21.6.08 last night in the garden

Last night was a time to mark the summer solstice here in the northern hemisphere and what better way than a sleep-out in the postage-stamp sized garden of this London flat. Okay, I can think of plenty of better ways, involving the Arctic Circle or large pit BBQ's in the Southern US, but this was what was available and I love making something out of seemingly nothing (some of the best cooking happens that way, with just whatever is in the fridge).

Well, it rained and there were police helicopters going and going and there was a party with bad dance music but you could only hear the beat.

But on the upside, before the camp-out came the raspberry harvest! The vines in the garden are touching the ground with them and did they ever go a treat on chocolate ice cream.

And fresh mint tea.

Ah, the flavors of summer - full of light.

16.6.08 okay, too long

It's been too long since I've posted...too long for me in terms of thinking about what I'm eating. I mean, I've been thinking about it, but...

There was this wee trip to Scotland which involved a lot of carbohydrates and considerably more green in the landscape than on the plate. I loved it. Adored every last crumb of it. The steak pie from the local butcher's shop, the whisky by the fire, the scones here, there and everywhere. Yes, it was Scottish cuisine at it's crispy, crumbly, flakey best and all in the company of gorgeous new friends.

By rights there should now be some sort of juice fast going on, but I don't believe in culinary penance. Maybe I'll lay off the pain au chocolat for a little while. Maybe.

And this morning I started with half a ruby red grapefruit. That ought to balance things out...

6.6.08 before we begin

I hope this doesn't "jinx" our culinary efforts, but here's what's for dinner before we make it:

chicken marinated in fresh lime juice, tarragon and olive oil
skewered with cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and capsicums

big, big, big baked (jacket) potatoes

a friend is coming for dinner who must forgo the worlds' best thing on a baked potato - butter, of course - so we're making a caramelized onion sauce with fresh dill and chopped, roasted almonds and pepitas for the topper

fresh green salad

So that's very nearly a five (vegetables) in one as well as being a delicious meal with guests (we hope). Right...off to the kitchen.

P. S. my favorite french deli on the corner, L'Epicerie, was out of pain au chocolat...as was the coffee shop across the road, Venetia's. What is the world coming to when you can't buy a pAc after 10:30 in the morning?!

2/6/08 Does this count?

Here's a theory I live by:

If you have your 5 fruit and veg a day, you can also have anything else you want because obviously the f&v cancel it out.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
So the fried chicken sandwich and the chips have been fully cancelled by the cabbage, broccoli, onions, pepper and banana I had today.

Obviously.
same with the cappuccino, of course