December Eating & Cooking

 1st: Teriyaki Brussels Sprouts and Carrots (vg)

2nd: Sausages, Roasted Cauliflower with lemon & paprika; oven potatoes

3rd: Harissa roasted squash, chickpeas & carrots (vg)

4th: Minestrone & foccacia (vg)

5th: Out to dinner (Daquise)

6th: Fend for yourself Monday

7th: Pasta

8th: Lentils with Spring Greens (vg)

9th: Mexican bake (v)

10th: Spaghetti bolognese (G & S - K out)

11th: Chicken traybake

12th: in Stratford with John & Angela

13th: Pasta with brussels sprouts and bacon

14th: Indian takeaway

15th: Salmon, potatoes, greens

16th: Blue cheese and pea risotto (v)

17th: Sausages, potatoes, cabbage (G & A - K & S out)

18th: Roast veggies with couscous etc (v/vg)

19th: Leek and potato soup (v/vg)

20th: Fend for yourself Monday

21st: Coconut dal with masala carrots

22nd: Out up in London for Christmas lights

23rd: Fajitas (v/vg)

24th: Nibbles at Christmas Eve gathering

25th: Christmas: Roast Turkey, Roast Pork, Stuffing, Roast Potatoes, Carrots, Brussels, Yorkshire Puddings, etc

26th: Boxing Day: Leftovers

27th: Puff Pastry Tarts - Brussels & Blue Cheese/ Red Pesto & Courgette (v/vg)

28th: Parsnip and Beetroot Rosti, Salad (vg)

29th: Lunch out, fend for your own dinner

30th: Sausages, Mash, Red Cabbage

31st: Chicken, Leek & Mushroom Pie

November Eating & Cooking

 1st: Fend for yourself Monday

2nd: Leek & Potato Soup (v)

3rd: Spinach, chickpea & potato curry (vg)

4th: Pasta with sausages, mushrooms & rocket

5th: K & S out - fireworks at school

6th: Savoy cabbage and coconut dal (vg)

7th: Roast vegetables with bread stuffing and gravy (vg)

8th: Fend for yourself Monday

9th: Mushroom Omelettes

10th: Salmon with Kale & Tomato Stir Fry

11th: Ginger Tofu with Pak Choi (vg)

12th: Filled pasta bake (v)

13th: Dinner out at Cappadocia

14th: Romanesco & Cauliflower Cheese with Saute Potatoes (v)

15th: Fend for yourself Monday

16th: Scrambled eggs, oven potatoes, etc (v)

17th: Celeriac Laksa (vg)

18th: Ravioli with Artichokes, Leeks & Lemon (v)

19th: Fish and Chips

20th: Birthday dinner:  Coconut dal with Masala carrots; Burnt Aubergine Chili; Hassleback potatoes; Asian Broccoli Salad; Cannelini Bean, Courgette & Tomato Salad (vg)

21st: Winter Greens puff pie (v)

22nd: Fend for yourself Monday

23rd: leftovers with celeriac chips (v)

24th: Spanakopita with leeks and potatoes (v)

25th: Fend for yourself (G out to lunch in town)

26th: German Sausages, slow cooked onions, sauerkraut, oven potatoes

27th: Thai chicken curry with hearts of palm

28th: Pizza Night

29th: Fend for yourself Monday

30th: Scrambled Eggs, Hashbrowns, Mushrooms & Peppers

October Eating & Cooking

 What we ate in October:

1st: Radicchio and Sausage Risotto

2nd: Fend for yourself (K away, S & G leftovers)

3rd: Puff pastry tart with ham, cheese, olives, red pesto, etc

4th: Fend for yourself Monday

5th: Roast pork, roast potatoes, Runner beans

6th: Meatballs, oven chips, peas

7th: Broccoli Pesto Pasta (vg)

8th: Chicken curry (K out, G cooking)

9th: Stuffed Courgettes (v)

10th: Spinach & Potato Wholemeal pies (v)

11th: Fend for yourself Monday

12th: Baked potatoes, mushrooms, scrambled eggs, beans

13th: Stuffed peppers (v)

14th: Chorizo, olive & rocket penne

15th: Chicken traybake with ginger and carrots

16th: Minestrone (vg)

17th: Steak and Ale Pie, Cabbage

18th: Fend for yourself Monday

19th: Parsnip & Butternut loaded "fries" (v)

