Thursday, September 21, 2017

21/09/2017 Nigel's is on a cookery course and I get lots done at home :-)

Maximum temperature 22C,  minimum 8C.  6 km/h NE wind with 13 km/h gusts. Dry and a nice day.
The first robin I have seen since  March /April, we never see them in summer.  This is a youngster so I presume they breed fairly close by. (Erithacus rubecula)

Zebra spider (Salticus scenicus Saltcidae)

Lawn and edges cut

as above.

Baklava - the course that Nigel was on - Northern African cooking...

Roasted butternut pumpkin...

Carrot salad...

Chicken casserole - amongst other dishes.  I got to taste the carrot salad and the couscous not photographed.

Speckled wood (Pararge aegeria)

as above.

20 comments:

  1. that lawn cutting is work!!!!!!

    Mmmmm.... Baklava... That isn't Northern African cooking, is it? I thought it was Polish or some such...

    Will he "be chef", at home, for a while now? Or maybe, is he already, and he was just sharpening his skills?

    My husband "is chef", since he retired. !!!!! I never liked to cook meals, and he enjoys it. He says a recipe, is a lot like a pharmacy Rx. And he has been a pharmacist, for many years. Starting, way back, when pharmacists did not just pour out pills. Back then, there was compounding to be done!

    And actually, our son is running the store now, and it is a fully compounding pharmacy. What is old, is new again.

    Luna Crone

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    1. Luna lawn cutting is easy, but the edge cutting is back breaking!!

      Baklava is actually Turkish but it is very popular in Greece and presumably N Africa if they have it right.

      This is the 4th course Nigel has gone on since he retired because I complained that I am sick of the kitchen especially at the end of summer with all the fruit and veg to take care of for winter. He cooks occasionally now but I still do most of it. It is difficult for me to leave him alone in the kitchen as he does not do things the way I do!! I seldom use a recipe and I do not weigh very often. He has 'done' two separate weeks of French cooking and a day course on Indian cooking as well.

      It must be hard to keep up with medical and pharmaceutical things, it is always changing!

      Have a great weekend Diane

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  2. Well, Nigel is making some really good looking food! :)

    xoxo

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    1. It sounds like he enjoyed his day, trouble is it is not often put into practise at home!! LOL.
      Have a good weekend Diane

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  3. Oh wow, I am drooling over those food photos. I wouldn't know where to begin as it all looks absolutely delicious. I'm smiling at your first comment about "getting stuff done" as I too get much more accomplished when hubby is busy. ;-)

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    1. Yes amazing how much I manage to get done when I am at home on my own. I don't have to stop for anything I can juts keep at it :-) Hope your weekend is a good one Diane

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  4. I enjoy cooking and do it often. I must say that my wife is quite happy to leave me to it and sit down and enjoy the results.

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    1. Well done. I enjoy the results but I find it hard not to see what is going on in the kitchen!!! Take care Diane

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    2. The implication in that statement implies that he is not doing it right, and you need to go and supervise.

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    3. Not at all. Nigel is the one who is doing it right I would think, he has now been on 4 courses, I have never had a cookery lesson in my life. What I started out with was from my mother, who admits she could not boil an egg when she got married, she turned out to be an excellent cook. I never follow a recipe and I seldom ever weigh anything so I am the one who would not be doing things right. My main frustration comes from how long it takes N to do things and I want to help to speed things up for him. He makes the best Beef Bourguignon I have ever tasted but it takes him most of the day to produce it. Recipe followed exactly and he uses the most complicated one I think ever produced sent to me by my SIL http://dianesfavouriterecipes.blogspot.fr/p/boeuf-bourguignon.html Cheers Diane

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    4. I make a fabulous Beef Bourguignon and it does take time. But I don't consider that a disadvantage. Whenever we serve it to guests I always get asked for the recipe. When I am working in the kitchen I very much prefer that my wife stays out of my way and, above all, does not offer "suggestions."

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    5. On the days I make a determine effort to stay out of the kitchen I generally get called in for something!!!! Diane

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  5. I have never seen a zebra spider before. Love the robin and the butterfly photos too. Your garden is lovely Diane, and your food looks delicious. Makes me very hungry :)

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    1. Many thanks Denise. My first zebra spider as well :-) Take care Diane

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  6. Hi Diane. Wonderful photos and devine looking food. You are very lucky having a budding chef in the house. Kim

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    1. The food that I managed to taste also was excellent. I was lucky he brought me back a 'doggy bag' LOL. Diane

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  7. What gorgeous photos, Diane! The chicken casserole looks delicious!

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    1. Thanks Linda. I will pass the message on to Nigel. Have a good day Diane

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  8. I could eat that whole pan of Baklava.

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    1. Nigel said it was too sweet for him. I never got to taste it! Diane

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