member blog: rohroh
rohroh
From
Belfast NI
Member since
10th Oct 2008
About
I'm a single mum recovering from ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I'm also a Fibre Artist (embroidery meets fine art) and volunteer a little time at Arts & Disability Forum, Belfast.
I'm a qualified Aromatherapist but can't massage due to health reasons so I make Pulse Blends for friends instead.
And I want to relearn the lost art of cooking REAL food. Fell into the trap of making ready meals, although try to buy organic, as I couldn't stand at cooker due to fatigue. Really concerned about effect of this on my son (10). And have put on loads of weight which has slowed me up.
Time for change...
rohroh's blog posts
too much tablet...
Sun 22 Feb 2009GENERAL BLOG
have...to...stop...making...granny's...tablet...
Tablet...or is it Fudge?
Sat 14 Feb 2009GENERAL BLOG
When I was wee my sister used to make brittle fudge, following this recipe written down by our Granny Gallagher. And when we tasted store bought fudge it was always soft and creamy, unlike ours. Found out years later that what we made at home is called Tablet...
After 3 attempts I finally suceeded in making it like Sis..
Recipe:
1 lb granulated sugar
1/4 pint full cream milk
1 tsp glucose (optional)
2 Tblsp cream or evaporated milk
2 ozs butter
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
(I used semi-skimmed milk, no glucose, cream and a vanilla pod)
Method:
Put sugar and milk into pan over a low heat. (Use a large saucepan)
Stir gently until dissolved.
Add glucose if using.
Add cream and butter and continue to boil fudge stirring occasionally. (This point is critical...as soon as you've added the cream and butter turn the heat right up. I also added vanilla from the pod at this point - worked better)
Test drops of fudge by dropping small drops in cup of cold water.
If balls form then fudge is cooked. (It should also have turned a lovely light caramel colour)
Remove from heat and add vanilla essence.
Beat mixture forward to catch air and until mixture looks creamy and thick.
Turned into oiled pan and leave to cool.
Cut into pieces.
This is real tooth-rot stuff and if you're fond of sweet things it can be very addictive...
Sun getting low...time to head home...
Tue 10 Feb 2009GENERAL BLOG
Belfast castle is a beautiful place...more like a big house with turrets but has great lawns, a garden with cats hidden everywhere - in stone, mosaic, metal - all with catlike poses peeping into the pond or basking in the sunshine (Summer!), and amazing walks through the woods/hills behind...
3 COMMENTS
Enjoying the snow in Belfast Castle grounds...
Tue 10 Feb 2009GENERAL BLOG
Friends took us up the road (quite near) to Belfast Castle who thoughtfully included sloping lawns (slightly rough terraine) when they designed the grounds...perfect for sledging/sleighing...
We were having a discussion re sledges and sleighs...anyone have thoughts re the difference? Maybe it's a bit like "you say pot-ae-to and I say pot-aa-to..."
Jamie's Asian Chicken Noodle Soup
Mon 02 Feb 2009GENERAL BLOG
Scrmdiddlyumptious! Very easy to make and could be varied depending upon what's in the larder.
I used ground ginger as Tescos didn't have fresh (my fave deli is in town so not always handy) but root ginger would have lifted the flavour.
No mange tout in Tescos - so I used sugarsnap peas whch worked well.
I also thinly sliced a mushroom into the stock.
Used the baby sweetcorn but not the asparagus as Harry not too fond of it.
The stock I used was an organic vegetable boullion - very nice.
And couldn't get rice noodles in Tescos so used some dried egg noodles instead - not so delicate but they soaked up the flavours nicely. 
All in all a zingy soup with floating veg and noodles - Harry scoffed all but the mushrooms and thought the actual soup was 'too vinegary' but after discussion discovered he thought the ginger too much...will try with root and he's excited about tasting the difference...he was supposed to make it with me but the lure of a day on the windy beach of Newcastle (NI) with friends scuppered that plan. 
he's got a better social life than I have!
Also made a soda bread - first time ever! Not sure about the recipe - said to use cream of tarter with baking powder instead of bicarbonate of soda...maybe that's what b o s is made of??? Little research needed... Perhaps I took it out of the oven a little early but the base sounded drumlike...when cut it wasn't what el mama used to make but instead was a bit doughy...
So when my pal Paula arrived today for lunch I had sliced the soda bread, laid it flat on a baking sheet and brushed it with olive oil, crushed garlic and basil...roasted it slightly and that helped the texture...it went quite well with the soup. Then coffee with homemade fruit and nut cookies! Oooooh I am progressing rather well if I do say so myself...now where did I put that halo?................
rohroh's foodwise posts
