The Manifest

Tonight’s Supper: Chorizo, Sweet Potato & Blackbean Moroccan Burritos

jamespoulter — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:00:01 +0000

I concocted this dish the other night basically out of a desire to eat all my favourite things in one go. Warm heat from the chorizo, that sweet fleshy potato and cool sour cream all in fresh flatbreads – its just brilliant.

Kit

Chefs knife
Medium sauce pan
Large fry pan
Chopping board

Ingredients

Chorizo
Sweet Potato
Red onion
Spinach
Parsley
Honey
Chilli Flakes

For The Dip

Black beans
Garlic
Parsley
Salt & Pepper
Paprika

Flat breads / Wraps
Sour cream
Homous

Getting it done

Start off by getting a large fry pan on the heat with some olive or rapeseed oil. Whilst the pan heats peel your potato and chop into small 1cm square cubes. Toss those in the pan and start browning off, about 5 minutes in add a good dazzle of honey and about a teaspoon of chilli flakes with a grind of salt and pepper and stir to coat.
Chop a red onion and add to the potato along with the cubed chorizo. You can buy this pre chopped in portions, if not get yourself a cured chorizo ring and use about half.
Once the potato and onion are soft and the chorizo has released its oils take off the heat and toss in a handful of spinach. Once it’s wilted you’ll want I stir it into the mix.
Take your carton of black beans and drain off about half the water, add the remaining water and beans to a medium sauce pan.
Add 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika, a chopped garlic clive and a handful of chopped flat-leaf parsley to the beans with a dollop of sour cream, salt and pepper.
Cook the beans for about 5 minutes until the water has evaporated and the beans begin I fry slightly, then remove from the heat and cover.
Toss your flatbreads under the grill for minute on each side. Serve the chorizo mix and bean dip in the breads with more sour cream, parsley and some homous.
In the words of Mr Peter Kay – its a taste sensation.

A Note From The Editor – Our recent hiatus & our return in October

jamespoulter — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 18:07:32 +0000

They always say, never start with an apology – so I won’t. But it is with a little sadness in our hearts that we write this – but with a lot of optimism too!

We have been on an unprompted break due to unforeseen workloads brought on by our (my) other lives – hence our recent neglect of you all.

However we vowed amongst the team that this would always be a temporary break – and that it is – so I am pleased to annouce that we will be making a slow return to your digital life over the coming weeks, with a more robust return in October.

In the mean time, don’t forget we would love your thoughts, feedback, desires and wishes, so feel free to get in touch with the Editorial team any time and let us know what you would like to see on the site.

Thank you all for your continued support.

@jamespoulter – The Editor

Putting sign language to good use… kind of [Videos]

jamespoulter — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:57:11 +0000

Sign language is something that most of us don’t interact with that much. Sure you may have picked up some basics at school or from a friend, but most of time if you encounter someone who uses it, you are literally at a loss for word. Let alone having anything funny to say.

We are not recommending pick any fights with deaf people, but just in case you do get into a dispute with a fellow delegate at the next ASL (American Sign Language) convention – we introduce to you the wonderful Kristin and her “Dirty Signs” VLog.

For a full run down of the dirty signs we recommend checking out her YouTube channel, but here are a couple of our personal faves.

That’s What She Said

You Make Baby Jesus Cry

I’m Big In Japan

The Best Memes of 2011 [VIDEO]

jamespoulter — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:11:10 +0000

2011 has been a big year for Internet memes (if you are still wondering what a meme really is sub in the word “trend” and you will be on track!). From the “Friday” craze sparked by teen pop failure Rebecca Black through to the work of one man and a dog in Richmond Park chasing some deer, it’s fair to say it’s been an odd 12 months in the world of internet memes.

(Source: KnowYourMeme.com, 2011)

Weekly Distractions: The Football Ramble, Sorry I’m Late & SocialCam

Mark "The Horse" Dighe — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:44:15 +0000

If Friday still seems like a distant dot on the map then you are in luck. Each week from now on our very own @The_Horse will be giving you three things to listen, watch & tap you through the week.

