Category: Cooking

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SEPTEMBER

Has definitely crept upon us. Trees begining to turn their leaves brown as they recall nutrients from their outer limits. Even the tomatoes are on go slow. It was chilly this morning having a shower and for the first time in months I had to close the bathroom window.

I am waiting with bated breath to find out what the standards advisor reports later today. If guilty as charged it will be like finding out that Mother Teresa was a former Nazi guard, gary Lineker hates crisps and the world actually is flat!

I will get back to preparing pickled shallots – an excuse for crying!

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DOMESTICS

I was thinking about an attack on the garden – gloves on, secateurs ready – then I noticed a caterpillar on the nettle I was about to attack! – so gloves off and I will wait another couple of weeks.

So instead I put some lamb to marinade with garlic, lemon, cinnamon and herbs and salt. A Felicity Cloake recipe for kleptiko. I might go and get some shallots to pickle tomorrow, and thus strawberries for jam too. The weather is turning so it will give me something to do! Well I could try cleaning? Nah! Coconut cookies with strawberry jam appeals to my creative spirit! And then maybe soak raisins or sultanas in brandy and make some xmas style cookies?

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BBC APOLOGISES

For not calling Robert Jenrick an absolute prick? Nothing more to say!

Whilst calling out pricks – Trump, Putin and possibly Zelenskyy. Netanyahu and his cabinet colleagues must be included together with all involved in Sudan and wars elsewhere. Starmer and Lammy have applications for the pricks club pending!

Enough negativity – it rained last night (a little) and the sun is shining. So time for another list – todays are favorite kitchen condiments and I have tried an approximate order!

Sea salt – rainbow pepper corns – chillie flakes – coriander – cumin- mixed herbs (although I have fresh most of the year, rosemary, sage, marjoram, thyme, basil))- cinnamon- bay – za’atar – cloves – paprika. I seem to collect many others that are rarely used too! Actually the 3-10 positions change with the seasons and my taste buds!

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COMFORT FOODS

What are the UK’s most popular comfort foods. i.e. ones we turn to when we want a quick and easy ‘nice’ meal. So here goes; quickest and easiest are beans on toast or cheese on toast or both! A little more effort is spat bol or pasta tuna mayo. I will often turn to a can of tomato soup with added pepper, then there is a bacon sandwich with egg, mushrooms and tomatoes and even fried onion. If more time there is the baked potato with cheese and then possibly roast chicken. And a quick if out and about – a baguette with dairy lea spread with fingers! Out and about preference would be a pasty. This list needs sorting! Beef stew is a late addition!

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PRICKS ALL AROUND!

First off Robert Jenprick – stating that ‘We MUST protect our children!’ warns Robert Jenrick as Britain’s women and girls ‘endangered by migrant crisis’. What a prick! There is a crisis in our society and it is caused by pricks like him. Domestic violence is rife in areas that support right wing aggressors. So RJ – my advice to you is to shut the fuck up until you have something positive and sensible to say. I guess we have a long wait … striped paint anyone??

Next up is Yvette Cooper – Minister for Israel and wasting police time. I am not a supporter of Palestine Action or some of their activities. But when did it become an offence to make and display a cardboard poster with I oppose genocide on it? The is an ass! I suspect that many of the more than 400 arrests will be challenged in the courts, thus screwing the judicial system even more, and for longer. We have more than enough laws in the UK that can be used against activities deemed to be against society. Even slow walking is an offense, but invoking the Terrorism Act with upto 14 years in jail – is beyond ridiculous. I suspect that most people were protesting, peacefully and quietly against the gross cowardise of our government against the genocide in Gaza, the continued supply of weapons and the continued non-recognition of the state of Palestine. Arresting people for having more compassion and bravery is bordering on fascism. And a Labour Government. The Police have better things to do than wheel and assist pensioners into the meat wagons!

TBH – I sometimes wonder why I was pleased to see the back of the nasty Party. There was something fulfilling about opposing the dreadful last government. But when hope and optimism disappear we are left with dispare. There are good people in the Labour Party – still. Angela Raynor is OK, Ed. Milliband too. and a few others of lower profile. But the cosying up to Israel and the USA of Trump and Vance is distasteful – like sicking up a mouthful of bile before propelling it into the toilet! The Labour Minister for the homeless having to resign due to exploiting tenants. Same old Westminster crap.

