I had some holiday entitlement left from last year which I had to take before the end of February or lose them. Guess what I did? I have just spent three days doing... not much... at home! And it was great! Well, when I say not much, it usually comprises studying, cooking, housecleaning, organising bits and pieces for the wedding, etc...
For instance, I spent literally hours editing our wedding website in the past two weeks. These things take an awful lot of time. I guess that's what you pay website designers for, because it is not even that difficult, once you know a few tricks. I have a good teacher, as Trave is a computer programmer. And he has done the framework. I am only filling the pages. But still. I am proud of myself!
I have also been looking at various cooking blogs, as we are looking for vegetarian alternatives for our wedding meal. Both Trave and I are vegetarians, but also Longcat the Bestman, his better half, and a few of our friends.
I have a few ideas now.
Oh, and back to work tomorrow!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
L'homme du train
Another movie from Patrice Leconte. Great characterisation, just like in Girl on the Bridge. Very odd: melancholic yet funny, L'Homme du Train ist about two men who seem to have nothing in commun but who discover that they can appreciate each other, in a way.
I am now looking forward to seeing more of his work. So far I had seen only the two old time classics Les Bronzés, and Les Bronzés font du ski. Not to forget Le Pére Noel est une ordure (same actors, different director) I LOVE THESE MOVIES!!!
Monday, February 26, 2007
Soup with all the veg left in the box
As Trave was poorly with a stomach bug, V advised a 24h fast (only liquids, so I made some blueberry & pear smoothie), followed by a week of eating pro-biotic yoghurts. He cheated a little bit yesterday evening and had a bowl a soup.
This soup tasted surprisingly good, given that I had paid little attention to what went in it: all the vegetables we had left needed using up badly. So in the soup there was:
- 1 celeriac
- 2 leeks
- 10 jerusalem artichokes
- 4 parsnips
- 1 cauliflower
All diced/sliced and cooked in boiling water with bayleaves for 25 minutes.
Then all in the food processor, back in the pan, with a hint of nutmeg, parsley, salt and loads of freshly ground black pepper.
I wish we had had some carrots though!
You would be surprised by the taste. Much better than expected. And Trave feels so much better today !
We will have some more tonight.
======================
Soupe avec tous les légumes qui nous restaient:
- celery rave
- 2 poireaux
- 10 topinambours
- 4 panais
- 1 chou-fleur
Mine de rien, cette soupe était très bonne. Avec un peu de persil et de la noix de muscade, c'était plutôt bon !
This soup tasted surprisingly good, given that I had paid little attention to what went in it: all the vegetables we had left needed using up badly. So in the soup there was:
- 1 celeriac
- 2 leeks
- 10 jerusalem artichokes
- 4 parsnips
- 1 cauliflower
All diced/sliced and cooked in boiling water with bayleaves for 25 minutes.
Then all in the food processor, back in the pan, with a hint of nutmeg, parsley, salt and loads of freshly ground black pepper.
I wish we had had some carrots though!
You would be surprised by the taste. Much better than expected. And Trave feels so much better today !
We will have some more tonight.
======================
Soupe avec tous les légumes qui nous restaient:
- celery rave
- 2 poireaux
- 10 topinambours
- 4 panais
- 1 chou-fleur
Mine de rien, cette soupe était très bonne. Avec un peu de persil et de la noix de muscade, c'était plutôt bon !
Sunday, February 25, 2007
What to do with your used water-filter cartridges
I wanted to post this message months ago but somehow never did.
People living in hard water areas (like us) usually filter their tap water. We used to have a Kenwood filter, but it was too small and we had to filter the jug twice to cook pasta for two! So we bought a bigger one a few years ago, from the Brita brand.
I am generally not over-concerned about brands but the good thing about the Brita filter, whether linked to fact that it is a German company or not, is that you can send your used cartridges for recycling. And it is a free post address. (in the UK at least).
Here is the return address in the UK:
Brita Recycling
Freepost NAT 17876
Bicester
OX26 4BR
This reminds me we need to pack and send back at least 12 months worth of cartridges...