1 podcast, 1 youtube video and 1 app. that will keep you distracted when the clock seems to slow!

LISTEN: ‘The Football Ramble’

There is no complexity to this podcast. It is simply 4 friends talking about football, the weeks games, the big news, what’s going on abroad…etc; all the information a fan needs. What stands out with ‘The Ramble’ however, is that it makes you laugh in the process. No boring pundits! Just 4 guys who are passionate about football. Chuck in interesting competitions, games and quizzes and you have yourself an hour well spent.

WATCH: Sorry I’m Late

We found this the other day and simply marvelled at both the quality and the effort put into its production. We just wish our journeys home were like this.

Sorry I’m Late from Tomas Mankovsky on Vimeo.

TAP: SocialCam

SocialCam is a great video app. for iPhone & Android. It gives you different styles and lenses to play with as well as the ability to share them in minutes. We gave the app some serious testing yesterday and it stood up to the test. The interface is easy and intuitive to use meaning you will feel right at home. The video quality is awesome on the new iPhone 4S and the sound quality was great (we tried filming a live gig and only found we got very little distortion. The different lenses (similar to the likes of Hisptamatic and Instagram in stills land), our favourite being electronica, makes you feel like you have stepped into Tron every time you use it. Other little perks are the ability to follow and be followed by others and quick and easy linking to all social-media sites you can think of.

#BurritoBattle2011 – The Results: Benito’s Hat .v. Poncho No. 8

jamespoulter — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:32:31 +0000

Friday saw the inaugural Burrito Battle come to themanifest towers. The competitors – Benito’s Hat and newcomers Poncho No.8.

Both stores were set the challenge to deliver by 1PM:

1 Chicken Burrito with cheese, sour creme and medium salsa
1 Steak Burrito with cheese, lettuce and hot salsa
1 Tub of their finest Guacamole
1 Portion of their crunchiest tortilla chips

Both of these illustrious establishments rose to the challenge with spectacularly delicious results and now we can reveal the results.

Challenge 1: Chicken Burrito

A classic amongst Mexican foodies, a historic street food that needs little introduction – but some general rules. We were looking for crispy chicken, which whilst carrying the charred smokiness all the way from streets of Cancun still needs to maintain the succulence that we crave. The cheese and sour cream needs to take the edge of the sweetness of the meat. As for salsa on this – we need that medium heat from the chipotle and green chilli to bring warmth without overpowering.

The Winner: Poncho No. 8 – For succulence and spice!

Benito's Hat Steak Burrito

Challenge 2: Steak Burrito

The steak burrito is our prized culinary possession. The lunch of men across this fair city to warm, delight and just once in a while blow your head off with meaty chilli spices. For this we were looking for tender meat that gets the saliva tingling, heat that comes to the fore in the form of the vendor’s hottest chilli sauce – were the presence of a Naga chilli wouldn’t go a miss.

The Winner: Benito’s Hat – For fire, flavour and ferocity!

Poncho No 8 Steak Burrito

Challenge 3: Chips & Dips

The tortilla chip is the snack of champions. Formed from the soft corn tortilla shown quickly to a flash of oil and then allowed to dry crisp and curled – match this almighty snack food with a creamy and flagrant guacamole, a fresh salsa verde of some flaming Cholula hot sauce and you are headed for a taste sensation unparalleled this side of the Atlantic. For this challenge we were looking for the ultimate companion to the Burrito> Something to bring the crunch and to compliment the spice of the salsa laden meats.

The Winner: Poncho No.8 – for a lightly salted delightful chip and a creamy herb packed Guac!

THE GRAND WINNER #BURRITOBATTLE2011: PONCHO NO.8!

A massive thanks to both the chaps at Benito’s Hat and Poncho No.8 it was a close call! #BurritoBattle will return in 2012. For now if you are looking for a great place to grab some Mexican fodder check out our London Burrito Hot Spot Guide.

