I’ve been travelling for the last couple of months. I’m currently in Japan. I’ve learnt a lot about myself; what I like, what I don’t like. I have learnt so much of this through food. Food is a powerful force, living and breathing in every culture. Food is beyond language, beyond routine. Love, history, emotion, experience, physical reactions, that is what food generously and aggressively imparts. There is little more that is as beautiful or important to share with the people you love, and in some cases… even the people you can’t love.
Saffron and Brown Butter Gnocchi with Szechuan Pepper Almonds, Pistachio and Shiso –
I’m finally home after a few weeks of travel and have found a few quiet hours to myself. Over the past week or so, I’ve been thinking about some dear friends and their incredible energy, spirit and love of life. This one is dedicated to you, Kristy and Catie. –
The comfort of soft, light gnocchi (without egg!), the textural contrast of the toasted almonds and pistachios, the exciting hum and anaesthetic qualities of the szechuan pepper, and the slightly tangy, earthy shiso all combine to bring balance, wonder and comfort.
Happy Saturday! Pork with braised cabbage, just and smoked apple. Clean and simple. Loving that smokey flavour.
Steak tartare with house-made saeujeot (pickled tiny shrimp, sometimes uncertainly identified as krill), egg yolk, caviar, chilli, fried eschallots, spring onion. Beef is marinated in a mixture of soy, fish based stock and sesame oil.
Steak tartare. Goes well with drinking too much.