David L. Atkinson's Blog, page 4

Tuesday Food Blog - Onion and chard soup

I was the lucky recipient of a bag of onions and a quantity of chard the other day and rather than it going to waste I decided to make a soup.

Onion and chard soup with croutons
Ingredients
4 medium sized onions, chopped several chard leaves and stalks, roughly chopped
1 tbsp parsley
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 medium sized potatoes, cubed
1 carrot, sliced
2 litres of vegetable stock

Method

Fry the onions off in a little butter until fully soft and slightly browned. Season with salt and black pepper then transfer to a large stock pan. Pour in the vegetable stock, bring to the boil and add the rest of the vegetables and season again. Add the parsley and simmer for a good hour.
Remove from the heat and using a hand blender blend the soup until smooth.
Serve

I had enough for three meals and more but the first time I made croutons.


with lentil curls
and with udon noodles
It all tasted great even though the photos belie that fact.
God Bless

Writing - Class and some good reading

Classics tend to have a longer shelf life than the somewhat less than the here today gone tomorrow media. They are often quoted, or misquoted, and there screenplays and pages can enter the culture.

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One of those classics is Casablanca starring Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart. There are a number of quotes that have become an essential part of western culture.
'Play it, Sam. Play As Time Goes By.'
Often misquoted as 'Play it again Sam' but nevertheless sitting in the western world's consciousness.
'Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.'
Bogart played the role as a vulnerable, cynical guy on the edge of the law and his work was typified in this quote.
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'Here's looking at you kid'
This quote was ad libbed by Bogart and was so well received by the screenwriters that it occurred three more times in the film.Eventually the screenplay was voted the best ever.


[image error]Philip Pullman

Pullman was delighted recently when Waterstones named his latest book La Belle Sauvage 2017 Book of the Year.
Their remaining list is as follows:-
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca CavalloA Skinful of Shadows by Frances HardingeThe Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie MorrisLa Belle Sauvage: The Book of Dust Volume One by Philip PullmanLincoln in the Bardo by George SaundersMr Lear: A Life of Art and Nonsense by Jenny UglowTalking to My Daughter About the Economy: A Brief History of Capitalism by Yanis Varoufakis
God Bless

Poetry Thursday 286

The inspiration for this poem came from a couple of sources. I first of all was struck by the incongruity of people buying flatpack furniture then hiring a handyman to assemble the same.

Then there was the criticism of a primary school who had a problem handling the case of a six year old boy who was allowed by his parents to attend school dressed as a boy on some days and then as a girl on others. It got me thinking of role models and how that little boy will attain his actual role when he reaches puberty. It has to be remembered when you are a parent that many behaviours are learned, including wrong behaviours.
Finally, at my age I was born and parented in the best way my Mum and Dad could without the help of the internet. In my turn I have tried to raise 3 children and two step children. The only measure of my success or failure comes through their success or failure. 


Common sense
Can you change a plug on your lamp?I can – my Dad taught me to be a man.He shared his knowledge of clamps and amps,to help me complete jobs on lamps.
Can you chop sticks for the fire?I can – my Dad taught me to be a man.So he shared his skills to inspire,the safe use of the axe in my hand.
Can you build a flat pack wardrobe?I can – my Dad taught me to be a man.He showed the use of tools to prod and probe,and twist and turn to help his hand.
Can you turn the garden soil?I can – my Dad taught me to be a man.So I can feed my family through my toil,with vegetables and fruit to cook in a flan.
Can you become a loving Dad?I can – my Dad taught me to be a man.He showed me how to care for my lad,cos the girl was mother’s realm to plan.©David L Atkinson November 2017

God Bless

Tuesday Food Blog - Silly cheffy recipes

I have been fortunate to travel a fair bit in my life and have spent a deal of that time travelling in France. During that time I have eaten moules mariniere a few times.

