It’s a sunny Friday afternoon, and Ridley Road Market is in full swing. Bunches of plantain, shelves of dried fish and bolt upon bolt of patterned fabrics. The east end market has existed for decades - it’s said to have been the inspiration behind Eastender’s Walford Market, but now has a definite Caribbean vibe and has been susceptible to the odd rat meat allegation.…
A few months ago, I tried out the 5:2 diet. It never really appealed, but I figured that the best way to make an informed judgement was to give it a go, and see what all the hype was about.
As expected, the feast days were no problem.
But - also, as expected - the fast days were dreadful. I always try to eat healthily. To listen to my body, and give it what it needs, be that a piece of red meat, or a bowl of porridge so it’s an odd feeling having to ignore hunger, ignore cravings, and let your diet be entirely dictated by the magic number 500.…
I know, I know…what’s the point of “reining it in” if, during a small relapse, you eat a large quantity of chicken liver pâté (which Tom rightly observed is essentially Meat Butter).…
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. The perfect antidote to a weekend of excess is a Sunday night vegetable daal. It is cheap, it is soothing, and it can often be made from the paucity of ingredients found in an end-of-weekend fridge.…
Hello – I'm Rachel Walker – food writer and cook. I live in East London with my very tolerant husband, who is often alarmed to find pig trotters or brining lamb tongues floating in the fridge.
