Monthly archives: August, 2017

Raqib Shaw Whitworth Gallery Review

Raqib Shaw  – Whitworth Gallery, Manchester.  A refreshing change from the norm.

If you haven’t taken a trip to the Whitworth Gallery already this summer then treat yourself to a brew in the relaxing Whitworth cafe and check out Raqib Shaw’s solo exhibition.  If, like me, you enjoy a little fantasy and opulence once in a while, then this is a must see.

Drawing on his family’s troubled past in India, current politics and Indian mythology, Kashmiri born Shaw’s surreal paintings and sculptures are fantastical, weird and wonderful with overtones of irony and eroticism. Rich in detail and colour, Shaw’s paintings are incredibly intricate and he even includes his family dogs within the scenes which are often luxuriously encrusted with rhinestones for extra opulence.

Inspired by an ancient Byzantine pottery technique known as ‘cloisonné’, Shaw’s unique painting practice involves a process of outlining each individual motif with embossed gold using a porcupine quill, then pooling and meticulously manipulating enamels and metallic paints to create a jewel-like surface – pretty impressive, I’m sure you will agree.

The exhibition is on until November so there is plenty of time to catch it.

For more information on Raqib Shaw go to

www.whitecube.com

www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk

RAQIB1Artmuso



MIGRATE Photography Exhibition London

The MIGRATE photography exhibition on the theme of human migration opens on 29th August at Omeara in London Bridge.

Eight international photographers will display their work and an accompanying book featuring the photographs and the stories behind them will be on sale with proceeds going to Unicef’s Children of Syria Emergency Appeal.

The exhibition features a panel discussion on 31st August examining the role of photography and social media in humanitarian crises. Visitors interested in instant photography can benefit from workshops on 2nd September teaching photo techniques using classic Polaroid cameras.

The event is organised by Unicef’s NEXTGen London and supported by analogue instant photography company the Impossible Project.

MIGRATE is running an Instagram competition for submissions from anywhere in the world, giving entrants the chance to be included in the exhibition in the form of a carefully-selected digital display.

#MigrateProject - Cyrus Mahboubian

#MigrateProject – Cyrus Mahboubian

For more information visit: www.nextgenlondon.com
To buy tickets go to: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/migrate-exhibition-opening-book-launch-in-aid-of-unicef-tickets-36807529311
For the Instagram competition keep an eye on: https://www.instagram.com/migrateofficial/

Featured image at top of page by Alice Aedy



Give Peas A Chance

On a mission to cut down the meat and try more vegetarian meals we’ve created this pea-based dish in homage to the tasty British staple.  Perfect at this time of year too!

Pea Fritters with Parmentier potatoes, Parmesan Crisp, Pea puree, Basil emulsion, Horseradish creme fraiche, china rose and rambo radish sprouts.

This is a great summer dish, light and colourful.  Use vegetarian versions of Parmesan cheese and edible flowers instead of the sprouts to decorate.

 

Pea Fritters (inspired by healthylittlefoodies.com)

400g frozen petit pois

3 free range organic eggs

200g self raising flour

75g feta cheese crumbled

2 tbsp chopped parsley

Pinch of salt

 

  • Boil peas for 3-4 minutes and drain
  • Mix flour, eggs, and half the peas in a food processor to make a batter (add a splash of water if the mix is too dry)
  • Fold through the remaining peas, feta and parsley
  • Fry batter mixture in a splash of oil for a couple of minutes on each side until golden
  • For presentation, cut out a circle using a cookie cutter

 

Parmesan Crisp (inspired by myrecipes.com)

50g Veggie equivalent of Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon thyme

½ teaspoon paprika

Black pepper to taste

 

  • Finely grate the vegetarian hard cheese and mix with thyme, black pepper, and paprika.
  • Sprinkle a fine layer of the mix onto a baking sheet or silicone sheet and grill for 3-4 minutes until golden.
  • Remove and leave for 30 seconds before cutting discs from the mixture – or break into shards when cool.

 

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Parmentier potatoes (inspired by bbcgoodfood.com)

3-6 Maris Piper potatoes (or your favourite variety) cut into 1cm cubes

2-3 sprigs of rosemary finely chopped

Sunflower oil

1 tablespoon melted butter

2 tsp dried parsley

Salt and pepper

 

  • Cook the cubed potatoes in a frying pan in a tablespoon of sunflower oil stirring to prevent sticking.
  • Melt the butter and mix with the parsley
  • Transfer the potatoes to a baking tray and combine with the melted butter/parsley mix and sprinkle with the chopped rosemary and seasoning.
  • Roast in a hot oven for approximately 30 minutes shaking half-way through.

 

Horseradish Creme Fraiche (inspired by greatbritishchefs.com)

2 tbsp creme fraiche

1 tsp horseradish (or more to taste)

Squeeze of lemon

½ tsp paprika

 

  • Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and chill for 10 minutes

 

Basil Emulsion (inspired by gabekennedy.com)

Bunch of fresh basil

3-4 ice cubes

½ cup olive oil

Juice of ½ a lemon

Pinch of salt

Bowl of iced water

 

  • Blanch basil for 30 seconds in boiling water
  • Drop into a bowl of iced water to stop further cooking and retain the colour
  • Squeeze out the water from the basil and put in a blender with the ice cubes and oil
  • Squeeze in the lemon juice and pinch of salt if required and blend well
  • Store in a presentation bottle in the fridge
  • The emulsion will separate so shake before use.
  • Nutri bullets are great for blending this up.

 

Pea and Mint Puree (inspired by greatbritishchefs.com)

400g frozen petit pois

Handful of mint leaves

Knob of butter

  • Blanch peas for 2 minutes in salted water
  • Add mint leaves and leave for 2 more minutes
  • Drain (but reserve the water) and put in a blender
  • Add 100ml of the cooking water and blend
  • Add more water if required and blend to the desired consistency
  • Pass puree through a fine sieve (push through with the back of a ladle) to create a smoother puree
  • Add in a knob of butter and blitz in the blender
  • Put in the fridge to cool

 

We paired this meal with a Pinot (Pea-no) Grigio from Sainsburys.

peas-recipe-mid-20170711-01287