THAI BLACK RICE SALAD ~ FORBIDDEN RICE SALAD

Good Morning to you,

It's a fact, I am getting older.

....it isn't something I think about on a daily basis, it's just every now and again, when I go to do something physical, I notice I can't work at the same pace as I used to.

For instance.

I used to be able to potter around the garden for hours on end, but nowadays I find I need to take breaks and sit down for 5 minutes or so, before carrying on. It doesn't take the pleasure out of gardening, it just takes me a little longer to achieve my goals.

It's the same with cooking.  Nowadays, I cannot stand for hours upon end, cooking, the way I used to. Instead, I need to pace myself and plan what I am going to do. Whereas when I was younger, I worked, looked after George and our girls, as well as our home and garden, with enough energy left, to cook up a storm for George's birthday and create a huge buffet, for over 100 people. 

Yes, it's a fact, I have slowed down a little. I am not sad about this, because with age comes time.  Time to enjoy the things I love.  I decided long ago to follow Phyllis, my mother's ethos.

 'Forget your age, it's just a  number.  Get out there and enjoy life, as much as you can.' 

Talking of Phyllis, she is an amazing woman, because this year she will be 87 years of age, and do you know something, when we go out for walks, she can walk as fast as I do. In actual fact, I think it would be fair to say, when we walk together, it is Phyllis who usually sets the pace. I believe, one of the reasons for her fitness is, she never learnt to drive, she either cycled or walked to wherever she needed to be.  

As a child, Phyllis would walk with her brothers and sisters, along country lanes, for 3 miles each day, to get to school. She said she never thought about the distance, because come rain or shine, it was what they had to do, to get to school. 

As you can see for yourself, Phyllis is pretty amazing. You'll never believe it when I tell you, that she still does her own housework, she remains adamant that she will continue doing her own housework for as long as she can. Firstly, it keeps her fit and secondly it keeps her busy. She feels, by doing her own housework, she is incorporating exercise into her daily routine, which of course she is, so she does not have to think about going for a walk unless she wants to. 

I'll let you into a little secret, even at the age of almost 87 years, Phyllis  loves to go to family gatherings, as she loves to dance. Do you know she even keeps up with the younger members of the family.... that's how much she loves dancing.

I also believe, the key to getting older, is to have the courage to embrace new things which come our way. I love talking about the past and the memories it holds, but I am not stuck in the past.

I remember, when I first started working, in the late 1960's, I was a secretary, and I typed letters on an old black, Olivetti upright typewriter.... not an easy machine to use, so when the new Remington manuel typewriter arrived in the office, I was thrilled, because the keys were so easy to use, compared to the Olivetti.  I was happy with my manual typewriter, but then electric machines appeared, my word, they were a revelation.  No more working out the characters and page size to centre a heading, no this wonderful machine did all the work for me. I admit it took a bit of getting used to, but once I got the hang of using it, it made my working life so much simpler. Then it was the turn of computers.... nonsense thought I, what on earth could a computer do, that my marvellous Remington electric typewriter couldn't do. Nothing was my thought and so I resisted.  That is until I went on a course and was amazed at how I could delete and insert words, without the need for an eraser or Tippex.... and it made me realise, I must never be closed, I must always try to be open to new ideas.

I'm not saying it is easy, because there is comfort in doing what is familiar, but give it a go, be open to a new idea, you might be surprised. 

.... as I have today, I have introduced myself to something new,

Thai black rice.  Admittedly, by accident, as I had gone to the supermarket to buy red rice, but they were out of stock. Whilst searching  I discovered a packet of Thai black rice which looked intriguing. So this will be a first for me.

So it's on with the pinnie and today I am thrilled, because George surprised me with,

the new album by Ed Sheeran.  This album is so popular and is being played quite a lot on the radio at the moment.  

The track I have chosen is, Supermarket Flowers. Please don't be put off by the title, the song is lovely.

I tried to copy and paste the official Youtube clip but for some reason I could not do it.  Pop over to Youtube and listen to this beautiful song.

So whilst I listen to this track and think of how lucky I am to still have Phyllis in my life, I will organise my ingredients.

