Monthly Archives: February 2011

Feb27

Stuffing !

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Nothing beats the smell, of a roast cooking, it sort of clarifies it is Sunday to me, lets me breathe a sigh of relief, a day of rest and recuperation. A day I don’t need to feel guilty, if I read, sit, stare and look.  Don’t get me wrong, there are still jobs I must attend to..but for some reason on a Sunday they don’t feel like chores.

Preparing the veggies, and accompaniments is a family affair.  my OH peeling potatoes.  I DON’T DO potatoes, well I dislike peeling them.  Little Nell, slices the Runner Beans, with our handy slicer.  No 1 son, whisks up the Yorkshire Pudding batter, nobody makes Yorkshires like him…of course I’ve taught him all he knows.  No 1 daughter isn’t to keen to come into the kitchen, well when I’m in there anyway…not that I’m controlling or anything…but it is MY domain.  So she uses her creative talents, to lay the table, picking flowers from the our mountain and garden at La Rosilla, and setting place names…even though we always sit in the same space, but these little touches, always gives us our Sunday sense of occasion.  Family togetherness, memories and traditions.

 

One thing we do like to make for our lunch, is home-made stuffing, just some much tastier, healthier and delicious, than the packet type, of dried unrecognisable contents.  It’s so easy too, and all with ingredients we often have at home.  There is no hard and fast recipe to stick too, but this one I’ve made up is fab.

LEMON & HERB STUFFING.

  • 2 Good handfulls of fresh breadcrumbs,
  • mixed with the zest of 1 lemon ,
  • a handfull of fresh chopped herbs from the garden –  I used Thyme, Oregano, Parsley, Sage & rosemary.
  • Add 1 finely chopped onion and garlic that has been sauteed in a little butter until softened.
  • Add a few chopped walnuts.
  • Mix in one egg to bind slightly.  then season generously.
  • Pop in  a oven proof dish , and bake for 20 mins.

Enjoy with any roast meat, and also great eaten cold, for lunch the next day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feb18

Friday flowers and flapjacks !

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After a morning, of head down, eyes look in on my laptop, together with mundane chores, and day to day drudgery, as the sun shone and crept its way to the window, I realised life was beyond the humdrum of my dull day. So I stopped, tea in hand, and went and looked at my view. Now it is a view to die for at La Rosilla, and it works , going to look a the view, it puts a spring back in my step, when the sky is blue, the sun smiling and the scent on the breeze is sweet as honey.

So I needed a little more ‘Spring’ in my life today, I needed to shut out the things trying to get me down. So I picked tiny ‘Narcissi’ that had emerged to say hello, and popped them in my favourite cup and saucer, to give a cheery look, like petite pretty dancers, with tutus of gold.

Hyacinths, in fuchsia, bold and balmy with essence and fragrance, and lavenders, with a spice and sweetness, to calm and restore.

Little jugs of blooms, can’t fail but to bring a smile to your face.

Feeling a little restored, I needed to bake, and give us our daily bread.

So flour, yeast, seeds and herbs in hand, I kneeded and shaped my dough, and placed it in the warmth of that sun that had crept through the window, to grow and rise. Poppy seed, Rosemary and Walnut loaf, to be enjoyed fresh from the oven, with a ripe fresh goats cheese, and caramelized onion chutney.

Now just a little sweetness needed, to welcome my brood home. A family favourite recipe Natural oaty goodness of Flapjacks, unctuous mixture, good enough to eat, added a zest of a fresh picked orange, and baked for just 30 mins, to golden. Left to sit until set, but comfortingly gooey, until tiny fingers and grubby hands could wait no more. “One more please Mum” “Well they are healthy, they’ve got oats in”

Well why not it is Friday ! Enjoy yours x

So easy to make, just measure, melt and mix !

250 grams Butter

250 grams of Golden or Demerara sugar

175 grams of Golden Syrup

Melt above in the microwave for 2 mins.

Then stir in 500 grams of oats, and the zest of 1 hand picked orange (optional)

Tip into a lined baking tin, bake for 30 mins on 180 c until golden. Let sit in tin to cool slightly then mark into squares…and don’t eat them too quickly.


Feb12

My journey to living the dream !

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SIMPLY SOLANO – PART I

How magic it is when you find something, you’d forgotten about, something you’d tucked away, done nothing with, Well this has just happened to me, searching through my book case, looking for cooking inspiration as per usual…There it was.

I Recognise that cover, that scrap book..It was my journal of the Start of my “new life” in Spain Living the dream…Oh what a fascinating read…how little I knew, how naïve I was. But hey that naivety, has allowed me to live my life, oh yes there’s been ups and downs, but still sitting here I feel I can now tell the tale..

 


So I thought I’d share a few excerpts with you over time….

I call it

‘Simply Solano’

29th May 2005

2am – Harbury Warwickshire – Cold and tired, I stand a wave and anxious husband on his epic journey across Europe for the start of his new life, oh and ours but ours starts in a few days time.

Fully laddened, with more things than of course necessary, with our Shiny new trailer on tow, stuffed to the gunnels, well you never know what you may need. Dad following behind, with microwave as his passenger. They travel just for 50 meters than a huge bang ! Car at a standstill, I bound as boundy as I can, in nightdress, slippers and no bra to his aid ! The stabilising bar of the trailer had snapped off – GREAT – Unditured they set-off once more, until the next timely mishap.

I feel surreal ! He’s gone, I’m here should it begin like this ???

 

5.30am Run out of petrol !

