An unforgettable and unusually warm October day with M&M

... at the borders of Lake Biel near Berne. 

We  were catering for 40 people, were successful and had a great time!

♥  Emilie's daughter ♥ 

pics by me

Is this a blog about cooking?

Pork cutlet with new potatoes and peppers roasted in the oven

Fresh pasta with eggplant, tomatoes, mozzarella and rocket

 ... no, it isn`t! I had a kind of snarl-up when both of my boys left home. I did not enjoy cooking anymore and thought for the two of us omelettes, sandwiches, quick pastas would do. Meanwhile the pleasure of good cooking has come back as these pictures of the weekend prove. Preparing a tasty, wholesome, homemade meal is something one owes to oneself and which is definitely worth preparing no matter whether you cook and setting the table for one or two! Don`t you think?

Happy evening and a good start into the new week!

♥ Emilie's daughter ♥

pics by me

Finger food made easy

 If you would like to prepare a quick but effective and tasty finger food dish here comes the recipe:

Slices of Finn Crisp

Vegetable broth

Cream Cheese

Slices of smoked salmon

Sprigs of fresh dill

Lemon

Soak the slices of Finn Crisp in the hot vegetable broth until they are soft (it only takes a moment, do not boil!), lay tout on a plate, spread with fresh cheese. salmon and dill, roll it all and fix it with a tooth pick and a zest of lemon! Now it is all done and you are ready to eat! Most tasteful with a glass of white wine or a glass of champagne on your terrace or in your garden with someone you love!

Enjoy life!

♥ Emilie's daughter ♥

pics by me

pic via web

Before and after...

 Sprouts, blue grapes, walnuts mixed with olive oil, maple syrup, salt and coarse-ground pepper. 

Mix well, put on a tray and bake in the oven at 200°C for about 30 minutes. 

That's what it looked after baking:

As we had overmuch bread I made the following:

Cut bread in half, spread some butter and mustard on it, put Camembert cheese on top, sprinkle with rose pepper, coarse-ground pepper and bake in the oven at 200°C until the cheese has melted.

Before baking:

After baking:

I think this is an easy dinner for an easy evening in wintertime - 

and a glass of red wine with it, is the final touch!

Enjoy!

♥  Emilie's daughter ♥ 

pics by me

The curious history of English Christmas Dinner at Guildhall Library

Twelfth Night Cakes

During our visit to London we attended Dr. Peter Gross's discourse about the history of Christmas food. Dr. Ross did that in such a pleasant manner - it was the highlight of our stay! He talked about the turkey and that before the turkey became popular, which was around 1567,  (until the discovery of America one had not turkeys!) one would eat peacocks, swans or geese. Especially the peacocks and swans would become very dry and tough if they were more than 9 months old. He also explained that depending on the bird the verb for carving would be different, i.e. a swan one would brake. (That's funny!). We learnt that the word turkey comes from the fact that Turkish merchants would sell the birds and as they came from Turkey... It is all logical! Whereas in earlier days one would have spend a week's wage to buy a bird it is nowadays only 10 minutes. 
(I have not yet made up my mind whether this is good or bad as a lot gets wasted and the birds are fattened partially under bad circumstances...).

Dr. Peter Ross said that the Christmas we celebrate today was very much invented by Charles Dickens. I guess he is right! Who does not think of his stories during these days?

There were many interesting assumptions as well as facts we were introduced to! I could have listened for hours! The following impressed me deeply - it refers to the third from last photo: On Christmas morning men would get up early and bake a baby out of dough for their wives (Jul dough) and presented it to them on Christmas Day. 
Dr. Ross said that the custom is still alive with elderly men but just in very few places.

In the end we had mulled wine and sherry and tasted fabulous mince pies!

Unfortunately I only realized when we came back home that Dr. P. Ross has published a book about curious food. See below. It can be ordered at Amazone. I think that is just what I will do!

Dr. Peter Ross

I loved to bathe in the English language and the wonderful narrations and stories of Dr. Ross.

It would be fantastic to go back to England and improve my language skills. And then - I feel so privileged that I was able to attend! It gave us idea to prepare an English dinner ourselves and that is what we will try and do. Post to follow! What I can say though, we will not make a turkey but a roast instead. I hope that is ok too.

Be well and thanks for stopping by!

  ♥   Emilie's daughter    ♥

PS. Have a look at Guildhalls website. 

There are many interesting events going on and according to Dr. Ross they have a thousand cookery books one can look at! What a treasure!