INGREDIENTS

YOU WILL NEED

TO MAKE

THAI BLACK RICE SALAD

Serves ~ 4

160g Thai Black Rice

1 small carrot

50g broad beans

3 spring onions

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

juice and zest of half a lime

1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon sesame oil

1 tablespoon sweet hot chilli sauce

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander

HOW TO 

MAKE

THAI BLACK RICE SALAD

Cook the rice as per the instructions

on the packet.

Whilst the rice is cooking,

cook the broad beans in water.

When cooked remove the outer covering.

Inside you will find a bright green, broad

bean.

Set aside for the moment.

Peel the carrot.

 Using

a

vegetable peeler,

cut the carrot into ribbons.

Snip the spring onions into small pieces,

I snip them using a pair of scissors.

When the rice is cooked,

place the rice into a large bowl

and add

the ribbons of carrots,

the broad beans

and

the

spring onions.

Using a separate bowl,

place the

rice vinegar,

lime juice,

lime zest,

grated ginger,

soy sauce,

sesame oil,

olive oil

and

sweet chilli sauce

into the bowl

and mix the ingredients together.

Pour the dressing over the rice

and toss the ingredients to

coat the rice grains.

Chop the coriander

and

add to the bowl.

Toss again.

Then all there is to do

 is,

enjoy.

You will have noticed that I did not add any salt to the recipe, that is due to the soy sauce being salty.

I cannot lay claim to this recipe, because I have adapted the recipe found on the back of the Sainsburys Thai black rice packet. As it was the first time of using this rice, I wanted to see which ingredients worked well together.  I omitted quite a few of the ingredients and inserted others, because I wanted to use what I already had in my store cupboard. For instance I used broad beans because I had them in my freezer, instead of edamame beans.

The recipe also called for vegetable oil, but I use mainly olive oil in my cooking, so I preferred to use olive oil for this recipe.  I am really pleased with the outcome, so this will be making an appearance at supper time, many more times in the future.

You might be wondering about the title, Forbidden Rice.  When I was researching black rice, I discovered that in the days, when China was ruled by Emperors, black rice was grown in small quantities, strictly for the Emperor's consumption. The local population were forbidden to eat this rice, and so it became known as forbidden rice. Luckily for us, that time has past and black rice is more widely available.

Take care and I will catch up with you again next Thursday.

This week I will be joining,

21 Rosemary Lane for Share Your Style

As Always,

SPICY ROAST POTATOES

Good Morning to you,

I had such a funny conversation with George yesterday.  It's not the first, and I feel sure it will not be the last.

I'll set the scene.

After supper, I stretched out on the sofa to read my book. George took up residence in his favourite, big, comfy armchair.  He put his feet up, his earphones on his head..... you'll understand why, when I tell you, that he was playing Yahtzee, on his Ipad. For some reason, and one known only to George, he loves to hear the roll of the dice, when he plays Yahtzee.  Now that is fine for George, but I have to tell you, the sound drives me insane.  So we have come to an agreement, that when he plays Yahtzee, he wears his headphones, that way we are both happy.

Every thing fine so far.

About 15 minutes into the peace and quiet, George started singing to himself.

All I could hear was "Go Daddy, dum de dum".... and these are the only words I heard.  Now to say this wasn't distracting, is an understatement. As I mentioned, George was wearing his earphones, so the "Go Daddy, dum de dum" was very loud indeed. Now, I am not the type of person who can read a book with music playing. I love to listen to music, but not whilst I am reading.  When reading, I like to immerse myself in a book, but to do this, I need peace and quiet.

So after 5 minutes of "Go Daddy, dum de dum" I thought it was time to say something, as I was distracted from reading my book. You see, I had stopped reading my book because I was trying to recognise the song, George was singing. I think maybe I am being generous, when I say  "Go Daddy, dum de dum" was singing.  Anyway, while I was thinking, George looked up and said "What's the matter?"  I said, "What is the song you are singing?" George said, "Oh a Nina Simone song" Whereby I said, "What's the song called?" George said I have no idea, these words just keep running through my mind.

I couldn't concentrate on reading, so I put my book down and thought, I've got to work this out, otherwise I won't settle.

I said "Are you sure it's a Nina Simone song"

"Oh yes" shouted George.... remember he was wearing earphones.

I carried on thinking. I couldn't think of any Nina Simone songs with these words.

