I've been watching the weather in Omsk; down to -27C this last week so it is no surprise to me that Larisa has waited until today (a more comfortable -10C) to pop out to the local Internet cafe to check her email and respond to my New Year/Birthday greeting. She tells me that she is fine, that the Xmas/New Year celebrations continue in Russia until 10th Jan, and that on that day she has further appointments with the Doctors. She says that she will let me know what's going on after her appointment but if that doesn't happen I'm not going to worry, she doesn't have the convenience of an Internet Connection at home, it's very cold and the walk to the Cafe is not something to undertake lightly. I remember the other extreme: going to the Library in South Carolina in record High Temperatures to make contact with you through email and I remember moaning about that discomfort!! And bearing in mind that the idea is to get "Fast-Tracked" she may not have an opportunity to write anyway.
It's a chilly 12C here, showers are around and the sky is very grey. There is not much light so I've got all lights burning here in the apartment and, as usual, I'm amusing myself in the kitchen. I was going to go to the shops but the weather has put me off that idea but I must get some more breadmaking stuff in, my firstever loaf is nearly all gone and I'm anxious to make more bread (one loaf at a time of course) trying slight changes to the basic recipe until I get it just the way I would like, which I will. The first has a slightly heavy crumb, a brown tint in colour and a hard crust so I'm going to try putting milk in the mix and cut down on the yeast quantity. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Tuesday, 8 January 2008
Saturday, 5 January 2008
Those Breadcrumbs
I've taken a Kilo of flour, 2 teaspoons of salt, a pint of tepid water with 50gms of yeast and a tablespoon of honey dissolved in it and made a dough in my mixing machine. And, hey presto, it's rising now on it's first proving!!
As for the chicken, I stuffed it with Sage & Onion and roasted it yesterday. It came out pink at the bone so obviously I didn't allow enough extra time for the extra weight of the stuffing. I reckon that my oven is "slow" though because the same calculations have worked before in other ovens so it's going to be interesting to see how the Bread turns out. Being pink at the bone isn't TOO much of a worry because the carved meat is to be reheated in the microwave etc so the cooking process will complete then. I hope.
Question.....how do you know when the dough has doubled in size? I can't remember how big it was at the start!! But it IS getting bigger (I`ve never, never, not ever made bread before). Hmmm, I going to presume that the longer the proving, the lighter the texture, so, when it touches the ali foil covering the bowl I'll consider it risen enough assuming that that will be "well" doubled in size. Isn't cooking fun?. Some folk consider it a science. Me? I suck it and see (as they say!)
OK, total success so far. 2nd proving is underway whereby I've actually placed the dough in the Loaf Tin so th
at when ready the whole caboodle can go straight in the hot oven. I'm just hoping that there IS more than one way to "skin a cat", straight into the tin? No-one else seems to do that!
Now it is in the oven, where time alone will do the telling. I've covered the tin with AliFoil to try and cut down the effect of the bare element in the top of the oven, there to act as a grill of course but I can't turn it off in this particular oven, so, plan B is always to cover the food loosely ( so that I can still see it!). I forgot to grease the tin
(I thought it was non-stick) so I've had a little job getting the loaf out but, with little damage I've succeeded. Looks good. Smells good, and despite no E Numbers it tastes good. The Breadcrumbs? I've got a packet that I bought from the supermarket in the cupboard already!!
As for the chicken, I stuffed it with Sage & Onion and roasted it yesterday. It came out pink at the bone so obviously I didn't allow enough extra time for the extra weight of the stuffing. I reckon that my oven is "slow" though because the same calculations have worked before in other ovens so it's going to be interesting to see how the Bread turns out. Being pink at the bone isn't TOO much of a worry because the carved meat is to be reheated in the microwave etc so the cooking process will complete then. I hope.
