I`ve just written a long piece about my trip to Dieppe and lost it all. SHIT.
Ron.

BACK FROM FRANCE, and our first experience of The EURO.
The change over of currency was almost a non event in Dieppe. Not a lot of fuss. No long queues at A.T.M`s in fact no lines at all. I got my first Euros at 10 past midnight on 1st Jan. but didn`t spend any actual cash until 2nd. Jan. Paid for the meal on Jan 1st. with plastic. The only anti feedback that we got was from 2 cafe owners,(both friends of ours) their beef was that they had to have two different lots of change. It was a bit strange as if everyone was in a foriegn country, examining all their money all the time.
Tomorrow I`ll come back to the site to give details of all the great meals that we had , because that`s about all we did for 6 days.

Ron.

DAY OUT IN LONDON.

Up early to get myself organised. First thing that I saw this morning, was that the England Cricket team is in a bit of a hole in the final Test Match of the series in India, it`s up to the captain, Nasser Hussian, to get them out of the mess.

I`m going to the Q.P.R. shop to get some family presents, it seems that they have a very good calendar this year, then I`m going into Central London to see my old mate Ray Smith and buy some records at his wonderful shop. (Ray`s Jazz Shop. in case you didn`t know.) Ray and I used to play cricket together for "The Ravers" the jazz musicians team.

I plan to have lunch in a really good restaurant with my youngest, Hazel. I will keep you all informed.
There is a wonderful Polish place in Shepherds Bush called the Patio, in Goldhawk Road. it has had lots of very good reviews. Claudia and I went there after we went to see Q.P.R. play the first game of the season, it lived up to the reputation. However I don`t think that Hazel wants to venture that far west, so I suppose that we will go and annoy one of my other mates, either Alastair Little or Brian Turner. Both of them can cook a bit.

That`s all folks.

Ron.

COMMENTS.

You don`t have to e-mail me to comment. As I haven`t worked out how to get a counter onto this site yet it would be interesting for me to know about visits to the site. Just click on the "COMMENT" button and just say Hi! It would be nice if I did get some feedback though.

Ron.

RE. KEEP TRYING.

I followed the link on the Blogger home page and found a fascinating site, an interesting overview of why we Blog. Well woth going to and bookmarking.

I have been quite busy updating my cookery sites. Giving advice and recipes. Please give them a look and me a comment. The link is "The Real Ron Gould." on the left. I am anxious for feedback because as a newcomer to this sort of writing and publishing I need help and advice too. I see it as a giant swap shop where I can exchange the expertise that I have for some of yours, which will help me to improve my sites and so expand and share with even more people.

FOOD FOR SHUL.

To-day I have done some cooking for a Chavarah supper to-night and lunch to-morrow at the Synagogue. I have had a salmon pickling since Monday for Gravlax.
( Recipe of the month, on The Real Ron Gould, click link no.1 on the left.), to be served with sunflower seed pumpernickle and fresh green pickles. I have also made a wild mushroom and asparagus penne salad, dressed with really olivy oil and lemon juice, For deserts,I have made a party size ,Tiramisu enough for 24 portions, A large pear tart with chocolate frangipane, glazed with apricot and caramellised sugar. I think that should keep them happy.

For those that don`t know a Chavarah is just one of those functions that people bring food to to share like a church picnic or whatever. It helps to bring the congregation together. This one is special though because it is "Shabat Channukah" That is the Sabbath in Channukah. We will be lighting the 6th candle
to-night, singing lots of songs and generally having a good time.

Back Sunday.

By the way if you want any of the above recipes please let me know.

Ron.

YES IT WORKS NOW.

Amazing how much of this stuff you can pick up in a short space of time. Still there is lots more to learn.

I have been asked for a Christmas dinner recipe for beeg without just roasting it or making Bourgignon.

Check out the Kitchen Wizard to-morrow for a couple of gems.


Ron.

p.s. for the above click on The Real Ron Gould and follow the links.

USELESS LINKS.

I see that I had typed in the link to the art page wrongly. I hope that it has not caused any problems, I think that I have fixed it now. I will go and look.

O.K. SO I DIDN`T GO TO SHUL TODAY.

Alright already. My ribs still hurt. I have discovered however that I can sit and type quite comfortably.
So The Real Ron Gould has some recipes on it. Let me know what you think.
I`m going to stop playing with the machine now, and go upstair to prepare the marinade for my KLEFTICO.
Claudia and I are not going to have the FASSOULIA or the BAKLAVA, because I really don`t feel up to that much cooking.
I think that I will make some "Runner Beans in a Tomato Coulis" and I have some nice little red skinned salad potatoes that I shall just steam, classic
"Pommes Vapeur."
That`s for Sunday. Hazel won`t be here but there will be enough left over for her to take for her lunch to Glyndebourne on Monday.

To-night I think that Claudia and I will have some really nice pasta served with a very plain sauce, Mushrooms and Garlic sauteed in Olive Oil
Pasta is easy, ain`t it.

Quick recipe;

500 gms. (1lb.) Italian 00 flour.
15 eggs.
Mix and kneed for 10 mins.
Roll out very thin. using a good pin or a pasta roller.
Cut into strips leave for about an hour to dry.
Cook in boiling salted water for about 6/7 mins.

Serve with a simple sauce so that you can taste the pasta.

What could be easier or nicer.

Ron.