Foody food food of late

I'm a complete and utter voyeur when it comes to looking and being nosy about what other people eat! I always love Sophie's "Food of Late"posts and Fat Dormouse's Food diaries.  I do really love food and looking at the everyday items that people eat!  I decided to try and keep a track of some of the things that CBC and I end up cooking and have a look at it. Well, because I quite like doing that.  If you write any food posts, let me know!  Also, I've been shopping at Lidl a few times, Romford market a bit and at Waitrose and the COOP once or twice too.

I confess a few things in regard to cooking- often we just make random concoctions, not any particular recipe or theme at all. You will also notice a lot of the same ingredients. We are creatures of habit with a little variety but not loads.



1.  Peppered mackrell fillet with broccili, spinach, kale in sheep's yoghurt, left-over Indian takeaway basmati rice and patty-pan squashes, red pepper and sweet potato roasted in Olive oil with coriander garnish.
The key ingredient was the patty-pan squashes from my Mum's garden. They were so delicious and sweet. The sheep's yoghurt made the green veg all tangy.  Luckily we ended up with virtually a whole container of rice left from the previous night's takeaway.

2.  Spanish-style omelette- CBC made this with eggs, pointed red peppers, courgette, potatoes and coriander on top.
CBC really fancied doing a Spanish-style omelette. He's always one for presentation. Me, not so. It was very tasty. I like my omelette overdone!

3.  Friday night panic- penne pasta with tinned tomatoes, bacon lardons, pointed red peppers in profusion, sweet corn, served with cucumber and slices of avocado.
This was one of those, "Oh heck, random assortment of ingredients, what shall we do?" evenings so I threw this together! Luridly red but very tasty! The avocado and cucumber saved us from red overdose!
4.  Vegetarian sausage cassoulet: Red peppers, tinned tomatoes and Linda McCartney frozen soya sausages with Italian herb and dried accompaniment, Sweet potato, carrot and potato mash with coriander and creme fraiche and green lentils.
This came two days after the Friday night, "Oh heck!" episode and was even more of an "Oh heck!" what do we do! We came to blows over who was going to cook this and argued over who should be getting on with their school work and who should be cooking. Both wanted to be in the kitchen!
A bit random. I confess, I am not so keen on these sausages. I much prefer meat sausages but they are ok. We try not to eat too much meat.

5.  Pasta with asparagus, shallots, aubergine, tomatoes and rocket with goats cheese.
It's ages since this meal- I am longing for asparagus! The goats cheese was the crowning touch!

6.  Omelette with goats cheese, little gem lettuce, red peppers raw, rocket, chantenay carrots adn sliced salad tomatoes.
I'm a HUGE omelette fan but only if I am cooking it!

7.  Fresh free-range beef burger with curly kale (steamed), broccili, mixture of yellow peppers and cherry tomatoes with garlic.
I found an amazing free-range butchers when visiting Romford to go shopping when CBC was away at a Stag do in the market hall. Really nice items so I bought this and the following sausages there. VERY tasty! (P.S. you may get bored of seeing kale as I bought two HUGE bags of it in the market AND 9 pointed redpeppers!) 

8.  Free-range pork and chilli sausages with Broccoli, curly kale, leeks, shallots
 and corn on the cobs
The sausages were equally delicious and the sweet corns were from the market also.


9.  Brown wild rice with oven-roasted vegetables; pointed red peppers, sweet potato, potato, aubergine and kale.
I confess I don't like this rice. I mean, I'll eat it and it's ok and all that but I prefer white rice.  We like our aubergines!  I love the fact they are half the price in Lidl of our local COOP!

10.  Linda McCartney rosemary and herb soya sausages with white rice, kale and spinach and fried leeks and red peppers.
Ok, I really don't like THIS variety of sausages- horrid rosemary flavour!