20th: Bacon and butternut pasta

21st: Salmon, Courgettes & Egg Noodles with Chili Bean Sauce

22nd: Brussels sprouts and blue cheese pizza (v)

23th: Veggie Paella (vg)

24th: Cauliflower Cheese Lasagne (v)

25th: Fend for yourself Monday

26th: K & S away (Isle of Wight)

27th: K & S away (Isle of Wight)

28th: K & S away (Isle of Wight)

29th: Chinese Takeaway

30th: Sausages, Cabbage, Potatoes

31st: Orichiette with sprouts and pancetta 

September Eating & Cooking

 September Eating & Cooking - the meals!

1st: Spanakopita (V)

2nd: Potato and Leek Soup (V)

3rd: Sausages, Potatoes, Greens (K out)

4th: Spaghetti Bolognese (Geoff cooking)

5th: Chicken Korma

6th: Fend for yourself Monday

7th: Scrambled eggs, oven Potatoes, fried padron peppers, sweetcorn

8th: Chicken & Lettuce roll up wraps, Noodle & Beansprout Salad

9th: Carrot Pitta Fritters (VG)

10th: Chickpea, Spinach & Potato Curry (VG)

11th: Spicy Black Bean Tacos, Fried Padron Peppers (VG)

12th: Soy & Ginger Braised Tofu, Roast Cabbage (VG)

13th: Fend for yourself Monday

14th: Frittata with potatoes and Sweet Peppers (V)

15th: K away on school residential

16th: K away on school residential

17th: Chinese takeaway

18th: K, S away to take Alex to Leeds

19th: Pork mince Udon noodles (Geoff cooking)

20th: Fend for yourself Monday

21st: Vegetable Curry (vg)

22nd: Tofu and veggie stir fry (vg)

23rd: Pasta with butternut squash, potato and bacon

24th: Homemade pizza

25th: Fajitas

26th: Roast vegetables, sweetcorn, grilled halloumi (v)

27th: Fend for yourself Monday

28th: Pasta with Cavolo Nero (v)

29th: Potato & Carrot Pancakes, Green Salad (v)

30th: Stir fry with Chicken, Green Peppers & Black Beans

August Book Update

 Once again, I've set a reading goal of 100 books for the year - I didn't quite make it last year (95), but it's close enough to set that as a goal again (and I like a nice round number). I'll track which books I read in a month and which I liked best. Mostly for myself more than anything, but of course I'm always glad to have others follow along.

So...  in August, new (to me) books read: 2 ; books re-read: 2
Favourite book in August: Mudlarking by Lara Maiklem

 in July , new (to me) books read: 4 ; books re-read: 0
Favourite book in July: The Sealwoman's Gift by Sally Magnusson

in June, new (to me) books read: 4 ; books re-read: 1
Favourite book in June: The 10,000 Doors of January by Alix Harrow

in May, new (to me) books read: 6; books re-read: 0
Favourite book in May: Commonwealth by Ann Patchett

in April: new (to me) books read: 8; books re-read: 0
Favourite book in April:  The Ninth House, Leigh Bardugo

in March: new (to me) books read: 8; books re-read: 1
Favourite book in March:  Spring, Ali Smith

 in February: new (to me) books read: 4; books re-read: 
Favourite book in February:  A Single Thread, Tracy Chevalier

in January:  new (to me) books read: 6; books re-read: 
Favourite book in January:  An American Marriage, Tayari Jones

August reading: 

• I re-read a couple of fantasy novels I go to when I can't get my brain to like a new book (Dragonsong, Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey)
• I read a non-fiction book about treasure-hunting along the Thames, which was very good (Mudlarking by Lara Maiklem)
• I read the next in a young adult series with a Sherlock Holmes kind of theme, which I've been reading (The Case for Jamie, Brittany Cavallero)
• I started about four books, most of which I will finish eventually, but which don't count yet

August Eating & Cooking

August Eating & Cooking - the meals!

