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Travel

Rediscovering Elizabeth David, the Queen of French cooking

Tooting Mama
27 Comments
August 12, 2016
4 Mins read
219 Views
2016-08-04 08.56.04

We were taking a wander through Montpellier when we stumbled on a book market. A single stall sold English titles, and poking out of a box was a well thumbed 1986 edition of An Omelette and a Glass of Wine by Elizabeth David the queen of French cooking. At five euros, it was a steal.

I have a copy of Elizabeth David’s French Provincial Cooking, and I have attempted a couple of recipes, but the real joy has been her writing.

An Omelette and a Glass of Wine is a compilation of Elizabeth David’s writing spanning her thirty years and more career during which she wrote for titles such as Vogue, the Spectator, the London Evening Standard, Harpers Bazaar and the Sunday Times.

It is said that her time at the Sorbonne – Paris, where she studied, ‘altered her destiny‘. She also lived with a well fed Norman family; in ‘A La Marinere’ for House and Garden, January 1960, she describes tasting mussels for the first time.

In ‘Dishes for Collectors’ she tells of travelling two hundred miles across France in search of a particular dish, cooked in a particular restaurant – porc aux pruneaux at Rotisserie Tourangelle, only to find it was closed for a fortnight. This featured in Vogue, November 1958.

Elizabeth David started writing at a time when French and mediterranean cooking was considered exotic, when Britain was coming out of rationing, and when many ingredients would have been a struggle to find. Hard to imagine today when everything is a tap away and gets delivered to your door at a time of your choosing.

Even then times were chasing. In ‘Pleasing Cheeses’, Nova October 1965 she rues the lost art of home-made cheese. There are instructions for Osborne cream cheese, fresh milk cheese and cream cheese croutons. I won’t be making these.

Flicking through An Omelette and a Glass of Wine it shows how much attitudes have changed towards French and Mediterranean food.  In ‘Waiting for Lunch’, Elizabeth David describes the morning meal of Catalan peasants, fresh bread rubbed with garlic and moistened with fruity olive oil which appeared in French Country Cooking, 1951. Shortly after publication a reviewer remarked she hoped the British would not be breakfasting of such a primitive dish. Hmm, bread and olive oil, now where have I had that?

Reading her books are a great antidote to the rage of clean living. I’m going to leave that to the millennials. I have yet to be converted to smashed avocado smeared on toast (which is not cooking) and the rise of new wave health gurus such as Deliciously Ella, who mix, shred, and spiralize but don’t really cook: temper, stew, fry, roast, boil or braise.

I admit I have attempted to spriralize a courgette, have made sweet potato brownies, which turned out more like a sorry, brown sludge.  I far prefer the real thing with flour, sugar, real chocolate and nuts. And I have tried to quit sugar (really not worth doing in France).

I like to cook with butter, everything just tastes so much better with a blob of butter. I eat baguettes, freshly baked from my local boulangerie. I stand, drooling outside the window of my local patisserie, I live minutes away from master macron maker Pierre Herme.

RoastchickenbutterElizabeth David’s books are of a different age, part social history, part literature, though her recipes may appear imprecise, the ones I have tried have worked beautifully.

Poulet roti au beurre is a simple roast chicken with garlic, slathered with butter, utterly delicious. It is now a regular feature for our weekend lunches (you can find this recipe in French Provincial Cooking).

In Elizabeth David’s books (last least the ones I have) there are no gorgeous, glamorous stylised ‘food porn’ pictures, you have to sit and read the anecdotes and savour the recipes but  I guarantee you will be ravenous.

Me? I am itching to make to make Giovanna’s recipe for chicken livers, spaghetti and lemon. Ok it’s not a French recipe, ‘Giovanna was a young Tuscan girl who cooked in a country restaurant’.

If you want some great culinary reading you can do no better than to get yourself a copy of An Omelette and a Glass of Wine, best enjoyed with a glass of wine, French of course.

