Today I made marmalade.

At 2pm today I decided to make marmalade. At 3pm I returned from the shops with a big bag of Sicilian oranges (which, very happily, turned out to be blood oranges), two lemons and two limes (exotic) and 1kg of preserving sugar. At 3.15pm I searched the Internet for marmalade recipes. At 3.30pm I called my Mother.

The general consensus from my initial search was that I needed to juice and finely slice the fruit, reserve the pulp and pips in a small muslin bag, simmer, cool, squeeze, soak, leave overnight, add sugar, boil, check temperature, wrinkle test, sterilise, jar. AH!

Yeah. So I called Mum who I have watched make jams, chutneys and marmalade for years. In an afternoon. With ease.

Mum also advised the whole pulp/pip/muslin bag malarkey (it's all about the pectin) but as I don't own any muslin and Mum told me not to use tights and I couldn't bring myself to cut up a pillowcase I just juiced the fruit straight into the pan. Pulp, pips and all.

I prepared myself for cloudy marmalade. Juicing done I sliced the fruit as finely I could with my blunt knife, put it in the pan and added a few litres of water. This was simmered (with regular stirring) for about 2 hrs until it had reduced by half.

I added 1kg of preserving sugar then realised it probably wasn't enough and added about 300g of caster sugar. Meanwhile I put a plate in the freezer. Yes. A plate in the freezer.

The marmalade was boiled for 15mins then the plate came out the freezer and I put small spoon of the liquid on it. After a minute it did not wrinkle when pushed so I repeated the boil, test, boil, test until it wrinkled. Wrinkles in this case are good! It means it will (should) set in the jar.

I sterilised the jars with boiling water, filled them, left them to cool a little then sealed the jars with sterilised lids. Fingers crossed for no mould.

Over four hours later. Cloudy, chunky, possibly too thick marmalade (with pips) of my very own. First marmalade ever. Looking forward to toast. Thanks Mum.

What about us?!

Veg Box...Thursday? No no no, it was yesterday. All is still right with the world. Savoy cabbage, baby plum tomatoes, flat mushrooms, butternut squash, leeks, parsnips, potatoes, onions and carrots.

I am a little bit concerned that my current lurgy may partly be because I haven't eaten a lot of meat recently. My Mother tells me this is rubbish. Fair enough. But either way I decided to buy a chicken. A £5 chicken will do two meals for Dr W and I so also good value. Bonza.

So last night was simple roast chicken with roasted butternut squash and chard & courgettes (From last weeks box. Mmmm floppy.) cooked with garlic butter. This was cooked to Michael Jackson's This Is It album. Dr W is not so keen on the MJ so during Earth Song I got a comedy poke for every 'what about us'. Mean.

Tonight's chicken incarnation was chicken, mushroom and leek potato topped pie. With the plum tomatoes which actually tasted like tomato! Very rare in February. Again, roll on summer.

Cook mushrooms with olive oil and a little butter until nicely coloured then add cooked chicken and finely sliced leeks. Season with pepper and a splash of vermouth (optional but very good, adds a winey herby taste) until leeks are soft and the chicken is piping hot. Make a white sauce and mix with the leeky, mushroomy, chickenyness in a deep dish. Season to taste.

Top with mash and grill until crispy. Probably better with pastry but I didn't have the ingredients to make any. Boo.

I know it looks like a lot of cooking for a week day it only took about 30mins to assemble and about 10mins to grill. Not a lot of time really. My biggest tip, clear up as you go along. Makes everything a lot less stressful.

Go on. Take some time and make a weekday pie.

Fight the sickness.

Firstly I would like to apologise to my friends, family and work colleagues for my lurgy this week. I have been most pathetic and generally weak, of body and character. Sorry about that.

So I haven't updated the blog properly for a while but I have been cooking. On Saturday I needed something simple but tasty and uplifting so I went for Tom Yam Gai (based on Nigel Slater's recipe). Spicy, salty and sour. Great for a cold. Like the Thai version of a good Jewish Mother's chicken soup.

Cooking recipes with lots of ingredients can be quite expensive so it's worth (if you have the time) shopping around. I sent Dr W out foraging for well priced ingredients and with the help of our local oriental supermarket and the fruit & veg stall he did very well. In particular...

Six big stalks of fresh lemongrass for £1.20
Big bag of thin rice noodles for £1.80
Squid Brand  fish sauce (nam pla) for £1.20

All this will keep and do for loads more meals. Hoorah!

