Would you be interested in cake recipes? Or a chutney? Or a beetroot, cumin and carrot crumble? Or a Beet Bourguignon ?
Yes, on all fronts.... (I also have a carrot glut as they're not my favourite veg & they stack up until I finally have to do something with them. Usually cake, which is an altogether good thing, but needs to be done when I can share as you can have too much cake for one. So beetroot cumin & carrot crumble sounds like it could be interesting.)
One of my favourite soups is beetroot and carrot, with a swirl of cream, or a dollop of yogurt. The colour is intense, and it's very pretty.
How do you stop it being tooth-achingly sweet? I'll eat almost everything (especially if it's free), but I find carrot soup very sweet and, much as I love beetroot, beetroot soups need lots of other things to keep from being too sweet - I have a recipe somewhere for beetroot and horseradish that manages to be both sweet and tangy.
It's Saturday, which chez Firenze is Steak'n'chips. I cycle through Steak Mirabeau, Steak Teriyaki, Steak with garlic/lemon/herb/chilli butters, steak with Stilton, steak with caramelised onion, steak with mushrooms, Steak flambé, Steak with whisky cream sauce - and one or two others.
One of my favourite soups is beetroot and carrot, with a swirl of cream, or a dollop of yogurt. The colour is intense, and it's very pretty.
How do you stop it being tooth-achingly sweet? I'll eat almost everything (especially if it's free), but I find carrot soup very sweet and, much as I love beetroot, beetroot soups need lots of other things to keep from being too sweet - I have a recipe somewhere for beetroot and horseradish that manages to be both sweet and tangy.
A pinch of red pepper flakes or chilli powder does very nice things to carrot soups and banishes any suggestion of sweetness. (But that's my advice for improving almost any recipe).
One of my favourite soups is beetroot and carrot, with a swirl of cream, or a dollop of yogurt. The colour is intense, and it's very pretty.
How do you stop it being tooth-achingly sweet? I'll eat almost everything (especially if it's free), but I find carrot soup very sweet and, much as I love beetroot, beetroot soups need lots of other things to keep from being too sweet - I have a recipe somewhere for beetroot and horseradish that manages to be both sweet and tangy.
Your definition of "tooth-achingly sweet" and mine differ. I find condensed milk eaten straight from the tin tooth-achingly sweet, veg soup not so much.
I like Russian salad: beetroot, potato, carrot and hard boiled egg served warm with a vinaigrette. You can also use mayonnaise but that's too heavy for my taste.
Salat Olivier! A must have at any Russian buffet! It usually includes peas in the mix. To be really Soviet, at least some of the ingredients should come from a tin. And look unappetising.
I occasionally make my own, though my homemade kimchi tastes much better, especially white kimchi which is the garlic and ginger version.
We’ve just got back from Devon, we had a lovely walk around Tarr Steps before driving home. Lunch was fish and chips by the sea near Minehead. I think tea will be bacon and eggs.
On an entirely different topic: the veg box has brought me beetroot. I've already done the roasted with walnuts & Goat's cheese thing - any other suggestions? I have 3.
On the Heaven culinary thread I posted (in June, I think) two borshch recipes, both suitable for summer.
We actually ate out at lunch as it's our anniversary tomorrow. I had a chicken and mushroom stroganoff, and Mr Dragon had bean burritos. (The pub we went to has a very good vegetarian selection.)
We then met a friend and her son at the park. It's tipped it down earlier, though thankfully after we got home. I'm currently sort of listening to radio Womad.
The planned chicken-and-mushroom thingy didn't happen - both nieces and both dogs turned up, and stayed for supper. As Niece No. 2 is a vegetarian, I made a pasta thing with mushrooms, tomatoes, broccoli, ricotta that needed to be used and a few olives, and tossed together a salad to go with it. It all came together rather nicely, and everyone seemed to enjoy it.
They've all gone out for walkies, but as I seem to have done something to my leg*, I decided to stay at home.
* I'm not quite sure what - I woke up at 5 this morning with a nasty pain in my left knee, and it hasn't improved much as the day's gone on. I had a short amble before the girls arrived, but really wasn't up for any more walking.
[ beetroot cumin & carrot crumble sounds like it could be interesting.)
Disclaimer: This recipe comes from a collection I have gathered from the internet over a number of years I have not tried it (yet).
It appears to be on several sites, but the Waitrose one I have linked to seems to be the original source.
Do not be scared by the number of beets (or carrots) it calls for, this recipe is for 8 servings. It shouldn't be hard to scale it down - and anyway, it doesn't specify the size of the beets.
I don't know about your veg box, but the supermarket bunches usually have one big one, a couple of medium and some tiny ones, so it's always guessing game if weight is not specified. The same applies to carrots, onions or any vegetable or fruit sold as individual items - drives me potty!
