Books in

So, while Olivia got her hair coloured and cut, the rest of us did one of my favourite things - we browsed through the many charity shops in New Malden.  I allowed myself to buy a load of books, as I've been pretty good at getting through my books this year. Next year, I'm going to be quite strict and try to keep to a 2:1 rule - I have to get rid of two books from my TBR shelf for every one I buy.  But it's still December (just), so I have a little leeway.

Dinner, 21/12/15: Chicken Korma, courgettes

Dinner, 20/12/15: Leek and Bacon Risotto

Christmas Baking!

Dinner, 19/12/15: Salmon with Creme Fraiche and Green Veg

Dinner, 18/12/15: Cheesy Cauliflower & Bacon Gratin, Salad

This was gorgeous. And very easy.

Dinner, 17/12/15: Eastern Spiced Chicken Pot

Dinner, 16/12/15: Pizza with Pesto, Artichokes and Parma Ham

Dinner, 14/12/15: Goat cheese and Spinach Canneloni

Dinner, 13/12/15: Ghobeli

Rice, lamb, carrots, pistachios, dried cranberries. Yum.

(Finally) Decked the Halls

Dinner, 12/12/15: Black Bean Burritos

Dinner, 8/12/15: Stir Fried Pork with Spring Onions

Book 112: Longbourn by Jo Baker

This was a very clever and entertaining historical novel - it's a reimagined telling of the Pride & Prejudice story, but from belowstairs - the main characters are all servants in the house. There are some limited interactions with the P&P characters, and the main events of the story progress exactly as the novel does, but the lives of the servants are entwined with that story, a bit. Frankly, the story doesn't need the P&P angle to progress; it's a well-constructed historical novel with plenty to interest the reader regardless of the Austen connection, but it's a nice hook and those of us who are fans will find that extra level of appreciation. One or two liberties taken, perhaps, but in a believeable way, so it's all ok.  And, such a relief to pick up and read a well-written novel after trying out something else which was just plain badly written. I really hate that!

Dinner, 7/12/15: Stuffed and Baked Ricotta Shells

Another make-ahead - the filling is courgette and ricotta, mostly. Very nice!

Dinner, 6/12/15: Roast Gammon, Potatoes, Chard

Band concert night

  

Dinner, 5/12/15: Fennel and Aubergine bake

Taking advantage of there being no children home for dinner to complain about the fennel or the aubergines or the large pieces of shallot. (They like chickpeas and bread...)

Dinner, 4/12/15: Curried Cauliflower Soup

From my Moosewood Cookbook.

Book 111: The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

Picked this up after really enjoying Middlesex, and while it's not as polished or quite as fascinating as that, it's still an excellent read. The premise - that all five young daughters of a family would, within the space of months, kill themselves, is an intriguing one, and the writing is good, though it has a slightly odd narrative tone, being both intimate and detached at the same time. Nonetheless I thought it was very good.