These no-bake caramel cups 

Basically a mash up of dates, pretzels and oats, filled with thick caramel, topped with chocolate and a sprinkle of sea salt. Alright then.
 

These podcasts

Having spent much of the last week on the road, many podcasts have been consumed and enjoyed, these most of all. Hope one or two of these brighten up your breakfast this morning, commutes, walks, whatever this week...

Apparently he has seen more of the world and its creatures than any human ever has or will in history; I just loved Sir David Attenborough's interview in this episode of What Makes us Human. 

Also very much enjoyed this episode of Fortunately with special guest Vicki Pepperdine who is one half of the satirical 'agony aunt' podcast  Dear Joan and Jericha which I recommended a few months ago. If you haven't had a listen yet and don't mind (quite) a few rude words, please do, every episode has me doubling up with laughter. Anyway, Fortunately is always a great listen, this episode especially so.

This episode of Yotam Ottolenghi's Simple Pleasures' podcast with Lin-Manuel Miranda (creator of Hamilton the musical).

This episode on finding your discomfort zone with Farrah Storr (who I think is super cool)

The Allusionist is a new-to-me podcast all about writing and funny quirks of the English language. I have just done a binge listen and caught up on most of the back catalogue and especially liked this episode on trammels (eg why would you write books or poems or plays with only one vowel? Or in palindromes? Or only using the example sentences in dictionaries?). If you fancy yourself somewhat of a word nerd, you'll love this. And watch out, I might just start writing this newsletter with only one vowel, a different one each week, starting I think, with my favourite one 'o'. Do you have a favourite vowel. Oh how I digress.

These words

In this post, Kirsten aka one half of the Milkwood team, articulates exactly how I feel this week with so many crazy stories all over the news and so much anger surrounding them...And speaking of Milkwood, and on a much lighter note, their new book is such a gift, BURSTING with expertise on how to grow, gather, cook and share really good, simple, tasty food. 

Missing out on purpose 

Ok first we had FOMO (fear of missing out) then we had JOMO (joy of missing out) now it’s MOOP (missing out on purpose). Gah, it’s all bit cray really but actually I quite like the idea of missing out on purpose. Of being ok with not going to all the things and saying yes to all the things so you have the time and headspace to do the things and see the people you really want to. So yep, the idea of moop-ing makes me cheerful. 

This tangy Spring pasta

Which is all I want to make and eat at the moment, maybe you'll like it too..

1 cup mint leaves
125 ml extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
3/4 cup parmesan, finely grated
Zest and juice of two lemons
500g orecchiette pasta
4 small green zucchini with zucchini flowers, the zucchini thinly shaved, and the flowers gently shredded
8 x spears of asparagus, chopped into three or four pieces, lengthways and blanched

Combine the mint leaves, (leaving a few for garnishing) with the olive oil, garlic, 1/2 cup of the parmesan and lemon juice and zest in a food processor or blender and whizz to combine. Season to taste and set aside. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to packet instructions, drain (reserving about 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid) and then toss straight away with the mint/lemon dressing. Add some of the reserved cooking liquid if looking a little dry.

Toss through the asparagus, zucchini, zucchini flowers, extra mint and remaining parmesan and drizzle with a little extra olive oil then serve!