Category Archives: Colours
11 Oct, 2010
So often, I hear people say how they love Autumn – that it’s their favourite season. Do you have a favourite season? I don’t think I can choose, but I do know that I love Autumn. It seems to turn up – all of a sudden – with that chill in the wind, the scent of woodsmoke, and a heady flourish of vibrant autumnal colour. It’s just so beautiful, isn’t it?
Another aspect of this time of year is the frisson of excitement I get about all the lovely seasonal events to come – harvest festivals, halloween and bonfire night, Thanksgiving for north Americans (I love this wonderful holiday) and then just around the corner…wait, that’s far enough for now. So here we are, enjoying a gorgeous October in rural England. I like to start each day with a walk around the village and in the countryside. It gives me a chance to collect my thoughts, nurture creativity, make plans.
At the edge of the village live these glorious ginger pigs. The couple who run the farm both have ginger hair, as do their three beautiful little girls. This always makes me smile. Past the piggies lies a bridle path with views over the surrounding countryside, replete with berries, pods, and golden leaves.
This is a really simple soup but so comforting and nourishing. The sage leaves – fried crispy in butter – add a truly delicious fragrance and depth to the dish. I love sage, and to me, it seems a little under appreciated. It’s very easy to grow too, which is good as you don’t need much and it’s handy if you can just pick a few leaves as you need them rather than buying a big bunch from the shop each time.
This is a good recipe if you have children who are fussy about vegetables. The soup is very acceptable but not always the sage leaves. I know about fussy eaters!
I’ll leave with a picture of one of the windows in our village church, made splendid for the Harvest Festival. I cannot do it justice – every window, shelf, and table in the church is laden with magnificent displays. Much to be thankful for.
Thanks for visiting, and please do drop me a comment if you wish. It’s great to hear what you think. And I love to visit other blogs so let me know about yours too. P.
in Autumn, Colours, Festival, Growing Food, Photography, Uncategorized, carrot soup, carrots, seasons, warming soup | Comments (10)
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28 Sep, 2010
Home time is lovely isn’t it? No matter how much you like school, it’s great to get home. And if there’s a bit of time to linger, chat with pals, search for conkers, be outdoors…well that’s all the better. Our household is settled into the new school year – routines now familiar, friendships established. And homework. Good thing there is sometimes a chocolate cake made by Mummy!
At seven years old, what’s better than having a friend around to play and some yummy chocolate cake? But how about some beetroot? I’m sure lots of children love it but my little boy isn’t one of them. My challenge is constantly getting more vegetables into him, so a secret beetroot ingredient is brilliant. I’ve read about chocolate beetroot cakes decided to give it a try. I looked at a few recipes, including a lovely one on Scandilicious. However I cannot help but tweak a new version of my own. I added a few big spoons of velvety mascarpone cheese to the mix to lend a lighter, smoother texture. And I made it very chocolatey. The beetroot is miraculous – it gives the cake a gorgeous fudgey crumb and delicate sweetness. I love it.
Beetroots are so beautiful with their amazing colour and pleasing shape. Lots of fun to photograph. Deep pink stains everywhere.
So on to the homework. No, that’s not homework…he’s actually drawing trains!
I hope you like the cake and a visit to a little part of our day. If you have time, drop me a comment. Always so delighted to hear from you. P.
in Autumn, Baking, Beetroot, Cake, Chocolate, Colours, School | Comments (36)
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17 Sep, 2010
There’s nothing like travelling is there? New vistas, new faces and friends, and wonderful new foods and flavours to experience – it just ups the intensity of life. I’ve been a sort of gypsy my whole life, as the child of a diplomat and later as a grown up with an enduring wanderlust. It’a a heady feeling, that one when you are about to embark on a journey to somewhere unfamiliar. A mix of excitement, trepidation and adventure. For me, an addictive feeling. I’ve been lucky enough to live in some of these places, and really learn about them, a knowing that only time in a place can bring. I spent a few years in Texas as a teenager, and then in Southern California during university. Both of these places rich in glorious produce and flavour. And chilli peppers.
I adore chilli peppers and, living now in rural England, don’t find them nearly enough. To my delight, the beautiful and historic Waddesdon Manor – close to our home – hosts a Chilli Festival each year. Complete with Mariachi singers, a bounty of hot sauces, fiery foods, and most delightful for me, a stunning variety of peppers. I bought some gorgeous Poblanos to bring home and cook. Sometimes I make Chilli Relllenos with these, or bake them with a walnut sauce. Today I fire roasted them to eat with an abundant pan of pork carnitas. Imagine – with the mood and the flavours – it was like a trip without the journey.
Avocados are delicious with chillies, corn and spice. I asked my husband to help me and mash some up for me for a guacamole. Now he would say that he isn’t really much of a cook – but he decided to spice the guacamole up with a few drops of this most delicious Chipotle Pepper Sauce – and the result was amazing. I can’t make it any other way now!
I serve the Carnitas with a basket of fluffy warm corn tortillas, a homemade tomato and cilantro (coriander) salsa, a big bowl of guacamole, and as an extra special treat, the delicious, smoky roasted Poblano peppers.
So it is September in the English countryside. Or is it?
More soon. Don’t forget, I love to hear your thoughts and comments. P.
in Carnitas, Chilli Pepper, Colours, Festival, Photography, Pork, Spices, Travel | Comments (14)
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