Rub a dub dub, thanks for the grub

Spud chitting

2011-02-24T14:00:00.001Z

These little beauties are 'chitting' on my windowsill. Varieties are: Pink Fir Apple (salad) and Red Duke of York (maincrop).

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Penwerris Terrace,Falmouth,United Kingdom

General Store

2010-11-19T14:44:00.004Z

I think I could pretty much buy everything in this shop quite happily (if I were loaded)

London

2010-11-19T14:33:00.002Z

This is nice.

Festive bunting

2010-11-12T14:53:00.002Z

Liking this Bunting from the Toast catalogue. Am thinking it might be good to make some for Christmas decorations this year.

Quilt love

2010-11-11T11:48:00.003Z

Am really loving this neon-edged, crazy-angled quilt.

Mylor Oyster Festival

2010-03-26T10:49:00.002Z

Mylor Oyster Festival this weekend - celebrating the last weekend of the native oysters season. Camel Valley and Skinners will have a bar there too, nice.

A good read

2010-02-21T09:21:00.005Z

I love nothing more than a good book - I can literally put my life on hold until one is finished, should circumstances allow me to do so. A good bookshop can be one of the most soothing environments around; especially ones such as the Broadway Bookshop or Falmouth Bookseller.

So, am completely loving these editions that I came across this morning, via this blog. It's just a shame that it's in Swedish. From what I can gather they're from Penguin, but any Scandos out there able to translate for me?

Furthermore, have just found Twitterature, The World's Greatest Books in Twenty Tweets or Less. Clever, concise reading, or gimmick? Reminds me of the Reduced Shakespeare Company.

*** Have since found them. Called the 'Clothbound Classics' they are available here.

The love of a good shed

2010-01-28T14:35:00.001Z

I bought this as part of David's Christmas present last year (just gone, that is) as I thought it would appeal to his love of a good workshop. I guess it was kind of one of those presents that you buy for someone, but would equally quite like to keep it for yourself too.

It's a beautiful book, filled with Nigel Peake's illustrations and drawings of assorted sheds, shacks and workshops, along with the odd poem and essay. He also has some lovely prints and things for sale here, although I actually got the book from here.

Bread of distinction

2010-01-27T16:27:00.004Z

I am a very lucky girl. Not only do I live within 2 minutes walk of the awesome bakery Stones, but today they gave me some starter for sourdough bread. For free. Because they're nice like that.

And, it's not just any starter either, as theirs was originally given to them in 1983, by none other than the peeps of Moro. I figure that means that my new starter (or Mother, if you're rather) has aristocratic heritage. I will continue to feed it using this recipe from St John. Will post details of first loaf in a few days...

Today I saw

2010-01-26T13:18:00.000Z

I've blogged about Today I Saw before, and rightly so, it's a lovely little project. This is different though, as this postcard, pictured above, arrived in the post for me the other day. Big thank you Jill, I love it.

Grow Your Own - Update

2010-01-25T13:10:00.000Z

Growing in my garden right now: Broad Beans, Peas, Rainbow Chard, Lettuce, Garlic, French Tarragon, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Red Cabbage, Ruby Pak Choi, Chives, Thyme, Rosemary and Sage.

Seeds that arrived from the Heritage Seed Library yesterday: Carrot (Beta III), Pea (Clarke's Beltony Blue), Leek (Coloma), Pepper (Nardello), Lettuce (Bronze Arrow - particularly resistant to slugs, I'm told), Tomato (Auntie Madge's), and last but not least, my lucky dip packet: Tomato (Salt Spring Sunrise).

I'm hoping we'll eat very well this summer

Cubelight Lamp

2010-01-24T13:03:00.004Z

Loving this little fella, 'Cubelight' by Fagerström & Abrahamsson.

Found on emma's designblog

advice

2010-01-15T17:48:00.000Z

Have signed up to become a 'compost mentor'. If you are in Cornwall or online and have a question - let me know. I will try my best.

Broccoli from Trafalgar Square, anyone?

2010-01-14T11:42:00.002Z

Really excellent to hear about this idea from Clitheroe in Lancashire. I've been wondering for a while why the open space surrounding the estates of East London are not better used to service areas which are sometimes recognised as food deserts. So good to see someone finally putting it into practice...

I've been thinking for a while that this would be a particularly beneficial way of re-engaging the community in areas of socio-economic deprivation. One such project already in existence is the 'friends of arnold circus', where they have taken control of council-owned areas in the estate to grow food and veg. Find out more about volunteering.

In the meantime, I'll be keeping a close eye on this project. It could work well as a model for other areas of the country.

Thanks Lynn for the link.

The Real Seed Catalogue

2010-01-12T12:43:00.005Z

You may have heard of these chaps before, I hadn't. Anyhoo... have been turning my mind to thinking about what I'm going to grow in the garden this year. Last year was a bit of a warm-up, we only really got here at the beginning of August, and I'd misplaced my best gardening book (which, I can't recommend enough, by the way). So, I've listed out all of the seeds that I've bought and collected over the years, which seemed to be a lot more than I'd thought, but had some real holes in it, as I've recently discovered. Plentiful are the summer sunshine-loving regulars such as tomatoes, peppers and herbs; non-existent are the winter stalwarts such as broccoli or cabbage. How on earth I thought we'd survive on a couple of mizuna and rocket plants, I have no idea, but next (read: this) year we should now be able to look forward to a more productive year - all year.

Sadly then, I just came across the Real Seed Catalogue this morning, having ordered all other things last night (via Garden Organic and Suffolk Herbs). Based in Wales, they have been collecting rare and heirloom varieties of vegetables and herbs since 1990, and actively promote the saving of your own seeds - supplying a 'how to' with each packet of seeds bought. Don't know about you, but I quite fancy trying some of their chilli peppers...

