Thursday, 26 December 2019
Christmas robins
Christmas is unwrapped and lies before us like a purring cat in front of a fire. Hopefully it was a peaceful and happy one free from all distress. If it wasn’t the one you’d dreamed of at least it is over again for another year. Hope is the best gift of all. We all live in hope that however hard the struggles of this year have been, hopefully next year will be better.
All the best bits of my Christmas are recycled from years gone by. Happiness truly rests on little things.
The best decorations are the ones that belonged to my Nanna, little gold threaded Christmas puddings and little robins have lit up my tree with their 70s gleam , or the ones my children made at primary school, messy and ragged and smothered in glitter. These were the only gifts they could afford all those years ago and of course are now as precious as Frankincense,gold and myrrh to me.
I have a fondness for robins , the pluckiest of winter garden birds. They are territorial and stand their ground when bullying bigger birds try to catch their worms.
I also think they are little reminders from heaven of loved ones who have flown this earthly nest.
I was exhausted on Christmas Eve having just finished work at the homeless charity where I cook and didn’t know how I was going to get everything done. I was tidying up my dining room and was putting books tidily onto my groaning bookshelf when a Christmas card popped out. It had a little robin on the front and I recognised the fading glitter instantly. It was an old card from my Nanna ,sent with “dearest love”. I love it when little Advent miracles or reminders hop into view like a little robin from above. My Nanna was a sweetheart darling, always with a sherry and slice of battenberg or pork pie on the go! She wouldn’t have wanted me to be stressed so I sat in my lovely dining room had a sherry and breathed in Christmases past. Both sets of grandparents loved us dearly and were influential giants in my life, Christmas when they were alive were just about being together and having a lovely family time.
I called for my three children, all towering above me now and in no time everywhere was presentable and we had cleared the way for our Christmas to begin.
It’s ok to ask for help, Wonder Woman is not an enviable role model. I always end up knackered saying I wonder why I am so tired and I wonder where my energy has gone? Next year I’m going to be Super woman instead, super energised and even super selfish at times if it preserves my strength. You cannot serve from an empty vessel and I badly need to rest and ready myself for a super new decade.
I have a lovely friend at work who is always chirpy like a little robin. We were at a charity auction recently and there was a beautiful stained glass robin on a log that we were both bidding for. Friendship is the best gift you can give or receive on any Christmas list and so when I saw they were bidding although I really wanted that robin , I stopped bidding happy for them to get it.
This Christmas morning I found an extra little gift under the tree from my friend...I cried when I opened the box as beaming up at me was that very same stained glass robin.
So happy Christmas to you all and a bright and blessed 2020 full of health, wealth and happiness!
Turkey soup
It seems awful to be giving a recipe for bird soup after my robin fest but it might be delicious!
1 turkey carcass
2 carrots diced
1 large onion diced
1/2 head of celery diced
Butter
Sherry
Brandy
Vegetable stock cubes
Salt pepper thyme, brown sugar.
Boil the carcass for half an hour in water with a carrot, onion and celery to make a base stock.
Strain the stock and remove any excess turkey from the bones
In another pan fry the diced celery, Carrots and onion and add a little brown sugar to caramelise. Then add the stock, herbs and a slug of brandy and sherry and simmer until a clear broth is achieved, add vegetable stock cubes and seasoning to taste. Serve with crusty warm bread and butter.
Happy Christmas angels.🎄😍❤️
Sunday, 6 October 2019
What`s for dinner Clarey?: Rock buns for rock star mumsIt has been a week...
What`s for dinner Clarey?: Rock buns for rock star mums
It has been a week...: Rock buns for rock star mums It has been a week since my beautiful twins have flown the nest and rocked up at University. Our home is st...
It has been a week...: Rock buns for rock star mums It has been a week since my beautiful twins have flown the nest and rocked up at University. Our home is st...
