Kiln Recommends

“I am currently trying to work during this crisis from home, with two kids under four. This comes with its own peculiar challenges. Trying to take myself seriously in Zoom meetings, having just played ‘imagine we are fart monsters’ is a particular highlight.”

An incredible black intellectual, and one of the most important social and cultural thinkers this country has ever seen. After feeling closer to my St Lucian heritage than my Jamaican, this memoir has helped me reconcile the two a little, and discover little things about Jamaica’s history I never knew.

Ozark – Season 3 was released last week, and I honestly think it is the most underated drama of the last few years. Who knew Jason Bateman, who has directed quite a few of the episodes, could be such a master of this sort of thrilling storytelling?
Chef – A TV series that recreates the meals that Favreau’s character made in the film. If you watch season one, you can make the recipe I mentioned earlier along with them.

Knxwledge – For those old school Hip Hop heads, his new album is dope. Beats galor, and a few nice features too including, Anderson Paak.
Little Dragon – If you want a few up beat mood lifting tunes, go for this. Yukimi’s voice is just as brilliant as its ever been, and they have re-discovered some of that soul which I fell in love with way back when. Our three year old likes to dance to this one too.

It is a super simple recipe, with few ingredients to make it easier to get from supermarkets with their barren shelves. You might have seen it in that film CHEF with Jon Favreau.

Ingredients – 
Spaghetti (400g)
Garlic (4 bulbs per person)
Parsley (50g/60g)
Chilli Flakes
Parmesan
Salt
Black Pepper
Olive Oil

Put the Spaghetti to boil, in very salty water. Try to get as close to sea water saltiness as you are comfortable with.
Finely chop your garlic into long slices. DO NOT DICE/MINCE. Pour a very healthy amount of oil into your pan – enough to fully coat the base of your frying pan, and then some.
Gently fry your garlic. Not on too high a heat, the aim is to get the garlic golden, not burnt.
Whilst that is happening, take the leaves off of your parsley and chop them up.
As your garlic approaches that golden heaven, add your chilli flakes. Fry those with the garlic for a minute.
Then add your parsley to the frying pan. Season with a little salt and pepper. Let it fry for a minute.
Take half a cup of water out of your pasta, then drain the rest from your pasta pot.
Add the pasta to the frying pan of garlic, chilli and parsley.
Add some of the water to keep it loose and stop it from catching and sticking – (but also adding some of that yum salty goodness)
Finish with Parmesan and black pepper.

Take the entire thing over to your sofa, do not share with anybody else. You will find room for it all. TRUST ME.