Lady Lunchalot

Kathryn and Tim are coming over for breakfast, so I’m getting the bagels underway. Pity I haven’t got any smoked salmon to go with them.

My first ever preserves are ready. I am so proud. I have three jars of quince and apple chutney, made by my own two hands.

I should have organised those jars a little earlier. Hmmm… I hope chutney doesn’t overcook like jam can. I’ve heard of jam that sets in jars like concrete because of overcooking.

Bagels soon…

We have roast beetroot dip!

It’s such a beautiful colour. I might make some breadsticks to go with it.

And the chutney is ready! Gotta get my jars sorted.

Another half an hour gone. I can’t believe how quickly this is going!

Here’s what I’ve made so far:

• Roast beetroots (soon to be made into dip)
• Bolognese for lasagne
• Lamb tagine
• Chocolate brownies
• Bagel dough
• Quince and apple chutney

Is that it? I would have thought I’d have made more by now. But I guess all this camera and computer stuff slows me down… as well as the fact that I didn’t sleep all night!

I’ve whipped up a batch of bagel dough. It’s rising by the heater in the living room now. Should be ready by about 9ish, at which time I will wake up O!

I love herbs. I wish I could keep some of them alive in the big wine barrel by my back door.

Rosemary is one herb that I particularly love. You can do so many different things with rosemary. Sugar it and garnish sweet desserts. Use it in bread. Roast lamb with it. So many things.

Rosemary was said to be an aphrodisiac in Medieval times. Maidens used to bathe in it to attract their future husbands. It symbolised remembrance and fidelity and is still used in many modern perfumes today.

A herb with such a strong scent is a great trigger to induce a Pavlovian response. That’s why I am incorporating rosemary into my hair and bouquet for my wedding day. It’s such a beautiful herb with such ancient symbolism, every time I roast a leg of lamb, or bake a loaf of rosemary bread for years to come I will think of my wedding day.

I’ve got all the ingredients in the pot. Just working up the nerve to go outside into the cold to the lemon tree for the final touch.

• Quinces
• Apples
• Sultanas and raisins
• Vinegar
• Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Cloves
• Orange juice and zest

Oh dear. Was peeling the apples and zoned out. Almost forgot to blog in!

Quince and apple chutney on the way. My back is sore. Gonna need a massage soon.

Can’t believe it’s already 6am.

I’m trying not to think of how much butter went into that brownie I just ate.

I can’t believe how quickly these half hour segments go. I mean, I started this at 11pm and it’s almost the time I usually get up now.

I’m wondering what I should have ready for O’s breakfast when he wakes up (at probably around 9am… hrmph). Maybe some bagels? Some freshly baked bread? Some ricotta tarts?

Any other ideas?