Category: Food & Drink

Cod & Prawns

“Beautifully simple recipe: cod & prawns with fennel & white wine. (Prepare 5 minutes, Cook 25 minutes.)” I was enchanted by this tempting supper on a Waitrose shelf.

Rokeby’s Half Crown

Rokeby Hall is a fine Georgian house in Co Louth not far from Grangebellew. It was built for Richard Robinson, 1st Baron Rokeby and Archbishop of Armagh. My brother, also a Baron, is at present only a Diocesan Reader in Armagh but I have hopes that he may follow in Lord Rokeby’s ecclesiastical footsteps.

Among the Chickens

It’s a fine thing to keep free range hens if they can be kept out of the flower beds and safe from foxes. They make soothing clucking noises, lay eggs and look decorative.

Gaucho

Investec winces at being called a stock broker, it prefers to be known as a wealth manager – how common. It is perhaps not surprising that this financial services behemoth sponsors sporting events including the Epsom Derby.

Quarkini

Forgive me, for I have sinned; sins of omission are my special weakness. Earlier this summer I moaned about the bus replacement service after Ariadne auf Naxos at Longborough. You were entitled to think that I was on that bus when the reality is that I went back with my host in an ultra-comfy BMW.

Prom Virgins

I was a little surprised that neither of my guests on Thursday evening had been to the Proms before, especially as one is a little older than me, but they do live in Ireland.

Ham-Class

Ninety-three Ham-class minesweepers were launched between 1954 and 1959 and they cost a bob or two.

Eat Fish

“It’s brain,” I said: “pure brain! What do you do to get like that Jeeves? I believe you must eat a lot of fish, or something. Do you eat a lot of fish, Jeeves?” “No sir.” (My Man Jeeves, PG Wodehouse)

Hot News

There’s been so much happening in London that I must take a break from Kyrgyzstan. I was doing the drying up in the kitchen and for the first time spotted Eddie Redmayne.