Ghost cook Originally uploaded by framboise. Following our introduction to possibly the second-best fried rice I’ve ever had (Grandma’s can’t be beat), we gave it a shot with the minimal contents of our fridge. Ideally, we should have used bean sprouts, carrots, cucumber/courgettes, shiitake mushrooms, and other pretty veggies, but we only had broccoli, chestnut […]

Bibimbap Originally uploaded by framboise. We ate very well and cheaply in London, thanks to some insider’s knowledge from my brother, who is often loath to part with money for anything. On previous trips to London, I’d eaten at quite a few Japanese restaurants, with Cafe Japan at Golders Green being my favourite so far. […]

Back from a few days in sunny London, just missing out on the super-hot (30 degC!) Friday and coming home to a wet and windy Edinburgh. The purpose of our trip was for an interview for a non-immigrant visa at the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square (which went well apart from my future employers’ failure […]

Green and Black’s Originally uploaded by framboise. Thanks to Mischief to Data for the heads-up on the shocking news that Green & Black’s has been bought by Cadbury Schweppes. G&B’s chief executive (William Kendel) claims that they have scrutinised Cadbury Schwepps, and are convinced of Cadbury’s “commitment to [their] values”. He makes the point that […]

We’ve been invited for Thai curry at K&M’s, and I hate turning up for dinner without at least bringing something, however small. It must stem from the pot-luck culture of my extended family. Picture the scene: one grandmother, 2 biological aunts, 3 biological uncles, their 5 respective partners, their sum total of 11 kids, plus […]

My thanks to Ros Taylor of The Wrap Roundup for this funny wee piece in the Spectator (registration required): The great lettuce conspiracy. It’s made my day… We’ve stopped buying as much bagged salad as we used to in our supermarket-shopping days. But every now and again, we succumb when we’re tired and hungry, and […]

Open salmon pie Originally uploaded by framboise. Had a craving for pie on Tuesday, preferably a savoury one. We’re not very big on pies. The best pies are ones made by someone else and served hot on a plate without the effort of rolling out a pastry that might not work. So in true convenience-culture […]

In today’s Guardian Comment, George Monbiot discusses the impact that Tesco’s massive growth has on our lives. [Rant on] The point he raises about farmers having to jump when Mr Supermarket Man tells them to was the key determinant in our switching to local shops that stock local produce. We still make a weekly trip […]

Celery and cashew soup Originally uploaded by framboise. No prizes for guessing where this recipe comes from. It’s been a soup-tastic week. We had celeriac soup on Thursday out of a thermos flask on Yellowcraigs beach. And last night, P cooked us some onion soup, recipe courtesy of Nigel Slater on the OFM calender. It’s […]

On last night’s episode of Have I Got News For You (HIGNFY), a reference to the closure of “Fat Pang’s” favourite bakery, also covered by Chubby Hubby‘s blog. And here’s a photo of Patten tucking into one. 蛋 撻 (egg custard tart) used to be my favourite dim sum when I was a kid. I […]