Choices, choices.

 

I recently noticed that the contents of my Bovril jar were becoming dangerously low. So onto my shopping list it went.

At the store I couldn't find it anywhere, but another product was shouting 'Buy me, Buy me!' so loudly that I was compelled to pop a jar into my trolly.

I have only once before bought a jar of Vegemite, and I didn't like it. It tasted like a poor imitation of Marmite mixed with mud, and I found its texture more suited to furniture DIY than the breakfast table.

However, this time I rather liked it. The muddiness seems to have mostly gone, and I now quite like the thick, wood-filler, paste-like texture.

Like most people of my age (and younger) I was brought-up on Marmite and Bovril, they were the stand-by toppings for toast at any time of day. 

Just in case you are unaware, both are very salty; Marmite being a Yeast bi-product (from the brewing industry), and Bovril being 'allegedly' made from Beef. Both are strong tasting and are very much an acquired taste; preferably from a very young age.

Marmite is a 'must' in most UK households; there's always a jar somewhere even if its sell-by date was 1987. Bovril is a lot less popular than it used to be, probably on account of the BSE (Mad Cow Disease) outbreak back in the late 1980's. This probably accounts for its absence on the shelves at Sainsbury's (unless it was hidden somewhere).

Vegemite is, like Marmite, a Yeast product, and is also a bi-product of the brewing industry. Marmite is English, and Vegemite is Australian. Marmite dates from 1902, and Vegemite from 1923. They have been global rivals ever since. Most Brits would only ever eat Marmite, whereas the Aussies would only eat Vegemite.

So, how do they compare? Bovril is runny, like runny Honey, and tastes a bit like burned salty Beef. Marmite is firmer and tastes mostly of salt. And Vegemite has the texture of Peanut Butter, and DOES still taste a little bit muddy.

Verdict. Bovril 5/10. Vegemite 6/10. Marmite 8/10.

A Man of the Soil.

Lady Magnon often complains that I (we) eat too much Meat. She seems to forget that humans are intrinsically 'Carnivores', and that the very concept of eating vegetables is a relatively new phenomenon in human evolution. However, I do partially agree with her about the Meat; it's expensive too!

She recently said she wants more Veggie meals; with actual Vegetables, rather than pasta or rice. Our lunchtime 'Scotch Broth' is 100% Veggie, made with a mixture of vegetables, but she wants even more.

So, I searched amongst my vegs, and came across a good selection which I seasoned, anointed, and roasted.

There was an Aubergine, red Pepper, Courgette, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Carrots, and onions. They were bathed in Olive oil, and given an hour in the oven.

As I'm sure you can see, this was simplicity itself, and I must say that it was delicious. It was made with just a selection of what I used to grow at Haddocks. 

I would happily eat this every week. I can see us not only having our usual Veggie Wednesdays, but Veggie Mondays, and Saturdays as well.

As long as I can have my fill of Meat on the other days; I'm very happy.

 

Bad Back Breakfast.

It was a really foul morning last Friday. Gales, blizzards, rain, tornadoes, sleet, snow, icebergs, and very cold. Not a day to be wandering around Brighton at 7am in the morning.

However, Kimbo is a stalwart climber of snowy peaks (above), and he braved the elements to join me for our usual Friday early-morning breakfast together.

I was suffering with my bad back, so I swapped the Full English, in favour of something easier and quicker to prepare! 

I had plenty of Eggs in the Fridge, as well as a bag of ready grated Mature Cheddar Cheese. So, there was no question; it would have to be a Cheese Omelet (Omelette).

Knowing Kimbo's (and my) appetite, I also toasted a few slices of bread, and offered two types of Marmalade; Lady M's (in the Le Parfait jar) and a brand new jar of 'Duerr's' (as good as Cooper's). The jar of Duerr's remained unopened, whilst Lady M's was emptied. That says a lot!

The rain continued, and the wind lashed, but we were well-fed and happy. 

That Omelet (Omelette) was delicious. (the little blob above it in the photo was some escaped cheese; in case you were wondering!)

N.B. 'Uncle Andy' Burnham (our new PM) has advised us to all stock-up on tinned food, bottled water, cash, candles, red wine, and a wind-up radio. If indeed his predictions of 'Doomsday' are correct, may I suggest that you also stock-up on Eggs. A couple of dozen should be enough; they remain fresh for at least two weeks, if not a lot more. Those vital two weeks should be enough for you to escape to some deserted Scottish Island, where you could live off Shellfish and Seaweed, until St Peter finally demands your, and Uncle Andy's, presence.