Sorry about size of pic above by the way... all their pics are tiny.

I made you a beard

2009-11-12T16:04:00.000Z

Love this shop: I made you a beard

Wish I'd known about it when hunting for my outfit for George's recent party, although I think the one I scored was pretty rad :)

Fire & Knives

2009-11-11T14:49:00.000Z

Love the look of this new foodie mag Fire & Knives. A subscription would make a great present for Christmas (ahem!)

When in Flushing...

2009-11-10T17:26:00.000Z

stop off here and have a beer. It's lovely.

ps - the food's pretty good too.

A good race and the best oysters known to humanity

2009-11-09T17:30:00.005Z

or at least David and I at any rate. Last Thursday we took part in the final race of the season on board Moon (pictured above). I've been racing on her all summer, and can honestly say it's been a complete joy. God only knows what I'm going to do over the next 6 months until racing resumes.

Anyway, I digress... The last race is called the Silver Oyster race, and has two classes - one for the normal racing working boats, and the other for the actual dredging boats. I am happy to say that we won, although with only one other boat in our class and a super racing mastermind on-board it was a somewhat hollow victory. Racing commenced at 10 in the morning, and with this now out of the way we swiftly got on with the order of the day - drinking. Luckily empty stomachs were abated with a delivery of hot pasties and a cool box full of fresh Falmouth oysters, courtesy of Ranger.

I can honestly say (and I'm not alone here) that they were the best oysters I've ever eaten. Natives, rather than Pacific oysters are definitely my faves, and these did not disappoint. They tasted absolutely of the sea, and were a perfect accompaniment to the day's celebration. Please support Ranger by visiting his site. All oysters are dredged, cleaned and delivered all by him and his crew, from the last wild oyster beds in Cornwall.

Today I Saw

2009-11-09T17:21:00.001Z

This is simply lovely.

Things I like 31.10.09

2009-10-31T15:34:00.000Z

Badges designed by Shen Plum. Available here, via badge review.

Hoodies and Christmas

2009-10-30T09:27:00.003Z

Have started making things for Christmas (am I allowed to say that word yet?). Anyway, have started with this little hooded jacket for Rita. It's using a Debbie Bliss pattern from this book and made with 'Rooster' from here. I definitely recommend starting out with knitting for little people if you're not used to patterns - makes it far less soul destroying when things go wrong, you have to unravel and start again!

Open season

2009-10-01T17:17:00.004Z

Today is the first day of the oyster (dredging) season, hurrah. Pictured above are two of the Falmouth Working Boats; the only fleet of oyster dredgers allowed to use wind or manpower for dredging oysters.

Bring on the festival: 15 - 18 October 2009

A little tip from me to you

2009-09-29T13:08:00.002Z

Last night I had the most amazing roast lamb ever to pass my lips - the flavour was quite something, even surpassing that from my old butcher on Broadway market. So if you happen to live in the Falmouth area then lucky you! Said lamb comes from Nancarrow Organic Farm, situated halfway between Perranporth and Truro, but you can buy it from the farmers market ever Tuesday in Falmouth, and Saturday in Truro.

Nancarrow Farm
Marazanvose
Cornwall
TR4 9DQ

01872 540343

Sloe Gin

2009-09-25T12:42:00.003Z

Oh yes.. I have been busy. Over the past couple of weeks I have spent a couple of days picking things in the local hedgerows. These mainly consisted of blackberries, which now seem to be coming to their end, wild rosehips, and of course, sloes. I have never attempted to make sloe gin before, and was slightly dismayed to learn that it's best enjoyed some 18 months after making. Still, I keep telling myself that if I make a couple of bottles, I'll be able to save one to sample next year.

If you are thinking of doing this and haven't before, let me first tell you in no uncertain terms that the blackthorn bush is a ferocious brute, that does not part easily with its wares. As long as you are aware of that, then fine, as it seems to have escaped everyone's mention wherever I looked for information. All bushes are covered in thorn over an inch long, you'll often find the best berries are sitting smugly right at the top of the bush, completely out of reach, and in my case, also perched on the edge of a precarious cliff top. My god this had better be worth it.

I have included a recipe below but would like to add one further point on my research. It seems that many people pick the sloes, then prick them all over with a fork before placing inside a large jar or bottle. Apparently, whilst this is an acceptable way of making sloe gin, it does not produce the best. Ideally you should wait for the first frost, helping to break the berries down (and also prevent the arse of going through the prep of pricking them). However, if this is not possible - as this year they are all out quite early - then place in the freezer overnight before making the gin as usual. Minus the pricking, of course.

Makes about 1 litre

450g sloes, frosted or pricked
450g sugar
600ml gin

Place the sloes into a large clean jar or bottle. Pour over the sugar, follwed by the gin. Close the container securely (and do not scrimp here, I have bought an inferior model it would seem, and now have gin all over my kitchen) and give a good shake to mix up the ingredients. Shake this daily for the following week - it helps incorporate the sugar and to release the sloe juice. After that shake once a week for 8-10 weeks.

Once the sloes have instilled their flavour in the gin pour through a fine sieve and bottle. I now double dare you to resist leaving one to enjoy in 18 months time. Others feel free to glug as soon as you get the Christmas mood.

