Lazy mini roast potatoes. A crisp, slow cooked roast potato recipe at low temperature.
I was introduced to the Penultimate Paramour’s elderly parents thirteen years ago on a classic “come down for the weekend” invitation. They were charming and we offered to cook supper. They had bought a chicken so roasting was the easy option. We grinned. Roast chicken is easy. We could shine. Looking back now, I appreciate that going to the pub before we started cooking the bird was a bad idea. Half an hour into the cooking process we realised that we had forgotten the roast potatoes. “They are essential.” The PP...
read moreHow to make a broody coop to stop your chickens and bantams being broody (takes 1 hour to make)
“Two of my hens are broody.” Bunty was exasperated. “We’ve got a broody one too.” This was our first summer of keeping bantams (a small friendly breed of chicken). Bunty continued, “I wish I hadn’t suggested Bantams. I’ve discovered that they go broody at the drop of a hat.” Years ago Bunty had kept chickens commercially. Those were a type of chicken bred for laying that rarely go broody. She thought that she had the answer to our dilemna. “We need anti broody coops. You’re good...
read moreGarlic
On sleepless nights I play the game ‘What single ingredient would you choose to enhance your cooking?’ it’s a fist fight between onions, garlic and thyme. Onions and garlic win. And out of the two, garlic is always the victor. Garlic enhances, but on it’s own it can be incredible as with Jocelyn’s baked garlic recipe. Fresh garlic is a also a great addition to a salad. Even the leaves of a fresh garlic head can be chopped and added to a dish. Obviously they are much stronger than chives so a little goes a long...
read moreMoorhen, Gallinula chloropus
When I returned to Anna’s house this week, deep in the Essex countryside, something drew me to the window of a peaceful upstairs bedroom that overlooks the moat. I spotted a moorhen swimming with two chicks. Moorhens are shy creatures. They are enchanting wild birds but rush for the cover of the reeds if they hear the gentlest footfall. If you are lucky, you just see a fleeting foot and a flash of white tail. Then they vanish. For ages. I shot down to fetch my camera from under Jalopy’s front seat. By the time I returned to the...
read moreBest recipes for leftovers: roast pork
Danny and I tend to buy decent sized joints these days. A bigger joint is tastier and easier to roast, and the leftovers take care of another meal or two. The problem is that I never fancy leftovers. I want to cook from scratch. D “What are you cooking for supper tonight?” F “Sausages with Anna’s onion gravy.” I know that Danny loves this gravy so will be deflected from the joint that’s lurking in the fridge. The distraction is only momentary. “What are we going to do with the pork?” “Why...
read moreThe puzzle of the nest of mixed eggs
I am working at my friend Carol’s house at the moment; she is so enthusiastic and full of life. Carol rushed back from tennis this morning and popped her head into the conservatory where I was painting. “I’ve got somtehing for your blog.” I perked up immediately. Any help with the blog is always gratefully received. “There’s a nest beside the front door of my friend Alison’s house in Ashley that’s filled with duck and pheasant eggs. It’s incredible. And she says that you can take...
read moreMashed potatoes with olive oil, goats’ cheddar and chives recipe
Last night someone came to the blog looking for the answer to a fundamental question, “Who invented vegetables?” Whoever invented potatoes was onto a good thing. They are included in 80% of dishes in the Northern hemisphere and Danny adores them. Occasionally I cook rice or cous cous but when he cooks, potatoes are always included. They are his touchstone. Until I met D I just bought “white potatoes”. Apart from Jersey Royals in the Spring. Danny knows all the names (even the ones from his childhood when he was forced...
read moreSetting up the drip feed water watering system for the summer
I’ve spent the afternoon playing with water. There’s nothing more relaxing. Especially if you know that your system will save time, energy and water throughout the summer. There are loads of watering systems available for your garden. The ones that run from butts appealed to me as they are environmentally friendly by reducing mains water usage. We now have six small (250-300 litre) butts and a large 1500 litre one. We have another large butt waiting in the wings to be linked up. We have four sheds that potentially could feed...
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