Food & drink takeaways – 16 September
‘Edible stones’ from a multiple Michelin-starred chef, MasterChef’s first UK host and the home to one of the world’s most popular cuisines celebrates its independence.
Just some of the food and drink delights for which we have to thank 16 September.
Click on the links for extra helpings.
Food birthdays
1812
Scottish botanist, plant hunter and traveller, introduced tea plants from China to India. Author of A Journey to the Tea Countries of China, Three Years’ Wanderings in the Northern Provinces of China, A Residence Among the Chinese
1950
American-British gastronome, TV presenter and author, Foodstuff, The 125 Best Recipes Ever, The World on a Plate
"Broadcaster, entrepreneur and gastronome Loyd Grossman has made a career out of his fascination with food. The first-ever host of MasterChef in the UK, Grossman later created his own brand of cooking sauces, which has become one of Britain’s most successful food brands."
1971
Spanish chef, gained international recognition as head chef of Mugaritz, a restaurant in the countryside near San Sebastian, constantly being ranked among the best restaurants in the world and earning multiple Michelin stars and other accolades
“One of my favourite dishes is our 'edible stones' {header photo}. It looks like a stone, feels like a stone, your brain is telling you you will lose teeth if you eat it. But it melts away in your mouth. A poetry, a magical equilibrium of texture and temperature is achieved with a single potato.”
Celebration days
"Chiles en nogada {pictured above} is one of the most emblematic dishes of Mexican Independence Day, as it represents the colors of the flag. It consists of poblano peppers stuffed with a mixture of ground meat, dried fruits, nuts and spices, covered with a creamy walnut sauce and sprinkled with pomegranate seeds. It is said that this dish was created by nuns in Puebla in honor of Agustín de Iturbide, one of the leaders of the independence movement."
"The sum of many delicious parts, Malaysian cuisine’s influences include Chinese, Indian and Malay."
Papua New Guinea: Independence Day
"Papua New Guinean cuisine is largely vegetarian, with lots of tropical fruits and starchy root veggies, including sago, taro and sweet potato. Seafood, chicken and pork are also popular, though pork is usually reserved for special occasions.".
UK: Scottish Food & Drink September
Unofficial
USA: Guacamole Day
Food art of the day
Still life with Viola and sweets by Austrian painter Franz von Matsch, born on this day in 1861.