In my garden

2009-09-23T12:11:00.006Z

In moving to Cornwall I have had the good luck of obtaining a garden. I like to call it (albeit affectionately) 'The Scrubland'. As you can guess from such a name, much of it is bare earth right now, with some plants, some herbs, and an on-going battle with the local weeds (of which there are a variety). It's been really exciting to get a relatively large patch for a new-comer such as myself, and of course, because we're only renting it's always hard to weigh up the cost and effort required to make it really nice with a wonder of how long we'll actually be there. But y'know, it's going well. It's blessed with amazing soil, as has been the local compost dumping ground for the surrounding flats for the past few years. Already I seem to have a few friends doing well, and I'm pleased to say that the bees seem just as keen as I am.

Already from this I have managed to make two batches of herb and ricotta ravioli, to remind me of sunnier times in the winter, plus we're now enjoying our own salads regularly. I'm hoping I might even get some fruit and jam out of it next summer. Wish us luck, I'll keep you updated.

Echium
(if all goes to plan, when this flowers next year it could be up to 15ft tall!)

Organic Fortnight

2009-09-05T10:33:00.001Z

Starts today. Get involved :)

Blackberry Season

2009-09-02T10:36:00.003Z

If you're in London then this isn't going to be news for you - but down here in Cornwall we're only just coming into the season now. Blackberries are brilliant, and what's better - they're free, and they're everywhere! Chock full of antioxidants and Vitamin C they are super good for you - I plan to go out and start collecting today... yum :)

Bramble Jelly Recipe

I'm a bit crap

2009-08-25T21:21:00.004Z

After all... it's the summer holidays, I've not worked since mid-July and yet I've only managed a paltry two blog-posts. Still, to show what I have been doing I've included a pic of my mate's boat mid-race. We'd just over-taken him ;)

The great Charlie Harper

2009-08-23T21:16:00.002Z

I have only now discovered the work of the late Charlie Harper... and by a craft shop wouldn't you know? Check out some of the illustrator's awesome work here (you can get posters for about $50). Seeings as I don't have a job right now I'm having a hard time trying to justify such a purchase (I've got my eye on 'Harper, Harper, Harper'), but I'd definitely like to put one of these needlepoint kits on my Christmas list this year.

Wendy Brandon, I salute you

2009-07-21T11:05:00.003Z

Your Greengage Jam is sublime.

Hmmm Ercol

2009-07-19T18:43:00.003Z

Mmmm... I'm pining for this Ercol bench to go in my new flat. Better find a job first, hey?

On the move...

2009-07-18T13:08:00.003Z

Hmm... that's annoying. Didn't mean to include the shop's logo. Still, have just purchased one of these prints to go on the walls of our new flat in Falmouth... in the mist of packing with the cricket on in the background.

If you'd like one yourself you can purchase one here - surprise surprise, at twentytwentyone ;)

Biscuits are a girl's best friend

2009-06-16T18:20:00.004Z

Oh yes indeedy - who needs silly old diamonds anyway? Now how to drop the hint to my class that I'd like to receive these lovely ones from Biscuiteers instead of a box of Roses at the end of term? Hmm...

tip off came from the lovely Greg

More on camping

2009-06-16T14:24:00.000Z

I am totally obsessed with these tents at the moment. I want one, pure and simple. And I don't think I'll shut up about it until I've got one. Hmph.

Cold at night

2009-06-15T14:14:00.000Z

I meant to post about this a week or so ago, but things have been a little odd lately, y'know how it is. Anyway, over half term we went for camping for a few days at Fforest, near to Cardigan in Wales - and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Tents are well spaced out (no more than 8 tipis in one field, spaced around the edge), and include a wood-burning stove - making it definitely not coldatnight, as their url suggests. Additionally you get your own kitchen area, there's a Cedar Barrel Sauna in the woods, films shown at night, fresh breakfast is included... I could go on.

Anyway, as it was (kind of) for my birthday I had the additional bonus of an Ottolenghi meringue (thanks Tash!) to tuck into when I arrived. How smug am I?

Gooseberry & Elderflower Jam vs School Reports

2009-06-14T11:55:00.003Z

Always good to get side-tracked productively, and with 28 school reports to write, who can blame me? I look forward to trying this jam later on :)

recipe available, if anyone's interested, let me know.

Doin' it for the kids

2009-06-04T21:39:00.004Z

Ok Beddard, it's a while since you've had a rant, so here we go. Deep breath, I'm getting a good run up...

As a young child I was pretty interested in cooking. However. And it's a big however. My experience of cooking was this: making bread with a friend's mum (she volunteered) = awesome; designing a hot drink for 16 OAPs at 20p a head = big time suck; costing up my prize-winning brownies for a production line = bigger suck.

Why is it, that despite the whole 'obesity epidemic' the government just don't seem to get the fact that we're not educating kids to love and care about the food they eat. Somewhere along the line simple cooking turned into home economics, which then became 'food technology' in the 1990's.

If you supply kids with the following brief (as I was today in a teacher training session led by an LEA expert) all you will do is turn them off food for quite some time: Design a mid-day meal for 54 OAPs on a coach day-trip to Margate during a cold winter. It should be nutritious, and cost no more than 75p per head. There are no special dietary requirements.

Yipee. As an adult on the receiving end of this I could hardly even be bothered to work out the total budget, let alone argue the nutritional value of mash vs pasta. Is it just me, or is this exactly the kind of thing that puts you off cooking? I certainly received briefs like this during secondary school - and remember it shaping my attitude towards cooking and the food I ate. Until I was 18 and moved out of home, my entire cooking repertoire consisted of chocolate brownies and tuna pasta salad. Only, there isn't even any salad in TPS!

What's wrong with teaching kids how to cook? Things they like - for themselves! Surely you have to foster a love of cooking for themselves before you start worrying them with what a fucking coach-load of OAPs might want to eat for lunch, no?

Ok, big breath, rant over.