Winter Drinks Cabinet: London No3, Baileys Biscotti, Black Sheep Ale

jamespoulter — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:15:16 +0000

As the Jingle Bells start a’ringing and the glasses start a’clinking it’s time stock that cabinet high with the finest wines, spirits and ales the Great British retail consortiums have to offer. In this month’s cabinet we have a fine little selection to tickle the taste buds and wash down that turkey dinner.

The Aperitifs

No. 3 London Dry Gin

A classic flavour beautifully redesigned. No.3 is a complexly simplistic taste, consisting of 3 fruits and 3 spices giving a fragrance on the nose that we just love. Named after the Berry Brother’s home, No.3. St James’s Street this gin is as premium as the postcode from which it hails and deserves some quality pairings of lime and lemon to off set the heavy juniper notes.

Available from Waitrose.

Tio Pepe Jerez Xeres Sherry

Make sure you’ve got your fridge turned all the way up for this one. A dry sherry that is best served as cold as Champagne, the Tio Pepe will make a welcome alternative to the fizz on Christmas morning. It’s pale colour and crisp finish means this isn’t just for Gran, but the whole team will be indulging.

Available from Sainsbury’s

The Main Events

Pig In A Poke: Old Spot Rose

Available as a full bottle or as part of their Christmas Gift Selection Bucket, this Rose combines Syrah and Montepulciano grapes – the latter of which we have become recently addicted to in its pure Red variety. A refreshing accompaniment to your spuds and pigs in blankets (no relation) however may sit better with your salmon starter to avoid overcrowding the sweetness of your main course meat.

Limited Edition Buckets available online

Golden Sheep: Black Sheep Ale

The Golden Sheep from the Yorkshire based brewery is one of Black Sheep’s pale ales, which will make a great match to the Boxing Day left overs. But to be honest we aren’t fussy. Pick up any of the other variations they have and you will be equally satisfied. We particularly like the Monty Python inspired Holy Gr’Ale.

Pick up a Black Sheep Hamper for Christmas Online

For Dessert

Baileys Biscotti Flavour

One in the now fairly established range of Baileys variations, this year’s Christmas treat is a rich almond and vanilla “Biscotti” flavour. We’ve tried mixing with actual biscotti biscuits to make an awesome cheesecake base, but to be honest whack it over some ice and it’ll do for dessert all on its own.

Available in Supermarkets nationwide

Ford create tweeting car cake

jamespoulter — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:03:29 +0000

As a part of DC Week (Digital Capital Week) in Washington – a celebration of all things digital and social media, Ford created a tweeting cake! The cake designed to be a scale model of the new 2012 Ford Focus was showed off at the event – complete with working headlights, the cake would tweet whenever people at the event used #FordTweetingCake!

Check it out…

The Manifest Burrito Battle Guide [Google Map Mashup]

jamespoulter — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:05:32 +0000

Today saw the inaugural #BurritoBattle – the contestants Poncho8 v. Benitos Hat. Although the jury are still deliberating over a winner (results live on site on Monday) we have put together this little Google Maps Mashup for you guys to check out some great mexican cantinas over the weekend.

Tune in on Monday for the results! Enjoy!

View #Burrito Battle Locations in a larger map

Our Essential Winter Driving Guide

jamespoulter — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:47:35 +0000

Not that you would believe it by looking outside but yes it is winter and December 1st (yes we were sceptical about it too). However with the British weather one can never be too careful. Our friends over at Volkswagen have put together this handy little tips video for your to get ready for facing hours on the M1 in the snow so we thought we would pass on the advice.

Remember if you are planning on heading out on the road this winter we suggest you grab yourself:

A decent deicer
A shovel
Hazard Triangle
Some PowerBars
Phone Charger – (check out this awesome back up pack from Proporta)
1l of Water – Any will do
Stack of magazines – (Check out our review of STACK for inspiration)
Kindle – for the really long hauls (opt for 3G so you can at least get a traffic report!
Slanket – well because you want to be comfy right?