If there is something positive to be said so far for 2020, for me at least, it has been a year of home cooking.
Gone are the urges to just order in after a long day of work and commuting, now instead replaced with one-pot meals that I have cooking all day, as I work away in the next room.
Like clockwork each payday, I have been treating myself to a new cookbook, each of which offer a wealth of new dishes to try my hand at in my tiny kitchen. Naturally, there have been some mixed results, but one constant has been how much I have enjoyed trying a world of new dishes.
Here is a round-up of new cookbooks released so far in 2020...
1. 'Table Manners: The Cookbook'
Released: March 3
If you're a podcast fan, it's likely that you'll be familiar with Table Manners, a podcast by mother-daughter duo Jessie and Lennie Ware. The show sees weekly guests join the pair at their home, where they cook for them and talk about eating and food memories.
A few of their family recipes emerged as real favourites among guests, which led to them collaborating to pen a book of their best recipes.
It will make you nostalgic for cooking with your mum – which really is something when a cookbook has the power to make you well up. It has anecdotes and family photos peppered between the recipes, and highlights include the Marbella chicken – if you listen to the podcast, you'll know – as well as the lemon ice cream and hearty summer salads.
I should also probably disclose that at the time of writing, I have (kind of) got three copies of this book in my possession. One that I bought myself (and have since given as a gift to my mum), one that my friend bought me for my birthday (that I plan to keep) and one that I bought for another friend, for her birthday, only to find out she already owns a copy. That one still needs a home.
2. 'Falastin'
Released: March 26
Palestinian chef Sami Tamimi released Falastin earlier this year, his first solo recipe cookbook as a "love letter" to his homeland.
The long-time business partner of Yotam Ottolenghi has teamed up with Tara Wigley for the project, compiling a comprehensive collection of 122 recipes.
In April this year, Tamimi shared the recipes for his aubergine, chickpea and tomato bake (musaqa'a), chicken musakhan, and sweet tahini rolls (kubez el tahineh), with The National. You can find them here.
3. 'Meals, Music, and Muses: Recipes from My African American Kitchen'
Released: February 11
Alexander Smalls has married music and food in his latest release, Meals, Music, and Muses: Recipes from My African American Kitchen, with personal anecdotes included throughout. Each chapter is named after a type of music the best reflects the recipes, taking readers on a journey around the American South. Dishes include the Carolina Bourbon Barbecue Shrimp and Okra Skewers and Prime Rib Roast with Crawfish Onion Gravy.
4. 'Vegetable Kingdom: The Abundant World of Vegan Recipes'
Released: February 11
An almost encyclopaedic guide to vegetables and vegan cooking, Bryant Terry takes the reader through ingredient-specific recipes, with individual sections on seeds, beans, fennel, asparagus, cauliflower and much more. In all, the book contains more than 100 vegan recipes.
Don't expect meat substitutes, this cookbook gets the reader to cook well, with vegetables as the stars of the show.
Highlights include, caramelised leek and seared mushroom toast, Panko-crusted cauliflower and coconut curry, spinach salad with blackened chickpeas.
The book also offers a playlist, with songs specially selected as a soundtrack for each recipe. And Terry has also compiled an essential list of cupboard recipes, for readers to rely upon, including stocks, sauces and oils.
5. 'Open Kitchen: Inspired Food for Casual Gatherings'
Released: March 3
You may well have started having people over again, and if you are, Susan Spungen's book is the ideal guide to impressing your guests with good food at home.
You will find recipes to try on special occasions, and others that are perfect for relaxed nights in with friends and family – the key theme is that they're all incredibly comforting, wholesome dishes.
Expect to be sharing a few of her recipes, with starters such as burrata with pickled cherries, mains including the rosy harissa chicken and desserts such as roasted strawberry-basil sherbet. The dishes are seasonal and ingredient focused.
It is also helpfully offers hosting tips and ways to get ahead in the kitchen, so there is no wild rush when your guests arrive. Getting ahead is the philosophy of the book.
6. 'Grow Food For Free: The Sustainable, Zero-Cost, Low-Effort Way to A Bountiful Harvest'
Released: March 3
The title of this book gives away much of why this is the perfect recipe book for the now.
A guide to self-sufficiency, learn how to grow all the fruit and vegetables you can in as low cost a way as possible. The book takes into account that we don't all have spacious gardens, with tips for pallet planting or using public vegetable plots, which the UAE have on offer.
The book was born from Huw Richards's personal challenge, to be self-sufficient by growing his own fruits and vegetables for free for a year, which he succeeded in doing.
