The kids are back to school; Mama is back to work.
And I'm in bed with some virus, not the flu. Let's call it the Heathrow virus--fever, aches, nausea. Fun times. I'm even missing the first day of historic house tours. But they'll be fine.
So if I'm slow in posting or replying to emails, that's why.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Early Easter
As per our usual Hungry Family tradition, we had our Easter celebration today, starting when the Easter Penguin delivered a small present--a stone figurine of the Easter Penguin itself!--leaving behind wet footprints. Then my in-laws--Ma, Gong, and Goo--came up for a big Easter lunch and some egg decorating, after kung fu and ice skating that is.
We had considered going out for lunch, still feeling some of the effects of jet lag and not having gone shopping yet, but decided yesterday that we'd rather just make a ham. Easy enough. It's the fixin's that are all the work. And Bud wanted Eton Mess, his favorite dessert from our trip, and he repeatedly told me that he just knew that homemade meringues were going to make it the best ever.
And so, we had baked ham, macaroni and cheese, "wrinkled" green beans, salad, baked potatoes (oiled, salted, and pierced, for 60-90 minutes@ 350F), drop biscuits, and Eton Mess with lots of different berries. And homemade meringues.
Afterwards, we experimented with rubber-cement decorating of eggs, with the cement blocking color and allowing us to make different patterns. Sis and Bud each peeled an egg and decorated its wobbly insides! And Bud drew a TARDIS on one blue egg and covered another in foil to make a Cyberman.
Now all the eggs are outside in Easter nests, not made of the grass and wildflowers of my childhood because NOTHING is growing up here in cold Connecticut, but made from leftover seashells and some boxwood branches and just a few hearty purple flowers.
Let's just hope it's warm enough to hunt for eggs in the morning without coats!
-=-=-=-=-=-
Ham
Always ham for Easter and we’d pick off the chewy dark bits as soon as it was out of the oven. Very good the next day cut up into macaroni and cheese.
To make red eye gravy, merely boil ham drippings and add water. Some people add coffee.
Bake uncovered at 325°F for 1 1/2-2 hours.
Gommie Hungry
-=-=-=-=-=-
Whole Foods Macaroni and Cheese
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Dash hot sauce (optional)
grated nutmeg to taste
cooked pasta and/or vegetables
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk thoroughly to incorporate into a roux. Cook roux briefly till it is bubbling,then slowly add the milk, whisking constantly till all the ingredients are incorporated. Add remaining ingredients and cook a few minutes til sauce is thickened and all ingredients are incorporated. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary (salt and nutmeg.) Serve with your favorite pasta or vegetables.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"Wrinkled" Green Beans
green beans, washed and trimmed and cut into preferred size
garlic, minced--as much as you like (garlic powder suffices)
olive oil
soy sauce
Maggi
If green beans are tough or old, steam or blanch first. I steamed ours in a covered dish in the microwave for 5 minutes.
Heat oil and saute minced garlic. Add green beans and cook on medium high until green beans begin to wrinkle. Add soy sauce and Maggi to taste, along with about 1/2 cup water. Cover and cook until desired tenderness. Serve immediately.
Mama Hungry
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Drop Biscuits
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1 cup milk
Preheat to 450F.
Combine dry ingredients. But in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add milk and stir just until dough clings together. Drop by tablespoon onto baking sheet. Bake until golden, approximately 10-12 minutes.
Makes 10-12 biscuits.
Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Eton Mess
meringues
whipped cream
berries and/or jam
Crumble meringue cookies into whipped cream and layer with berries and/or jam. Serve immediately.
Meringues:
• 3 large egg whites
• pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
1) Preheat the oven to 200°F. Prepare a sheet of parchment paper by tracing a 9" round cake pan with a pencil to create a circle. Flip the paper pencil-side down and place on a baking sheet. You should still be able to see the circle outline through the paper.
2) In a large bowl, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt on medium-high speed until soft peaks form.
3) Combine the Baker's Special sugar and cornstarch and slowly add it to the whites, as you continue to beat. The mixture will thicken and turn glossy. Beat for about 1 more minute. Remove from the mixer and stir the lemon juice in by hand.
