My Sharp, Simple, Salad. 













This Is such a very basic salad that I do.  But is so effective with many different dishes. One thing that I always put it with is Mackerel.  Any fish would do though and even something such as Chicken kebabs or lamb koftas it would accompany very well.  Now I always love Fresh Mackerel with this of course.  But I do have to admit, I like tinned mackerel.  Shock horror! I hear you gasp, but I’ am not ashamed to say it.  I love it. I sometimes even add a very small splash of Malt vinegar onto the Mackerel as I love mine a bit sharper even still.

All that this is, is pretty much what you see above.

Thinly sliced white Cabbage, you could also add red cabbage to this, but I didn’t have any.
Red onion
Rocket
season with salt and pepper
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (very small splash)
Sherry Vinegar

Thats it!

You could always add Black Olives to this or maybe capers but do not add salt to it. Even chunky White bread Croutons.  This would be nice if you were entertaining.

One Thing that really annoys me is the amount of wastage of food we have in the Uk.  I personally never ever through away food and love the fact of coming up with new recipes from leftovers.  I get such a “buzz” from seeing what I can achieve.
  So to elaborate from this and my last post, here is what I created from the leftover vegetables from my Pork chop dinner.  A lovely Brunch recipe.


My Bubble and Squeak Cake with Prosciutto Ham, Poached Egg and My Fiery Salsa.

The Good thing about Bubble and squeak is that YOU control the recipe.  It doesn’t matter how much of each ingredient you have, as long as you have a good amount of potato to bind it together.  Well that’s what I think anyway.  All that was In my Cake was left over…
                                                     Mashed Potato
                                                     Savoy Cabbage
                                                     Onions and Leeks (from the pork chop pan)
                                                     Carrots
                                                     seasoning.

My Fiery Salsa. 
(Makes enough for leftovers)!

5 Cherry Tomatoes (or any you have)
1/4 Yellow pepper
1/2 small Red Onion
Small sprig of flat leaf Parsley
1/2 tablespoon of Capers
3-4 slices of Jalapenos (from a jar)
Good splash of Sherry Vinegar 
Good splash of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Seasoning to taste
Pinch of Caster Sugar.

I thought I would mention today that soon you will see a pattern emerge on this blog as one of my big pleasures in the culinary world is cooking Chinese food.  

 I adore Chinese food and love the culture in China in so many different ways.  I havent yet visited China…yet! I say yet!  So I have to enjoy cooking the food here in the UK and exploring the food and ingredients as much as I possibly can.  In the near future,  I will elaborate on this.

  Here is a little number of mine which is so so easy to cook.   My basic stir fry noodles.  A bit like a plain or basic chow mein some might say.

Not much ingredients eigther…

So here is where Iam going to transform my new Kitchen Garden in Leicestershire.  Not much space I hear you say? well yes, thats true, but under that white blanket, in months to come, all will be revealed… I have to say mixed thoughts at the moment in the fact that I think it looks beautiful with the snow but I cant help but wonder when I can truely get out there and get my fingers all green again?!  I do love our seasons in the Uk. I  feel a sense of proudness and a little smile when I see a glimmer of change to the next season to come.
  My culinary thoughts for today as I look outside to the snow, so many Ideas rush through my head.  For instance I think when its cold as it is today we automatically think…comfort food 🙂 Lovely breads baking, cakes, slices, buns even tarts and pizza breads. Hearty soups, stews and even I think risotto’s and fricasse’s.  The world (kitchen) is my oyster! 🙂

To whom who reads this…