The Big Outdoors

2009-05-03T13:13:00.003Z

It's sad to learn that less than 10% of children get to play in natural places such as woodlands, as reported by the Field Studies Council.

I never got round to saying anything about it, but about a month ago I went on a school journey to stay at the Magdalen Project on the Dorset, Somerset border. It's an amazing place, "encouraging children and adults to learn new skills, enjoy new experiences and develop a greater understanding of the countryside and a more sustainable approach to life." Girls whom previously drew hearts on absolutely everything, suddenly became obsessed with jumping in 'squishy mud', preferably falling into it if at all possible. And many of them, I realised, had never experienced true darkness - something of an impossibility coming from inner London. It was a real eye-opener to say the least.

With all this in mind, I am more excited than ever to be moving back to Cornwall - where I'll get to camp out at the place pictured above as often as I like through the summer holidays. I hope that in my new school there will be ways to fit as much of the outdoors as possible into the National Curriculum. Fingers crossed.

How rad...?

2009-04-20T16:33:00.000Z

Check out this cool book-making tutorial from the Small Object. I would be super excited to receive such a lovely box of books as a present - what a lucky nephew :)

A thing of beauty

2009-04-17T14:07:00.003Z

I like this a lot - I love my stove. Just imagine how you'd feel if you'd built your own!
From Ben Lepley - check out the rest of the pics of his studio - awesome.

A busy day

2009-04-14T16:49:00.003Z

Made today, in no particular order:
Soda Bread
Grilled mackerel with sweet potato pickle and mint yoghurt (from Ottoloenghi : The Cookbook)
Hummus

And maybe some macaroons, if I can be bothered...

And things I have admired:
Mieke Willems
TapeSwell
Present and Correct (have I blogged about them before? I can't remember)

Escape from the city

2009-03-19T22:34:00.002Z

I've been away here on a school journey. It was rad. Will report tomorrow when I can keep my eyes open.

Another knitting project, perhaps?

2009-03-14T12:50:00.002Z

This is also rather nice... shame it looks as though spring has sprung! Still, there's always next year.

I heart Kaari

2009-03-14T11:54:00.004Z

I have lately been obsessing about this jumper, which just seems to be popping up everywhere right now. I've been particularly dreaming about knitting it up in some lovely navy blue yarn, achieving a sort of 'fishing's-in-my-blood' kinda look. Strange, I know...

Anyway, if interested, it is unfortunately hard to get hold of here, however can be found in the ever-fabulous Loop, Islington - the only stockist in Europe, I'm told. You'll need one copy of Berroco's Norah Gaughan, vol. 1, Urban Layers.

Knitwit's optimistic mitts

2009-03-13T11:35:00.001Z

I am seriously in love with this mittens - as knitted by the brilliant Knitwit on flickr.

Land ahoy

2009-03-09T20:09:00.002Z

I love this idea. For those of us eager to grow but with no space, the thought of sitting on an allotment waiting list for 5 years can be frustrating.. so good to see that this new initiative seems to be gathering speed. Simply sign up (be you a land owner - or a land seeker) and the idea is that you'll be matched to something suitable - putting land to good use. nice.

Is it a bike?

2009-03-08T12:20:00.003Z

Is it a bike? Is it some weird cross-trainer-type thing from the gym? Who knows...
Spotted on facehunter.

Tomato Update 7.3.09

2009-03-07T19:44:00.003Z

k
My little nursery is coming along nicely under one of our skylights. In the top picture are some salad leaves I have growing (a mixture of Rocket, Red Russian Kale, Chervil, Mizuna and Tatsoi) and underneath are my three types of tomatoes. It's really time I invested in some more hanging baskets I think...

On a completely different note, this looks like a great recipe for a chocolate cake - Kladdkaka. Have any of my Swedish friends had this?

Eat Local, Buy Local, Grow Local

2009-03-03T20:42:00.002Z

I'm loving this poster designed by Christopher Silas Neal for Readymade magazine. Even better, you can download it here for free :)

Hummus

2009-02-21T19:38:00.002Z

A top tip from me to you. Adding fresh coriander when making hummus makes it taste sooo good!

2009-02-21T13:16:00.004Z

This is a proud moment for me. It's my first finished adult-sized jumper (alright, cardigan if you want to nit-pick). So far I've only been able to face baby-sized ones, so this is a proud, proud moment. I have to say, that if I'd been thinking straight I would have chosen something a little easier, with less bits to sew together, such as a sweater. Still... it's not a complete disaster, and I've worn it in public without being laughed at, so can't be that bad ;)

For this project I used Sirdar's Eco Wool DK and a pattern from this book.

Tomato Update 20.2.09

2009-02-20T17:57:00.005Z

The first of the year... managed to get my toms sown today. Two 'Gardener's Delight' from last year's crop, two plums from our veg bag last year and also a new 'tumbling' variety which should suit growing in a hanging basket here. Have also sown some salad leaves too - am looking forward to seeing what comes up.

On another note, I was really lucky to go on a course about encouraging sustainability within the primary school before half term. Some really interesting and inspiring talks, especially from a chap called Gyles Morris of the Magdalen Project in Somerset, which I'll be visiting with my class on the school journey in just over a month's time. I'm really looking forward to it, and shall report back here...

Other highlights included Laura Farmer on the garden created at Poole's Park School in Islington, where each class have their own allotment growing fruit and veggies bound for the canteen; and the head of the WWF UK Education department, (whose name unfortunately has completely escaped me) on education for sustainable development, why it is important, and how it needs to be addressed by NGOs and the Government.

Anyway, the long and short of it is that I shall be posting more things like this here in the future, as I try to encourage my class, if not school, to slowly but surely change its ways. We'll start small with some class tomatoes then..

