Tinkering with A Recipe

Today, I decided to do a bit of house work, goodness my home needs it.  

Staring at the work computer, I ignore the dust and cobwebs gathering behind me and  i feel rather good for the little i did.  I even exceeded my fit bit steps!

Tomorrow, my intention is to sow some more seeds in the greenhouse. I would have done some digging too, but my garden boots/wellies have worn.  I have ordered a pair of groovy wellies on-line. I don't like shopping for clothing or shoes on-line, but i do need them if i am going to get stuck in the the garden and get grubby.  

I am also off on Monday.  D has said with lockdown easing in Wales, that we should go out together for shopping! It does not appeal to me, especially as we are both waiting to have our vaccinations still. I don't miss shopping, I actually miss going to the library, second hand/charity shops looking for interesting bits and pieces; and going to Bristol to check out the graffiti art. 

Some of you may remember that I made some veggie meatballs with tofu and I couldn't remember what the original recipe was for the Tofu that I got D to pick up from the supermarket.  Well I was reminded this week of the Cajun style tofu and butternut squash recipe it was intended for , as it came from the same cookbook as this tinkered Mock 'Beef' Soya Chunks with Puy Lentils. I will have to try and remember it for the next time we buy tofu. 

Little Tofu Balls

The sunshine is starting to make an appearance, a good sign that its time to start working in the and spending time in the garden; but  I bet you - come the weekend it will rain.  D has been good though, he has been out in the garden, doing a bit of everything.    

Home cooking, has never been so quiet.  You really think being home, i would have been a lot more creative with all those cookbooks on my shelf, but no - i have been uninspired, sticking to quick pasta dishes or firm family favourites that are a whizz to knock up.  

I did however make these veggie tofu meatballs a couple of week back. I had asked D to pick up some tofu from the supermarket for a recipe i had in mind.  When he did - I could not remember for which recipe, so a quick flick through some of bookshelves on the shelf led me to this recipe.  I didn't quite have all the ingredients for their recipe either, but the missing basil was substituted with kale.

These tofu 'meatballs' were okay and made a bit of a change to what we have been eating at home.  

Leek, Potato and Lavender Soup

The world continues to be a frightful place.

I spent a little time in the garden with D,  fixing the greenhouse after the storms of the week that blew out a number of window panes.  This fixing the greenhouse is an annual expectation, in fact it happens at least four times a year. Our fingers were freezing, slotting them back into place. Then came the hail stones. I was glad to get back inside and do a  bit of cooking for the working week ahead, including making this frugal  Leek and Potato Soup that was made luxurious with a hint of lavender. 

Whilst out in the garden, D pulled out some homegrown leeks.  

This gives me an excuse to also join in with Harvest Monday tomorrow hosted by Dave from Happy Acres.  

We also spotted some purple sprouting broccoli, the only brassica family surviving in the garden.    

Here is some of the purple sprouting broccoli close up - pretty.  We will probably just steam it and coat it in some garlicky butter and serve it as a side dish.

Anyway, back to the soup made with homegrown leeks, potato and lavender soup. 

I haven't cooked with lavender for a while, i think the last time was for a Lavender cake. I was motivated by a recipe whilst flicking through a cookbook and remembering that i had some dried lavender in a jar.  Lavender is very potent, so be careful to stick to the quantity recommended.  

On eating though, I could hardly taste it, but I could smell it  and it had somewhat of a calming effect on me, unless i was imagining it.  It was also very rich, in thickness and leek flavour which i guess should not have been surprising, as they were literally harvested less than an hour or two before cooking. I am sharing this Leek, Potato and Lavender Soup with Soup, Salad and Sammies hosted by Kahakai Kitchen. 

Black-Eyed Peas and Broccoli Soup

For those of you asking about my allotment and vegetable growing antics.  I have started sowing some seeds.  Tomatoes on the window sill in our home; and all other seeds like climbing beans, broad beans, peas, courgettes in the greenhouse. 

Now onto some food.  For those of you who read my blog post last weekend about Broccoli, this may not come as a surprise to you - as yes, in true style D did come home again from the supermarket  with, Drum roll please - Yes more Broccoli head!

And it won't be a surprise to you Again, when i tell you that I made another Broccoli soup.  I chopped the florets roughly and added it to this spicy Black Eyed Pea soup. I wanted it to cook the broccoli down, so that it would disintegrate, fall apart and get lost in the soup, but its still visible. 

It actually turned out to be a good bowl of soup.  I especially liked the black eyed peas which i don't eat often, but when i do.  I really enjoy them as they satisfyingly melt in the mouth that I can only describe like snow on your tongue with a light buttery sweetness.  The broth is lightly spiced with  cayenne, paprika and cumin.  The broccoli is optional if you want to give the soup some depth.  Also if you do decide to make this soup, you will need to soak the black eyed peas overnight or at least 2 hours before you make this recipe. 

I am sharing this Black-Eyed Peas with Broccoli with Soup, Salad and Sammies hosted by Kahakai Kitchen. 

Now onto this cake, another recipe that i am blaming on D as we had bananas going black and brown in the fruit bowl, and I really dislike waste.  

Some Welsh Things in My kitchen for St David's Day

I know every month, I come with the same excuse that there is not much new in my kitchen, but it is true.  However, I do very much enjoy participating with In My Kitchen that Sherry's Pickings hosts, so with it being St David's Day and me being Welsh and living in Wales - I thought, i'd share some Welsh things in my kitchen.  

Starting off with mandatory Tea-towels. 

Welsh language Tea Towel.

Another Welsh Tea-towel. This one is stapled to one of the ones and shows The Six Points of the People's Charter.

I've showcased this chopping board before on my blog, but I couldn't resist sharing it again.  It reads in Welsh 'Homemade Bread made with Love'. 

Wooden Welsh Spoon - another gift that hangs on the kitchen walls.

Welsh Leeks - sadly not from the garden, but the supermarket.

In my kitchen you will also find some Welsh cookbooks.  

Below are links to some rather original Welsh recipes, that I have made over the past few years, a number of which are made with Laverbread - a Welsh delicacy and described by Richard Burton as Welsh Caviar.

Welsh Rarebit Laverbread Scones 
Welsh Laverbread Pies
Welsh Woman's Laverbread Caviar
Welsh Laverbread Suet Pudding with Mushrooms and Puy Lentils
Glorified Laverbread Cakes aka Welsh Welsh Vegetarian Burger with Caerphilly Cheese
Welsh cottage Pie with Laverbread Mash
Welsh Rarebit Cauliflower 'Steak'
Laverbread, Samphire and Seaweed Quiche with Perl Las Cheese