15/07/2009 by Aileen.

If it had been The Swinton

1. the rice would have been moulded into a timbale shape.
2. the chef wouldn’t have just chucked the turmeric in to add a little colour, he/she would have measured it carefully.
3. he/she wouldn’t have had to subsitute mushrooms for carrots
4. he/she wouldn’t have just swamped the wok with Thai 7 Spice
5. three big prawns would have rested on a neat bed of veg with the sauce drizzled round the edge

As it was, I ladled a glorious muddle of taste onto our plates and we had a really delicious meal. I looked at several recipes online, and the nearest to my creation is

http://www.waitrose.com/recipes/index.aspx?recipeuid=3c13380f-5aea-4d1e-af66-5cf144fbd271

Night, folks. See you in the morning.

Posted in Uncategorized | Print | No Comments »

15/07/2009 by Aileen.

And didn’t we have a lovely time! Arrived late-ish on Saturday so just chilled until dinner. Rich food.

Sunday.  Full ‘Swinton’ breakfast. Saw the hotel’s birds being flown in the morning, and we explored the extensive grounds in the afternoon. John brought his cycle attachment, and it was just as well. What was described as a gentle slope was actually quite difficult as the front wheel doesn’t grip very well - all the weight is at the back in the wheelchair. Took photos! Another rich meal.

Monday. Went to Fountains Abbey. What was so annoying was that there was a service taking place in the ruins as we arrived at midday. I said to John I bet it’s to do with St. Benedict as it was his feast the day before, and it would have been transferred to the Monday. Anyway, after a café lunch and stroll round the grounds we eventually ended up at the abbey, and I found a service sheet. It had been a Mass in honour of St. Benedict. I’m so annoyed I didn’t inquire what the service was. I’m a Benedictine Oblate (sort of attached to Benedictines as I like their brand of spirituality - moderation in all things basically) so it would have been really nice to have taken part. Also, I didn’t make Mass on the Sunday as there didn’t seem anywhere to go locally. Anyway, back to a rich evening meal again. (Oops! Sorry St. Benedict)

Tuesday. In the morning John went clay pigeon shooting and I took photos of him. I got a shot of the target breaking in two. From there we went to Thorp Perrow Aboretum and saw the birds of prey display there. Unfortunately I felt sick all day. Too much to eat I think. I only had tea and toast for breakfast. Couldn’t enjoy the day too much. I didn’t even have the energy to get down low to take photos of the falcons etc.

I tried to eat the evening meal, but had to leave the table and go to bed. It was a shame, as it was a good day otherwise. John really enjoyed the shooting.

Today. Home again. I’m wondering what to cook for the evening meal that would be up to Swinton standards. I have prawns in the freezer and kale and spinach in the garden, so Mr Google might come to the rescue. (You can see I’m better. Thinking of food again!)

Posted in leisure, birds, health | Print | No Comments »