So that's what they mean by a 'snow day'

2009-02-03T12:59:00.004Z

Yes that's right, I'm one of those shameless teachers who's been off school for the past two days. In my defense I was told that school was closed as I was getting ready to set off so... y'know, I tried.

Anyway, what better way to spend the day than bake?

Makes 6 - 9 scones

225g self raising flour
1/2 tsp salt
55g unsalted butter
115g grated Cheddar cheese
150ml milk
1/4 tsp dry English mustard
pinch cayenne pepper
1 egg, beaten

1. Heat the oven to 220 C / 425 F / gas mark 7. Flour a baking sheet.
2. Sift the flour with the salt into a large bowl. Rub the butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add the Cheddar cheese, cayenne pepper and dry English mustard, mixing all together.
3. Make a deep well in the flour, pour in the milk and mix into a soft, spongy dough with a knife.
4. On a floured surface, knead the dough very lightly until it is just smooth. Roll or press out to about 2.5cm / 1 inch thick and stamp into rounds with a small pastry cutter. Gather the scraps together and cut into more scones.
5. Brush the scones with beaten egg for a glossy crust.
6. Bake the scones at the top of the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until well risen and brown.

Spread with butter and eat as soon as humanly possible without burning your mouth!

Kittens are coming

2009-02-03T12:54:00.003Z

Hallelujah, I think our cat has finally sloped off to give birth. Not a moment too soon as well - I've been nearly dying with excitement.

Pic above is from the last litter. And yes - this one really is the last.

ps - scratch that... she's just come back to have some lunch (sigh...)

Snow

2009-02-02T11:40:00.004Z

Top: Paperwhites, inside
Bottom: Snow, outside (the most in 18 years -yay!)

One can never have too many blankets

2009-02-01T14:59:00.002Z

Especially when that one doesn't have central heating and it's 1 degree outside. I'm finding it hard to get going on the planning today... would much rather be making :(

2 blogs bad; 1 blogs good?

2009-01-19T17:00:00.000Z

I've been having this debate in my mind for some while now... I really like food, but I also really like to make things, and for the past year have been trying to run two blogs simultaneously. It's bloody hard! It's not really a true reflection of things, but then do I bore the foodies with my knitting and vice versa? Anyway, I think I've come to the conclusion that both have suffered for the others' existence, and so have decided to cull the other.

For those few out there that still do read this I'd like to issue an apology in advance: you may see the odd sweater on here, but then really, is that such a bad thing?

Toppenrose Gold

2009-01-17T16:56:00.005Z

Haven't recommended a cheese in quite some time... but this one's ace. Quite similar to Brie, only super creamy. And I'm not just saying that because it's Cornish...

The Modern Pantry

2009-01-15T18:37:00.003Z

I quite fancied eating here following a glowing review in the Guardian recently. Shame it isn't open in the evenings or weekends :(

all mouth and no photos

2009-01-10T22:28:00.002Z

My computer's broken :(
Meaning I can't show you pics of the things I've been making lately, which include in no particular order: butternut squash chutney, onion marmalade, meringues and a miriad of stove-top concoctions (trying to use it more than the hob... it's kind of sloooooow).

Oh, AND I've even been taking more pictures; this time for a Time Out travel guide... more on that later.

So anyway, Happy New Year you lovely jubblies :)

From here on in...

2008-11-23T21:05:00.003Z

Since starting a group called 'Self sufficientish' over on Flickr, there's not a whole lot of self sufficientish going on. In fact, I've pretty much become dependent on poor David, who's been doing the vast majority of cooking, cleaning and general nurturing in our flat - even down to taking the kittens to the vet. Still, ahead of NYE and resolutions etc, I have decided to turn a new leaf and try to prevent teaching from taking over as much of my life as it has (guess that means I'll have more to blog about anyway...)

With this in mind I happily purchased a carton of buttermilk today, with which I plan to make my first loaf of soda bread tomorrow... it's the small things in life, hey?

Happy Birthday

2008-11-04T13:30:00.000Z

Woops - amidst my excitement over half term recently I forgot to wish a very Happy Birthday to L'Epicerie @ 56. Well done chaps :)

Dig for Britain

2008-11-03T22:24:00.003Z

Having a garden is obviously a bonus here, but in the meantime I shall dream of the things I might grow from here. Quite like the sound of starting a seed circle, too...

Tomato update - 15.09.08

2008-09-15T15:26:00.000Z

This is my last tomato update of the season - let's face it, there's only so many blog entries you can get from growing something that's as easy as tomatoes are!

Still, if fortunate enough to have a couple left, why not keep some of the seeds and store ready to sow in January or February? All you need to do is put them into a metal sieve and rub under the tap until the jelly has come off around the outside of each seed. Once you've done this leave to dry before labeling and storing for next year.

These ones here actually came in my veg bag - really lovely plum tomatoes which I always think are quite hard to find in the shops. Looking forward to seeing how they turn out next year!

Stoate's Organic

2008-09-14T15:18:00.002Z

I never expected to enthuse about flour packaging, but here I go; how nice is this flour bag? Hope the flour's half as a good :)

Art, ice cream and the Savoire Fayre

2008-08-08T10:28:00.005Z

It's not often I go to private views anymore, but I did last night, and mistakenly thought it to be another small-scale party in Hackney. Oh contraire - it was in a building now owned by a proper artist (Yinka Shonibare) - complete with ice cream van no less! Even more astounding was the olive oil ice cream they were handing out. Quite strange... but not unpleasant. I'd give you details of the maker, but all I know is that her name is Kitty.

Feeling a bit sore today...