Life under Andy's tenure is certainly interesting; he keeps our larders well stocked.

BE FOREWARNED!

 

The Youth Section of the UK's own wonderful antisemitic and hard-left 'Green Party' have instructed Britain's youths to imitate their European cousins, by gathering on 20th November for an 'INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY of ACTION' (rioting). 

From what I gather (I have two grandsons at University), our students have no gripes with the government over education, or the state of our schools or colleges, so why they would wish to riot, burn, and loot in imitation of the French and Belgians; I have no idea! But this is what the leaders of the 'Young Greens' are advocating. 

They want to encourage violence on the streets, setting cars on fire, smashing shop windows, and looting across our cities. They probably have nothing better to do!

So, shops selling trainers, vapes, alcohol, balaclavas, and grey tracksuits, had better make sure they are well defended. I suggest hiring a few 'heavies', with Cricket bats, to stand inside your shops, and wait.

Sadly gullible Sheep will always do what they're told, so do expect trouble on Friday 20th November.

The left has always had a reputation for group violence. It is a sign of having lost the argument, with nowhere else to go. If in doubt, chuck a brick at the cops, and smash a few windows.

Boris famously bought some Water Cannons, in 2014, to quell rioting, but was forced to sell them on 'Elf-n-Safety' grounds. We now need those Water Cannons more than ever. 

If these young people are going to cause trouble simply because some extreme left-wingers have told them to do so on TikTok, then they need to face serious consequences, as well as a good soaking!

The 'Corinne' method.

About a month ago, I wrote about some silly Microwave device for poaching Eggs that I'd unwisely purchased. On its first use, the wretched thing exploded and I was left with a spectacular Eggy clear-up job. It (I actually bought two of them) went directly to the dustbin.

As a result, I received several alternative suggestions of how best to poach my Eggs, one of which came from Corinne.

Corinne suggested that I fill a small frying pan with water, bring to the boil, add a drop of vinegar, then drop-in the Egg. In other words 'Fry the Egg in Water'.

In fact I placed a 'Crumpet Ring' into the boiling water, then dropped the Egg into that. It kept the Egg 'tidy'. I didn't time the process, but I think it took about 3 minutes.

The Egg came out perfectly, and was served on well buttered 'Luxury Toast' (no crusts).

This will certainly be my method of choice from now on. So, thank you Corinne, your suggestion worked PERFECTLY. I recommend it to everyone. I also recommend the Crumpet Ring.

 

Chataignes, Castana, Chestnuts.

Our village in France grows A LOT of Chestnuts; grafted plantations are everywhere. I did own a small plantation of ancient grafted trees myself, which produced a ton, or more, annually.

Usually at this time of year we filled our pockets with a dozen or so nuts to enjoy by the fire. They were plump, tender and delicious. Not being there to enjoy a few is 'heartbreaking'.

So, not wishing to deprive myself I bought a small bag of nuts from Sainsbury's. They were quite small, quite hard, and unfortunately come from SPAIN. There was no indication as to the variety. They cost me £3 for 400gms

I always boil my Chestnuts. I pierce them with a small cross on the pointed end, and boil for about 15-20 minutes. Usually by this time the exterior peel is loose, and the nut slightly translucent and easy to remove. However, these Spanish nuts are quite different. The exterior peel is very tough to pierce, and after the usual cooking time they remained quite hard, and were a devil to peel.

Even so, I did enjoy my few last night. We never eat that many; most years no more than a dozen. But they are a seasonal pointer, and I do enjoy them. Autumn wouldn't be Autumn without a few Chestnuts. 

N.B. When peeled I add just a tiny pinch of salt; they need nothing more.

 

A 60 year (or more) old mystery.

When I was about 20 years old, I began to notice a strange re-occurring phenomenon on my right hand.

Maybe just once a year a small black spot appears on my finger. It stayed for a week or so, then disappeared.

This has happened regularly ever since, and has just occurred again about two days ago. 

I always show it to Lady Magnon in amazement. It isn't caused by any type of 'knock' or injury; it simply appears, as if by magic.

This miraculous 'stigmata' is obviously a tiny blob of blood beneath the surface of my skin, but where it comes from, or even why it should appear, is a total mystery.

I knew you'd be interested.