Sonata:The Autumn term seems to have started with high winds , storms and torrential rain and , failing a huge lottery win (a ticket might help) and a Mediterranean cruise , we are destined to get a lot wetter , colder and more windswept before our next stab at al fresco dining .
With this in mind , I've been poring over my two new cookery books for hearty winter warmers .
Smitonius sent me a copy of exerpts from Colonel Wyvern's "Notes From Madras" reprinted by Penguin .... isn't the cover pretty! ... and I'm delighted to find plenty of good advice on how to produce "good Anglo-Indian food in the Victorian style with the ingredients available"... and a full kitchen staff . The Quoorma ( sic) definitely sounds yummy and ribsticking .
And I'm also delighted to say I've found another 70s' classic . "Russian Cooking" , author unknown , by Mir Publishing , Moscow in 1974 . While some of the recipes are downright strange , others like Beef braised with Quince would definitely be worth a try and Potato Soup With Sturgeon's Head is just a filling plain-ish chowder , good for winter lunches . After all , all I'd need to do is find a sturgeon .
I won't be making Sprat Pudding though . Layers of sprats , salt pork and potatoes baked in a sort of cheese custard might be nourishing , but won't be making an appearance here . Nor will an equally filling dessert , Lentils And Dried Apricots ( Soaked dried apricots , drained and gently fried with minced onion , seasoned with salt and pepper , with a cupful of cooked lentils , some chopped walnuts and coriander added before serving .)
But whatever I produce will have to involve using my lovely new toy .
Such a practical gadget , startlingly simple and brilliant . I love it !
10 comments:
Aaah, Russian cuisine. That's my only comment on that book.
The cover of the other is indeed lovely. I do hope your cook-housekeeper manages to rustle up something tasty. A nice kedgeree perhaps?
I once spent two days cooking authentic curries for a dinner party we had. The philistines we invited would have been happy with a jar of ready-mix. Not that I didn't love all the grinding and marinading of course...
Ooooh, I love a good quorma!
Pip, Pip and Carry On!
You have no idea how much I want you to make Sprat Pudding.
could you make a surgeon ingest tea for the chowder?
For me it's back to stews and casseroles, although I've made lots of ratatouille with all the cheap courgettes and peppers around. They'll remind me of summer (?) later on this year.
............... oh, sorry... still in a trance over that dessert!
Two life changing epiphanies in this post:
1. BUYING of lottery ticket improves chances
2. Citrus Reamer
(I am indebted. Especially if the lottery ticket doesn't pay off).
Please don't invite me to dinner and give me sprat pudding. Argh.
I've just reread the Sprat Pudding recipe and I feel a little faint. I wonder if it is a much loved national dish?
Oh yes those blinking pips! One or two always get in.
A book I can recommend: Pie Minister. It's newly published but is beautiful. I've bought copies for both my daughter and one son but I might have to keep one and get another. It's a lovely book and has more recipes that tempt me than any other cookery book I've see for a long time. But they are pies and as such not good for diets!
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