Our lunches are always much the same; soup, salad, cheese, and fruit. Simple, nutritious, and usually quite pleasant.
But without access to fresh fruit and vegs, inventiveness is needed. Our soups are made from whatever is around; a few spuds, some cauli, half a courgette, and a leek maybe? The salads are more tricky; yesterday's was a few lettuce leaves from Haddock's, some bottled artichokes, and some sardines. Cheese needs no explanation; nor does the fruit.
One tends to forget how handy it is having a car, and access to local shops. When necessity rules over convenience, one needs to be creative. The only thing I really lack is colour; and we all know that food needs to look appetising.
There is a wonderful Greek salad dish which comprises of mostly mixed wild greens, wilted and dressed with olive oil and lemon juice. I try to mimic such things with what greenery remains at Haddock's. But that is now becoming in short supply.
I'm now dreaming of fresh fat sliced tomatoes, plump aubergines, and fleshy green peppers; all warm and sun-kissed from Haddock's. My courgettes should be the first of this year's crops to ripen, and I can hardly wait to have plates of sliced young fruits fried in garlic butter. It won't be long either for our artichokes to start producing; they're fiddly to prepare, but worth the effort.
All I need now is to get those plants in, and wait for them to grow!
42 comments:
You aren't going to the shops then? Isn't it possible to have things delivered, dare I say it, especially for older people.
We're way out in the countryside, so no deliveries here. Actually, I need to visit the pharmacy today, so will buy a few essentials at the same time.
We have a produce box delivered every three weeks. So many veggies, just wish they would toss in some ribs or a nice juicy roast.
You're lucky. Not a lot of meat on the menu here for the moment... I need to re-stock.
We will be starting on soup meals shortly now it is getting colder.
Soon the soups will go here, then replaced by more substantial salads.
I am still shopping once a week so eating goes on as before. I thought you were too. I don't see how you have shortages of things you like.
We have no tomatoes, avocados, bananas, oranges, or peppers; and very few apples. We could easily survive for several weeks, but we've become used to our little daily treats, and it's strange being without them.
You need to get out into the fields and pick a few dandelions or other weeds. What a pity you don't have an aged greek Mama to show you what's edible. I would send you my traditional person but I think he would wilt over there like the greens in your salad.
Our artichoke season has just finished as has the lettuce season though you can find lettuce most of the year now, especially iceberg in plastic bags
Well buy more when you shop. Your answer does not explain anything
We've haven't been shopping for two weeks.
I think it was Rick Stein (again) who showed all the wild greens. They looked so good. I do know most of the edibles around here.
As usual, your photos look like a work of art even without the red.
Colour increases the appetite, and red is a major part. Still, one has to make do!
I sowed a few trays of peas and salads in the greenhouse a few weeks ago, and they are coming through nicely so I've got pea shoots and micro-greens salads. I should be able to plant the remains of these out later.
I would prefer not to have to venture out to shop once a week and could manage for a few weeks on the contents of my cupboard and freezer but, like you, I really crave fresh veg and fruit.
Ah, I see. Buy more next time you are out.
If you were lying on Sigmund Freud's couch, I have little doubt what he would make of your reference to "fresh fat sliced tomatoes, plump aubergines, and fleshy green peppers" and his interpretation would have nothing to do with food.
I went to the pharmacie this morning, and whilst in town I also went to our local Agri-cooperative to see if they had any veg' plants. No, she said, 'tomorrow'. Why is it always 'tomorrow'??
We don't need much, but there are a few things I really miss. I suppose we'll have to get used to it.
It's true that food is sexy. You can find more innuendos in the kitchen than almost anywhere else.
Surprised when you said it was 2 weeks since you went shopping - it doesn't seem nearly that long - I'd have said more like one week. How time flies.
"Why is it always tomorrow?"? Well, my dear Cro, that's what hope is for. Feeding off the future.
U
Yes I do agree about inventiveness Cro and I sometimes have a pleasant surprise. My soup this week - leeks, potatoes, half an onion and a hand full of peas turned out very tasty with a swirl of good olive oil.
YP, truth is that a young maiden could present Freud with a shrivelled turnip and a pebble and he'd still manage to write a report on her hell bent on his own leanings.
U
Cro, your vivid, nay picturesque, descriptions of nature's delights to come, the Angel would sum it up as: "Lush".
U
Impressed too
I'd agree with him. I've been digging this morning, and the ground is like concrete.
I was exaggerating; it'll actually be two weeks before I go shopping again next Monday.
Sounds like mine above... the swirl of good olive oil is very important.
Good.
Half my life is spent 'waiting'.
Only half? You're lucky!
Well I made four litres of thick blitzed kumera and butternut squash soup (with plenty of onions, smoked garlic, some smoked chorizo and herbs) yesterday morning so that with home baked bread and Marmite will keep me in lunches for a few days.
Can't wait for our first tomatoes. Shop bought ones just don't taste the same. Paul planted out beetroot and spring onions yesterday. Should be picking broad beans soon.
Entry of Leclerc not the dear Henry
In about two or three more weeks, I will be able to put many of my seedlings in the ground. I have some early producers so hopefully, in June, I will have a fine salad to serve.
I'm heading out tomorrow to get more fruit & veg. I hadn't planned on going until next week but I'm now scheduled for a few online work meetings & an online medical consult (just my regular appt. with cardiologist now being done via the phone) plus I'm hoping for an Amazon delivery so just figured it would be easier to go this week. I can go in at 7am on the senior hour (at least there's one benefit) so I'll get what I can. It tends to be a bit hit or miss as to what'a available or not - although its not empty shelves like at first when people started panicking.
If I can't find exactly what I want then I'll substitute or do without and then I hope to not have to go again for about 3 weeks. They announced another 28 day extension to our lockdown yesterday so this shop might even carry me to that date - although we're not really expecting to get out much before the end of May.
I'm glad you enjoyed your lovely lunch.
I always make a big batch too, the above has one more day to go, then I start again.
The only toms I find that have any flavour are the cherry toms in small cartons. For some bizarre reason they actually taste like toms. Broad beans already? Lucky you.
I'm hoping I'll be able to buy plants on Monday when I go shopping. We'll see.
From what I hear, our shops are still fully stocked other than hand gel and face masks. I always aim to be outside the supermarket at opening time (8.30 am) so can usually avoid the crowds; if there are any. Still no illness in our area.
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