Since the arrival of our weekly veg box we’ve decided to eat less meat and it’s been easy. It’s all about the vegetables – romanesco cauliflower, jerusalem artichokes, sweet potatoes, leeks, mushrooms, swede, squash – a never-ending parade of good stuff to eat and create new recipes. I even bought some tofu which I marinated and chucked on top of a stir-fry last night, it was delicious. This is not to say we’re not going to eat meat because we are, but the meat we do eat will come from a good place and taste as good as it possibly can.

One of my favourite, and easiest recipes, is pasta with cavolo nero (kale or cabbage will do).

First up, get your pasta cooking (spaghetti is good), fry off some chopped garlic in oil, add some chopped anchovies (as many as you like, 2/3 per person is good) and dried chilli flakes and cook for a few mins then set aside until the pasta is nearly done. In the meantime blanch your sliced up greens (a min in some salted boiled water), drain and run under the cold tap and set aside to drain until your ready for it. A few mins before the pasta is ready, re-heat up your pan with the garlic and anchovies, add the greens, season with lots of black pepper and squeeze on the juice of half a lemon. Drain your pasta (keep a little of the water), add to the pan with the garlic, mix around, add some water to loosen, grate on as much parmesan, or pecorino as you fancy and eat. Delicious, cheap and easy. Sometimes I add a few capers to the anchovies. Mmmmm.

Some birthday stuff I got:

Polaroid Impossible Project film.

Kate Kanzier shoes and bag.

The Vamoose necklace.

Chloé Eau de Parfum.

Tonight we’re off to see ‘Inception’ at the IMAX, eat Chinese and chat shit. Can’t wait for Janey Mac day tomorrow with food at Gilgamesh.

I wonder if they do Slush Puppies at the IMAX. Here’s hoping…

Village East

This menu has been in our house for a while. It’s always close to hand for ‘Chinese Thursdays’ and just in case you get the urge for king prawn toast, or salt and chilli squid. One day I’m going to frame it. It’ll be like my bashed up Bruce Lee poster from 16 years ago. So, if you’re in South East London and in need of a hit try out EXP Chinese. Yum. Oh, don’t try the Szechuan hot fried beef, Maffews thinks it’s rubbish.

Janey Mac took me to The Japan Centre on Piccadilly on a snowy Saturday not long past and it ruled. Super busy, to be expected on a Saturday afternoon in central London, but the services was sharp, the saké was hot and the ramen with kimchi was unspeakably good. So good that Andy and I went the next day. Kimchi is yummi. We’re going again very soon.

I made macaroons and they taste gooood.

Janey Mac got me this for my birthday and I am forever grateful. Beautiful words and beautiful food all wrapped up in a beautiful book. I’m going to have to visit them in Islington.