And Badencunt and Jenprick repeat the same old crap – what did they actually do whilst in power? Labour are enabling the immediate deportation of offenders – there may be civil rights issues here, but why did the tories not only do FA about it, but increaed immigration to record levels? Can we also see the voting records of those wet wipes going over to Reform?

Nice weather – although main water butt has run dry. Just oicked mulberries – but only a few; Pickled beetroot made and a fresh pineapple cookie. Next up is bbq spring onion wrapped in streaky bacon.

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GARDEN AND COOKING click on underlined for recipes!

I was given some beetroot – so will pickle some. my mulberries are nearly ready – jam? I am not sure I will have enough? Tomatoes are still doing well – Martin and Holly round tomorrow so they can fill their boots! i ought to dry herbs whilst the weather is good. Mints, thyme, sage, oregano and rosemary are all doing well. And roses – could I make rosewater for use in baking? I have lots of roses, and could I grow some from the hips?

I ought to make some more ciabatta and some lemonade with strawberries and ginger and mint – I might add a little stevia to sweeten if necessary.

Farm shop also had pickling onions on sale – so, whilst it is a bit early I will make some soon. I will also get some labels printed – not sure what yet? JamJams pickled onions? I have given up on picalilli after 3 years of failure!

I think now is the time to put the transfers on my apples – I will peel them off in 6/7 weeks and have apples with bespoke initials on them – cool. I might even get inventive and be rude!

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FUCK ISRAEL

So they are having a limited pause to allow aid to be brought in – Is that before they start shooting children again? Starmer is recaalling the Cabinet – I hope it is not just to whip them into line – Palestine needs to be recognised NOW! he is also having a meeting with the war criminal Trump, let us hope he gets off his knees and stands up to the bully.

Police brutality? So a man walking home from his allotment is reported as having a knife, and the police quite correctly apprehend him – maybe with a little too much force. However rather than examine his story, and the fact that the Niwaki blade was sheathed, they took him to the police station, denied him a solicitor (they claimed one was nat available). He was only released after admiting possession of an offensive weapon and was released with a caution. What happened to common sense? Do people in Manchester regularly walk the streets with a tool belt with gardening items looking for a fight? FM! he even had a trug of produce with him!

Whilst on the subject of police brutality Dale Vince has called for a public inquiry into the “Battle of the Beanfield”. I am not sure a public inquiry is necessary we all know that the police went over the top – police paid out £24000 in damages and it was definitely a political act. 530 new age travellers were heading for Stonehenge and were attacked by the police. having said this I also believe the police have an unenviable job dealing, for the most part, with the dregs of society and the mentally disturbed. It has long been my assertion that the police should be allowed a free meal at any school at lunch time. They should avoid McDonalds and Burger King etc. Sitting down with students for a civilised chat would do wonders for community relations, be good’ish for their health and pockets (dinner would be free). They could be seen, and see, normal people in a relaxed situation. is this what the ‘bobby on the beat’ used to do in the past before they got tooled up in their cars with go faster stripes and lights? Cost nothing: Benefits potentially huge. And if they smell canabis they should ignore it – the strip searching of teenage girls should be treated for what it is -paedophilia !

Climate disasters continue anabated across southern Europe this summer. Huge wildfires are devastating Greece, mainland and islands; and Turkiye. The deputy mayor of Kythhera made an interesting statement which was not noted in the UK Press – he said ‘Everything, from houses, beehives (too) olive trees had been burnt”. In the UK we would mention possessions and tec devices, not wildlife and the ecosystem.

And for those with a surplus of runner beans a recipe.

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INFLATION

Inflation up due to fuel and food prices. On both counts the BBC fails to give the full picture. Fuel prices fluctuate with the international market. Until we have Net Zero or near we will continue to suffer from surges in price. Food prices are subject to the vagaries of climate change. Cocoa and coffee have been particularly affected. The impact of the war in Ukraine is also hitting many foods such as grains. In yesterdays Guardian Simon Jenkins was banging on about wind turbines on the Pennines – whilst I agree that the impact should be kept as low as possible there are consequences to our ever increasing demand for energy and consumer goods. the poor working for minimum wage do not have the luxury of the landscape of the Pennines – also the area was polluted during the industrial revolution and “the dark satanic mills”! Wind farms are not particularly ugly and may have a limited impact on wildlife – but are cleaner than the emissions from fossil fuel burning.