11. Thai Green Chick pea curry (containing chick-peas, shallots, red peppers, broccili and aubergine) served with rice.
Been trying to use some things in the cupboard up and Fat Dormouse (Alison) posted about a nice pepper and chickpea recipe. Given that I had loads of peppers a few weeks ago, I wanted to try it but kept forgetting to soak the chickpeas. Finally did it last night (Sunday night) and made a veggie variety on my favourite Thai Green meal.  Also used some ancient creamed coconut in the cupboard.  I'm not saying how old it was in case CBC reads this...

12.  Filetted rainbow Trout with shallots and garlic, leeks, broccoli and cabbage served in Creme Fraiche.
This was right from the beginning of the month. In Waitrose, you can pick up whole trout quite cheaply and CBC is happy to prepare it! I don't like to associate with the dead fish I confess, I feel too guilty.  The MESS it makes though!

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DO you cook with any of these items. Any favourites? Any comments? Any times you want to say, "What on EARTH did you do that for?"
Leave me a comment too if you have done any food posts!

xx

Robins meet polka dots

Glamorous celeb outfit meets Primary teacher duff-imitation on the stairs of a dark and dingy school.
I had 30 seconds flat to take these photos as I nipped to the hall to fetch my Memory-stick and case which I had left up there after orchestra and go over to the other building to find out what lesson I was covering for the Year 2 NQT this evening. I haphazardly propped the camera on the windowsill, after walking along operating the self-timer from the hall computer and took the two photos and scarpered just as our male secretary came up the stairs to visit the facilities. I tried to look nonchalant as I shoved camera and ID tag in bag.  I knew this was my only opportunity to take a picture and I so wanted to join in with IM Monday with the Two Birds as I haven't done for weeks now and I do like these!

I had white shirt possibilities for this outfit but this would have involved ironing (yuck!) so it had to be this new cardigan from Primark. Add the cute Robin infinity scarf (sorry, no time for close-up but I can assure you they are cute).

I was productive after school today.  We had a meeting which I took minutes for which was over surprisingly quickly, so I went over to see aforementioned teacher but their phase meeting still hadn't finished so I made a decision to try and do something nice for one of the other year 2 teachers. She hasn't really got any powerful vocabulary words up yet and is frightfully busy with other things with no spare LSA time so I thought I'd print, cut and laminate the words for her. She was really grateful and I'd decided to try and do the same for the other teacher I cover.
We have to go through our Performance Management review this week and have to think of what our targets are for this year and I am wondering if I can create Guided reading resources for teachers for some of the books that I haven't done yet, so I can have a target that is non-music based as well.  Hmmm, not sure, got to think it out but I have loads of literacy ideas so I'd like to try and do something with those ideas!

Also managed to photocopy lots of music for orchestra. As our theme is WW1 this term, I've been teaching the children WW1 songs in assemblies and the choir are doing a whole concert of songs so I decided to do an arrangement of a song called 'Keep the home fires burning' for Recorder clubs in three parts (hard, medium, easy) and for orchestra, I've created an arrangement of Mademoiselles from Armetiers. Now this song might possibly have slightly dodgy connotations (not too sure of the morals of these mademoiselles), so I have simply called it, "WW1 soldier's song" because it really is a cracking tune and it works well as a piece.
One of the reasons I was feeling down last week was that one of my brightest musicians (and one of only two cornet players in the school) said he didn't want to do orchestra. The rule is that they are expected to do orchestra as part of their musical development as they have been learning for a while, particularly very able musicians and I have faced many reluctant boys over the years- which is always hard work to keep them going.  He's such an enthusiastic musicians so I felt really down about it.  But this week, I had a chance to chat to him, be really enthusiastic, cheery and joky with him about it, telling him about my experiences with playing the viola when I didn't really want to and touch wood, he seemed happy this week. I consequently felt less gloomy. Orchestra is going well so far- we lost nearly all our players from last year except for 7 children after such a successful year and I knew it would be hard to build up. But a few weeks on and we have 28 children who are getting on ok including some able musicians, some who find it harder and so I have hopes of progressing with them. Sorry if I bore you with school stories - I try to keep things not related to the school as a whole but as my experience as I like to remember these moments.

