SAMPLER QUILTS AND ROAST LAMB!

Preparing roast lamb for supper as mentioned below. 

Have to keep my invalid's strength up as today is last day for 'proper' food as he faces the 4th session of chemo tomorrow, after which his appetite takes a nosedive for about a week. Then the 3 week cycle begins again.  La Ronde!

I have set the shoulder on a bed of red and white onions, celery, garlic and rosemary. Lightly pepper and salted the skin. Will serve lamb with onion sauce and mint apple jelly (recipe below if you scroll down far enough). Not forgetting veggies and English pancakes/sugar/lemon for pudding.

NB: Ladies who are looking for pics of my students' Sampler quilts will have to scroll down below Ox Tongue recipe. . . . . 

Happy scrolling!

ROAST SHOULDER OF LAMB FOR SUPPER! A beauty.

VISITORS and OKRA . . .

Hoorah! I see I've acquired a visitor from Oklahoma. Used to live in Davis, Oklahoma and my son was born in Ardmore.  Swam at a creek in Sulphur Springs. Bit smelly but picturesque.

Mostly I remember the oil rigs in lots of backyards (not mine unfortunately) and smell of oil and sulphur.

Re cooking: First set eyes on OKRA bush in garden - wasn't sure at first what to do with the funny little pods - but soon grew to love 'em. 

I trust you have all been flocking to your butchers in search of Ox Tongues. Yes? 

NO??  Admit it's not a pretty sight - but jolly good value for money in this time of recession and very tasty served on sandwiches or with a salad and pickles. 

Some folks like them served hot with creamed potatoes - but am not keen on hot tongue myself and the expression "I got me a hot tongue and a cold shoulder for having a few bevvies on way home from work" springs to mind. 

Rightly so . . . . you naughty boys!

Tomorrow I'm serving roast shoulder of lamb with onion sauce, mint jelly, new Cyprus potatoes, plus lots of veggies.  Followed by English pancakes w lemon and sugar for pudding.

The good news is my invalid gained 5 pounds in weight last week with all the nourishing food I'm providing. The bad news is that I did too!!  

Such is 'loife' as they say in Devon and High Wycombe.

NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH . . . . cooking an OX TONGUE.

Here are step-by-step instructions for cooking an Ox Tongue. 

Sliced pressed tongue is something  you may have purchased from a delicatessen but shied away from cooking yourself.

It is cheap and the end result is delicious tho' the process may put some of you off. 

Don't be afraid - tongues can't bite.  

Just get the bit between your teeth, gird your loins, and get cracking!!!

NB: 

i) If the tongue has been brined (ask your butcher) then it needs to be soaked overnight in cold water. If not - then add some salt to the cooking process.

ii) I omitted to mention placing the newly cooked tongue into cold water prior to the skinning process. 

I guess that's it. . . .  all that remains for me to say is 'BON APPETIT!'

Wot is this? Ladies of a sensitive nature may avert their eyes - but have no need to be frightened - it can't hurt you - it's merely an OX TONGUE!!!

That's more like it - less threatening! Washed and ready for pan/stock . . .

Tongue in pan covered with water/onion.garlic/carrot/peppercorns/salt/bay leaf.

Tongue cooking in stock liquid . . . simmer 3 - 4 hours

Carefully remove from pan and drain . . .then into cold water for 2 minutes . .

Remove cooked tongue onto meat board . .

Remove skin from tongue - comes off easily when cooked . .

Fully skinned tongue . . .

Curl tongue into well fitting dish.

Dissolve gelatine in a bit of H2O & add to reduced stock.

Pour dissolved gelatine + reduced stock mixture over tongue.

Ready to be pressed . . .

Press down with saucer or plate to fit dish . . .

weighted down before putting in 'fridge . .

Voila - le finished article . . .

All you need is a clean plate and a bit o' pickle. Yummy!

Tomorrow I cook an Ox Tongue, so tune in for step-by-step pics you lucky people. . .

Beginners Heirloom Sampler workshops - a few pics.

Students on my GPQ Sampler course have one month left to finish their quilts in readiness for GPQ Exhibition to be held on 24 - 26 April at Bilsborrow, Lancs.

Here are some pictures, taken yesterday, showing some of the work. There are 12 members in total - not all the work shown here.

Some of the girls are entering their quilts in national competitions as students on my Beginners courses in the past have won top prizes at national level four years on the trot.

This is marvellous work and I am proud to have been responsible for their tuition.

8 of the 12 disciples - at an early stage.

Marking a dark quilt.

Amish style sampler - plain fabrics.