I frequently go to a hardware store in Italy that we refer to as Aladdin’s Cave for obv reasons. I’m particularly fond of their white leather gardening gloves (the soft, snug fit goes down a treat – MJ would have done well to have bought a pair) and update my ‘wardrobe’ on every trip. I say ‘pair’ but realised over the weekend that I have now racked up 11 left handed gloves. Needless to say I did a fair bit of finger pointing first. (Mil, Haze… who’s nicked my gloves! I can only find the left hand…)
Now I feel fairly justified is my reasoning; what logical person would sell piles of left handed and right handed gloves, without appropriate labeling: LEFT HERE, RIGHT BELOW etc? Admittedly they’ve labelled up the varying sizes but surely they’ve missed a fairly fundamental requirement. People have two hands: one left and one right. Therefore they need one each. This seems fairly simple to me. I’d like to think that other people would also fall foul of the Italian ‘system’ and share my left-handed wonderment.
Until July when I return, my gardening projects will have to be undertaken with 1 beautiful, kid leather baby soft glove and my daughter’s miniscule, right handed, pink Laura Ashley one. The Cave has truly flummoxed me this time around. Or maybe I’m just stupid.
I have wanted to replace the baked potato shot on the website – the previous shot looked clean & simple, but I decided it wasn’t yummy & oozy enough. On Monday, we had a play in the studio & tested various versions of the pot – mixed beans, butter (made with Dave’s herb & chilli butter) and egg mayo. They all tasted great & I was happy with the final result, deciding the simpler potato with butter was the best option.
The egg mayo combo with warm potato is a real ‘comfort food’ winner. For extra yumminess, add salted anchovies & sweet pineapple. Sweet and savoury? Don’t mind if I do…
VETOED
THERE WE HAVE YA
There is seldom a week without a new food program on TV. I like Gordon Ramsey’s new Far Eastern series although his swearing and treatment of locals really annoys me. Does anyone like Gordon (whether it be Ramsey or Brown)? I know what I would do with the bull’s penis…… In comparison, Antonio Carluccio’s 2 Greedy Italians is charming and a fresh approach to Italian food and life. See his picture with his “piccolo puppy”. As he says “an old bison likes fresh grass” and Millie seems pretty happy??
After this picture was taken he enjoyed fish & chips at the Lanesborough. Glad he appreciates a good chip supper – although I bet he didn’t have a pickled egg on the side (& curry sauce)
We have had a quieter week, so have caught up with a few mates in the business. Our Goodfellas posters are everywhere and last week’s Tesco’s Real Food ads were featured in this week’s Campaign Magazine.
With the Bank Holiday ahead, I have every intention of sitting in my rocker….& rocking
It’s typical that the first day of the 1st Test ( & Chelsea Flower Show) coincides with the first deluge of summer and even more fitting that I was caught toasting it with a chilled sherry. Weather aside, this is such a great summer drink – beautifully cool on a hot day. Found in some of London’s best Spanish bars and restaurants, Fino in Charlotte Street does a good job as does Brindisi in Borough Market. Moro is Exmouth Mkt is another favourite of mine, whilst its off shoot and scruffier neighbour, Morito also serves great tapas.
There’s no better combo than squeezing into one of these buzzing bars on a sat night and grazing on tapas & a few glasses of dry fino. This Saturday’s perfect Champion League warm-up/ warm-down and precursor to the Taste of Spain Festival in London next week…. Go Barca!