This week is quite busy. I have to go and purchase 30 recorders tomorrow for my year 3's, two of my orchestra rehearsals and a few more tasks to fulfill! Life is never dull!

The previous weekend was really ok. I did housework on Saturday morning and then went off to London to play recorder for Choir of 21st century in Victoria.  It's nice to see fellow musicians and to perform with such a super choir.  I enjoy the rare opportunity of playing recorder with an orchestra. In between the rehearsal and concert, I headed off to Piccadilly to visit the Cath Kidston flagship store, where I may or may not have bought something (I did) and to visit Irregular Choice in Carnaby Street  where I may or may not have purchased something (I did).  Heading back to the concert, I had the loveliest surprise as my dear friends who live in Petworth had come up for the concert. It's always such a treat to see them and I was delighted as we had no idea each other would be there.  We went for a lovely cup of tea afterwards in Pret.  I do love how music binds friendships regardless of age. They may be 70 and 80 respectively, but we are good friends!
Sunday, I went to church where I discovered our team rector used to be the vicar the church we visit from school and we went to Papermill Lock for lunch. A nice little walk and then onto school work whilst listening to Rebus on Radio 4! I'm hooked and now want to read some Ian Rankin!!!

How was yours?

xx

P.S.

Thanks for your Doctor-related comments and love of Croatia.

Lizzie (Elizabeth Rebecca), you should definitely visit Croatia- teacher holidays yay!!! I also enjoyed your blogs this week about the things you've been up to and it's good that Alan has been able to look after you!

Those of you who also like Dr Who but got a little bored with it, I too missed a whole chunk of Matt Smith- I haven't seen most of the Amy/Rory episodes- I should watch them now I am back into it.

Dormouse- I made Chick-pea curry tonight. Not done your one yet, but it was delicious! Now got to get on with your recipe.

Katie and Fabrizia- Watch Dr Who!!!

Martha- I like Clara's bossiness but I can see it would be a bit annoying!
Vix- yes I really liked him too and wish he'd stayed the Doctor for longer!

Candy- I KNOW! Super costumes eh!?!

Maricel- Yes, I am so glad I'm not the only one who was So over the romance! Kindred spirits!

Thoughts on The Doctor

I must say, I am really enjoying Peter Capaldi's interpretation of The Doctor in Doctor Who so far. I'm also enjoying it because CBC has voluntarily watched it with me each week, the day after on i-player. I woke up this morning to find him watching the previous night's episode on i-Player in bed on his phone!! CBC usually disses Doctor Who. And yet, though he denies it, I think he's starting to like it.

I'm trying to think what it is I am enjoying:

• I love the accent- nothing like a good old Scottish accent to cheer me up (I love any accent north of Birmingham! I often bemoan my boring accent and confess to saying the Lord's prayer at church aloud with slight northern twang on certain words- and the life ever-laaaasting).
• The fact that there is no Doctor-Assistant love-triangle,will-they-wont-they relationship. Honestly, with new Who, I was really tired of that. I know that with Donna, there wasn't any of that, but I was getting a bit bored with it.
• The fact that he is bossy, grumpy and sarcastic with Clara.  It's funny and sets a different mood.
• He's so different to the others, yet there is that Doctor magic that stays despite the change of personnel.
• He does, for me, hark back to Old-Who a bit more. This is good.
• He's a super actor and he's a bit insane! He reminds me of my old Scottish flute teacher! Also insane.

On the subject, I really do like Clara as an assistant. Great actress, she's clever, has a good job (aha, we teachers are all secretly travelling with The Doctor), wears nice clothes (sorry, superficial, but it's nice to be able to think, "Oooh, I can dress up secretly as Doctor Who and know one except super geeky-fans like me will know!"  I love surreptitious costuming! I think it's known as Cosplay. Can't wait till my Collar clips arrive. I ordered them a month ago!) and as I said, I like an accent.

