Archive for December, 2009

Muhammara…How do I love thee?

Let me count the ways?

On pita, in tabbouleh….just to lick….and will soon try it on pizza! Forgive me, but ancient civilisation wasn’t blessed with crockery, so if the foundation is right, then the fruits can’t be that far off….therefore, finger-eating is not a curse!

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What we had @ dinner last Christmas!

I’m an MOT (mother-of-three), life has changed since I was a teenager.

IMG_7394 A long time ago, schedules were kept and routines followed. In the days BC (Before Children), alarm clocks worked and children slept in their beds. But that was a long time ago.

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The Cookies of Christmas past

One recipe. Numerous sources of inspiration. 4 cookies.

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Merry Christmas 2009

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3 Fab Christmas Condiments. Perfect to keep….and gift away!

A very merry and blessed Christmas holiday to all my readers and ‘friends’, whether you’re snowed in or enjoying sunshine and warmth.

I look forward to a great 2010…and eagerly await New Year’s eve and constructing my list of New Years resolutions. Of course, all the regulars like lose weight and save money…will be there, but there’ll be others…..too.

I shouldn’t get ahead of my self though. I’m standing still, snowed in and enjoying the winter wonderland that is Europe at the moment. And all the comforting food and sauces and condiments that will grace my table this season. And maybe yours?

My three recipes are inspired by seasonal ingredients which I love – chestnuts, clementines, pears and cranberries….you can’t really go wrong.

Recipe #1 Clementine and Cranberry curd
Recipe # 2 Pear and Cranberry sauce
Recipe # 3 Creme de Marron aka Chestnut Cream

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We’ve ticked the box: Cologne Christmas Market, done!

I’m not one to turn down great offers, be it sushi or plums.

So when a friend asked if I wanted to go with her and her kids to a Christmas market, I said yes! For many reasons including the top one – I’d never been to a German Christmas market before.

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Christmas with Celeriac: I hate Celery but…

…I love Celeriac!

Serious. Weird right?

How can I adore Celeriac and not worship Celery? Quite easily. I hate the lingering oniony smell with celery and the strong after taste…and though Celeriac has the same smell, it is a much lighter fragrance with a less powerful smell. Plus it hints at Celery but rather than crunch, has warmth and whole-heartedness at its core!

3 top celeriac facts

  1. It is a big, fat, ugly bulb, often the size of a grapefruit……and I’m glad I can vent on a veggie that can’ react!
  2. Cousin to celery, it actually comes with a bunch of celery leaves, though the stalks are not as tight as your regular celery bouquet.
  3. When peeled, the flesh can change colour if not ‘acidulated’ – lemon helps keep it looking ‘young’.

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On Copenhagen…

There is so much going on….it is unbelievable. Christmas has happened upon me…again this year. The only difference is that last year I dreamt of going to a Christmas market in Germany (and didn’t) and this year, tomorrow infact, we’re off to Cologne! And this year, there were only hopes…no dreams. I’m so excited. but that’s another blog post.

Just some photos of my weekend, last weekend, which I spent visiting a friend of mine in Copenhagen. I had a GREAT TIME! Hopefully, these will tide you over till Sunday when I get back. I hope my computer isn’t misbehaving then. Tonight, I actually thought I would have to borrow a computer to write the famous ‘the anatomy of a dead computer aka ‘crashed  ’cause ours was acting up. Thankfully, that’s not to be the case.

Ask me what I think about Copenhagen and here are a few things I have to say. But I see in part….and tis not the whole:-). Here it goes:

Skylines that conjure up images of the middle east;

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Try this for Christmas Lunch: Ling Al Cartoccio

I’m all for paradigm shifts

Pasta in bag

I mean, who says roadside waiters are without honour?

Or Christmas cannot be Christmas without Turkey?

In my opinion, it all depends on what you’re after.

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Christmas Brunch or Brekkie: Oven-baked Scotch Eggs & Tea-smoked Fish

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I am a collector of recipes….some of which, I literally wait years to make, and other which become regulars and firm faves.

Take this no-fry Scotch eggs, for a start – 5 years since I first saw the recipe and this year,….I finally made it. My tea-smoked fish on the other hand has featured twice in recent times!

So, without further ado, I present two recipes to you: both for your enjoyment and perfect for a stress-free Christmas brekkie…or brunch!

Easy to make ahead….what are you waiting for?

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