Best of both

I have a friend[name withheld for obvious reasons] who has a very interesting palate. Her habits are sometimes questionable but at best, very interesting. She came to visit me some time ago and had some leftover stew I had made the previous night. I also offered her scones too which, I assumed, she’d have after her stew. She proceeded to put her scones IN THE STEW! She explained that the sweet and savoury combo just worked for her and that’s how she enjoyed her food. Ummm….really?? I have an overly active imagination so my mind started racing – there I was, imagining my sticky toffee pudding and ice cream in the same plate, and spoonful, as my green Thai curry. No. Some things just don’t go.

There are, however, some not-so-conventional combos that do work. Beetroot and cheese on toast is one of my recent discoveries and a new favourite. Beetroot used to be, and still is a staple in my mother’s house. I’ve always disliked the way it discolours anything it comes in contact with on the plate. Now that I’m a grown up myself, I choose NOT to have it on Sundays, or any other day of the week for that matter - except when it’s combined with cheese on toast. It sounds strange but it works, for some reason.

The recipe is quite simple. You need equal amounts of beetroot (premade and grated from the shop will do) and grated cheddar cheese.

·         Mix 2 heaped tablespoons of beetroot and cheese together

·         Add a tablespoon of mayonnaise to the combo and mix well

·         Add a bit of salt and pepper to taste

·         Chop a spring onion (as much as you can stomach) and add to mix

·         Place the filling on your bread of choice (I use ciabatta) and toast

Coffee with Frieda

A good friend ordered a chocolate cake from me a few days ago and sent me this pwetty pic. Thanks Frieda* for taking my labour of love so seriously

*Frieda is the name she stopped using when she left high school. She goes by a far trendier and sexy name these days

Pwetty food

I went to Parys again a couple months ago and had a really great time. The highlight though was when we stopped for dessert at a restaurant along Bree street [I just can’t seem to remember the name as my focus was on the dessert – I do apologise].

I had a fancy cheesecake and my sidekick had some strawberry jelly thing which had an equally impressive form.  I just couldn’t get over how pretty it all looked and had to share this with you.

What would you do?

Sometimes it’s ok to say ‘no’

I have a weakness. My sweet tooth has more control over my body than my sense and reasoning ever could. This weekend was testimony to that.

It was a friend’s birthday on Saturday and she had a get-together at her place and had made all sorts of delicious treats for us. We were greeted with homemade butternut soup as we arrived which beautifully set the tone for the rest of the evening.

Nachos with fresh chillies topped with delectably stringy cheese were served shortly after our soup and I was in culinary heaven. I was forced, however, to share my plate with my ‘date-for-hire’ as he has more restraint than I do. The red wine was flowing quite freely during our meal. I must add, too, that I’m a bit of a lightweight and really shouldn’t overindulge in any alcoholic beverages – I soldiered on regardless. Anyway, the evening turned out to be very pleasant as we had spicy and very cheesy enchiladas and tacos (I’m sure, by now, you’ve gathered that the theme was Mexican) and played a few games of 30-seconds and Charades. (I was the embarrassment of the night and couldn’t really keep up as the wine was starting to talk through me).

Dessert was served a few minutes after our meal and we were spoilt for choice! The birthday cake looked coconutty. Our host’s sister made her Grandma’s orange pudding as well as a chocolate cheesecake. I was asked to bake vanilla cupcakes with a strawberry smash (I shall share details very soon) which were also served. My heart was set on the cheesecake which turned out to be sweet and very rich – just the way I like it.

Shortly before the party ended, I could feel my innards swearing at me. I had overdunnit and was going to pay dearly for it. I’ll leave it there.

So, my lesson for the day – I like my sugar and do very well to satisfy my cravings BUT, it isn’t always necessary. Sometimes…sometimes, it’s ok to say ‘NO’. It really is…