Today is one of those days I wish we had a fireplace
japra | Nov 10, 2008 | Comments 19
Trudy in front of a snug little cottage not far from where she likes to run. Doesn’t it look like Snow White must live there? Taken on my Blackberry Pearl.
I finally am feeling just about normal! I got sick on Oct 31 with a sore throat, fever, cough, and eventually laryngitis for four days. Roxi, on the other hand, recovered quickly. I took her to the doctor as soon after she started showing signs of being sick. She is left with an irritating cough, but feels well enough to go to school today. Oh, and since she had been fever-free for 48 hours, I let her go see Wicked (yes again, second time this year, third time total) with her best friend on Saturday. As for Mr. DJ, he had cold symptoms earlier last week, but he managed to avoid the strep part. It should be noted he took a LOT of vitamin C when he felt like he was starting to come down with something.
It’s raining this morning. The sky is grey but with the fall colours, it still looks a picture. By the way, I still am having a hard time adjusting to these short days. The sun starts going down about 2:30 PM and by 4:30, it’s pitch dark. I really need a cup of tea with caffeine in the afternoons to get me over the 6PM slump. It feels like we should go to bed by 7PM!
On an expat note, I think it is significant to report that the current exchange rate is £1 = $1.57 US (down from £1 = $2.10 US this time last year). How this relates to me specifically is yesterday, I ordered one of those handy Netbook computers here in England for less than I would have spent in the US. Using today’s conversion rate, my Netbook cost £234 or $367 (including VAT). Through Amazon.com (US), the same computer is $399.
What I cooked this weekend: Carabba’s Sausage and Puy Lentil Soup (subbing smoked kielbasa for Italian sausage and adding in more veggies and more garlic), Homesick Texan’s Wacky Apple Cake (which is a very moist and almost gooey, like an English pudding), and Moroccan Chicken Tanjie. The recipe for the Tanjie used to be on meals.com. However, something has happened to that site. It’s highly branded now and they seemed to have taken down a bunch of recipes. Luckily, I had this one printed off in my food binder. But as a backup, here’s the recipe.
Moroccan Chicken Tajine (from the former meals.com)
“Arab in origin tajine or tagine is cooked in an earthenware dish by the same name. Drizzled with honey and peppered with apricots, this chicken tagine is moist and savory.”
Estimated Times:
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 120 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
8 fresh chicken thighs
1/4 cup honey
1 onion peeled and chopped
3 cloves garlic peeled and chopped
2 cinnamon sticks (I just shake a little ground cinnamon on each piece of chicken)
Juice of one lemon
2 teaspoons turmeric (just sprinkle a little on each thigh)
1/2 cup chopped dried apricot
Directions
Preheat oven to 350-degrees F (about 180-degrees C).
Arrange chicken thighs in the bottom of a roaster or oven-safe dish (I line mine with foil for easy clean up). Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Pour honey over chicken, sprinkle with onion and garlic cloves. Add cinnamon sticks to pan on either side of chicken; sprinkle with lemon and turmeric. Top with apricots . Cover and bake for about 1 1/2 hours or until chicken is tender; uncover for final 20-30 minutes. Remove cinnamon sticks before serving.
I serve this with couscous.
Filed Under: Blog • Expat Life • Food
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
Trudy really “suits” the Snow White house. They both look picturesque. As I drove through the forest this morning, there was the most amazing arbor of yellow and orange trees. Your description reminded me of it again.
And thanks for more good recipe ideas! The apple cake I made sounds really similar to the wacky cake. It made a good breakfast. :)
That’s the cutest little cottage!
It’s interesting how viruses hit some people really hard and others just brush it off. I’m glad Roxi got off lightly.
It’s also interesting, the expat perspective on the British pound. To the British, it would mean they’re getting a lot less US$ for their money! (right?)
I copied down that Moroccan Chicken recipe, I seem to have all the ingredients except the chicken today!
Bee–I can’t believe how much it is raining today! I know I’ve been out of Texas too long when I think an all day soaker is “torrential”. It’s almost time for another piece of cake.
