It's now been a month since the course at the Asburton Cookery School finished - still no job offers - hardly surprising considering I haven't applied for any. So I'm still weighing up my options! This week's big news is that we now have an addition to the family! Poppy, a 9 week old chocolate labrador bitch arrived on Monday! Didn't take us long to get a pal for Harri although sometimes I think Harri is quietly cursing us! He looks at us out of those big dark eyes and slowly shakes his head! We have replaced his quiet life for a life now that includes broken sleep, a 4kg wriggling weight that hangs off his ears with razor sharp teeth and a cell mate that is more interseted in his food than her own! Mind you, Harri is going to have to toughen up a little and put the pup in her place intead of giving in to the youngster!
The culinary delights have continued. Last weekend we spent in Tenby with friends Bob & Liz, in the most wonderful flat that overlooks the North Beach. The flat is owned by some friends who let it and we were fortunate enough to take advantage of a weekend that was not booked. The views over Carmarthen Bay and Tenby Harbour are fantastic and town is just a short walk away.
So on Saturday we ate at the Blue Ball which had been recommended by a Tenby resident. The menu was not cheap but looked interesting. A selection of starters of Roquefort and fig creme brulee, smoked mackerel pate and a prawn and chilli cocktail wetted our appetite - follwed by Moules Mariniere, sirloin steak with a peppercorn and brandy sauce, a huge portion of salmon in a creamy leek sauce and a lamb shank. All wonderfully cooked although I would have preferred to be able to pour the sauce over my steak myself - it rather drowned it! The service was efficient and polite although no one bade us farewell - we'd probably been too rowdy!
No dishes of merit this week standard steak and chips, lasagne and a very tasty low fat fish pie! The boys came round for supper and I did treat them to Maman Blanc's Apple tart! Like a lot of the British nation I have been following Raymand Blanc's series "Kitchen Secrets" so thought I'd give the apple tart a try! I thought the pastry was going to be a disaster when I made it - dry and flaky but when it was cooked it was perfect. I still want to know how to lay the slices of apple in a concentric ring overlappping - if any one knows this trick please let me know! Have you noticed the number of times he says "Voila" in a programme?
I was expecting to see the first episode of "Out of ther Frying pan" this week - apparently the BBC have decided to delay it because of the number of cookery programmes on TV at the moment! James Knight-Pacheco - if you're still reading this - I can't wait!
Talking of Maman Blanc - tonight we dine on Maman Cope's Lobby - a simple beef stew that Mum still makes for me when I go and see her, made with shin or skirt and cooked for hours until the meat melts in your mouth.
I bumped into Wattsie on Friday - he was keen to know whether I'd got a job as a result of my course - I told him everything in good time - he also wanted to know if I could cook anything more than soup - I think he's angling for a dinner invitation!
Another week of practice ahead and then Woods Brasserie beckons!
Hi David, the show has been pushed back to the 29th March 2010, we can't wait either and still trying to get an autograph for you! James is in April's issue of Olive magazine.
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Customer Services @ Ashburton Cookery School
Thanks Sarah - glad to know you're still reading!
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