tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83301295687601710752024-03-06T07:12:27.624+01:00A tale of three citiesAround the globe with books, food and craftsPattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.comBlogger250125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-69559572461214542122019-06-01T00:00:00.000+02:002019-06-12T22:28:11.466+02:00Cooking: detox diaries - the way forward<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCj9QXlwXjaJlmGiNXF89dcgDQd6Uuk44Crq-gVABo08MbUlMADllu6koMhZvK5WQSGvcKYWoqKiZAAqlSZtU6aCWH0Trbp5XZ-WTDqpT8L7dgel4RUQcM0OKIxGp6Z55U8SJ1kq1ZKGJ/s1600/lesson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCj9QXlwXjaJlmGiNXF89dcgDQd6Uuk44Crq-gVABo08MbUlMADllu6koMhZvK5WQSGvcKYWoqKiZAAqlSZtU6aCWH0Trbp5XZ-WTDqpT8L7dgel4RUQcM0OKIxGp6Z55U8SJ1kq1ZKGJ/s1600/lesson.jpg"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Yay! I did it - I managed to stick to a vegan, gluten-, lactose- and sugar-free diet for 3 weeks, drinking only tea and water. And I enjoyed it all! </span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But this is not the end of my detox adventures. I continue to follow for the most part a plant-based diet, but I'm by no means a vegan. I have reintroduced meat and dairy products (on a very few occasions), but I actually prefer the versatility of the plant-based meals. I'm still not drinking coffee, but I don't feel I'm missing out on anything. And while I haven't had any real dessert, I'm looking into this area and am gathering ideas for the future...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"></span><br>
</div></div></div><a href="http://talethreecities.blogspot.com/2019/06/cooking-detox-diaries-way-forward.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-63990566057595546762019-05-27T10:16:00.003+02:002019-05-30T10:12:12.955+02:00Cooking: detox diaries, week 3 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYVy2FT9Lh_NM7AsTT1aGETY06Vs4tj26DlpTk81TmnaQyhARGleIfof4ZNT-BcpSKKfdBjKAKo9IwvZv6Gnf4ZQ1Q0cJ9ZEBR3HO3T2td4aJRZJ9INiv2YA8R4JSvYi-zPehMjVSE7OG/s1600/week3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="148" data-original-width="339" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYVy2FT9Lh_NM7AsTT1aGETY06Vs4tj26DlpTk81TmnaQyhARGleIfof4ZNT-BcpSKKfdBjKAKo9IwvZv6Gnf4ZQ1Q0cJ9ZEBR3HO3T2td4aJRZJ9INiv2YA8R4JSvYi-zPehMjVSE7OG/s320/week3.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This detox has been an incredible journey that has really put many of my long held beliefs on the test: would I ever survive without cheese? Yes. And what about meat and fish? could I fill up on veggies and legumes? Oh yes! </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Would I require a tiny bit of dessert after a good meal? Sure, but more like an apple with (home-made) peanut butter...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
</div><a href="http://talethreecities.blogspot.com/2019/05/cooking-detox-diaries-week-3.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-38396442809947297482019-05-19T08:13:00.000+02:002019-05-19T08:13:05.361+02:00Cooking: detox diaries, week 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8MUqIWgLCAq_YTqK3JhfPuMlAQvOA7ENdgf6QylIbgWUeJ2dYiIlnLNeeQLf-xEI0WO9dxugPq7U0zIWxnJN37mzNZWLT10eOIBJET6yYhrcAAPZAkKDt2r5z2z2pZt34o0-j3hCk_3r/s1600/Week2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8MUqIWgLCAq_YTqK3JhfPuMlAQvOA7ENdgf6QylIbgWUeJ2dYiIlnLNeeQLf-xEI0WO9dxugPq7U0zIWxnJN37mzNZWLT10eOIBJET6yYhrcAAPZAkKDt2r5z2z2pZt34o0-j3hCk_3r/s1600/Week2.jpg"></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Week one of my detox passed like a breeze. Not so the weight (because, let's face it, if I can lose weight while taking care of my health, count me in!). But no, at half point I dared to weigh myself and see ... nothing... Can't say I was disappointed or dissuaded, rather I realised that I still had quite a stock in excess fuel to keep me going - at least in the beginning. And so I continued, onwards and upwards. And the week ended and pouf! I had lost 2 kilos...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div><a href="http://talethreecities.blogspot.com/2019/05/cooking-detox-diaries-week-2.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-20933171109538365642019-05-13T14:51:00.000+02:002019-05-13T14:51:25.883+02:00Cooking: Detox diaries, week 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nVG8sQHwVOrMP7pB0apz_2yMBeAqiIKUvoAJVxe79u3pJHjBcI0TSEDmga1O2hD_RJqsAvO-TmCjRm9bbTK0mB6pqxVAy87G5B8Yuxn8qRfWPzLNqXeveTy5_CBBNL6gjezXh-s_6lu8/s1600/detox-water-recipes-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="728" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nVG8sQHwVOrMP7pB0apz_2yMBeAqiIKUvoAJVxe79u3pJHjBcI0TSEDmga1O2hD_RJqsAvO-TmCjRm9bbTK0mB6pqxVAy87G5B8Yuxn8qRfWPzLNqXeveTy5_CBBNL6gjezXh-s_6lu8/s320/detox-water-recipes-1.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">at some point in time we all go through an event that serves as a "wake up" call and that encourages us to investigate new ways to move forward with our lives: from changing jobs, to changing houses, to change partner ... to change diet!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This is my little story of how a surgery, approaching 50 and swelling feet got me thinking about the future I wanted to have and how I got motivated to take matters in my own hands...</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
</div><a href="http://talethreecities.blogspot.com/2019/05/cooking-detox-diaries-week-1.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-20878840350134384082018-05-14T17:47:00.000+02:002018-05-14T17:47:35.696+02:002018 challenge: Back to the Classics<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
</h3>
<div class="post-header">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjKyIGWdK2ancGLb6-vYheKTkCss6KguvlsP9IWqSoxJBSkYwRsK7YOaBb40ku-6dfOux-MHXmolqZnC7a9H0Retm6mgaf6yqd8tOB6fQDqeiU0kioQ_P9cCl4UQipJ6NbLMqDrMmsb81/s1600/2018.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="223" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjKyIGWdK2ancGLb6-vYheKTkCss6KguvlsP9IWqSoxJBSkYwRsK7YOaBb40ku-6dfOux-MHXmolqZnC7a9H0Retm6mgaf6yqd8tOB6fQDqeiU0kioQ_P9cCl4UQipJ6NbLMqDrMmsb81/s1600/2018.png"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well, I am back at last! It's been too long that I've been absent and I have missed it greatly...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I long to write again about the books I'm reading -- but I also miss the challenges. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(I know that I'm way too late to sign up, but nevertheless I will try to participate - it's too much fun not to...)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<br>
</span><br>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br>
</div></div><a href="http://talethreecities.blogspot.com/2018/05/2018-challenge-back-to-classics.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-91496207664820442462017-08-17T16:17:00.000+02:002017-08-17T16:19:09.395+02:00Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br>
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1493998427l/32938155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="295" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1493998427l/32938155.jpg" width="123"></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">How does one treat adversity? how does one address failure? in our day and age, when negative instances can have a major impact on our lives, we need to look for ways to handle these, survive, move on and eventually thrive.</span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In <i>Option B</i>, Sandberg looks into a topic that is not easily discussed and is best kept untouched. Taking inspiration from a major incident in her own life, the sudden death of her husband, she consults with Grant <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and</span> other professionals and seeks to find ways to successfully get out of a black hole that can easily absorb anyone affected.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br>