So. Roast two chicken legs and pick off the cooked meat (Enjoy the crispy skin. You know you want to). Heat one litre of chicken stock (I used cubes. I am a heathen.) in a big pan and simmer the chicken, two lemongrass stalks chopped into a couple of pieces and bashed to release the lemonyness, three small red chillies (depending how hot you want it), two chopped cloves of garlic and sliced spring onions. Add about a tablespoon of nam pla and a teaspoon of sugar. 

After about 10mins add lime juice and chopped coriander. Taste to check that you have the right balance of salty, sweet and sour. Ladle over rice noodles that have been soaked in boiling water until cooked.
 
Just right for perking up a coldy AmSam. Don't eat the lemongrass.

AmSam would like...

...a bento box.

Bento accessories.

And The Just Bento Cookbook.

Please.

It's my birthday soon.

Thank you.

(justbento.com)

Q. What do you call cheese that's not yours?

I forgot how much I like this book. I have a love/cringe relationship with Nigella. Watching her on TV is a constant roller coaster of "Mmmmm yes I'd like to eat all of that please" and "No. Nigella. Please. Don't... What..? Did she just...? Noooooo!".

But the lady loves her food and she's not fussy about what she eats or how she eats it. Feast is a fantastic collection of recipes for all occasions from Christmas and Valentines Day to Eid and Rosh Hashanah to weddings and funerals. It's interesting and accessible which I like very much.


Dr W and I had friends round for supper last night which was very nice indeed. No pictures I'm afraid as we were too busy eating. Needed something quick and veggie so...

Cheesy Salsa Nachos- layer tortilla chips with cheese and a little salsa then bake at 200°C until melty and crispy.

Pepper & Red Onion Fajitas with guacamole, sour cream, salsa, cheese, salad and messy fingers- cook the veg with olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic and a little passata until soft then let everyone make their own fajita fun.

Nigella's Chocohotopots with orange. Wow. Intense. Warm, rich, chocolaty tastiness.

Whisk together 150g caster sugar, 2 eggs and 3 tablespoons of plain flour. Melt 125g butter with 125g dark chocolate and mix with the sugar, eggs and flour. Fold in 100g broken chocolate pieces and the zest and juice of half an orange. Pour into four buttered pots and bake at 180°C for no more than 20mins. Aim for cracked on top and gooey underneath.


Lovely sunny day in the Somerset Riviera today but I am in my Pjs on the sofa feeling achy and sore throaty. Again. Rubbish. Roll on summer please. 

But a sausage sandwich, a cup of tea and a bunch of daffodils have improved things muchly.

Enjoy the simple things.

A. Nacho Cheese!

Today I ate a pigeon.

Veg Box Wednesday! Poor fridge has been very bare in the past week. It is very happy to now be full of chard, carrots, cauliflower, red pepper, courgettes, tomatoes, onions and potatoes. 

And two little pigeons. 

I have never cooked pigeon before but they were on offer so I thought I'd have a go. In preparation I searched for roast pigeon recipes, found various graphic prepared pigeon photos and freaked myself out a little. 

Why? I am rather fond of pigeons. From the poor ratty London pigeons to the bird feeder obese country wood pigeons. At my parents house last Christmas I watched one land on the snow and just sink... Much amusement. But, as Dr W pointed out, I am also rather fond of chickens and ducks and I don't seem to have any problem eating them. Hm.

So the pigeons were respectfully roasted (for too long) with butter, black pepper and good smoked streaky bacon. Served with potatoes boulangère and carrots.  

I did not cook the pigeons very well. Tasty but tough. I meant to use this recipe but completely forgot about it.

But the potatoes. Oh yes. Season layers of thinly slices potato, onion and garlic with black pepper. Pour over chicken or vegetable stock, dot with butter, cover with foil and bake for about 30 mins. Remove foil and bake for another 30 mins or until the stock has reduced and the top is crispy. Good with lots of things.

Valentine's Day. Cheesy.

Dr W and I have been very lucky so far with our budget Valentine's destinations in the past. But wow. Not a lot going on in Hereford. And what an interesting mix of people. Wow.

This is an exceptionally good photo considering. However, we did manage to find a particularly good curry and the local(ish) Banks's beer was good.

Not quite the escape to the country that we were expecting but a good weekend of exploring, snoozing and good company.

I was overwhelmed by cheese today. Not possible? Totally possible. The Fine Cheese Co. is one of the most remarkable cheese shops that I've ever visited.

Quite how I've managed to live in this city for nearly a year, work just up the road and not go in before I do not know. Today's visit may be a long slippery slope. Of cheese.