Don't assume that the mission to start planting starts with an expensive trip to the garden centre, Richards has more low-cost tips, encouraging readers to look in the fridge and kitchen cupboards for food that can be planted – you'll never throw away a pepper seed again.
7. 'My Korea: Traditional Flavors, Modern Recipes'
Released: April 7
Like its pop culture, Korean food is undeniably popular. Here, Michelin-starred chef Hooni Kim aims to introduce novices to the cuisine to the "Korean culinary trinity: gochujang, doenjang and ganjang (Korean chili pepper paste, fermented soybean paste and soy sauce)." Kim advises readers that "these key ingredients add a savoury depth and flavour to the entire spectrum of Korean cuisine".
The book offers everything from simple rice cakes drenched in a spicy sauce to a 12-Hour Korean Ramyeon (ramen).
8. 'Fakeaway: Healthy Home-cooked Takeaway Meals'
Released: January 23
When Chris Bavin released Fakeaway in early 2020, little did he know that we were going into a year of self-reliance and austerity, making the guide all that more significant.
With his guidance, you'll be whipping up low-calorie, low-cost versions of all your takeout favourites; think curries, stir-fries, pasta dishes, pizzas and fish and chips, with plenty of vegan, vegetarian, dairy and gluten-free options included.
Recipe highlights include chicken chow mein, calzone pizza and Thai noodle soup. Even if, just once a week, it encourages you to close the delivery apps and try something new in the kitchen, it's worth a buy.
Super heroes
Iron Man
Reduced risk of dementia
Alcohol consumption could be an issue
Hulk
Cardiac disease, stroke and dementia from high heart rate
Spider-Man
Agility reduces risk of falls
Increased risk of obesity and mental health issues
Black Panther
Vegetarian diet reduces obesity
Unknown risks of potion drinking
Black Widow
Childhood traumas increase risk of mental illnesses
Thor
He's a god
Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
Results
2.30pm: Expo 2020 Dubai – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,600m; Winner: Barakka, Ray Dawson (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer)
3.05pm: Now Or Never – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: One Idea, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson
3.40pm: This Is Our Time – Handicap (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Perfect Balance, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar
4.15pm: Visit Expo 2020 – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Kaheall, Richard Mullen, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.50pm: The World In One Place – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1.900m; Winner: Castlebar, Adrie de Vries, Helal Al Alawi
5.25pm: Vision – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Shanty Star, Richard Mullen, Rashed Bouresly
6pm: Al Wasl Plaza – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Jadwal, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson
Read more about the coronavirus
The biog
Name: Timothy Husband
Nationality: New Zealand
Education: Degree in zoology at The University of Sydney
Favourite book: Lemurs of Madagascar by Russell A Mittermeier
Favourite music: Billy Joel
Weekends and holidays: Talking about animals or visiting his farm in Australia
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
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Getting%20there%20and%20where%20to%20stay
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Hurricanes 31-31 Lions
Wellington Hurricanes:
Tries: Gibbins, Laumape, Goosen, Fifita tries, Barrett
Conversions: Barrett (4)
Penalties: Barrett
British & Irish Lions:
Tries: Seymour (2), North
Conversions: Biggar (2)
Penalties: Biggar (4)
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
STAY%2C%20DAUGHTER
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Ipaf in numbers
Established: 2008
Prize money: $50,000 (Dh183,650) for winners and $10,000 for those on the shortlist.
Winning novels: 13
Shortlisted novels: 66
Longlisted novels: 111
Total number of novels submitted: 1,780
Novels translated internationally: 66
FIGHT CARD
1. Featherweight 66kg
Ben Lucas (AUS) v Ibrahim Kendil (EGY)
2. Lightweight 70kg
Mohammed Kareem Aljnan (SYR) v Alphonse Besala (CMR)
3. Welterweight 77kg
Marcos Costa (BRA) v Abdelhakim Wahid (MAR)
4. Lightweight 70kg
Omar Ramadan (EGY) v Abdimitalipov Atabek (KGZ)
5. Featherweight 66kg
Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Kagimu Kigga (UGA)
6. Catchweight 85kg
Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) v Iuri Fraga (BRA)
7. Featherweight 66kg
Yousef Al Husani (UAE) v Mohamed Allam (EGY)
8. Catchweight 73kg
Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Abdipatta Abdizhali (KGZ)
9. Featherweight 66kg
Jaures Dea (CMR) v Andre Pinheiro (BRA)
10. Catchweight 90kg
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)