Keeping moths at bay

Buy a small drawstring bag or use one that costume jewellery often comes in.  Fill it with dried herbs such as bay, rosemary and thyme.  Perhaps some cloves and lavender.  Place in your wardrobe or drawers.  This may stop your clothes being attractive to moths.

A Christmas Song

It's Christmas time, it's Christmas time, yule tidings to you all.
It's Christmas time, it's Christmas time, we're gonna have a ball.
The turkey is a roasting.  The spuds are roasting too.
The gravy is just simmering and the sprouts are being braised.

It's Christmas time, it's Christmas time, yule tidings to you all.
It's Christmas time, it's Christmas time, we're gonna have a ball.
The champagne corks have popped, the mulled wine is on the hob,
The house smells of lovely candles and the tree is all alight.

It's Christmas time, it's Christmas time, yule tidings to you all.
It's Christmas time, it's Christmas time, we're gonna have a ball.
The family gather round, drinks are poured and start to chat,
The crackers and pulled and jokes are told, before putting on the hat.

It's Christmas time, it's Christmas time, yule tidings to you all.
It's Christmas time, it's Christmas time, we're gonna have a ball.

Prawn Pilau - A family recipe from Northern India

This recipe was passed to me when I ran a dating agency in the 80's and 90's.  One of my clients who lived in Singapore asked all her medical friends for their favourite curry recipes.  So I thought I would share some with you.  I have had the recipe for about 30 years but am ashamed to say that I haven't made it yet, so there are no photos.  I have put it at the top of my TO MAKE LIST.  All I know about the lady who provided the recipe, is that she was a researcher at the Institute of molecular and cell biology at the National University of Singapore.

Ingredients for rice:-

2 cups of biryani rice
1/2 a teaspoon of yellow colouring mixed with a little water3 cinnamon sticks
5 cloves
3 cardamoms
1 large onion
3 tablespoons of ghee
salt to taste
sufficient water to cook the rice
2 sprigs of mint leaves
10 shallots sliced and fried

Ingredients for Prawn Pilau:-

1/2 a kilo of large prawns
2 sliced tomatoes
1 tablespoon of chilli powder (alternatives are fresh chillies or harissa paste or dried chillies)
1 teaspoon of turmeric
a small piece of ginger
3 cloves of garlic
5 shallots
10 blanched almonds
1 tablespoon of tomato puree
1 tablespoon of tomato ketchup
salt to taste
1 large onion, sliced finely
A little cooking oil of your choice

Method for cooking the rice:-

1. Wash and drain the rice.
2. Add salt and yoghurt to the rice.
3, Heat the ghee, fry the cloves, cinnamon, cardamoms and sliced large onion till fragrant.
4. Add rice, and fry for a while before adding water to cook the rice.
5. When the rice is cooked, add in the colouring, fry small onions and mint leaves.  Stir well.
6. Serve hot rice with the prawns.

Method for cooking the Prawn Pilau:-

1. Clean the prawns (slit to divide).
2. Blend the ginger, garlic and small onions.  Add this to the prawns and mix well.
3. Add chilli powder and turmeric.
4. Heat the oil and fry the large sliced onion.
5. Add prawns.  Fry for 4 minutes, stirring continuously.
6. Add in the ground almonds, tomato puree, tomato ketchup and sliced tomato.  Stir well and add in salt to taste.  Cook till dry for about 10 minutes.
7. Scoop rice on to a plate.  Fill the centre of the rice with prawn pilau.
8. Garnish with the mint leaves and crispy fried shallots.

Many of us wobble about making rice and I notice that this recipe doesn't specify how much water to use.  Personally, if I make a cup of rice, I would use a cup and a half of water and bring it to the boil, before simmering with a heat diffuser for 20 minutes with a tight fitting lid, and no peeping!!

Valerian "Valeriana officinalis"

Valerian was often used to treat shellshock in the First World War.

It is one of the most powerful herbal remedies for a stressed nervous system.  It is thought to relieve anxiety  I believe medical herbalists use it for the treatment of severe insomnia and for reducing high blood pressure.  Valerian has a tranquillising effect and is mildly narcotic.  It can be drank as an infusion.  Using a concoction in the bath may ease skin rashes.

Valerian is a very powerful herb and must not be used to excess or with sedatives.

Root valerian can be placed in a rat trap to attract vermin.  Cats are attracted to valerian.

It's name comes from the Latin valere which means "to be well."  The Greek physician Galen named it "phu".  Quite appropriate as it doesn't smell very nice!

The plant isn't used for culinary purposes but it's believed over 400 years ago people in Northern England made soup from it.  It's best planted in moist soil in full sunshine or partial shade.

Aloe Vera and its uses

Aloe vera is an ingredient in many sun tan lotions, hair-care products and moisturising creams.  The sap taken from the fleshy leaves is thought to have healing and moisturising properties.  It was thought to be one of Cleopatra's favourite beauty treatments.

Aloe vera likes hot sunshine and very dry conditions.  It will tolerate very arid conditions.  Aloes has been used medicinally for over 2,000 years.

These days aloe vera juice is widely available.  It may have a laxative effect on the bowel.

Spicy Chicken Breasts with Spicy Rice

You will need:-

A white onion, sliced
Some sliced mushrooms
Olive oil and butter
A chicken breast for each person, preferably with skin to make it crispy
Mixed Mediterranean herbs or oregano
A handful of chopped coriander (cilantro)
A pinch of sea salt....Pink Himalayan if you have it
Ground black pepper
Lemon juice and wine

Melt the butter and olive oil in a frying pan then fry the onions and mushrooms.  Add the chicken, mixed herbs, seasoning, lemon juice and a splash of wine.  Simmer for 25 minutes to half an hour, until the chicken is cooked through.  Sprinkle on the coriander and serve with the spicy rice.