1st: Filled Pasta Bake

2nd: Fend for yourself Monday

3rd: Potato & Pepper Frittata (V)

4th: Lentils with Swiss Chard (VG)

5th: Bacon, courgette and caper pasta

6th: Korean Style Prawn and Spring Onion Pancake

7th: Lamb Korma

8th: Honey and Sriracha Chicken Wings, Potatoes, Runner Beans

9th: Fend for yourself Monday

10th:  Away in the Isle of Wight

11th: Away in the Isle of Wight

12th: Away in the Isle of Wight

13th: Away in the Isle of Wight

14th: Salad with seared tuna

15th: Sausages, Chard & Rosemary Gratin

16th: Fend for yourself Monday

17th: Lemon, Artichoke & Olive pasta (VG)

18th: Runner Bean & Fennel Slaw, Potato Salad, Lemony Three Bean & Feta Salad (VG)

19th: Kate out for dinner

20th:  Goats Cheese Tarts (V)

21st: Tacos

22nd: Roast chicken with beetroot & potatoes

23rd: Fend for yourself Monday

24th: Fennel risotto (VG)

25th: Chicken Soup with Runner Beans and Tomatoes

26th: Filled Pasta with Garlic & Rosemary (V)

27th:  Out to Dinner at Osaka

28th: Black Bean Burritos with Tomatillo Salsa Verde (VG)

29th: Sweet Potato & Quinoa Chili (VG)

30th: Fend for yourself Monday

31st: Coconut Lentils with Masala Carrots

Book 46: The Case for Jamie, Brittany Cavallero

 

Third (and possibly final?) book in the young adult series based on the idea of young descendants of the Holmes and Watson family. 

Books 44/45: Dragonsong/Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffery (re-reads)

 

 

A couple of old favourites which I often re-read when I can't settle to a new book.

Book 43: Mudlarking by Lara Maiklem

 

This was great - very interesting read about the author's experience mudlarking (looking through the mud for objects of interest) along the Thames. 

July Book Update

 Once again, I've set a reading goal of 100 books for the year - I didn't quite make it last year (95), but it's close enough to set that as a goal again (and I like a nice round number). I'll track which books I read in a month and which I liked best. Mostly for myself more than anything, but of course I'm always glad to have others follow along.

So...  in July , new (to me) books read: 4 ; books re-read: 0
Favourite book in July: The Sealwoman's Gift by Sally Magnusson

in June, new (to me) books read: 4 ; books re-read: 1
Favourite book in June: The 10,000 Doors of January by Alix Harrow

in May, new (to me) books read: 6; books re-read: 0
Favourite book in May: Commonwealth by Ann Patchett

in April: new (to me) books read: 8; books re-read: 0
Favourite book in April:  The Ninth House, Leigh Bardugo

in March: new (to me) books read: 8; books re-read: 1
Favourite book in March:  Spring, Ali Smith

 in February: new (to me) books read: 4; books re-read: 
Favourite book in February:  A Single Thread, Tracy Chevalier

in January:  new (to me) books read: 6; books re-read: 
Favourite book in January:  An American Marriage, Tayari Jones

July reading: 

• I read three books from my pile (The Sealwoman's Gift by Sally Magnusson, A Skinful of Shadows by Frances Hardinge, Night Music by Jojo Moyes)
• and one book in a crime series I'm reading, which I recently ordered from ABEbooks (A False Mirror by Charles Todd)

July Eating & Cooking

  July Eating & Cooking - the meals!

1st: Fried butterbeans with feta, spinach & sumac (V)

2nd: Dinner out (Lime & Thyme)

3rd: Greek Style Chicken Salad

4th: Burgers, Hotdogs, Potato Salad

5th: Fend for yourself Monday

6th: Scrambled eggs with pancetta, chorizo, fried onion, cheese & oven potatoes

7th: Turnip laksa (VG)

8th: Summer greens and coconut dahl with spiced sweet potato (VG)

9th: Spinach and ricotta pasta bake (V)

10th: Thai chicken and new potato curry

11th: Picnic at Juniper Top

12th: Fend for yourself Monday

13th: Pasta with cherry tomatoes and romano peppers (VG)

14th: Spanakopita (V)

15th: Mushroom & Sausage Pasta

16th: Indian Masala Roast Carrots with Coconut red lentils (VG)

17th: Courgette, refried bean & Goats cheese quesadillas (V)

18th: Picnic out with John & Angela at Blenheim

19th: Fend for yourself Monday

20th: Scrambled eggs, mushrooms, broad beans, toast (V)

21st: Pasta with courgettes, pesto & pine nuts (V)

22nd: Take away (end of school, yay!)