We were able to meet up with son, d-i-l and grandson today for the first time since January. Only for an hour, at the grottiest service area in the kingdom, but still worthwhile.
It's just wonderful, isn't it? The Intrepid Grandsons' other grandparents are visiting next weekend so we shall make ourselves scarce, not wishing to queer their pitch
Today seems to be a mix of sunshine and showers in Embra - it was coming down in stair-rods a few minutes ago, but now the sun's splitting the trees. There may be a visit to No. 1 nephew and the kids in the offing, possibly with a walk. I'm not sure how my knee will cope with that - it's a little better than it was yesterday, but still definitely not right.
My sister suggested I might have got a bite from something, and although there doesn't seem to be an actual bite mark, it does feel a bit like the sort of stiff feeling you get when you react to a bite.
We had a very nice hour or two with No. 1 nephew and his kids - there wasn't a walk involved after all, which was probably just as well.
I did the chicken with creamy mushroom thing for supper and it really wasn't bad at all. I'll do it again, but probably cut down on the amount of stock in the sauce, as it was a bit runny.
Beautiful rain here too.
I have a yoga class this morning and then need to check up on my work. I had intended to spend some time studying in the garden in the new cocoon chair other half set up for me in the garden yesterday (birthday present) but I might, horrors, do some housework instead.
Finally had a haircut, first time since March, in Big International City. It was definitely beginning to feel a bit hot over the collar. I hadn't had hair that long for many years, even if the hair artists had reopened a while ago, but just because I couldn't be bothered to go any earlier. I notice that I live to tell the tale! (I did have shoulder-long hair as a teenie, which was much admired back then!) - So, another problem successfully tackled.
On the train to and from Big International City, I delved again into a nice book on French lingustics, as I am teaching another French language class after the summer break, and I feel I had forgotten some of the underlying basics. I love to remind myself of the bigger picture!
Last night, I ordered once more a tasty cordon bleu and fries from the restaurant across the road, which it is great to devour at home, undisturbed by groups of other, socialising eaters.
Temperatures should rise to slightly above 30°C for the first time this summer, but luckily still no proper heatwave in sight - which I can well do without. (Heatwave, that is, not sight.)
Off I go: more Froggish language to analyse and enjoy!
The heatwave is hanging out in foie gras land this week - 39° this afternoon. We shall be testing the capacities of our new air conditioner later. The houses here are built for the heat so up to about 30° you really don't need one, but 39 is hot by anyone's standards.
But I’m excited because I’m doing the finishing touches to the room we’ve prepared for when my son and his little family arrives for the weekend on the 7th.
New bed, new covers, cot, shelves, rug and toy box. The fun stuff!
39° is way too hot!!! Having said that, a little less rain and a degree or two above 12° wouldn't go amiss ...
There may be Venturing Out To A Shop today, as two of S's grandchildren have birthdays this week, and we need to get wrapping-up paper for their pressies.
Mr F (first time in a shop in four months!) and I hit Aldi this morning. He did the main food groups - crisps, chocolate and alcohol - while I did the boring stuff like vegetables and kitchen roll.
Mr F (first time in a shop in four months!) and I hit Aldi this morning. He did the main food groups - crisps, chocolate and alcohol - while I did the boring stuff like vegetables and kitchen roll.
Rain, Wind, Blunder and Frightening earlier this morning, but it's now just a typical July day - overcast, windy, and generally muggy and humid...so humid, in fact, that the wearing of my nice new black face-mask in Tesco's steamed up my specs something horrid .
I therefore removed my specs, and still managed not only to find everything I wanted, but also not to fall over anything, or anybody.
I spent last week in hospital being checked out for possible heart attack. But no alarums. The dicker, powered by Pacemaker, is doing fine. BUT. A week later the hospital phones and informs me I have to self isolate due to fact that whilst there I had come into contact with virus positive person. So here I am. Isolated and Bored and with no human contact to look forward to for another 5 days. We are in a double storey complex of 24 flats and cant even walk the corridor. All that is left to us is to step outside the lounge door and walk the 50 yards length of lawn which surrounds the property. Roll on Sat when freedom becomes a reality again
Ah, BF, heard your thunder this morning - amazing how far it travels. I was really surprised when I called Lightning.org up and saw where it was. Saw some flashes as well.
Glad to hear your ticker's OK, Shamwari - hope you continue to feel better. It'll be Saturday before you know it!
We braved Marks & Sparks again today and got the required birthday stationery (the first part of which will be delivered tomorrow morning), plus a few nice comestibles. Supper was a salad with sundry green things with coleslaw, potato salad, fresh peas salmon and hard-boiled eggs, and was quite decent.