Question.....how do you know when the dough has doubled in size? I can't remember how big it was at the start!! But it IS getting bigger (I`ve never, never, not ever made bread before). Hmmm, I going to presume that the longer the proving, the lighter the texture, so, when it touches the ali foil covering the bowl I'll consider it risen enough assuming that that will be "well" doubled in size. Isn't cooking fun?. Some folk consider it a science. Me? I suck it and see (as they say!)
OK, total success so far. 2nd proving is underway whereby I've actually placed the dough in the Loaf Tin so th
at when ready the whole caboodle can go straight in the hot oven. I'm just hoping that there IS more than one way to "skin a cat", straight into the tin? No-one else seems to do that!Now it is in the oven, where time alone will do the telling. I've covered the tin with AliFoil to try and cut down the effect of the bare element in the top of the oven, there to act as a grill of course but I can't turn it off in this particular oven, so, plan B is always to cover the food loosely ( so that I can still see it!). I forgot to grease the tin
(I thought it was non-stick) so I've had a little job getting the loaf out but, with little damage I've succeeded. Looks good. Smells good, and despite no E Numbers it tastes good. The Breadcrumbs? I've got a packet that I bought from the supermarket in the cupboard already!!Friday, 4 January 2008
The Three Kings
Hmmmm.... here in Spain they celebrate the festival of Christmas on 6 January (although, craftily, they also celebrate to a certain extent on 25th Dec.) and it is known as the Fiesta of The Three Kings, who bring gifts on the eve of the 5th etc etc. Well, not being one to be outdone with double celebrations I've bought a chicken. A whole one, and over this weekend I'm going to celebrate "The Three Kings" with it roasted, complete with Bread Sauce, stuffing and Couscous. Different and interesting. As I write the bird is roasting, dried fruit is soaking and Milk is steeping with onion, cloves, garlic and Bay Leaf ready for whatever I come up with in ideas for a Dinner tonight after work, tomorrow and Sunday. I'm expecting my 1.7Kg bird to do me 4 meals at least. I just hope that there is not a bag of giblets inside because if there is, it's still there!! Ooops. I have also bought Flour and Yeast because tomorrow I'm going to make my own breadcrumbs using my "new" Kenwood Chef. Boy that Chicken is beginning to smell good!! It's the bacon y'know, the only way to auto-baste a bird.
more follows----->
more follows----->
Monday, 31 December 2007
New Year Torre Style
New Years Eve, pretty chilly through the morning but now, at 2 o'clock, a mild 16C/60F. Today at 7pm I'm due at Tina & Barrys' for an Indian Takeaway. 7pm for aperitifs followed by the delivery at 8pm of a takeaway from a local Indian restaurant. Beryl & Randy are also invited and we've had great fun choosing our wants from the extensive menu the restaurant provided. The plan beyond the meal is to celebrate the New Year at the bar which Beryl is going to open at 11pm or so. As for me ..I have the day off, yippee, although if it gets busy tonight I have agreed to help out if needed. Which puts me in a dilemma of course, to drink or not to drink, running a bar is like driving...it shouldn't be done "under the influence". But there are at least 9 hours to go so I'm having a glass of Red Wine or two while I cook a lunch of Fried Eggs, Pork Sausage and Bubble & Squeak. Cecilia called in to the bar on Boxing Day and gave me a little tub of Duck Fat (or Grease as she called it) having, I presume, reclaimed it after her Xmas Day Roast. Bubble & Squeak should traditionally be made with Lard but Duck Fat is worth a try and that is what is going to happen here in my kitchen, using up the Xmas Sprouts that are just beginning to go yellow on the outside leaves and Potatoes that have not yet sprouted. One man and his plan again, using up rather than throwing away and the Scottish Butcher in Fuengirola Market makes awesome Pork Sausages which for me here in Spain are not everyday normalities but more of a Christmas/New Year treat. I actually wanted his Pork & Herb but he'd sold out on Xmas Eve when I went shopping. Talking of using up, yesterday I knocked up a good few litres of Vegetable Soup using the Xmas veg still left (saving behind a few sprouts for today's planned meal) and even included the last of the Turkey Soup for added flavour instead of a Chicken Stock Cube. It's the old, old story of course: on Christmas Day you really look forward to the first bowl of Turkey Soup but by New Year's Eve you've "had enough". The Marx Brothers had the right idea.
