The leader of the British National Party has appeared as a panellist on Question Time on BBC1. This is surely only meant to be viewingfigurebustingtellyentertainment. But one should be more careful.

The far right is on the march again.

In Austria’s recent general election, nearly 30 per cent of voters backed extremist right-wing parties. Facism in the birthplace of Hitler is as de rigueur as bold shoulderpads in Shoreditch.

Austria, you wonderful tumour of a place. Tucked in snuggly between Germany and Italy; yet exotic. Go in winter and you encounter fur clad dachshund-stroking pensioners who spend their time ranting about the Turks, the Bulgarians, the Polacks, the Pakis, the Jappos, the Jambo Jambos, ….

Austria gave us Schnitzel, Hitler and Mozart.

The British gave us Curry.

The U.K. is not a country that provides a platform for fascists and holocaust deniers. Jade Goody was until now as primetime racist as it got.

What were they thinking to seriously question someone who should not be given the time of day? Especially not on Question time?

Some people don’t deserve the freedom of speech. Nick Griffin is  an Austrian at heart and I bet he enjoys a good Schnitzel.

Schnitzel with Potato Salad

• 2 organic chicken breasts
• 2 eggs, beaten
• flour
• breadcrumbs
• salt & pepper
• lemon

for the potato salad:

Cook new potatoes and dress with vinegar, mustard and dill.

Beat the chicken as hard as you can with a mallet until thin.

Roll chicken in flour.

Dip chicken in egg and then roll in breadcrumbs.

Fry in hot oil until brown.

Salt and pepper chicken and serve with the potato salad and a slice of lemon.

Obama got the Nobel Peace Price! What next? Americas Next Top model? Canonise him? Not that he won’t deserve it. But the speed did surprise even him. His expression was that of somebody expecting to be busted by Candid Camera. Just after sending additional troops to Afghanistan.
But he stands for “change in the international climate.”
“Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future.” . For Christ’s sake, Jesus didn’t get one. Neither did Bono or Saint Bob. (Geldof).

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize simply for not being George Bush.
No one has time any more for legends to evolve. ‘Let’s give it to him now. He will deserve it anyway.’ This prize has the stale aftertaste of a hastily eaten fast-food burger. Too soon, too much, too easy.

I am wary of worshiping leaders. Never a good idea. But let’s hope he gets the chance to earn it retrospectively. Let him get on with things.

Black Eyed Peas with creamed Chestnut Mushrooms and Goats Curd

After having amazing lentils with creamed girolles and goats curd at the holy grail (St. John’s) I’m in love with the goat and mushrooms combo. I trailed up and down Broadway market to get some Chanterelle/Girolles/Pfifferlingi but the East End of London isn’t gentile enough yet for that kind of fungus. So I got some chestnut mushrooms instead.

• 200g Black Eye Peas
• Chestnut Mushrooms
• Goats curd
• chopped Parsley
• Toasted Rye or Sourdough bread

Clean the mushrooms with a brush, slice them thinly and fry in butter. Add the goats curd. Serve over a bed of Black Eye Peas. I never cooked with them before but they have a nice soft buttery texture. Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with the chopped Parsley and give peace a chance.