</div></div></div><a href="http://talethreecities.blogspot.com/2017/08/option-b-facing-adversity-building.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-85194155252519603992016-12-19T08:36:00.000+01:002016-12-19T08:36:02.208+01:00Your second life begins when you understand that you only have one (Ta deuxieme vie commence quand tu comprends que tu n'en as qu'une) - Raphaëlle Giordano<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1443038901l/26805285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1443038901l/26805285.jpg" width="136"></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>A feel-good book to begin with, but not much otherwise</i>. That was my reasoning for purchasing <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26805285-ta-deuxi-me-vie-commence-quand-tu-comprends-que-tu-n-en-as-qu-une"><i><b><span style="color: red;">Ta deuxième vie commence quand tu comprends que tu n'en as qu'une</span></b></i></a>, after a colleague recommended this for my French book search (I make it a point to read books in languages other than English, so as not to lose touch...)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This would then be my go-to book for travelling, for evenings when I'm dead tired, in general for occasions when I don't need to think hard about the subject at hand.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What a surprise, then, when I realised that underneath the "light" packaging, this book actually has a lot of substance. I could identify with the main person of this story: I'm at the exact same point in life, I'm going through very similar thoughts, and I get the same type of reactions when I express my worries.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div><a href="http://talethreecities.blogspot.com/2016/12/your-second-life-begins-when-you.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-19838722117142018412016-12-06T11:20:00.001+01:002016-12-06T11:20:16.870+01:00The Rosie Project, by G. Simsion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1371651741l/16181775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1371651741l/16181775.jpg" width="209"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="freeText10746472348048488183">This is one of the books that grabbed my attention from the title: <span style="color: red;"><strong><em>The Rosie Project</em></strong></span>, by Graeme Simsion, had all the ingredients that would make me buy the book in an instant: a chick-lit from a man's perspective. How refreshing and delightful...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="freeText10746472348048488183">Don, a genetics professor, is exactly the cliché of a nerdy scientist. He avoids human contact and he meticulously analyses and plans every aspect of his life. When he's informed that he's good husband material, he jumps into this adventure - after all, according to statistics, there is someone for everyone - ergo, someone for him too. But this is not a princess charming story - no, Don needs to spell out exactly what this someone will be, and he (again, obviously) starts with his Wife Project!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
</div><a href="http://talethreecities.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-rosie-project-by-g-simsion.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-1090011470693543712016-11-10T00:00:00.000+01:002016-11-10T00:00:07.972+01:00A Man called Ove (En man som heter Ove), by Fredrik Backman<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As I get older, I find myself revisiting my younger years more and more often. Did I lead the life I intended? have my ideas, my beliefs, my opinions changed? How has my outlook on life evolved over the years? Do I get stubborn as I get older? Is life still worthwhile?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1405259930l/18774964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1405259930l/18774964.jpg" width="208" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Do not worry, dear reader - we all go through such phases in our lives. We just need to be reminded of the simple pleasures in life to keep our spirit</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> up </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18774964-a-man-called-ove?from_search=true"><i><span style="color: red;"><b>A Man called Ove</b></span></i></a>, Backman describes an excellent case in point: Ove, an - <i>ahem</i> - older man, who cannot deal with his wife's passing. He can no longer fit in with society's new sets of rules, he can no longer understand how people function... Enter a drastic solution: he will kill himself.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is a tragic decision and should not be treated lightly. And yet, when he fails - miserably - more than once to go through with it, it is with a little smile that I react. The combination of comedy and tragedy, as well as the true facts about modern life (indeed, they don't make ropes as sturdy as in the past), ensure that this book is not a gloomy account of a lonely life, but rather an account of how such a "misfit" can actually fit in with the rest of society. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The link: Parvaneh, an Iranian neighbour - with all the clich<span>é</span>s that apply to a "southern" woman: loud, persistent, family-oriented, making food for everyone (I personally know such an Iranian woman, and I can see where the inspiration comes from...). Parvaneh enters Ove's life like a compactor and there's no escape. (I believe she's realised what Ove was trying to do from the very beginning, which makes her get involved even a bit more). She feeds him, she makes him take on a stray cat, she gets him to drive her to the hospital, where he's also left to care for her daughters... There is no end to all the intrusion and Ove cannot escape!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Slowly, we see a transformation in Ove: from a truly grumpy old man, he slowly agrees to "teach" the new generation how things are done (he's still of a generation of Jack of all trades - something that even I see is missing from the younger generation, and I'm supposed to be only middle-aged). But not only that: as many real-life examples show, the older generation can still contribute and enhance the lives of the young ones. There is enough distance to look at things in a calmer manner (the relationship of parents-children will almost always be problematic, whereas that of grandparents and children is potentially beneficial for both). And so Ove becomes a surrogate grandfather to Parvaneh's daughters, while he proves he's modern enough to accept and put up a homosexual guy when he's thrown out of his parents' house. He becomes an active member of his little community. And the community loves him back.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The book is written in an easy-going style, which is slightly nostalgic. It brought back memories of elderly people around me who, like Ove, try to find their place in the world and cannot seem to succeed. If you want to read a book that will restore your faith in humanity, this book is one very good choice....</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">----------------</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For the visual interpretation of this book, I also watched the film "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4080728/?ref_=nv_sr_1">A man called Ove</a>". A very good adaptation, it perfectly complemented the reading! </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br /></div>
Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-63804195038448212482016-11-03T10:41:00.002+01:002016-11-03T12:01:40.045+01:00The Book of Rustem - translation by E.M. Wilmont Buxton<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<br>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347413929l/6013935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347413929l/6013935.jpg" width="213"></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I just love my book club. The fact that
each time the host/ess chooses a book, which we all then read and discuss,
gives me the opportunity to get a taste of new genres, authors and countries
that I may otherwise not have experienced.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So when our Iranian hostess informed us of the
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6013935-the-book-of-rustem"><i><b><span style="color: red;">Book of Rustem</span></b></i></a>, and I got to see the beautiful illustrations, I knew I was in
