Monday ramblings
japra | Jan 26, 2009 | Comments 15
If you’ve read this blog for a while, you know about my ongoing love of bikes in Europe, specifically in The Netherlands. I saw this sad little bicycle in London along the Thames a couple of weekends ago. Poor thing. I have photos of happier bikes here and here.
We went to a nearby garden for tea on Saturday. Or rather I should say Roxi and I had tea while Mr. DJ and Trudy mucked around in the cold but sunny afternoon.
Roxi and I had a cozy time inside the cafe’s wall-of-windows. It was a great view from where we sat, but we especially admired all of the sturdy folks who were sunning on the terrace in their winter coats. Brr!
Anyway, what I really want to report is I ate a wonderful cake that I must find an excuse to make one day soon. Have you ever tried St. Clement’s cake? Actually, now that I look at the recipe, I realize that it would probably be easier, and better for the waistline, to go back to the garden and enjoy an occasional tea with a slice of that nutty, citrusy cake.
And speaking of food, I made Homesick Texan’s Mexican chorizo and flour tortillas this weekend. Hurray! Huevos con Chorizo breakfast tacos in England at last. Recipe? Scramble some eggs with pre-cooked (and drained) Mexican chorizo. Fill a flour tortilla with the cooked egg/chorizo mixture and top with a little grated cheddar cheese and pico de gallo (a mix of cilantro/coriander, diced onions, and diced tomatoes), if you like. Mmmm.
BTW, I didn’t have Guajillo chilies on hand for the chorizo recipe, though I see they are available in the UK from MexGrocer. I used Ancho chili powder instead (shhh). It was still good. And while we’re in the Mexican breakfast mood, I just remembered I posted a Migas recipe a while back. I need to make that soon too.
Bee, I am reading (and loving) Laurie Colwin’s Family Happiness. Thanks for the recommendation!
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.
That’s definitely a sad-looking bike. Maybe it’s been vandalised. Many thanks.
Greetings from London.
that Huevos con Chorizo sounds worth trying, thanks. and sounds like a wonderful weekend despite the weather.
So sad.
Of all the things I’d figured we’d miss when we lived in Europe, I hadn’t anticipated Mexican food would top the list.
I think we found two places the entire time we were there – one in Cork, Ireland. So we celebrated St. Patty’s Day at a Mexican restaurant!
Chorizo wasn’t an option in our small Irish village…glad you’re able to get your fix.
A Cuban in London–I think it must have been. It was the chain that got me.
Christine–Can you get decent tortillas in the store where you live? I can’t eat the ones here. I tried three times, but every time, I threw them out.
P-D–I know! I wonder what happens to these abandoned bikes? I suppose at some point the city must cut them off, eh?
Fantastic Forrest–You missed it too, eh? How long were you in Europe and where did you live?
I bet that bike has been canibalised! :0
We were in Murrisk, County Mayo for a year, but also traveled a lot in the UK, France, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Austria. Dipped a toe in Switzerland and the Netherlands.
Can’t wait to return! Please, Fulbright people, say YES to our application!!
Duh. Forgot Germany. Loved Germany. But no Mexican food there…
JaRA, you have me in the mood now. It’s chile rellenos and fajitas for dinner tonight.
Umm, your food sounds SO good. I am just craving those tacos.
I’m glad that you are enjoying Family Happiness. I deeply identify with Polly . . . except that I don’t have a “Linky.”
Japra, I’ve seen some packaged tortillas, they all look good to me. They are popular for wraps as they are low fat, I think. Btw, I finally noticed a nice looking Mexican restaurant the other day near the movie place where we went to see Slumdog. I should check out the menu.
Now I am homesick for Mexican food (not the same in Calif. as Texas) but close enough. I found pinto beans at Tesco in the Indian section (and they were reasonable priced!)
Must try that cake…
Mind if I put this on expatmumsblog.com for some other homesick Texans to enjoy?
Akelamalu–Sadly, I think you are right.
Fantastic Forrest–Oh, you are killing me! I was just thinking some chicken stuffed pablanos would be very nice. I have not tried making beef fajitas… EVER! We always just went out when we had a craving. Sad. Fingers crossed for you for a return. Isn’t it great to be able to travel so much in Europe and not be jet lagged?!
Bee–I think many of us can identify with Polly (sans Linky). So now I am finished with FH. Must buy more Colwin! BTW, do you make Tex-Mex for yourself? I made two pounds of chorizo, cooked it all, and then froze most of it in little baggies for future cravings. Maybe you just need to drop by my house next time you’re in the neighborhood and we can gorge ourselves on Tex-Mex and “y’all” to all we want. ;-)
Christine–If you go to that restaurant, I want details!! Haha ;-)
Thames–When I make Homesick Texan’s Borracho beans, I am transported. Can you tell I’m a big fan?! Thank you for asking about using this post–yes you may!
Chorizo is good on nachos, too! With some refried beans, por supuesto! mmmMimsy
JAPRA – I had Audrey over for lunch today, and we ate the chicken tortilla soup (from the recipe that you gave me!). She loved it, as did I; my kids found it too spicy. And no, I don’t eat Tex-Mex enough. I rarely if ever cook for myself.
I think you are right about Polly — people-pleasers (who think that they always have to be “good” to be loved) will all identify with her.
Mimsy–Oh, that sounds delish as well. I haven’t tried making refried beans, though I love them so.
Bee–Lucky Audrey! I’m glad she liked it. I was thinking I need to make a batch of tortilla soup soon and freeze single serving sizes. But first, I have to make Texas chili next week for the Staff luncheon next week at Roxi’s school.