What's for Dinner?

There are different ways to spend a Saturday afternoon: relaxing upon the warm sands of Carshalton Beeches; taking it as it comes in Upton Downs; or maybe reflecting on the good life in Steeple Bumstead. But sometimes it's necessary to take care of some business—to acquire provisions necessary not only for an evening meal but for the upcoming week. And in such cases, Old Ken often makes the journey to Borough market.



Swarming in the shadow of Southwark cathedral (whose fragmented flint walls are visible in the background of the photo above), Borough market is a rambling affair, packed on Saturdays with shoppers and diners alike. Old Ken always leaves this place feeling over-stimulated—there is so much to see, taste, and smell, plus it's almost impossible to take a step without stamping on someone's toes or being pressed up against the carcass of a roe deer (for example). So, fortify yourself before a visit (perhaps with some fortified wine?) and allow for nap-time afterwards.



Beyond the lovely range of vegetables, one of the great Borough market treats is the array of baked goods. At a recent farmers' market in greater south east London, I had purchased an amazing loaf of sourdough rye bread. Back in the land of the free and the home of the brave, I had always thought of rye bread as being very dark and chocolate-colored with carawayay seeds in it. It was this last bit which put me off, I'll confess. But, what passes for sourdough rye here is quite amazing.



Anyway, so with this bread as an absolute lock for dinner, I decided to boil up some black beans (as you see in process above). Black beans are not much part of the English diet, so they can only be purchased in a few locations. Should you be in south east London and find yourself craving them, I would suggest the Sainsbury's at Puerta de Nueva Cruz (or New Cross Gate, for y'all who no hables espanol). I served the beans with cheese and a garnish of fresh tomatoes from Borough market (they actually smelled like tomatoes rather than those hard red balls they sell you in the supermarket) and jalapeno peppers with the rye toast on the side. The classic English dish: toast on beans, guv!