Still, on a perkier note, if in town this weekend head to the Savoir-Fayre, taking place tomorrow at Hackney City Farm. Run by my lovely friend Lynn Chambers. The idea being that you "spend less time spending" - learning skills such as bicycle maintenance, crochet (always a fave of mine) or even how to make your own yarn. Fun fun fun.

How to make Limoncello

2008-08-05T11:41:00.003Z

Sadly, my lovely friends Nico and Willow have just yesterday left London to move to Stockholm (albeit by car in a Fiat 500, complete with cat!)

Fortunately we saw them before they left at David's birthday party, at which point they presented us (oh alright, him) with a bottle of home-made Limoncello. How rad? Well, we tried it last night and it is absolutely delicious, but better yet, they've posted the recipe and instructions up on flickr.

Give it a go!

Mmmm cheese

2008-07-19T18:53:00.004Z

Yum! Snapped this morning at the Italian cheese stall on Broadway Market. My personal fave is the creamy young Gorgonzola, on the back right-hand side. It's absolutely amazing, you should try it!

tomato update - 15.07.08

2008-07-15T14:25:00.003Z

Today we finally got to eat the first ripe tomato, and let me tell you it was bloody good. Unfortunately it's not displayed in this pic, as we were so eager to get stuck in and I didn't think to take a picture of it until it was gone :(

Next year, I hope to grow more - two plants isn't enough!

A little thrift goes a long way

2008-07-07T16:23:00.003Z

So Gordon Brown has urged us all to stop wasting food, has he? Shame he hasn't offered any thoughts on how. Still there are plenty of books around to offer sagely advice and tips, and with recent trends towards growing your own veggies there are more available then ever. One book that I thought was very good on the subject was by Rose Prince, The New English Kitchen. She does also now have a book out called The New English Table although I haven't had a chance to check it out (sounds too familiar to its predecessor!)

Anyway, I digress. One great way to start is by making your own bread, as I'm sure I've harped on enough about before. I've found that actually it really isn't that time intensive to make a fairly decent loaf, and for some reason it seems to out-last a shop bought loaf by far (although to be honest with the smell of freshly baked bread in your house you won't need to worry about it hanging around long enough anyway).

Does anyone else have any good suggestions out there for being thrifty with your food? Perhaps this could be the beginning of thrifty pick of the week....? Sure there's bound to be some thrifty tips on here to get you going in the meantime.

And while we're on the subject of thrift, thanks to a weekend fishing trip we've now re-stocked our freezer on mackerel (for suitably smug picture see above)

Tomato Update - 28.06.08

2008-06-29T14:43:00.001Z

help help help

2008-06-24T17:45:00.003Z

I wouldn't normally do this, but I have been working VERY hard this year, as many of my friends will know (ie. I hope you still remember what my face looks like!) Anyway, I have a balloon in Orange's balloon race. Please help me by clicking here to help speed my little balloon across the skies of the world wide web. The prize is a trip to Ibiza, and boy do I need it!

Self Sufficientish

2008-06-24T14:18:00.000Z

I've started a new group over on flickr for people to post up any efforts towards self sufficiency, however big or small. Please feel free to join and contribute.

Growing Communities cont...

2008-06-23T14:15:00.000Z

It is a little while since I have waxed lyrical about my love for Growing Communities, so I thought I would update you with their message from last week's veg bag. It really struck a chord - their ideals and what they are trying to do is rather refreshing, and even makes me feel hopeful about things.

I hope that GC are able to continue going from strength to strength, and don't suffer under the current problems regarding oil, food and the credit crunch. I hope that people aren't abandoning them in favour of other cheaper alternatives (although I still believe that the service they offer is really quite reasonable), and more importantly I do hope that this represents a new direction in our relationship with food and its production.

"This month's Ecologist features an interview with Julie, our director, on how Growing Communities is trying to re-localise Hackney's food system. "Re-localise" is a hybrid word we know - but it is the best way of describing what we are trying to do - which is to change the way people in Hackney are fed. We want to make sure that people here can buy food which is locally grown and produced in a low-carbon way, and distributed sustainably. As Julie says in the article we're trying to create a system robust enough to withstand both climate change and peak oil. We are getting an increasing number of people from organisations across the UK wanting our help to develop similar projects using GC the model. We do plan to do this - it's always been one of our aims to get other communities across the UK (or even London would be a good first step) to set up their own versions of GC - using our projects and our key principles as a guide. All this is good news, however, given the current climate and a combination of increased food/fuel costs and lower incomes for a lot of people - this is just the time when things could get difficult. We need our members to stay with us. It's possible that the current oil price hike is just a blip - but even so - it's one that gives an indication of what the future is likely to hold. We need people to decide that they want to carry on buying sustainable fruit and veg - and supporting our efforts to set up an alternative to the current system. By belonging to GC you are part of a real force for change. We really can't do it without you."

Sigara Borek

2008-06-22T14:06:00.000Z

When I was about 8 years old we went on a family holiday to Turkey. I have many happy memories from that holiday, but one which particularly stood out (I think for all of us) was the joy of eating Sigara Borek every evening. They are so delicious, and although I've not been to Turkey since I suppose I have tried to re-enact this little holiday ritual in my obsessive search for spinach pie whenever I go to Greece. Although this recipe from Binnur's Turkish Cookbook doesn't use spinach I recommend making it with, as we had them at the local restaurant.

My only hope is that when I make these they live up to the memory.

Tomato Update 20.06.08

2008-06-21T11:24:00.004Z

David's delicious dinners

2008-06-20T14:40:00.000Z

Whilst I've been working away on my never-ending cycle of plan-teach-review David has been cooking up a storm in the kitchen. My favourite from last week was a supper of squid and samphire with roasted potatoes and veggies. Yum!