Weather here was a pretty complete washout - it ranged from "mildly moist" to "absolutely pishing down".
Less dreary here today (in fact yesterday evening ended up sunny) ... but so cold! A maximum of 18 degrees expected - such is the Great British Summer!
Sunny but max of 19 here - good walking weather. It was too wet and blowy yesterday. Just waiting for the veg box to arrive then I’ll set off.
I want to catch up on some craft projects today. I started a rather elaborate crocheted blanket called Lily Pond last week which I need to keep up the impetus on and I want to crochet a bouquet of flowers for a friend. I also need to do some study/reading.
Here..... our roof is still on but maybe it was a Bad Idea to casually leave two towels on the line yesterday morning.
Wind
And rain.
Quite expecting to go half way to the nearest town to recover the towels
Truly I live in the best country in the world. Recipe the next: barbecued Camembert
Get a Camembert, take it out of the box and remove the plastic liner. Put it back in the box and sprinkle a few herbs on top. Wrap the whole thing in aluminium foil and stick it on the barbecue. Leave it for 10 minutes or so, then undo it and scoop out the delicious melted cheesy goo with a spoon onto some bread. Try not to think too hard about your arteries.
PS it wasn't 39° in the end yesterday. It was 40. Fortunately our air conditioner turns out to work quite well .
I do similar to Camembert in the oven, I put it in a terracotta dish and bake for 20 mins, comes out delicious and runny and perfect for dipping bread. Must try it on the barbecue.
Hm, quite fancy that now but lunch is leftover dahl made into soup.
I've occasionally done baked Brie in a custom-made Brie baker (porcelain dish with a lid) with a spoon or two of red pepper jelly on top.
It's been a sunny but blustrous day here, and also the eighth birthday of my great-niece, Marla. We went round to her mum's house in the morning to deliver pressies (picking up my nephew and Archie on the way) and had a very enjoyable time playing a game called Pizza, pizza with Adam (Marla's wee brother).
I'm really enjoying being in Edinburgh and being able to be part of these family things - it's Adam's birthday on Thursday, so we'll have it all to do again!
eta: (crosspost with ST) - deep-fried Camembert can be lovely if it's done right, and served with a nice relish.
I’m off to Waitrose shortly (only my second lone journey there since before lockdown as I haven’t felt well enough) and baked Camembert is now on the menu.
Today is a day of tidying loose ends, sending emails and organising work/study life. And crochet.
We have three supermarkets within a mile: Asda in one direction, Waitrose and Lidl next door to each other in a different direction. So, when I go shopping, I have to think what I need to get. For instance only Asda has my favourite butter and coffee, but Lidl have my favourite croissants, are cheapest and are nearest a bus stop if the shopping is heavy. Decisions, decisions ...
Comments
How do you stop it being tooth-achingly sweet? I'll eat almost everything (especially if it's free), but I find carrot soup very sweet and, much as I love beetroot, beetroot soups need lots of other things to keep from being too sweet - I have a recipe somewhere for beetroot and horseradish that manages to be both sweet and tangy.
Not sure yet which it is tonight.
A pinch of red pepper flakes or chilli powder does very nice things to carrot soups and banishes any suggestion of sweetness. (But that's my advice for improving almost any recipe).
Your definition of "tooth-achingly sweet" and mine differ. I find condensed milk eaten straight from the tin tooth-achingly sweet, veg soup not so much.
Salat Olivier! A must have at any Russian buffet! It usually includes peas in the mix. To be really Soviet, at least some of the ingredients should come from a tin. And look unappetising.
We’ve just got back from Devon, we had a lovely walk around Tarr Steps before driving home. Lunch was fish and chips by the sea near Minehead. I think tea will be bacon and eggs.
On the Heaven culinary thread I posted (in June, I think) two borshch recipes, both suitable for summer.
We then met a friend and her son at the park. It's tipped it down earlier, though thankfully after we got home. I'm currently sort of listening to radio Womad.
They've all gone out for walkies, but as I seem to have done something to my leg*, I decided to stay at home.
* I'm not quite sure what - I woke up at 5 this morning with a nasty pain in my left knee, and it hasn't improved much as the day's gone on. I had a short amble before the girls arrived, but really wasn't up for any more walking.
It appears to be on several sites, but the Waitrose one I have linked to seems to be the original source.
Do not be scared by the number of beets (or carrots) it calls for, this recipe is for 8 servings. It shouldn't be hard to scale it down - and anyway, it doesn't specify the size of the beets.
I don't know about your veg box, but the supermarket bunches usually have one big one, a couple of medium and some tiny ones, so it's always guessing game if weight is not specified. The same applies to carrots, onions or any vegetable or fruit sold as individual items - drives me potty!