Rock buns for rock star mums
It has been a week since my beautiful twins have flown the nest and rocked up at University. Our home is strangely quiet and mysteriously tidy - aha it wasn't me after all clogging up the bathroom and trashing the kitchen.
Our nest is roomier but by no means an empty one. When I dropped them off last Sunday, I was dazzled by the bright young things who met us and unloaded our cars and welcomed them to Uni land! I shared knowing glances with all the Mums who were holding back the tears and bravely pushed their fledgling offspring off the ledge.
Driving home I felt a heady concoction of high emotion coupled with deep pride. This week I have been at the post office alot! Jiffy bags stuffed with forgotten underwear were dispatched. The lady behind the counter asked what the package contained.
"Knickers" I blurted, " my daughter has forgotten to take any knickers to University!" A man in the giggling queue behind me piped up " she probably won't be needing them, love!"
I feel like I've run a double marathon getting my duo thus far and I'm so proud of them but it didn't happen by accident. I'm proud of me too and all us Mums who made the years of toil and tears seem like Disneyland ! We are rockstars, I salute you all. Don't think of your nests as empty, take this opportunity to feather your own nest! Rest and be thankful- mums rock!
Rock buns
My youngest made these for me this week and they transported me back to my Grandmother's kitchen , super easy and super delicious.
200g hard margarine
75g Demerara sugar
1 egg
50g soft dates chopped
200g SR flour
3tbs water
Rub the Marg into the flour and stir in the other ingredients.
Dollop the mixture onto a greased baking tray and put into a preheated oven 220 degrees for 15 minutes. So scrummy you'll want more than one! Best eaten on the same day but that won't be difficult!
It has been a week since my beautiful twins have flown the nest and rocked up at University. Our home is strangely quiet and mysteriously tidy - aha it wasn't me after all clogging up the bathroom and trashing the kitchen.
Our nest is roomier but by no means an empty one. When I dropped them off last Sunday, I was dazzled by the bright young things who met us and unloaded our cars and welcomed them to Uni land! I shared knowing glances with all the Mums who were holding back the tears and bravely pushed their fledgling offspring off the ledge.
Driving home I felt a heady concoction of high emotion coupled with deep pride. This week I have been at the post office alot! Jiffy bags stuffed with forgotten underwear were dispatched. The lady behind the counter asked what the package contained.
"Knickers" I blurted, " my daughter has forgotten to take any knickers to University!" A man in the giggling queue behind me piped up " she probably won't be needing them, love!"
I feel like I've run a double marathon getting my duo thus far and I'm so proud of them but it didn't happen by accident. I'm proud of me too and all us Mums who made the years of toil and tears seem like Disneyland ! We are rockstars, I salute you all. Don't think of your nests as empty, take this opportunity to feather your own nest! Rest and be thankful- mums rock!
Rock buns
My youngest made these for me this week and they transported me back to my Grandmother's kitchen , super easy and super delicious.
200g hard margarine
75g Demerara sugar
1 egg
50g soft dates chopped
200g SR flour
3tbs water
Rub the Marg into the flour and stir in the other ingredients.
Dollop the mixture onto a greased baking tray and put into a preheated oven 220 degrees for 15 minutes. So scrummy you'll want more than one! Best eaten on the same day but that won't be difficult!
Monday, 2 September 2019
What`s for dinner Clarey?: Life is just a bowl of cherriesThe other day my...
What`s for dinner Clarey?: Life is just a bowl of cherries
The other day my...: Life is just a bowl of cherries The other day my puddy lovely husband Matthew was requesting a hot dessert for tea. He knows when I'v...
The other day my...: Life is just a bowl of cherries The other day my puddy lovely husband Matthew was requesting a hot dessert for tea. He knows when I'v...
Life is just a bowl of cherries
The other day my puddy lovely husband Matthew was requesting a hot dessert for tea. He knows when I've cooked all day at the Homeless centre , yoghurt and fruit is about as good as it gets! After our all inclusive blow out in Fuerteventura this Summer he could really do with giving the sticky toffee pudding a swerve. But...
