Norwegians everywhere on this 17th day of May are celebrating “Syttende Mai” – Norway’s National Day of independence, the day in 1814 when its constitution as an independent nation was signed after over 400 years of Danish rule, following Denmark’s … [Read more...]
Asparagus now!
It’s here! I returned from a week away to find my asparagus bed has leapt to attention and is at risk of growing into trees before I’ve had a harvest. It really is one of the “hurry up and wait” crops: you drum your fingers for weeks in impatience, … [Read more...]
Primula vulgaris: a common treasure
My English country garden is more abundant with the native, pale yellow primrose this year than I have ever known it. Suddenly the insignificant volunteer seedlings I half-remember seeing in unpromising places have plumped into blooming clumps that … [Read more...]
French toast – another simple pleasure from an egg
While we're on the egg theme, as simple things go, this one is pretty special. A slice of good bread, a good egg, a splash of milk, and you have an indulgent brunch or even dinner when you're too tired to make anything else and want something hot … [Read more...]
Another way to boil an egg, and something simple to make with it
My Derbyshire mother-in-law, who lived through WWII and its subsequent rationing, appreciates the beautiful simplicity of a fresh egg, and accords a good one high status. "If you have an egg, you have a meal". Some of the best ways with eggs are … [Read more...]
Eggs: a big story for a simple food
Freshness in eggs is the number one criterion for taste, but feed and breed are also important. Eggs are not to be taken for granted. A good one is to be treasured, a chest of gold... And a very good one is much harder to find than it should be. … [Read more...]