Spicy Rice

You will need:-

Butter and olive oil
Half an onion, sliced
Salt and pepper
Chopped Kenyan Chillies
Diced carrots (2 carrots)
A few sliced mushrooms
Basmati rice
Water to cook

Fry the onion in the butter and olive oil Then add the carrots as they take longest to cook, followed by the chillies and mushrooms.  Take add the salt and pepper.  Take a cup of basmari rice and stir gently into the mix, taking care not to break the grains.  Once the rice is coated in oil, add a cup and a third of water.  Bring to the boil and then cook on a very low heat (preferably using a heat diffuser) for about 25 minutes with no peaking. Don't forget a tight fitting lid. Personally I like to put a tea towel between the pan and the lid to seal in the steam.

A Midweek Supper with Chicken Livers and Bacon

You will need:=

Chicken livers
4 bacon rashers, chopped
1 large white onion, diced
A couple of bay leaves
A tin of ratatouille
Salt and Pepper
1 teaspoon of oregano
A splash of Worcestershire sauce
Olive oil to cook or rapeseed if you prefer

Sweat the onions in the oil for a few minutes, then add the bacon followed by the chicken livers.  Add the other ingredients and simmer on a low hob for about half an hour.

What to Wear in the British Isles

Easter in the UK is usually a complete washout.  In 2019 Easter was the warmest on record.  In the sunshine it was warm enough to wear a t-shirt and shorts, but in the shade???  Would you, could you brave that cool wind on bare legs?  I couldn't.  It seems that as soon as the sun shines, it's "summer" no matter the temperature is less than 18C.  My phone is currently telling me it's 7C but outside in the street, people are happily going about their days without a coat.  The sun isn't out today.

I am not keen to swim outdoors unless the temperature reaches 28/29C.  Lots of Brits feel differently and dive right in.

A Warm Winter Drink

Suggested ingredients:

1 orange
Several cloves
A splash of port
A cinammon stick
A teaspoon of allspice
3 teaspoons of sugar
25ml of rum
25ml of brandy

Stick cloves into an orange.  Cook it in the oven for 15 minutes, on a tray, at 180C.
Cut it in quarters and put in a saucepan with port, cinammon, allspice, sugar, rum and brandy.  Don't bring to the boil if you want to retain the alcohol.  Serve warm in a pretty mug.

STEAM INHALATION

Suffering from a cold, sore throat, runny nose?  What about trying steam inhalation for some relief?

The steam will help to open the nasal passages.  You will need a large heatproof bowl such as Pyrex, boiling water, a towel, essential oils or a handful of fresh herbs.

If using fresh herbs, crush them and add a pint of boiling water.  Cover your head and the bowl with a large towel and inhale the steam.  Do this for 5 minutes twice a day.  Why not try thyme?

If using oils, add three or four drops of the oil with a pint of boiling water.  Inhale in the same way as the herbs, but probably a minute will be long enough.

You could try:-
Eucalyptus
Lavender
Frankincense
Tea Tree

Obviously, seek medical advice if symptoms persist.

ROSEMARY AND SAGE HAIR RINSE

This is particularly good for dark hair, giving it a healthy glow.  There are anti-bacterial properties in rosemary which might help keep a dandruff free healthy scalp.   Sage should make the hair nice and shiny.

It will keep for about a week in the fridge.  Make the day before you need it, to let it infuse.

2 oz approx. of fresh rosemary
2 oz approx. of fresh sage leaves
1 pint of boiling water

Using a pair of kitchen scissors, snip the rosemary sprigs into a pyrex bowl.  Add the sage leaves and pour the boiling water on them.  Leave to infuse for 3 hours but preferably overnight.  Strain the mixture, using a plastic sieve, into a jug and then pour into a storage bottle (perhaps an old vinegar bottle).

After shampooing and rinsing your hair, tip some of the herb rinse over your hair and leave for half an hour.  Then rinse it off and dry your hair.

Mint and rosemary cologne

Eau de cologne is easy to make from a blend of your favourite aromatic oils with water and alcohol.

They make a perfect gift for friends, male or female.

Get together the following:-

15ml of any fresh mint (1 tablespoonful)
15ml of rosemary leaves (1 tablespoonful)
1 lemon
1 orange
50ml (2fl oz) of vodka - a cheap one to use as an alcohol base
115ml (4fl oz) rosewater

You will also need:-

A plastic sieve
Small saucepan
A bowl
A jug and storage containers

Wash the rosemary and mint leaves then dry them.  Place in a bowl.  Heat the vodka in a pan and pour over the herbs.  Wash the lemon and orange.  Grate the peel onto the herbs.  Warm the rosewater in a pan and add to the mix.  Cover it and keep in the fridge for a week.  Remember to stir it every day.  At the end of the week, strain the mixture through a plastic sieve into a perfume bottle and seal.  It should keep for two weeks in the fridge, and can be used in the bath, or as a splash on.

A Wintery Walk in Kensington Gardens

Kensington Palace February 2019
A great place to stop for lunch in the cafe, followed by a look around the gift shop.

 

Queen Victoria

 

The Albert Memoriam

 

For thirst birds and dogs

  

Hyde Park flowers

Meghan Markle's New Patronage

The Press

Yesterday, the Mayhew Home for dogs and cats in Kensal Green expected a visit from their new patron, Meghan Markle.  When I arrived to a slow drizzle, there didn't seem to be many people outside except the press.  After waiting an hour, the rain became rather heavy, so I decided to give up.

Mayhew Home, Kensal Green