Made summat!

Finally made something off my list in previous entry:



Mung bean pancakes. They are Korean in origin, just like the kimchi which goes into them.

Soaking, hours of soaking. In fact so much that they started to sprout a little. Laborious removing of as many of the skins as possible. Whizzing up with a little water using a blender. Adding drained, wrung and finely chopped kimchi, a finely chopped shallot, one clove of crushed garlic, finely chopped spring onion, salt and pepper. Shallow frying in a generous amount of oil. Patting dry on kitchen paper, scoffing down.

Aren't they cute? They didn't taste very strong (more seasoning next time? a dipping sauce? more kimchi in the mix? There are many options) but the unusual taste of mung bean was very welcome. The recipe I adapted it from also used chopped Spam in the mix but for some strange reason I gave it a miss. I'm sure it will dawn on me.

Oh yeah, I'm back in the saddle.

I can't quite work out how to use the Crop tool in GIMP, which is why you see a lot of plate in the picture. I'm sure I'll work it out.

Grub for pre-gig nerves and Party Food

On Friday I took part in an open mic. I was generously offered some food by Aliki, a friend of a friend, who I hadn't met prior to that day. It was the most delicious simple food I had eaten in a long time. t was basically boiled haricot beans (so nice! and not at all like baked beans!), with a fresh pesto made of lots of of olive oil, fresh parsley and raw garlic to go on top. As well as some lemon juice and some boiled greens. Lovely. The sauce is a Spanish thing. I am going to make some. Her five year old son had spaghetti, tomato sauce and sausages. He sure was missing out.

I've been thinking about party food and party drinks for a summer occasion and I am getting very excited indeed.