4) Spread the meringue on the parchment, staying within the circle. Use about 1 1/4 cups meringue to pipe a tall border around the edge of the meringue in the circle. When baked, this will form a ring to keep the cream and fruit from spilling over.
5) Bake for 1 hour. Turn off the oven and leave the door closed. Cool the meringue in the oven for at least another hour, or up to overnight. The pavlova will color slightly from white to light tan. Small cracks are normal.
from the Pavlova recipe of King Arthur Flour
We had considered going out for lunch, still feeling some of the effects of jet lag and not having gone shopping yet, but decided yesterday that we'd rather just make a ham. Easy enough. It's the fixin's that are all the work. And Bud wanted Eton Mess, his favorite dessert from our trip, and he repeatedly told me that he just knew that homemade meringues were going to make it the best ever.
And so, we had baked ham, macaroni and cheese, "wrinkled" green beans, salad, baked potatoes (oiled, salted, and pierced, for 60-90 minutes@ 350F), drop biscuits, and Eton Mess with lots of different berries. And homemade meringues.
Afterwards, we experimented with rubber-cement decorating of eggs, with the cement blocking color and allowing us to make different patterns. Sis and Bud each peeled an egg and decorated its wobbly insides! And Bud drew a TARDIS on one blue egg and covered another in foil to make a Cyberman.
Now all the eggs are outside in Easter nests, not made of the grass and wildflowers of my childhood because NOTHING is growing up here in cold Connecticut, but made from leftover seashells and some boxwood branches and just a few hearty purple flowers.
Let's just hope it's warm enough to hunt for eggs in the morning without coats!
-=-=-=-=-=-
Ham
Always ham for Easter and we’d pick off the chewy dark bits as soon as it was out of the oven. Very good the next day cut up into macaroni and cheese.
To make red eye gravy, merely boil ham drippings and add water. Some people add coffee.
Bake uncovered at 325°F for 1 1/2-2 hours.
Gommie Hungry
-=-=-=-=-=-
Whole Foods Macaroni and Cheese
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Dash hot sauce (optional)
grated nutmeg to taste
cooked pasta and/or vegetables
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk thoroughly to incorporate into a roux. Cook roux briefly till it is bubbling,then slowly add the milk, whisking constantly till all the ingredients are incorporated. Add remaining ingredients and cook a few minutes til sauce is thickened and all ingredients are incorporated. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary (salt and nutmeg.) Serve with your favorite pasta or vegetables.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"Wrinkled" Green Beans
green beans, washed and trimmed and cut into preferred size
garlic, minced--as much as you like (garlic powder suffices)
olive oil
soy sauce
Maggi
If green beans are tough or old, steam or blanch first. I steamed ours in a covered dish in the microwave for 5 minutes.
Heat oil and saute minced garlic. Add green beans and cook on medium high until green beans begin to wrinkle. Add soy sauce and Maggi to taste, along with about 1/2 cup water. Cover and cook until desired tenderness. Serve immediately.
Mama Hungry
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Drop Biscuits
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1 cup milk
Preheat to 450F.
Combine dry ingredients. But in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add milk and stir just until dough clings together. Drop by tablespoon onto baking sheet. Bake until golden, approximately 10-12 minutes.
Makes 10-12 biscuits.
Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Eton Mess
meringues
whipped cream
berries and/or jam
Crumble meringue cookies into whipped cream and layer with berries and/or jam. Serve immediately.
Meringues:
• 3 large egg whites
• pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
1) Preheat the oven to 200°F. Prepare a sheet of parchment paper by tracing a 9" round cake pan with a pencil to create a circle. Flip the paper pencil-side down and place on a baking sheet. You should still be able to see the circle outline through the paper.
2) In a large bowl, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt on medium-high speed until soft peaks form.
3) Combine the Baker's Special sugar and cornstarch and slowly add it to the whites, as you continue to beat. The mixture will thicken and turn glossy. Beat for about 1 more minute. Remove from the mixer and stir the lemon juice in by hand.
