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“Simply raw”*

June 24, 2011 by Robin Ellis

This morning our friend, Jane, alerted me to the early lead article in today’s Guardian newspaper: [http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/jun/24/low-calorie-diet-hope-cure-diabetes].

It reports on the eye-catching (though hardly mouthwatering) results of a study carried out recently at Newcastle University, England,  involving type 2 diabetics.

The participants were put on “an extreme diet” for two months.

*The title of the post refers to a documentary [http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/simply-raw-reversing-diabetes-in-30-days/] which another friend, Denise in London, sent me some months ago. I was reminded of it while reading The Guardian this morning.

In this 90-minute film (free to watch online) the six participants in the program are:

“challenged to give up meat, dairy, sugar, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, soda, junk food, fast food, processed food, packaged food, and even cooked food for 30 days. The film chronicles moments of “struggle, support and hope as what is revealed, with startling clarity, is that diet can reverse disease and change lives”.

The immediate results were stunning in some cases, like the study reported in The Guardian. The effect on participants was moving.

Nevertheless the challenge overwhelmed a couple of the participants and one dropped out. I remember being left feeling a little uneasy about the claims made in the film about the possibility of curing  diabetes.

Reversing the condition was clearly achieved by following the regimes shown.

However Professor Roy Taylor, the leader of the Newcastle experiment  acknowledges that, “we need to examine further why some people are more susceptible to developing diabetes than others”.

Meanwhile–in the everyday world, food philosopher Michael Pollen’s simple mantra is worth keeping in mind.

Eat food. Not too much. Mainly plants.

Posted in Diabetes, Food | Tagged , , | 4 Comments »

Lifting the garlic

June 23, 2011 by Robin Ellis

our neighbours go about it...

On my morning walk and heading home, I spot a  group of people gathered at the edge of a field of garlic.

It is 8 o’clock and the sun is already promising a hot day–time to start lifting the garlic.

In the beginning...

L’ail rose de Lautrec.

(The pink garlic of Lautrec  [http://www.ailrosedelautrec.com/en_growing-lautrec-s-pink-garlic_13.php].)

The harvest happens in two stages.

In late May I noticed similar groups of people early one morning–more warmly dressed–who spent the day slowly making their way through the field, painstakingly snipping off the scapes of the plants.

(Scapes are flowering stems that grow out of the plant; these must be cut off so that the plant uses its energy to make a bigger bulb instead of making a bigger plant.)

They make good eating–if you can find them–in a salad or an omelette.

The plants are then left a month to allow the bulbs to swell before the harvest.

Our friend, Sophie, tells me the white is lifted [arraché] first, then the violet and last the pink–which is the best she says (she would, she’s a Lautrecoise!).

Some years ago l’ail rose de Lautrec achieved Label Rouge status, which officially  guarantees a level of excellence.

Not long after buying the house–we took some to California, where Meredith’s green fingered brother-in-law planted it and latr won first prize in the Marin County Fair!

[The sheaths were white not pink–it’s the local earth that turns it pink.]

We told the story to the farmer in the next hamlet, thinking he might be amused.

After a long pause and looking like thunder, he growled—“C’est interdit!”[It’s forbidden!].

“Don’t mention the garlic!”–[apologies to Fawlty Towers].

In sleepy Lautrec, on the first Friday in August–the annual Garlic Festival–ten thousand people teem slowly through the narrow streets heading for the main square and a bowl of delicious garlic soup [soupe à  l’ail]–ladled out FREE at noon.

and--the end result...

Stop Press: Our French friend, Myriam, calls by.  Her mother she says buys l’ail forain or l’ail bio [organic]–and it tastes better.…

I shall enjoy the research!

Posted in Food, other sides to this life | 2 Comments »

“The Big Dig” or “A way to spend a pretty penny!”

June 22, 2011 by Robin Ellis

Marmalade says: “You’ll never guess what’s happening behind me…

…it’s been going on for over a week now–a man has been digging a hole in the meadow behind the house–and the hole has got bigger and bigger!–what’s going to happen when a cow falls in it?”

Enough of that–Marmalade can be over-anxious sometimes!

Here’s the story…

The work is being carried out, not because we had a tip off about where to find the lost treasure of St Martin–although we’ve fantasised about its existence for twenty years–but sadly for less romantic reasons.

There is a new drive to implement a European directive on the subject of septic tanks and we’ve  heard the inspectors are out and about and keen.

We have insufficient space at the back of the house to carry out the work as the regulations require; so have had to ask our neighbours, Alice and René, if they’d mind us digging what looks like an olympic swimming pool size hole in their meadow!

They kindly agreed for us to go ahead–sight unseen.

Thinking big!

The “EU Waste Framework Directive“–attempts to ensure that waste is disposed of without endangering human health or harming the environment. It was passed in 1975 and aimed at turning the EU into a recycling society.

sunk

We are doing our bit.

Posted in other sides to this life | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments »

A Simple Salad for the Summer Solstice

June 21, 2011 by Robin Ellis

Here’s a recipe to celebrate the first day of summer.