This post has affiliate links, which means could I receive a bit of money if you make a purchase using the above links.

I want you to know that I only affiliate link to products I use, love and adore. Any money made will probably go towards my chocolate and red wine habit! 

Brilliant blog posts on HonestMum.com

ethannevelyn

……

Elizabeth David France French cookery
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27 Comments
  1. Kirsty - Motherhoodery

    September 17, 2016 9:35 pm

    Wow you’ve really made me want to read this now! I am not brilliant in the kitchen, but I love a cookery book! I love appreciating the skills of others and tricking myself into thinking I can do the same ? *opens microwave* xx

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      September 18, 2016 9:39 am

      I do hope you do. I love her writing, she is of another age, gives you an idea of what it was like in the 60s when garlic was exotic!

      Reply
  2. Su {Ethan & Evelyn}

    August 17, 2016 7:10 am

    Wow! This is a really interesting read. What a find! I have not heard of Elizabeth before. She sound like a real character. I would love her to be my grand. I would sit in the kitchen and help out all the time. I’d love hearing her stories of the history. It is such a unique book. Thank you so much for linking up with us on #FabFridayPost I think I will need to get this for one of my special occasions. 🙂 xx
    Su {Ethan & Evelyn} recently posted…#FabFridayPost Linky #44 {11.08.16}My Profile

    Reply
  3. Sarah @theparentingtrials

    August 16, 2016 11:41 am

    If I’m honest I’m a not a huge cook lol my partners the cook in this house.. he’d love something like this though he’s always trying on ne2 recipes. X

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      August 16, 2016 5:04 pm

      Hey, not bad having someone to cook for you! Well if you do get a copy for him, I hope he loves it and you benefit from amazing French food!

      Reply
  4. Elizabeth

    August 16, 2016 10:12 am

    This sounds like a superb recipe book! I love recipes with quality writing associated with them, not just recipes on their own.
    Elizabeth recently posted…Raspberry, Blackcurrant & Coconut Bircher MuesliMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      August 16, 2016 11:15 am

      It’s a real find, and I would recommend checking out her other books too. She really did bring French and Mediterranean cooking to the UK shores. Hard to imagine now!

      Reply
  5. Becky wilkinson

    August 16, 2016 7:17 am

    I don’t very often buy cook books anymore, but I do love an old style cook book, without all the fancy shmancy images it takes me back to being a young child and baking with my Mum! 🙂 x
    Becky wilkinson recently posted…Capturing Shared Moments with Cadburys Dairy Milk Buttons Memory LaneMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      August 16, 2016 7:22 am

      I’m so with you on this one! My mum has some old Delia cook books which don’t have any photography just the good old recipes – it’s great to read those. I too have really happy memories of cooking with mum…ahhh those were the days!

      Reply
  6. Candace

    August 15, 2016 11:14 pm

    I love reading cooking books. I could sit for hours doing it. Books like this always get my attention
    Candace recently posted…Great Orme at Llandudno, North WalesMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      August 16, 2016 7:19 am

      I enjoy reading cook books too. I love Elizabeth David’s writing, she has so much experience and knowledge, it’s a real treat to find some time for a quick browse through her books. Happy reading!

      Reply
  7. Chloe Ciliberto

    August 15, 2016 10:19 pm

    This book sounds fab. My culinary bookshelf is full to bursting. Yet I love finding and reading more. x

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      August 16, 2016 7:20 am

      Hey you can never have too many cook books!

      Reply
  8. Jordanne | Thelifeofaglasgowgirl

    August 15, 2016 12:45 am

    This really does sound like a great cook book. I couldn’t belive that she travels two hundred miles though all in search for a particular dish!

    Jordanne || Thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      August 15, 2016 6:33 am

      I know hard to believe but French food was her passion! Must have been an amazing dish!

      Reply
  9. Natalia

    August 14, 2016 8:26 pm

    I love the gems you can uncover in markets – what a find!

