Once a year it came: heralded by a certain thump as it came through the letterbox and hit the mat. Back in the days when suppliers could afford to show their thanks for choosing their products, my dad was rewarded for his custom with: smoked salmon. Smoked salmon is associated in my mind with Christmas, …
Author archives: alison
Sweet potato
In the last couple of years, I’ve become a bit of a sweet potato fan. I’ve got the t-shirt, the video, the rereleased greatest hits…well, no. But there’s nothing like a late discovery to encourage you to make up for lost time in the kitchen. What is it about the lovely sweet potato? Its colour …
Peanut butter
It’s a race to post before midnight. Something short and sweet for a change. Peanut butter? That’ll do nicely. As will peanut butter biscuits, satay sauce, groundnut stew, smoothies with peanut butter in…and a handful of dry roasted, if you’re offering. I came late to peanut butter. I tried smooth, and experienced tongue stuck to …
Butter beans
Butter beans. You know. The slightly waxy ones. The ones that are creamy, that retain a bite after cooking, yet can also puree down nicely if you need them to. The ones that conveniently come in tins, at least conveniently for me, as I love using them. For all of having my few years of …
Earl and Lady Grey
May I present two genteel guests to the party: Earl and Lady Grey. Although the Earl is often sighted on his own, the Lady Grey has been growing in public affection in recent years. They are not just tea. They are gentili-tea personified. Sunday mornings in my teens: rest of the family would go off …