The outfit is wrong but the dress was bought because it looks a tiny bit like Clara's dress from Journey to the centre of the TARDIS a bit.

This is brighter in real life/other photos....

It's not like I can subtly wear this for work...

This is a bit more obvious. But more get-away-able with than the Dalek...

If there are a few things that annoy me with New Who, they are this:

• New Who is SO centered on Earth. Why can we not visit different planets more, with different locations,see more. I tend to find that most episodes are either,on Earth, hovered in a space-ship above Earth, in Earth in an alternative dimension. Seriously??????? You could go anywhere!?!?!?!!
• Why is everything ALWAYS apocalyptic?  The world doesn't have to ALWAYS be in imminent danger of being totally blown up forever. Some old Who had danger, intrigue, suspense but it could be more localised. Everything is always SO extreme. Can we just have something that is focused on the one place getting destroyed or something going wrong?
• I know the overarching theme wraps things up in terms of a series but I wouldn't mind if there wasn't one? Why does everything have to be linked up all across the time and space. I just don't like the coincidence. It's just too convenient! 

What I'd like:

• Can the Doctor please go back to the Eye of Orion? I always wanted him to go back to that place.I even began my own Doctor Who novel based on the Eye of Orion when Paul McGann became the Doctor.  Never got very far with it because, well, it's hard writing a novel!
• Some old classic monsters to come back.
• For the Doctor to find and meet up with old assistant, Romana, or Ace or indeed any of them! It happened to Sarah Jane Smith, so why not anyone else?
• More historical stories.

Other than that, I am loving it!  I really hope that Capaldi sticks at the role longer than Matt Smith and co and gets many series under his belt and doesn't decide to move on and make the Doctor run out of regenerations!

What do you think of Doctor Who?  Old Who? New Who? Assistants? Capaldi? Monsters? 

You name it, I'm happy to listen!!!

xx

Croatia Days 8-10: Sipan

I left you in my last post on our Croatian holiday, in Split, ready to depart. We left our luxurious apartment reluctantly to catch the bus to Dubrovnik. The journey took around 3 or 4 hours, I forget which. Be warned, that if you are staying in Split and fancy taking a day trip to Dubrovnik, you must bring your passport as you have to pass through Bosnia Herzegovina to reach it. The reason for this is Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for 20 kilometres (12 miles) of coastline on the Adriatic Sea and by international laws, they must have right of passage to the sea. Our only real experience of Bosnia, apart from passport checks at two borders, was the 20minute stop at which we bought ice-creams. Here's the view from the restaurant. Arriving in Dubrovnik, again the bus terminus and the port were in the same place. We managed, very smugly, to catch a boat almost instantly to our destination, the Elaphiti/Elifi island of Šipan. The boat calls first at Lopud, an island without cars and some boats call at Kolocep. We had a super journey on the boat- it was an open-sided boat, much nicer than the catamaran from Split.

I chose to read all the way there. The three musketeers was getting gripping! Arriving at Sipan at Suđurađ our accommodation was our most basic of the trip, very cheap on Air BnB, it was what is called Sobe- essentially, rooms. Our room unfortunately wasn't what we expected- it turned out to be single bunkbeds and a single bed. It was however, clean and though basic, had everything we needed. There was a shared kitchen which was not very well maintained by the other residents. The location was super though. Literally, a 10 second walk from the boat. It is above a bar though which was fine for me as I am a genius at not noticing noises (except snoring and squirrels doing Donald Duck impressions) when I am going to sleep, but CBC was kept awake till 3am on Monday night, which is Sipan's party night. If you want to get away from the tourist cliches and traps, Sipan is for you. There's just the one small grocery shop (bread has to be ordered from the mainland) and then one small souvenir shop, two restaurants on the port and a little walk along, is the hotel with a restaurant and an amazing restaurant.