for a treat: a sort of fairy-tale, set in beautiful Persia.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The book reads very comfortably - it helps that
I've read the Bible, because the style is comparable. Continuous
repetitions and use of the superlative set the scene and provide the background
for the reading experience.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The main character is Rustem and his adventures -
but before that, we get a glimpse of his predecessors, who are implicated in a
repetitive pattern of family feuds, heroic fights, plenty of courage shown, as
is the quest to avenge for any wrong-doing...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br>
</div></div><a href="http://talethreecities.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-book-of-rustem-translation-by-em.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-1871560200904545172016-02-23T00:00:00.000+01:002016-02-23T00:00:05.788+01:00Just Kids, by Patti Smith<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8MdW_ob8hAwoBhk_antqpSrIasJ0DHchbDjSu38QNNfAscsMAuvjsQa3riNxWtE9QoFMlBQ2-Vo6pWk3us2ZgTBR9gUkHavMS-zgngasH6xSuugLuyzil2ieOsyZqI_tUu2L7YTZVPKv/s1600/smith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8MdW_ob8hAwoBhk_antqpSrIasJ0DHchbDjSu38QNNfAscsMAuvjsQa3riNxWtE9QoFMlBQ2-Vo6pWk3us2ZgTBR9gUkHavMS-zgngasH6xSuugLuyzil2ieOsyZqI_tUu2L7YTZVPKv/s200/smith.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I knew Patti Smith as a performer but nothing more, and that's why I thought reading <i><b><span style="color: red;">Just Kids</span></b></i> would shed some light into her public and personal life and <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I would get to appreciate her</span>. I was not aware of <span id="freeTextContainer17393957866769746012">Robert Mapplethorpe, but I regarded that as an added bonus.</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="freeTextContainer17393957866769746012"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="freeTextContainer17393957866769746012"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="freeTextContainer17393957866769746012">Smith narrates her days as a young woman, and her struggles when she couldn't even afford to eat - unfortunately, all this in manner that shows no emotion at all. When she becomes pregnant and she gives her baby up for adoption, I was astonished to read how calm she was throughout her pregnancy. Everything organised, everything taken care of -- I may belong to a different era, but her attitude made me think of cold-heartedness. As she barely earns enough money to eat and have a place to sleep, she is lucky enough to always have people around her to help out. But still, she is reluctant to return to an otherwise respectable job because </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="freeTextContainer17393957866769746012"><br /></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span id="freeTextContainer17393957866769746012">being on my own in Paris had given me a taste of mobility and I had a difficult time readjusting</span></span></i></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="freeTextContainer17393957866769746012"></span></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="freeTextContainer17393957866769746012"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="freeTextContainer17393957866769746012">Smith goes on to describe her relationship with Mapplethorpe, how he becomes homosexual, how she reacts to this (here I have to admit her reaction made me think she was utterly naive, in an era when people were not...). She starts her art, she meets all the celebrities of the time (again, her narration is pretty much detached - as if these were happening to someone else, not herself). She cannot come to terms with Mapplethorpe's homosexuality, and yet accepts everything about him... There is not much material on their couple, even though this book is supposed to be about them.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="freeTextContainer17393957866769746012"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="freeTextContainer17393957866769746012">And then there is Rimbaud. An obsession I still cannot understand, Smith wakes up at some point with a revelation to go to Ethiopia and find the secret papers of Rimbaud (like everyone does?). When this does not materialise (because she cannot find a sponsor), she is content to go to Charleville, France, where Rimbaud was born and buried. I admire and respect plenty of public figures, and I would have the financial capacity to do such travels, yet I cannot see myself doing any of this - people are just people...</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="freeTextContainer17393957866769746012"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="freeTextContainer17393957866769746012">I
was not impressed with the book: for my taste, it was too repetitive,
boring and fairly detached. If this is supposed to be an autobiography,
it really did not warm me up to Patti Smith - on the contrary, I believe I lost
some of the admiration I might have had for her.</span></span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For the die-hard fans of Patti Smith, this book may bring back memories of a long lost carefree era. I'm not sure what it brings to the general public...</span></div>
</div>
Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-11160157918056067242016-02-20T00:00:00.000+01:002016-02-20T00:00:09.743+01:00Cooking: carrot cake cookies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDarMEcmmyHkkT1u1DkP7PeYdnL6n0QvqE2tGdGZhJPZvDhkANGn2lj2_PXw5LjPkif5SStLQ9zddJ9FInNrzJ86hAu5UvfevnA3N8itJcTU-SiTJuWLwFifCPTfwSnJ6TilxTEdzQr0kv/s1600/20160209_182006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDarMEcmmyHkkT1u1DkP7PeYdnL6n0QvqE2tGdGZhJPZvDhkANGn2lj2_PXw5LjPkif5SStLQ9zddJ9FInNrzJ86hAu5UvfevnA3N8itJcTU-SiTJuWLwFifCPTfwSnJ6TilxTEdzQr0kv/s320/20160209_182006.jpg" width="320"></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Carrot cake must be one of the best inventions humans can ever think of. So luscious, so nutty, so... healthy with all those carrots ... ;-) I really consider this as my go-to dessert and I'm always on the lookout for new variations. When my friend Jessi invited me to a <a href="http://www.thepubquizsite.50webs.com/MiscellaneousQuizQuestions.html">Pub Quiz</a> night, I knew this was the opportunity (plus it had been<a href="http://foodimentary.com/2016/02/03/february-3-is-national-carrot-cake-day/"> Carrot Cake day</a> some days before...). Given that such nights ask for finger food, I couldn't make a proper cake. But I could turn the cake into cookies - the perfect finger food...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
</div><a href="http://talethreecities.blogspot.com/2016/02/cooking-carrot-cake-cookies.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-21255712694257423932016-02-16T00:00:00.000+01:002016-02-16T00:00:01.370+01:00Dietland, by Sarai Walker <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2j09cJUmG5j5F92oDRLExyMBoF_svAnHQi7Vn3r62CiTR1V3MtSkXoyGseP9E4OQ-ERsHS6gU2joCR-CoC_IT6IsHcoek1PYHwpOFo-LahV_flJVS-fOkSXNKJpfa3a-yh3A_SToSjRXT/s1600/diet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2j09cJUmG5j5F92oDRLExyMBoF_svAnHQi7Vn3r62CiTR1V3MtSkXoyGseP9E4OQ-ERsHS6gU2joCR-CoC_IT6IsHcoek1PYHwpOFo-LahV_flJVS-fOkSXNKJpfa3a-yh3A_SToSjRXT/s200/diet.jpg" width="132"></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b><span style="color: red;">Dietland </span></b></i>was given to me by a friend with the tag "a funny read". Something between a chick-lit and an airport paperback. Which was what I needed at that point in time. I was also intrigued by the subject, being overweight myself. Sorry, scratch that: being FAT myself. One of the first revelations in this book is how fat people perceive themselves: even when we are aware of who / what we are, we tend to shy away from accurately describing our size and retort to "euphemisms". No more....</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br>