People living in hard water areas (like us) usually filter their tap water. We used to have a Kenwood filter, but it was too small and we had to filter the jug twice to cook pasta for two! So we bought a bigger one a few years ago, from the Brita brand.
I am generally not over-concerned about brands but the good thing about the Brita filter, whether linked to fact that it is a German company or not, is that you can send your used cartridges for recycling. And it is a free post address. (in the UK at least).
Here is the return address in the UK:
Brita Recycling
Freepost NAT 17876
Bicester
OX26 4BR
This reminds me we need to pack and send back at least 12 months worth of cartridges...
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Who is to blame?
Who is to blame? Trave's new big open-plan office with air-conditioning or my delicious meal from yesterday evening? In any case, Trave is very poorly right now with a bad stomach bug, eeeeek!
Nevermind: on the menu yesterday were sausages with purple sprouting broccoli and fried mushrooms. The sausage recipe is based on my previously posted sausage recipe, but with coriander and tarragon, and I also added 100g of mixed chopped nuts, yum yum!
Nevermind: on the menu yesterday were sausages with purple sprouting broccoli and fried mushrooms. The sausage recipe is based on my previously posted sausage recipe, but with coriander and tarragon, and I also added 100g of mixed chopped nuts, yum yum!
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Trave's first day!
Trave is starting today at his new job, hurrah!
I have some days' holidays left from 2006 which I have to take before the end of this month so I am working on my TMA and also our wedding preparations, both of which are very time-consuming.
It is nice to see that Trave found a new job so quickly, and still in game programming. People at his new company seem very nice too!
I have some days' holidays left from 2006 which I have to take before the end of this month so I am working on my TMA and also our wedding preparations, both of which are very time-consuming.
It is nice to see that Trave found a new job so quickly, and still in game programming. People at his new company seem very nice too!
Girl on the Bridge
We watched La Fille sur le Pont last week. I had not seen it for a while and I thought it was even better than I recalled. The use of light is extraordinary and the atmosphere stunning. Vanessa Paradis and Daniel Auteil are astonishing. The dialogues are really good. Subtitles seemed difficult to read though, so might be a bit challenging if you are not fluent in French and don't want to miss a split of a second of the imagery. Don't miss this film!
Vegetable enchilladas
3 Steps for delicious enchiladas:
1. Dice various vegetables and fry in a wok. (here I put baby sweetcorn, spinach, carrots, red pepper, leeks, and red hot chilli peppers)
2. Roll in tortillas whether home-made or ready-bought and place in a greased ovenproof dish. I did not have time to make them myself this time :(
3. Make a tomato sauce spiced up with chilli. Pour over the tortillas and sprinkle with cheese. Place in the oven until golden brown.
Enjoy!
1. Dice various vegetables and fry in a wok. (here I put baby sweetcorn, spinach, carrots, red pepper, leeks, and red hot chilli peppers)
2. Roll in tortillas whether home-made or ready-bought and place in a greased ovenproof dish. I did not have time to make them myself this time :(
3. Make a tomato sauce spiced up with chilli. Pour over the tortillas and sprinkle with cheese. Place in the oven until golden brown.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Fantastic potato pie
This is the first time I try this recipe and I am glad I did! It is fairly simple (if you buy the puff pastry ready-made as I must admit I did). It is also very nutritious and tasty.
Serves 4-6 people:
puff pastry
700g potatoes, thinly sliced
1 onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
150ml double cream
2 eggs
Salt, pepper and herbs
1. Parboil the potatoes for 10 min. Meanwhile, fry the onion and red pepper with a bit of butter.
2. Mix together the drained potatoes, the onion and pepper, herbs and seasonning and 2 tablespoons of double cream.
3. Divide the pastry in two. Roll out half of it on a baking sheet. Spoon the potato mixture onto the pastry, leaving 2-3 cm border.
4. Beat 1 egg into a smal bowl and brush the edges of the pastry. Roll out the second half of pastry and cover the potatoes. Seal well with the beaten egg. Make a slit with a knife in the centre of the pie. Brush the pie with the rest of the beaten egg.
