My last few posts have been restaurant reviews, so for a bit of a break I’ve decided to chip in on “Food Bloggers Unplugged” and let my audience know a bit more about where I come from food-wise. Thanks to All That I’m Eating for inviting me to do so.
What or who inspired you to start your blog?
In July 2010 I went travelling around the world for a year with Otter (that’s a nickname, not a literal otter) and decided to keep a blog: Otter Adrift. Well, it’s what the modern round-the-world traveller does. I’m very pleased with my travel blog, love looking at it and reminiscing. When we got back I still had itchy blogging fingers, and food seemed like the obvious subject.
Who is your foodie inspiration?
For as long as I can remember (that’d be university, 20 years ago), I’ve cooked all my food from ingredients. I never touched ready-meals and even turned my nose up at ready-made pasta sauces. And from about the same time I have always sought to eat out at independent restaurants and cafes in preference to chains.I honestly cannot think who or what was the original inspiration for this. I think I’ve just absorbed this and that from a whole variety of sources. People describe themselves as passionate foodies. Sadly, I’m just a moderately interested foodie. Pff.
In the same way that I’ve never followed a football team or been a huge fan of a singer or band, I don’t really have any strong feelings about all the abundance of food celebs. Hm. I probably have most time for Nigel Slater.
Your greasiest most batter splattered cook book is?
I have about 20 cookbooks. 15 of them have scarcely been opened since the initial flick through. Of the remaining five, easily my favourite is Nigel Slater’s “Tender”. Because it’s not just recipes, it tells you how each vegetable works and what works with it. For a make-it-up cook like me, perfect.The best thing you have ever eaten in another country, where was it and what was it?
MmmMMmmm. Black pepper crab in Singapore. That was such a huge crab, and so beautiful. South-east Asia is the best region on the planet for good food. South America, by contrast, is the worst. I recently recreated the black pepper crab at home, and it was almost as good.
Another Food Blogger’s table you would like to eat at?
Tricky question! Whenever I read another food blog I’m envious of their obvious passion for cooking and how much time they must spend in the kitchen, trying things out and getting them right. It could be Memalee, since I’m still reminiscing about all the great south-east Asian food from our trip while I write this. Or it could be All That I’m Eating, because we share a taste for doing tasty and seasonal things with market produce.What one kitchen gadget would you like Santa to bring you? (money no object)
How about a smokery? I love smoked flavour in most things, so that’s something I’d like to play with myself.Who taught you how to cook?
No-one. I didn’t start cooking until I went to university, and my early attempts were disgusting but not deadly. I’ve just absorbed stuff over the years; tips and ideas from cookbooks, TV programs and eating out. Mum has sent me various recipes over the years too, of course! So yeah, self-taught, gradual improvement.I’m coming to you for dinner, what is your signature dish?
If signature dish means the thing that most friends or family are likely to say “oh, you should try Matthew’s X…” then it’s probably the humble Spanish omelette.What is your guilty food pleasure?
Well, I’m a helluva food snob so I don’t really have any guilt in the sense of “I shouldn’t eat this crap”; no McD’s fries, no chocolate Hobnobs, no pop tarts, no ready meals. I suppose if I didn’t rein it in my cream tea habit could easily get out of control! So: stuffing myself with scones, jam and clotted cream.Reveal something about yourself that others would be surprised to learn?
I may be in my thirties and only 10 stone, but I have that supreme ailment of gourmands down the centuries: the gout. I was afflicted about six years ago and I can’t think of any way a big toe could be more painful, unless it was perhaps being hit repeatedly with a sledgehammer. I suspect I’ll blog about this in more detail at some point!
Finally, I must confess that I’ve looked around the few food blogs I read with any regularity and they’ve all done this questionnaire already – so I can’t keep the ball rolling by inviting another five respondents. I’ll just draw your attention to my list of “Links”, in the right-hand column. They’re all great blogs, so check out any that appeal to you.