Wednesday, August 06, 2003
The time has come, the walrus says, to talk of many things. Mainly about blogs. Today, on Radio Five Live (909 and 693 MV in Britain), also available via live webstreaming here we're wrapping up Madeleine's Kitchen Challenge with a discussion about blogs with a couple of people who know. We'll also be conducting a live web chat of sorts, so go to the website to log on and chat about blogging.
Thanks to all those who've read my blog, and who've contributed either via email or on the comments. Thanks especially to Daisy who tried her damnedest to make me into a proper blogger, and Andrew who helped me do stuff.
To find out what I really thought of blogging, go to the Five Live site and listen to the chatter. If the best thing I can say about it is that I learnt a few new recipes, then that's not bad.
And so, dear friends, onto the final kitchen challenge...
KITCHEN CHALLENGE #13 (unlucky for some) - White Chocolate Brownies (with walnuts obviously)
GUEST REVIEWERS A Bevy of Madeleine's Colleagues say:
"Mmmmm....."
That was all they could say as the BoMC were so busy stuffing their faces. This recipe is so totally easy you will kick yourself for never making them before now. And if you make them for your work colleagues, I can promise you your stock will go up no end. Or, eat them all yourself for that truly drowning in chocolate feeling we all like once in a while. Find the recipe here.
Happy blogging!
Madeleine
Thanks to all those who've read my blog, and who've contributed either via email or on the comments. Thanks especially to Daisy who tried her damnedest to make me into a proper blogger, and Andrew who helped me do stuff.
To find out what I really thought of blogging, go to the Five Live site and listen to the chatter. If the best thing I can say about it is that I learnt a few new recipes, then that's not bad.
And so, dear friends, onto the final kitchen challenge...
KITCHEN CHALLENGE #13 (unlucky for some) - White Chocolate Brownies (with walnuts obviously)
GUEST REVIEWERS A Bevy of Madeleine's Colleagues say:
"Mmmmm....."
That was all they could say as the BoMC were so busy stuffing their faces. This recipe is so totally easy you will kick yourself for never making them before now. And if you make them for your work colleagues, I can promise you your stock will go up no end. Or, eat them all yourself for that truly drowning in chocolate feeling we all like once in a while. Find the recipe here.
Happy blogging!
Madeleine
Monday, August 04, 2003
I'm definitely getting bored of blogging. Despite still dutifully undertaking the kitchen challenges, it's getting less and less exciting putting them up on the web. Infact, it's become a downright chore.
I've noticed with quite a few other blogs I've looked at that there is definitely the element of the new toy about it. In a very similar fashion to my Glow-Princess Barbie (Christmas 1985), I am leaving it discarded at the bottom of my (cyber) toy box, and am progressively moving on to other fun things
Oh no! I've fallen into the classic blogger trap - write drivel, posing it as thoughts that are actually worth something, and publishing them. Shame on me!! Back to the KITCHEN CHALLENGE!!!
As I said, I've done a couple over the last couple of days, all involving my feature ingredient of the walnut. Here, in entirely the wrong order, they are.
KITCHEN CHALLENGE #13 - Asparagus, Fennel and Walnut Salad. Quite nice. Tasted a little bitter not only due to the Chicory, but also the fact that Madeleine's Boyfriend didn't come home to eat it, and DIDN'T CALL until three hours after the was due home to say he was coming home last. Hence the Guest Reviewer isn't MB, as orginally intended but your truly.
GUEST REVIEWER Madeleine says:
"Nice. Would've been nicer if I didn't have to eat it on my own with only the remote control for company."
Hmmm.... clearly some unresolved issues there Madeleine. But this is getting boring, so this is how you do it. Steam a bunch of asparagus for 2 minutes then plunge in cold water to cease the cooking. Slice two fennel bulbs, steam them until they're tender and plunge also. Chop up two chicory hearts, mix them in with some rocket and some chopped up walnut pieces to taste and then squeeze the juice of half an orange over that mixture. Divide it into bowls and then put the asparagus and fennel over the top in an arty way, and pour over some lush, citrus based dressing.
This is a little similar to..
KITCHEN CHALLENGE #12 - Nectarine, Stilton and Walnut salad.
GUEST REVIEWER Madeleine (MB was out with friends) says:
"Blue cheese rocks and works so well with nectarines and walnuts. This would make a lovely entree. It's totally easy, but looks totally classy."
As Madeleine writes in her wonderfully succint review (oh god, I have personality separation going on here. That's a worry), this is very easy. Slice up a nectarine in nice thin slices. Mix with a packet of wild rocket, some chunks of stilton and pieces of chopped, roasted walnuts. Use the aforementioned posh, citrus based dressing and you're laughing. Cracked pepper is good over the top too.
I have made something else this week but I forget what it is. Oh well. I really am over this aren't I?
If you're not, then email me.
I've noticed with quite a few other blogs I've looked at that there is definitely the element of the new toy about it. In a very similar fashion to my Glow-Princess Barbie (Christmas 1985), I am leaving it discarded at the bottom of my (cyber) toy box, and am progressively moving on to other fun things
Oh no! I've fallen into the classic blogger trap - write drivel, posing it as thoughts that are actually worth something, and publishing them. Shame on me!! Back to the KITCHEN CHALLENGE!!!
As I said, I've done a couple over the last couple of days, all involving my feature ingredient of the walnut. Here, in entirely the wrong order, they are.
KITCHEN CHALLENGE #13 - Asparagus, Fennel and Walnut Salad. Quite nice. Tasted a little bitter not only due to the Chicory, but also the fact that Madeleine's Boyfriend didn't come home to eat it, and DIDN'T CALL until three hours after the was due home to say he was coming home last. Hence the Guest Reviewer isn't MB, as orginally intended but your truly.
GUEST REVIEWER Madeleine says:
"Nice. Would've been nicer if I didn't have to eat it on my own with only the remote control for company."
Hmmm.... clearly some unresolved issues there Madeleine. But this is getting boring, so this is how you do it. Steam a bunch of asparagus for 2 minutes then plunge in cold water to cease the cooking. Slice two fennel bulbs, steam them until they're tender and plunge also. Chop up two chicory hearts, mix them in with some rocket and some chopped up walnut pieces to taste and then squeeze the juice of half an orange over that mixture. Divide it into bowls and then put the asparagus and fennel over the top in an arty way, and pour over some lush, citrus based dressing.
This is a little similar to..
KITCHEN CHALLENGE #12 - Nectarine, Stilton and Walnut salad.
GUEST REVIEWER Madeleine (MB was out with friends) says:
"Blue cheese rocks and works so well with nectarines and walnuts. This would make a lovely entree. It's totally easy, but looks totally classy."
As Madeleine writes in her wonderfully succint review (oh god, I have personality separation going on here. That's a worry), this is very easy. Slice up a nectarine in nice thin slices. Mix with a packet of wild rocket, some chunks of stilton and pieces of chopped, roasted walnuts. Use the aforementioned posh, citrus based dressing and you're laughing. Cracked pepper is good over the top too.
I have made something else this week but I forget what it is. Oh well. I really am over this aren't I?
If you're not, then email me.