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      August 14, 2016 9:21 pm

      Ooh thank you. It has pride of place in the kitchen now. Nothing better than rummaging in a vintage book market.

      Reply
  10. Newcastle Family Life

    August 14, 2016 7:15 pm

    Such a bargain find. It sounds like a great book , I really need to invest in some more cookbooks x
    Newcastle Family Life recently posted…An Adventure At Walltown Northumberland National ParkMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Toni | Gym Bunny Mummy

    August 14, 2016 3:25 pm

    This sounds like an incredible cookbook, my mother in law would love this I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled for a copy
    Toni | Gym Bunny Mummy recently posted…MY SUNDAY PHOTO #38My Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      August 14, 2016 4:06 pm

      It’s a great book well worth sitting down and reading. Hope you manage to get a copy, your mother in law will be a happy lady!

      Reply
  12. Sarah Stockley

    August 14, 2016 1:25 pm

    I love finding bargain books and testing new recipes. Enjoy. Sarah #FabFridayPost
    Sarah Stockley recently posted…Go Ape at Alice Holt ForestMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      August 14, 2016 4:07 pm

      You’re a woman after my own heart! I love second hand books, will be enjoying this one for sure.

      Reply
  13. Dean of Little Steps

    August 13, 2016 8:37 pm

    I do love the sound of that book and also love discovering new books to keep and looks like that is a keeper 😉

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      August 14, 2016 4:10 pm

      It’s been a real joy to discover her writing, even if you don’t make the recipes you can learn so much from her knowledge. You’re right, it’s a keeper.

      Reply
  14. Mouse, Moo and Me Too

    August 12, 2016 8:35 pm

    Gah, sweet potato brownies don’t sound entirely appealing but I love the way you write – very soothing, you make me want to pootle away in the ktichen baking with you for a few hours! #brillblogposts

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      August 13, 2016 7:53 am

      Thank you. The sweet potato brownies were more like sweet potato sludge!

      Reply
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Ranji Thangiah

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I'm Ranji! I am a food photographer, recipe creator, lover of Sri Lankan food which I want to share with you.

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That'll be a full Sri Lankan for me.​​​​​​​​​
@cynthia.uma I want to say good luck as you welcome your first guest to your new Sri Lankan restaurant @rambutan_ldn.

I know this project has been in gestation for a long time, and I can only imagine the excitement you are feeling as you welcome your first guests to dine with you. 

I also know you're going to smash this while putting Tamil Sri Lankan food on the map!

If you can't wait that long, grab a  copy of Cynthia's awesome cookbook Rambutan. 

This is the roasted butternut squash curry, perfect for soaking up fragrant spices that pack a punch. 

My husband and I, we are hooked on seeni sambol toasties. This was something my mum used to make, and you'll find it in the book. Think cheese toasties with an onion jam on acid! Try it, you'll be hooked too! 

🍀Good luck Cynthia, I'm rooting for you! 👊🏾

Recipe: Sri Lankan butternut squash curry, recipe from Rambutan cookbook
Photography: Moi 
Food styling: Moi

#srilankanfoodrecipes #srilankanfoodphotograher #srilankanfoodlovers #srilankanfoodiesaroundtheworld #srilankantraveldiaries #srilankantravel #foodandflatlay #foodstylingandphotography #foodstylingphotography #foodphotographymagazine #restaurantphotographer #londonfoodphotographer #seedifferently #sonyalpha #sonyalphafemale #seedifferently #sonyalpha #sonyalphafemale
My creative juices are feeling drained, and I’ve My creative juices are feeling drained, and I’ve sucking up the last dribbles from my creative well.

I did a shoot for two recipes I had created. 

I loved the recipes, hot spicy traditional Sri Lankan curries, kalupol chicken and a side of sambar. The flavours that had depth, the kind of flavours reach into you and touch your soul! 

But, I hated the pictures.

It was frustrating. 

Even though I had meticulous planned my shots, they just didn’t work.

