Friends and cats and fish and chips

I caught up with lots of friends in and around Stafford today. Say hello to three cats: Daisy, Barney and Bosworth.

All finished up with a plate of fish and chips with bestest friends in Ye Old Windmill in Gentleshaw. 

 

We spotted a deer on the drive home through Cannock Chase, magical.

Mum's the best: Nigel Slater's Lemon-Frosted Pistachio cake & Anna Wing's Cheddar Cheese and Vegetable Roast

We went to visit my parents in Stafford this weekend. Mum treated us to some lovely home cooked food, starting off with the rather brilliant Lemon-Frosted Pistachio cake from a book I got them for Christmas, Nigel Slater's The Kitchen Diaries. It was so tasty, really moist, but light.

She also treated us on arrival to a good vegetarian recipe from an old 1980's book, the Food Aid Cookery Book. It includes some recipes by celebrities, and some sent in by members of the public. Mum made Anna Wing's Cheddar Cheese and Vegetable Roast, and it was very tasty - comfort food.

The greenhouse is fixed

Finally got those panes of glass in the greenhouse that smashed in the high winds fixed, thanks Wheelie and Abbey Glass!

Walking behind a waterfall

Today I went on a trip to meet some of the people that work for the Forestry Commission in Wales, which included a trip to the Garwnant Visitor Centre, and the amazing waterfalls near the Brecon Beacons. 


I walked right underneath this one! It's called Sgwd yr Eira which means falls of snow in Welsh. It was such a brilliant experience, amazingly peaceful even though the water's so loud and powerful.

Dinner this evening: Leek and Stilton quiche from Pontyclun Delicatessen, lovely!

This evening we're off to see wonder folk Jackie Oates at the Lyceum Folk Club in Newport, it's going to be great! 

Seed swapping

I'm looking for a local potato day (to buy seed potatoes) but I can't find one. I did find 2 local seed swapping days:
25 Feb in Chapter Arts Centre - Seedy Swap
4 March in Roath Park 
but can't go to either of them! 


I might see if anyone at work wants to do one.

Two Greedy Italians: Courgette Risotto

This evening I made Courgette Risotto (Risotto con fiori di zucchini - without the courgette flowers!) from the Two Greedy Italians book (which accompanied the Antonio Carluccio and Genaro Contaldo TV series). It was ok, a bit bland but I added parsley which helped the flavour. The recipe says it needs two litres of stock, but that's far too much. I also added dry vermouth, a la Jamie Oliver's risotto recipe. 

Fresh rocket pesto

Tonight I made rocket pesto from this BBC Good Food recipe. It's very quick and easy to make, a simple fresh meal (seeing as I had leftover curry for lunch).


Take some rocket:

Add pine nuts:

A clove of garlic:

Blend together, adding some olive oil:

Add cheese (I used grana padano):

Mix with the pasta:

And it's done.

There's even some left over to put in a pot for another meal!