Author Archives: Scribe Doll

FEASTS & FANCIES: Sometimes, you just need a subterfuge…

Posted on April 2, 2023 by Scribe Doll

It was always the same pattern.   “Dearest, what vegetables would you like?” “I don’t know.” “We need some greens… they’re good for us.” “Okay.” “You never have any greens.” “Yes, I do.” “No, you don’t.” “I do, sometimes!” This … Continue reading →

Posted in Feasts & Fancies | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

FEASTS & FANCIES: Spaghetti with Artichokes – my favourite comfort food.

Posted on March 26, 2023 by Scribe Doll

There is something about pasta that warms the cockles of my heart.  I reach out for pasta the way some people reach out for chocolate or a glass of wine.  I eat pasta when I’m feeling sad or vulnerable, when … Continue reading →

Posted in Feasts & Fancies | Tagged , , , , , , | 11 Comments

FEASTS & FANCIES @ CHOCOLATE NOTES: Chocolat à l’Orange

Posted on March 19, 2023 by Scribe Doll

It sounds unmistakeably early Franco-Flemish, but as I am nearer the ignorance end of the musical knowledge gamut, I hesitate to hazard a guess that might land me not only in the wrong country, but the wrong century all together.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Feasts & Fancies | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

FEASTS & FANCIES: CHICKEN SOUP WITH SPINACH AND MUSHROOMS

Posted on March 5, 2023 by Scribe Doll

My acupuncturist  takes a quick look at my tongue. “You’ve got a low blood count,” she says.  I smile with admiration: my GP had to draw blood, bruise my arm and have the lab process the sample for a whole … Continue reading →

Posted in Feasts & Fancies | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

FEASTS & FANCIES: OMELETTE à la Gregoryan

Posted on February 26, 2023 by Scribe Doll

In Lasse Hallström’s heartwarming film, The Hundred-Foot Journey, Helen Mirren plays Mme Mallory, a Michelin-star restaurant owner with very definite ideas about what cooking should be.  Before she decides whether or not to employ a new cook, she sets them … Continue reading →

Posted in Feasts & Fancies | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

FEASTS & FANCIES: VEGETABLE STOCK

Posted on February 19, 2023 by Scribe Doll

Another thing that never ceases to surprise me in England is the amount of processed food consumed.  I remember that it struck me even when I first arrived here, nearly forty years ago.  In most homes, the world-famous English custard … Continue reading →

Posted in Feasts & Fancies | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Feasts & Fancies: Chocolate Notes

Posted on February 12, 2023 by Scribe Doll

One of my favourite haunts is Chocolate Notes.   Norwich, where we live, could possibly be described as the city that always sleeps, in that – unless you resort to a chain (and I prefer independent cafés) – it’s near … Continue reading →

Posted in Feasts & Fancies | Tagged , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Feasts & Fancies: Polenta Cobbler

Posted on February 5, 2023 by Scribe Doll

When I first came to England as a late teenager, in 1984, the biggest culture shock I experienced was undoubtedly the natives’ frugal attitude towards food.  It seemed to be perceived as an undeserved luxury rather than a basic right.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Feasts & Fancies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Feasts & Fancies: Miscellaneous Potato Rösti

Posted on January 29, 2023 by Scribe Doll

Back in the days when my metabolism could happily burn six meals a day and I indulged in a full English breakfast every Saturday at our local greasy spoon, I would always ask for an extra helping of hash browns.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Feasts & Fancies | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Link missing from previous post

Posted on January 22, 2023 by Scribe Doll

My apologies to e-mail subscribers: there is a link missing in the previous post, FEASTS & FANCIES: THE MAGIC OF BREAD. In the section: Three-Seed Brown Bread Your allies: (all measurements are approximate, see here ) Here is the link: … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Link missing from previous post