Whichever end of town the Indian restaurant was, try the one at the other end of town next time (Delhi's Winter vs Ashmaan). Golden Chip does better fish, but Cabrelli's has better chips.
It was Ashmaan; there was a reason (maybe because I didn't notice a delivery option on Delhi Winter's web-site), but I'll definitely give them a go sometime.
The thing about the Golden Chip is it's just so ridiculously handy - literally across the road from my flat. The first time I had scampi from there I was a bit underwhelmed, but I gave it a second chance and it was a little better. Also, they do very nice coleslaw.
I don't know how well found Linlithgow for Asian grocers and Chinese supermarkets, but I find the latter have very adequate ready-made spice/curry pastes and the former are cheaper for basic spices (turmeric, cumin, coriander, chilli, cardamon, ginger* and garam marsala and you're done)
*there is a worldwide shortage of ginger. Failed harvest in China apparently.
I’m surprised you didn’t get given a lanyard as in my experience they are available in hospitals. Perhaps the ones at the security department were hospital branded ones, while you work in a medical centre? You might try asking at work to see if any are available there.
Early meal ( delicious slow cooked park casserole),
You are not supposed to be shooting your neighbourhood's pets, even if you think they are Unruly and Ought To Be On a Lead ... Or was it made from grey squirrel , fox or even hedgehog?
I haven't noticed any Asian supermarkets, but I stocked up on herbs and spices from Tesco's and Sainsbury's and got most of what I'm likely to need. My sister-in-law goes to a spice place somewhere in Edinburgh (not sure where) and gets them reasonably cheaply, but they come in rather bigger quantities than I'd have space for.
Having said that, if you know of somewhere I can get cheap saffron* I'd love to hear it.
* Well, maybe not exactly cheap, but you know what I mean.
If you'll forgive the allusion to a pork dish, last night's dinner turned out well. Pork steaks given just long enough in the pan (c 8mins), topped with caramelised onion and grated graters and finished under the grill.
We’ve got a ham shank for broth making. Our butcher has a waiting list for them and our name came up!
I’m off to get the next hex bug nano kit for my great niece. (Yes, I had to Google it too - they are little battery powered bugs that race round a track). I’ve got one for her twin brother. I showed them my son and he says he’d like one (He’s 34!). The are expensive to buy new but I’m using Facebook marketplace, which is great because it’s local and you just pick up the item on the doorstep. People sell things for £5 or so just to declutter. If it’s not in good condition you just don’t hand the money over. But everything I’ve bought has been in excellent condition - kids soon grow out of toys, don’t they?
We have a collection of hex bug nanos from years ago!
Mr Heavenly’s decking wood arrived yesterday and he was hoping to do the decking today but it has drizzled most of the morning and still looks rather grey. I’ve pottered in the garden.
I need to go and do some writing for my literature review. Sigh.
Hex bug nano kits are a new one on me. Regarding things racing round a track, Mr Nen has been sorting out his Scalextric cars and track and we're hoping to set something up in our hall to enjoy with the family over Christmas.
I hope things continue to improve for the little family @Boogie .
I've got a day of domestics; we were meant to have our flu jabs this morning but they've been postponed to next Saturday as the surgery has run out of vaccine. We were going to combine it with getting a takeaway coffee in town. That's as close as we get to going out for a date together at the moment.
In other news, I've made lemon and polenta cake this morning and will be going out for a walk later. as it's gloriously bright and sunny
... and will be going out for a walk later. as it's gloriously bright and sunny
What a wondrous place to be!
We've just had brunch fajitas (scrambled egg and tomatoes with mexican spices, served with yoghurt, salsa and warm fajitas).
I am now on my pc and off to do some work.
Using defrosted good quality mince from our local butcher, this morning I prepared three individual cottage pies and three burgers. One of each will be eaten tonight, the others to be frozen. They won’t be in the freezer long.
I shall soon be going to church with the choir to record the Carol service which will be available online from 20 December. There will also be two Carol services, with fewer carols and readings, outside two of the small village churches on different days.
The weather here has improved to merely miserable. I've sorted the laundry, been out for the paper, and put a loaf in the bread maker, grilled kippers for lunch. An afternoon of, probably, knitting stretches ahead. Then lamb chops, tzatziki and the house red.
We've just been out for a long and slightly muddy walk along our local river that isn't the Thames. It was very quiet on the way out which surprised me, but very busy with dog walkers on the way back. I shall the walk when we move.
This afternoon will be lazy, catching up on my French and Italian, knitting and reading.