4) Spread the meringue on the parchment, staying within the circle. Use about 1 1/4 cups meringue to pipe a tall border around the edge of the meringue in the circle. When baked, this will form a ring to keep the cream and fruit from spilling over.
5) Bake for 1 hour. Turn off the oven and leave the door closed. Cool the meringue in the oven for at least another hour, or up to overnight. The pavlova will color slightly from white to light tan. Small cracks are normal.
from the Pavlova recipe of King Arthur Flour
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Sweet
As in "home, sweet home."
It's 11 pm London time for us yet still just dinner time in Connecticut. We're zonked and will be glad if we're awake until sunset. And then not up at 3 am CT time!
But we had a wonderful, fantastic, awesome, cool vacation and I look forward to telling you all about it.
Later.
It's 11 pm London time for us yet still just dinner time in Connecticut. We're zonked and will be glad if we're awake until sunset. And then not up at 3 am CT time!
But we had a wonderful, fantastic, awesome, cool vacation and I look forward to telling you all about it.
Later.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Highlights Cont.
Yes, Lambeth, you, too. I was saving that til I wrote about the trip. We've loved spending these days together.
Friday, April 11, 2014
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Spring Fling
You would think that 40 and 50Fs was summer here in CT the way we've moved outside! The kids have had snack outside after school and have even done their homework sitting on my favorite rock! We've looked at budding flowers and marveled at the return of all of the singing birds. Bud has been practicing his kung fu moves and we've played basketball. Sis has made the most extravagant mud pies, even describing the "single origin" of her "chocolates"--some from under the porch, some from under the playhouse. And then there are the edible flowers.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Day is Done
We were eating dinner and I looked out of our west-facing kitchen sink window. It was golden yellow, but not much else; still, pretty. A few minutes later, "Yellow . . . pink. Purple! I'm going to look at the sunset if anyone wants to join me."
I picked up my camera phone and headed out the front door, two kiddos behind me. We stood admiring the colors which were rather quickly deepening. As the sunset continued, we headed up the hill, taking pictures and enjoying the view as we went. Though, as the kids hadn't put on shoes before we left, they were also thinking about their cold bare feet on the street (we don't have sidewalks . . . and there's no real grass yet.)
It was one of the prettiest sunsets I've ever seen here.
So I sang as the colors faded into night.
And Bud said, "And now someone else gets to enjoy it, too."
I picked up my camera phone and headed out the front door, two kiddos behind me. We stood admiring the colors which were rather quickly deepening. As the sunset continued, we headed up the hill, taking pictures and enjoying the view as we went. Though, as the kids hadn't put on shoes before we left, they were also thinking about their cold bare feet on the street (we don't have sidewalks . . . and there's no real grass yet.)
It was one of the prettiest sunsets I've ever seen here.
So I sang as the colors faded into night.
And Bud said, "And now someone else gets to enjoy it, too."
Monday, March 31, 2014
Snow in the Morning, Flowers in the Afternoon
The sun came out just hours after the snow...and so did these. Too bad if we miss the blooms.
NOT April Fool's!
Okay, even I'm shocked that it's snowing outside (for more than 2 hours now!)--and you know how I look for snow! Love it, one last little winter's gift. We called Gommie, way too early, but she was happy to hear from us, and Pop, but his phone was off (he's out of town helping my aunt.) It's very icy, though. so I've delayed my morning plans a bit.
NB: I LOVE my bumper stickers!
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Say No Evil
I first heard the questions, or "three sieves," as "Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?" But the Pinterest version above adds letters and colors. "Inspiring" and "helpful" are good, too, but probably not, well, necessary. Buddhists also know it as "right speech," or
"abstinence from false speech, abstinence from malicious speech, abstinence from harsh speech, and abstinence from idle chatter.” In the vernacular this means not lying, not using speech in ways that create discord among people, not using swear words or a cynical, hostile or raised tone of voice, and not engaging in gossip.I've been working on this recently, the right speech. And have had a few challenges, on at least three recent occasions, when I was bothered (read: indignant, hurt, and/or angry) by something people had said. Of course, blogging about it is not really different than speaking about it, so I won't give the details. Besides, I've dwelt on it repeatedly in my head--you know, making up mocking comebacks, sarcastic retorts, withering replies. I was terribly vested in the stories I was telling and retelling myself--Buddhists would say "unskillfully"--and, in doing so, keeping quite alive the hurt and angry emotions that had arisen. But, I didn't respond. And in doing so, this post to the contrary, in many ways divested myself of those hard emotions. Now I'm just looking back, thinking, "Wow, maybe there is something to that right speech." I just have to include that small voice in my head next time.
