My life and thoughts, from my table, desk or out in the world
You may have noticed. this is my first post in a while, as I said to someone recently, “Life has been really getting in the way of things I’d rather be doing”. So, apologies, but I have been doing some interesting things in the kitchen, and in travel – but struggling to find the time … Continue reading How I got my kids to eat Brussels Sprouts
When we last met, I was talking about my Bucket List trip to Alaska…. But there were a couple of smaller entries on the Bucket List that I ticked off, before and after – sort of like the Bread around my Bucket List Sandwich… Ticking off the Bucket List – “Il Primo” I have been … Continue reading Ticking off the Bucket list…. Dolce
They say “Travel broadens the mind…”; very true, although in my case, it may also broaden the waist… Lol I was recently lucky enough to tick one of the Biggies off my Bucket List - an Alaskan cruise. Made even more special, by travelling with some of my dearest friends and family. And the whole … Continue reading Ticking off the Bucket List – “Il Primo”
You’ve all read about my Polish food Heritage, and how that has shaped my cooking and feeding of friends and family. But there is another, slightly diverse angle to my food heritage, and that was that Dad was born in India in the 1920s to an English Colonel and his Scottish wife. She trained as … Continue reading Irene’s World Famous Curry (and an ode to Bruce)
The name for this soup, which is basically a roasted vegetable soup, comes from the spurting, blobbing, boiling mud like, mess the soup makes if you reheat it too vigorously once its pureed… And, it turns out, once pureed it takes on a distinct mud colour - but all that colour is just yumminess... One … Continue reading Rotorua Boiling Mud Soup
We recently celebrated my son’s 20th birthday, which conveniently coincides with a long weekend every year, which gives me extra time to make a cake that fits his current interest and of course a feast for friends and family to gather around; and this year we were lucky to have a couple of out of … Continue reading Number 2 son turns 20
This was not the blog I set out to write this week, but sometimes events overtake plans….. This week we learnt of the sad and very untimely death of Anthony Bourdain. A chef, a writer, a traveller, a story teller, a champion of the underdog, a drinker, a drug taker, someone who touched the lives … Continue reading An essay…..
I’ve had a busy month – hence the delay in writing this week – and have been away from home for the past 3 weekends. Time with family, friends and a precious weekend at the beach by myself. It gave me time to ponder what makes a place Home, or even just where and when … Continue reading Home ❤
This has been one of my most requested recipe, after I made it as a “feed the workers a quick dinner before my 50th birthday bash”. Made a quadruple version and served with warm crusty bed, the perfect quick feast before the party…. (Well, it would’ve been perfect, had I not put the wrong start … Continue reading Mexican Chicken Soup
Returning home after my week away helping Mum pack up the old family home, I couldn’t be bothered to go to the supermarket, so thought I’d search the pantry/freezer/garden for inspiration and threw this combination together. Chorizo and white bean is a favourite combination of mine – and not just because they are easy ingredients … Continue reading Chorizo, white Bean and Winter Greens soup
Food for the soul - welcome to my world 