Went swimming yesterday so didn't have time to cook, so today a nice shoulder of pork is roasting. Lemony carrots and simple steamed cabbage to go with it. Roasted tatties of course. No stuffing, because I forgot.
For sweet; lemon curd sponge and custard.
I made an 8in square Gingercake this morning whilst keeping an eye on the Athletics being shown on BBC2.
'Great fit men and women' I thought, as I also thought about icing.
A cream cheese icing flavoured with honey and lemon will top the dark brown cake.
Carrot and Coriander soup the other day. With garlic croutons. Fabulous. I'm using a lot of carrots lately on account of buying a 10kg sack from the farm shop.
I'm checking my skin for signs of orangeness.
Monday, 24 August 2015
Friday, 14 August 2015
We are entertaining tonight
Jeannie, young Mark, Viola and Trevor will be seated around the table and fed Sausage, Apple and Chutney Plait with Bubble and Squeak and barbeque beans. Good homely fare for good homely folk. I've taken the precaution of making two plaits on account of young Marks phenomenal appetite.
The bubble was a crazed idea I had when I was wondering what to do with a lot of cabbage. I added some boiled onions and a scoop of butter to the tattie/cabbage mix, it now waits in a large Pyrex dish ready to be heated.
For pud I'm opting for a super fruit cocktail.
Kiwi, banana, apple, orange, peaches and sultanas are marinating in apple juice. To serve with it lots of strawberry yoghurt and some Chocolate and Vanilla Pinwheel biscuits on the side. For dipping.
The table is laid out nicely in the front room (not enough space in the kitchen) and incense sticks are at the ready waiting to be lit. Probably opt for Sandalwood.
I love cooking for a crowd.
The bubble was a crazed idea I had when I was wondering what to do with a lot of cabbage. I added some boiled onions and a scoop of butter to the tattie/cabbage mix, it now waits in a large Pyrex dish ready to be heated.
For pud I'm opting for a super fruit cocktail.
Kiwi, banana, apple, orange, peaches and sultanas are marinating in apple juice. To serve with it lots of strawberry yoghurt and some Chocolate and Vanilla Pinwheel biscuits on the side. For dipping.
The table is laid out nicely in the front room (not enough space in the kitchen) and incense sticks are at the ready waiting to be lit. Probably opt for Sandalwood.
I love cooking for a crowd.
Tuesday, 11 August 2015
Minestrone by any other name
The soup I've made for tonight is a vegetable and pasta soup packed full of orange pepper, tomatoes, onion, carrots, penne, basil, garlic, oregano, thyme, shredded cabbage and cannellini beans.
It will be served with chunks of apple and cheddar bread (Paul Hollywood recipe) and more grated cheese.
For pud a simple raspberry sponge and custard.
Recently I made a dozen fresh blackberry muffins after foraging around the bushes in a big park, we came away with around 1lb.
A lady with a small yapping tawny pooch told us the way to go, to find the purple fruit. She was enthusiastic. We thanked her and scurried away through coarse green and yellowing grasses and up and down dodgy dried paths till we found the bushes heavy with ripe and unripe fruit.
We picked carefully to avoid piercing the skin of both us and the fat fruit and when we'd filled the small plastic bag we
danced out of the park/wood gripping the booty.
Other things of note:
When we went to the Purleigh Classic Car event I had a picnic basket packed with 6 cold chicken drumsticks, curried pasta salad, blackberry muffins, fresh bacon ready to be fried, unsalted butter and homemade bread. Tea and a bottle exotic fruit drink kept us hydrated. For goodness sake I'd pushed a couple of small red apples in between the cheese and onion crisps.
Jeannie and Mark and hopefully Viola and Trevor will be joining us for tea on Friday. I have the menu sorted. Two large Sausage, apple and chutney slices with boiled potatoes and some kind of green veg. Cabbage probably. For pud, I'll make a cherry pie and ice cream. The pie is a Mary Berry recipe. Very black cherry and sweet with a hint of almond. The ice cream will be shop bought.
I was told about Barleylands Farm shop in Billericay by Viola and Trevor. I went there. I'm going again. Two big cabbages for £1. Wouldn't you?
It will be served with chunks of apple and cheddar bread (Paul Hollywood recipe) and more grated cheese.
For pud a simple raspberry sponge and custard.
Recently I made a dozen fresh blackberry muffins after foraging around the bushes in a big park, we came away with around 1lb.
