The days are so chilly and short, aren’t they? I’ve started serving dinner at 5pm, an unheard of thing but a welcome one (and better for the evening digestion!)
Life has been full of study and reading and trips to the shops and cooking and crocheting too. Last week I took a couple of long walks along the river, when it wasn’t QUITE so cold, and that was ace. So many people walk the paths there and it’s very close to home which amazes me. So much lovely in my own backyard!
On the weekend I made salmon croquettes from the book Jubilee and they were freaking delicious. So good! Worked perfectly! I made a batch of aioli to go with them, stirring in some chopped dill pickles and lemon juice for a bit of DIY tartar sauce. That was also delicious! I highly recommend you make them, if they are your cup of tea. I made a double batch and we had them for breakfast too … and in rolls for lunch with lots of crunchy lettuce and avocado … and more aioli! I found out about them via this podcast episode (note that the recipe calls for 2 beaten eggs which are not in the ingredients list!) Image via.
I also made the Alexandra’s Kitchen brioche rolls. TWICE. They were brilliant both times, but I did not mix the dough until it was smooth the first time, so I had a second try, purely for aesthetics. You can see from the photos below they turned out shiny and smooth the second time, but BOTH batches were very good. These rolls are so easy to make because you can do an overnight prove and then whip them up in no time the next day. If you are a brioche fan, you really should have a crack at them.
The cake in the bottom photo is the Apple and Walnut Cake from the book Rosa’s Farm. I made it for my mum because she was poorly and you must always bake a cake for peaky people, don’t you think?! It’s a really easy recipe and makes a very delicious cake. (I can’t find the recipe for this cake online, unfortunately and the book is sadly out of print. If you fancy the recipe I can send it on privately though. Get in touch!)
I’ve been reading a few great books at once, as is my way these days. Here is what I have on the go:
Sourdough by Robin Sloan
The Wild Other by Clover Stroud
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (via audio book) and
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
I must scoot as I’m headed into town with Ari very soon. I hope you are well and your everyday is proving a-okay. Love to my Sydney pals especially this week. Stay home if you can!
x Pip
Beautiful pics of NZ, your home and delicious food. Want company? We’re having terribly hot, humid, then rainy weather here in Upstate New York, US, and I’m so tired of it!!!!! Love your fireplace area with your buddy enjoying its warmth and the awe-inspiring picture of galloping horses. So inviting.
I love all the photos, but also noticed the beautiful green tiles around your fireplace. It looks like a perfect spot for winter reading and cosiness.
So many lovely photos but my favourites were the food ones, I just like food. Thank you for the recipes, I prefer to always have a photo of something that I am going to cook just to give me an idea of how amazing it is going to be. x
Pip, I finished a book this week & now I am telling all & saundry to read it. It’s called The Last Migration (also published under Migrations) by Charlotte McConaghy. My gosh it’s a brilliant & heartbreaking but uplifting book! It’s the kind of book that gives you a hangover & makes it hard to move on the next book. Those are my favourite kind of books.
Take care xx
It’s gone straight to my wishlist, champ! THANK YOU!!! xxx
Let me know when you read it x
Yum. Any thoughts on the difference in texture of the croquettes using breadcrumbs vs a classic salmon pattie with mashed potato?
It was my first time sans mashed potato and I liked it A LOT. A bit more bite to it!! Highly recommended!