Last night Tina & Barry "surfaced" in the bar after disappearing since the last (for me) meal at theirs. We were all getting worried, I'd even suggested that Christopher Columbus was wrong and that they had fallen of the edge of the world, but no, they had family visiting from Italy over Christmas and their celebration was kept quite private. Tina sat next to me last night in the bar and told me in no uncertain terms to wear my waistcoat today. "Never mind what's been said, you get dressed up in that waistcoat again, you hear!!" Of course, today it doesn't matter, I'm not on duty, so I can wear what I want and if I have to help, well, we are within the normal hours of opening anyway. No problem. I am going to wear it, but I can't remember the colour shirt that Hilde recommended. Yes I can, but I haven't got one. Ooops, there could be "trouble" tonight if she turns up for a New Year drink at the bar.
Never must I forget that there is more to life than Torremolinos. There is also Omsk where a certain young lady will be celebrating the New Year AND her Birthday 5 hours ahead of us here in Spain. So, before I leave the apartment tonight my priority is to send an email which I know she will be looking for at, or just after, her midnight mark. When I say that I mean that she will check the timestamp, she will not be able to actually access the internet until she can get to a public access point in the morning because I know that she doesn't have immediate access at home. Check the timestamp?? Oh yes, last time she went home I went to America and the timestamp gave all away, remember?....so, she'll check, believe me, she'll check!!
1635 I've just had an SMS from Austen, he's on his way home, probably at the Dominican Republic's airport right now so he'll be in the air come midnight. "Happy New Years" are exchanged. Aaron is working but I'll send a txt anyway, he just might receive it on time if he is not too busy dealing with misdemeanors on the roads of Manchester.
1730 and the message to Larisa is drafted and waiting for me to press the send button. Midnight that side of Moscow is 7pm here so I'll send it just as I leave the apartment for the evening's celebrations.
And finally....The Indian meal with Tina, Barry, Beryl & Randy was good, and, despite being a takeaway, was up to the standard I've come to expect from that particular restaurant (the newest in Town and, arguably, the best) then along to the Bar at about 2245 to open up where we found that the mop was required to clear up an "old" touch of the floods in the loos. I popped across the road into The Ship to see the folk in there where I found quite a 'do' warming up but after one vodka I slipped back to Ana's to see the New Year in. Only trouble was that, despite a customer cracking open 2 bottles of Cava and sharing them round, there was not much, if any, of a party atmosphere developing so.....back to The Ship where I found Lisa cajoling, conducting and choreographing the assembled throng and generally setting a fun mood ready for 1am (or the English New Year). The radio provided the chimes, and with the crowd providing the cheer 2008 swept in on a tide of alcohol as usual. All good fun. Aaron sent a txt at 0330 to say that he was in "the office" with his first 'nick' of the year (a driver under the influence). I sent back that I was going to walk home, which I did and was in bed by 4am I think.
Last night Tina & Barry "surfaced" in the bar after disappearing since the last (for me) meal at theirs. We were all getting worried, I'd even suggested that Christopher Columbus was wrong and that they had fallen of the edge of the world, but no, they had family visiting from Italy over Christmas and their celebration was kept quite private. Tina sat next to me last night in the bar and told me in no uncertain terms to wear my waistcoat today. "Never mind what's been said, you get dressed up in that waistcoat again, you hear!!" Of course, today it doesn't matter, I'm not on duty, so I can wear what I want and if I have to help, well, we are within the normal hours of opening anyway. No problem. I am going to wear it, but I can't remember the colour shirt that Hilde recommended. Yes I can, but I haven't got one. Ooops, there could be "trouble" tonight if she turns up for a New Year drink at the bar.
