Welcome to January
This issue, the first of the new year, has become something of a tradition at O – our anti-diet issue. If you’re looking for ways to punish or deprive yourself, this ain’t the place. Our January issue is all about slowing down, cooking more and eating better. That might mean indulging in some meditative risotto stirring, or curling up with a bowl of self-saucing sticky toffee pudding. It might mean brightening up the grey days with some vibrant rainbow foods and drinks – from nutritious, bright and texturally rich salads, and gin-soaked grapefruit and clementine upside-down cakes, to speedy smoothies and sour shrubs.
It could mean being kind to yourself, with the gift of time, by making our all-in-one slow-cooker coconut chicken curry – just bung it all in and let this eco-friendly gadget do all the hard work. Or it could mean spending Friday night perfecting the homemade chip (far easier than it might sound, thanks to deputy food editor Adam’s guide).
Essentially, what we’re saying – what we always say at O – is remember that food is about so much more than fuel. Our food is all about bringing you joy. Yes, your body needs different things, but just as you can’t survive solely on chocolate and crisps, you can’t thrive on just salad, either.
So, follow the joy wherever it may lead you this month – whether that be in the direction of a wine subscription, towards a cassoulet trail in Toulouse, or straight into the path of a freshly baked batch of Terry’s Chocolate Orange brownies. Treat your mind, body and soul kindly and have a very happy and healthy (in the true sense of the word) new year, and new decade, too.