</div></div><a href="http://talethreecities.blogspot.com/2016/02/dietland-by-sarai-walker.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-87007015670820187692016-02-12T00:00:00.000+01:002016-02-12T00:00:00.672+01:00Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania, by Erik Larson<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzXUFTZXVbtxRwxt0T9vL5W0bUzcx2rI7nezzRbqspQ2vLRTWau5aluSRp-P-Ktzi0EP2bpB5mQ2j0ANxFZhZnOLmRN87rgpwqWJuUoBa2eAX_U1kCehYo784Sp5YL8VRsTDgw5AmCp7W/s1600/lusi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzXUFTZXVbtxRwxt0T9vL5W0bUzcx2rI7nezzRbqspQ2vLRTWau5aluSRp-P-Ktzi0EP2bpB5mQ2j0ANxFZhZnOLmRN87rgpwqWJuUoBa2eAX_U1kCehYo784Sp5YL8VRsTDgw5AmCp7W/s200/lusi.jpg" width="130"></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black;">I first came across Erik Larson when I read "Garden of the Beasts" for my book-club. I was immediately drawn to his style of writing, that included so much detail but still managed to keep my interest up and make me devour each page...<br><br>When we decided to read "Lusitania", I was taken aback. I had no idea what we were talking about (I am a southern European - when speaking to northern compatriots, they were indeed aware of the whole story...)<br><br>The book continues in the same pattern: lots of details that shed light into the minute particles of the cosmos that is warfare and more specifically submarines. However, this was its downfall as well - however interesting the information was (and indeed I was surprised to learn some of these things) it is still submarines - I just couldn't warm up to them and I really could do without all the technical specifications ...</span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></div>
</div><a href="http://talethreecities.blogspot.com/2016/02/dead-wake-last-crossing-of-lusitania-by.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-1838627609779236672016-02-10T13:42:00.002+01:002016-02-10T13:42:54.648+01:00Headscarves and Hymens: Why the Middle East needs a sexual revolution, by Mona Eltahawy <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4EVjsl0ynGD_WgUYMuK4J-d3V1zMvGZaAf4zI-4846MslUBDbaTCu5bTozVuNoaDsoz6KRZ8WC3saulkMthM3Cxv1BQYYQeXvssjlPZza6nG0papfpqYE49XBY8X8B8couHNzMVDJzFJ/s1600/head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4EVjsl0ynGD_WgUYMuK4J-d3V1zMvGZaAf4zI-4846MslUBDbaTCu5bTozVuNoaDsoz6KRZ8WC3saulkMthM3Cxv1BQYYQeXvssjlPZza6nG0papfpqYE49XBY8X8B8couHNzMVDJzFJ/s320/head.jpg" width="195"></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A book picked up for my book club, I actually had high expectations when I first got it. The subject is (still) relevant, it's an issue that interests me personally, I have actually followed several women's studies classes at university and have also written a paper on the suffragettes. So, all in all, I was ready to be dazzled...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm very disappointed to say that I was far from dazzled. Let me start with the caveats: I'm European, Caucasian, Christian, middle-class and fairly well educated. I may not be part of the target audience of this book, but after some thinking, I came to the conclusion that this was not the reason I didn't like the book.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></div>
</div><a href="http://talethreecities.blogspot.com/2016/02/headscarves-and-hymens-why-middle-east.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-43893810397041262432015-12-27T00:00:00.000+01:002015-12-27T00:00:21.729+01:00Cooking: baked mac and cheese<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG77oK1Dl_FwsikneYR0D1ofvFqCNNIBgPCYbxJJtlgx3e-eh3HIvOxWitg7RpyMLzEmxnmz9GgABas5LTFNXecyVv6dtcfAGYDBpCGWIBwIILstNPYPc5acIkcaT-0uPJU-uBu_i9N58z/s1600/mac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG77oK1Dl_FwsikneYR0D1ofvFqCNNIBgPCYbxJJtlgx3e-eh3HIvOxWitg7RpyMLzEmxnmz9GgABas5LTFNXecyVv6dtcfAGYDBpCGWIBwIILstNPYPc5acIkcaT-0uPJU-uBu_i9N58z/s320/mac.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I admit it: I think mac and cheese, and almost all its variations, is one of the best comfort foods there are in this world... So versatile, so inviting, so soothing - I can go on and on and on as to its qualities. Still, I'm not content with just my regular mac and cheese: I'm always on the lookout for something new that will surprise and excite me... This is the latest in my mac and cheese adventures:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Baked mac and cheese</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(inspired by <a href="http://verbatim.blogs.com/verbatim/2015/11/more-for-us.html">Verbatim</a>)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1 tablespoon butter<br /> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">600g grated cheese (I used a gratin mix)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">400g pasta, cooked al dente (I used penne)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1 tsp smoked paprika</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="color: black;">salt/pepper to taste</span></span><br /> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1 cup milk<br />4 tbsp panko </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">100g grated mozzarella</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Preheat oven at 180 degrees C fan. Grease a baking sheet </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(I used a swiss-roll baking sheet - it turned out so well, with no spills) with butter. In a pot, combine pasta with cheese and condiments. Spread in baking sheet and start sprinkling: milk, mozzarella</span>, <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">panko. Cook until bubbly and crispy, about 15 minutes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(btw, in this post, Karen also deals with the issue of language in the comments section, and how words and tenses evolve over time - fascinating!) </span></div>
</div>
Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-71016607302963865282015-12-23T11:04:00.000+01:002015-12-23T11:04:14.157+01:00Cooking: cheeseburger soup<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6TluC63l-c1_MPd0QIP04p8a_TIN9gEoMf-U31kvZkruJpQG1xoHFWjma4ubt0ec-BAmxWgQsDHHGHYF2MScKjzGYfYDiJo8rE2jqUU7XhRGwLKhdSqT7yNLHLfSCfWbHV7GdGEu9I1l/s1600/cheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6TluC63l-c1_MPd0QIP04p8a_TIN9gEoMf-U31kvZkruJpQG1xoHFWjma4ubt0ec-BAmxWgQsDHHGHYF2MScKjzGYfYDiJo8rE2jqUU7XhRGwLKhdSqT7yNLHLfSCfWbHV7GdGEu9I1l/s320/cheese.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When it's cold out in the world, there is nothing better than a hot, steamy soup. Unless it's a hearty, hot, steamy soup with plenty of ingredients to provide warmth and comfort...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Cheeseburger soup</span></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(adapted from <a href="http://therecipecritic.com/2012/12/cheeseburger-soup/">The Recipe Critic</a>)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">500g minced meat<br /><br />¾ cup chopped onion<br />1 cup chopped carrots<br />1 cup diced celery</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />1 tsp dried basil<br />1 tsp dried parsley </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1 tsp smoked paprika </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">4 cups chicken broth<br />1 cup milk</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1 kg diced potatoes (I used frozen)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />200g processed cheese (I used Maredsous double cream)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">salt/pepper to taste</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">grated cheese, to taste</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I start with the chicken broth, which I make with the carcass of one chicken, which I boil together with celery, carrots and peppercorns - and plenty of water. I reckon I start with 1.5l-2l, ending up with about 1 litre of stock. I also use the (boiled) carrots from the stock into the soup (waste not, want not...). At the same time, I brown the minced meat.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">On to the soup: Finely chop the onion, carrot and celery in a blender so that they end up like a paste. In a huge pot, melt a bit of butter over medium heat and slightly brown the paste so that the aroma starts working. Add the condiments and the minced meat. Once everything is warmed up again, slowly add the broth, making sure that the temperature is maintained at a medium. Add the potatoes (which I take out of the freezer so that they thaw a bit) and continue steering. Add the processed cheese, leave everything to bubble away (for about 45 minutes). Add the milk.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I did not need to thicken the soup, which I actually prefer. That way, I can reheat the portions I want and I just add some grated cheese on top. Bliss...</span></div>