Never must I forget that there is more to life than Torremolinos. There is also Omsk where a certain young lady will be celebrating the New Year AND her Birthday 5 hours ahead of us here in Spain. So, before I leave the apartment tonight my priority is to send an email which I know she will be looking for at, or just after, her midnight mark. When I say that I mean that she will check the timestamp, she will not be able to actually access the internet until she can get to a public access point in the morning because I know that she doesn't have immediate access at home. Check the timestamp?? Oh yes, last time she went home I went to America and the timestamp gave all away, remember?....so, she'll check, believe me, she'll check!!
1635 I've just had an SMS from Austen, he's on his way home, probably at the Dominican Republic's airport right now so he'll be in the air come midnight. "Happy New Years" are exchanged. Aaron is working but I'll send a txt anyway, he just might receive it on time if he is not too busy dealing with misdemeanors on the roads of Manchester.
1730 and the message to Larisa is drafted and waiting for me to press the send button. Midnight that side of Moscow is 7pm here so I'll send it just as I leave the apartment for the evening's celebrations.
And finally....The Indian meal with Tina, Barry, Beryl & Randy was good, and, despite being a takeaway, was up to the standard I've come to expect from that particular restaurant (the newest in Town and, arguably, the best) then along to the Bar at about 2245 to open up where we found that the mop was required to clear up an "old" touch of the floods in the loos. I popped across the road into The Ship to see the folk in there where I found quite a 'do' warming up but after one vodka I slipped back to Ana's to see the New Year in. Only trouble was that, despite a customer cracking open 2 bottles of Cava and sharing them round, there was not much, if any, of a party atmosphere developing so.....back to The Ship where I found Lisa cajoling, conducting and choreographing the assembled throng and generally setting a fun mood ready for 1am (or the English New Year). The radio provided the chimes, and with the crowd providing the cheer 2008 swept in on a tide of alcohol as usual. All good fun. Aaron sent a txt at 0330 to say that he was in "the office" with his first 'nick' of the year (a driver under the influence). I sent back that I was going to walk home, which I did and was in bed by 4am I think.
Friday, 28 December 2007
A tale of One Christmas (cont'd)
Sorry 'bout keep having to do continuances but I run out of time these days when writing due to the fact that it takes a long time and I have to break to go to work and when I get home I have to eat etc. rather than get on with things here. What I have been doing is leaving a more follows----> tag at the bottom as I work on the post through the day (when necessary) and I'm going to continue doing that until the post is totally complete in future which means that, over more than a day, despite no additional post (such as this one) there may be more at the bottom of the latest, and will be, until the more follows---> is removed.
Christmas Dinner cont'd
I'd left the prep of the starter deliberately so that she could get involved if she should ask to be allowed to help, whic
h she did. And that was followed by helping me set the table etc. I'd thought that I would leave taking photos out of it but now I wish that I had because the table looked nice with a Christmassy tablecloth, a pair of red candles and other bits and bobs. Talking about photos I remembered later that I hadn't stopped the apartment cams and checked to see if she was in any of the shots at 1530 when they would have taken their last snaps of the day. She was. Sat at the table, and also you can see the bag containing the little gift of perfumes that I'd bought. The meal was good. Nothing was spoilt, everything turned out as intended so my worries about burning stuff turned out to be groundless. Lary had never seen bread sauce before and (believe it or not) wasn't too sure about what to do with the gravy, preferring to drink a cupful of it rather than pour it over her meal. That said, she helped herself to more meat and veg which, for me, was a silent accolade. Then we shared one mince pie and cream because we were both quite well "stuffed".
As I write (28th) she has returned to Russia, having left here yesterday. Her date for the operation she needs keeps being deferred, latest being not til February. So she has decided to get it done back home where she can pay to be fast-tracked through the procedures. She has an appointment on the 3rd Jan to get things organised and said that she would be back within a month. In the meantime we have email with which to keep in contact and she has promised to bring back "something Russian" for me. My face must have been a picture as she was telling me, because she kept repeating "you do understand, I'm going to Russia on 27th, but I'll be back within a month". In actual fact that may be exactly what's going on in the snap.