He's still as fit as a butchers dog in my eyes and I couldn't resist the challenge he set when he coyly remarked "My Mum used to always give us pudding- And custard!"
So I set about making him a quick crumble just because he's lovely and I had the time.
Little does he know every time he's unreasonable I buy myself a new dress! I've got hundreds , but better me wearing a new outfit than him wearing a bowlful of custard on his head!
We had recently cleared his late Momma's pantry and I salvaged a jar of cherries in Kirsch from the den of out of date tins and homemade wine.
I added some fresh raspberries, a crumble topping and Madagascan vanilla custard and he was SO happy and appreciative, that I felt rather bad for begrudging him a sweet - after dinner a family friend of his Mum rang to say hello and that it was a year since Momma had passed away.
It may have just been coincidence but I like to think Betty was swinging on some star sending down celestial custard and inspiration, guiding me to make sure Matty had some love on his plate.
Cherry and raspberry crumble
2punnets wonky raspberries
1 jar of cherries in Kirsch
A little caster sugar
4 oz oats
4oz plain flour
4oz muscovado sugar
6oz soft butter
Place the berries and cherries in an oven proof dish with the Kirsch and a little more sugar.
Rub the butter into the flour until it resembles bread crumbs, stir in the oats and muscovado sugar and sprinkle over the top of the fruit.Bake at 190 degrees for 25 minutes until the crumble is golden.
Serve with custard, cream or ice-cream , my husband would have all three!
Jemima my youngest, said it was the nicest pud she'd ever eaten. I love that it made a sad day better.
The other day my puddy lovely husband Matthew was requesting a hot dessert for tea. He knows when I've cooked all day at the Homeless centre , yoghurt and fruit is about as good as it gets! After our all inclusive blow out in Fuerteventura this Summer he could really do with giving the sticky toffee pudding a swerve. But...
He's still as fit as a butchers dog in my eyes and I couldn't resist the challenge he set when he coyly remarked "My Mum used to always give us pudding- And custard!"
So I set about making him a quick crumble just because he's lovely and I had the time.
Little does he know every time he's unreasonable I buy myself a new dress! I've got hundreds , but better me wearing a new outfit than him wearing a bowlful of custard on his head!
We had recently cleared his late Momma's pantry and I salvaged a jar of cherries in Kirsch from the den of out of date tins and homemade wine.
I added some fresh raspberries, a crumble topping and Madagascan vanilla custard and he was SO happy and appreciative, that I felt rather bad for begrudging him a sweet - after dinner a family friend of his Mum rang to say hello and that it was a year since Momma had passed away.
It may have just been coincidence but I like to think Betty was swinging on some star sending down celestial custard and inspiration, guiding me to make sure Matty had some love on his plate.
Cherry and raspberry crumble
2punnets wonky raspberries
1 jar of cherries in Kirsch
A little caster sugar
4 oz oats
4oz plain flour
4oz muscovado sugar
6oz soft butter
Place the berries and cherries in an oven proof dish with the Kirsch and a little more sugar.
Rub the butter into the flour until it resembles bread crumbs, stir in the oats and muscovado sugar and sprinkle over the top of the fruit.Bake at 190 degrees for 25 minutes until the crumble is golden.
Serve with custard, cream or ice-cream , my husband would have all three!
Jemima my youngest, said it was the nicest pud she'd ever eaten. I love that it made a sad day better.
Monday, 27 May 2019
What`s for dinner Clarey?: Shut your cakehole!
What`s for dinner Clarey?: Shut your cakehole!: I went to watch a movie last night with my Dad and the heroine of the drama when being derided by a gang of POWs cut them all dead with that...
Shut your cakehole!
I went to watch a movie last night with my Dad and the heroine of the drama when being derided by a gang of POWs cut them all dead with that most wonderful Northern phrase "shut your cake hole!"
