Re-reading books in times of stress. I so relate to this. I read hardly any new books during my final year as a PhD. I re-read (and listened to) a lot of Harry Potter, some Austen, some Bronte, The Secret Garden – pretty much anything that was easy and comforting.
Pasta with potatoes with cheese. Just what these dark January days need.
Ruby Tandoh on eating clean and dietary restrictions. And on white sliced bread.
Pete Wells on Locol. (This has caused a bit of a furore in the food world). A response to Pete Wells’ review of Locol.
This for dinner.
Celebrating the food of refugees.
Places to visit this year: from Buzzfeed, The Guardian, and the New York Times.
Bee Wilson on choosing books for awards.
Places to eat in foodie cities.
From the 1962 New Yorker: Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. (Long, but worth the read.)
The making of roscón de reyes cakes for January 6th.
What is a PhD and what is the point of doing one?
Fantastic conversation between Krista Tippett and Maria Popova this week.
Running a whisky ‘dramathon‘. Any takers?
I was catching up on podcasts over the weekend. I loved the BBC Radio 4 Food Programme on cake, its popularity in modern times and its history. I’ve added Cake: A global history to my (long) list of books I want to read this year.
I also listened (with much delight and laughter) to Northanger Abbey by Val McDermid. The story of Cat Morland is transported to Edinburgh and the Scottish borders. I loved it. It was ridiculous with tinges of gothic and some fantastic vampire references.
On returning a Michelin star.
Meryl Streep at the Golden Globes.
Another review on a new book on the evils of sugar.
Tracing the history of plants and through that, the history of culture and food tradition.
An interview with the head chef of Petersham Nurseries (one of my favourite places ever).
Have a good week! x
Lexi Writes 