Austen was up early on Christmas Day because I received a txt all the way from The Dominican Republic at 12-34pm which for him would have been 06-30am or 07-30am and I spoke to Aaron on Boxing Day as I promised him I would - he has had Christmas off but has to work the New Year so I'm not expecting a midnight "happy new year" txt from him and I don't know whether Austen is back or not. So it looks like the New Year might be unusually quiet for me what with Lary being in Russia as well (it's also her Birthday don't forget). I have the day off, and am invited to Tina & Barry's along with Beryl & Randy for a celebratory meal (Indian Takeaway) before retiring to Ana's for the midnight mark. And that's it for now.
Christmas Dinner cont'd
I'd left the prep of the starter deliberately so that she could get involved if she should ask to be allowed to help, whic
h she did. And that was followed by helping me set the table etc. I'd thought that I would leave taking photos out of it but now I wish that I had because the table looked nice with a Christmassy tablecloth, a pair of red candles and other bits and bobs. Talking about photos I remembered later that I hadn't stopped the apartment cams and checked to see if she was in any of the shots at 1530 when they would have taken their last snaps of the day. She was. Sat at the table, and also you can see the bag containing the little gift of perfumes that I'd bought. The meal was good. Nothing was spoilt, everything turned out as intended so my worries about burning stuff turned out to be groundless. Lary had never seen bread sauce before and (believe it or not) wasn't too sure about what to do with the gravy, preferring to drink a cupful of it rather than pour it over her meal. That said, she helped herself to more meat and veg which, for me, was a silent accolade. Then we shared one mince pie and cream because we were both quite well "stuffed".As I write (28th) she has returned to Russia, having left here yesterday. Her date for the operation she needs keeps being deferred, latest being not til February. So she has decided to get it done back home where she can pay to be fast-tracked through the procedures. She has an appointment on the 3rd Jan to get things organised and said that she would be back within a month. In the meantime we have email with which to keep in contact and she has promised to bring back "something Russian" for me. My face must have been a picture as she was telling me, because she kept repeating "you do understand, I'm going to Russia on 27th, but I'll be back within a month". In actual fact that may be exactly what's going on in the snap.
Austen was up early on Christmas Day because I received a txt all the way from The Dominican Republic at 12-34pm which for him would have been 06-30am or 07-30am and I spoke to Aaron on Boxing Day as I promised him I would - he has had Christmas off but has to work the New Year so I'm not expecting a midnight "happy new year" txt from him and I don't know whether Austen is back or not. So it looks like the New Year might be unusually quiet for me what with Lary being in Russia as well (it's also her Birthday don't forget). I have the day off, and am invited to Tina & Barry's along with Beryl & Randy for a celebratory meal (Indian Takeaway) before retiring to Ana's for the midnight mark. And that's it for now.
Thursday, 27 December 2007
A Tale of One Christmas
Christmas Eve's photos have been processed so I can give you an idea of that meal with Hilde and her friends. My little Digital Camera is not very good in the dim light, the flash 
range is very limited so these have had to be artificially brightened somewhat which rather alters the colour balance. Anyway, the first three are views of the restaurant setting, our table is to the right in the top image where my whiteshirted arm can just be seen poking out from behind the standing figure. The middle photo is our table, I was seated to th
e right of the Lady in the white jacket and Hilde has her back to camera, sporting a ponytail. Next, a view of the table setting. The folk are all Dutch friends of Hilde so I was unable to understand much of the conversation although both Hilde and the Lady with the glasses spent much time translating for me. I'm not quite sur
e why it happened but at the end of the meal we joined forces with another table (out of camera in all the shots) and I rounded the evening off talking to an English Woman who's name now esc
apes me. Finally, to give credit where credit is due, there is a picture of the kitchen and staff. The meal was excellent, Hilde's friend Yvonne, the restaurant's owner (in the black top) excelled as chef and the other ladies made sure the evening went as smoothly as humanly possible. As I've already mentioned, after calling into Ana's Bar and then The Ship (to wish Lisa a Happy Christmas), I got home at just on 2am quite the happy chappy.