Amazing Rain
Amazing rain,
how sweet the sound,
that hasn't been here in months.
I love the snow,
as all of you know,
but I love thunderstorms as well.
--Mommy Hungry
how sweet the sound,
that hasn't been here in months.
I love the snow,
as all of you know,
but I love thunderstorms as well.
--Mommy Hungry
Friday, March 28, 2014
Just Can't Stand It
We're going to England!!!!
Not long now.
And amid all the buying of stomach remedies and packing extra socks, I just keep thinking of the plans and possibilities:
Not long now.
And amid all the buying of stomach remedies and packing extra socks, I just keep thinking of the plans and possibilities:
- Hampton Court
- Harry Potter Studios
- Cardiff--Doctor Who Experience and Cardiff Castle
- Viking exhibition at British Museum
- "Downton Abbey"/Highclere Castle
- Stonehenge
- Winchester
- St. Pancras and Platform 9 3/4
- Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, and brass rubbings at St. Martin's in the Field (also tea)
- Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the London Eye
- Evensong at Westminster Abbey
- Tower of London
- St Paul's
- Museum of London
- Globe Theater and Southwark
- afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason's
- lunch at Cheshire Cheese
- Harrod's
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- yes, the food: scones, clotted cream, strawberry jam, Earl Grey tea, Ploughman's lunch, Branston pickle, Cornish pasty, wonderful Indian food, traditional English breakfast, chocolate refrigerator cake, yogurt and marmalade, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, treacle sponge/summer puddings, digestive biscuits, steak and kidney pie, bubble and squeak, fish and chips, lemon curd, shepherd's/cottage pie, flapjacks, elderflower drinks, etc etc etc
- The kids have even been practicing the lingo (boot, biscuit, bobby, petrol, lorry, tube, pounds, pudding, trousers vs. pants, chips, crisps, dustbin, loo, chemist's shop, car park, car bonnet, lift, post, Wellies, brolly?, etc) . . .
- and trying to keep a hold on the history (Celts, Romans, King Arthur, Vikings, Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth, Pilgrims/Puritans, Victorians, WWII . . . yes, there are some holes, but they're 8!)
- and, last but not least, Lambeth and Mrs. Lambeth!!!
Ya-hoo!!!!!
Not Much
Beyond the really big trip coming up, I don't have much to report. There haven't even been too many funny stories from the kiddos.
But we're here and doing well.
Getting ready.
But we're here and doing well.
Getting ready.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Yay, Crochet!!
My wonderful PT has approved testing out my right arm (with compressed radial nerve) with some crochet!!! I have missed it so much and was so glad to pick up my hook and yarn again. I did half a row on an existing prayer shawl, just to see. And it was exactly what I'd missed. My arm is a tad sore today, to be expected, and I'll keep trying a bit until I can do more (or the PT says stop for a bit.) Yay!
No Snow
I was so looking forward to the forecast--there was snow! Not much predicted, at first 1-3" then a coating to 1". I'd be happy either way. I love snow. It's my happy place. Perhaps I'm making up for those first 22 years without any. Perhaps I like it because I don't shovel it, nor have to go out in it usually. I love it.
And I said so on FB.
And mercy, all the flip-flop-wearing, beach-loving, sun-worshipping snow-haters went nuts, just like they've been calling for the execution of Phil the Prognosticating Groundhog!!
As if I had some kind of direct line to the weather gods . . . .
Which I obviously don't because it didn't snow. It just got cold and blew hard all day.
The snow sure would have been pretty in the wind. And what use is plain ol' cold?
I miss winter already.