We met our host, Tiofel and then walked to his recommended restaurant, Tre Sestre (The three sisters). This was really the most perfect setting. Imagine an open veranda looking out over the port, vines groaning under the weight of grapes above you, and the sweetest, most kind and welcoming man and his wife who cook the most delicious and inexpensive fare. They do some regional specialities too. Luckily, we told them that we'd be coming back tomorrow to try their 'Lamb under the bell' at which point they told us it has to be ordered the day before as it takes 5 hours to cook.


 After this, we headed to the beach. I say beach. It is a tiny shingly bit on the side of the port. Despite the fact many boats come here, the water is crystal clear, and there is a pleasant part sectioned off for swimmers without fear of boats. I do recommend wearing aqua shoes though-it's really hard to walk on the stones.
 

 We had a glorious time and I mentioned to Chris that we were enjoying the golden hour. He wasn't sure what I meant and I quoted Sophie in the Sticks who talked about that golden hour around sunset where everything is bathed in a golden hue or beauty.
In the evening, we played boules in the port with our own rules which was fun.

Our second day in Sipan was a bit of waste in how late we woke. CBC had had so little sleep after the party down in the bar,we didn't get out the place till 12pm. We had decided to do some sea-kayaking which is a hugely popular activity in Croatia, particularly on the island and actually, it was viewing a kayaking/biking holiday on Groupon staying in the Elaphiti island themselves that first put me on the track of Croatia this year.

 Alas, I was too worried about getting my camera wet, so no actual journey pictures. We hired our kayaks from the souvenir shop. A very reasonable 80Kn for half a day (5 hours) per canoe. I've been kayaking on the river Wye on many occasions, enjoyed and been fairly successful at it but I wasn't prepared for how hard it is kayaking on the sea. We decided try turning left out of the port and trying to go round the island that way. The waves constantly rock you and I never felt secure when not paddling so quickly became tired. CBC was constantly ahead of me and I was always playing catch-up. It was hard to stop and take a drink so I was really glad when a tiny cove appeared with a minute
bar and restaurant.
 
If you've read Terry Pratchett books at all, you will know about wandering shops, shops that vanish when you want to return magical items you've bought there once. Well, I felt this bar was a bit like that, we couldn't seem to find it on the way back! It was such a sweet little place, run by a family, who had their relations visiting. I honestly have no idea how they make a living- how do people know about it? The island only has a population of 500 and it's not exactly easy to find from the port surely.
Anyway, they provided an excellent, much needed drink to two parched kayakers and respite from an unrelenting and oppressive sun. I was already tired by this point, but we decided to continue, thinking we might be able to find a nice place to swim.

 Eventually, we realised we'd have to turn back and it was at this point that I discovered how incredibly difficult it was to go against the current/waves or whatever it was, the other way. We just didn't seem to make much progress, no matter how hard we paddled. Finally, at the point of wanting to cry and give-up (ok, I did do that), we got nearer to the port. That in some sense was worse.CBC tried to help me by coming alongside of me and holding the canoes so I could have a rest, but that unpleasant bobbling-up-and-down from the waves just made me feel insecure. As we came closer towards the port, CBC landed and I was still a bit further out. To my horror, my coming in coincided with the Jadrolinja liner/boat coming in with the day's visitors! I was terrified coming alongside this boat carrying hundreds of people and a few yachts too and was at melt-down-point by the time I clambered like a baby-deer into CBC's waiting arms crying with relief.

 For the rest of that day, we had some rest after cooking some pasta and passata until it was time to return to Tre Sestre for our Lamb-under-the-bell. And oh,what a treat!

Lamb, Octopus or goat under the bell does what it says on the tin and is prepared under an iron bell, over open fire or cinder. It is an ancient tool for food preparation and apparently widely spread along the Croatian coast. It was the most exquisite, wonderful, melt-in-the-mouth meal, so full of flavour- lamb shanks,potatoes, vegetables and there was loads left. The restaurant had several other people who had ordered their something-under-the-bell too. I'd really recommend visiting Sipan just for that restaurant. It highlighted what I noticed about the Croatian people.How friendly and appreciative they are of visitors and tourists and how kind and helpful they are.