It sometimes happens, especially when you feel sapped of your creativity. 

Creativity is a muscle that has to be exercised, and then there are times when it simply needs a rest.

I gave my brain a break from food photography, and embarked of a photo walk in the fascinating company of @step_hen_les_lie, a brilliant and insanely knowledgeable street photographer.

I needed to engage and see the world, in a different way.

With street photography, the shot comes you. If that sounds easy? Think again. 

Street photography tests your mental sharpness, your power of seeing the out of the ordinary. 

It’s a case of walking, waiting and watching, waiting for something unusual, out of place or something just plain old god damn bonkers to happen. 

And you need a truckload of patience, and be ready to catch that shot! 

Check out my photographs and let me what you think. 
#streetphotographylondon #londonphotographer #documentaryphoto #londonrestaurantphotographer #foodphotographerlondon #visualstorytelling #candidstreetphotography #streetphotomag #streetlifeworldwide #seedifferently #sonyalpha #sonyalphafemale #capturestreets
We connected over fish. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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After connecting on Instagram and following her foodie adventures around the world across Australia and India, I finally got to meet Sohini, who runs the fabulous food account @smokeandlime.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Sohini creates inventive menus for her line of supper clubs inspired by her Kolkata heritage.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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We met, in South London, in the Elephant and Castle.I’ve worked around the Elephant for almost twenty years. With jobs that took me down the Aylesbury Estate; I’ve seen tea dances in the Elephant & Castle shopping centre where I played ten pin bowling when I volunteered with a cub troupe from Peckham. This was at a time when the Elephant was a no-go for gentrification.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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How it has changed. Sprouting out of the earth like giant stalagmites are these huge glass towers with apartments commanding eye watering rents. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Like the old housing estates, the old carbuncle of a shopping centre has been bulldozed; In its wake are small eateries and boutiques. The big brands aren’t here yet, but it’s only a matter of time. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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At Sohini’s suggestion we met at a little Peruvian place, @saborperuano_elephant, just under Strata Tower in a brutalist concrete parade of shops. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This restaurant is old school, no frills, white vinyl tablecloths, giant-screened TV. Yet the food is…..EPIC!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The ceviche, marinaded in tangy cheeksuckingly good leche de tigre, succulent beef hearts threaded on to skewers, fresh crispy deep fried squid, and I’m pretty sure we ate vegetables to. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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And, for two hours straight, we spoke about nothing else but food. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It’s was great. And my heart is lost in Peru! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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#londonfoodphotographer #Londonfoodie #restaurantphotographer #commericialphotographer #stilllife #stilllifephotography #stilllifestories
Thai aubergines. It's hard to believe these are ve Thai aubergines. It's hard to believe these are vegetables.​​​​​​​​
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That green, they look like little semi precious stones, or marbles, the ones I used to play with when I was a kid.​​​​​​​​
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I saw these in my local Sri Lankan grocers, and had to grab my phone and snatch picture!​​​​​​​​
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They're almost too cute to cook!​​​​​​​​
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#pinkladysnapsfeb23 @pinkladyappleuk @davidloftus​​​​​​​​
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 #myediblecaptures monochromatic bliss by @andreakoever judge @eli_and_co sponsor @blueberrybackdrops ​​​​​​​​