23rd: Salads: potato salad, pasta salad, Moroccan carrot salad, radish & cucumber salad

24th: Minestrone, homemade foccacia

25th: Toad in the Hole, Potatoes, Cabbage

26th: Fend for yourself Monday

27th-31st: Away in Germany

Book 42: Night Music, Jojo Moyes

(purchased - charity shop, New Malden. 15.4.21)

 

Book 41: A Skinful of Shadows, Frances Hardinge

 

(purchased, charity shop, New Malden, 27.12.19)

Book 40: A False Mirror, Charles Todd

 

Book 39: The Sealwoman's Gift, Sally Magnusson

 

June Book Update

Once again, I've set a reading goal of 100 books for the year - I didn't quite make it last year (95), but it's close enough to set that as a goal again (and I like a nice round number). I'll track which books I read in a month and which I liked best. Mostly for myself more than anything, but of course I'm always glad to have others follow along.

So...  in June, new (to me) books read: 4 ; books re-read: 1
Favourite book in June: The 10,000 Doors of January by Alix Harrow

in May, new (to me) books read: 6; books re-read: 0
Favourite book in May: Commonwealth by Ann Patchett

in April: new (to me) books read: 8; books re-read: 0
Favourite book in April:  The Ninth House, Leigh Bardugo

in March: new (to me) books read: 8; books re-read: 1
Favourite book in March:  Spring, Ali Smith

 in February: new (to me) books read: 4; books re-read: 
Favourite book in February:  A Single Thread, Tracy Chevalier

in January:  new (to me) books read: 6; books re-read: 
Favourite book in January:  An American Marriage, Tayari Jones

June reading: 

• I read another in a mystery series I like, which I've not kept up with recently until now (Riviera Gold by Laurie R King)
• I read a book about reading (The Year of Reading Dangerously, Andy Miller)
• I read a YA book which was great (The 10000 Doors of January, Alix Harrow)
• I re-read an old favourite which was mentioned somewhere (I Capture the Castle, Dodie Smith)
• I read a novel in a different world by Jasper Fforde (I like the ones set in books) - this one was an interesting concept, but I wasn't quite as keen (Early Riser)

June Eating and Cooking Update...

 June Eating & Cooking - the meals!

1st: Lunch out (pizza) in London

2nd: Dinner with friends, Lyme & Thyme

3rd: Stuffed Peppers, Potatoes, Salad (V)

4th: Salmon, Chard, Noodles

5th: Thai Style Steak Salad

6th: Blue Cheese & Broad Bean Risotto (V)

7th: Fend for yourself Monday

8th: Pasta Genovese (green beans, pesto, potatoes) (V)

9th: Ravioli (from Farmers Market) with sage butter

10th: Courgette & Tarragon Soup (VG)

11th: Mexican salad/burrito bowl (VG)

12th: Sausages, Potatoes, Braised Turnips

13th: Chicken Traybake with Oven Cooked Cabbage

14th: Fend for yourself Monday

15th: Eggs cooked with potatoes & onions (V)

16th: Butternut Squash and Lentil Salad (VG)

17th: Green Bean and Kidney Bean Curry (VG)

18th: Sweet Potato and Parsnip Loaded Fries (V)

19th: Potato & Carrot Tart, Asparagus, Bread (V)

20th: Pizza Night

21st: Fend for yourself Monday

22nd: Thai Veggie Curry (VG)

23rd: Sausages (Bevans at Garsons), Turnips, Potatoes

24th: Tofu Katsu Curry (VG)

25th: Frittata with Chorizo, Potatoes, Peppers 

26th: Sweet Potato & Leek Stuffed Shells (V/VG)

27th: Roast Chicken, New Potatoes, Asparagus

28th; Fend for yourself Monday

29th: Veggie Stir Fry

30th:  Spanish Style Chard with Chickpeas, Roast Carrots, Bread

Book 38: Early Riser, Jasper Fforde

 

(Charity shop purchase)

Book 37: I Capture the Castle, Dodie Smith (re-read)

 

Book 36: The 10,000 Door of January, Alix E Harrow

 

Book 35: The Year of Reading Dangerously, Andy Miller

 

(taken from staff book swap table at work)

Book 34: Riviera Gold, Laurie R King

 

(purchased on Abe Books, May 2021)

May Round Up

 

