It’s that time of year in Edinburgh, waking up most days to mist or is it rain or perhaps somewhere in between. I don’t think it’s quite dreich either. By mid after the sun burns it off and we are left with a glorious warmth.
Start of the week we all got up grumpy, trying to get our heads round the new routine. The first Monday morning back to school. We are silently clashing heads, no arguments are required we are all struggling with the fact it was Monday morning.
I vowed to start the new exercises the physio gave me for my hip. The ones that have been sat on my computer for a week or so now. As I write this though I can claim to have 3 days in the bag and although I’m sat here drinking coffee, feeling guilty for not doing them this morning I can pat myself on the back for starting them.
With the back to school routine kicking in, I’m going to choose a few cookery books to work through for the next 12 weeks. I thought about having 5 on the go, but as I type up my selection I’m reminded about spreading myself to thinly and not achieving. Why not dig deep and really learn from these books.
Dishoom – From Bombay with love (a 2019 Christmas present!)
Home Cookery Year – In order to scratch my seasonal cooking itch
Nigella – Cook Eat Repeat, for inspiration both in my writing and cooking
Last weekend, I spent a lot of time in the kitchen, with a variation on the lentil soup I posted using a small squash from the garden and a sweet potato rather than carrots. Made a Hazelnut meringue and after a few minutes of presentation it felt like it had been visited by locusts, gone in one sitting. A classic Beef and Ale stew, doctored with Kidney Beans and Aubergines. Dabbled with anchovy’s and spinach as well as tackling the bag of polenta that I’d brought back from Italy a good 18 months ago.
I’m left thinking about this weekend…and only a couple left before the big man heads to Uni to find that my thinking around menu’s (I use the word loosely) is blown out the water. In part the kids routine a last minute I’m going wild camping with my pals from son number one who’s trying to stay clear of folk so doesn’t miss his prom next week! Also some self sabotage in that I’m going to meet a colleague from work for dinner tonight, a last minute impromptu, it’s been too long kind of decision. In fact it’s been 18 months too long. I’ve declared Sunday evening as a family tea and banned any other line of thinking. It’s the only way I’m going to tackle the small frozen shoulder of lamb that’s been sitting in the freezer for some time.
At the back of my mind I’m thinking how do I squeeze in Gary’s Blackbean stew (a regular poster to the coffeeshare). I’ve not been able to source the key ingredient from the local supermarket I frequent….so need to source/track them down at some point. I’ve also got a book to pick up….and I’m ashamed to say it’s another cookery book. My excuse is that it comes with the tickets that we bought as the authors are doing a promotional tour.
Nearly forgot to tell you that I kicked off the weekly veg box delivery and already feeling the pressure around what to do with some of the items……….rest assured it will all get eaten one way or another.
The #WeekendCoffeeShare is an informal weekly link-up hosted by Natalie the Explorer that serves as weekly heart beat and sort of of a mind-dump. Helps me reflect on my week, with a list of achievements, thoughts and rambles normally whilst drinking a beverage probably listening to music.
The feature photo looks absolutely delicious
Thanks Quentin, it really didn’t last long!
The veggie box do look very exciting! ..and the cake at the top, I would really like to have a piece of that cake to go with my coffee 🙂
You’re definitely welcome to some! Perhaps I could do a swap with some of your great veg 🙂
Good looking veggie box and dessert. Thank you for your #weekendcoffeeshare.
Thanks for popping by Natalie
Hey ya EC. Okay, I’ve never been to Scotland and am curious – what is the key ingredient you are struggling to find. I would have guessed that all this was common enough that it would not be an issue.
Black beans! I know I know, should be easy to get! I’m pretty sure the health food store will have them. I just need to make the trip and I’ve been told we are on a eat down in terms of the store cupboard items so need to play ball. It’s definitely on my radar though!
Okay – that is funny. For you, I’ll grant a special wavier allowing the use of white/navy beans if needed. Most of the flavor of this stew comes from the spices, meat juices and veggies anyway. Keep me posted. I hope your gang loves it.
I like the idea of cooking through some books. I’ve seen several who have done this, I just haven’t taken time to find it.I do try to make a few new recipes a week.
Some books are better for this than others, it came about by working through the kitchen diaries from Nigel Slater. Just gave me that feeling of following food through the season.
I made beef in beer last weekend – so good! Really lovey meat from a local butcher who delivered it to us. Doing a lamb curry today. I like the idea of cooking through a book.
On a different note, I haven’t been back to Edinburgh in over three years and I can’t see it happening any day soon either. I bet a lot of things are different.
Can’t beat beer and beef, a winning combination. Edinburgh, The St James qtr (formally centre) has completely changed and overhauled. Princes street is tired and broken with many shops suffering, and those that managed to stay have moved to St James. Its also quiet this year, which is nice. A strange year for all!
Ah, the back to school…plans and routines which we all need and thanks to Covid have been shover aside as we struggle to stay safe and well. I hope your family’s plans go well for back to and for Uni. Right now in NSW (and much of Australia) we are “stayinghome and #getting vaccinated!! I loved the notions of Sunday night family meals. We did it occasionally when we still lived close to our grown up kids and their kids. Sadly, much has changed but I agree, make it stick!! Denyse #weekendcoffeeshare
Thanks for popping by Denyse, I really feel for Australia right now. It’s still crazy in the UK, rates are up and out of lockdown which I think is the main factor. I’m trying to stick to a safe routine as much as possible, managed to meet a colleague from work for the first time in 18months which was nice. Just baby steps and take pleasure when we can.
Ah, I feel you on getting back into the school routine. I am so lucky to be childless in this respect.
Congrats on getting your hip exercises done three days this week. I know how hard it can be to stick to a physio regime.
Thanks Astrid, determined to try keep my legs going. Routine starts again tomorrow!