5. Place in a 200 degrees preheated oven for 30 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, mix the rest of the double cream together with the second egg.
7. After 30 minutes, pour in the double cream and egg mixture through the slit. Place back in the oven for another 15 minutes.
8. Serve with fresh vegetables.
Serves 4-6 people:
puff pastry
700g potatoes, thinly sliced
1 onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
150ml double cream
2 eggs
Salt, pepper and herbs
1. Parboil the potatoes for 10 min. Meanwhile, fry the onion and red pepper with a bit of butter.
2. Mix together the drained potatoes, the onion and pepper, herbs and seasonning and 2 tablespoons of double cream.
3. Divide the pastry in two. Roll out half of it on a baking sheet. Spoon the potato mixture onto the pastry, leaving 2-3 cm border.
4. Beat 1 egg into a smal bowl and brush the edges of the pastry. Roll out the second half of pastry and cover the potatoes. Seal well with the beaten egg. Make a slit with a knife in the centre of the pie. Brush the pie with the rest of the beaten egg.
5. Place in a 200 degrees preheated oven for 30 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, mix the rest of the double cream together with the second egg.
7. After 30 minutes, pour in the double cream and egg mixture through the slit. Place back in the oven for another 15 minutes.
8. Serve with fresh vegetables.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Go Trave!!!
One of the news I did not publish when it happened was that Trave had been made redundant last Monday after the company he was working for had become insolvent. All staff were made redundant at once. Not a great piece of news...
However, another video game developer in town is currently recruiting so Trave has applied and is currently taking part in a two-day recruiting process, where he has a mini-project to work on and present at the end of the 2 days. He started on Friday and will finish on Monday.
He has also received another offer so he has a good chance of being employed again very soon.
GO TRAVE!!! You are an excellent computer game programmer. Whoever you decide to work for, they won't regret employing you.
GOOD LUCK ON MONDAY.
However, another video game developer in town is currently recruiting so Trave has applied and is currently taking part in a two-day recruiting process, where he has a mini-project to work on and present at the end of the 2 days. He started on Friday and will finish on Monday.
He has also received another offer so he has a good chance of being employed again very soon.
GO TRAVE!!! You are an excellent computer game programmer. Whoever you decide to work for, they won't regret employing you.
GOOD LUCK ON MONDAY.
Requiem for a Dream
We watched Requiem for a Dream yesterday night. I have not quite recovered from it yet.
It is basically the story of four people who all have dreams, ambitions, etc... and who all get into drugs hoping for a better life soon.
A really good movie, excellent photography and shooting and I am really glad I watched it and I recommend the experience to anybody but I am not sure I want to watch it again. At least not in the near future.
There is a very good use of close-ups, and speed: slow motion vs accelerated shots. And the grand finale is extremely disturbing and upsetting and breathtaking...
It is basically the story of four people who all have dreams, ambitions, etc... and who all get into drugs hoping for a better life soon.
A really good movie, excellent photography and shooting and I am really glad I watched it and I recommend the experience to anybody but I am not sure I want to watch it again. At least not in the near future.
There is a very good use of close-ups, and speed: slow motion vs accelerated shots. And the grand finale is extremely disturbing and upsetting and breathtaking...
Pizza, vino y sueño
I made very good pizzas (pizzi???) yesterday: one with pesto the other with tomato paste and herbs, topped with red, yellow and green peppers and courgettes, unrefined extra virgin olive oil, rosemary, mixed Italian hebs and cheddar cheese. Accompanied by a Cabernet Sauvignon which was not bad for its price, and a slice of cheesecake for dessert.
For the basic pizza base recipe, click here!
We also watched "Requiem for a Dream", I'm still shivering... (see next post)
For the basic pizza base recipe, click here!
We also watched "Requiem for a Dream", I'm still shivering... (see next post)
Lemon ricotta cheesecake
easy and yummy cheesecake!
