on food & drink
Brown Meals
My wife used to be a “non-adventurous home eater”. The one thing we could always agree on was golden brown, or just brown meals were usually delicious. Over the years we have massively expanded that to other colours and flavours, but occasionally, often mistakenly, we have one of our old brown meals. And when we do, we almost always recognise it as the immediate comfort food that it is and make a joke.
The one pictured is Bubble ‘n’ Squeak and pork Schnitzel.
March 16, 2008 |
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Embarrassment of Sweets
How does a thing start?
I have always loved liquorice. I think it started with black jelly beans when I was four or five. When I lived in New York, I could always buy good liquorice whenever I wanted — which wasn’t that often. However, the English taste in liquorice, like most of their sweats is really too sweat and has no strong flavor.
But as luck would have it, I was working with a lovely dutch girl who told me about ‘drop’ and became my supplier of good quality candy from Holland. For those you know drop, I only like sweet, not salty and really mostly munten, honing and katjes. But I left Gartner and my contact with Marielle and inter-office mail.
A year in to a new job and I was buying the occasional bar of Panda for nearly £2 per bar and only at high end organic stores. So my mother bought me a bag of scotty dogs at Christmas. I took some to Leamington and the people loved them, so I requested some more. Mom sent 10lb! I gave away lots more and actually still have about 2lbs!
However, that amount of donation resulted in four more people getting and giving me candy. Andy in Leamington found some there, and has shared some with me. Denise found some very respectable New Zealand brand called RJs. Then Jane and Julie in London have been to Amsterdam a few times and bought be large amounts.
Back in St Margarets, Stephan, the father of a child in Ryan’s class is from Amsterdam and has shared some of his stash from his brother’s visits. And our good friends moved back to Finland where Ari grew up next to the Panda factory (I never knew where it was from) so they have been bringing us more on visits, and took me to the factory’s shop when we visited — I bought a lot for nearly nothing.
Clearly the generosity has been overwhelming, I must have nearly 3 lbs of liquorice still and seemingly little hope of getting rid of it. Nearly everyone I share it with offers to find me more. So now, for the time being, I have stopped sharing or mentioning liquorice at all, at least until I am down to my last bag.
September 23, 2007 |
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Spring Allotment Goodies Start
We got off to a slow start this year. We dug and covered and dug and covered and dug and attempted to really get out as much of the bind weed and cooch grass that we could. We left our asparagus for another year’s root development. We weeded everything we could. And then planted.
- Peas are off to an anemic start, only 8 inches off the ground and flowering too soon.
- Corn, eggplant and tomatoes are only 6 inches high
- Red onions rotted and failed
- Only 50% of garlic and shallots survived
- 1 out of 6 courgette plants have survived
- Our 3 artichokes were devoured by black fly
However, all this might be fine, we just haven’t been doing this long enough to know. Because we still have:
- An amazing raspberry crop
- Huge promise with blackberries
- A good crop with blueberries
- Super lettuces
- Cucumbers that look healthy
- Beans are climbing or bushing out nicely
- Fabulous fennel
Fingers crossed for better weather this year.
June 24, 2007 |
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Slight Bounty
Last year we barely got the allotment going since we received it so late in the season. So this year, we really had our hope up, specially with the early success or lettuces; however, this entire season London has been under a hosepipe ban and drought have nearly ruined us.
We have been pouring bucket and buckets of water about, but realise that it only sinks in a few inches at most. Only the weeds appear to have benefited. However, in the past week it has rained on and off for few days and amazingly everything except the corn, has sprung back into life.
This is the thrid large haul of plum tomatoes in about two weeks along with many cougettes, beans, rasberries, blackberries and basil.
If only we had more rain all year…
August 28, 2006 |
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Food : Profiterole
Today is Mother’s Day in the UK.
We men did the natural thing, made Angela pick the meal, buy it (including flowers) and make the desert.
The desert she picked is one of three she makes all the time, and I think her second favorite. Its profiteroles stuffed with chocolate pudding, mixed with whipped cream.
It can’t be simpler either.
- You make a ‘choux’ (warm water, butter, sugar and flour with egg mixed in after it cools) and bake little rolls.