[image error]Moules Mariniere
This in fact is quite a simple dish to prepare. All you need is butter, oil, moules, onions, garlic and white wine. You melt the butter and oil in a pan, fry the onions and garlic. Pour in the wine and bring to the boil and simmer for a few minutes until the moules are hot and serve with crusty bagette.
Straight forward. Well I believe it to be straight forward but introduce a TV chef and you get something unrecognisable.
The version I saw on Saturday morning included coconut milk, an unknown vegetable, lime zest, lemon grass and another couple of unrecognised ingredients. Coconut milk, lemon grass! Why on earth would you want to include those items in the classic french dish that needs no embellishments?

I leave you with the photo of n English breakfast just to ground us all again.
God Bless

Writing - The pen is mightier

Being a writer arms you with a mighty weapon - the pen. With every opinion that you express you are inviting opinion and comment. One of the often quoted writers was Oscar Wilde.

[image error]Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900
This Irishman has probably been quoted and misquoted millions of times and this is probably because of his sharp wit and out of the box attitude to the world. This I think is why many people write. We examine and observe the world and consider what we come across 'upside down'.

At the height of his fame and success, while The Importance of Being Earnest (1895) was still being performed in London, Wilde had the Marquess of Queensberry prosecuted for criminal libel. The Marquess was the father of Wilde's lover, Lord Alfred Douglas. The libel trial unearthed evidence that caused Wilde to drop his charges and led to his own arrest and trial for gross indecency with men. After two more trials he was convicted and sentenced to two years' hard labour, the maximum penalty, and was jailed from 1895 to 1897. During his last year in prison, he wrote De Profundis (published posthumously in 1905), a long letter which discusses his spiritual journey through his trials, forming a dark counterpoint to his earlier philosophy of pleasure. Upon his release, he left immediately for France, never to return to Ireland or Britain. There he wrote his last work, The Ballad of Reading Gaol (1898), a long poem commemorating the harsh rhythms of prison life. He died destitute in Paris at the age of 46.
The quotes selected today, for me are as relevant now as they were over 100 years ago.
'To win back my youth, there is nothing I wouldn't do - except take exercise, get up early, or be a useful member of the community.'
Such a comment probably secretly fits many people who have suffered at the altar of political correctness.
'When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is.'
In this painfully grasping capitalistic world in which we live this is so true, and is therefore a great shame. So many suffer while the well-healed few look on with disinterest.
'Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.'
This is linked to capitalism also but has detrimental effects on the young people that are used to display the latest fashions. It should be coupled with the following:-
'Be yourself; everyone else is already taken'
A more realistic view of one's own image would furnish many unhappy people with a more positive self-image and remove the need for spare part surgery and spending vast sums on the latest fashion statement. Some of the fashions that we see are laughable and yet, like the oft quoted emperor's suit of clothes, have become must haves. I don't know about you but when my jeans grow holes I throw them away.
Finally, I leave you with one of my all time favourite quotes which is a salve to my tortured mind when the source of that torture is a person.
'Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.'
God Bless

Poetry Thursday 285 - Surprise surprise

What is really in Santa's sack?
Can we really control the Earth?


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Holding back the tide
A thousand years agoa man placed a chair on a beach,an exercise his people to show,the feeble power of human reach.
Yet here we are in a negative state,trying to don the mantle of blame,for the rise in temperature of late,controlling earth by emissions the aim.
If there were no humans on this delicate sphere,the chances are the weather would be warm,as the planet has its own cyclic gear,oscillating from stormy to calm.
Humans are not legion,or even capable of being so,no deity are we in any region,the Earth knows the way to go. ©David L Atkinson November 2017





What’s in Santa’s sack for me?
What can we expect,when the sack is opened?What will our gifts reflectof the future unknown?
Each odd shaped parcel,gives no clue as to contentsand the inner secret morsel,may at first offer no sense.
Examine each one minutely,and delve into the nuances,of the gift completely,to ascertain all the influences.
Then the years of accumulated largesse,add up to the experiences for growth,the development of interactive conscience,and the burgeoning sagacity and mirth.
©David L Atkinson November 2017



God Bless

Tuesday Food Blog - Easy bake chicken dish

If you like chicken you'll like this meal. On top of the taste factor it is incredibly easy to make.


