The Beauty of the Human Condition.

Photo copyright SvD.

My salad days.

When I was a university student in Bordeaux in the 80s, I lived off three things more or less: shop-bought Moussaka which I shared with my neighbour, Yves, washed down with bottles of beer and followed by numerous Camel cigarettes. The other favourite was Carbonara from the local Italian restaurant where the owner would start ladling extra sauce onto the spaghetti as I walked through the door. For the princely sum of 26 francs, I could eat a huge bowl of Carbonara laden with crispy lardons, a green salad and half a carafe of red wine. The owner was very generous  and ensured that my Carbonara was swimming in the egg sauce although it has remained a mystery to me how a large vat of the sauce was forever simmering in the background. Aficionados will know that the Carbonara sauce is raw egg with perhaps cream and a grating of nutmeg, amalgamated over a bain marie or cooked by the freshly boiled hot pasta.

 

The third dish that I adored and have never, ever found again was in the local crêperie where for 20 francs I could eat two large crêpes wrapped over patties of minced beef topped with creamy spinach. The dish used to be a complete delight to eat and was so nourishing. To this day, if I am tired, I always have a bloody steak and spinach.

 

Of course when I returned to Bordeaux last year after thirty years, none of those establishments was still standing. Life goes on but my memories will always keep me company.

 

My homemade Carbonara.
Photo copyright SvD.

Happiness is...

...sharing your dreams together.

Photo copyright SvD.

Walk your blues away.

My favourite way to clear my head is to walk. Now, who would argue that not only does this view inspire but it relaxes too. Win, win all round and free!

Walk it off in Beautiful Britain!

Severn Trent Draycote Water, Rugby,Warwickshire. Photo copyright SvD.

Throw away your cookbooks...

Good food that nourishes is not entertainment. They say in Hollywood that there are only seven stories but the interpretation of each is different. Cue to The Star Is Born, a perfect example of the same story told a different way. Cooking is no different. Forget celebrity chefs who are retelling a story you could discover yourself. This recipe is from my love who likes fish and wants easy peasy preparation which still allows for the ingredients and flavours to shine through. Fish with kale,  onions and garlic, roasted in an open dish in a very hot oven. Really delicious and easy. Salt, pepper, olive oil and the fish of your choice. Simples.

Photos copyright SvD.