One-pot Cooking - Shakshuka

Thank you all so much for your kind words and good wishes with regard to Lily's first week at school. It means so much and it's lovely knowing there are so many caring people around.

She looks forward to going each day and appears to have settled in well, returning most days with muddy trousers, which can only be a good sign where Lily is concerned. I'm gradually getting into the swing of the school run, rushed mornings and the daily checking of the book bag for the seemingly never ending stream of letters (which get sent by email anyway so I don't understand why they do this.) It's all good so far.

So, for a while now I have been promising the lovely Sheila I would post this recipe for her and finally, here it is!

Anyone who knows me knows I am not  natural in the kitchen and quite honestly I become all fingers and thumbs when it comes to attempting to juggle various pots and pans, get timings right or serve up in an attractive manner (me or the food!) ending up a bit frazzled and unable to properly enjoy my meal.

To this end I am a huge fan of one-pot cooking. I find this way of cooking far more relaxing and enjoyable. Being able to produce a delicious meal with a glass of wine in one hand and at the same time holding down a conversation can only be a good thing, right? Add to that a lot less washing up and I'm on a winner.

One of these dishes which has recently become a firm favourite is Shakshuka, a delicious Middle Eastern dish with flavours which can be adjusted to suit your own taste. There are various recipes online with suggestions for alternative ingredients but this is my favourite as it is so simple, fresh and tasty.

  

You will need,

1 onion

2 cloves of garlic

1 courgette

2 peppers

1 tin of chopped tomatoes

4 medium eggs

50g Feta cheese

1 teaspoon of smoked paprika

A little oil for frying

Fresh mint

Slice the onion, garlic, courgette and peppers and fry using a little oil for around 5 minutes. Add the tin of tomatoes and simmer for a further 10 minutes. Make 4 wells in the mixture and crack an egg into each one. Put the lid on the pan and cook for 8 minutes by which time the eggs will be cooked through but still soft in the middle. Sprinkle over the crumbled Feta and chopped mint and serve with some pitta or crusty bread.

 

I hope you enjoy this recipe, please do let me know if you try it.
J. X

Last days of Summer

As I write this it is damp and grey outdoors and it is time to finally accept that, for me at least, Summer is now over. I know we can still expect some warm sunny days ahead but the nights are getting longer now and there is a distinct coolness in the morning air.

I have so much enjoyed these late Summer days and really wanted to make the most of this precious time spent with Lily before she begins school next week.

Naturally one of our days was spent at the beach. I think it will be a while now before we will once again be wearing our shorts and running into the sea.

We've been walking and collecting  more blackberries and some elderberries. There have been so many this year. Some of the blackberries are currently being transformed into blackberry vodka while the rest are still in the freezer waiting to be become jam at some point during the coming week. The elderberries will be turned into syrup. It is delicious on porridge during the colder months and apparently it also has antiviral properties.

While we were in Settle, a couple of weeks ago, we called in at a lovely little toy shop where I picked up a colourful  pocket kite for Lily and when we were out walking last weekend it was breezy enough to try it out. Initially a little unsure of how it worked she soon got the hang of it and thoroughly enjoyed herself. Luckily there is no shortage of wide open spaces around here so I will keep the kite folded up in the rucksack in anticipation of the next flying opportunity.

Also, last weekend I made a brief foray into the world of cycling in order to try out our recent purchase of a trail-gator. I found I enjoyed it much more than I expected. It's been a few years since I was last on a bike, let alone one with another attached  to it and being told 'faster, faster!' We're hoping to get out again very soon, suffice to say I will be getting hold of some padded shorts before I do.

Yesterday I spent an hour sewing name labels into school uniform and this time next week Lily will have spent her very first week at school! I can't think where the time has gone. She seems excited but no doubt it will take her a while to settle in. She's certainly reached a stage where she is ready for new challenges and once she finds her feet I'm sure she'll thrive. It doesn't stop me worrying though.

The changing of the seasons sees us finding a new routine to our days which, although very different from the freedom of the Summer months, is reassuring to return to at this time of year.

J. X