Eat the seasons

2008-06-19T14:32:00.000Z

Anyone wanting for up-to-date information on what's in season here in England should sign up to receive weekly emails from Eat The Seasons. Each week you get a brief summary of what's good now (mainly fruit and veggies but also fish and some meat, mostly game) along with recipes and cooking suggestions. What's not to like?

The Hackney School Cook's Recipe Book

2008-06-18T14:11:00.000Z

A step in the right direction... not entirely sure I agree 100% with some of the ingredients but it's a leap on from some of the pap I've seen out there! Unfortunately there isn't a link directly to the news item about it, you can download it as a pdf from the news section on the right-hand side of the homepage.

Tomato update

2008-06-17T14:05:00.000Z

In lieu of time to do anything else, I am going to have to restrict this blog to tomato updates, which are about my only hands on contact with food at the moment - other than meal times, but I'm not cooking anything :(

Only 2.5 more weeks to go, keep calm and carry on. Soon I will have a life again.

Incidentally the variety I went for is known as 'Gardener's Delight' - apparently an all round winner.

Musical vegetables

2008-06-16T14:56:00.000Z

I love this. Brilliant! If only there were instructions. This guy is absolutely radio rental - managing to combine two of my favourite things, food and music. The 'radish clarinet' tops the bill for me...

the tiniest tomato

2008-06-14T12:18:00.005Z

David has gone away for the weekend - I've had to stay behind as I have so much college work, poop. Still I was able to enjoy a lovely almond croissant and cappuccino for breakfast on London Fields this morning (top pic: view from breakfast bench). And this little chap is our first tomato - obviously, he's got some growing to do...

My happy tomato plants

2008-06-12T17:04:00.004Z

I've not got much time for anything at other than school at the moment. It's pretty full on, although at least I'm now avoiding the dinners there. As I sit here at my computer, planning lessons like there's no tomorrow, looking up at these two tomato plants makes me happy. In a moment of wisdom I sowed them back in March - I can't wait to try the first of the summer.

You are what you eat

2008-06-07T12:50:00.003Z

I'm not going to lecture here, but I am going to recommend you watch this, which I stumbled upon courtesy of Knotty's blog Managed Objects.

'ello

2008-06-02T14:27:00.000Z

Ok, so not exactly edible. Still, nice to see this little fella making his annual appearance.

Elderflower Season

2008-05-31T15:35:00.000Z

How funny is this? Our electric hob (yuk!) caught fire not too long ago, and as we only rent this place we decided to make do with a gas camping stove until we buy our own place. It looked hilarious weighed down underneath my ginormous jam pan.

Looking forward to a fresh supply of elderflower cordial - I can easily drink a bottle a week, which can work out to be pretty expensive for something that grows like a weed!

More on school dinners

2008-05-30T11:20:00.003Z

It's a while since Jamie Oliver bought the current state of school dinners to our attention - and at the time got a very good response (at least from the parents). Alarmingly, this article today highlights how ministers are now going back on their pledge of a minimum spend of 50p for every school meal in the face of our current soaring food prices.

In addition, I have been visiting a relative who's spent time in hospital this year and have to say the situation there is equally as grim. It makes me wonder how on earth anyone is ever supposed to get better eating the food provided? Perhaps odder though is watching someone who's been very sick have very specific advice from a dietitian, only to be ignored by the kitchen, meaning that said patient can't eat anything. The mind boggles.

Still, trying to stay positive the School Food Trust still remains, as set up by the government back when they made their pledge of 50p in 2005, with new standards to be implemented in schools from September onwards. In addition to this the Food for Life Partnership is committed to joining up schools and communities across the country in an effort to ensure good school meals and home cooked dinners. And I suppose I will finally be able to put my money where my mouth is once I'm a qualified teacher...

Vicky's bread

2008-05-29T12:41:00.000Z

Sorry... in relating my culinary adventures of the weekend I missed out one very important discovery. Being as obsessed with bread as I am I decided to buy a loaf from the health food shop in Falmouth yesterday, and stumbled upon Vicky's Bread.

I'll just say this; if you are in the area you should seek this out, it's absolutely delicious. Available in quite a few places - get some whilst you can!

A fine time had by all

2008-05-28T12:05:00.002Z

I've just got back from a long weekend in Falmouth, and boy oh boy do they make some stinky cheese down there! Hailing from Penryn (or 'ryn to locals) Menallack Farm make some particularly fine cheese, as sampled by me from David's plate (sorry David), at Ratho.

I really like eating at Ratho as they always seem to go that little bit further than others. For example, in offering fine cheese made about 5 miles outside of Falmouth, served with handmade biscuits made on the premises - superb!

Sadly Menallack Farm do not seem to have a website, however they do offer a mail order service boasting a wopping 36 Cornish cheeses, 16 of which are made at the farm, in addition to another 5 from outside the county such as good ol' Montgomery's Cheddar.

No piccie, but I hope you'll forgive me... I seem to have been quite slack on the photo front recently, but promise to make it up to you.

On another note, dates for this year's Oyster Festival (again, in Falmouth) are 16-19 October. I should be teaching by then (all being well) so I do hope that falls in the half term!

Birthday goodness

2008-05-16T13:25:00.004Z

Two books The River Cottage Fish Book and Ottolenghi: The Cookbook. Both look absolutely awesome and I can tell will get a lot of use. I have found my River Cottage Meat Book indispensable over the past year, and with eight weeks off this summer am looking forward to catching as much with my fishing rod as possible!

