Birthday

Cooking for eleven can be a challenge, especially in our miniscule kitchen. But somehow I pulled it off for my birthday a few weeks ago. I was too distracted to really take any photos, but did manage to catch the apple-plum pie before it went in the oven and the delicious lemon meringue pie that a friend brought. (Two of five desserts, mind you)

The Birthday Menu - 27 April 2008

Prosecco, Cava and various red wines including a Carménère from Chile and some Rioja

Fennel, beet and potato salad

Fennel, celery, shrimp and calamari salad

Frittata with zucchini, pecorino romano and pecorino sardo

Chicken with olives

Roast chicken with sage, parsley, rosemary, garlic and pancetta

Torta della Nonna (sweet pastry crust filled with lemon, ricotta and pine nut mixture)

Apple - Plum pie

Fruit salad*

Lemon meringue pie*

Marisol's apple tart with custard*

Moscato di Pantelleria (my dad's)

Needless to say, we only got through about four of the five desserts. A success all around with a bit of swing dancing at the end. A * denotes it was kindly made by a friend!

Borshch | Food & History

I highly recommend the following article on the history of borshch from the Saturday Guardian Magazine (15/03/08). Food as a study of culture and politics is always juicy reading material. Who knew there was so much pride behind borshch?

The Story of Borshch: It's just a bowl of beetroot and cabbage in meat stock. But it was the common denominator of the Soviet kitchen. So what happened to the dish after the collapse of the Union? by James Meek, photos by Justin Jin (including photo above, courtesy of the Guardian).

"Our men won't forgive us if we don't make it," said Yulia.
"Can men make it?" I asked.
"No!" chorused the Ukrainians.
"We haven't really taken on board the idea of men cooking," said Volodimir.

I think I'm going to try making it! Perfect for these rainy, cold and very grey days.