It's just wonderful, isn't it? The Intrepid Grandsons' other grandparents are visiting next weekend so we shall make ourselves scarce, not wishing to queer their pitch
My sister suggested I might have got a bite from something, and although there doesn't seem to be an actual bite mark, it does feel a bit like the sort of stiff feeling you get when you react to a bite.
Today was another decluttering day but I’m getting there! The room is ready for my son and family who are visiting for the weekend in a fortnight.
I do have some things shoved in cupboards - but not as many as pre-lockdown!
We had a very nice hour or two with No. 1 nephew and his kids - there wasn't a walk involved after all, which was probably just as well.
I did the chicken with creamy mushroom thing for supper and it really wasn't bad at all. I'll do it again, but probably cut down on the amount of stock in the sauce, as it was a bit runny.
Dinner last night was gorgeous local spring roast lamb.
I have a yoga class this morning and then need to check up on my work. I had intended to spend some time studying in the garden in the new cocoon chair other half set up for me in the garden yesterday (birthday present) but I might, horrors, do some housework instead.
On the train to and from Big International City, I delved again into a nice book on French lingustics, as I am teaching another French language class after the summer break, and I feel I had forgotten some of the underlying basics. I love to remind myself of the bigger picture!
Last night, I ordered once more a tasty cordon bleu and fries from the restaurant across the road, which it is great to devour at home, undisturbed by groups of other, socialising eaters.
Temperatures should rise to slightly above 30°C for the first time this summer, but luckily still no proper heatwave in sight - which I can well do without. (Heatwave, that is, not sight.)
Off I go: more Froggish language to analyse and enjoy!
Here it’s rain rain rain rain.
But I’m excited because I’m doing the finishing touches to the room we’ve prepared for when my son and his little family arrives for the weekend on the 7th.
New bed, new covers, cot, shelves, rug and toy box. The fun stuff!
There may be Venturing Out To A Shop today, as two of S's grandchildren have birthdays this week, and we need to get wrapping-up paper for their pressies.
Where can I find that little degree sign?
So you were the onion, then?
Easiest way to get a symbol is often to google a description and then copy and paste it.
I therefore removed my specs, and still managed not only to find everything I wanted, but also not to fall over anything, or anybody.
Mission accomplished...
Type Alt 248, which gets you °
On an iPhone or iPad hold the zero down. °
A nuisance for you, of course, but just possibly in your best interest?
(singed)
BF - Proprietor, Cold Comfort Enterprises PLC.
Seriously, though, it's good to hear that your ticker is OK, and the pacemaker is doing its job. And, I suppose, that Track n'Trace is working.
A gentle but productive day here. Chana dahl, rice and yoghurt for tea, with mango chutney.
We braved Marks & Sparks again today and got the required birthday stationery (the first part of which will be delivered tomorrow morning), plus a few nice comestibles. Supper was a salad with sundry green things with coleslaw, potato salad, fresh peas salmon and hard-boiled eggs, and was quite decent.
Weather here was a pretty complete washout - it ranged from "mildly moist" to "absolutely pishing down".
St. Swithin was talking bollocks this year ...
I want to catch up on some craft projects today. I started a rather elaborate crocheted blanket called Lily Pond last week which I need to keep up the impetus on and I want to crochet a bouquet of flowers for a friend. I also need to do some study/reading.
Wind
And rain.
Quite expecting to go half way to the nearest town to recover the towels
Get a Camembert, take it out of the box and remove the plastic liner. Put it back in the box and sprinkle a few herbs on top. Wrap the whole thing in aluminium foil and stick it on the barbecue. Leave it for 10 minutes or so, then undo it and scoop out the delicious melted cheesy goo with a spoon onto some bread. Try not to think too hard about your arteries.
PS it wasn't 39° in the end yesterday. It was 40. Fortunately our air conditioner turns out to work quite well
Hm, quite fancy that now but lunch is leftover dahl made into soup.
It's been a sunny but blustrous day here, and also the eighth birthday of my great-niece, Marla. We went round to her mum's house in the morning to deliver pressies (picking up my nephew and Archie on the way) and had a very enjoyable time playing a game called Pizza, pizza with Adam (Marla's wee brother).
I'm really enjoying being in Edinburgh and being able to be part of these family things - it's Adam's birthday on Thursday, so we'll have it all to do again!
eta: (crosspost with ST) - deep-fried Camembert can be lovely if it's done right, and served with a nice relish.
What herbs did you go a-sprinklin' on top?
What I know I've had was Vacherin Mont D'Or in the oven - good grief! That was lovely! And you can also use that on or with pasta. Even lovelier!
(With a nice salad as a side dish, of course, and be it as an excuse that you've had something reasonably healthy as well. Mmmhh.)
Today is a day of tidying loose ends, sending emails and organising work/study life. And crochet.