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#aubergines #stilllife #stilllifegallery #stilllifephotographer #raw_minimial #belightinspired #shotoniphone #foodstyling #srilankanfood #restaurantphotographer #londoncommercialphotographer #foodstylistlondon #saveurmag #bonappetit #londonfoodstylist #srilankanfoodphotographer #Londonfoodphotographer #editorialphotographer #beautifulfood #f52community
When I was a kid, we always made thin, French-styl When I was a kid, we always made thin, French-style crepes. And our topping was only ever lemon and sugar. 🍋​​​​​​​​
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The American fluffy pancakes were, well exotic. ​​​​​​​​
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We only ever saw them on American kids' shows. And they always seemed to have pancakes for breakfast. And they always covered them in syrup! I'd watch wide-eyed agog at these pile of delicious pile of pancakes.​​​​​​​​
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When I was a kid, pancakes were a once-a-year thing.​​​​​​​​
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The excitement and build-up was almost too much as we approached Pancake day, aka Shove Tuesday, gobbling up all the good stuff before we headed into Lent and abstinence before we crack open the Easter eggs. ​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
Now, I can make whatever pancakes I like. And I like to make fluffy American ones. Perhaps it reminds me of those Saturday morning American kids' shows, and those hearty American breakfasts, served by all-American moms to their all-American families.​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
There's something indulgent about a pile of fluffy buttermilk pancakes, ready and waiting, drenched with something delicious and to be devoured by a brood of hungry mouths. ​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
What pancakes did you make this year? And more importantly, what was your topping? ​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
#pinkladysnapsfeb23 @foodphotoaward @pinkladyappleuk @davidloftus ​​​​​​​​
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February open theme #foodphotobiteswithritu @foodphotobiteswithritu @happytummybyritumbhara judge: @ferraronierica ​​​​​​​​
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American pancakes: Recipe @marthastewart, Food styling: Moi​​​​​​​​
Photography: Moi. Syrup: @lylesgoldensyrup​​​​​​​​
Inspiration: @louisehagger - an incredible food photographer with so much wit & creativity 🤩​​​​​​​​
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#buttermilkpancakes #americanpancakes #pourshot #pancakeday #pancakeday2023 #foodstylistlondon #londonfoodphotographer #foodphotographylondon #londonrestaurantphotographer #commercialphotography #editorialphotographer #beautifulfood #f52community #hautecuisines
Making my mother Sri Lankan Love cake has become a Making my mother Sri Lankan Love cake has become a tradition. I like to make it about this time of year, you know, love and #Valentines and all that.​​​​​​​​
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The recipe I bake yields a hefty portion.  Love Cake is dense, it’s not designed to be wolfed down in a single session. It’s a cake to savour and relishes to cherish while sipping a cup of Sri Lankan tea.​​​​​​​​
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Having made it so often it's only now that I am digging into its provenance.  Sri Lankan Love Cake has an interesting backstory of colonialism, culture, and personal stories of migration.​​​​​​​​
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If you want to know more about the history of this delicious cake, hop to the Tooting Mama website, there’s a link in my bio. You’ll find the recipe there too. ​​​​​​​​
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Because, the only way to experience Love Cake is to make it. ​​​​​​​​
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#lovecake #srilankancuisine #srilankanfood #restaurantphotographer #londoncommercialphotographer #foodstylistlondon #saveurmag #bonappetit #londonfoodstylist #srilankanfoodphotographer #Londonfoodphotographer #editorialphotographer #beautifulfood #f52community #hautecuisines #raw_sweets #raw_sweets_
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That'll be a full Sri Lankan for me.​​​​​​​​​
@cynthia.uma I want to say good luck as you welcome your first guest to your new Sri Lankan restaurant @rambutan_ldn.

