One of the highlights of our holiday season for the last couple of years has been opening our church on New Years Day to folks who may need some company, some warmth and some nutritious food. Many folks had cooked up a storm and I was part of the kitchen team who made sure all was to temperature and fit for serving.(The joys of regulations!) It was great to see and hear the buzz around the place. Over 30 folks we trust found something to make that day a little easier. For me it is good to start the year with a real outward focus. And it reconfirms my commitment to maladjustment.
I also discovered a shortbread recipe that will forever be the one I use and am happy to share. I made it first for friends and family on Hogmany. Ok. I made it next for friends on the 2nd. Excellent and even better for the fact I made scones too so we have eaten shortbread for days.
We attempted a jerk ham. It was a real project and the results were good but like the shortbread we need an excuse for round two. The clootie dumpling however being on round 9 was just sooooo good but needs to be bigger. If you are catering for folks then a rule of mine is that there has to be left overs, and definitely of clootie dumpling.
I just do not get why when I can cook pretty well and why when we have very little junk in our house (shortbread being high quality of course!!) buddy boy (a fit and healthy three year old) had such a limited diet. "Don't like it" is the answer for everything new. All fruit and veg. He will do peas (around 10) and endless baked beans. He will scrape any sign of sauce from his spaghetti! I used to be one of these people who was pretty disparaging about parents whose children developed these kind of habits. Yes, I know at some point I took a step or two wrong but really, honestly and truly I am not lazy, lacking in will or imagination.
So the next few days I plan to set us out on a new approach, using the ideas in Deceptively Delicious and the Sneaky chef. I am determined meal times will not be a battle ground because that works for no one. We just need to decide exactly which of the three or four ideas we are going to follow........ !