After a very lazy morning (sitting in bed, messing about on the Ship), I've had brunch (smoked salmon, scrambled eggs and TOAST, followed by yoghurt, berries and granola), done the laundry (apart from the sorting) and made a batch of mushroom pâté.
I really ought to make an Expotition to Sainsbury's as I could do with a few heavier things like orange juice, flour and onions, but I'm not sure if I have the necessary get-up-and-go - it might have got up and gone ...
I've had a lovely long zoom chat with a friend and typed up another friend's cv. It is now 3.10pm, which is obviously a lie, as I seem to have lost about 5 hours
I've had a lovely long zoom chat with a friend and typed up another friend's cv. It is now 3.10pm, which is obviously a lie, as I seem to have lost about 5 hours
I had an extremely late lunch of a slice of Marmite toast and a cup of tea, plus two mini mincepies from M&S (don't bother buying them!) because my Grandson, partner, two daughters and my NEWEST GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER! all came to visit me, in the flesh. We sat in my garage, two meters apart, rope on floor to make sure the children kept behind, and chatted for over an hour. I'd put a fan heater on full blast, and it warmed it up nicely!
Newest GGD at three months old, is absolutely lovely, despite having had a difficult start with a heart valve defect (hopefully closing itself, or whatever it is supposed to do). Smiles all round, and it was really good to see family in the flesh, which I haven't been able to do since Feb.
Now, if only the other Grandson and his two daughters could get here.......... But he doesn't drive, and the round trip is a bit much for me, involving, as it does, my long-suffering daughter!
If anyone wants better MINCE PIES than Marks and Sparks', mine have just come out of the oven. Homemade mincemeat and everything. I think the idea was to wait until after dinner and have them with our coffee, but it's going to be tough
Incidentally, for those who remember the saga of my cherry pie, I used exactly the same pastry recipe for my mince pies, and it worked fine this time. Go figure
I might be on Santa’s naughty list as today I met 6 friends (plus dog) for a socially distanced stroll and picnic lunch (with my home made mince pies containing wonderful vegan mince meat made from local plums and russet apples and no suet, not even pretend suet). We reckoned we were 4 plus 3 (plus dog). Usually only 6 of us can make it, but everyone was free today. I took the opportunity to pass on Christmas presents.
I did muster up the oomph to go to Sainsbury's, and was pleased to discover that the local buses do contactless payment (I knew the Edinburgh ones do, but wasn't sure about the ones here), so I don't have to cart a ton of coins around with me. I even managed to remember everything on my list, despite leaving it on the table (again).
In the important matter of MINCE PIES, I found that the Co-Op offers a pack of 4 - shortcrust pastry, with tasty filling, topped with clementine-flavoured brandy butter (IYSWIM).
I hope they've still got some left when I venture out again on Monday.
I'm not quite convinced about the brandy butter; IMHO all that mince pies need is a splat of good, thick cream.
A friend in St. John's who came from Cumberland used to give us a pot of his home made rum butter every Christmas, and despite the fact that I don't usually like rum in any form, it was really nice on TOAST.
Early meal ( delicious slow cooked park casserole),
You are not supposed to be shooting your neighbourhood's pets, even if you think they are Unruly and Ought To Be On a Lead ... Or was it made from grey squirrel , fox or even hedgehog?
Early meal ( delicious slow cooked park casserole),
You are not supposed to be shooting your neighbourhood's pets, even if you think they are Unruly and Ought To Be On a Lead ... Or was it made from grey squirrel , fox or even hedgehog?
Now you’ve made me want Brunswick stew for supper.
When we lived in Suffolk, farm shops sold "game pie mix", basically small cubed offcuts from other game such as rabbit, venison, partridge. We had some wonderful pies or stews with it.
We have a venison joint in the freezer for Christmas.
Last year we had pan fried muntjac saddle for starter at our christmas dinner. It was gorgeous and went well with my homemade pickled pears.
Well, I've finished my literature review and just need to finish the accompanying report on Monday to submit by Tuesday. One less thing on my mind on the busy week before the holidays.
For tea we had a Mediterranean feast, with cold mezze for starters and heaps of various meats with rice and salad as a main. We shared 3 puddings; some syrup soaked doughnut balls, a chocolate and raspberry mousse cake and a rather nice baked semolina dish which was crispy on top.
We went today to the very good Portuguese shop in town to buy supplies for Christmas Eve. We were living in Lisbon for our first married Christmas and have established a tradition of Caldo Verde soup, Bacalhau a Braz (cod) for main course, and Arroz Doce (cold rice pudding) for dessert, washed down with Vinho Verde. A small glass of Port later doesn't go amiss, either. Yummy but filling!
