Broccoli and cottage cheese fritters and some weekend podcast recommendations
Yummy bites and some great escapist listening
It’s Easter Sunday as I’m typing this. We’re hosting a family meal tonight, with both sets of parents in attendance. I started a few things early as I realised this morning that too many things needed the oven. I’ve made the orange, vanilla and Easter egg ice cream already and the spiced lamb leg is in the oven (these days I lazily skip the green sauce). Later on I’m making cauliflower cheese because I’ve been craving it for ages and my VERY crunchy roasted potatoes. Later I’ll make a big rocket and cucumber salad plus a beetroot and carrot salad (I’m not sure this one fits but again, cravings - the perks of being the chef).
Spiced broccoli and cottage cheese fritters
I wanted to share this broccoli fritter recipe with you today. It’s a recent recipe from my weekly segment for Radio New Zealand - every Wednesday at 2.20pm, chatting with Jesse Mulligan. You can find my recipe HERE and if you want to hear me chat about it, you’ll find the audio HERE.
It’s a great as snack for a crowd, dinner for the family and as a tasty lunchbox filler. There’s tons of broccoli in here along with an entire tub of cottage cheese and extra eggs to really up the protein factor.
I’ve had lots of people let me know they’ve made these in the last couple of weeks and that the fritters were really enjoyed. That is always the nicest feeling.
Podcast recommendations
I listen to hours of podcasts. While I’m recipe testing, photographing and editing I’ll usually have a podcast in my ears. I listen to all manner of content but today I wanted to share some light, entertaining listens that get me through chores and big photoshoot clean ups.
Dead Eyes
Twenty years ago Connor was cast in HBO’s Band Of Brothers. That is, until Tom Hanks saw his audition tape and thought Connor had dead eyes. The first episode starts with the retelling of an excruciating re-audition process, being fired and it’s after-effects. This is a very amusing podcast, with the original premise being a very specific rejection but going on to have conversations with friends (often very well-know ones like Jon Hamm or Ira Glass ) about rejection and resilience and creativity. It’s funny and self-deprecating but often quite touching and vunerable. The end goal for Connor is to be able to have a conversation with Hanks himself. I won’t spoil for you whether he gets there.
I once had one of the Topp Twins call me bossy and that one slight has stayed with me so I can relate to Connor’s pain.
Sentimental Garbage
I’ve endorsed this before and will continue to do so forever. Tagline is: "The podcast that celebrates the things we love, that society wants us to feel guilty about.” Caroline O’Donoghue is a London-based Irish novelist who wants to chat about all the bits of culture that are perhaps considered less-intellectually worthy, mostly those made by, or targeted at, women.
She’s often talking to other novelists like, Coco Mellors, Dolly Alderton, Elizabeth Day, and the chats and cackles in these conversations make for such a delightful listen. There’s a sincere cherishing of books, TV shows and films that are held dear but always with a balance of critique and perspective. Listen to the episode about He’s Just Not That Into You with Coco Mellors.
Enjoy the rest of your Easter weekend x