It got me thinking would anyone t'other side oft Watford gap understand this saying, let alone find it funny. It struck me as rather sad that some people on Spartan diets for life wouldn't even have a cake hole, poor things, they would probably have a Sushi hole or canapé hole!
Well today my smallest of inner circles took a trip to a lake fronted hotel for a very memorable afternoon tea where we laughed and laughed and certainly never shut our cakeholes!
I read somewhere that if your circle isn't cheering you on or clapping the loudest when you succeed, you need a new circle! My nearest and dearest do just that we are exclusive. This closeness has developed from living away from family for many years and finding our own path and keeping any traumas or dramas in house. 'Save your drama for your Mama' is my modus operandi and what I tell my children because it works.Food is how you show someone that they are someone in our house but if you make someone a cake that's love as far as I'm concerned. Afternoon tea with my family is as good as it gets. My favourite cake has to be lemon drizzle, reserved for holidays and high teas, it brings comfort and joy and has even been known to mend broken hearts. That and a nice cup of Earl grey is my idea of heaven and if they don't do cake in Heaven I'm not going!
Lemon drizzle cake
6eggs
1tsp baking powder
400g SR flour
350g butter
2tbs lemon curd
500g sugar
4 lemons
Preheat the oven to 180C
Grease and line a roasting tray. Mix 350 g of sugar with the butter, flour
baking powder, lemon zest and eggs and lemon curd, all in one method and bake for 35-40 mins. Meanwhile, squeeze the juice from 2 of the lemons and mix with the remainder of the sugar. Make lots of holes in the cake with a wooden skewer and drizzle over half of the lemon sugar mixture, leave it to stand then repeat. After an hour the sugar and lemon will form a crunchy sweet drizzly top.
A slice of that will shut anyone's cakehole!! Xxxx
It got me thinking would anyone t'other side oft Watford gap understand this saying, let alone find it funny. It struck me as rather sad that some people on Spartan diets for life wouldn't even have a cake hole, poor things, they would probably have a Sushi hole or canapé hole!
Well today my smallest of inner circles took a trip to a lake fronted hotel for a very memorable afternoon tea where we laughed and laughed and certainly never shut our cakeholes!
I read somewhere that if your circle isn't cheering you on or clapping the loudest when you succeed, you need a new circle! My nearest and dearest do just that we are exclusive. This closeness has developed from living away from family for many years and finding our own path and keeping any traumas or dramas in house. 'Save your drama for your Mama' is my modus operandi and what I tell my children because it works.Food is how you show someone that they are someone in our house but if you make someone a cake that's love as far as I'm concerned. Afternoon tea with my family is as good as it gets. My favourite cake has to be lemon drizzle, reserved for holidays and high teas, it brings comfort and joy and has even been known to mend broken hearts. That and a nice cup of Earl grey is my idea of heaven and if they don't do cake in Heaven I'm not going!
Lemon drizzle cake
6eggs
1tsp baking powder
400g SR flour
350g butter
2tbs lemon curd
500g sugar
4 lemons
Preheat the oven to 180C
Grease and line a roasting tray. Mix 350 g of sugar with the butter, flour
baking powder, lemon zest and eggs and lemon curd, all in one method and bake for 35-40 mins. Meanwhile, squeeze the juice from 2 of the lemons and mix with the remainder of the sugar. Make lots of holes in the cake with a wooden skewer and drizzle over half of the lemon sugar mixture, leave it to stand then repeat. After an hour the sugar and lemon will form a crunchy sweet drizzly top.
A slice of that will shut anyone's cakehole!! Xxxx
Saturday, 30 March 2019
Mum has gone bananas
Mum has gone bananas!
I don't lose my temper often - I think it takes mastery level parenting skills to walk through my kitchen after the teen angels have been "brunching" and not have a blue funk and disinherit the little blighters. They are so delicious though , that I load up the dishwasher, put on the washing, feed the cats and whip up a fish pie and let it go, as all too soon I will have to let them go.
