Delicious UK November 2021

November is... a month of looking forward. In an era of life on demand, when events unfold at a pace on social media (places we could have been, excitement we might have missed), when a world of music is available at the touch of a fingertip and we can, if we so choose, sit and watch 10 episodes of a series back to back, there’s something missing: that charged, eager feeling of, yes, anticipation. This is your chance to bring it back – an issue full of ideas for gifts, meals to make now or plan for later, sweet delicacies to bake… And it all starts with that first fragrant bite of Christmas: a mince pie, warm from the oven. See p54 for Debora Robertson’s slow-cooked cherry mincemeat recipe and p106…

Cooking is for everyone If we could get everyone in the world cooking we would. Food brings people together – families, friends, communities – and it’s a pleasure. Get children involved in decorating the gingerbread person on p64, because even baked goods deserve a Christmas jumper! You can trust us Every recipe is rigorously tested by our food team, at least twice, using domestic ovens, so you can be confident our recipes work every time. When it comes to reviews, we only recommend gifts for loved ones (see p18) that we deem to be good quality and worth the price tag. Keeping it simple Eating locally and seasonally, whenever you can, really is a no-brainer. We aim to use easy-to-find seasonal ingredients. We’ll tell you where to find unusual ones or what to swap them…

Discover... Learn about the origins of festive foods with historian Dr Annie Gray. She’s giving talks on her new book At Christmas We Feast (Profile Books £12.99, out 4 Nov) at The Lighthouse Centre, Ely, on 3 Dec (toppingbooks.co.uk); The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre, Hampshire on 7 Dec (thespring.co.uk); and David’s Bookshop, Letchworth Garden City on 9 Dec (davids-bookshops.co.uk). Feast… Taste of London’s festive edition at Tobacco Dock, 18-21 November, has dishes from top restaurants, plus live music, masterclasses and Christmas shopping with artisan producers. Tickets from £17, london.taste festivals.com Join… Yotam Ottolenghi and Noor Murad invite you to a virtual event on 10 November, organised by bookshop.org. They’ll share how to transform staples into wow-worthy meals with new book Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Shelf Love (Ebury Press £25). Tickets are free when you buy…

BEST NEWCOMER Woo Tan Scran, Liverpool A vegan Chinese chippie. wootanscran.info BEST RESTAURANTS In Wales Gigi Gao’s Favourite Authentic Chinese, Swansea Lesser-known Northern Chinese dishes and old favourites. favouritechinese.co.uk In Scotland Harajuku Kitchen, Edinburgh Japanese family recipes with Tokyo-inspired flair. harajukukitchen.co.uk In Northern Ireland Bia Rebel Ramen, Belfast The signature ramen takes two days to prepare. biarebel.com In England The Little Viet Kitchen, London Buy chef Thuy Diem Pham’s food UK-wide as recipe kits. thelittlevietkitchen.com BEST DUMPLING Din Tai Fung, London, It won last year too. dintaifung-uk.com Find the full list of winners at thegcas.co.uk Nearly 50% of coffee lovers, says a poll, would rather go without than let someone else make it – and 14% believe themselves to be a brewing expert 18% don’t trust their partner to brew their morning coffee and 16% are wary of their boss making them a cup. OVER 1/3…

THIS MONTH’S STAR EMAIL WINS... …two boxes of premium red and white Portuguese wine worth over £50, by the experts from The Wine Show (Amazon Prime). These delicious wines stay fresher for longer thanks to their box format, which produces less CO2 than glass bottles. For more information, visit thewine show.com/ boxed-wine FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN... Let us know your thoughts on this month’s issue by emailing us at info@delicious magazine.co.uk* Star email From: Catherine Addison I agree with Russell Norman (right) in Talking Point [Oct, p17]. I have the Pasta Grannies cookbook and every recipe I’ve tried works. On holiday recently, my son took us to a restaurant where the service was impeccable but the tasting portions were so minute; after each long explanation the food was gone in a nano-second. I admired the artistry,…

And the winner is… MAHESH LAKHANI’S APRICOT TART Mahesh’s tart wins a food-prep collection designed by Emma Bridgewater for Russell Hobbs worth £525. Jen says “Your tart is superb, and the golden colour and shine on the top is stunning. You get the star baker badge this month.” The runners-up KATE HARDSTAFF’S SPICED PLUM CAKE Jen says “Your cake looks epic, but it was your dog that made me LOL – did he lick the bowl?” NATASHA EDMONDS’ SPICED PLUM CAKE Jen says “It looks like you live in paradise – with the perfect food!” Follow us on social @deliciousmag…