While I'm in the mood to upload photo
s I'll do a couple more for you so that faces can go
with names so to speak. First one of (L)Ana-Mary, (C)Favio and (R)Beryl, none of whom require any introduction, they are usually mentioned in all the posts (letters) I write these days. And finally, Hilde, also fairly frequently mentioned here lately. From Rotterdam I believe. Likes a good laugh does Hilde, usually at my expense!! But I get my own back now and again.
Christmas Dinner
While waiting for 1 o'clock to arrive I busied myself prepping the Turkey, the veg and doing a thousand and one other jobs that I found in order to make the time pass. Lary arrived half-an-hour late due to missing the train or there not being one and having to catch a bus. I was watching the steps on the webcam and gave her a quiet "hello" from the terrace to acknowledge her arrival. A little earlier (at 10 to 1) I'd received a txt from Aaron telling me that he had just tried to ring but couldn't get through. I sent back that I would call him on Boxing day as I was waiting for Lary and couldn't talk anyway.
range is very limited so these have had to be artificially brightened somewhat which rather alters the colour balance. Anyway, the first three are views of the restaurant setting, our table is to the right in the top image where my whiteshirted arm can just be seen poking out from behind the standing figure. The middle photo is our table, I was seated to th
e right of the Lady in the white jacket and Hilde has her back to camera, sporting a ponytail. Next, a view of the table setting. The folk are all Dutch friends of Hilde so I was unable to understand much of the conversation although both Hilde and the Lady with the glasses spent much time translating for me. I'm not quite sur
e why it happened but at the end of the meal we joined forces with another table (out of camera in all the shots) and I rounded the evening off talking to an English Woman who's name now esc
apes me. Finally, to give credit where credit is due, there is a picture of the kitchen and staff. The meal was excellent, Hilde's friend Yvonne, the restaurant's owner (in the black top) excelled as chef and the other ladies made sure the evening went as smoothly as humanly possible. As I've already mentioned, after calling into Ana's Bar and then The Ship (to wish Lisa a Happy Christmas), I got home at just on 2am quite the happy chappy.While I'm in the mood to upload photo
s I'll do a couple more for you so that faces can go
with names so to speak. First one of (L)Ana-Mary, (C)Favio and (R)Beryl, none of whom require any introduction, they are usually mentioned in all the posts (letters) I write these days. And finally, Hilde, also fairly frequently mentioned here lately. From Rotterdam I believe. Likes a good laugh does Hilde, usually at my expense!! But I get my own back now and again.Christmas Dinner
While waiting for 1 o'clock to arrive I busied myself prepping the Turkey, the veg and doing a thousand and one other jobs that I found in order to make the time pass. Lary arrived half-an-hour late due to missing the train or there not being one and having to catch a bus. I was watching the steps on the webcam and gave her a quiet "hello" from the terrace to acknowledge her arrival. A little earlier (at 10 to 1) I'd received a txt from Aaron telling me that he had just tried to ring but couldn't get through. I sent back that I would call him on Boxing day as I was waiting for Lary and couldn't talk anyway.
Monday, 24 December 2007
Christmas Eve
My favourite day. I'm going to leave this post open and add to it as I go through the day, so scroll down on your visits to make sure that you miss nothing! Why my favourite? The anticipation, the preparation and, OK, just a little celebration ahead of the big day all go to make it feel entirely different to any other. I've got the radio on playing some seasonly appropriate music, a couple of candles are burning, the fire is on and my tea is tasting good. Things are very cosy thankyou. I'm planning to catch the 0930 Parsnip Special to Fuengirola where I'm also going to try and find a suitable little gift for Lary. I had an email from Pam yesterday, Austen is in The Dominican Republic and Aaron is probably nickin' drunk drivers!! I'm looking forward to some contact with those two tomorrow although Austen may have difficulty. And of course, you. Nice to hear that the card(s) arrived in time. Also, it's nearly a whole year since I stopped smoking. A double celebration so let's get on with it......
