Spring

Spring has finally sprung here in the UK. Admittedly, it's a little dull still and the evenings can be slightly chilly - but oh yes! those few moments of sunshine and warmth when you can don the shades and imagine summer, well, it's heaven on a plate!

And with spring, comes the ideas of a better person - fitter, healthier, more direction....doesn't it always - I inevitably end up wearing trackies around the house professing to be the next Nigella - Dean will tell you that the artistic ability in the kitchen that I claim to have, does not lend itself to be being creatively tidy or non - burning in nature! I feel very under -appreciated!

Anyway, the OH and I decided to be all lovey dovey on Saturday. Dean was very tidily creative and made cakes for my Nan (yum chocolate sponge cakes) and this gorgeous (please attribute that to my lovely cake stands that he hates!) chocolate cake with a lovely creme fraiche and chocolate ganache in the centre, covered in chocolate icing and walnuts - it looked great! Meanwhile, I was using some excellent steaks from the butchers in Wymondham. Hung well and with a great flavour, they were pan fried, shallots added half way through and the steaks left to rest, and then red wine reduction - hmmmmm, very tasty. Meanwhile the carotts were in batons and popped in the oven with lashings of olive oil, herbs and honey. But not a couple to dwell on oily food (I had to use dripping for the roast potatoes though as they were delicious!) we did ensure we had boiled peas. It may not seem classy but it was food for the soul!

Then the rest of the weekend was spent in comfort heaven with bacon sarnies (three rashers, please!) and a huge meal at the OH aunts - the menu was something like this........ homemade chicken liver pate, dips and nibbles, then a smoked salmon,cockles and prawn starter (I'm not fond of fish but tha salmon was ok) followed by beef wellington (quite rare for me but it was nice) and chicken and sausages with lots of veg! Very tasty and then!!!! Rich chocolate cheesecake from the Sainsbury's magazine (will post recipe next time), hollowed out pineapple with strawberries and cream, fruit and birthday cake. Conversation centred around food such as how to smoke it, terrible things that can happen, the egg catastrophe (my horrid attempt at ice cream) and a raised garden bed! Hurrah, I may have one after all....all in all a huge success and now the time has come to convert my chef friend into an avid blogger....that way I get cheeky tips..... watch this space!