July was, and always has been, a test to regular routine. Out of office replies call for more lenient timelines, consecutive heatwaves call for picky bit dinners, and mid-summer antics call for last minute pilates-class cancellations. Anything goes in July, and for us, that meant barbecuing lobster on a Wednesday, with help from a new brand discovery.
The Recipe
We weren't joking when we said barbecued lobster. This recipe requires one pound of butter, four lobsters, and a table of impressionable guests (in-laws, new prospects, the boujier friends, etc.). Serve it up with Molly Yeh's chimichurri smashed potatoes for a spread that will guarantee you those coveted nods of approval.
The Show
Tension, Tagliatelle, and Terry Crews- 100 Cooks is Food Network's largest cooking competition ever, bringing together 100 home cooks from all walks of life. Our chat with Terry, a life-long Food Network fanatic, revealed he could hardly believe it when his agent came with the offer. His passion is obvious, the competition is high-pressure, and the show itself? Binge-worthy. It's now available to stream on Discovery+.
The Brand
With it being al fresco season, there's one brand that's been sitting front and centre of our spice cupboard: Lumberjaxe. You may have seen them on Dragon's Den, the two brothers from Birmingham with a passion for a good grill. Together, they have come up with a selection of fuss-free BBQ sauces and spices made with natural ingredients. To be quite honest, they have been nothing short of a life-saviour for what would otherwise be some very bland kebabs. What's more, with the anti-barbecue regulations in place around London parks, these are the perfect way to recreate those smokey charred flavours- no flames needed.
The New Launch
We recently wrote about the nostalgic treats that we sorely miss, and it seems M&S have answered our prayers. They've released four chocolate bars from the 80s, all wrapped in original St Michael packaging designs. Each bar takes inspiration from the flavours and textures that made the originals so iconic. Sparks pairs chewy nougat with soft caramel, Jet combines nougat, peanut and soft caramel, Now! has a biscuity caramel centre, and Coconut Grove is filled with smooth coconut. For those of you who loved them the first time around, we're happy to spread the good news. For those yet to discover, we'd recommend heading straight to M&S.
The Restaurant
Some restaurants pull you in with the smell of what's cooking. Hausu doesn't need to. Tucked beside Peckham Rye station, it's the kind of place where the low lighting, vinyl soundtrack and clink of cocktail glasses do sufficient convincing before you've even seen the menu. Having said that, when you do see the menu, a list composed of reasonably-priced nostalgic dishes reimagined with bold Asian influences, standout seafood and clever technique, you'll be glad you judged this book by its cover. All backed by an equally thoughtful drinks list, you'll leave wondering why you don't spend every evening in Peckham.
The Event
Khao Bird, famed for its authentic Northern Thai food and original home in the former Bridget Jones flat. The Culpeper, famed for its East London rooftop garden and sitting firmly at the top of the best destination for post-work pints. Put the two together, and you get our favourite event of July: Khao Bird X The Culpeper. We headed there on a particularly warm Friday afternoon to sip coconut pisco margs and share plates of smoky, punchy grilled meat and fish. With bold flavours, flowing wine and the rooftop’s glorious sunshine setting the scene, it was nothing short of a match made in heaven.