A lady with a small yapping tawny pooch told us the way to go, to find the purple fruit. She was enthusiastic. We thanked her and scurried away through coarse green and yellowing grasses and up and down dodgy dried paths till we found the bushes heavy with ripe and unripe fruit.
We picked carefully to avoid piercing the skin of both us and the fat fruit and when we'd filled the small plastic bag we
danced out of the park/wood gripping the booty.
Other things of note:
When we went to the Purleigh Classic Car event I had a picnic basket packed with 6 cold chicken drumsticks, curried pasta salad, blackberry muffins, fresh bacon ready to be fried, unsalted butter and homemade bread. Tea and a bottle exotic fruit drink kept us hydrated. For goodness sake I'd pushed a couple of small red apples in between the cheese and onion crisps.
Jeannie and Mark and hopefully Viola and Trevor will be joining us for tea on Friday. I have the menu sorted. Two large Sausage, apple and chutney slices with boiled potatoes and some kind of green veg. Cabbage probably. For pud, I'll make a cherry pie and ice cream. The pie is a Mary Berry recipe. Very black cherry and sweet with a hint of almond. The ice cream will be shop bought.
I was told about Barleylands Farm shop in Billericay by Viola and Trevor. I went there. I'm going again. Two big cabbages for £1. Wouldn't you?
Wednesday, 5 August 2015
Mini Roast..updated
Wednesday is usually mini roast day.
Today I'm roasting a couple of pork chops with slices of sweet apple. Accompanying the pork will be jacket potatoes and peas.
For pudding, a fruit cocktail and yoghurt.
If I have time I might make some drops scones too.
This is a simple easy dinner to make and I like simple. Especially tonight.
I don't want to be up to my eyeballs in tins and pans because The Great British Bake Off is on tv tonight.
And the girls and boys are making Madeira Cake.
-After coating the pork chops in black pepper and dried sage I placed them in the roasting tin on top of wedges of onion. They are cooking up a storm. Really gorgeous aromas emanating from the kitchen
-Decided against the jacket pots opting instead for.....After par boiling the potatoes I drained them, shook them around the pan then threw in a handful of flour and coated them in it. This gives a nice texture.
-I did have time to make some drop scones. Only I made a dozen spiced treacle ones.
These will be spread with a little butter and apricot jam.
I made the usual mix of self raising flour, egg and milk, but instead of the usual amount of caster sugar I used a tablespoonful of treacle and for added warmth a good shaking of mixed spice. They of course cook up slightly darker than regular drop scones. I tried one and it was very good although next time I'll be more heavy handed with the spice.
I'm popping over to see Rob's mum and dad tomorrow afternoon I think I'll take them a freshly made plate of scones. And although Viola is diabetic she does throw caution to the wine and engage in eating a little sugar. I expect my drop scones will be welcome.
Today I'm roasting a couple of pork chops with slices of sweet apple. Accompanying the pork will be jacket potatoes and peas.
For pudding, a fruit cocktail and yoghurt.
If I have time I might make some drops scones too.
This is a simple easy dinner to make and I like simple. Especially tonight.
I don't want to be up to my eyeballs in tins and pans because The Great British Bake Off is on tv tonight.
And the girls and boys are making Madeira Cake.
-Decided against the jacket pots opting instead for.....After par boiling the potatoes I drained them, shook them around the pan then threw in a handful of flour and coated them in it. This gives a nice texture.
-I did have time to make some drop scones. Only I made a dozen spiced treacle ones.
These will be spread with a little butter and apricot jam.
I made the usual mix of self raising flour, egg and milk, but instead of the usual amount of caster sugar I used a tablespoonful of treacle and for added warmth a good shaking of mixed spice. They of course cook up slightly darker than regular drop scones. I tried one and it was very good although next time I'll be more heavy handed with the spice.
I'm popping over to see Rob's mum and dad tomorrow afternoon I think I'll take them a freshly made plate of scones. And although Viola is diabetic she does throw caution to the wine and engage in eating a little sugar. I expect my drop scones will be welcome.
Sunday, 2 August 2015
Oh Come On It's Sunday
Roasted Chicken.
Jacket Potato
A green vegetable
A milky chicken gravy
Individual Oaty Apple Crumble and custard.
Possibly a glass of beer.
Jacket Potato
A green vegetable
A milky chicken gravy
Individual Oaty Apple Crumble and custard.
Possibly a glass of beer.
Saturday, 1 August 2015
Absolutely Wonderful
I've made many a fine cake but the recent choco one takes the biscuit.
It was so light it almost floated away.
It was so light it almost floated away.
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