Do you know the price of scallops?

With parts of the world in turmoil from natural disasters and citizen unrest, it perhaps puts into perspective our daily moans and groans - well it does for me! Faced with the recent lack of work in the engine factory, my efforts have been concentrated elsewhere - so it's been back to the kitchen, the golf course and the odd trip up north.

My elderly mum fell and broke her ankle in February so I spent a couple of weekends travelling up and down the motorways of the UK to visit her in hospital.  Once she had had the two operations to repair the two broken bones, she was like a caged tiger waiting to break out!  My observations of hospital life during my visits were focused by how understaffed the ward was at times and how caring and patient the nurses were! Surprisingly and contrary to popular belief, my mother thought the food was excellent.  I didn't witness any of the meals myself but the proof, as they say, is in the pudding!

Meanwhile back in the kitchen, I have had time to try experiment with one or two recipes.  I was surprised to learn that Sue had not tried scallops so when I suggested having them one Friday, the suggestion was met with a certain level of indifference!  Undeterred, I served up Queenn scallops on a bed of crushed baby new potatoes with steamed green beans all drizzled with a soy, honey and ginger dressing!  I think we'll be having them again!  Our gadget purchase for the month has been a bread maker - so I have also been experimenting with the different flour mixes, yeasts and settings!  My first effort was not good!  Soggy and stodgy was probably the best description of the loaf that came out!  It was after a little research that I discovered that it was more than likely to have been the yeast at fault!  I looked at the yeast tin and it clearly said on it - "not to be used in bread making machines" - my subsequent attempts have actually looked like proper loaves and tasted like real bread!  My other culinary sucesses have included pan seared cod fillets with a leek and potato sauce, a salmon and broccoli bake and home made pizzas - my failures are getting less, well at least in the kitchen they are!  I thought this year that I would have a go at growing some of my own food so I bought some seeds for leeks, spring onions, spinnach and carrots and carefully planted them in seed trays, watered them and covered them until they germinated. I am pleased to report that all is going well - apart from the carrots!  There is absolutely no sign or hint of a green shoot anywhere in the tray - must have been a bad batch of seeds or maybe something I did!  It will soon be time to plant the rest of the crops out in the garden - now that will be interesting - the goat dog is going to have fun nibbling our onions and tearing up the leeks! I may have to rethink the location for my plot!  Anyone got any suggestions?

The Goat Dog & Harri