Tastes of MY life

After watching the BBC 2 programme a taste of my life where celebrities talk about and cook food that reminds them of their early life and the milestones,I started dreaming about food liked and disliked that reminded me of my life so far.

Leaving home & downsizing the food.

This last week has had my youngest daughter (of at least 30ish) leaving home and moving to a flat in the village where we live.She is only about 10 minutes walk away and because I am in the village everyday I will see her…..But what about the wonderful meals I cook ?My husband does not eat vegetables and has different meals to me and Beck,he does not like chilli etc., so what now? I can’t cook for her every day and take the food down in a doggy bag!!! I am going to have to scale down my cooking.As it is we have 2 freezers full of vegetables,meat and meals…..

Race for life

 This is my new aim for this year ,We have entered Cancer research UK  race for life.I know that it is only a short run at 5k but I am sure that is just as important as if it was a marathon!This is the idea of my grandaughter Hannah .My daughter Maria , Hannah   and myself have all entered as 3 generations.Hannahs’ friend Cara is also joining us.I( am sure that I am fitter than any of them!) It is training all the way now and who knows what else it will inspire us to do.

We all know someone touched by cancer. My mum lost her life to bone cancer nearly 5 years ago.My husband has been free of prostrate cancer now for 3 years. With out research he would not have survived.

I will try and update you on my training as and when.

If you are interested in having a go there are races all over the country mostly on the 15th June…Take a look at the site.

www.raceforlife.org

A new year ,a new start and great food .

Well here we are again another new year and yet another new start.We had Christmas and New Year in Feuraventura where we have gone for the past 4 years.It is a wonderful island for us at it is everything we need…Rest,walks,peace and quiet ,all the good books I have been meaning to read and most of all wonderful sunshine and warmth when we need a winter boost.

Using winter vegetables & preserving

Suddenly having loads of winter vegetables from your garden or allotment that are all ready at the same time is a joy  , but  how do you find enough recipes to use them all to the best advantage.How do you preserve them if you have a glut?This year I have such an abundance of red cabbage , savoy cabbage and leeks.

Winter warmers

Well here we are again at the time of year when all we want to do is eat warming, comforting food that fills us and makes us feel contented.Years ago that would have meant a lot of stodgy food made with suet and fats.If it was anything like my poor mums cooking it would have been very heavy going.

Things have changed thank goodness and we can eat loads of wonderful food with out feeling like a lead balloon.Take a look at a few of my recipes that will maybe tempt you.These recipes can also be made and left to their own devices at a time of year when we don’t have a lot of time to spare.

Sauces

Every good meal deserves a good sauce.A few years ago there would only have been a couple to choose from but now with the world getting smaller there is no end to the sauces you can make.

Read further on to see my small collection of sauces to go with pasta and other foods.

FAT TO THIN

It was January 2006 and I had a birthday bash to go to.I could not believe I needed a size 20 dress.I went to the party and felt a frump,everybody said how nice I looked but it did not mean a thing …That was when I decided enough was enough I had to bite the bullet and seriously change my eating habits.I had always been big but two years previously I had given up smoking and piled on 2 stone so I knew that had to go and more….

Herbs & spices

Over the years , I like many people have used more and more spices.Growing up in the 50’s I had hardly heard of a spice except perhaps cinnamon or mixed spice on the top of a rice pudding ! Now the amount used in cookery and food is amazing and new spices come to light every day.We are so lucky to live in an age where so many  herbs and spices are available to us.A lot of this of course is because of the wonderful amount of Asian restaurants in Britain now and the fact that we have become more adventurous.

Flavoured vinegars & oils.

I just love flavourings and as I eat so many salads and spiced food,I just can’t wait to make new ones.

I probably started a few years ago with basil & mint but now make with most other herbs & chillies.

I have experimented with mustards as well which have been successful in the past.Take a look at a few ideas I have put together