Friday Favourites - Summer Cookbooks

Today The Amazing Blog wants to share with you some of our #amazingfinds with four new cookbooks that have encouraged us to create some fantastic international dishes for our friends. Our gastronomic journey starts with India moves onto to Morocco and then the Philippines and returns back to the UK just in time to put the BBQ on!

Let’s kicked off by something of a whirlwind of inspiration in the culinary prowess of Asma Khan, who moved to the UK in 1991 from Calcutta without any knowledge of how to cook, but a firm belief in the power of food to bring people together, and the opportunities created through this to forge new friendships, learning of different cultures and traditions along the way. Although it was British constitutional law which focused her attentions to begin with, having finished her doctorate in 2012, she turned her entrepreneurial talents towards the kitchen, and has been gaining awards and garnering attention ever since. As a descendant of the ancient Rajput Suryavanshi Bargujar clan on her paternal side, and pioneering tea planters in Darjeeling from her maternal ancestry, Asma’s heritage is undisputed, and her book ‘Asma’s Indian Kitchen’ is a delicious romp through India’s rich history, and culinary voyage. “Your food should feel like an embrace” she tells us, and such warmth emanates from the pages. Beautifully photographed and with anecdotes peppered throughout, her book really is a delight to enjoy in and out of the kitchen! Her Shahi Kofta - or lamb meatballs in a rich gravy - are a sensation, as are her stuffed bell peppers - or Bharwa Simla Mirch to use the correct terminology … useful to know, especially if you fancy trying out her award-winning restaurant Darjeeling Express in Soho. Published by Pavilion Books for £14.99  and available here .

If Morocco is more your thing, then Nargisse Benkabbou is offering up “Casablanca - My Moroccan Food” to encourage us to whip out that tagine, and start making magic with the amazing flavours of her culture, but often with a mix of Western dishes too. Again, here we don’t just have a culinary manual to enjoy, but rather more an introduction to how these foods fit within the gloriously colourful culture and traditions. Nargisse began sharing her feasting knowledge originally through a highly successful blog, ‘My Moroccan Food’, and this book is the natural result of those posts. If you are partial to a spot of marinating - and who of us aren’t - then try the Sweet Chermoula Seared Beef, which promises a ‘flavour bomb’, and we love the idea of a dish taking us to far-flung places with the aromas of Casablanca which are promised in the Amlou Rolls.So many temptations to try, and written with a warmth and friendliness utterly reminiscent of Morocco herself. Octopus Books have brought us this one, priced at £20 and available here 

Perhaps the Philippines as a gastronomic destination gets your taste buds going? The New Filipino Kitchen is another huge spectrum of different tastes and flavours from the myriad of islands with so much to explore, and brought to us digitally thanks to Jacqueline Chio-Lauri who has edited a collection of fascinating stories, giving extra meaning to each recipe from a wide ranging assortment of cuisine masters - and all for us to try from the comfort of our laptop. Describing the chapters under the heading of simply ‘seafood’, ‘meat’ or ‘desserts’ feels a little like short-changing this extensive jaunt around those 7000 or so islands which make up such a vibrant nation. However, the ‘New Filipino Kitchen’ is a serious contender for our attention if culinary escapism is your thing. Quite unique with the information it relays, this book could send us into a frenzy - imagine if you will ‘Stuffed Fish Grilled in Banana Leaves and Eggplant Salad with Toasted Pancetta’, or to translate that properly and pay due homage, ‘Inihaw Na Isda At Ensaladang Talong’ … Well Imagine it no longer, simply turn to page 36, and enter Tasting Heaven! Both digital and hard copies are available on Amazon here from £15.18

Now, it would seem churlish not to include a cookbook with origins a little closer to home, and of course there is an enormous library of titles to choose from, but one which stands out with an irresistible edge is the “Fresh Veggie BBQ” by David & Charlotte Bailey,encouraging us to embrace the outdoor option of serving up a meal from a vegetarian friendly barbecue menu. Completely eschewing any notion that vegetarian food has to be less colourful or indeed tasty, David and Charlotte give us 60 recipe options like ‘Caramelized Bananas with Vanilla Ice Cream’, ‘Rosemary Sweet Potato Chips’ or - and this one is seriously tempting ‘Wild Mushroom & Artichoke One-Pot Pie’ to dispel those myths completely. However, this time of course our kitchen is found in the great outdoors through the tradition that is ‘barbecue’ which of course is a culture within itself. With advice on the different options open to us, from using dutch ovens to the very impressive discipline of burying our ingredients in hot ash and embers - otherwise known as ‘rescoldo’, we have an encyclopaedia of vegetarian goodies to try out -and with the weather back here at home offering us it’s most favourable conditions (Ok well that was in July perhaps not August!) We can’t be the only ones twitching to get those charcoals burning! Published by Pavilion Books with an RRP of £14.99 here the ‘Fresh Veggie BBQ’ is a must.

