A Piece of Peace

Spring Bank Holiday in the UK is a Bank Holiday and this year falls on May 29th. It may be celebrated with family and friends, holidays, carnivals and fetes. There are local customs and traditions around the country. In Gloucestershire people chase after a rolling cheese down a steep hill with the aim of winning an 8lb Double Gloucester cheese - madness!

Ramadan began yesterday, 27th May, and many Muslims in the UK fast during the daylight hours for the next month.

This week also sees the Jewish festival of Shavuot. During this period dairy foods are eaten including cheese pancakes known as blintzes. 

So, whilst some people are chasing cheese, some eating cheese and some fasting, we also have International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers on May 29th, where people serving in UN peacekeeping operations and those who died in the name of peace are remembered and honoured. In this week of the Manchester bombing it's a time for people of all faiths to show support and solidarity. Love and peace will conquer evil and hatred. 

 

No matter what our Faith; may we all be Peacekeepers.

Healthy Options

The family are on a health kick; each of us wanting a strong, toned body for the summer months. I made chicken Caesar salad for the troops and a goat's cheese salad for me.

- Roast beetroot and carrots

- Cook goat's cheese in the oven

- Serve on a bed of watercress and rocket leaves

- Add dressing of your choice (I used balsamic with chilli) 

- Sprinkle with chopped, toasted almonds

- Can be served warm or cold

In the time it takes to dangle a carrot, go red as a beetroot, get dressed, say cheese and yes, act nuts, you've got yourself a tasty meal.

Pronto Pasta

So, post Italy I am still feeling the need (or possibly the desire) for some italian cuisine. No time to shop and stock up on goods from the deli counter so, what could I make?

Well luckily I always have some store-cupboard goodies to rustle up an impromptu meal. These include jars of sun dried tomatoes, olives and peppers but this time I resorted to the spice rack. Luckily all my herbs and spices were in date after the recent cull (Taste not waste 19/3/17) so I set to work.

5g dried parsley

5g garlic granules

10g dried chilli flakes

10g sea salt flakes

Add the above to a drop of hot olive oil in a pan and add the cooked pasta (linguine in my case). Toss the drained pasta in the oil and then pop back a little starchy cooking water from the pasta. You're aiming to coat the pasta rather than make a sauce.

Within ten minutes I had an Italian inspired meal in front of me. Probably not quite what mamma used to make but tasty nonetheless.

Italian Idyll

A few days in Northern Tuscany provided warmer temperatures, beautiful scenery, historic sights and a tummy full of delicious food. It would seem that the Italians get vegetarianism more than their French and Spanish neighbours.

I have enjoyed:- 

Tuscan Pappa al Pomodoro (tomato and bread soup), Minestrone soup, Tomato and Basil soup. 

Italian cheeses served with honey

Caprese Salad

Courgette Risotto

Potato Gnocchi with tomato sauce

Tiramisu and Gelato

Aperol Spritz was the aperitivo of choice followed by local rosato wine with dinner.

Aperol Spritz should be made in a highball or white wine glass.

Quarter fill with ice cubes adding a slice of orange

Add 3 parts Prosecco

+ 2 parts Aperol

+ 1 part Soda

Stir with a straw and sip blissfully