SOL–sun    STICE--still

The day the sun is so high it appears to stand still; the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere.

And a song to hum while preparing the vegetable salad–(watch out for the end of the seventh line though, if you’re singing the words with company!)

Inspired by and adapted from a book with an unusual title and many wonderful recipes:

Crazy Water Pickled Lemons  by Diana Henry

Roasted Aubergine [eggplant] slices with Feta and a mint vinaigrette.

for 4

2 large aubergines [eggplant]

I used the purple speckledy ones this time.

–cut crosswise or lengthwise into thickish slices (2cm/3/4″), lightly salted and left for an hour or so to drain through a sieve or collander

olive oil for brushing the foil and the aubergines

salt and pepper

a small slab of feta cheese to crumble on the top of the salad (optional)

The Vinaigrette

1 teaspoon white wine or cider vinegar

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

2 garlic cloves pulped with a little salt

2 fl oz olive oil

a large handful of mint leaves–roughly chopped

  • Heat the oven to hot–240C/450F.
  • Lightly brush the aubergines slices with olive oil.
  • Cover shallow oven trays (you may need two or to repeat the process) with foil.
  • Brush the foil with oil to prevent the slices sticking.
  • Spread the slices on the trays.
  • Place the trays in the upper part of the oven for 10 minutes–
  • then take the tray(s) out of the oven and turn the slices over–
  • return them to the oven for a further 10 minutes.*
  • Make sure the aubergine is done by piercing the thickest part with the tip of a knife–
  • Underdone aubergine is uneatable.
  • Take them out of the oven and spread them on a serving plate.
  • Whisk the vinaigrette ingredients together and pour it over the slices while they are still warm.
  • Flake the feta–if you are using it– over the top.
  • Serve at room temperature–leaving a little time for the flavours to meld.

* alternatively, you could griddle the slices–which gives them a slightly smoky taste.

Posted in Food, other sides to this life, Recipes | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments »

The Vicar’s wife

June 19, 2011 by Robin Ellis

A Blessing Ceremony in the tiny chapel of  St. Jean in the valley beneath the medieval hill town of Cordes sur Ciel….

Donald Douglas’* daughter Eliza’s marriage to James in Michigan, is being blessed here–for friends and family this side of the Atlantic.

Eliza has asked Meredith to be the “Celebrant“.

Meedith is nervous–it’s yet another “first” for her and there has been no rehearsal.

We arrive early at the chapel–founded in 1224 near a place of safety from the plagues that hit the unhealthy walled Cité high above it.

There is minimal light for reading, which adds to the anxiety and the hour approaches.

But by the time the guests arrive–all decked out in white (the couple’s request)–by “Le Petit Train”  from Cordes…

–more light has been shed inside (candles lit) and on the words (a few run-throughs) and Veronique is spreading calm from the strings of her celtic harp.

The chapel–decked out with white flowers–and  Meredith, are ready to welcome the buzzing crowd–about fifty adults and children–to this ancient site.

The bride approaches on her father’s arm and the ceremony begins.

It goes off beautifully, of course–Meredith performing her priestess-like duties perfectly with clear-voiced sincerity.

Poems–chosen by the couple–including Shakespeare’s 116th Sonnet (“Let me not to the marriage of true minds…”) are thoughtfully read.

Donald sings in his broadest Scots brogue, “The Braes O’ Birniebouzle“, so splendidly, we all burst into spontaneous applause.

As everyone files out our aptly named friend, Puck, whispers in my ear: “You know that from now on you’ll be known as the Vicar’s wife!”

*(Captain McNeil in Poldark)

Posted in other sides to this life, Poldark | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments »

Spicy grilled chicken breast

June 17, 2011 by Robin Ellis

This is adapted from the Indian actress and cookery write Madhur Jaffrey again, whose spicy green beans from a recent post, would be a good accompaniment.

I’ve cooked from her BBC series cookbook-“Indian Cookery” for many years–it may be out of print now but is worth seeking out. She says in the introduction,
that her mother once told her, her passion for food dates back to “the hour of my birth, when my Grandmother wrote the sacred syllable”Om” (I am”) on my tongue with a finger dipped in honey. I was apparently observed smacking my lips rather loudly.” Something we do regularly after eating from one her recipes!

An overnight marinade in this delicious blend of familiar spices and a quick turn on a griddle* make these strips of chicken breast a handy lunch option.

for 4/6

2lb/1k free range boneless chicken breast— skin removed, washed, patted dry
and cut into 1″/2cm strips

the marinade:

5 tablespoons olive oil

4 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 medium onion–roughly chopped

1 head of garlic–peeled and roughly chopped

1” nob of ginger–peeled and roughly chopped

2 tablespoons each of fennel seeds and ground cumin

2 teaspoons ground coriander seeds

8 cardoman pods and 8 whole cloves

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

20 black peppercorns

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 teaspoons salt–sea salt for preference and “Malden” if you can find it

  • Liquidise the marinade ingredients.
  • Add the resulting mush to the bowl in which you have put the strips of chicken.
  • Turn it all over–making sure the chicken is well covered by the marinade.
  • Cover the bowl and leave it in the fridge overnight.
  • Heat a griddle to hot and cook the strips in batches.
  • Depending on the thickness allow them a couple of minutes a side. Cut into one to test for doneness–if it looks too pink let it cook on a few seconds more.
*You could also cook these in a hot oven (220c/425f  for 10 to 15 minutes depending on their thickness).