Chicken and cheese bake
Ingredients
500g diced chicken1 tin of mushroom soupcheddar cheese, gratedcrushed ritz crackers
Method
Pre-heat the oven to 180  degrees Celsius.
Layer the chicken in the bottom of an oven-proof casserole dish. Pour over mushroom soup. Sprinkle on a layer of cheese and top with a layer of crushed cheese biscuits. Bake for 45 - 60 minutes.
This is really tasty, definitely not slimming and allows for a degree of 'tinkering'. One could add sweetcorn, onion, or whatever you prefer.

God Bless

Writing - Parable of the talents

This mornings sermon in church was the parable of the talents which reminded me very much of the conservative fiscal manifesto.

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The story goes that a rich man is setting off on a long journey but decides to leave some of his riches with his slaves. To one he gives 5 talents, to another 2, and to the third 1 talent. He leaves expecting that he would have his wealth when he returned.
The man with the most invested the 5 and made 5 more. The slave with 2 did the same with a return of 2 more talents. 
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The slave with the single talent was worrying about losing his master's money so he dug a hole and buried it.
When the master returned the first slave gave the original deposit plus the extra 5. The master was pleased and promoted the man.
The second slave was treated similarly but when it came to the third man he returned the single talent with the appropriate explanation of how he had saved the money The master was furious and threw the ungrateful and lazy slave in jail.
The master justified his actions saying that those that have more will receive more whereas those who make no effort will remain penniless.
A summary of the tale but you can see the similarities between the parable and our society today. There is a clear gap between the 'haves' and the 'have nots' and the way in which the conservatives have and are running the country presently suggests that things aren't about to change.
God Bless

Poetry Thursday 284 - Approaching year end

The end of year approaches and the associated celebrations are to be prepared for.

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Reindeer
As a reindeer,excited at the approaching end of year,anticipating an evening soaring,hearing the children imploring.
Calmly following nudges,as their red-caped captain judges,from one house roof to another,gaps and turns not a bother.
Waiting for bells sounding,snuggled beneath duvets but peeking,looking for tell-tale glimmers of light,in the darkness of the night.
Naughty or nice?Did they answer teacher back twice?What level of sinning permitted,before Santa’s visit is omitted?
As a reindeer,when the exciting morning is over,exhausted after a busy night,children wishing he’s got it right.
Back to the stable,just as steady as they are able,bedding down in warm dry hay,another year’s rest their pay.©David L Atkinson November 2017




Annual Rhythm
As the year winds down,toward the inevitable closure,an unsurprising ennui settles,with the darker, shorter days.
No reason for this annual pulse,of emotional see-sawing,self-generated mood swings,and seasonal affective disorder.
Within a few weeks back to normal,the brighter, warmer days will alter,the low mood of winter’s toil,but come on! – We live in England.
This sceptred isle lies deep,within the northern hemisphere.This other Eden sleep,coolly in the chill seas near.©David L Atkinson November 2017

God Bless

Tuesday Food Blog - Smoked mackerel with pilau rice

A meal that is light and enriched with flavours. Ingredients 1 tsp rapeseed oil 1 onion, roughly chopped 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 1 tbsp medium curry powder 250g/9oz basmati rice 500ml/18fl oz vegetable or chicken stock 200g/7oz smoked mackerel or smoked peppered mackerel, skin removed and flaked into large pieces 80g/3oz frozen peas 1 lemon, juice only, plus wedges to serve 2 tbsp roughly chopped flatleaf parsley (optional) sea salt and freshly ground black pepperMethodHeat a large saucepan until medium hot, add the oil and onion and stir well. Cover with a lid and leave to cook gently for 10 minutes, until softened.Add the garlic and curry powder and stir fry for 1 minute. Add the rice and stir, then add the stock. Stir well and cover with a lid.Bring to the boil, then turn the heat down and simmer gently with the lid on for about 15 minutes, checking that it doesn’t dry out. When the rice has absorbed all the stock it should be tender. If not, add a splash of boiling water then cook for a further 5 minutes and check again.Stir in the flaked mackerel, peas, lemon juice and parsley and mix carefully, as you don’t want the mackerel to break up too much. Season to taste with salt and pepper and cook for 1 more minute to make sure it’s hot through, then serve.
God Bless