…And with all these delicious ideas, we’re preparing to cook up a storm this Bank Holiday weekend!

War Paint Makeup For Men - Concealer/ Tinted Moisturiser

Stand by your beds troops, we are about to be brought to attention - or is that ‘TEN-SHUN’? Well, whichever is besides the point, just so long as our skin is primed and ready for action… if not, the very exciting range from Warpaint Makeup For Men that has been lined up with military precision on this desk at The Amazing Blog is just what you need. Brace yourselves boys, we have got to pull our socks up and focus on bringing our grooming regime up to scratch, or accept defeat in the face of … well the face really!

Warpaint Makeup For Men, was launch by Daniel Gray who shares with us his struggle with body dysmorphic disorder, which propelled him on his journey starting the brand and helping other, he tells us: “I still struggle every single day with how I look but every day I’m learning how to handle it and I wouldn’t have progressed and come as far as I have if it hadn’t of been for makeup”. He also went on to say, “I’m in no way saying that makeup is a cure for bullies, or a miracle serum for low self-esteem and lack of confidence. But using makeup has really helped me manage my BDD and by creating War Paint, I hope it opens a door for men to also get the support they need from makeup.” The brand has broken the stigma that makeup is just for women by creating this masculine looking range of vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics. Apparently, there is a difference between men and women’s skin, men’s skin ranges from nearly 25% thicker due to the testosterone production which in turn creates more sebum and increases the oil produced.

Taking care of our skin is nothing new, in fact unless we have been cowering under a stone for the past 20 years, then each of us will have to some extent a daily routine of keeping our skin in as perky a condition as possible - the fact we are here tapping away merrily on the laptop at all is evidence of that. However, the inevitable has become mainstream, and now simply maintaining what Mother Nature gave us, is not enough - now we have to be making the very best of what we have with the help of Warpaint- great name to help recruitment, and great product for those of us who have already signed up and are now committed to showing ourselves at our best on the frontline!

The Tinted Moisturiser  is three products in one - a foundation, moisturiser and concealer. Light and easily absorbed, the tint just gives an extra depth to your skin tone, and if you need help choosing what skin type you are, then head over to here to see all the options to discover. For heavier blemishes or scars, we have the Warpaint Concealer in our arsenal to help cover those up, containing tea tree oil to boost the epidermis whilst in action. As a tip, we found using the handy shaped Face Sponge to apply the concealer which is available as part of the full range, made life a lot easier, but both products can be applied with the fingers if unarmed combat is more your thing. Costing £22 for 30ml of the Tinted Moisturiser here and £18 for a 5g pot of Concealer here, funding this weaponry for the daily battle ahead isn’t going to break the bank. All products are available through their website  here. BTW with every one their Concealers that you buy, War Paint will donate 50p from each concealer sale to CALM Campaign Against Living Miserably. This charity promotes the freedom of talking about the burdens that men face and the positive affect that a simple chat can have, when you’re just not feeling quite yourself. So remember troops - YOUR skin needs YOU!

Fushi - Wild, Cold-Pressed Pomegranate Oil 80%+

We love to support indie brands here at The Amazing Blog particularly those that source their ingredients seasonally. This is why we always want to try new products from Fushi. They have just launched a new product: Wild, Cold-Pressed Pomegranate Oil 80%+ sustainably sourced from South Africa utilising the entire Pomegranate fruit making sure it’s free from artificial ingredients and chemicals. What we love about this product is that it’s also food grade too – so can be taken sprinkled liberally not only on your face but on your favourite cereal, salad or smoothies!

Founded by Ria Pattni and Rannesh Jansari, Fushi the brand was created to keep ancient techniques alive. Passed on from Ria’s grandmother, to her mother and then onto her originating mainly from Ayurvedic recipes. The products are composed of natural oils and herbs all hand-blended to create organic, ethical and pure formulas to primarily enhance skin rejuvenation. As mentioned previously in our post on their BioVedid range, Fushi means ‘eternal life’ in Japanese. Their products maintain the essence of natural remedies used in the past, with a modern touch. Fushi not only takes care of your skin but also the planet. They are members of the Ethical Company Organisation workers and suppliers, as well as being a member of the Ethical Company Organisation and the Good Shopping Guide, as well as supporting Fair Trade with their inventions.

The Fushi Wild, Cold-Pressed Pomegranate Oil 80%+ is a new formula rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, linoleic acid, oleic acid and flavonoids that by altering the way it is produced, the punicic acid, better known as Omega 5 has been boosted to over 80%. Increasing Omega 5 has made this oil perfect for anti-ageing, heart health, stronger immunity, and more. It is believed that Fushi has cracked the code and created the first pomegranate oil 80%+ in the market. No one likes greasy or heavy oils, and this is where it scores well as Fushi’s Pomegranate Oil is light and absorbent, making it non-greasy and ideal for mature, normal, damaged and skins. Apart from the topical application, pomegranate oil is high in flavonoids and antioxidants, which makes it a popular dietary supplement. All packaged in amber glass bottles which protect the contents from heat, light, oxidation and moisture. We’re already thinking of ordering another bottle before we run out! Get your 50ml bottle of Wild, Cold-Pressed Pomegranate Oil 80%+ for £20.00 here.

