Rose tinted web?

I have bought the book. I like the modern and irreverant writing style. She name drops products which would have been hazed out by the BBC. I am not sure why it has had such negative reviews. I actually think its quite good for cooking in a rush. I like the cheat’s ingredients if you are short of time - the idea is that you use good ingredients and then add a twist and cut a corner with something out of a jar or packet. I put some of the Waitrose Borettane Onions in a casserole this evening and it worked out very well, much more convenient than peeling shallots. I am intrigued by the idea of the chocolate cake mix containing “Aunt Bessie’s” mashed potato. It won’t stop me from cooking things from scratch most of the time, but has made me rethink some quick dishes for after work. It would be an excellent book for someone completely new to cooking too.

At the other extreme we do own a copy of The French Laundry cookbook by Thomas Keller……… first poach some quails eggs…. for when we have the time to try to learn some new techniques. One day we’ll make it to Napa Valley! You can follow a home cook working her way through the book here in the French Laundry at home blog (what a brilliant idea). Actually, we also have the Bouchon cookbook by the same chef and there are some really good recipes in it too which are relatively simple - see Epicurious for Thomas Keller’s roast chicken recipe http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/231348 to see what I mean.

And we have many cookbooks in between……

I think it goes to show that there are all sorts of ways of enjoying cooking and what is nice about Delia’s book is that we now no longer have to feel guilty for cutting a corner or two - St. Delia agrees that some times life IS just too short. When I do have the time, I enjoy cooking from scratch.

My Dad makes the Christmas puddings in my parents house. Its been a tradition for as long as I can remember. Dad, who is handy at doing roasts and casseroles etc normally leaves puddings to Mum, but Christmas pudding is different. Why? Because my Dad’s Christmas puddings incorporate large amounts of alcohol of course!!! Funnily enough the puddings are delicious and friends and family actually ask if they can have one.

Christmas pudding has long been associated with the purchase of a couple of crates of beer. You understand that not all of it is used in the recipe, its also an excellent excuse for my Dad to indulge in some proper, flat, Southern Ale. Through much testing and consideration on my fathers part, it now absolutely has to be Gales Prize Old Ale! I have to confess it is pretty nice. It tastes of Molasses and is really quite festive at 9% by vol.

Disaster has struck however. This year Fullers have taken over the Gales Ale Brewery. For some reason, the corking machine (for Prize Old Ale is a traditional corked beer) has been out of order and there is a shortage of the beers. Dad can’t get them through his usual distributors (who as he lives in the North of England are much bemused and amused about the lengths he goes to to get his crates of beer - funny southern stuff).

I’m going to have to track some bottles down, or my Dad will be pouty. It’s too late for the puddin’s as they have already been made, but he’ll need something to wash ‘em down with.

If anyone knows where a crate can be found…. let me know