</div>
Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-50860030517721319192015-12-03T00:00:00.000+01:002015-12-03T00:00:01.873+01:00Elizabeth is missing, by Emma Healey<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1421670125l/24179216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1421670125l/24179216.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On my latest visit to my favourite book-store, <a href="http://www.cookandbook.be/">Cook & Book</a>, I stumbled upon a number of books that grabbed my attention. One of them was this one, <span style="color: red;"><b><i>Elizabeth is Missing</i></b></span>, by Emma Healy, primarily because of its back-cover: how would a person with Alzheimer's disease cope with the enormous task of finding a missing person?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's the author's <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">début</span> novel, and I was impressed for two reasons: I was almost immediately immersed into the protagonist's world and could thus have read it in one go (but I didn't), and because I felt totally at ease wandering between the past and the present...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Maud - what a lovely little woman... She goes on living her life without a care in the world, oblivious to the fact that she's buying too many peaches, that she's making too many cups of tea. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Helen, the daughter) won't listen, won't take me seriously...I know what she's thinking, that I've lost my marbles... but it's not true. I forget things - I know that - but I'm not mad...</span></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There's only one worry - she can't find her best friend, Elizabeth. And she knows Elizabeth is missing, because she keeps little notes on her, indicating when she last saw her, when she last passed by Elizabeth's house, who she talked to about Elizabeth.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Almost from the beginning, there is a sense of determination from Maud's side of things. She's determined to prove everyone wrong about Elizabeth not missing, as she is determined to prove that there's nothing wrong with her.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And while the latter will bring her in clash with her daughter as well as Elizabeth's son, the former will trigger back memories from a crime committed when Maud was young, creating a double-layer crime plot.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Healy does a wonderful job in describing Maud's world from Maud's own perspective - there's nothing pretentious, nothing "fake" in how Maud lives her life. She jumps from past to present, from a time when she was little and her sister Sukey disappeared and her encounter with her sister's husband Frank back to the present, when she has to move in with her daughter and her encounter with her granddaughter. One single item can trigger this constant travel back and forth and Healy writes about this effortlessly.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The description of Maud's present state of mind and the things she goes through get at some point repetitive - as would be expected in a person with Alzheimer's - but this alternation with the past crime on her sister provides a twist in the plot and saves the day... (sometimes the past is even more interesting than the present). The book manages thus to remain compelling and enjoyable to read.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After frantically looking for Elizabeth, after moving in with her daughter and perhaps coming to terms with the lack of ability to do things on her own, the end of the story for Maud is somewhat expected - but nonetheless brings the whole story to a proper ending. No major drama, but a nice little story to read...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-52080247468934520502015-12-02T14:01:00.000+01:002015-12-02T14:03:57.267+01:00Cooking: Thanksgiving<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RSrA6UZZTVLHwA6ZgsBCk0sgYlVDirJ4zYu5HGkSzzjYxGNdxN6iviufmLzgO6gTVi8zKeeU9sapDDwDsY17wZmVpXqk2zubVZIWptxiHs2p13ltt04r2g89fGbem1SxiGlnd3cn9DgO/s1600/thanks2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RSrA6UZZTVLHwA6ZgsBCk0sgYlVDirJ4zYu5HGkSzzjYxGNdxN6iviufmLzgO6gTVi8zKeeU9sapDDwDsY17wZmVpXqk2zubVZIWptxiHs2p13ltt04r2g89fGbem1SxiGlnd3cn9DgO/s200/thanks2.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">no doubt...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RSrA6UZZTVLHwA6ZgsBCk0sgYlVDirJ4zYu5HGkSzzjYxGNdxN6iviufmLzgO6gTVi8zKeeU9sapDDwDsY17wZmVpXqk2zubVZIWptxiHs2p13ltt04r2g89fGbem1SxiGlnd3cn9DgO/s1600/thanks2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RSrA6UZZTVLHwA6ZgsBCk0sgYlVDirJ4zYu5HGkSzzjYxGNdxN6iviufmLzgO6gTVi8zKeeU9sapDDwDsY17wZmVpXqk2zubVZIWptxiHs2p13ltt04r2g89fGbem1SxiGlnd3cn9DgO/s1600/thanks2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RSrA6UZZTVLHwA6ZgsBCk0sgYlVDirJ4zYu5HGkSzzjYxGNdxN6iviufmLzgO6gTVi8zKeeU9sapDDwDsY17wZmVpXqk2zubVZIWptxiHs2p13ltt04r2g89fGbem1SxiGlnd3cn9DgO/s1600/thanks2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RSrA6UZZTVLHwA6ZgsBCk0sgYlVDirJ4zYu5HGkSzzjYxGNdxN6iviufmLzgO6gTVi8zKeeU9sapDDwDsY17wZmVpXqk2zubVZIWptxiHs2p13ltt04r2g89fGbem1SxiGlnd3cn9DgO/s1600/thanks2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RSrA6UZZTVLHwA6ZgsBCk0sgYlVDirJ4zYu5HGkSzzjYxGNdxN6iviufmLzgO6gTVi8zKeeU9sapDDwDsY17wZmVpXqk2zubVZIWptxiHs2p13ltt04r2g89fGbem1SxiGlnd3cn9DgO/s1600/thanks2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RSrA6UZZTVLHwA6ZgsBCk0sgYlVDirJ4zYu5HGkSzzjYxGNdxN6iviufmLzgO6gTVi8zKeeU9sapDDwDsY17wZmVpXqk2zubVZIWptxiHs2p13ltt04r2g89fGbem1SxiGlnd3cn9DgO/s1600/thanks2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RSrA6UZZTVLHwA6ZgsBCk0sgYlVDirJ4zYu5HGkSzzjYxGNdxN6iviufmLzgO6gTVi8zKeeU9sapDDwDsY17wZmVpXqk2zubVZIWptxiHs2p13ltt04r2g89fGbem1SxiGlnd3cn9DgO/s1600/thanks2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RSrA6UZZTVLHwA6ZgsBCk0sgYlVDirJ4zYu5HGkSzzjYxGNdxN6iviufmLzgO6gTVi8zKeeU9sapDDwDsY17wZmVpXqk2zubVZIWptxiHs2p13ltt04r2g89fGbem1SxiGlnd3cn9DgO/s1600/thanks2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RSrA6UZZTVLHwA6ZgsBCk0sgYlVDirJ4zYu5HGkSzzjYxGNdxN6iviufmLzgO6gTVi8zKeeU9sapDDwDsY17wZmVpXqk2zubVZIWptxiHs2p13ltt04r2g89fGbem1SxiGlnd3cn9DgO/s1600/thanks2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RSrA6UZZTVLHwA6ZgsBCk0sgYlVDirJ4zYu5HGkSzzjYxGNdxN6iviufmLzgO6gTVi8zKeeU9sapDDwDsY17wZmVpXqk2zubVZIWptxiHs2p13ltt04r2g89fGbem1SxiGlnd3cn9DgO/s1600/thanks2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RSrA6UZZTVLHwA6ZgsBCk0sgYlVDirJ4zYu5HGkSzzjYxGNdxN6iviufmLzgO6gTVi8zKeeU9sapDDwDsY17wZmVpXqk2zubVZIWptxiHs2p13ltt04r2g89fGbem1SxiGlnd3cn9DgO/s1600/thanks2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RSrA6UZZTVLHwA6ZgsBCk0sgYlVDirJ4zYu5HGkSzzjYxGNdxN6iviufmLzgO6gTVi8zKeeU9sapDDwDsY17wZmVpXqk2zubVZIWptxiHs2p13ltt04r2g89fGbem1SxiGlnd3cn9DgO/s1600/thanks2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RSrA6UZZTVLHwA6ZgsBCk0sgYlVDirJ4zYu5HGkSzzjYxGNdxN6iviufmLzgO6gTVi8zKeeU9sapDDwDsY17wZmVpXqk2zubVZIWptxiHs2p13ltt04r2g89fGbem1SxiGlnd3cn9DgO/s1600/thanks2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RSrA6UZZTVLHwA6ZgsBCk0sgYlVDirJ4zYu5HGkSzzjYxGNdxN6iviufmLzgO6gTVi8zKeeU9sapDDwDsY17wZmVpXqk2zubVZIWptxiHs2p13ltt04r2g89fGbem1SxiGlnd3cn9DgO/s1600/thanks2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RSrA6UZZTVLHwA6ZgsBCk0sgYlVDirJ4zYu5HGkSzzjYxGNdxN6iviufmLzgO6gTVi8zKeeU9sapDDwDsY17wZmVpXqk2zubVZIWptxiHs2p13ltt04r2g89fGbem1SxiGlnd3cn9DgO/s1600/thanks2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RSrA6UZZTVLHwA6ZgsBCk0sgYlVDirJ4zYu5HGkSzzjYxGNdxN6iviufmLzgO6gTVi8zKeeU9sapDDwDsY17wZmVpXqk2zubVZIWptxiHs2p13ltt04r2g89fGbem1SxiGlnd3cn9DgO/s1600/thanks2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RSrA6UZZTVLHwA6ZgsBCk0sgYlVDirJ4zYu5HGkSzzjYxGNdxN6iviufmLzgO6gTVi8zKeeU9sapDDwDsY17wZmVpXqk2zubVZIWptxiHs2p13ltt04r2g89fGbem1SxiGlnd3cn9DgO/s1600/thanks2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RSrA6UZZTVLHwA6ZgsBCk0sgYlVDirJ4zYu5HGkSzzjYxGNdxN6iviufmLzgO6gTVi8zKeeU9sapDDwDsY17wZmVpXqk2zubVZIWptxiHs2p13ltt04r2g89fGbem1SxiGlnd3cn9DgO/s1600/thanks2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RSrA6UZZTVLHwA6ZgsBCk0sgYlVDirJ4zYu5HGkSzzjYxGNdxN6iviufmLzgO6gTVi8zKeeU9sapDDwDsY17wZmVpXqk2zubVZIWptxiHs2p13ltt04r2g89fGbem1SxiGlnd3cn9DgO/s1600/thanks2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RSrA6UZZTVLHwA6ZgsBCk0sgYlVDirJ4zYu5HGkSzzjYxGNdxN6iviufmLzgO6gTVi8zKeeU9sapDDwDsY17wZmVpXqk2zubVZIWptxiHs2p13ltt04r2g89fGbem1SxiGlnd3cn9DgO/s1600/thanks2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RSrA6UZZTVLHwA6ZgsBCk0sgYlVDirJ4zYu5HGkSzzjYxGNdxN6iviufmLzgO6gTVi8zKeeU9sapDDwDsY17wZmVpXqk2zubVZIWptxiHs2p13ltt04r2g89fGbem1SxiGlnd3cn9DgO/s1600/thanks2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RSrA6UZZTVLHwA6ZgsBCk0sgYlVDirJ4zYu5HGkSzzjYxGNdxN6iviufmLzgO6gTVi8zKeeU9sapDDwDsY17wZmVpXqk2zubVZIWptxiHs2p13ltt04r2g89fGbem1SxiGlnd3cn9DgO/s1600/thanks2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I spend Thanksgiving with American friends living in Brussels. The idea is not so much the "official" celebration, but more a friendly get-together, where we enjoy good food and drink, with a great bunch of friendly faces around us. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Given the recent events in Paris and around (including Brussels), I feel this year was indeed the year when I felt grateful for all my friends and family, both near and afar, both those I see on an everyday basis but also the ones I see less often: I know they are there beside me, either physically or in spirit. I'm never alone in the world. And for that, I'm ever so grateful!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Onto the festivities: also customary is the tradition of potluck: the burden does not have to fall all on the hosts - especially when a large group of people is gathered, every little contribution makes up for a festive table indeed!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My task for this year - a green bean casserole:</span></span><br />
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Green Bean Casserole</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(adapted from ifoodreal)</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">800g green beans, trimmed and cut into 3cm pieces</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">3 tbsp butter</span></span></span><br />
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">3 tbsp flour</span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2 cups milk</span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 cup water <br />3 tbsp cream cheese <br /> </span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 tbsp olive oil <br />250g thinly sliced onions (I used frozen)</span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs <br />1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated </span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<div style="border-image: none;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">3 tbsp water</span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrht1fG3kzurcOLjUC4WvV0w84SHcmCucd2PlSI7OcZRZtDi4tDOihS5D7q3HIrWsBopecia19gaFhCElEbtZDz_RuFXfPbhYyqDg3kIyazd6S2Js-jTMr55dULmpEdEdFT7npC5WtcPT_/s1600/bean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrht1fG3kzurcOLjUC4WvV0w84SHcmCucd2PlSI7OcZRZtDi4tDOihS5D7q3HIrWsBopecia19gaFhCElEbtZDz_RuFXfPbhYyqDg3kIyazd6S2Js-jTMr55dULmpEdEdFT7npC5WtcPT_/s1600/bean.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Preheat oven at 180C (air). Start with the beans: Boil water in a huge pot, add beans, salt to taste. Bring to boil again, then simmer for about 10 minutes. Depending on how you like the beans, either increase or decrease time. (I like mine super cooked, hence the duration...). Drain and keep aside.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On to the topping: in a large skillet, fry the onions over medium heat until golden (I had semi-thawed the onions in the meantime). Set aside in a bowl to allow them to cool down a bit.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lastly, the sauce: in that same skillet, over medium heat, add butter and flour and combine (like with any white sauce). Add milk, water and cream cheese and whisk all together. Add salt and pepper to taste and then add the green beans, stirring carefully.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Finish the topping: in the bowl with the onions, add breadcrumbs, cheese and water and mix until you get a steusel-type consistency.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In a baking dish (mine was 40*15cm), transfer the green beans and cover with the topping. Cook for about 20 minutes.<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Try not to eat it all at once...</span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-32054071290344972502015-11-21T00:00:00.000+01:002015-11-24T17:12:08.341+01:00Cooking: lasagna soup and frittata<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My new go-to cure for insomnia: cooking! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When I'm faced with a white night, instead of tossing and turning or watching TV, I've made a point to at least profit from the extra hours I'm awake - I will either knit/crochet/cross-stitch, or, as in this case cook. At least this way, I will not have been up for nothing...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pinterest came to my rescue, again: I had already noted these two recipes and they were easy to make. No noisy equipment to use (that would wake me up completely), or demanding work (which would not be ideal at my condition...):</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Lasagna soup</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(adapted from </span><a href="http://www.afarmgirlsdabbles.com/2011/03/24/lasagna-soup/"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Afarmgirlsdabbles</span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, to accomodate what was available in my fridge and pantry...)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWxmxxDlVWxdzqOZi7i79gBDdvqE8WgIY2gAb1jwUnudjOD4W0qrm_sZ90JxafPv4ES5yMTzt7QEgnMOgpGvvL4tltLsDOnOsN7mWvAUHbJETlgefSRAurSqFsdevj8DlDUItsyLahyt3/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWxmxxDlVWxdzqOZi7i79gBDdvqE8WgIY2gAb1jwUnudjOD4W0qrm_sZ90JxafPv4ES5yMTzt7QEgnMOgpGvvL4tltLsDOnOsN7mWvAUHbJETlgefSRAurSqFsdevj8DlDUItsyLahyt3/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2 tsp vegetable oil</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 Italian sausage, chopped</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">50g salami, finely chopped</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 cup onions, chopped</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2 garlic cloves, minced</span></div>
<div class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 tsp dried oregano</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 tbsp tomato paste</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">350ml diced tomatoes (passata)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 bay <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">leaf</span></span></div>
<div class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">750ml vegetable stock</span></div>
<div class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">100g short square pasta (Quadrettini )</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 tbsp dried basil</span></div>
<div class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">salt / pepper to taste</span></div>
<div class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="text-align: justify;">