- Make the pudding with some whipped cream to lighten it.
- Cut the pastries in half and fill with pudding right before serving.
Its very nice and feels fancy. I recommend it highly for a dinner party.
March 26, 2006 |
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Restaurant : St. JOHN
Last night we were treated to a very special meal with some good friends visiting from New York. They took us to the trendy St. JOHN restaurant right near the Smithfield Market. When you enter the place, you are in a very informal space with a bar and bakery counter with a small set of ovens behind. The entire place is very industrial feeling with white washed walls and floors. Sort of hovering above this informal space is the restaurant, with windows looking down into the bar area and the street.
Once inside the restaurant, you are welcomed to a spacious table, often shared with other guests, with simple glasses and white china. The menu changes daily with even a few extra specials not listed. We picked a variety of starters and shared:
- bone marrow on toast with parsley-onion salad
- langoustines with mayonnaise
- brown shrimp in a white cabbage salad
- a dozen raw oysters
All of it was wonderful and generous. Then for dinners we got:
- lamb tongues with spinach and butter beans with anchovy sauce
- old spot pork with swede
- calf’s liver with chard
- lemon sole
- ox tail with mashed potatoes
It was all wonderful. Desert was:
- chocolate pots with biscuits
- rhubarb fool with short bread
- Eccles cake with cheese
Again all good. The Champaign (St. JOHN’s brand) and wine was excellent as well. It was a memorable night and I would recommend it for a very special occasion.
March 7, 2006 |
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Food : Pfannkuchen
Well today was ‘Pancake Day’ here in England, better known as Shrove Tuesday or ‘Mardi Gras’. In fact, it seems that most people don’t even know of its religious meaning at all. This is from the Wikipedia:
“Pancakes are eaten to use up milk and eggs, which are not eaten during Lent and would otherwise spoil during this period. Pancakes first appeared in English cookbooks in the 15th century. In Britain and Ireland in particular, a number of traditions have grown up around the eating of pancakes. Some people in Britain know the day only by the name ‘Pancake Day’ and some are even unaware of the day’s connection to Lent.”
Well, the boys had the minister from the local church come in and talk about it. Our four year old only knew some man came in and flipped a pancake in the air. Our six year old knew it was the father of a classmate and that he was talking about Jesus — no real understanding.
However, we did celebrate by making a German crêpe called ‘Pfannkuchen’. My wife can eat masses of them plain, but the boys and I insist on ham & cheese or sugar & lemon or maple syrup.
February 28, 2006 |
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Food : Tortilla Espanola
I was introduced to this dish in university by the woman who (eventually) became my wife. She had spent a number of summers in Spain and learned the dish from the families she lived. I think most people will look at it and think it will be bland — but it isn’t, its luxurious. I think best cold on a crusty roll with absolutely nothing else.
You really need to try it and learn to savour its simplicity. I really think its one of those simple perfect foods. We usually make about three at a time and eat them on picnics or take them for a trip. They are great for a snack, or a filling meal.
February 11, 2006 |
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Food : Chinese Eggplant
Based on the classic Chinese dish, “Ants Climbing a Tree”, named because of the way the pork looks in the sauce, this has eggplant as a base. It is as good with tofu. However, if you love eggplant, you will love this.
We normally make a simple long bean dish with this that uses very similar ingredients. Give it a try.
February 9, 2006 |
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Drink : Feuerzangenbowle
This weekend we were treated to a seasonal favourite from our good friends Dirk and Gulin.
- Warm four bottles of red wine with four sliced un-waxed oranges
- Add some spices, like cinnamon, nutmeg, etc…
- Pour into a glass bowl on a stand
- Light a parafine stove beneth to keep warm.
- Suspend a cone of refined sugar suspened over the bowl
- Soak the cone in 151 proof Rum
- Ignite cone
- Back away from the bowl
- Watch carmelized liquid sugar drip into the wine
- Drink the wine
- Repeat if still sober
February 3, 2006 |
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Food : Chickpea & Carrot Soup
Years ago, when I was consulting at Citibank, I was taken to this great little italian restaurant on 53rd (between 2nd & 3rd) called Luna Piena. One day as a special they had a ‘Carrot & Chickpea Soup’ and I immediately feel in love and copied it as best I could.