Urban Cordial

As the temperature rises, our taste buds are craving something refreshing to cool us down, and the array of choice in the soft drinks sector is greater than ever before. However, with our awareness primed these days to know exactly what we are drinking, the challenge now is to source the perfect taste, but without all those sugary additives which are going to send our glucose levels rocketing. Fortunately, we at  The Amazing Blog only have to look as far as  Urban Cordial who have brought their delicious concoctions to market with a mouth-watering array of pairings. How do Strawberry & Sage , Pear & Ginger, Blackberry & Lavender or Apple, Lemon & Fennel  sound as an introduction to the range? Pretty impressive, when further investigation revealed that these tantalising flavours are just the tip of the iceberg - or should that be ice cube?

Now, a cordial may conjure up images of Grandma’s pantry, but these colourful offerings pack quite a punch in the zing department - both in each bottle’s contents, and also outside on each brightly illustrated label. All of course are alcohol free, and made from the best ingredients, although Urban Cordial are justly proud of bringing these to us with a laudable mission of sourcing their fruit on quality of taste and nutrients, rather than how they may be shaped! In a bid to incorporate a solution to the serious global problem of food surplus, Urban Cordial do not discriminate on appearance and is to be congratulated on saving over 30 tonnes of fruit from landfill.

Each bottle costs £5.50 plus £4.99 p&p, and the complete range is available for the bargain bulk price of £44.00 and with p&p free on orders over £40 here everyone’s a winner! However, some small independent grocery stores and also one or two of the larger high street names are taking up the option to supply, so getting our hands on these wonderful libations, is thankfully, becoming easier for all of us.

Be Spunki – REBOOT

Okay boys - so who is in need of a bit of a boost? Perhaps your energy levels need something of a top up, or maybe the concentration is slightly off? Well, let us delve into a box of ‘REBOOT’ from  the Be Spunki team, to pep ourselves up so that we can return to operating at full capacity, whether that be at work, in the gym, or if the testimonials are anything to go by, the bedroom! The knowledge that as the years go by our hormones start playing snakes and ladders is of course nothing new, but our attitudes to how we deal with this reality, most certainly are, and Be Spunki are forging ahead with in-depth research as to how best address these issues, in a healthier and sustainable way. Of course, there have been synthetic options available for many years, but with increased and more targeted data now at our fingertips, it is now clear just how much potential damage these synthetic forms of testosterone and anabolic hormone supplementation can do.

Be Spunki was co-founded by entrepreneur Shaun Sargent, who said “Whilst looking for a solution personally, it was a huge shock for me to find that nothing on the market really catered for what most men require at this time.” He went on to say, “There is not much information about the issues we face as men, nor the tips to take charge and change this for ourselves. Not the multi vitamins, not the well-man products, not the gym fixers, the steroid replacements - nothing. It’s a taboo subject for most guys, hence the alarming rise in male suicides.”  The REBOOT capsules from Be Spunki offer a completely natural alternative supporting whole body health, longevity and vitality. With a suggested dosage of two capsules to be taken twice a day with meals, such a complementary addition to our daily intake is a welcome and relatively simple option. Specifically aimed at the male market, these capsules are clinically proven, vegan friendly with no fillers, binders or plastic capsules, and contain powerful tried and tested traditional herbs as their key ingredients. With extract from seeds (fenugreek), roots (ashwagandha and ginseng) and herbs (tribulus terrestris, rosemary and cinnamon) as well as zinc and selenium, the main goal of balancing hormone levels is supported, especially where testosterone is concerned. The importance of keeping our glucose metabolism in check, as well as our cardiovascular function are clear, but alongside all of this come many health benefits such as improved immune system and enhanced physical and cognitive performance. Stamina, energy and endurance can also be improved, and stress, anxiety and irritability, relieved. Do see their fascinating scientific proof on REBOOT here I’ve only taken this for one month so I can’t report in any major changes, although I have found it’s made me sleep better.

Coming to us hotfoot from Australia, this range of supplements is currently only available online, but it is gaining a strong and formidable team of fans. Check out here for the full range, testimonials and details of delivery - one month’s supply of the REBOOT capsules (120 capsules) costs $120 (they do convert currency at the daily rate, and shipping to the UK is reasonable) However, I have to tell you that they also offer The Ultimate Thrival Kit, here which contains the month’s supply of REBOOT as well as a 370g satchel of RECOVER which has been specifically formulated to support recovery post-workout. As they say, this is REBOOT-ing your system in a very easy scientifically proven way.