Lubya, Cowboy Boots, and American Power [2/9 2025]
Recommendations from Me
I’ve recently moved to London after two years of moving around. This has given me a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with lots of old parts of myself. One of the purest joys has been to cook often again, and host dinner parties. While cooking is on my mind, I wanted to briefly highlight some of my favourite versatile pantry staples.
Lao Gan Ma crispy chilli in oil; FSG fermented enoki mushroom — two condiments, umami heaven.
Miso — all the types, but at least Shiro for versatility; adds depth to stews, soups, sauces.
Ssamjang — spicy fermented soybean paste; no need to cook, perfect with fresh vegetables, and noodles.
Dark and light soy sauce — essential base for lots of sauces.
Black vinegar — brightens up many regional Chinese dishes.
Sesame oil — toasted, aromatic complexity.
Black and white sesame seeds — mostly to make dishes look very pretty.
MSG — king umami.
Garlic — essential.
Spring onions — green tops for plating, white parts fried for delicious allium flavour.
Cashews — soaked and blended, toasted, stir-fried: always excellent.
Tahini — satisfying creaminess for both savoury and sweet dishes.
Coconut milk — the base of so many curries.
Dijon mustard — adds wonderful complexity to light dishes.
Recommendations from Others
Theo 2025
‘Go to Brasov in Romania and hike up to Cabana Malaiesti; eat Ciorbă de Legume (sour romanian soup).’
Tanglewest 2025
‘i) Lubya (Afghan kidney bean curry); ii) Bird watching -> play the calls of birds you want to see on your phone; iii) Bic narrow nib crystal pen’
Faye 2025
‘In the morning — a medjool date, glass of water, blow my nose, wash my face | In the eve — a stretch, a rooibos tea with milk and honey, a night time cig, some warmth.’
Jules 2025
‘Always resole cowboy boots with rubber soles, they’ll last much longer and you can wear them in the rain’
Nathan 2025
‘Mitch Epstein’s photobook: American Power.'
Cover photo - Ciudad de México, México.
