Perhaps
I should write a monologue on how not to do Christmas. I think though it would bore the pants off of you. I am certainly learning all the variations at the moment. That is par for the course though here and it is just the depth that varies. What matters most though, is that we had Christmas, a lovely meal which I was very content with (if I do say so myself) and I achieved my aim in releasing the flavours of the food I had cooked which always make for a memorable meal. Cooking is all about the lovely flavours. The one thing I forgot to do - unusual for me was not to take any piccies! In many respects it has been a very unconventional Christmas.
I have also not been able to do any crafting thus far. Not been able to settle to it - sod's law. I attempted to get stuck in and to do some this evening though. Failed miserably. D- on the report card! Although I nearly made it.
Ah well no one cannot say I cannot pivot! These things are sent to try us. Have to laugh really.
I hope everyone else has had a lovely Christmas. To tell the truth, I have not really been ready for Christmas this year. I will be next year though and plans are already afoot in that respect as well as a lot of preserving is also on the cards.
I have also had a couple of lovely books arrive for Christmas as well. Paul Peacock The Home Deli Book, which has some lovely, uncomplicated and simple recipes for creating home produced Deli type foods.
Front cover
It has been a book on my wish list for quite some time, however most copies I came across were astronomical amounts which I was not prepared to pay. This one came via Ebay always worth a look. In the end I managed to find a copy relatively cheaply and it is in pristine condition and I am looking forward to delving into this little book of goodness and having a go at creating some good honest food for the table. I note it also has a pork pie recipe in there which I will definitely be having a go at. Before this book arrived I had already decided that I was going to play about a bit and try and make my own pork pies. I have been to a training class on this a while back, but intend to have a concerted play at these as we really are just not very happy with many a bought pork pie. If I can make this work, it means I can have a concerted effort at making a load of pies and freezing them uncooked and without their stock added, then cooking straight from the Freezer and then adding the "jelly stock" after they have cooled. This would work well for use through the year - we like Pork Pie, but also for next year's Christmas. So we shall see what we can achieve. One of many projects on my to do list this year. Now where did I put my Dolly (the moulding post for making the pies). I have most of the equipment, it is just locating it.
I have already mentioned that I had not got to crafting quite yet earlier in this post. I had also sent off for a couple of Red Work Embroidery books by Mandy Shaw of Dandelion Designs. The first one has arrived entitled "Mandy Shaw's Redwork Christmas! and it has some lovely projects in there which I am eager to have a go at as well. I thought that some of these projects would look good combined into a patchwork quilt or two. I certainly love the cushion panel which is the book's Front page. Although called Red work, I believe that you could use alternative colours as well.
These designs will also fit in nicely with the two kits that I have bought to work for next year's Christmas. It looks as though I will be able to keep myself busy for sometime to come. I have some calico material and red threads inhouse in any event, but I might send for some cream linen to work these on. I already have a load of stuff inhouse to work various kits and other items have collected over the years, as well as a load of kits I have recently bought to work. I am getting "geared up" making sure that I have plenty of projects for the future. I just need to get some wool for some crochet projects put up as well.
I am interested in knowing what you think of that Deli cook book as I can get a copy at a fairly reasonable price. I went shopping today at the Eataly store here in Toronto (https://www.eataly.com.tr/en/eataly-in-the-world) there are now 3 locations around Toronto - wonderful quality and variety of food but pricey so a real treat. Bought Parmesan cheese and another one with truffles - which is gorgeous - plus a lovely piece of pancetta. Also bought some sweet treats and a couple of items for the pantry. I have a well stocked pantry and I am determined to buy the best quality food I can afford in 2025 as I replace and add items to the pantry.
ReplyDeleteI am doing lunch for some friends on Monday so just a few bits of veg to pick up plus a couple of dozen eggs - at that point I don't think that I will be able to get anything more in the fridge or freezer!
I hope that you get to some of your crafting over the next few days - enjoy.
Hi Margie, Paul Peacock and his wife have numerous publications to their name. They also had a very successful magazine which if I remember correctly was called "Home Farmer" which was the mainstay of their passion for making everything they could at home and living a simpler life. They owned the publication but it was later sold on. Not sure whether it is still going but it was a fantastic magazine. I have yet to try some of the recipes. There is a recipe for Haslet in the book which I am keen to have a go at as well. Lots of simpler stuff that used to be part of the everyday cooking for most people. My family make something called "Savoury Ducks", which is a form of faggot but we cook it in a square cake pan and then cut it into small cubes and have it to go alongside a Ploughmans lunch, or just eat as is, a bit like you would use Haslet (which is made from similar ingredients) it is just the form and seasonings that. I think having access to older recipes where you can make things yourself is a must these days as it is a way of providing something different for yourselves. I have pate to make yet as well. I intend to make some of these in the near future and will pop up a post on these. Glad you have been able to indulge in some real treats from Eataly. Being a Foodie it always gives much pleasure to have access to some different items to those that we would have normally. Glad you are now a lot happier with your Pantry. It is a never ending process but well worth the effort and so satisfying. Lots of preserving to be going on here moving forward. Hope your lunch with your friends goes well. We need fridges and freezers that can expand or contract to suit the need of the food! Hopefully will get to the crafting, but at least am assembling items to actually do, rather than just looking at things. Take care Tricia xx
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