Busy day today, friend's daughter and son-in-law arrive this evening.
A busy week at work and then they drive 3 hours in rush hour traffic.
Priority is supper for the weary travellers when they arrive. Out of
the freezer comes the cheese, potato and onion pie prepared earlier
this week. I hadn't forgotten that, although I'd mentioned the pie,
I hadn't mentioned the recipe. Here it is, the fastest pie ever.
Use baked jacket potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks, 2 large
onions, chopped and soften gently for 5 minutes with a knob of butter
and a drop of Canola oil. Quick onion sauce, double the quantity,
salt and black pepper and 12oz of strong cheddar cheese, grated. Mix
it all together, place into a foil tray, add a puff pastry lid and
egg wash. Bake in a medium oven for 40 minutes until golden brown,
check after 30.
I'm serving this pie because I know it's a favourite –
unpretentious comfort food. In times gone by I've seen the “young
adults” demolish this pie for breakfast, having had, shall we say a
great night out. May be I should market it as an aid to recovery
after a heavy night.
Moving on, off we go to the Fred Astaire Dance Studio (established
1947) – I kid you not. Hey, whilst I may never aspire to the dizzy
heights of Strictly Come Dancing (aka Dancing with the Stars in the
USA) I'll give it my best shot. 45 minutes later and we are
completely exhausted – I'm not sure whether it's the dancing or the
potential stress of looking a complete klutz – appropriate US slang
for clumsy or a dull-witted person – in this case probably both
would apply! Great fun nevertheless and I look forward to the next
one. P.S. Shoes were amazing.
It's weekend, and we girls are off for a spot of retail therapy. GOM
and son-in-law settled in for soccer (from the UK) everyone's happy.
We begin at Town Centre, which is not a town centre, but the name of
a small shopping area with good quality shops, ranging from Barnes &
Noble (bookshop) to Victoria's Secret, famous for fantastic ladies
underwear, leisurewear et al.
I have to collect a book I've ordered from Barnes & Noble but
first breakfast in Starbucks – so civilised – it's inside the
store and, confession time, my indulgence, a chocolate chip cookie –
it's the size of a frisbee. My book will be cherished, “Gullah
Cuisine By Land and By Sea” by Gullah Chef Charlotte Jenkins. More
about Ms. Jenkins and Gullah cuisine later.
Onward to Tanger Outlet – this place is similar to Bicester
Shopping Village in the UK, with Designer outlets like Ralph Lauren
and a new edition since my last visit, a Michael Kors handbag shop.
Second only to food is my passion for bags of all shapes and sizes.
My purchase today is small, but perfectly formed, a wallet in gold
leather – hey, a girls gotta do.
Back to food! I've mentioned in previous posts that I'm a fan of
Australian Masterchef - one of the celebrity chef contributors is
native Curtis Stone. Mr. Stone is very popular in the US and imagine
my surprise to find him, giving a cookery demonstration at Tanger
Outlet, perfect combination – two passions for the price of one.
So much better “in the flesh”.
Takeaway Chinese this evening – please note, anyone reading a
Chinese Takeaway menu in the US should be aware (as in Crispgate!)
that you have to be specific when ordering noodles – you have to
ask for soft noodles, if you don't you'll get the crispy version.
The food is also produced in pints, as in the cartons we all know
from watching the US police dramas. Can't say that the quality is
that much different to the UK, just lots more of it.
A lovely day with a lovely young lady as my retail partner –
perfect symmetry.
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