February 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 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

In February I didn't do a lot of reading, only managing four books:

• I read the latest in a crime series I'm reading (A Fearsome Doubt by Charles Todd)
• I picked up a kids' book to read at lunchtime at work which I remember Alex enjoying (The Last Wild by Piers Torday)
• I listened to a very good children's book on audio (When you Reach Me by Rebecca Stead)
• I read a book from my TBR shelf (A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier)

Dinner, 28/2/21: Blackened Salmon, Squash, Oven Potatoes

"Blackened" salmon (ie done with chili and pepper, etc), some Sweet Mama squash and oven potatoes. Orange, but tasty.

 

Dinner, 26/2/21: Refried Bean and Chorizo Tacos

As usual, everyone gets to assemble their own - this time the ingredients were refried beans, chorizo, feta, jalapenos, lettuce and various hot sauces.

 

Book 10: A Single Thread, Tracy Chevalier

 

I always enjoy a Tracy Chevalier. This was no exception. I liked that the main character was a bit older, but still very naïve about some aspects of the world (the book is set between the wars and the character is one of the "surplus" women whose fiancés were killed in WWI - so although she's older, she also has very little life experience). 

(birthday present, November 2020)

Dinner, 25/2/21: Broad Bean and Dolcelatte Risotto

 

Dinner, 24/2/21: Beetroot Soup with Cumin-spiced chickpeas

This was a nice beetroot soup - not too earthy - and the spiced chickpeas were a good addition in both texture and flavour.
 

Dinner, 23/2/21: Filled Pasta with Tomato Sauce and Salad

Made a simple sauce from a tin of tomatoes, a few fresh tomatoes and some herbs & chili, added it to this ready-made pasta and boom! easy weeknight meal.

 

Dinner, 21/2/21: Toad in the Hole, Carrots, Gravy

 

Dinner, 20/2/21: Green Lasagne

This was  a nice lasagne, with various green things and lentils. Yum.

 

Dinner, 19/2/21: Jacket Potatoes

 

Dinner, 18/2/21: Tofu & Black Bean Fajitas

Fajitas - a self assembly job. Tonight's ingredients featured tofu, black beans, avocado, tomato, lettuce, pickled red cabbage, fried onions & peppers,  jalapaneos, cheese and a variety of hot sauces.

 

Dinner, 17/2/21: Chicken, Cashew & Greens Stir Fry

 

Dinner, 16/2/21: Carrot Soup

Uninspiring carrot soup today - just very little flavour, despite the paprika and cumin and other spices in it. Oh well, can't win them all!

 

Dinner, 14/2/21: Roast Veggies, Pasta, Tomato Sauce

Various roast veggies - peppers, cauliflower, the outside leaves to the cauli, celeriac, a bit of sweet potato, part of a leftover cabbage. Also served with some pasta and a light tomato sauce.

 

Dinner, 13/2/21: Pork Chops, Squash, Celeriac & Potato Mash

A nice organic pork chop, with crown prince squash from the farmers market and celeriac and potato mash.

 

Dinner, 12/2/21: Pizza Night

 

Dinner, 11/2/21: Carrot Tart, Spring Greens

A carrot and onion tart (with a potato crust) which we all really enjoy, with some lovely fresh spring greens from our veggie box. Mmm.

 

Book 9: When you Reach Me, Rebecca Stead

This came up on my "available books" shelf from the library audiobook app, and it sounded fun - I thought it was great, and it reminded me I should read A Wrinkle in Time again.

 

Dinner, 10/2/21: Chicken & Garlic Potatoes, Asian Broccoli Salad

Simple traybake, chicken and potatoes. Threw some garlic in as well. Served with an Asian Broccoli Salad which we like.

 

Book 8: The Last Wild, Piers Torday

Picked this one up at school to read during my lunch break, as I knew Alex had enjoyed it when he was younger,  and it didn't let me down.  Interesting concept and a good read.

 

Dinner, 9/2/21: Mushroom & Chili Omelette, Hash Browns, Salad

Was going to have a chicken dish tonight, but forget to get the chicken out of the freezer in the morning, so rather than microwave defrost (which I don't like for thighs) we had some lovely omelettes with mushrooms, chilis, cheese. And hash brown bites, and salad, which isn't in the photo.

 

Dinner, 7/2/21: Bangers, Mash, Cabbage

Bangers, mash, cabbage. Gravy too, but not pictured. OK, it's a bit of a basic bitch of a meal, but that's ok sometimes!

 

Dinner, 6/2/21: Veggie Paella

This is a Yotam Ottolenghi recipe - we love it. 

 

Book 7: A Fearsome Doubt, Charles Todd

 

Reading my way through this series - luckily, there are a lot of them - nice when you find a series you enjoy.

Dinner, 4/2/21: Hearty mushroom soup

A lovely wintery mushroom soup. Yum.

 

Dinner, 3/2/21: Tofu and Veggie Stir Fry

Had some leftover tofu, which I marinated, and then threw in some other veg and udon noodles. Yum.

 

Dinner, 2/2/21: Linguine with Creamy Tomato and Rosemary Sauce

A standard family go-to meal.

 

January Round Up

 

WHAT WAS FOR DINNER, JANUARY 2021

• 31st: Lentil Shepherd Pie
• 30th: Leek & Cheese Pithivier
• 29th: Cheeseburger Quesadillas
• 28th: Frittata with Artichokes, Bacon, Sundried Tomatoes
• 27th: Sausage and Broccoli Carbonara
• 26th: Beetroot Orzotto with Halloumi
• 25th: Fend for yourself Monday
• 24th: French Style Chicken with Peas and Bacon
• 23rd: Sprout Nasi Goreng
• 22nd: Fish and Chips (Takeaway)
• 21st: Stir Fried Chili Pork with Cashews
• 20th: Cauliflower & Broccoli Soup
• 19th: Pierogi, Salad
• 18th: Fend for yourself Monday
• 17th: Chicken Tagine with Fried Brussels (no photo)
• 16th: Burrito Bowls
• 15th: Salmon with Broccoli & Pepper Stir Fry
• 14th: Mac & Cheese with Kale & Broccoli
• 13th: Sweet Potato Saag Aloo
• 12th: Ham, Bean & Vegetable Soup
• 11th: Fend for Yourself Monday
• 10th: Goat Cheese and New Potato Tart
• 9th: Ham, Cabbage, Potatoes
• 8th: Pea, Feta & Courgette Fritters
• 7th: Rustic Butter Beans and Spinach
• 6th: Dominoes
• 5th: Spiced Indian Sweet Potato Wraps
• 4th: Fend for yourself Monday
• 3rd: Sausages, Mash, Sprouts, Beetroot
• 2nd: Mushroom Wellington, Leek and Blue Cheese Wellington
• 1st: Fajitas