Figue a la Rose - a fresh goat's cheese with rose petals. Aw. Tangy but deliciously creamy with a very delicate taste of rose. Like no cheese I've ever tasted.

Vacherin Mont D'Or- So gooey I couldn't get it out of the paper! Rich and suitably stinky.

Fourme d'Ambert Xavier Morin-Very soft, creamy blue.

Pecorino Nero-  Firm, salty sheep's cheese rubbed with olive skins. Amazing! Really really good with Mum's medlar jelly. Sweet, salty. Yum.

All eaten with Pain Campaillou (mmmm sourdough), oatcakes, orange and fennel salad and a bottle of Pouilly-Fumé.

An evening of cheese. Just right for Valentine's Day eh?

Unfortunate breakfast viewing.

The American Food Network channel is a constant source of joy and amusement for me. The eerily calm Ina "Barefoot Contessa" Garten who, I'm pretty sure, could take Delia in a fight. Guy Fieri, who I once watched cook a whole chicken in a wok using a brick. Really. By the way, this terrifies me. And the Food Network Challenge.

Usually the challenge involves sculpting something hideous yet fabulous from 300lbs chocolate, or a muffin making competition where participants must combine maple syrup and smoked salmon, or build an entire theme park from gingerbread.

Today I drank my morning coffee to the Southern Living Showdown where I watched a woman make Hushpuppy-Battered Catfish Nuggets. It's a whole different world.

Don't dunk your Cheddars.

No Veg Box Wednesday this week. I am being whisked off for a very romantic weekend. Oh yes. It's ever so exotic. I'll give you a hint. Starts with 'T' and ends in 'Ravelodge'. Oh yes. But seriously, we are going somewhere very pretty so I am looking forward to it muchly. 

Yesterday, Baked Tunworth Soft Cheese with roasted fennel and pepper with bread for dipping and mopping. The Tunworth is similar to a Camembert but less stinky. It is still creamy and rich and just right for baking! 

Buy a Camembert type cheese in a box and remove anything plastic. Place the naked cheese back in it's wooden box with the lid on, place on a baking tray and bake in the oven at 180°C for about 45mins. The cheese should wobble when gently shaken.

Melted cheese is good with many things so serve with whatever you fancy. Not cake. That's weird.

After last weeks mostly vegetarian menu Dr W did the shopping while I was away on Sunday and came back with meat. Fair enough. Poor man. We jerked some chicken on Monday and today, it was Burger Wednesday.

Burgers with Space Cheese & dill pickles, spicy wedges and 'I'd better do something with that two week old cabbage' coleslaw.

Wedge some potatoes and boil until just soft on the outside. Add olive oil, smoked paprika, chilli flakes, salt & pepper and roast in the oven for about 30mins. Meanwhile...

Finely shred cabbage, carrot and (optional) onion, mix with mayonnaise and season to taste. This is functional coleslaw. Refer to this if you're feeling more daring.

Mix beef mince with soft cooked onion and garlic which has been left to cool, Worcestershire Sauce (Splish Me!), salt & pepper and an egg yolk to bind it all together. Get your hands in there and form into patties. Fry or grill until the juices run clear.

Toast your buns, assemble and eat. 

I've learnt something new today. There are large versions of Mini Cheddars. Known as Cheddars. Yes, I know. Who knew?! ... Everyone apparently.

A colleague decided to share a delicious snack with us today. Cheddars dunked in coffee.

Belgian buns with tea are a delicious snack. Flapplejacks are a delicious snack.

I salute the culinary experimentation but no no no. Bad times for the Cheddars.

Strong coffee- a cautionary tale.

It is 9pm. And I am in bed. With tea. And a blanket.

The 5:40am alarm this morning was surprisingly ok. I was able to shower, put on a pretty dress, do my make-up and make coffee with relative ease (sorry to Dr W for the 6am Sunday morning coffee grinding). At 6:45am I had a pleasant early morning walk to work fully prepared for a day at the trade show. Then, possibly fueled by the strong coffee jitters, I fell over, laddered my tights and grazed my knee. Suddenly I was 4 again.

After a day of walking around in squeaky shoes with no tights (trying to look professional) I have very sore feets. Poor feets.

So thank you Dr W for welcoming me home with a warm, very comforting bowl of vegetarian ragu with pasta.

Slowly cook onion, celery and carrots in olive oil with red wine and a bay leaf until very soft. Add a little flour (this will stop the sauce from separating), some passata and blend until smooth. Season to taste. He also added a little Marmite for depth. Trust him. He's a doctor. Simmer the sauce with a whole garlic clove while the pasta is cooking.

Sleepy now. Goodnight.

