Hopefully we can see the end to the corruption and privilege of the HoL Labours plan is certainly worthy of debate, and appears on first site to be democratic and reflect the different regions of the country. There are still lots of questions however.
WORLD CUP 16
We have our first tasty quarter final sorted – Argentina against Netherlands. I am not sure who will win this – Argentina have Messi but the Netherlands could be the team without a real star. No team has shown consistency so far. Traditionally Brazil will be one to beat.
England again looked brilliant going forward but a bit dodgy at the back. But what a test they have coming up – France for whom Mbeppe has looked majestic and ready to take the throne of best player in the world from Messi (although Messi shows no sign of relinquishing the throne yet!). I have Croatia to beat Japan today and Brazil to beat South Korea (defeat for Brazil would be calamitous for them). Then Morocco-Spain and Portugal-Switzerland. Will this set up an Iberian quarter final?
Will we have an all European semi-finals? Or will it be Brazil and Argentina and Morocco with only one European side?
Gutted for Stirling and full praise for him returning home. But pleased that Rashford, Saka and Bellingham have stepped up to the mark – and Henderson.
Lemon ricotta cake
200 g ( 3/4 cup ) of fresh Ricotta cheese
230 g (2 cups) of all purpose flour
1 medium whole egg
150 g (1 1/2 cups) of granulated sugar
the zest of 1 organic lemon
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
8 g (1/2 tablespoon) of baking powder
powdered sugar for decoration
170C for 15 minutes
DECEMBER WEATHER
Temperatures are dropping and to looks fairly set for the next week or more. Very cold doing the papers in the morning but no frost here yet although Winscombe had frost last Thursday.
Xmas lights are now up.
BREXIT
I am fed up with talk about greater independence, sovereignty and non existent trade deals. And the leavers then try to blame the EU. We left in the economic hope that the EU would be happy to let us gain an economic advantage over them. What a surprise – they have said no! Controlling freedom of movement has meant a decline in experienced workers in this country and a labour shortage. Dealing with the EU now means red tape and increased costs. None of this is unfair or unexpected. Holiday makers complaining that they are treated like the foreigners they are and having to queue at customs.
Is there a logic in the fact that most people now believe we were wrong to leave the EU, but a majority say we should not rejoin? Is it embarrassment at the decision they made in 2016? of course the EU has many faults, but we are unlikely to be welcomed back as full members anyway – why would they. However agreeing full trade terms with them should be feasible. It would also protect the warped politics of Northern Ireland.
COOKING NUT ROAST AND APPLE CAKE
Very cold this morning with breeze from the east. Ordered new computer as this one is getting dodgy.
Apple cake on BBC good food, I added some raisins soaked in brandy!
STRIKES
When will the government stop blaming the Unions for strikes? Rail workers being told to work on their rest days and do more overtime seems rather unreasonable from a party whose members go on TV shows for a month and holiday in the Caribbean in term time! Ministers hide in Whitehall whilst stopping deals being done. Yet they make no comments about how the water companies (debt free at privatisation) have racked up nearly £60 billion of debt costing £1.5billion in debt interest. Add this to the average £2.1 billion dividend payments and inflated salaries for executives and only half of our water rates goes into providing our water/sewage and investment. Oh and 70% of profits go abroad. Privatisation or corruption?
Sage and onion twists
Makes 12-15
olive oil 50ml
red onion 1, finely chopped
bread flour 400g
fresh sage 2½ tbsp, finely chopped
black pepper ½ tsp
fast action dried yeast 1 sachet (7g)
salt 1 tsp
lukewarm water 200ml
sesame seeds 1 tbsp
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a small saucepan and fry the onion over a medium heat for 3-4 minutes until softened. Set aside to cool. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, fresh sage, black pepper, yeast and salt. Make a well in the centre, pour in the water and the remaining olive oil and stir to make a shaggy dough.
Turn the dough out on to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until the dough is soft and smooth. Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover and let the dough rise for 1½-2 hours or until doubled in size.
Once risen, turn the dough on to a lightly floured surface and use your fingertips to flatten into a rough rectangle. Pour the cooled onions on to the surface and press them into the dough. Give the dough a brief knead to incorporate all the onions – this part will be a little messy and if any onions fall out just knead them back in.
Heat the oven to 180C fan/gas mark 6. Let the dough rest on the work surface for 10 minutes before dusting a rolling pin with flour and rolling the dough out into a large rectangle, about 25cm x 35cm.
Slice the dough into thin strips about 1cm wide, take two at a time and twist them around each other. Place each twist on a baking tray, brush with a little more olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt and sesame seeds. Bake for 18-22 minutes until golden. Serve warm or at room temperature.