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Start with a big casserole: over medium heat, fry the sausage and salami in oil until almost through. Add onions and mined cloves and continue. Once all have a nice brown/caramel colour, add tomatoes/paste and the condiments. Add then the stock and bring to boil. Only then add the pasta, together with the basil and any salt/pepper. Leave to carelessly simmer, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">about 20 minutes. A truly comforting soup, ready to be enjoyed...</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Frittata</span></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(adapted from </span><a href="https://www.donnahay.com.au/recipes/fast-weeknights/tomato-chorizo-and-goats-curd-frittata"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Donna Hay</span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiel8P3fSUgAtzkROijbma-WIDxMVB8L__2zkFqPUAsmZLUa53nCCsep9lnW0y_7Cg7Qt7IJ4flNLUtRxK0NokHoi9UhXk0w5VrwXmm7oh-NQHAAlj6yXoDcu4Mk1EkKyMPVXK_70nKmWuS/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiel8P3fSUgAtzkROijbma-WIDxMVB8L__2zkFqPUAsmZLUa53nCCsep9lnW0y_7Cg7Qt7IJ4flNLUtRxK0NokHoi9UhXk0w5VrwXmm7oh-NQHAAlj6yXoDcu4Mk1EkKyMPVXK_70nKmWuS/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">100g chorizo, finely chopped </span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">50g feta</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 medium tomato, chopped</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 cup spinach (I had mini-portions, frozen) </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">4 eggs </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">125ml single cream </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">40gr grated cheese (I had mozzarella at hand)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">salt/pepper to taste</span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Preheat oven at 200C (air). I don't have oven-proof skillets, and that's why I fried the chorizo separately. And I don't use any oil, because the minute it hits the skillet, the chorizo starts oozing this beautiful piment oil, which is sufficient and nothing gets burned. But always check - other types may necessitate oil to start cooking...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Beat eggs with cream and salt/pepper.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Everything else is stacked in a dish: at the bottom I place the chorizo, which I then top with spinach and crumbled feta. Top these with chopped tomato and pour egg mixture over everything. Finish with grated cheese. I left everything to cook for about 15 minutes, at which point the smell coming out of the oven was the most welcoming indication that I had overcome my insomnia and that I could now go back to bed...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-1188029324223678352015-11-19T15:08:00.000+01:002015-11-19T15:10:58.918+01:00Invisible Love (Les deux messieurs de Bruxelles), by Eric Emmanuel Schmitt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPa1vxjz7BTMIz-ISn0Lfp9wSLwx8LzDBpaL1fHo0LmJI0L-al_Ko2I9UOhlbYS5pYtXisYjlS_OMZG9OcH3QQIKvt8Flu-Ey4r4gliPLPoN_ADUFkI-UkZn0eVozegY7WkLV_O8tsYeU/s1600/bxl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPa1vxjz7BTMIz-ISn0Lfp9wSLwx8LzDBpaL1fHo0LmJI0L-al_Ko2I9UOhlbYS5pYtXisYjlS_OMZG9OcH3QQIKvt8Flu-Ey4r4gliPLPoN_ADUFkI-UkZn0eVozegY7WkLV_O8tsYeU/s1600/bxl.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One of the first authors I read in modern French literature, Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt remains one of my favourite ones (<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1016600.La_Part_de_l_autre"><i>La Part de l'autre</i></a> remains one of <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the books that opened my eyes...)</span>. While French can be slightly complicated when in literature mode, his books remain an easy yet fulfilling read, with content that proves there is still much literary talent in our present day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In this book, Schmitt deals with the subject of love in modern times. A series of short stories, <b><span style="color: red;"><i>Les deux messieurs de Bruxelles</i></span></b> found its place in my reading stash primarily because of its title: anything that deals with Brussels, I have to buy and examine and have my opinion of it heard...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All the stories provide a twist on the notion of "love" - Schmitt goes beyond the caricature and investigates whether any one type of love better/more important than the other is. The result is an insight into the various facets of our lives, how we deal with this feeling of intense care and how this feeling can influence and change the rest of our lives.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The first story by the same title had the strongest impact on me. And it's good this way, because it kept me yearning for more. The stark contrast between the committed homosexual couple who will never have a family and the heterosexual couple who will go on to mar<span style="font-size: small;">ry, have a family and create a huge mess of it all - it's just not right.... </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The deep love between Jean and Laurent will not be accepted by society. But that will just not do - instead, they will "crash" the wedding of Eddy and Genevieve and take their own vows just as the young couple is celebrated by all their friends and families. This link between the two couples will continue for the rest of their lives and will be manifested in financial and moral support</span> as well as something more... The end of the story is wholly unexpected, which makes it even better. (I have to admit I felt a little better for the future of mankind after reading this story.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As so go on the short stories about the love for a pet, the love for the wrong partner, the love for one's child... All stories that defy our long-standing traditions, stories that make us (at least me!) look to our lives in a different manner. Stories that make a point to challenge our perceptions and to change our attitude towards misfortune. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Schmitt remains a master of short stories (and not only). His use of the written word is the best antidote to everyday deception, betrayal, submission, apathy. Because love is a universal theme and, however hard we may try to escape it, it will find us. And conquer us. Hopefully... </span></div>
</div>
Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-85236510670901209182015-11-13T15:21:00.000+01:002015-11-13T22:23:49.875+01:00Cooking: lentil salad with veggies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKHRwmqXFuBUeDkA7RgCmUhJrGczvxzbYNwT16wHjZbuiiQPhAWWYTCHrFaYPULpDS2cwwySJzks71qTCLTK2tIQkDR_JRsZvYU5q4GUsqSsM2PhKpkGvqVVHf1dBuz1QMRZE4njk6Wg7/s1600/lentil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKHRwmqXFuBUeDkA7RgCmUhJrGczvxzbYNwT16wHjZbuiiQPhAWWYTCHrFaYPULpDS2cwwySJzks71qTCLTK2tIQkDR_JRsZvYU5q4GUsqSsM2PhKpkGvqVVHf1dBuz1QMRZE4njk6Wg7/s200/lentil.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I've been feeling rather under the weather this past week, and during such times, the one thing sure to bring back the smile in my face is cooking. Comfort cooking, that is.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Add to that that I've been longing for such a lentil salad (yes, there are many of us out there who like lentils), plus a dish that can be savoured on the go and hey presto - this recipe popped up in my trusted <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/talethreecities/">Pinterest</a>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lentil salad with veggies</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(adapted from <a href="http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2009/05/recipe-for-lentil-salad-with-green.html">Kalyn's Kitchen</a>)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 cup green lentils<br />1 tbsp lemon juice (in my case, three lemon juice ice cubes)<br />1 tbsp balsamic
vinegar<br />3-4 tbsp olive oil (or to your taste)<br />1 cup finely cubed bell peppers (I used frozen mix)<br />200g chopped green olives<br />3 green onions, chopped<br />1/2 tsp. smoked paprika<br />1 tbsp dried oregano <br />2 tbsp dried parsley</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">salt / pepper to taste</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I started with the lentils, which I put to cook in water over a medium-low heat, to a ratio of 1 to 3. (No salt added at this point, so that they don't go hard). In the meantime, I used my multi to chop everything: olives, green onions, bell peppers. The reason was that I wanted them chopped as small as possible, so that everything is about the size of the lentils - this makes for a much better presentation...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Once the lentils are cooked, you could leave them to cool before adding them to the rest of the ingredients. Or, like me, you could start mixing the salad now, and make it a warm one: delicious!!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Toss everything in a large bowl and make sure you taste at least some of it before inviting your friends over (big mistake...). A friends- and family-approved recipe, which is to be repeated very soon!</span></div>