Posted in Food, Recipes | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments »

Circle Dancing, Courgette (Zucchini) soup and an Eclipse to boot…

June 15, 2011 by Robin Ellis

“—It’s going to be a busy night” to paraphrase Bette Davis in All About Eve—

rounded off by a lunar eclipse (http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/jun/15/lunar-eclipse-moon-red).

Meredith’s passion–Circle Dancing (http://www.findhorn.org/)aka Sacred Dancing–learned at the Findhorn Foundation(http://www.findhorn.org/) north of Inverness in Scotland.

She has a regular circle of enthusiasts, who dance each month on the night of the full moon for a couple of hours.

in full swing…

John–honourable retiree.

Everyone brings a dish to share after the dance.

My contribution–Courgette soup— is adapted from the River Cafe’s recipe.

It was spotted by our friend and fellow dancer, Sonia,

who grows courgettes herself and brings us a shining green handful from time to time.

It is simple and satisfying, with a light green hue and creamy texture.

for 4

1 kilo courgettes/zucchini–fresh as possible–cut into 1″ square pieces


2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves of garlic–chopped
500ml/1 pint stock–I use organic vegetable stock cubes
1 small pot/125gms low/no fat yogurt
50gms grated parmesan— add more to your taste
salt & pepper

a handful each of chopped parsley and chopped basil

  • Fry the courgettes and garlic in the oil until they are very tender and browned a little–about 30 minutes.

a double batch

  • Add the stock and bring to a gentle simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Season with salt and pepper– taking care with the salt assuming there is salt in the stock.
  • Let the soup cool a little.
  • Remove a quarter of the courgette pieces and liquidise the rest with a food mixer or handheld liquidiser.
  • Return the whole courgette pieces to the soup.
  • Stir in the cheese and yogurt followed by the parsley and basil.
  • Reheat gently.
  • Check the seasoning and bring up to a simmer.
  • Serve in warm bowls.
–there’ll be no need for seat belts* though!
(B Davis’ famous line in the film–“Fasten your seat belts–it’s going to be a bumpy night!”)

Posted in Food, other sides to this life, Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments »

New Yorker Stocks Exchange…?

June 15, 2011 by Robin Ellis

This is the cover of last week’s edition of the New Yorker magazine, which arrived in the post this morning.

Along the bottom of the stocks it reads:

NYC Dept. of  MORAL GUIDANCE       NO FEEDING   BACKSLIDERS

Is the backlash under way–is this the “Ancient Régime” fighting back?!

Any theories?

Posted in Food, other sides to this life | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments »

Green Beans with black Mustard Seeds and Garlic

June 14, 2011 by Robin Ellis

Small piles of green beans are starting to appear in the markets.

Adapted from the actress and cookery writer, Madhur Jaffrey’s recipe ,
these goes well with spicy and not so spicy food.

for 4

1lb/450 gms green beans–topped
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon black mustard seeds
4 cloves of garlic — chopped very fine
1 dried red chilli–chopped fine
1 tsp salt
pepper

  • Cook the beans to just tender in plenty of lightly salted, boiling water–use tongs to whip one out of the water to test for doneness.
  • Heat the oil in a frying pan and add the seeds.
  • When they start to pop add the garlic.
  • Cook until it starts to turn light brown–careful not to burn it–it won’t take long.
  • Add the chilli and stir.
  • Add the beans and the salt.
  • Turn the heat to low and fold the beans over in the oil and spices.
  • (You are heating through and infusing the beans with the flavours–5 minutes should do it).
  • Add the pepper

"Still life" with Marmalade, Lily and spicy green beans

Posted in Food, Recipes | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments »

“Here’s one I prepared earlier…!”

June 13, 2011 by Robin Ellis

Keith's bleu "hot rod"--2CV

Last week, by one of those lovely serendipities, I came across the site “A Taste of Garlic”.

My appetite/interest was whetted–any good Lautrecois’ would be, (L’ail rose [pink garlic] de Lautrec has its own appellation controllée)– by the title, and tickled by the lights-flashing exhaust-puffing 2CV logo.

Indeed this extra-ordinary site’s founder and inspiration–Keith Eckstein,  a Cornish polymath--is passionate about garlic and a lot else besides: Elvis, football (soccer), Johnny Depp, mushrooms, pigs, Johnny Halliday, IT support and web design, writing, reading and so on.

He writes delightful funny pieces and promotes other peoples books and blogs.

“Here, at  A Taste of Garlic, I review, share and promote other people’s Life in France experiences.”

I contacted him and, belying the laid back “deux chevaux” image, he’s a speedy worker.

A few days later he published an interview with me and today he writes a witty and comprehensive review of the blog.

Merci beaucoup–Keith!

Posted in other sides to this life | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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