From time immemorial, my mother the Dowager cooked the same thing for Christmas Eve - a boiled bacon joint, mashed potato, broad beans and parsley sauce. It was years before my brother plucked up courage to say he absolutely loathed parsley sauce!
A few years ago we went to buy cheese at the local cheese raffineur and they offered a recipe for a soup with a particular Christmas cheese. It's basically french onion soup, but we really enjoyed it. So it's become a Christmas Eve tradition. We tend to eat lightly, and vegetarianally on Christmas Eve.
For many years our meals in late December have had to adapt to various musical commitments. We each play the organ in churches in neighbouring parishes and I also sing in a non-church choir; as all these are separate organisations and we don’t determine the rotas, the timetables don’t coordinate too well. This year looks very different and we shall have to channel our creativity into food instead of music, though need to bear in mind there are only four of us on Christmas Day and only two of us in the house after January 2nd, so will try not to produce too much cake!
Are you anywhere near a TK Maxx? They are weirdly good for saffron and paprika.
Actually yes - there's one just a short train journey away; I'd forgotten they do spices and things like that.
Unfortunately at the moment we're not supposed to go out of our local council area except for essential things like work, and I don't think I could spin buying saffron as "essential"!
I could break my journey there on the way home; one train stops there, but usually by that stage I just want to get home and put my feet up!
I'm being very lazy today: I didn't wake up properly until nearly 10 o'clock*, and I'm still sitting up in bed - I really must get my act together!
* having gone to bed at around 12:30; I must have been catching up on all the missed hours from last week ...
No let up so far, I think waterproof everything will be in order for dog walks. Yes - I even have waterproof socks!
I'm impressed you're so geared up for it! Waterproof socks! Plus dogs get so wet AND muddy. I'm a townie. I just tiptoe around avoiding the puddles, armed with a mac and umbrella. *Goes off to google waterproof socks...*
No let up so far, I think waterproof everything will be in order for dog walks. Yes - I even have waterproof socks!
I'm impressed you're so geared up for it! Waterproof socks! Plus dogs get so wet AND muddy. I'm a townie. I just tiptoe around avoiding the puddles, armed with a mac and umbrella. *Goes off to google waterproof socks...*
They have lasted four years so far, no sign of wearing out. So when my boots start to let in water, as they all do eventually, it doesn’t matter - the socks do the trick! It means I don’t have to spend so long on boot care, dubbin etc.
I hose the dogs down when we get home then put them in their dressing gowns (yes really! ). Another link for the uninitiated - https://ruffandtumbledogcoats.com/
I’m always grateful to the dogs for getting me out - I’d never go out in this weather without them!
It was trying to dry the dogs' paws that got me! Front paws, no trouble. Back paws you'd think i was trying to kidnap them and tie them up! We never dried ourselves until we'd managed to get the dogs dry!
Comments
The thing about the Golden Chip is it's just so ridiculously handy - literally across the road from my flat. The first time I had scampi from there I was a bit underwhelmed, but I gave it a second chance and it was a little better. Also, they do very nice coleslaw.
*there is a worldwide shortage of ginger. Failed harvest in China apparently.
Known as Brunswick stew in the American south.
Having said that, if you know of somewhere I can get cheap saffron* I'd love to hear it.
* Well, maybe not exactly cheap, but you know what I mean.
If you'll forgive the allusion to a pork dish, last night's dinner turned out well. Pork steaks given just long enough in the pan (c 8mins), topped with caramelised onion and grated graters and finished under the grill.
I’m off to get the next hex bug nano kit for my great niece. (Yes, I had to Google it too - they are little battery powered bugs that race round a track). I’ve got one for her twin brother. I showed them my son and he says he’d like one (He’s 34!). The are expensive to buy new but I’m using Facebook marketplace, which is great because it’s local and you just pick up the item on the doorstep. People sell things for £5 or so just to declutter. If it’s not in good condition you just don’t hand the money over. But everything I’ve bought has been in excellent condition - kids soon grow out of toys, don’t they?
Mr Heavenly’s decking wood arrived yesterday and he was hoping to do the decking today but it has drizzled most of the morning and still looks rather grey. I’ve pottered in the garden.
I need to go and do some writing for my literature review. Sigh.
Gruyere. I actually checked that I'd typed that correctly.
I hope things continue to improve for the little family @Boogie .
