Back Again

Posted on 20/03/2012 by

Apologies for the fact I’ve been off-air for a bit. Not surprisingly, LEON: Family and Friends has been taking up a lot of time. That said, though, I’ve lots of stuff to put out into the blogsphere — new recipes, food news. So stay tuned for a flurry of stuff… coming soon!

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What’s On The Label?

Posted on 30/01/2012 by

Here’s a new short from Robert Kenner, director of the documentary Food Inc. about food labelling. In the US, you’re still allowed not to say you’re using genetically modified products on the label. Bottom line, we have a right to know what’s in the food we buy.

While we’re on the subject of what goes into what we eat, here’s something else for you, about the feed additive ractopamine, banned in Europe, which is used to bulk up pigs, cows and turkeys.

I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: as consumers, we’re the ones who actually control the market. In the UK, popular outrage about GM changed our labelling practices. So it’s up to us to make things change.

More on this to follow…

K xx

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Pic of the Day: Gaeng Pa Pla at Pailin

Posted on 25/01/2012 by

At a small restaurant on Hollywood Boulevard, I ate the best Gaeng Pa I’ve ever had. The family who own Pailin come from the north of Thailand, so it’s a very different proposition from the now-famous (and wonderful) Jitlada down the street. They do a mean range of Isaan food too, of which this is just one example (as well as the BEST pork scratchings known to man).

K xx

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On Location With Leon 4

Posted on 17/01/2012 by

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This Week In Hello…

Posted on 03/01/2012 by

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Happy New Year

Posted on 31/12/2011 by

A very Happy 2012 to all our readers.

K xx

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Pic of the Day: Oven-Fried Chicken

Posted on 20/12/2011 by

Recipe testing’s full steam ahead for LEON: Family and Friends, and I’m getting to indulge my taste for Americana with this yummy oven-fried chicken. You know, I think this maybe my favourite part of the whole food writing process!

K xx

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Something For Christmas?

Posted on 19/12/2011 by

How about this: the Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook?

Regular readers will know that, here at Kay Cooks Towers, we’re big Mad Men fans. And I can’t wait for the new season next year. What’s terrific about this book, though, is that it isn’t just a novelty item, it’s also a fascinating piece of food sociology and research, and its authors are as dedicated to authenticity as Matthew Weiner himself. So in reference to the scene where Don and Roger go for Oysters Rockefeller at the Grand Central Oyster Bar, they source the Oyster Bar’s 1960 recipe.

The book’s a terrific insight into recipe evolution in America.

If you’re after other food and recipe movie tie-ins, how about The Wiseguy Cookbook, from the real Goodfella Henry Hill.

And if you’re after a quick Mad Men fix…:

K xx

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The Magic of Massimo and Armando’s Oil

Posted on 14/12/2011 by

Well, if this isn’t just about one of the best olive oil’s I’ve ever tasted here in London, I’ll eat my wooly hat!

I’ve written before about my friends Massimo and Susanna Usai, and their Sardinian restaurant in Putney, Isola del Sole. I’ve spent many a happy lunchtime in there, talking shop and eating fantastic food. And it’s been a pleasure to offer some of Susanna’s pastries and cakes to my commercial clients too.

Well, today I got to try Massimo’s father’s olive oil. Armando Usai makes just 400 litres a year. It’s organic, too. It’s a lovely pale Celadon colour, thick and well-flavoured, with a subtle fruit and a hint of pepper on the back. And it’s on sale at the restaurant now.

As regular readers know, I won’t promote anything unless I really like it. So take this posting as the Official Kay Seal Of Approval. It’s fantastic.

K xx

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Introducing the Issaya Siamese Club

Posted on 14/12/2011 by

Many many congratulations to my friend Ian Kittachai on the opening of his new restaurant, the Issaya Siamese Club, which opened yesterday. It’s been pretty much my fantasy restaurant ever since he described the concept to me back in April, and I can’t wait to visit. I know it’s going to be a smasher. So, if you find yourself in Bangkok this coming winter, be sure to check it out. It’s at 4, Soi Sri Aksorn off the Chua Phloeng Road.

K xx

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