Knocked-up Gnocchi

Just back from soaking up some late summer rays with a taste of Tuscany. In a restaurant in Lucca I was served homemade gnocchi with a Gorgonzola sauce and mint. Genius! The fresh mint cut through the richness of gnocchi and cheese.

When cooking gnocchi at home I find it clumps together in a rather unattractive mush. My trusted remedy is now to dry pan fry the gnocchi until it resembles miniature roast potatoes. These are delicious as an accompaniment or added to other ingredients to form a tasty meal.

My favourite recipe was taken from the Waitrose magazine but instead of boiling the gnocchi I use the above method. You can switch ingredients slightly, using whatever might be lurking in your cupboard or fridge and can vary the amount of garlic and chilli to taste. 

- Sauté garlic (2 cloves) and fresh chilli (1) before adding fresh cherry tomatoes (200g).

- Boil or microwave tender-stem brocolli (220g) for a minute or two before rinsing in cold water. Chop and add to tomato mixture.

- Cook the gnocchi  (500g) (boil or pan-fry or both) and add to tomato mixture

- Serve in preheated bowls with chopped, toasted hazelnuts, lemon zest and Gran Moravia cheese

The Waitrose recipe says it will serve 4 but I've found it serves 2 with hearty appetites.

What the Fluff?

Whilst walking in the footsteps of those who brought about American Independence in Boston, USA, we learnt that the Fluffernutter Sandwich was invented there. The American tourists (huzzah! hurrah!) acknowledged the name whilst we English (fie! boo!) were somewhat baffled.

It turns out that the Americans combined peanut butter with fluff (marshmallow cream) and spread both over white sliced bread. This recipe goes back to the early twentieth century when, during World War I, Americans would have one meat-free day and ate the then named Liberty Sandwich. Since then it has been a popular school pack-up in the States, particularly popular in New England.

I can't really imagine it to be nutritious but it can be pimped up by toasting the bread, using wheat-bread or by adding sliced banana and frying (Elvis-style).

The Liberty Sandwich name gave way to the Fluffernutter in the 1960s and was advertised with a catchy tune. There is even a National Fluffernutter Day on October 8th each year.

It may not be healthy, but it is vegetarian.

The Sandwich Generation

We all love a sarnie; it's the go-to for breakfast, brunch and lunch, not to mention afternoon tea, teatime and the evening munchies. They can be preened and pimped with a vast array of breads; toasted or soft, wraps or pittas, sliced or baguettes, with a choice of fillings to infinity and beyond.

They used to be wrapped in greaseproof paper and brown paper bags before cling film and foil came along. Schoolchildren pop them into plastic lunch boxes featuring the latest superhero; the successor to the Tupperware box.

Sandwiches were first invented by The 4th Earl of Sandwich, First Lord of the Admiralty. He lead a busy life with his duties, womanising and gambling. It was during a game of cards that he asked for his meat to be put between two slices of bread to enable him to eat and play at the same time. Other people asked for "the same as Sandwich" and thus the term was born.

My favourites are probably those containing sand. Well, perhaps just a sprinkle. If I'm eating a sandy sandwich it means I'm on a beach somewhere enjoying a picnic.

En route to Cape Cod this year we saw a sign to Sandwich. Close by was a place called Mashpee. Now that's one filling I've never considered.

Festival Food

I really hadn't expected much. My daughter, a regular festival goer, had assured me there would at least be cheesy chips - great!

We tried to smuggle food in but even our sweets were confiscated. The pure delight of sneaking in a bag of crisps was almost too much. We held our contraband aloft to cheers from our neighbours.

Well, in actual fact, the food was okay. Sure it was geared up mainly to meat and fish eaters with burgers, pulled pork, hotdogs, duck wraps and fish and chips but there were several vegetarian options.

Vegetable paella, halloumi kebabs, patatas bravas, six flavours of wood fired pizzas, veggie bean burritos, nachos and, yes, cheesy chips.

