Monty’s – Hackney Citizen

Gillian Riley on food history: ‘I say it’s spinach, and I say the hell with it!’

By Hackney Citizen | Wednesday 4 October 2017 at 12:38

Detail from The Legend of the Baker of Eeklo by Cornelis van Dalem and Jan van Wechelin. Image: Wikimedia Commons

Leafy greens have a crucial role to play in many global cuisines, from Seoul to the Seine. Gillian Riley leafs through her history and recipe books to make the case for the much-maligned likes of spinach and cabbage

Gillian Riley on food: Why pastrami? The answer is blowing in the wind

By Hackney Citizen | Thursday 27 July 2017 at 18:10

A rather packed pastrami sandwich, with complimentary pickles. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons

Ever heard of Iron Age salt beef? Our resident food historian reveals the obscure history of the quintessential deli meats, from pastrami to Turkish basturma, with an eye on Hackney’s thriving bagel scene