.... after a few minutes, I had the thread of a song, and I started my own "dum di dum" sound.

I had an idea, but I couldn't verbalise it. You know that little itch, when you know, you know the answer,  but your brain will not release the answer.

Then in a moment of inspiration, I sang "Take a dive and run to daddy".... I couldn't get the rest of song. All I could sing was "Take a dive and run to daddy".... but it was a start.

George stopped playing Yahtzee.  He looked up and said, "Don't think about it and the rest of the song will come".

A good idea I thought, because that is what usually happens, so I picked up my book, but I couldn't concentrate, the line of the song kept running through my head, without going anywhere. After what seemed like an age,

I sang, "Take a dive and swim to daddy, Take a dive and swim to daddy, Take a dive and swim to daddy, swim, swim, swim, to daddy". The word 'run' was wrong, the correct word was 'swim'.

Have you any idea of the song title yet?

So a little while later, I realised, the song was sang by Sammy Davis Jnr and not Nina Simone.

When I said this to George, he said as quick as a flash, "Ah but they were friends".

I'm not sure what that had to do with anything, but there you are, that was his reply.

So where did the song come from?

I could have looked it up, but I felt so happy that I had remembered the song.... it was a start. I returned to reading my book and decided to look the song up today.

.... but after breakfast, I skyped Natasha and told her the story.  In a matter of moments, she had found the song on the internet, and there it was, no wonder I remembered the song, it was  'The Rhythm of Life' from the film 'Sweet Charity'.  I love watching this film, but hadn't seen it in years. Natasha found a Utube clip and there was Sammy, singing 'The Rhythm of Life' with the dancers, dancing, in that wonderful 1960's way. Did we really dance like that?

Well I have to tell you, I for one definitely did. When Natasha was home last, I showed her how I danced, when I was a teenager. We had such a laugh together.  She asked George how he danced and he said, "We boys, didn't dance, we used to stand around the edge of the dance floor watching the girls dance". Which isn't true, in his youth George was brilliant at the jive. He could even dance a very mean "Bump". Do you remember "The Bump"?

So while we listen to, The Rhythm of Life from Sweet Charity it's on with the pinnie, because today we are making,

Spicy roast potatoes.  As you know I love chocolate and I love potatoes.... not together, although if I could make up a recipe including both, I would be very happy indeed. Now there's a thought for the future.

These spicy roast potatoes are perfect, with just enough spice to go with anything plain, such as a roasted chicken.... I have to tell you, I love them even when they are cold.

INGREDIENTS

YOU WILL NEED

TO MAKE

SPICY ROASTED POTATOES

5 tablespoons of sunflower oil

1 kg floury potatoes

1 teaspoon of sea salt

1 teaspoon of black pepper

1 teaspoon of ground cumin

1 teaspoon of ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon of turmeric

1 teaspoon of chilli flakes or powder

Pre-heat the oven to 180C/350F

HOW TO MAKE

SPICY ROASTED POTATOES

1. Using a large saucepan, half fill with cold water.

2. Peel the potatoes and cut into half and then into quarters, then place into the pan of water.

3. Try to keep the potatoes the same size, you might find you will have to cut some potatoes in half and not into quarters. This allows the potatoes to cook at the same rate.

4. Drain the water from the pan, leaving the potatoes in the pan.  Refill with fresh water.  Just enough to cover the potatoes. Place a lid on the pan.

5. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

6. Bring the water to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer the potatoes for 7 minutes.  You want the potatoes to still be firm.

7.  Pour the oil into a baking tray and place in the oven, as you want the oil to be hot.

8. While the  oil is heating. Place the rest of the salt, black pepper, coriander, cumin, turmeric and chilli flakes in a dish and mix together.

9.   Drain the potatoes.

10. Sprinkle half of the spices over the drained potatoes and toss, to coat the potatoes (this is why the potatoes still need to be firm so they don't disintegrate when shaking the pan). Add the rest of the spice mixture and toss again.

11.  Remove the tray from the oven. Using tongs, place each potato in the oil.... the oil should sizzle. You will find you have a little spice mix left in the bottom of the pan. We will use it when we turn the roast potatoes.

12.  Roast for 20 minutes, then turn the potatoes and sprinkle the remaining spice over the potatoes. Roast for a further 15 minutes.