The recipe is the essense of simplicity and really allows you to taste the all the flavors and the textures. You can also scale it up to serve lots of people if you need to.
Great with crusty bread, soft cheeses, sausage and light red or full white wine.
Here is my recipe.
January 23, 2006 |
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Tasting Notes :: RealAle : Nelson's Revenge
Nelson’s Revenge
| Rating (out of 5) | **** |
| Brewer | Woodforde’s Norfolk Ales Broadland Brewery Woodbastwick Norwich Norfolk NR13 6SW |
| Purchased | realale.com |
| Region | East Anglia |
| ABV | 4.5% |
| Type | Ale |
| Tasting notes | A nearly perfect bitter. Lots of fruit, great finish. |
January 12, 2006 |
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Eggplant (Aubergine) Parmesan
I don’t know if I will have the energy to keep this up, but I thought that I might put up a few recipes on the site as I settle on a good one. This all started a few years ago when my brother (in New York), mother (in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) and I (London) all started trading new recipes. I wrote a little web application to track them. Unfortunately, due to a major server problem (kernel panic) we lost all of them, and the mounted back-up disk (long sad story). However, in recent years we have slow started again.
So here is my first entry:
Eggplant (Aubergine) Parmesan
This classic has become complete comfort food for my wife and me. We make it a few different ways (which are in the recipe) depending on what we are doing with it. If it is a meal, we usually grill the eggplant. If its for a smaller portion, we might bread and fry the rounds first. The problem with this method is a) the fat and b) Angela eats every other round before I can assemble the dish.
I think this makes a great main with a rich salad like a Caesar or one with fruit, nuts and/or cheese. It can also be a side with some grilled fish or appetiser. Very versatile.
Here is my recipe
January 4, 2006 |
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Tasting Notes :: RealAle : Pure Gold
Pure Gold Ale
| Rating (out of 5) | ***½ |
| Brewer | Itchen Vallue Shelf House New Farm Road Alresford Hampshire SO24 9QE |
| Region | South England |
| ABV | 4.8% |
| Type | Ale |
| Tasting notes | Very hoppy, strong tasting with some citrus — easy to drink. |
November 23, 2005 |
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Tasting Notes :: RealAle : Red Admiral
Red Admiral Ale
| Rating (out of 5) | ***½ |
| Brewer | Fox Brewery 22,Station Road Heacham Norfolk PE31 7EX |
| Region | East Anglia |
| ABV | 4.2% |
| Type | Ale |
| Tasting notes | Red and smooth. Lovely hoppy finish. Sweet, but not too much. |
November 22, 2005 |
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Tasting Notes :: RealAle : Two Pints Bitter
Two Pints Bitter
| Rating (out of 5) | ***½ |
| Brewer | Cropton Brewery Cropton, Pickering North Yorkshire |
| Region | North England |
| ABV | 4% |
| Type | Bitter |
| Tasting notes | Dark and very smooth. The name is suposedly because “one pint of this is better than two pints of any other beer.” While I wouldn’t go that far, it was pretty nice — very hoppy and malty. |
November 18, 2005 |
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Tasting Notes :: RealAle : New Forest Cider
New Forrest Cider
| Rating (out of 5) | ** |
| Brewer | BJ & SD Topp Littlemead Burley, Ringwood Hants BH24 4ED |
| Region | South England |
| ABV | 6% |
| Type | Cider |
| Tasting notes | Dark straw in colour this has a very earthy, very dry light cider taste. I think its really too dry — not for me. |
November 18, 2005 |
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Tasting Notes :: RealAle : New Forest Perry
New Forrest Perry
| Rating (out of 5) | ***½ |
| Brewer | BJ & SD Topp Littlemead Burley, Ringwood Hants BH24 4ED |
| Region | South England |
| ABV | 7% |
| Type | Perry (Pear) |
| Tasting notes | Light straw in colour with a lovely pear aroma. Both sweet and dry in taste with strong floral aftertaste. If you like cider, you will like this. Great with chicken, fish or thai/chinese food. |
November 18, 2005 |
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