Ingredients:
250-300g ricotta cheese (I have used cottage cheese instead and it works just as well)
2 TBSP semolina
60g raisins/sultanas
3 TBSP grappa or marsala
100g caster sugar
3 big egg yolks (keep the egg whites to make meringues!)
3 TBSP lemon juice
finely grated rind of 2 big lemons
1. Soak the rasins in the grappa/marsala an hour or so beforehand.
2. Grease a cake tin with butter and line the base with baking paper.
3. Mix together the cheese, semolina, egg yolks, sugar, lemon rind and juice, then add the soaked raisins. Pour in the tin.
4. Place in a preheated oven for 30-40 minutes until set.
5. Open the oven door and leave to cool in the oven for 2 to 3 hours. Sprinkle with icing sugar to decorate.
Ingredients:
250-300g ricotta cheese (I have used cottage cheese instead and it works just as well)
2 TBSP semolina
60g raisins/sultanas
3 TBSP grappa or marsala
100g caster sugar
3 big egg yolks (keep the egg whites to make meringues!)
3 TBSP lemon juice
finely grated rind of 2 big lemons
1. Soak the rasins in the grappa/marsala an hour or so beforehand.
2. Grease a cake tin with butter and line the base with baking paper.
3. Mix together the cheese, semolina, egg yolks, sugar, lemon rind and juice, then add the soaked raisins. Pour in the tin.
4. Place in a preheated oven for 30-40 minutes until set.
5. Open the oven door and leave to cool in the oven for 2 to 3 hours. Sprinkle with icing sugar to decorate.
Snow landscapes from our flat
It did snow indeed! The following pictures show how it looked on Thursday morning from our front and rear window. Everything looked really nice... until I reached the main road, which was very muddy.
I gave blood after work on that day and did not feel too well afterwards, so given the very icy pavements, we took a taxi back home: better safe than sorry!
I gave blood after work on that day and did not feel too well afterwards, so given the very icy pavements, we took a taxi back home: better safe than sorry!
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Winter has finally arrived
After a much milder than usual December and January (there was no snow in Bavaria or Austria), we are now having cold, but crisp and sunny weather for the last few days, and we may have some snow overnight!
I am glad we have a nice gas fire in the living room, because with no central heating, it is barely 10 degrees Celsius in the other rooms... brrr... A bit less today as Trave left the bathroom window opened when he left this morning.
We are having an interesting/stressful/exciting/scary time lately, but I won't reveal anything until we know a bit more.
I hope we get some snow tomorrow: although it makes cycling challenging, I love getting up early and going outside when it has snowed. Everything seems so much quieter. It reminds me of Jukkasjärvi and Kiruna. Standing still in the middle of the vast and wild space of the Åbisko Park, all covered with immaculate white snow... unforgettable! The only sounds were from wild animals and the dogs' breath (we travelled on dogs' sledge). Wonderful experience. It was a bit chilly though, even with a thermos bottle full of Glögg! (well, it was empty after a couple of hours spent outside!!!)
I am glad we have a nice gas fire in the living room, because with no central heating, it is barely 10 degrees Celsius in the other rooms... brrr... A bit less today as Trave left the bathroom window opened when he left this morning.
We are having an interesting/stressful/exciting/scary time lately, but I won't reveal anything until we know a bit more.
I hope we get some snow tomorrow: although it makes cycling challenging, I love getting up early and going outside when it has snowed. Everything seems so much quieter. It reminds me of Jukkasjärvi and Kiruna. Standing still in the middle of the vast and wild space of the Åbisko Park, all covered with immaculate white snow... unforgettable! The only sounds were from wild animals and the dogs' breath (we travelled on dogs' sledge). Wonderful experience. It was a bit chilly though, even with a thermos bottle full of Glögg! (well, it was empty after a couple of hours spent outside!!!)
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Saturday afternoon walk
The weather was stunning today: sunny, warm, and not windy at all. Oh, gorgeous sunshine, it is so nice to see you again!