WHAT WAS FOR DINNER, MAY 2021

• 1st: Sausage and Mushroom Pasta
• 2nd: Chicken in BBQ Sauce, Broccoli, Potatoes
• 3rd: Tomato & Tapenade Tart
• 4th: One Pan Spicy Rice
• 5th: Sri Lankan Runner Bean Curry
• 6th: Chickpea Saute with yogurt
• 7th: Stir Fried Chicken with Broccoli
• 8th: Cheese and Courgette Filo Parcels, Broccoli Soup
• 9th: Roast pork, roast potatoes, cabbage
• 10th: Fend for yourself Monday
• 11th: Scrambled eggs, asparagus, mushrooms
• 12th: Stuffed peppers with potatoes, feta, pesto
• 13th: Mixed bean goulash
• 14th: Takeaway (fish & chips)
• 15th: Paneer and Chickpea Stuffed Pancakes
• 16th: Harissa Spiced Chicken with potatoes and cabbage
• 17th: Fend for yourself Monday
• 18th: Pasta with cherry tomatoes, prawns and asparagus
• 19th: Cauliflower & Potato Cheese
• 20th: Harissa Carrot Fritter Pittas
• 21st: Sausages, Mash, Runner Beans
• 22nd: Spring Green and Yellow Lentil Dal
• 23rd: Ultimate Onion Tart
• 24th: Fend for yourself Monday
• 25th: Giant Butterbean Stew
• 26th: Indian Masala Roast Carrots with Coconut Dal
• 27th: Meatball pasta
• 28th: Courgette and Dill Pancakes
• 29th: Vegetable Biryani
• 30th: Out to Dinner (Wahaca)
• 31st: Fend for yourself Monday

Blog Changes...

 So... I'm not really using this blog much any more and I don't think much of anyone reads it - a lot of my food posting is just on Instagram these days (and Facebook  via Instagram) and I'm never caught up with posting. 

With books, I may still update my reading, but I don't do that in much detail anyway, so...

 I think it's time for this (in theory) daily blog to naturally stop being updated (I won't get rid of it because of all the historical stuff, of course).

I will still keep a monthly list of read and eating and probably one of books, so I can do quick searches as necessary, but if you ARE someone who looks here regularly for content, that's why it's no longer being regularly updated as it once was.  Times change, platforms evolve, people move on. (But I still track what we cook and eat, because, well, I'm just like that! - Before blogs, I had a list in a notebook, lol.)

May Reading Update

Once again, I've set a reading goal of 100 books for the year - I didn't quite make it last year (95), but it's close enough to set that as a goal again (and I like a nice round number). I'll track which books I read in a month and which I liked best. Mostly for myself more than anything, but of course I'm always glad to have others follow along.

So...  in May, new (to me) books read: 6; books re-read: 0
Favourite book in May: Commonwealth by Ann Patchett

in April: new (to me) books read: 8; books re-read: 0
Favourite book in April:  The Ninth House, Leigh Bardugo

in March: new (to me) books read: 8; books re-read: 1
Favourite book in March:  Spring, Ali Smith

 in February: new (to me) books read: 4; books re-read: 
Favourite book in February:  A Single Thread, Tracy Chevalier

in January:  new (to me) books read: 6; books re-read: 
Favourite book in January:  An American Marriage, Tayari Jones

May reading: 

• I read a couple of children's book which have been sitting in my stack of kids' books for a while (The Wonderling by Mira Bartok, Malamander by Thomas Taylor)
• I read a very interesting non-fiction book about fonts (Just My Type by Simon Garfield). I'm not a big non fiction reader, though I'm fond of a good memoir (not biography) and do like the odd quirky delve into some bit of the world - like this font book.
• I read a couple of crime fiction books in series which I follow (Island of the Mad, Laurie R King; Fear in the Sunlight, Nicola Upson)
• I read a great fiction book which has been in my pile for a while, by an author I always enjoy (Commonwealth, Ann Patchett)

Book 33: Fear in the Sunlight by Nicola Upson

What can be better than sitting in the sun reading?  And if your book is also linked to sitting in the sun, well, so much the better...

 

Dinner, 29/5/21: Vegetable Biryani

 

Book 32: Malamander by Thomas Taylor

This was a fun kids book - creative story and very engaging.