Apron Saturday

In preparation of a long day of work tomorrow today has been a good home based day.

Soft boiled eggs with Irish soda bread and Marmite. I own an egg boiler. A what? A machine that boils your eggs for you. Why? What's the point? We've always had one at home so it seems normal for me but, after being the only person I know to take an egg boiler to university, I realise it's not.

But being able to cook eggs in the early hours of the morning will help to make you new friends, believe me.

So today, after a morning of coffee, eggs, magazines and television I donned my apron (yes I did), cleaned the flat and baked some biscuits. Marguerite would be proud.

Peanut butter and jam thumbprint biscuits. A variation on this recipe. Just replace half the butter (I admit I used marg) with peanut butter. I used smooth but that was only because the supermarket had run out of crunchy. The jam is quince because that it what I had in the fridge.

Crunchy, chewy and comforting (for those without a nut allergy) I don't think these are going to last long. They will be coming on the 7am bus to the trade fair tomorrow. Of course they're suitable for breakfast...

Tonight, Dr W made one of his awesome curries. Aubergine with ginger, garlic, cardamon and cinnamon. Dhal. Courgettes with mustard seeds. He is nice. I will keep him.

Babooshka babooshka.

Cheers! Happy weekend. And God Save the Queen. 1953 coronation glass. 50p.

Tonight we defeated the alien invader. Mostly using cheese.

This may look like the craft in which the Romanesco Cauliflower came to be here but it's a steamer. Instructions here. Usually cheap and always useful.

Also fun to play with. Even aged 26.

Cauliflower cheese is a classic and is as simple or as complicated as you want to make it. If you have a cauliflower, cheese, milk, butter, flour, salt and pepper you can make it. But feel free to make additions.

In my case the additions are bacon, onions, garlic and grainy mustard. It's rich, but it's good.

Steam (or boil) the cauliflower until it is cooked but still has some bite. Don't feel like you need to be a cauliflower cheese puritan here either. Include the younger leaves from the cauliflower. Use broccoli.

Fry bacon, add sliced onions and cook with the bacon until soft. Add chopped garlic and cooked for a few minutes longer then assemble cauliflower and oniony bacon niceness in a deep dish.

Make a roux. Not a Roux. A roux. And make a white sauce. Have a look at Delia Smith's recipe. I grew up with this book and go back to it every time for reminders for basic recipes. Terrifying as she may be.

The white sauce is a blank canvas. So experiment. I added strong grated cheese and a teaspoon of grainy mustard then seasoned to taste.

Pour the sauce over the cauliflower, sprinkle with cheese and grill until bubbly.

Serve with bread. Or salad. Or beans. Or ketchup. Or all of the above.

All made to the sounds of Kate Bush The Whole Story. Vegetarian Kate would love my cauliflower cheese. Maybe without the bacon. Probably without the bacon.

There's an alien in my veg box.

Veg Box Wednesday! Romanesco cauliflower, aubergine, round lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, potatoes and broccoli.

No no no, it's not an invasion. Put away your tin foil hat. Romanesco is a beautiful member of the cauliflower family. Use in the same way as you would it's more rounded cousin. I think we will be having a very sophisticated cauliflower cheese this week. Often the simple things are the best.

It's been unintentional veggie week so far. Last night we ate crispy polenta with baked mushrooms and leeks with the horribly named but deliciously tasting Not Just a Pasta Cheese from Sussex. This was based very loosely on Valentine Warner's  Polenta and Girolles from What To Eat Now. His version is much nicer. 

May I recommend grilling not frying your polenta. Spitty. Ouch. Hence the tea towel splash guard.

The alligator pear has finally ripened two whole weeks after it arrived. It was promptly beaten into submission guacamole style with lime juice, a little garlic, salt and Tabasco.

Served with fajitas made with red pepper, onion, Quorn mince (needed using...) and Discovery Fajita Seasoning. I know I could blend my own fajita spices but, like Heinz Ketchup, it just won't taste quite the same.

The round lettuce fresh from the box was put to good use today along with jar of pickled jalapenos that my Grandmother bought me for Christmas. Well done Nan.

Also served with crème fraîche (it's what I had in the fridge, think outside the box) and strong cheese. And a compulsory roll of kitchen towel.

I do own Elisabeth Luard's The Latin American Kitchen and I fully intend to venture out of the realms of fajitas and chilli so watch this space.

Book links are bought to you today by Waterstones. Sad news about the closures. No, they are not always as cheap as the leading online book retailer but you can't beat them for helpful, friendly, often fabulously quirky staff. Buy more books please.