So, today should be my first day back at work after the New Year. It should be, but it isn’t, which is largely the fault of the pestilence which has been affecting my respiratory tract for over two weeks now. Consequently, I find myself at home with two Westies, a brand new packet of antibiotics and some time to write this, my first ever blog post. It’s something I have been wanting to do for some time now, so a new year (and a little unplanned alone-time) seemed like the perfect excuse.
Without wishing to get off on the wrong foot, I always find January depressing. Even when I am well, I will admit that I suffer a post-Chrimbo slump. Christmas is by far my favourite time of the year. I just love everything about it – the food, the drink, the decorations, the lights, the presents, the food, the drink… So when it’s time to pack it all away and face the bathroom scales – which have at some point over the festive season developed their own gravitational field – it can be tough to put a brave face on. Over the next few weeks the challenge is to deal with the excesses of the festive season (assuming that a local gravitational anomaly in my bathroom is somewhat unlikely) by eating more healthily, avoiding the demon drink and getting some exercise. A daunting prospect as I sit spluttering on the sofa, binge-watching TV food shows, which is what I tend to when left home alone!
It would seem only fair at this stage to let you know what I think you might expect from this blog. As well as eating and drinking, I love cooking and entertaining. I also enjoy going out to eat and drink (obvs!) and visiting local and national food-related events. So as well as posting tips, tricks and recipes, I will share my little adventures and the good stuff I find along the way. I also love a gadget, so I’ll make sure I include some of my favourites, and just about anything else I think is worth passing on. It’s probably also worth mentioning that I am lactose-intolerant, so I’m always on the lookout for good ways to replace traditional milk (evil cow juice) products in my food such that even committed full-fat dairy junkies don’t notice.
“So what’s with the title?” I hear you ask. Obviously I’m not really in great shape to attempt anything in the way of culinary acrobatics today, but when faced with a slightly uninspiring tin of shop-bought, own-brand minestrone soup, I had a “moment”. Yesterday, I made a batch of my Ragu/Bolognese sauce (depending on where you are from) and whilst there wasn’t really enough left over for a full portion, I couldn’t bear to throw it away. My Ragu is something that I am quite proud of and will no doubt be something I share in the future. It’s not difficult but it does require some light chopping, and a little patience and time. It has also been endorsed by my real, actual Italian friends who have eaten it!
Anyway, my “moment” occurred when I thought to add this to the aforementioned minestrone, thus creating something entirely richer and more hearty, perfect for warming this particular patient through. Whilst it would probably be more traditional to show you an image of what I created, I didn’t think to take a picture (or even write this post) until both the “moment” and the meal had passed.
That said, what greater accolade can there be than a clean bowl?
The moral of this story is that being a little creative with your leftovers can make a treat of the most mundane tin of soup, and brighten up a cold January day. Until next time…
MC
Flying Spatula 