I did Panfotheram, for Joan and Chris this time and it was good again.Both pictures are with AnonymousRob's 12-24mm Sigma and I love it. This was at 12mm at f11 and, as you can see, virtually no distortion, corners fine etc., and sharp as a tack. It is a big fella (77mm front) for a short lens and in construction terms the words 'brick built' and 'outhouse' spring to mind. Or similar !
This morning we whizzed through the shopping and then worked in the 'galley' preparing vegetables etc., for the Panfotheram. Just realised - 'pre' - 'paring' is bang-on for veg isn't it? Several days ago, having broken our paring knife, I shopped for a replacement and could only find them in the supermarket in packs of three ! Even though the whole pack was only 69p I irritatedly wondered why make us buy three? Now I realise it isn't a bad idea after all because I can usually find one, having left them individually all over the kitchen.
The recipe worked well again and, as the oven was on, I cooked Delia's baked winter vegetables, also parsnip fingers. Carrots, and shredded savoy in the steamer. I have annotated my recipe book with the advice *use Maris Piper or Desirée because King Edwards disintegrate - they did ! Joan loyally said she liked them all mushy. But I prefer the slices to be identifiable. Matter of choice I suppose, and flavourwise it was great.Pudding was cheesecake and cream (we know how to slim in this house) followed by cheese & biccies and freshly ground coffee. And after lots of chat (and a lie down for me) around 11pm Y made a pot of tea and served mini chocolate muffins. Why do they make ordinary muffins so large? Our guests left just after midnight wich was thoughtful. The days of still going strong at 3am are long gone.
Comments......Bungus. Thanks for your endorsement re 'telling the truth'. We used to have an in-service joke that policemen were trained to always tell the truth, unless on oath. Reg likes the story and recently mentioned it in an e-mail. Glad your friend's cataract removal was such a success. It must be such a thrill to rediscover the world ! Fletch's is I'm afraid more serious than that and I will be delighted to pass on your good wishes.
Great comments on other matters. Re left-overs. As children my mother told us that if we didn't clear our plates we were helping Hitler to win the War ! A heavy responsibility for an 11yr old. Hence the waist-line do you think?
Quotation for the Day. ....I really like this one :-
"How much easier it is to be critical than to be correct"
Benjamin Disraeli
......The most cooking I am doing tomorrow is 'left-over veg' soup. Many years ago Bungus provided me with an all purpose soup recipe from his neo-pro cook book (can't remember the name of it) but the recipe is pasted in my soup book and it always works a treat. Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow......
......The most cooking I am doing tomorrow is 'left-over veg' soup. Many years ago Bungus provided me with an all purpose soup recipe from his neo-pro cook book (can't remember the name of it) but the recipe is pasted in my soup book and it always works a treat. Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow.......
I was too tired to comment last night after Match of the Day, so I am writing this on Sun morning.
ReplyDeleteThe three paring knives is a good idea. We have three or four and it is usually possible to find two of them.
In view of the international concerns about obesity destroying the planet, do you not think that perhaps you should publish a diet book?
I am eating large amounts but still retaining my reduced weight. I can only think it must simply be that, with my shortened gut, the food is not staying in me so long.
I too like your joke about always telling the truth unless on oath. I enjoy it every time you tell it!
I was never made to eat food. And my father always left something on his plate. Although he was not Chinese, he had been brought up to believe that to eat everything indicated that you wanted more.
And I recall Stephanie’s reply, when about six, upon being told by her grandmother,
“There are children in India who would be grateful for that.”,
“Well send it to them then.”
I like the Disraeli quote. But I shall not let it stop me!
The cookbook, which is 'pro', not 'neo-pro' and which Sandra acquired when she was cooking professionally, is Ceserani and Kinton. We use it rarely. Like you, our first reference is Delia although I also have ‘The Colonel’s Cookbook’, by Douglas Sutherland, which gives some simple and good recipes, esp for game, and also my Andre L Simon's 'Guide to Good Food and Wines' (A Concise Encyclopaedia of Gastronomy Complete and Unabridged with decorations by John Leigh-Pemberton), which contains recipes for things like Sealion and Panda, as well as the more mundane.
In Asda on Thursday I noticed on the shelves something labelled ‘Builders’ Tea’ (or more likely ‘Builders Tea’).
(I, as you might expect, dispute the possibility of this as, to me, real builders’ tea is as much about the other components – Nestles Condensed Milk and sugar - and the method of brewing – all stewed together in a blue enamelled can - as it is about the actual variety of tea used.)