Sometimes I learn a bit, and usually thoroughly enjoy the chat. This week prior to Women's Hour Patti Smith is reading from her autobiographical novel. I don't know much about her but I really like the story. she writes beautifully. Another thing is I'm often irrationally drawn towards all things New York. I've never been, and quite possibly if or when I do go its shine will die a little. Patti Smith's story is one of finding your place, or finding a good place, and not trying to fit in somewhere you obviously won't be happy. Be yourself, and try hard. Good mantra for today.Thanks Patti.
March 01, 2010
Out of Kilter but thinking about my Valentine
Not a red rose or a satin heart.
I give you an onion.
It is a moon wrapped in brown paper.
It promises light
like the careful undressing of love.
Here.
It will blind you with tears
like a lover.
It will make your reflection
a wobbling photo of grief.
I am trying to be truthful.
Not a cute card or a kissogram.
I give you an onion.
Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips,
possessive and faithful
as we are,
for as long as we are.
Take it.
Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring,
if you like.
Lethal.
Its scent will cling to your fingers,
cling to your knife.
February 23, 2010
What is green?
I'm having a philosphy-phase at the moment I think, well and truely inspired by de Botton and too much time with my own thoughts. It's nice to feel in touch with my angst-ridden teenage years. I don't think I quite ever grew out of them.
I think the first time I got into philosophy and in fact at the same time into science, was when reading Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder. All I'll say is if you haven't read it, read it.
One of the things I remember about that book was in considering what it 'green'. What do you mean when you say something is green? This leads on, in the book, to considering 'what is a horse?' In the sense of how do we recognise things. What factors make us decide something is a horse.
Going back to being green....a tree is green. But is the green I see the same as the green you see? Or is it all just relative?
I got back to thinking about this whilst watching the chef Raymond Blanc on the TV last night. His description of the food he was cooking was so vivid and passionate, I wondered 'what exactly is he tasting?' I couldnt imagine having so much excitement about the food as he has, despite the fact that I love love love food. Is it experience, can it be taught? For me, I think that is what makes someone gifted. This ability to, for example, taste food with so much depth means Raymond Blanc can create exceptional food.
Maybe this also makes 'genius'- added dimensions of perception. A real basal understanding of the topic at hand. It could be how deeply and vividly you see your 'green'.
I think the first time I got into philosophy and in fact at the same time into science, was when reading Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder. All I'll say is if you haven't read it, read it.
One of the things I remember about that book was in considering what it 'green'. What do you mean when you say something is green? This leads on, in the book, to considering 'what is a horse?' In the sense of how do we recognise things. What factors make us decide something is a horse.
Going back to being green....a tree is green. But is the green I see the same as the green you see? Or is it all just relative?
I got back to thinking about this whilst watching the chef Raymond Blanc on the TV last night. His description of the food he was cooking was so vivid and passionate, I wondered 'what exactly is he tasting?' I couldnt imagine having so much excitement about the food as he has, despite the fact that I love love love food. Is it experience, can it be taught? For me, I think that is what makes someone gifted. This ability to, for example, taste food with so much depth means Raymond Blanc can create exceptional food.
Maybe this also makes 'genius'- added dimensions of perception. A real basal understanding of the topic at hand. It could be how deeply and vividly you see your 'green'.
February 19, 2010
Essays in Love
Currently I'm reading 'Essays in Love' by popular philosopher Alain de Botton. Some how, it just sits well in my life at the moment. It follows the rise and fall of a relationship.
It could really be any relationship, it's ordinary and mundane. But de Botton captures the essence of that feeling of unique individuality to every relationship and its all consuming nature. He charts its evolution sharply and manages to describe the details that often feel small and insignificant to perfection and make you feel that he has a window into your life and mind. Or maybe that is just me. Either way, I love that engagement one can occasionally feel with a writer. That funny feeling that someone you've never met understands you completely. In those small inane details you can't express. It reminds me of The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Milan Kundera. It has a good ability to touch you, on a subject you thought no one else knew, or could express.
'What is an experience? Something that breaks a polite routine and for a brief period allows us to witness things with the heightened sensitivity afforded to us by novelty, danger, or beauty - and it's on this basis of shared experiences that intimacy is given an oppotunity to grow. Friendships nourished solely by occasional dinners will never have the depth of those forged on a trek or at a univiersity. ' ~ Alain de Botton, Essays in Love.
It could really be any relationship, it's ordinary and mundane. But de Botton captures the essence of that feeling of unique individuality to every relationship and its all consuming nature. He charts its evolution sharply and manages to describe the details that often feel small and insignificant to perfection and make you feel that he has a window into your life and mind. Or maybe that is just me. Either way, I love that engagement one can occasionally feel with a writer. That funny feeling that someone you've never met understands you completely. In those small inane details you can't express. It reminds me of The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Milan Kundera. It has a good ability to touch you, on a subject you thought no one else knew, or could express.
'What is an experience? Something that breaks a polite routine and for a brief period allows us to witness things with the heightened sensitivity afforded to us by novelty, danger, or beauty - and it's on this basis of shared experiences that intimacy is given an oppotunity to grow. Friendships nourished solely by occasional dinners will never have the depth of those forged on a trek or at a univiersity. ' ~ Alain de Botton, Essays in Love.
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