Category: Food & Drink

First Slice Your Cookbook

The Earldom of Moray, pronounced “Murray” like the tennis player, is an ancient Scottish title going back to the 14th century. We need not concern ourselves with those early holders of the title. The 18th Earl, born in 1894, married a Barbara Murray from Fifth Avenue, New York, in 1922. I wonder if they were… Continue reading First Slice Your Cookbook

Farmers’ Markets

When farmers’ markets first came to London they were fun, a shopping destination on Saturday morning. Now …

Three in a Canoe

In museums I find that I’m often looking at the exhibits through a prism of my family history. There was no question of this today.

Un Déjeuner Sérieux

This week I’m a guest in an old farmhouse rented by friends. It’s in the Dordogne, favoured destination for the English since the 14th century when for a time it was under English rule. My first visit to this part of France. The country is more heavily wooded than the Gers and the contours much… Continue reading Un Déjeuner Sérieux

In the Soup

The family snap I posted a few days ago brought back some memories of growing up in the 1950s and 60s in rural Ireland that might, perhaps, amuse you.

A Venetian Aperitivo

Campari is no rarity on British shelves but, until the last few years, Aperol was hard to buy. I used to ask a friend to bring a bottle back when she was in Italy. Now Aperol is ubiquitous.

Posh Salt

My youngest god-daughter, Dorelia, is fashion-forward. She came back from a trip to Paris with her father with two birthday presents for me.

Croissants for Breakfast

Croissant in French means crescent (and as a noun can be used to describe a new moon) but not all croissants are crescent-shaped.