When the potatoes are crispy, remove them from the roasting tray.

I would say, the timings are approximate, because all our ovens cook at a different rate.  What you are looking for is a crispy potato.

If you are a lover of spice, these spicy roast potatoes are fabulous.

Do you know something, it is really strange not sharing step by step photographs with you.  I feel somehow that I am cheating. I know I will get used to it, but having shared step by step photographs for over 4 years, it is very hard to get out of the habit.

Oh and before I leave you, guess which film we are watching on Sunday.... yes that's right, Sweet Charity. I can't wait.

Take care and I will see you next Thursday.

This week I will be joining,

Miz Helen's Country Cottage for Full Plate Thursday

and

Elaine from Sunny Simple Life

and
Bev from Eclectic Red Barn for Turn It Up Tuesday

As Always,

SPICY SPLIT RED LENTIL DAHL

Good Morning to you,

Are you a bit of a nosey parker?

Are you someone who doesn't mean to, but you can't help but listen-in, to other people's conversations?

I hold my hands up.... I am a bit of a nosey parker. I don't mean that I like to know people's business, in fact the opposite is true and  I don't go out of my way to listen-in to other people's conversations, but if I am on my own and I am within ear shot, well, I can't help myself. I think the best way to describe myself is inquisitive.... I find other people so fascinating.

.... and George, well he certainly would not be described as a nosey parker, but the other day he came home from swimming and told me a wonderful tale, about a conversation he had overheard at the swimming pool, between a little girl and her daddy.

I'll set the scene.

George had completed his daily swim when he noticed, up ahead, a little girl holding her daddy's hand. As they walked, the little girl was chattering away, none stop to her daddy. He said it was a lovely scene and it reminded him of the days when Natasha and Danielle were little girls.

George then went for his usual sauna and when he finished he walked into the changing room to take a shower and to get dressed.

He had just locked the door of his cubicle, when he heard this wonderful conversation between the little girl, he had noticed earlier, who he came to know as Daisy, and her daddy.

It went like this.

Daisy. 'Daddy, you don't put my vest on that way. Mammy puts it on the other way.'

Daddy did not respond.

Daisy. 'Daddy you've put my pants on the wrong way.  Mammy doesn't do it like that.'

Daddy. 'Daisy, I do it this way'

Daisy. 'Yes but daddy, mammy does it the other way'.

Daddy.  'Daisy, there are different ways to do things and this is my way'.

George heard a sigh from Daisy and all was quiet for a little while.

Then Daisy piped up. 'Daddy, you've put my socks on the wrong way, they are inside out'.

Daddy. 'No they're not Daisy'

Daisy. 'Yes they are daddy'.

Daddy, getting a little exasperated.... 'Daisy they're not'.

Daisy.  Yes they are daddy, the pink lace should be on the outside, not on the inside.

Daddy.  Daisy they look fine to me.

Daisy.  No they're not. I'm going to tell mammy when we get home, because you've done it all wrong'.

Daddy.  'It's alright Daisy, mammy will understand.'

Brief silence.

Daisy. 'Daddy,'

Daddy. 'Yes Daisy.'

Daisy.  'I need a wee.'

Daddy.  'Really, I just took you for a wee.'

Daisy.  'I know daddy, but I need to go again.'

Daddy.  'Really.'

Daisy.  'Yes daddy, I need a wee.'

Daddy.  'Ok Daisy let's go.'

Daisy.  'Wait a minute daddy.  I need to put my flip flops on.'

Daddy.  'No Daisy, you don't need them.'

Daisy.  'Yes I do, they are my new flip flops'.

Daddy.  'Honestly Daisy you don't need them because you have your socks on and we would have to take them off again.'

Daisy.  '.... but I do,  I do need them daddy, I really, really need them'

Daddy.  A little exasperated.  'I will carry you so you won't need to put them on.'

Daisy.  No, I don't want you to carry me, I want to wear my new flip flops.

.... d-a-d-d-y,

Daddy.  Yes Daisy.

Daisy.  'I'm going to tell mammy about all this.'

Daddy.  'Don't worry Daisy, mammy will understand'.

Daisy.  'No she won't.

Daddy.  Ok Daisy, let's just go to the toilet and you can tell mammy all about it when we get home.