The first day was warm and sunny and I opted for the bean burrito and a Mister Whippy ice cream. Several cans of cider helped with my YMCA routine. The second day was cooler and rainy so a Pugliese pizza and cup of hot chocolate fitted the bill nicely. Air-guitar rocking to Status Quo under an umbrella was a first for me. 

If music be the food of love, play on.

Rewind to the Eighties

Enjoying a weekend at the Rewind Eighties Festival in Cheshire. Lots of us are in fancy dress and remembering what a fun decade it was in terms of clothes and music. It's got me thinking about life in the eighties. 

Food was suddenly space age with the advent of ready meals cooked in the microwave. Work lunches changed with pre-packed sandwiches by Marks and Spencer. Certainly convenient but it desocialised lunch times by chaining us to our desks! It wasn't the healthiest decade either as the sale of chocolate biscuits rose by 35%. I remember puddings changing from the traditional homecooked to bought Sara Lee gateaux and Vienettas.

On the drink front there was a wine revolution with wine bars popping up, particularly appealing to women who now earned their own money and had the confidence to enter these user-friendly establishments. Cocktails were also on the menu (perhaps due, in part, to the Tom Cruise film of the same name). In bars we spent our 20 pence pieces playing Space Invaders and Pac-man.

Work-life for many was all about power-dressing and writing in a Filofax. We had more free time and could live on credit, spending on technology and DIY and spent our Saturdays in the new shopping malls.  We tanned with sun beds, highlighted and permed our hair and kept fit with Jane Fonda workouts. Staying in was spent playing Trivial Pursuit or trying to conquer Rubiks Cube. We might entertain friends with a home karaoke machine or watch a rented video. Television was glamorous with Dallas, Dynasty and Daisy Duke. 

In 1981 28 million of us watched the Royal Wedding. Other headlines included the Miners Strike and the threat of Nuclear War. Amongst others, British Gas was privatised with the adverts urging us to "tell Sid". Awareness of the starving Ethiopians was highlighted with "Live Aid" and AIDS was a concern for all. 

I remember the eighties with fondness. It was the decade before I became vegetarian (1990) so I can't comment too much on the food choices of the era. I think it was probably a choice of nut roast or ratatouille; a far cry from today's offerings. 

I've got a lovely bunch ...

I remember when coconuts were found in fairgrounds, in Bounty bars and in my mum's baking; melting moments, coconut macaroons and sprinkled over the icing on buns and cakes. To be honest, I was never a lover but now find myself using it in its many forms.

- Coconut milk is a favourite in overnight oats, especially teamed with vanilla and raspberries

- Coconut water is a refreshing drink containing potassium, manganese, magnesium, folate, calcium and selenium and is low in calories

- Coconut rice is a combination which seems to go hand in hand

- Coconut oil used in baking and cooking has many benefits and can also be used as a moisturiser for hair and skin

- Coconut flour is gluten free, contains protein and less is used than conventional flour as it absorbs 3 X its weight in liquid.

- Dessicated coconut in veggie chillis and curries adds flavour and texture

- Tinned Coconut milk adds a creaminess to curries.  

My top tip is to use tinned coconut milk when making butternut squash lasagne. Again, a delicious pairing giving a silky smooth texture.

So don't be too shy shy - have a go at using coconuts. 

Winner Winner Veggie Dinner

July and my garden is looking colourful in some areas but a little sad in others. Many plants have been and gone; at their best at the end of May/early June. A trip to Tatton Park Flower Show was required for a little inspiration.

The picnic and Pimms were consumed on arrival and then it was time for a walk around the show gardens, stalls, pavilion and plant stands. The flowers were bountiful and beautiful and the gardens illuminating.

Inside the pavilion were wonderful displays of plants from growers around the country. I was particularly  impressed with the vegetable stand. Literally a work of art. My own vegetable garden gave way to a new patio a couple of years ago and I miss going out to pull up veggies and pick beans and berries. There is something very satisfying about producing your own meal from start to finish. 

I am currently looking for a new area of the garden to covert for veggies or fruit. I'll find that space so you can watch this space.