7.00am ferry Dover – Calais

500 Miles later Tours France Overnight.

 

Monday – Tyre BLOW OUT

500 Miles later – Burgos overnight.

 

Tuesday – Madrid the ‘frying pan’ – No windscreen wipers

Sierra Nevada – Pulling trailer – 1st Gear all the way – HOLY SPIRIT FELT

Dusk-  arrived COLMENAR .

1st June

4.30am- I think I’m ready, well it’s too late now. I just need to get there. 3 sleepy children, unaware of the extent of what’s to come, pile into my brothers landy (a supporting shoulder for my Mum) – To Birmingham airport,

Adios Inglaterra – Hasta Luego.

It was a wrench to leave my Mum, she seemed alone so hollow, she’s been so great, supportive, patient, generous and strong – I shall miss her terribly.

Customs – Baby Emily (No 1 daughters Doll) got hauled, seemed a dubious weight – I tried to explain she was meant to be heavy, she was ‘lifelike’ – They didn’t seemed to be impressed, heard it all before I guess. No 1 daughter certainly wasn’t, totally mortified was an understatement – Finally after much scrutiny, baby Emily was recovered, we went on.

The flight – oh how enjoyable, don’t you just love flying with children, or is it just other passengers facial expressions, when they see 1 Mum and 3 kids sitting by them !! So 4 of us, 3 seats, baby on lap – Need I say more ?

Malaga arrivals, no trollies, no assistance, very hot – HELP

Dad and OH waiting – Where’s my airport running “movie style’ welcome ???

 

Happy to arrive – Sun’s shining on our faces…

Bring on the Vino .

 

 

 

 

Feb10

Pot full of goodness !

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I needed to go food shopping, restock, fill the cupboards, so when I opened them they would be full of inspiration, bursting with goodies, little gems, just waiting to be created into something yummy. But today was not the day to go shopping, well I’m mean I couldn’t, logistics, chores, lack of enthusiasm were all upon me.


So I knew this meant, concoct, dream up and devise from the ingredients I had, normally more than I imagine, always one to like a full larder and all that. A ‘bit of this and a bit of that ‘ supper…or as I like to call it, to the moans and groans of my family…

 

A pot full of goodness !

This generally consists of vegetables, herbs, stock, maybe a little left over meat from a roast, if I’m lucky and rich earthy lentils …That’s the part that brings on the moans and the groans.

 

So today was no different, and I’d like to share my pot full of goodness with you, feel free to amend, add, substitute anything , I’m sure you have your own pot full of goodness anyway..Go on share it !

 

 

Ingredients & Method

 

Any veg lurking in the fridge, chopped small.

I used – Carrots, celery, onion and garlic & sweet potato.

Pan fry in a large saucepan or casserole to make a sofrito, in a little olive oil.

Add your chosen cooked meat, for me the last remnants of my Christmas jamon, rich and tasty.

Then stir in Green Lentils (puy) or Lentejas Pardina in Spain, usually I put in, a cup per person and one for luck. Stir till they’re all coated with oil.

Add garden herbs, rosemary, thyme, sage all good.

Then add enough veg stock to cover.

I like to tuck in the old rind of a Parmesan, add the bottom which adds a creamy richness.

Let bubble away, enjoy the aromas..

Then serve, in warm bowls, with hunks of bread, a drizzle of Olive Oil, and a sprinkle of herbs.

Enjoy the quietness that prevails, as everyone, even the little protesters absorb the goodness.

 

 

 

 

Feb2

Mi Casa es tu Casa !

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Creating and hosting events, is one of my favourite pastimes, all the little extras, the finishing touches, I believe help create the perfect setting.  I was fortunate this week to be asked to plan and host a ‘Special’ dinner at La Rosilla, for a clients 50th Birthday, 10 guests were to arrive, and be treated to an evening full of fine food and wine, in the intimate setting of the cosy lounge, this was a true

‘Mi Casa es Tu Casa’ event.

I decorated the room with the most fragrant Mimosa, picked from the mountain, like luminous plumes of the most exotic bird, Place settings were garnished with Lavender, and Almond Blossom adorned the table, the air was perfumed with the natural aromas, of a Spanish Spring.  The entrance was lit by flickering candle light, leading the way to a night of revelry and indulgence.  The roaring fire, created the glow and warmth for a wonderful welcome.

A menu of comforting dishes was served, after canapés of Spiced Roasted red pepper dip ,and Thai Galloping Horses were enjoyed with chilled Bollinger champagne.  The finest Spanish Wines were quaffed, deep ruby reds of Ribera del Duero & Rioja, and White Albariño from Rías Baixas the colour of honey.

After deserts of  “To die for bannoffi pudding “and “Vegan Chocolate Orange cake”  Cheeses of every style, along with figs, apricots, passion fruits, walnuts and cape gooseberries, were presented to groans of “I can’t possibly eat anymore” but were eaten with delight, whilst sipping the obligatory port passed from the left.

A night of merriment and memories was had by all, and dreams of more wonderful La Rosilla evenings to come.

Thai Galloping Horses

A refreshing and piquant canapé , that looks impressive to be served with Pre-dinner drinks.

  • Pan fry 1 onion finely sliced, until dark brown in a little oil
  • add 1 tbsp of dark brown sugar, 1 tbsp of peanut butter, 1 tbsp of Soy Sauce,
  • heat until thick and glossy, then leave to cool.
  • Cut a fresh pineapple into dice of about 1 inch, and top with a tsp of the cooled onion mixture.
  • top with a sliver of red chilli, a coriander leaf and a squeeze of lime.