We went for a walk through the fields and met dozens of other walkers (most of them dog owners). I really enjoy walking in the 'countryside' (say outside of town) and greeting strangers. People are so friendly when you leave the city, especially when you are walking or cycling. I guess people who drive throught the country lane don't actually meet any locals.We ventured to the next village and on our way back, decided to make a little detour via the pub, which is on the river and has a watermill inside. We saw a couple of fishermen there. We first sat outside watching at the castle ruins behind the river, but then it became a bit chilly so we went inside. At this point I have to mention Trave's eternal joke: whenever I say "I'm chilly" he would reply "I'm Argentina, nice to meet you." AH AH AH!!! The worst thing is: I LAUGH EVERYTIME!
As seen from our table:
It was dusk when we left the pub. Light engouh to see the path though, and we had our bike torch if it had been too dark. It's fine walking back home when the fields have wheat or sweetcorn, but we found it difficult to find our way in the dark the first time after the harvest!
We went for a walk through the fields and met dozens of other walkers (most of them dog owners). I really enjoy walking in the 'countryside' (say outside of town) and greeting strangers. People are so friendly when you leave the city, especially when you are walking or cycling. I guess people who drive throught the country lane don't actually meet any locals.We ventured to the next village and on our way back, decided to make a little detour via the pub, which is on the river and has a watermill inside. We saw a couple of fishermen there. We first sat outside watching at the castle ruins behind the river, but then it became a bit chilly so we went inside. At this point I have to mention Trave's eternal joke: whenever I say "I'm chilly" he would reply "I'm Argentina, nice to meet you." AH AH AH!!! The worst thing is: I LAUGH EVERYTIME!
As seen from our table:
It was dusk when we left the pub. Light engouh to see the path though, and we had our bike torch if it had been too dark. It's fine walking back home when the fields have wheat or sweetcorn, but we found it difficult to find our way in the dark the first time after the harvest!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
The missing egg
I forgot to incorporate the egg into the bake I made yesterday. Except I had broken the egg in a bowl already and the dish was ready to put in the oven. So rather than wasting an egg I made some cookies tonight! What a great idea, we had not had cookies for ages. I made them with chocolate chips and cocoa powder. My favourites are with orange peel and chocolate chips.
Here is a photo:
Recipe for 18 cookies:
175g flour
1 tsp baking powder
125g margarine
100g light muscovado sugar
50g caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla flavouring
1 egg
125 g dark choc chips
cocoa powder (optional)
mix all ingredients together and place spoonfuls on floured baking trays in a preheated oven (180 degrees) for 10 minutes.
================================
Recette pour 18 cookies :
175g farine
1 c. café de levure chimique
125g margarine
100g cassonade
50g sucre en poudre fin
1 c. café extrait de vanille
1 oeuf
125g pépites de chocolat
poudre de cacao (optionnel)
bien mélanger tous les ingrédients et placer des cuillerées sur des plaques farinées dans un four préchauffé á 180 degrés et cuire pendant 10 minutes.
Here is a photo:
Recipe for 18 cookies:175g flour
1 tsp baking powder
125g margarine
100g light muscovado sugar
50g caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla flavouring
1 egg
125 g dark choc chips
cocoa powder (optional)
mix all ingredients together and place spoonfuls on floured baking trays in a preheated oven (180 degrees) for 10 minutes.
================================
Recette pour 18 cookies :
175g farine
1 c. café de levure chimique
125g margarine
100g cassonade
50g sucre en poudre fin
1 c. café extrait de vanille
1 oeuf
125g pépites de chocolat
poudre de cacao (optionnel)
bien mélanger tous les ingrédients et placer des cuillerées sur des plaques farinées dans un four préchauffé á 180 degrés et cuire pendant 10 minutes.
Bombón el perro
Bombón el Perro is a great film, which I enjoyed seeing for a second time. Simple story about simple people. Very funny and touching at times. And I also like the Argentinian accent when they speak Spanish.
We watched it on Tuesday night with a nice bowl of pasta with roasted courgettes and tomatoes. Yum yum!
I recommend the film. Really.
We watched it on Tuesday night with a nice bowl of pasta with roasted courgettes and tomatoes. Yum yum!
I recommend the film. Really.
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