25 April 2007
We had a very nice time in Ireland, thank you. I thought I'd be able to update while we were there, but the computer/internet situation was not quite up to speed -- just trying to read my e-mail was a bit tedious, never mind replying. So, hardly any internet for five days, and we watched only forty-five minutes of television (Doctor Who) the entire time. Instead of being plugged in, we read books, drank tea, and got out and about -- oh, and ate a lot:
I brought Nigel Slater's Kitchen Diaries with me, as I was only half through with reading it. I was late to discover Mr. Slater; though I used to see his books in the shops the whole time, I never thought to buy one. I picked up Toast -- his childhood memoir -- almost by accident a few weeks ago and have really come to adore his way with words and the obvious passion he has for real, good food. Even though I finished Kitchen Diaries our second day in Ireland, I kept picking it up and rereading bits of it, thumbing through and finding recipes to try someday soon.
I told Rob that, what with the farmer's market starting up soon in Minneapolis, with my own vegetable patch in the works, and with my growing love for experimenting with food, I'm going to have to just break down and admit that this is at least 80% a food blog. I keep banging on about feeling guilty for not posting more craft, etc, etc, but I think we'd all be happier if I just started posting more often and quit whining. So that's going to be my aim when I return to Minneapolis -- update more frequently, probably mostly about foodie things, and hope people don't lose interest.
To backtrack now, and explain the photos: The bread at the top came from the farmer's market in Carlow. It was an apple-sultana-poppyseed loaf -- very, very nice. I don't usually buy baked goods off others, since I enjoy making my own, but the stall selling these had such an amazing selection that it was impossible to resist.
On our last day in Ireland, I had lots of eggs to use up, and one remaining potato kicking around, so I made a Torborg family classic: eggy hashbrowns. The pre-cooked potato (microwave) was chopped up and pan fried with a bit of onion, and then in went the eggs, creating a tasty, scrambly jumble.
The last photo is of a poached pear I made for breakfast one morning. It was meant to be a modest meal when I started, and then I started poking around in the fridge and turned up a bottle of cream and half a punnet of blueberries. After the pear was done poaching, I kept just a little bit of its syrup in the saucepan and added half a handful of blueberries. I cooked that for a bit over a low flame and poured it over my pear, along with a little of the cream. It wound up looking more like a dessert than breakfast (and a bit like a messy puddle, whatever the meal), but there was hardly any sugar in the whole thing; it wasn't especially sweet -- if I hadn't given in to the cream, I could have convinced myself it was just a nice plate of fruit. There may be many more poached pears (and baked apples) in my future -- a cooked fruit seems much more satisfying than something raw from the fruit bowl.
So, I think I shall return to America tomorrow. I hope the pet animals remember me and that I didn't leave something really smelly in the fridge.
It's always so nice to read up on what you have been busy with. Has Rob been enjoying your food experimenting too? Checked your fridge yesterday, nothing smelly there. Gave your dog a bath, nothing smelly there either. Booty is doing his part in keeping himself clean and shiny for your return.
posted by Momma at April 25, 2007 04:36 PM
I first visited your blog for the crafting, but I've stuck around for the cooking. It's all good. Welcome home. :)
posted by rachel at April 25, 2007 06:01 PM
cooking is kinda crafty as well, so who cares? ;) I get really hungry from reading your blog, love the inspiration from all your pictures of yummy food!! don't feel bad about not blogging crafty things, 'cause you are :)
posted by Elisabeth at April 25, 2007 06:23 PM
As nice as the internet thing is to have around, I absolutely love the days when I am left virtually stranded. Glad you got a nice break from it all.
Welcome back, Anna!
posted by Taryn at April 25, 2007 07:45 PM
It's glad to have you back! I've gotten such an inspiration from your crafting, I look forward to the cooking inspirations as well! Safe travel home.
posted by jean at April 26, 2007 02:18 AM
Don't worry, I won't lose interest, especially if we keep exchanging yummy goodies!
Looking forward to having you back in Minneapolis. Safe travels!
posted by sara at April 26, 2007 05:29 AM
food or craft - i promise to read!
i love nigel slater + the way he writes about food. i've got his 'real food' cookbook + the recipes are excellent - especially the creamy chicken risotto - yum!
have a safe trip back. xx
posted by little special at April 26, 2007 11:09 AM
Ahh, now I love the craft AND I love the food, so I'm a happy camper!
posted by Leisl at April 26, 2007 11:29 PM