Experiment, week 21. This week’s five things which have made me happy or for which I’m grateful.
- Bacon Pieces. I think I’ve said that whenever we go up to Norwich to see my mother we drop into the nearby Roy’s supermarket. One reason is that they sell 1 kilo packs of smoked bacon offcuts — buy two or three; use one, freeze the rest! I learnt when I worked in a supermarket as a teenager that bacon offcuts were not only cheap but often contained good bacon. And with these if you pick over the packs you can usually get some good ones. We broached a pack of such this week and as well as some scrappy bits (great for risotto, pasta etc.) there were some decent pieces which can be cut however you want. It’s good bacon, and it’s British bacon! We got three main meals for two of that pack: great value at £2.64!
- National Archives Online. I continue to be amazed at the records the National Archives have online. Hunting this week I turned up the records for cases heard at the Old Bailey, including James Gambridge (whether my ancestor or another, I don’t know) who was found guilty in 1826 of stealing 17 sheets of glass to the value of 7 shillings. He was lucky to be sentenced to just 3 months incarceration as this was a time when had the value been not a lot greater he would have been deported to Australia or even hanged.
- Florentines. As our Easter treat Noreen bought us each a couple of Waitrose’s large Florentines. Yummy!
- Marrow Stuffed with Chilli Beef Risotto. This was another Noreen special, she having bought a marrow. Although I can take or leave courgettes, I love marrow. I suggested stuffing it with risotto. So Noreen cooked a nicely chillied (not too hot) risotto of beef mince, stuffed it in the marrow (with the extra around it) and bunged it in the oven for a bit. Out came some soft marrow with a tasty, sticky beef risotto. Most excellent.
- Spring Greens. No I don’t mean the cabbage leaves — though I like those too — I mean the garden! Looking out this morning at what one of our Irish friends would call “a soft day” (ie. damp and slightly misty), suddenly everything is green again. Fresh green leaves. Spring!!
Bring on the English asparagus!