 

Dinner, 28/5/21: Courgette, Feta and Dill Pancakes

 

Dinner, 27/5/21: Orzo with Meatballs

 

Book 31: Island of the Mad, Laurie R King

Realised recently that I haven't read the latest couple of this series, which I really like. So I decided to catch up. 

 

Dinner, 26/5/21: Indian Masala Roast Carrots with Coconut Dal

 

We loved this the first time we had it, and loved it again this time. It's just an all-round excellent dish.

Dinner, 25/5/21: Giant Butterbean Stew

 

Book 30: Commonwealth, Ann Patchett

 

I always enjoy Ann Patchett, and this one was no exception - she just writes a very good story. I first encountered her when Bel Canto came out, and went on to read her previous books, and then her subsequent ones. I somehow missed this one, but picked it up in a charity shop a while back.  I'm a bit old for staying up late to finish books these days, but I got wrapped up in this one and had to finish it before bedtime. I think Run might still be my favourite, but this certainly is up there.

(purchased in a Wimbledon charity shop, 12 Aug 2020)

Dinner, 23/5/21: Ultimate Onion Tart

 

Sometimes - a lot of times - we end up with a glut of onions because of our veggie box.  This was a really nice way to use some of them up. 

Dinner, 22/5/21: Spring Green and Yellow Lentil Dal

This was very nice. Loving all the different ways to eat lentils!

 

Dinner, 21/5/21: Sausages, Mash, Runner Beans

 

Dinner, 20/5/21: Harissa Carrot Fritter Pitta

This was fun - a carrot fritter in a pitta. Nice change from eating fritters just on the plate. Almost makes you feel summery, which is something the weather is certainly NOT doing.

 

Book 29: Just My Type, Simon Garfield

You might not think a book about fonts would be very interesting, but I really enjoyed this. Highly readable, and made me think about type and fonts in a whole new way. I can't stop looking at signs now!

 

Dinner, 19/5/21: Cauliflower Cheese, Salad

Cauliflower (including the outer leaves and stems) and potatoes, cooked in cheese sauce. With salad.

 

Dinner, 18/5/21: Pasta with cherry tomatoes, prawns, asparagus & chili

A quick dish composed entirely from what was in the house - the veggie box came in with more cherry tomatoes and some asparagus, and there were some prawns in the freezer. Boom.

 

Dinner, 16/5/21: Harissa Spiced Chicken Legs with Cabbage and Potatoes

The chicken here was cooked on a bed of tomatoes, celery, olives, etc which was really nice - added a good touch to the meal.

 

Dinner, 15/5/21: Paneer & Chickpea Stuffed Pancakes

 

Dinner, 13/5/21: Mixed Bean Goulash

Simple, mainly using stuff from the larder, in tins. But tasty.

 

Dinner, 12/5/21: Stuffed peppers with potatoes, feta and pesto

The pepper recipe is from Hugh Fearnley-Wittingstall's book Veg Everyday, though I didn't use new potatoes, just the potatoes I had on hand. Nice change from using rice or couscous in stuffed peppers.

 

Dinner, 11/5/221: Scrambled eggs, asparagus, mushrooms

A quick supper using what came in the veggie box today - a small amount of asparagus, some lovely eggs (not technically a veggie, I know) and some fried mushrooms. Plus homemade (bread machine) bread.

 

Dinner,9/5/21: Roast Pork, Roast Potatoes, Cabbage

 

Dinner, 8/5/21: Cheese & Courgette Filo Parcels, Broccoli Soup

Cheesy courgette parcels, plus broccoli soup (continuing to use the broccoli glut - nearly through it now)

 

Dinner, 7/5/21: Stir Fried Chicken and Broccoli

We had a lot of broccoli in the house, so several meals this week have broccoli, but in quite different ways.  This was just a stir fry with chicken, broc and some noodles. Nothing fancy.

 

Book 28: The Wonderling, Mira Bartok

A children's book which has been on my shelf for some time - I enjoyed this, very much an Oliver Twist retelling in an unusual world, with animal (ish) characters. Fun and creative.

 

Dinner, 6/5/21: Chickpea saute, green beans, biscuits

Chickpea saute, green beans, biscuits.  This was fine, but not very interesting. Probably wouldn't do it again.

 

Dinner, 5/5/21: Sri Lankan Runner Bean Curry

I've made this before without the potatoes - this time we only had a small amount of runner beans, so it needed something else to bump it up a bit. It was still really lovely. 