Daisy.  Thank you daddy. Daddy.

Daddy.  Yes Daisy.

Daisy.  I love you.

Daddy.  I love you too Daisy.

Daisy.   But I'm still going to tell mammy, because you've done it all wrong today.'

.... and with that, it all went quiet.

George said he had to really control his laughter, because it was such a funny conversation between Daisy who was about 4 years old  and her daddy.

.... but what really made him smile was it reminded him of when our girls were little.  If things weren't as they should be, they always told George that they would tell mummy when they got home.

It's nice to know things haven't changed.

..... but what I have changed a little is,

what we are making today.... a spicy red lentil dahl. It has a little spice, but not a lot and it is lovely eaten with pitta bread.  I have even added it as a side dish along with a piece of fish.

I do apologise to my Indian friends, because this dahl is not authentic, but I feel sure you will forgive me, because we all adapt recipes to suit our own tastes.

So it's on with the pinnie and the music I am listening to, well here's a hint. If I say, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.... do you know who it is?

Of course you do, it's Bryan Adams.  There are so many songs to choose from, which I love, but I feel sure you will enjoy, I'm Ready.... it's such a beautiful song.

.... and I know the weather is not warm and sunny, but after you have danced to Summer of '69 (now that took you by surprise didn't it) you will have a lovely warm glow about you. So while your dancing, I will gather my ingredients together and of course I am dancing as well.  I cannot imagine anyone listening to this track who did not want to dance.

INGREDIENTS

YOU 

WILL NEED

TO MAKE

SPICY SPLIT RED LENTIL DAHL

100g red split lentils

500 ml chicken stock

1 medium white onion

2 teaspoons of sweet paprika

1/2 tablespoon of fresh ginger

1 clove of garlic

1 teaspoon curry powder

1 tablespoon of olive oil

salt to taste

HOW 

TO MAKE

SPICY RED LENTIL DAHL

Finely chop the onion.

My knife skills are not very good

so I used my food processor.

Place the olive oil

into a pan

and

add the finely chopped onions.

Cook over a low heat

until the onions

are golden.

Crush the garlic

and
add to the pan.

Cook for a minute.

Grate the ginger
and add to the pan.

Cook for a further minute.

Add the paprika

and

the curry powder.

Cook for another minute.

The aroma of the spices will fill the kitchen.

Add the 

chicken stock to the pan

and

the split red lentils.

Increase the heat

and

stir well 

to incorporate the ingredients.

When the  mixture comes to the boil,

reduce to a low heat

and

place a lid on the pan.

Cook for 15-20 minutes

or until the chicken stock has been 

incorporated.

After 10 minutes
stir the ingredients

again.

Replace the lid, but keep a very close

eye on the dahl

as you want the 

liquid to be incorporated,

but you don't want the mixture to burn.

After 15 minutes, if the liquid

has not reduced,

I remove the lid and with a wooden spoon,

move the mixture around the pan until

the liquid has reduced.

Season to taste with a little sea salt

and

as always,

enjoy.

We ate this spicy red lentil dahl for lunch with pitta bread and it was the perfect lunch.

If you are a vegetarian, then add vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.

Now I have written that the dahl will take between 15 and 20 minutes to cook.  The difficulty in pinpointing the exact time is how different our cookers are.  I cook the dahl on my smallest gas ring and as I said over a low heat, but your gas ring might be larger than mine, so it will take a little less time.  The trick is to keep an eye on the dahl whilst it is cooking, because you do not want the dahl to burn.

Spanish paprika might seem an odd spice to add to an Indian dahl, but the reason for adding it is, I had run out of chilli powder and turmeric. So instead of going out to buy more I decided to add the paprika and curry powder instead, as they were the spices I had to hand. It was such a success that I don't add chilli powder and turmeric anymore.

We enjoyed this dahl so much that George has asked that I make it again this weekend so he can have it as part of his 'little plates' of food, whilst he watches sport on Saturday afternoon.

What better recommendation could I give you.

Oh and before I go, I thought I would mention that 'mammy' is a regional word for mummy.

Take care and I will see you next Thursday.

This week I will be joining,

Carol from Art and Sand for Share Your Cup

and

Elaine from Sunny Simple Life

and

Laurie from My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies for Snickerdoodle Sunday

As Always,