 Our next day, we decided to take a trip to the nearby island of Lopud and that in itself was an epic adventure, hence why I've split this into two posts!  More anon.

x

Over to you: have you ever sea-kayaked?

Leave at least two chevrons between you and the driver in front

*Warning- Mother in law not to read this! I mention that word/thing/creature you don't like me/anyone saying...*

Always fun to dress up as a street sign when you head out into the High Street for a mooch! I know the outfit is probably rather obnoxious, but I can't resist the flag colour combo!

These trousers are really not particularly flattering but I like them because of the blatant chevronning going on!

I really do think (and I know I'm preaching to the converted so I should just shut up!) that dressing in bright clothes is the antidote to the impending gloom of darker days and cold weather. Somehow if you DRESS brightly, you can believe that everything is still sunny and gorgeous! Luckily we have kept some nice sunshine and light days for which I am so grateful. In fact, there are a few things I am very grateful for and 

1. For my husband who made me lovely dinner.

2. For the sheer delight of playing Hadyn Symphony 104 with my orchestra- this is the FIRST piece I played in a (proper) chamber orchestra on flute, aged 13.  That year was the ONLY year I got to play flute in an orchestra at my music school. Viola, AKA, bane of my flute-playing life, meant I never got to play flute in the top orchestra.  I then studied it for A'Level and it feels weird to be playing it 20 years on (exactly) from the first time I played it!  The Sibelius piece with 'great big flute solo' is also not too shabby either!

3. For the weather holding up.  I really do feel the dark and cold  gloom when the year gets shorter.

4. For the two LOVELY teachers helping me with choir at school. With 53 children, it's too much to handle alone and the two ladies are so supportive and generous of their time when they are so busy.

5. For the HORROR year 2 class of last year being pretty darn good for 3 weeks on the trot in Music. Honestly, they're ANGELS so far in comparison. We have a boy back from a behavioural school and he really is trying hard as are many of them!

6.  For my Mum being kind and lovely and booking us both onto a Drum-making workshop in October! How exciting!

7.  For the *massive spider*who is lurking somewhere in my living room for making himself scarce. I don't know where's he's gone but as long as he keeps away from me, all is well.

8. For being able to help a friend with some wedding props- it's nice when you have things to share with someone else.

9. Hearing that one of my lovely star pupils who left last year, who is funnily enough, now taught by my husband, talking about things I taught her! Sweet to be remembered!

10. For the hope and comfort of my duvet.

Good night folks...

xx

Might link this as my Hat Attack post with Judith - love this thrifted red beret!

All at sea

CBC heard from a work colleague that there was a Regatta at Leigh-on-Sea, near Southend in Essex last weekend and so we decided to head over there before attending a concert of young musicians from Southend.






Old Leigh-on-Sea is a really attractive place. Apparently, from a magazine article I read some years ago, it's a really arty and crafty place and has more artistes per square mile than er-other places (I am hazy on what exactly the article said). It has a pretty section by the sea-front (It's the Thames estuary), cobbles, old-fashioned pubs and also the town is pretty cool with nice shops, bakeries, arty crafty and vintage places.

Although we were only there for a short while, we got a really nice community feel- the sea scouts were out and about and various local community groups were there with stalls and information. It's a good place to go and buy fish too. I heard a man talking to his pal saying that the cockles this year were beautiful- incomparable to other years- excellent flavour and not at all gritty. I'll just take his word for it but we did share a little bowl of something fishy (and some chips!)

I'd recommend it as a nice place to visit if you over in that part of the world. I'm not sure I'd say, visit from far off, but it's certainly very pleasant.

I'll leave it to the photos.  Take the journey along the front with me...


































Have you ever visited Leigh?

xx