When my little fledglings fly off , I want them to look back and remember that their childhoods were jam packed with teatime conflabs round the kitchen table, laughs in abundance and kindness.
I'd rather give them cheese on toast and my time than a flea in their ears constantly nagging them to be tidy. I want them to know they are enough.
My Grandmothers were just that- grand mothers. Nanna and Gaggy as they were called were culinary opposites. Lucy Mary made her own brown bread daily and Little Muriel gave us tinned carrots and Battenburg cake! They fed us with unconditional love and we lapped it up and grew in confidence as a result of hugs and kisses always being on the menu.
In turn my parents had contrasting cookery skills , both loved food and childhood memories of fish and chip suppers and Pol Roger Champagne with them are so evocative of the happy days when we feasted on each other’s company.
So this weekend when we celebrate mothers. I celebrate “mother love” which can be provided by mothers, fathers,Grandparents, Aunties, best friends. You don't have to give birth to someone to mother them, just love them and feed them and it will turn out alright.
The only time I went bananas was when they decorated the Christmas tree without me and I subtly redid it while they were sleeping! None of us are getting out of this World alive and a very wise person said to me this week that we are “all just helping each other home”
I want my children to know they will always have a home with me, whatever I have in the fridge is theirs and the washing up can always wait as I serve them love on a plate for breakfast, dinner and tea.
Clarey goes bananas
1 roll of puff pastry
4 bananas sliced
2tbs caster sugar
2tsp cinnamon
My nanna could make 1 banana feed a family in a sandwich!
Score a frame on the outside of the pastry and in the centre pile on bananas, sugar and cinnamon and bake for 20 mins until golden and goey. So quick to make and prevents you from going bananas when they ask "what's for pudding?" and you're tired. Well done you yummy mummies who I love, you know who you are xxx
I don't lose my temper often - I think it takes mastery level parenting skills to walk through my kitchen after the teen angels have been "brunching" and not have a blue funk and disinherit the little blighters. They are so delicious though , that I load up the dishwasher, put on the washing, feed the cats and whip up a fish pie and let it go, as all too soon I will have to let them go.
When my little fledglings fly off , I want them to look back and remember that their childhoods were jam packed with teatime conflabs round the kitchen table, laughs in abundance and kindness.
I'd rather give them cheese on toast and my time than a flea in their ears constantly nagging them to be tidy. I want them to know they are enough.
My Grandmothers were just that- grand mothers. Nanna and Gaggy as they were called were culinary opposites. Lucy Mary made her own brown bread daily and Little Muriel gave us tinned carrots and Battenburg cake! They fed us with unconditional love and we lapped it up and grew in confidence as a result of hugs and kisses always being on the menu.
In turn my parents had contrasting cookery skills , both loved food and childhood memories of fish and chip suppers and Pol Roger Champagne with them are so evocative of the happy days when we feasted on each other’s company.
So this weekend when we celebrate mothers. I celebrate “mother love” which can be provided by mothers, fathers,Grandparents, Aunties, best friends. You don't have to give birth to someone to mother them, just love them and feed them and it will turn out alright.
The only time I went bananas was when they decorated the Christmas tree without me and I subtly redid it while they were sleeping! None of us are getting out of this World alive and a very wise person said to me this week that we are “all just helping each other home”
I want my children to know they will always have a home with me, whatever I have in the fridge is theirs and the washing up can always wait as I serve them love on a plate for breakfast, dinner and tea.
Clarey goes bananas
1 roll of puff pastry
4 bananas sliced
2tbs caster sugar
2tsp cinnamon
My nanna could make 1 banana feed a family in a sandwich!
Score a frame on the outside of the pastry and in the centre pile on bananas, sugar and cinnamon and bake for 20 mins until golden and goey. So quick to make and prevents you from going bananas when they ask "what's for pudding?" and you're tired. Well done you yummy mummies who I love, you know who you are xxx
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)