Remind family members to top up the ice tray when they remove cubes - not put it back in the freezer half-full [or even empty] And don't forget that if you cut up some lemons and open freeze them, before putting into a bag, you have ice-and-a-slice all ready to go!
If you have one of these 'cheese planes' you will find that they are brilliant for making quick, thin, cucumber slices for salads or sandwiches [or decorating your side of smoked salmon, should you be working at Downton Abbey] Also for shaving thin strips of pear [for James Martin's treacle and pear sponge pudding]
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Do remember to get the priorities straight. Some things matter more than others - relationships are more important than fine dining, the gift of time is more valuable than the gift of diamonds. When a minor domestic 'disaster' strikes, tell yourself "it's only stuff" Sprinkle grated cheese, or breadcrumbs over burnt savouries, create a snowstorm of icing sugar [or cocoa powder] over collapsing puddings - thus disguising the faults. Be truly creative and make a feature of the culinary crisis
My final tip - totally original, [at least, I have not found it anywhere else] buy a large jar of pickled gherkins. I have some in the pantry already [as Steph likes them, and she arrives very soon] The other night I was putting together a last minute meal with leftovers, and the potatoes and pasties just looked boringly brown on the beige plate. Remembering Shirley Conran's advice in Superwoman 'always try to add a touch of green, it adds a look of freshness' I hunted for something to throw on the plate. Bob grinned at the three large gherkins nestling beside his spuds and declared that 'gherkins make any meal more amusing'
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Great post, Ang, but I do think a gherkin Christmas tree is a step too far for me! Can't stand the things myself so don't give them houseroom these days..... Good point about the Christmas letters though xx
ReplyDeleteLove the dinosaur!!
ReplyDeleteHa!!! I really like gherkins!!!x
ReplyDeleteHi angela i akways keep them in oh os rather partial. its a joint effort i cang stand them he seats them i then recycle the jars for pickled onions with new lids or turn them into lanterns for the garden. love your tips been doing the lemon n lime thing for years. take care and have a merry hspph christmas x pattypan x
ReplyDelete50 ways with a gherkin??
ReplyDeleteI love pickled gherkins. It's just not Christmas without them.
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P.S. I thought of you today when my Stepdad says he likes Gherkins! FINALLY caught up on everyone's Pause for Advent posts- can't believe it has taken me so long to visiteveryone!x
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