And I said so on FB.
And mercy, all the flip-flop-wearing, beach-loving, sun-worshipping snow-haters went nuts, just like they've been calling for the execution of Phil the Prognosticating Groundhog!!
As if I had some kind of direct line to the weather gods . . . .
Which I obviously don't because it didn't snow. It just got cold and blew hard all day.
The snow sure would have been pretty in the wind. And what use is plain ol' cold?
I miss winter already.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
No Fat Ladies
In excitement over our upcoming trip to England, we've been watching some British tv, like "Rosemary and Thyme," "The Catherine Tate Show," "Michael Wood's Story of England," and of course "Doctor Who."
And our first favorite, "Two Fat Ladies." We love their crazy motorcycle, blunt talk, literary references, breaking out into song, on-location trips, and, of course, their food. So entertaining, so fascinating, so funny. We haven't ever cooked any of it--I've read that their recipes don't often work--it's more like how I like to read cookbooks rather than repeat it myself. And I did read Clarissa Dickson Wright's book on the history of the food of England--witty, erudite, obscure. fun.
And then last week, Clarissa died.
(Jennifer Patterson had died years ago)
And so we're watching our way through the series again, in their honor (I got the dvd set for Christmas) and for our trip. When we get to London, we'll raise a fork in their memory.
-=-=-=-=-=-
Raspberry and Strawberry Shortcake
12 ounces fresh raspberries or frozen raspberries
7 ounces self raising flour
1 ounce ground almonds
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
4 tablespoons/2 ounces butter
3 ounces caster (superfine) sugar
1 egg, beaten
1/4 pint (1/2 cup) milk
2 tablespoons raspberry jam
1-ounce icing (confectioners') sugar
1/4 pint (1/2 cup) double cream
DIRECTIONS
Thaw the frozen raspberries, if using.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Sift the flour, almonds, salt and cinnamon into a bowl and rub in the butter, mix in the sugar. Add the beaten egg and milk to make a scone-like dough. Divide the dough in 2 and gently shape each half to fit into greased 8-inch sandwich tins. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack. When cold spread one of the layers with raspberry jam, then generously with the double cream and raspberries. Sprinkle raspberries with icing sugar, cover with the second layer and top with more cream. Decorate with a few raspberries. Best eaten when fresh.
© Recipe courtesy Jennifer Paterson and Clarissa Dickson Wright
And our first favorite, "Two Fat Ladies." We love their crazy motorcycle, blunt talk, literary references, breaking out into song, on-location trips, and, of course, their food. So entertaining, so fascinating, so funny. We haven't ever cooked any of it--I've read that their recipes don't often work--it's more like how I like to read cookbooks rather than repeat it myself. And I did read Clarissa Dickson Wright's book on the history of the food of England--witty, erudite, obscure. fun.
And then last week, Clarissa died.
(Jennifer Patterson had died years ago)
And so we're watching our way through the series again, in their honor (I got the dvd set for Christmas) and for our trip. When we get to London, we'll raise a fork in their memory.
-=-=-=-=-=-
Raspberry and Strawberry Shortcake
12 ounces fresh raspberries or frozen raspberries
7 ounces self raising flour
1 ounce ground almonds
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
4 tablespoons/2 ounces butter
3 ounces caster (superfine) sugar
1 egg, beaten
1/4 pint (1/2 cup) milk
2 tablespoons raspberry jam
1-ounce icing (confectioners') sugar
1/4 pint (1/2 cup) double cream
DIRECTIONS
Thaw the frozen raspberries, if using.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Sift the flour, almonds, salt and cinnamon into a bowl and rub in the butter, mix in the sugar. Add the beaten egg and milk to make a scone-like dough. Divide the dough in 2 and gently shape each half to fit into greased 8-inch sandwich tins. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack. When cold spread one of the layers with raspberry jam, then generously with the double cream and raspberries. Sprinkle raspberries with icing sugar, cover with the second layer and top with more cream. Decorate with a few raspberries. Best eaten when fresh.
© Recipe courtesy Jennifer Paterson and Clarissa Dickson Wright
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