I know this project has been in gestation for a long time, and I can only imagine the excitement you are feeling as you welcome your first guests to dine with you. 

I also know you're going to smash this while putting Tamil Sri Lankan food on the map!

If you can't wait that long, grab a  copy of Cynthia's awesome cookbook Rambutan. 

This is the roasted butternut squash curry, perfect for soaking up fragrant spices that pack a punch. 

My husband and I, we are hooked on seeni sambol toasties. This was something my mum used to make, and you'll find it in the book. Think cheese toasties with an onion jam on acid! Try it, you'll be hooked too! 

🍀Good luck Cynthia, I'm rooting for you! 👊🏾

Recipe: Sri Lankan butternut squash curry, recipe from Rambutan cookbook
Photography: Moi 
Food styling: Moi

#srilankanfoodrecipes #srilankanfoodphotograher #srilankanfoodlovers #srilankanfoodiesaroundtheworld #srilankantraveldiaries #srilankantravel #foodandflatlay #foodstylingandphotography #foodstylingphotography #foodphotographymagazine #restaurantphotographer #londonfoodphotographer #seedifferently #sonyalpha #sonyalphafemale #seedifferently #sonyalpha #sonyalphafemale
My creative juices are feeling drained, and I’ve My creative juices are feeling drained, and I’ve sucking up the last dribbles from my creative well.

I did a shoot for two recipes I had created. 

I loved the recipes, hot spicy traditional Sri Lankan curries, kalupol chicken and a side of sambar. The flavours that had depth, the kind of flavours reach into you and touch your soul! 

But, I hated the pictures.

It was frustrating. 

Even though I had meticulous planned my shots, they just didn’t work.

It sometimes happens, especially when you feel sapped of your creativity. 

Creativity is a muscle that has to be exercised, and then there are times when it simply needs a rest.

I gave my brain a break from food photography, and embarked of a photo walk in the fascinating company of @step_hen_les_lie, a brilliant and insanely knowledgeable street photographer.

I needed to engage and see the world, in a different way.

With street photography, the shot comes you. If that sounds easy? Think again. 

Street photography tests your mental sharpness, your power of seeing the out of the ordinary. 

It’s a case of walking, waiting and watching, waiting for something unusual, out of place or something just plain old god damn bonkers to happen. 

And you need a truckload of patience, and be ready to catch that shot! 