Also, last night we went out to have dinner at Ottolenghi in Islington with my Dad and Aunty Stella - it was so good, I highly recommend it. The food was delicious, (washed down with a particularly fine Sancerre I might add) and I also loved the fact that the atmosphere was relaxed: it made for a very lovely meal had by all. I did actually take my camera, but like all good meals when it came down to taking pics I thought "Sod that, I'm eating!"

There you go, one very good reason why I am no good at restaurant reviews: too gushy by far. And so, looking forward to the continuation of birthday goodness this evening amongst friends at the Royal Oak. Hurrah.

the first mackerel of the summer

2008-05-15T10:47:00.003Z

Went fishing again this weekend in Weymouth, and David and I managed to catch a couple of dozen mackerel between us - surprising for this time of year, but I'm certainly not complaining!

A note on my Mother

2008-05-09T13:52:00.000Z

She's alive and well... I hope to bake my first loaf tomorrow (today = Friday) - cannot help but rub my hands in glee. I've been lifting the tea towel off the top for hourly checks on her progress! Looking good mah man - looking gooooood!

BBQ Good-ness

2008-05-09T13:00:00.000Z

Our first BBQ of the season - and bloody brilliant it was too if you don't mind me saying so: black bream, haloumi, red pepper, courgettes and salad (all veggies via Growing Communities) all washed down with a bottle of rosé. Lovely job.

On having expensive taste...

2008-05-07T15:11:00.000Z

David has commented on numerous occasions over the past year or so that we are, in fact, food snobs. I have always re-buffed such claims, suggesting instead that there is nothing wrong with wanting good, honest food. The majority of the time this means I end up undertaking a degree of culinary experimentation, however it also means that from time to time I spend ridiculous amounts of money of things I do not yet have the means to make (such as cheese and wine).

The upshot of this is that the problem with expensive taste is the amount of money you end up spending, particularly when you like drinking half-decent French red wine. So... having just had a little snoop around the St. John site I was overjoyed to discover that not only do they have two fine restaurants - they also have an online wine shop. It looks all too tempting, and better yet, affordable!

Dear readers, I shall investigate very soon!

[the pic used above of course, comes courtesy of their site]

Pleased to eat you

2008-05-06T11:00:00.000Z

I have a great food swap going on at the moment. A friend of mine loves fishing, and goes regularly to the reservoirs by Walthamstow Marshes. He catches more trout than he knows what to do with.... but luckily also has a penchant for croissants with jam (can you see where this is leading?) Anyway, we've got a trout for jam deal - suits me just fine! This is the second of the season - yum :)

Small problemo...

2008-05-05T16:59:00.002Z

In announcing my boycott following a recent price hike on sourdough bread I was perhaps a little hasty... have just looked at what's required to make one loaf of bread, and it sounds like it needs an awful lot of babysitting and attention. Fine in the school holidays, but perhaps not too practical for your morning toast... darn it. Still, it has also been pointed out that there is a potential gap in the market for some healthy competition ;)

Still, day 2 of the Mother and all appears to be ok - it looks suitably disgusting and I'm guessing by the bubbles that fermentation has begun!

On another homemade enterprise note - elderflower season starts soon - better order some citric acid.

Meet my mother

2008-05-05T12:06:00.001Z

Due to another recent price hike on my local loaf of sourdough bread, I've been prompted to make my own. The exciting thing about this is that rather than using conventional yeast you need to use a 'mother' instead. I suppose it's fair to say that you wouldn't normally associate the word exciting with bread making... but then this is almost more of a home science experiment than anything else (somewhat like my doomed attempts to make ginger beer...)

So, taken from Beyond Nose to Tail by the chaps of St John, here is the recipe I have plumped for. Posting of sourdough recipe shall depend upon my success with the Mother. Wish me luck.

1 stick of rhubarb
210ml water
2 tbsp live yoghurt
50g rye flour
50g wholemeal flour
100g strong white flour

Day 1
Chop the rhubarb into slices 5mm thick and mix with the water and yoghurt. Add the flour and stir until you have a wet, lumpy mixture. Place in a clean container, dust with white flour and leave somewhere warm (around 26-28 C)

Day 2
Just give the mixture a stir and dust with white flour again.

Day 3
Stir it again; you should see signs of fermentation taking place. Add 4 tablespoons of white flour and 4 tablespoons of water, mix well and dust with white flour.

Day 4-5
On Day 4, discard about a third of the Mother and replace with a fresh quantity of all the ingredients except the rhubarb. Repeat on Day 5.

Day 6
The Mother should now be ready to use in your bread making - it should be bubbly and smell strong and sour.

After making a loaf, you will need to replenish the Mother with half and half flour and water, in equal quantities to the amount you took out - so if you make a White Loaf for example, using 100g of Mother, you would have to replace it with 50g flour and 50 ml water. The type of flour you use for replenishment depends on which loaf you plan to make next: for a white loaf use strong white flour; for brown, use 25g strong white flour and 25g wholemeal flour.

After replenishing, leave the Mother to ferment for a day before use. You can leave it in the fridge without feeding for months but it will take a few days to restart it by feeding it - again, discard about a third and feed it equal parts flour and water. Repeat this until there are signs of fermentation.

Hotel Ammos

2008-05-04T18:53:00.004Z

I forgot to mention where we went on holiday - Hotel Ammos - it was absolutely lovely and perfect for two such worn out people as David and I were when we arrived. The staff went beyond what would normally constitute good service, accommodation was comfortable and luxurious, and of course the restaurant did not disappoint. Highlights included Spinach Pies (pictured above), Zucchini Balls, Fennel Pie and the best Greek sweets I've ever eaten.

I felt so inspired upon return that I instantly ordered this book from Amazon.

hurrah for the internet

2008-05-02T13:34:00.000Z

My first order of booze from St John (or HG Wines) has arrived!