What a weekend we’ve had, hit again by very high winds and storm conditions.
The power was off, however we were luck and it was only for Saturday but some folks further up the valley and on one side of the village were off for a lot longer. It does instill a sense of community and we were very happy to help neighbours out as they have done and do for us.
We lit the wood burner to keep the house warm and I’m super grateful to have it because you can boil a kettle and even cook on the top of it. We did keep the shop open but there was no coffee machine! The fences that were damaged in storm Arwen that were still holding up are now flat and will need to be removed, tidied up and replaced. The gardens have to be fenced off and secure. That’s one of the issues of having a mixed farm with grass, veg and livestock. The gardens need to be protected from an opportunist sheep or little gang of marauding piglets……and with Lee being more biased to livestock and me to growing, we can have some interesting and passionate discussions in the farm yard with arms flailing and voices raised about just who’s fault it is that the lawn is “ruined” or several lines of onion sets are rooted out. Luckily it can all be sorted out over coffee, cake and a list of “to do jobs”. ….So going into February, I really can’t believe we are already in the second month of the year and it’s a short month too, however there is quite a list of “to do’s”.
The nights are getting lighter so the working day does, slowly, get a little longer and that’s a good thing. I think nature is geared that way so you can get a little more done each day. We’re still firmly in the roots season and by this time of year I’m really ready for something different …..so how to make roots more exciting without making masses more work for myself?
I hope you find this weeks menu ideas useful and a little more exciting. I’m a confirmed lazy cook so all these ideas are easy and take as little of my time as possible. Menu ideas to make the most of your Box this week…..Bacon, Broccoli and Potato Bake.I used to precook the bacon and cut it up and mix it into the potatoes and broccoli now I just lay it on top when I reheat it in the oven. It crisps up beautifully on the top.This dish is simply cooked potatoes and broccoli either in a cheese sauce or a tomato sauce with bacon layer on top and reheated in the oven. You can omit the bacon and make a savoury crumble top.Onion QuicheIf you’re pushed for time, use bought pastry or no pastry at all. Remember to grease the flan dish well if you’re not using pastry. You can add grated carrot to the egg mixture too.Carrot and Celeriac Slaw with Gammon Steaks and Green Salad. Crepe SuzetteIt’s a must at this time of year. It’s sweet and zesty with a taste of sunshine with the much needed comfort food element. You can make ahead and freeze pancakes, but they are very quick to make. You can’t go wrong with the BBC recipe for this.Apple GaletteThis weeks apples are going into an Apple Galette. I know it’s a regular for me and one of my “go to recipes” but it’s so easy and it works well for lunch or a snack. I always leave the skins on too so even less work. It doesn’t take too many apples so any leftover can be thinly sliced up into the slaw.
Take care everyone and i’ll be back next week for more of whats going on and ideas to utilise the box produce….
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