If we went to war tomorrow, whatever the reason, factories across the land would start producing weapons of destruction – the money to fund them would be found instantly. I suggest something similar for the climate emergency. Factories making solar panels should be started, wind turbines located in all coastal and upland regions where appropriate. Also – why the huge wind turbines – how about garden ones, and water turbines where appropriate. Insulation provided free or at low cost.

But more importantly is the mind set. Products should be made to last. begining to ramble now! Yesterday a European politician said that tariffs would mean the end to transAtlantic trade. I am sure he was refrring to the USA as Canada is a source of flour and maple syrup! But that would be a good thing generally? I doubt there is much produced in the USA that could not be made in Europe. Unhealthy breakfast cereals would be the first to go. Right I am going to make cheese straws – cheddar cheese, local flour, homegrown basil and dried tomatoes.

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ATTACK MODE

Ed Miliband has got it correct. The way to deal with the climate deniers is to face them head on with facts. The government should also do this with migration, pensions and many other topics – but start slowly.

The facts about climate change/warming are indisputable, even with the petrocompanies pumping millions into false scientific reports. Net zero will not happen overnight, unfortunately, and may come with an initial cost – but like my solar panels (7 years and I was in profit- so maybe 8 if I had taken out a loan). Yes the grid infrastructure will need reform and renewal at a huge cost. But once done, and with onshore wind and a solar subsidy for individuals we can make a difference that will not only save pounds but lives too.

Whilst my neighbours cut their lawns to the roots, and spray them with insecticide, my garden goes from strength to strength. Sage and thyme and rosemary are established and going strong, the yellow rose is brilliant but the others are taking their time. Lovage is good and te mints are struggling. However self seeded fennel, evening primrose and chicory are doing fine. The hanging baskets are also blooming. Regarding insects – lots of hover flies and some bees, butterflies – lots of small skippers (must be breeding?) and whites. No others yet despite the buddliea growing rampant at the back, and numerous nettles. Lots of ladybirds at the moment. I have stopped feeding the birds at the moment as the bird food was sprouting due to lack of interest! i will start in the late autumn again.

I have just had to tie back the fennel and evening primrose so the postman can get to the front door! I fight a constant battle with grass and brambles – but regarding the latter – I am leaving some to produce blackberries. My mulberries are rippening and should be ready latter next week – they do not transport well so will need to be picked and eaten!

So we are going to get some rain? A rain bomb is a possibility? What is a rain bomb? Not something that was around when I was teaching meteorology, but basically a torrential downpour associated with a thunderstorm. Most of the houses shown inundated with flood water are recent builds?

Just going to make cheese straws with sun dried tomatoes, basil, mustard, pepper and sprinkled with parmesan! No recipe so fingers crossed! Oh, just remembered to add garlic! Or is it to much?

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AWFUL

I am constantly surprised by just how bad the government were. NHS waiting lists; migration figures; water company negligence; education in a mess; housing crisis; the legal system; prisons. Just what were they doing?

Will Labour be any better or is it the system? First signs are not great. Has anything noticably changed for the better? Winter fuel payment fiasco; benefits cuts; inertia about water supply. The overall consensus is that we are getting more of the same ineptitude. Pandering to the RWPress and failing at every step with new policies. I do not want to hear about the multi billion black hole left bybthe tories. I want to hear about reform of just about everything. Every government department should be tasked with how they are going to revolutionise their policies within the budget restraints. I do not expect to agree with all of them, but a vision of the future is needed, fast. Starmer seems proficient at international relations which is a huge improvement on the past 15 years

Domestic news – my nextdoor neighbour was spraying weed killer on dandelions in her lawn. I hope the poison does not affect the growing number of insects in my jungle. She is fighting a never ending battle as my garden cherishes dandelions and the chicory, evening primrose and fennel are spreading! My roses are also looking good – hopefully they will grow in size over the next year to become fully fledged bushes. I might get some more in the autumn. I have red x2, white x2, yellow x2, white x3, purple x1 and orangex1. I also have a mallow that has appeared in the back lawn! i am cutting the sky rockets on my apple tree – I know it is not the time stated – but it feels right to me! Sage is escaping and rosemary and oregano is doing well, as is my lemon mint by the patio.

I might make some cheese straws with crushed pepper, basil and sun dried tomatoes later. I watered the hanging baskets at 5.30am this morning but may have to do them again later.