 

Dinner, 4/5/21: One pan spicy rice

An easy supper dish, made with frozen spinach and other readily accessible ingredients (chickpeas, cashews, curry paste).

 

Dinner, 3/5/21: Tomato & Tapenade Tart

A glut of tomatoes = tomato tart. Yum. 

 

Dinner, 2/5/21: BBQ Chicken, Broccoli, Potatoes

Using up some leftover barbecue sauce from when we had ribs recently... We didn't BBQ the chicken, just cooked it in the oven. But still. 

 

Dinner, 1/5/21: Mushroom and Sausage Pasta

It's a basic meal, but it works.

 

April Roundup

 

WHAT WAS FOR DINNER, APRIL 2021

• 30th: Korean Style Prawn and Spring Onion Pancake
• 29th: Gnocchi with Wild Garlic Pesto
• 28th:Frittata with pepper, potato, chorizo
• 27th: Cabbage and Potato Cakes; Roast Spiced Carrots
• 26th: Fend for yourself Monday
• 25th: Burnt Aubergine Chili
• 24th: Chicken and Leek Pie
• 23rd: Penne with tapenade, Chorizo and rocket
• 22nd: Sausages, Asparagus, Potatoes
• 21st: Squash and Chickpea Stew
• 20th: Pasta with Sweet Potatoes & Bacon
• 19th: Fend for yourself Monday
• 18th: Burrito Bowls
• 17th: Courgette Lasagne
• 16th: Leek and Blue Cheese Risotto
• 15th: Ribs, Sweet Potatoes, Veg
• 14th: Tofu and Veggie Stir Fry with Noodles
• 13th: Greek (ish) Salad
• 12th: Fend for yourself Monday
• 11th: Chicken Korma with Courgettes
• 10th: Ham, Cabbage, Potatoes
• 9th: Late Lunch out/Fend for yourself supper
• 8th: Leek, Pea & Spinach Soup
• 7th: Scrambled Eggs, Asparagus, Oven Potatoes
• 6th: Masala Roast Carrots with Coconut Lentils
• 5th: Pasta with Chard, Bacon and Rosemary
• 4th: Roast Veggies, Couscous & Hummous
• 3rd: Minestrone
• 2nd: Salmon, Greens, Potatoes
• 1st: Broccoli & Cheese Frittata

April Reading Update

Once again, I've set a reading goal of 100 books for the year - I didn't quite make it last year (95), but it's close enough to set that as a goal again (and I like a nice round number). I'll track which books I read in a month and which I liked best. Mostly for myself more than anything, but of course I'm always glad to have others follow along.

So...  in April: new (to me) books read: 8; books re-read: 0
Favourite book in April:  The Ninth House, Leigh Bardugo

in March: new (to me) books read: 8; books re-read: 1
Favourite book in March:  Spring, Ali Smith

 in February: new (to me) books read: 4; books re-read: 
Favourite book in February:  A Single Thread, Tracy Chevalier

in January:  new (to me) books read: 6; books re-read: 
Favourite book in January:  An American Marriage, Tayari Jones

April reading: 

• I read a couple of children's books - one which my class might read later in the year, and others just because I like children's books. (A Boy and a Bear in a Boat by Dave Shelton; The Lost Magician by Piers Torday)
• I read a book which someone talked about on a podcast, which sounded interesting (Who Will Run the Frog Hospital by Lorrie Moore)
• I read a couple of SF/F titles, one a young adult book by a new author (The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna) and one a new title by an author I've read before (The Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo)
• I read the next in a crime series I'm reading (A Long Shadow by Charles Todd)
• I read a collection of long short stories I picked up in a charity shop a while back (Nocturnes by Kazuo Ishiguro)
• And I read a book by an author I really enjoy, which has been waiting on my shelf for a while (The Lola Quartet by Emily St John Mandel)

Dinner, 30/4/21: Korean Style Prawn and Spring Onion Pancake

We love this (well, Geoff, Alex and I do) - yum. 

 

Book 27: The Ninth House, Leigh Bardugo

Really enjoyed this slightly more grownup book by Leigh Bardugo (I do like the Grisha books, particularly Six of Crows and its sequel as well) - really interesting idea and lots of original magic. Looking forward to the next.