GREEN SEASONING

Just seen this in Food Weekly, Observer from The Pepperpot Diaries.

2 sprigs thyme,10g fresh bay leaves, small bunch parsley,small bunch coriander,4 spring onions, 10 cloves peeled garlic, green chilli to add heat, 6 mini sweet peppers, 1/2. white onion, 400ml cold pressed rape seed oil, s and p. Whizz and enjoy!

ECONOMICS

I have long argued that this subject is not based on fundamental truths – the rules change at the will of the main players. Proper subjects exist in an interconnected world which includes the science and maths, but also the environment, social aspects, demography, urban/rural, health,transport networks, etc.etc.. Economics as practised by modern day hedge funds, corporations, bankers, only exists as a means to make a profit. Hedge funds £2 billion ontrading grain and soya beans after the Ukraine crisis, an oil trader paying out £billion to 300 employees due to the same crisis. Firms that fund the tories making millions on PPE during the Covid episode. Supermarkets making large profits and paying out to shareholders amd management staff due to inflation.

RACISM AND POLITICS

Braverman is being criticised from senior tories forracist comments. About time, but the Conservative and Nationalist Party is, and always has been, the home for those with racist and nationalistic tendencies (and misogeny). In the past Enoch Powell thought he had the support of the nation, or at least the party, to make his “Rivers of blood speech” – fortunately he was dismissed from the Cabinet double sharp. Todays tories have to counter the attractions of Farage, Brirain First, UKIP and others. So Sunak is not brave enough to call out the inherent racism of traditional tories but panders to the diatribes of Braverman and others.

CITIES

When the government abolished the GLC it thought it was a money saving (and anti-Labour thing. However it lost the opportunity to plan for the future in a wholistic manner. transport for London may be able to plan the transport element reasonably successfully but what about the rest? A report today outlines the fall in student numbers across the inner boroughs. Demography and socio-econmoc geography has obviously been ignored in favour of free market economics. Schools are being shut and turned into flats for the wealthy.

LEARNING

James O’Brien Show today discussed a Manchester University report that time spent with children aged 7-11 had little difference on educational achievement, whilst wealth and parents achievement had a greater impact.

HARTLEPOOL SYNDROME

You know, the one where the people of Hartlepool supposedly tried, found guilty and hung a poor monkey for being a French spy. It seems that the Conservative Party is relying on their supporters being similarly stupid and ignorant. From Raab possibly facing contempt of court charges, Braverman lying about child grooming gangs (on a day when 20+ white English males were convicted of child grooming, to tje various lies told on TV every morning by patsies doing the studio rounds with rehearsed answers (regardless of the questions.

STARMER

Personally I am not too sure about him. He seems to be doing a lot of the right things but lacks socialist ideals as a target. I realise he cannot make huge spending commitments as the tories have screwed the economy, but he could make commitments to the public service unions that he will get them back to 2010 parity asap. The Government finds the money for things when it wants too. Public services boost the health of the nation, physically and mentally. There are efficiencies that can be made across the board. e.g. Education – abolish OFSTED (saving £136 million p.a. – but use £30 million to support schools that have problems (80% of schools are good or better – so why waste money inspecting them?). I am sure the same is true of the NHS.

ELECTIONS

Local elections are looming and the Conservatives are campaigning on small boats and transgender issues – neither of which actually affect anymore than a tiny proportion of voters. So it is like a penalty in football with no goalie. But somehow Labour manage to avoid issues that actually affect all – like rising cost of living, energy bills, rising cost of mortgages and rents. No they chose law and order which, unless you believe the garbage that is the Daily Mail, Telegraph, Express, Sun again affects only a few – readers of those papers will never vote Labour anyway! Starmer is also a sitting target for the Tories due to his time as Director of Public Prosecutions. We know the tories do not respect the law, and will dig out lies about his time.

POLITICS

Have Labour descended into the sewer too? The sentiments about adults sexually attacking children is maybe one to bring up in discussion, but to personally attack Sunak like this is awful. The whole topic of the law and sexual affences needs a huge debate. You are 99% more likely to be fined for entering a bus lane than committing rape. However incompetent the government is (and no one is thinking they have plumbed the depths of Mordor yet!), one expects the Labour Party to be above sleaze and corruption and show not a little morality, but a party where morality is its fundamental foundation.

SWEDISH SAFFRON CAKE

Ingredients

  • ▢ 1 & 3/4 sticks butter (200 grams/7 ounces), unsalted; plus more for greasing the pan
  • ▢ 1/2 cup + 4 tbsp milk (150 ml)
  • ▢ 1/4 tsp saffron
  • ▢ 1 & 2/3 cups flour (240 grams), plus more for dusting the pan
  • ▢ 2 tsp baking powder
  • ▢ 2 medium eggs
  • ▢ 1 cup sugar (235 grams)
  • ▢ powdered sugar, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  • Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F).
  • Grease your cake pan with butter and dust it lightly with flour.
  • Combine milk and butter in a small saucepan and let the butter melt over low heat.
  • Remove the saucepan from the heat, then add saffron and mix — set aside.
  • Sift and combine flour and baking powder in a medium-sized bowl.
  • In a separate (larger) bowl, combine eggs and sugar.
  • Use a hand mixer and mix until you it gets pale in color.
  • Add the flour and baking powder.
  • Pour the cooled butter, milk, and saffron.
  • Mix the batter — just enough to combine everything.
  • Pour the saffron cake batter into the prepared cake pan.
  • Tap the pan on the countertop to get rid of bubbles.
  • Place the cake pan in the lower part of the oven for about 35 to 40 minutes, or when a toothpick comes out clean when inserted.
  • Set aside to cool, then dust with powdered sugar.
  • Slice your Swedish saffron cake and serve. Dust with more powdered sugar, if desired.