Check out my photographs and let me what you think. 
#streetphotographylondon #londonphotographer #documentaryphoto #londonrestaurantphotographer #foodphotographerlondon #visualstorytelling #candidstreetphotography #streetphotomag #streetlifeworldwide #seedifferently #sonyalpha #sonyalphafemale #capturestreets
We connected over fish. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
After connecting on Instagram and following her foodie adventures around the world across Australia and India, I finally got to meet Sohini, who runs the fabulous food account @smokeandlime.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Sohini creates inventive menus for her line of supper clubs inspired by her Kolkata heritage.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
We met, in South London, in the Elephant and Castle.I’ve worked around the Elephant for almost twenty years. With jobs that took me down the Aylesbury Estate; I’ve seen tea dances in the Elephant & Castle shopping centre where I played ten pin bowling when I volunteered with a cub troupe from Peckham. This was at a time when the Elephant was a no-go for gentrification.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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How it has changed. Sprouting out of the earth like giant stalagmites are these huge glass towers with apartments commanding eye watering rents. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Like the old housing estates, the old carbuncle of a shopping centre has been bulldozed; In its wake are small eateries and boutiques. The big brands aren’t here yet, but it’s only a matter of time. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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At Sohini’s suggestion we met at a little Peruvian place, @saborperuano_elephant, just under Strata Tower in a brutalist concrete parade of shops. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This restaurant is old school, no frills, white vinyl tablecloths, giant-screened TV. Yet the food is…..EPIC!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The ceviche, marinaded in tangy cheeksuckingly good leche de tigre, succulent beef hearts threaded on to skewers, fresh crispy deep fried squid, and I’m pretty sure we ate vegetables to. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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And, for two hours straight, we spoke about nothing else but food. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It’s was great. And my heart is lost in Peru! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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#londonfoodphotographer #Londonfoodie #restaurantphotographer #commericialphotographer #stilllife #stilllifephotography #stilllifestories
Thai aubergines. It's hard to believe these are ve Thai aubergines. It's hard to believe these are vegetables.​​​​​​​​
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That green, they look like little semi precious stones, or marbles, the ones I used to play with when I was a kid.​​​​​​​​
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I saw these in my local Sri Lankan grocers, and had to grab my phone and snatch picture!​​​​​​​​
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They're almost too cute to cook!​​​​​​​​
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#pinkladysnapsfeb23 @pinkladyappleuk @davidloftus​​​​​​​​
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 #myediblecaptures monochromatic bliss by @andreakoever judge @eli_and_co sponsor @blueberrybackdrops ​​​​​​​​
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#aubergines #stilllife #stilllifegallery #stilllifephotographer #raw_minimial #belightinspired #shotoniphone #foodstyling #srilankanfood #restaurantphotographer #londoncommercialphotographer #foodstylistlondon #saveurmag #bonappetit #londonfoodstylist #srilankanfoodphotographer #Londonfoodphotographer #editorialphotographer #beautifulfood #f52community
When I was a kid, we always made thin, French-styl When I was a kid, we always made thin, French-style crepes. And our topping was only ever lemon and sugar. 🍋​​​​​​​​
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The American fluffy pancakes were, well exotic. ​​​​​​​​
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We only ever saw them on American kids' shows. And they always seemed to have pancakes for breakfast. And they always covered them in syrup! I'd watch wide-eyed agog at these pile of delicious pile of pancakes.​​​​​​​​
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When I was a kid, pancakes were a once-a-year thing.​​​​​​​​
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The excitement and build-up was almost too much as we approached Pancake day, aka Shove Tuesday, gobbling up all the good stuff before we headed into Lent and abstinence before we crack open the Easter eggs. ​​​​​​​​
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Now, I can make whatever pancakes I like. And I like to make fluffy American ones. Perhaps it reminds me of those Saturday morning American kids' shows, and those hearty American breakfasts, served by all-American moms to their all-American families.​​​​​​​​
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There's something indulgent about a pile of fluffy buttermilk pancakes, ready and waiting, drenched with something delicious and to be devoured by a brood of hungry mouths. ​​​​​​​​
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What pancakes did you make this year? And more importantly, what was your topping? ​​​​​​​​
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#pinkladysnapsfeb23 @foodphotoaward @pinkladyappleuk @davidloftus ​​​​​​​​
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February open theme #foodphotobiteswithritu @foodphotobiteswithritu @happytummybyritumbhara judge: @ferraronierica ​​​​​​​​
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American pancakes: Recipe @marthastewart, Food styling: Moi​​​​​​​​
Photography: Moi. Syrup: @lylesgoldensyrup​​​​​​​​
Inspiration: @louisehagger - an incredible food photographer with so much wit & creativity 🤩​​​​​​​​
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#buttermilkpancakes #americanpancakes #pourshot #pancakeday #pancakeday2023 #foodstylistlondon #londonfoodphotographer #foodphotographylondon #londonrestaurantphotographer #commercialphotography #editorialphotographer #beautifulfood #f52community #hautecuisines
Making my mother Sri Lankan Love cake has become a Making my mother Sri Lankan Love cake has become a tradition. I like to make it about this time of year, you know, love and #Valentines and all that.​​​​​​​​
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The recipe I bake yields a hefty portion.  Love Cake is dense, it’s not designed to be wolfed down in a single session. It’s a cake to savour and relishes to cherish while sipping a cup of Sri Lankan tea.​​​​​​​​
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Having made it so often it's only now that I am digging into its provenance.  Sri Lankan Love Cake has an interesting backstory of colonialism, culture, and personal stories of migration.​​​​​​​​
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If you want to know more about the history of this delicious cake, hop to the Tooting Mama website, there’s a link in my bio. You’ll find the recipe there too. ​​​​​​​​
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Because, the only way to experience Love Cake is to make it. ​​​​​​​​
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#lovecake #srilankancuisine #srilankanfood #restaurantphotographer #londoncommercialphotographer #foodstylistlondon #saveurmag #bonappetit #londonfoodstylist #srilankanfoodphotographer #Londonfoodphotographer #editorialphotographer #beautifulfood #f52community #hautecuisines #raw_sweets #raw_sweets_
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About Me

Ranji Thangiah

PHOTOGRAPHER & BLOGGER

I'm Ranji! I am a food photographer, recipe creator, lover of Sri Lankan food which I want to share with you.

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