Christine–Well, we are very unhappy with what is happening with the Pound. However, it makes UK prices look a little better when we bother to convert to dollars! I hope you enjoy the Moroccan chicken. I just had some leftovers for lunch. Yum!
Very picturesque.
Wow – you’ve been down almost two weeks! Poor thing.
What is always interesting to me is how different people have different times of day when they ‘slump’, or when they are hungry, or when they are most creative. I am almost always hungry around 1030 or 1100 am, even if I’ve had breakfast. I usually slump in the afternoon between 430 and 6, and I’m probably most creative around 6am.
I am glad you’re feeling better! And I think I would share your difficulty with darkness beginning at 2:30!
This new exchange rate is killing me. It’s cheaper now, but I don’t have time to go!
Rebecca–I’m glad you agree. Sometimes I still can’t believe I live somewhere like this!
Emm–I am SO tired of being sick. Thanks for your sympathies!
Chris–Oh, gosh, I never thought of that. I get hungry for “real food” about 10:00 too! I prefer working in the evening, but most of the time, I have to try to get my work done between 8:30 AM – 3:15 PM–you know, school hours!
Pamela–Well, it doesn’t get dark at 2:30, but 2:30 feels like 4:30 and 4:30 feels like 6:30… I hope your schedule clears in time to take advantage of the exchange rate!
I love that little house! So cute. My favorite style for a house is cottage and that one certainly fits the bill!
So glad you’re better! Must have been the same thing my husband’s been battling. It’s been over a week and he’s just now starting to recover.
Wicked, 3 times?! Lucky girl!
Alyson–I really wanted a good look in that cottage. There is something appealing about living small.
Sorry y ou got sick. My daughter had exactly the same. Husband currently fighting a heavy cold. Seems there’s lots about. Hope ou are well soon.
I copied the tangine recipe into word. I like Morroccan Tangine and this seems a simpler version.
The cottage does look darling. Have lots of cottages to post from my recent trip. One of the lovely things about England.
When I was a child we went knocking for a penny for the guy or sat on a street corner waiting for passers by. Do not think that has been done for a long time now.
Children don’t have bonfires like they used to.
Loved your chicken tajine, something about that long, slow stewing in the oven gave it so much flavour.
Barbara–Thank you for your kind words. I also appreciate you answering my “penny for a guy” question. I was waiting to see notices for a local bonfire, but never did. Too bad. Hope your family are on the mend by now.
Christine–So glad you liked it! I bet it would go well with your Indian rice too :-)
No!!!! I’m laughing. Every time I live in England the dollar drops to historic lows against the pound and then recovers when I leave. Then again I’m guessing it’s that we are all hurting.
At least something good is happening for someone with this awful crisis.
I hope you are feeling better now.
Is your cottage old, are you renting. The reason I ask is that it MUST have a fireplace and it should not be too difficult to open it up again. We have one and it gives so much comfort and pleasure. We close the shutters, switch off the lights and gave into it.
At least something good is happening for someone with this awful crisis.
I hope you are feeling better now.
Is your cottage old, are you renting. The reason I ask is that it MUST have a fireplace and it should not be too difficult to open it up again. We have one and it gives so much comfort and pleasure. We close the shutters, switch off the lights and gave into it.
Sarah–Yes, isn’t it awful! I’m try to think “long term”. Meanwhile, I am happy to have a new computer and not have to wait until Christmas!
Moannie–I dearly wish we were in a snug little cottage. Unfortunately, we are renting a more modern construction near my daughter’s school. Recently we’ve taken to hunkering down with our newest discovery, the hot water bottle. Candles are nice too. But I envy you your fireplace and shutters. It sounds very cosy!
I love Carrabba’s sausage and lentil soup! It’s a favorite of mine. But I do have to say that picture of Trudy in front of the darling house is to die for! She is soo cute – and the house is even cuter! This makes me want to come visit so bad. Nothing in WestU looks like this!!!!
C de T–I know! I am ready to move in as soon as they say the word. Do you think my humongous Italian leather couch would fit in there? Haha!