I've got a day of domestics; we were meant to have our flu jabs this morning but they've been postponed to next Saturday as the surgery has run out of vaccine. We were going to combine it with getting a takeaway coffee in town. That's as close as we get to going out for a date together at the moment.
In other news, I've made lemon and polenta cake this morning and will be going out for a walk later. as it's gloriously bright and sunny
We've just had brunch fajitas (scrambled egg and tomatoes with mexican spices, served with yoghurt, salsa and warm fajitas).
I am now on my pc and off to do some work.
I shall soon be going to church with the choir to record the Carol service which will be available online from 20 December. There will also be two Carol services, with fewer carols and readings, outside two of the small village churches on different days.
This afternoon will be lazy, catching up on my French and Italian, knitting and reading.
I really ought to make an Expotition to Sainsbury's as I could do with a few heavier things like orange juice, flour and onions, but I'm not sure if I have the necessary get-up-and-go - it might have got up and gone ...
Easy done when you are busy and absorbed. 🙂
Newest GGD at three months old, is absolutely lovely, despite having had a difficult start with a heart valve defect (hopefully closing itself, or whatever it is supposed to do). Smiles all round, and it was really good to see family in the flesh, which I haven't been able to do since Feb.
Now, if only the other Grandson and his two daughters could get here.......... But he doesn't drive, and the round trip is a bit much for me, involving, as it does, my long-suffering daughter!
If anyone wants better MINCE PIES than Marks and Sparks', mine have just come out of the oven. Homemade mincemeat and everything. I think the idea was to wait until after dinner and have them with our coffee, but it's going to be tough
I might be on Santa’s naughty list as today I met 6 friends (plus dog) for a socially distanced stroll and picnic lunch (with my home made mince pies containing wonderful vegan mince meat made from local plums and russet apples and no suet, not even pretend suet). We reckoned we were 4 plus 3 (plus dog). Usually only 6 of us can make it, but everyone was free today. I took the opportunity to pass on Christmas presents.
I hope they've still got some left when I venture out again on Monday.
Or perhaps tomorrow...
Well, I'm sure that mince pie deficiency is a certifiable medical emergency!
(My mince pie count thus far: 0).
A friend in St. John's who came from Cumberland used to give us a pot of his home made rum butter every Christmas, and despite the fact that I don't usually like rum in any form, it was really nice on TOAST.
Yes, indeed it is an emergency! Though it might be Myself wot is certifiable...
I'm afraid I'm avoiding church at the moment - too much forced *geniality* in the face of impending Doom.
Does buying mince pies on the Lord's Day lead inexorably to dancing, do you think?
(Not Guilty, m'Lud - I ate two at lunch-time, and two at supper-time).
You could eat the other two at going-to-bed time. Seems a shame not to.
When we lived in Suffolk, farm shops sold "game pie mix", basically small cubed offcuts from other game such as rabbit, venison, partridge. We had some wonderful pies or stews with it.
We have a venison joint in the freezer for Christmas.
Well, I've finished my literature review and just need to finish the accompanying report on Monday to submit by Tuesday. One less thing on my mind on the busy week before the holidays.
For tea we had a Mediterranean feast, with cold mezze for starters and heaps of various meats with rice and salad as a main. We shared 3 puddings; some syrup soaked doughnut balls, a chocolate and raspberry mousse cake and a rather nice baked semolina dish which was crispy on top.
No let up so far, I think waterproof everything will be in order for dog walks. Yes - I even have waterproof socks!
Unfortunately at the moment we're not supposed to go out of our local council area except for essential things like work, and I don't think I could spin buying saffron as "essential"!
I could break my journey there on the way home; one train stops there, but usually by that stage I just want to get home and put my feet up!
I'm being very lazy today: I didn't wake up properly until nearly 10 o'clock*, and I'm still sitting up in bed - I really must get my act together!
* having gone to bed at around 12:30; I must have been catching up on all the missed hours from last week ...
What do you mean, too much CAKE?
I'm impressed you're so geared up for it! Waterproof socks! Plus dogs get so wet AND muddy. I'm a townie. I just tiptoe around avoiding the puddles, armed with a mac and umbrella. *Goes off to google waterproof socks...*
These are mine - https://tinyurl.com/yy4oe256
They have lasted four years so far, no sign of wearing out. So when my boots start to let in water, as they all do eventually, it doesn’t matter - the socks do the trick! It means I don’t have to spend so long on boot care, dubbin etc.
I hose the dogs down when we get home then put them in their dressing gowns (yes really!
I’m always grateful to the dogs for getting me out - I’d never go out in this weather without them!
Do miss them, though!