1345 That's it, the shopping is all done, even down to the matches needed to light the brandy to flambe the Christmas Pud. If I've forgotten anything it'll have to stay forgot! Kettle's boiling...a well earned cuppa. And while I'm drinking that I'll have a think about my menu :-
Prawn Cocktail
Langostinos & Mussels dressed in cocktail sauce served on a layered bed of Romano lettuce and fresh crabmeat and then topped with "caviar" and fresh mango.
Roasted Turkey with Sage & Onion Stuffing Balls.
Served on a Rosti Pancake with Bread Sauce and Cranberry preserve and accompanied by Bacon wrapped Chipolatas, Roast Potatoes, Honey Glazed Carrots, Roast Parsnips, Cauliflower and Asparragus
Christmas Pudding
Flambed in Brandy and served with Cream
Hmmmm....I might need to be up early!! Sounds good though. Had I known that things were going to pan out the way that they have for tomorrow I wouldn't have arranged the meal out tonight because I really don't think that I can afford the time, but, too late now.
1830 and it is time to go out. I'm popping in to see (English) Erica first in the bar that she is working in then it's on to meet up with Hilde and the rest for a Dutch Dinner. Still a lot to do here so it'll be a late night for me no doubt (including the "finish" in Ana's later) but I've scrubbed-up well as usual so I'm not going to waste the effort. See you later....
0155 I'm back indoors after a nice night out. For the others whom I was with the night continues but I have a meal to prepare tomorrow and I cannot afford to spend time celebrating tonight when, for me, tomorrow is so much more important. The dinner tonight was fabulous and Hilde has been given my full permission to congratulate the restaurant staff on their effort and a job well done on my behalf. But right now I have other things on my mind, including taking things out of the freezer to defrost etc etc ready for (what is probably) the most important meal of my life. Sounds dramatic? You bet. And I'll probably be back with a fresh post in 3 or 4 hours, this one is now closed, I'm going to bed.
1345 That's it, the shopping is all done, even down to the matches needed to light the brandy to flambe the Christmas Pud. If I've forgotten anything it'll have to stay forgot! Kettle's boiling...a well earned cuppa. And while I'm drinking that I'll have a think about my menu :-
Prawn Cocktail
Langostinos & Mussels dressed in cocktail sauce served on a layered bed of Romano lettuce and fresh crabmeat and then topped with "caviar" and fresh mango.
Roasted Turkey with Sage & Onion Stuffing Balls.
Served on a Rosti Pancake with Bread Sauce and Cranberry preserve and accompanied by Bacon wrapped Chipolatas, Roast Potatoes, Honey Glazed Carrots, Roast Parsnips, Cauliflower and Asparragus
Christmas Pudding
Flambed in Brandy and served with Cream
Hmmmm....I might need to be up early!! Sounds good though. Had I known that things were going to pan out the way that they have for tomorrow I wouldn't have arranged the meal out tonight because I really don't think that I can afford the time, but, too late now.
1830 and it is time to go out. I'm popping in to see (English) Erica first in the bar that she is working in then it's on to meet up with Hilde and the rest for a Dutch Dinner. Still a lot to do here so it'll be a late night for me no doubt (including the "finish" in Ana's later) but I've scrubbed-up well as usual so I'm not going to waste the effort. See you later....
0155 I'm back indoors after a nice night out. For the others whom I was with the night continues but I have a meal to prepare tomorrow and I cannot afford to spend time celebrating tonight when, for me, tomorrow is so much more important. The dinner tonight was fabulous and Hilde has been given my full permission to congratulate the restaurant staff on their effort and a job well done on my behalf. But right now I have other things on my mind, including taking things out of the freezer to defrost etc etc ready for (what is probably) the most important meal of my life. Sounds dramatic? You bet. And I'll probably be back with a fresh post in 3 or 4 hours, this one is now closed, I'm going to bed.
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