</div>
Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-73115723753184991992015-09-15T13:23:00.002+02:002015-09-15T13:23:35.372+02:00Cooking: Pie with leafy greens (Χορτόπιτα)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In
general, I avoid eating fast food – but there are certain occasions when, well,
you have other things to do/are on the go/are too tired and you just need fuel
– now!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">On
one such instance, I was in sunny Greece, having just got off the plane and
heading to a vacation spot by the sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Together with my sister we sat in a "snack bar" where I had an
amazing souvlaki with pita and "everything" (meaning tzatziki, fries,
and an idea of salad…).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feeling slightly
guilty, I tried to redeem myself by ordering a "chortopita", a pie
with leafy greens (not just spinach) - that way, I could still say that I had
vegetables ;-)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">An
epiphany – this pie was so delicious, I wanted more… and I actually wanted to
make it home so that I could taste it again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I find a spinach pie tends to be on the heavy side and most of the time
there is plenty of feta cheese and/or cream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This pie was light and aromatic and not fat at all – and I could
actually eat the dough as well.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I
set on to look for recipes on the web (thank you pinterest) and having found
one, I proceeded to adapt it (as I always do…) – the end result more than
pleased me and I'm happy to say I have since made it twice more to the delight
of all those who taste it</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Pie with leafy greens</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTAjlblkWhwhv3wJjkqldYf1u4suUUGPCry4KeAA5lyMvYiWcH0nzf4uc36GIB93_sBZW8LvKqViy2SL2quZhnJSecksE-HqHNBo7RAdfh46eVfPAQWQkcwzwVkK0D6-W_tmWWU9YUG5m/s1600/pic.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTAjlblkWhwhv3wJjkqldYf1u4suUUGPCry4KeAA5lyMvYiWcH0nzf4uc36GIB93_sBZW8LvKqViy2SL2quZhnJSecksE-HqHNBo7RAdfh46eVfPAQWQkcwzwVkK0D6-W_tmWWU9YUG5m/s320/pic.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia;">500g spinach leaves, fresh</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">40g each parsley, aneth, fresh</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">3 leeks, white parts</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">1 tbsp dry sage</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">1 tbsp dry thyme</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">3 tbsp dry celery leaves</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">1/2 cup olive oil</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">salt/pepper</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">100g feta cheese, crumbled</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">2*125g pie dough</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A
major change for me regarding the ingredients was their nature: I used fresh
greens, and not frozen or dried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I
would not do so for the rest of my cooking, I found that fresh really made a
difference in this recipe.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Get
the oven starting at 180 degrees C fan.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wash
the spinach (4 times is necessary IMHO) to get it squeaky clean. Wash the herbs
and chop off any discoloured bits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
both cases, you can choose whether you keep the stalks or not – I do, as they
provide extra flavour and in any case everything will be chopped to bits… Make
sure you get as much water out of all greens as possible, otherwise the pie
could get soggy (I used my salad spinner for this job)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Chop
everything in tiny bits – it took about 3 full loads of my kitchen robot to go
through all the ingredients. Mix everything well with the oil, season and add
the crumbled feta cheese if you are using it (I've made the pie both with and
without the cheese, and I can't say I have a preference…)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As
to the dough, I used store-bought here, but I'm finalising a recipe for
home-made "peasant" pie dough – story developing…</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Line
a 30-cm deep baking dish with parchment paper or oil it well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lay one sheet of pie dough, dump the whole
mix of greens and cover with the second sheet of dough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make tiny little holes on the top layer and
bake for about 40'. Leave to cool and then simply enjoy!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-65412976855115710732015-02-13T13:36:00.001+01:002015-02-13T13:36:13.436+01:00I know why the caged bird sings, by Maya Angelou<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1401355059l/11817366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1401355059l/11817366.jpg" width="203"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is probably one of the more difficult posts in this blog, and I did play with the idea of not writing about this book at all. But, the use of this blog is primarily for putting down my personal thoughts and feelings about the books I read - and while I always express my own view on issues, I try to play the devil's advocate as well and try to see the other side of the matter.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With this in mind, I also would like to say how far </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">from the state of things described in this book: I'm caucasian, European, middle-class, pretty well educated, never having been excluded from anything because of any restriction, never having witnessed slavery, segregation, racism (although one might argue that nowadays we witness a new kind of racism all over the planet...). In any case, <span style="color: red;"><b><i>I know why the caged bird sings</i></b></span> had been on my list for quite some time and I looked forward to reading it:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br></div>
</div><a href="http://talethreecities.blogspot.com/2015/02/i-know-why-caged-bird-sings-by-maya.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330129568760171075.post-62724329179303172502015-01-27T09:08:00.000+01:002015-01-27T09:08:00.222+01:00Stories to think about (Cuentos para pensar), by Jorge Bucay<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327792285l/13433906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327792285l/13433906.jpg"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I received this book as a birthday present, after having been astonished to see a whole display of this author's books inside a major bookstore. I'm (almost) ashamed to say I had not heard his name before - as a result, I was curious to see what I could discover; the fact that he's a Gestalt psychotherapist only added fuel to my expectations!</span></div>
<br>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">In the back cover of </span><span style="color: red;"><i><b>Stories to think about</b></i></span><span style="color: #222222;">, Bucay declares that his books "provide material for the brain, they help the reader to think about the world and himself". </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></div>
</div><a href="http://talethreecities.blogspot.com/2015/01/stories-to-think-about-cuentos-para.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16118488336055805591noreply@blogger.com2