Overtime, Notice & Leftovers

I’ve had a really busy week at work and will be working for the next couple of weekends which is a major pain. It means that I can’t go to my beloved market for the next two Saturdays (himself will be given a list) and do all my bits around the house or cook any long slow dinners. That’s what I love about weekend & days off; meals are planned during the week and great enjoyment is made from putting them together and savouring them at the weekend. Unlike many of my friends, I love food shopping. I like to take time to stroll among the aisles and see what’s new. Himself enjoys the liquor section; he spends ions gazing at foreign ales and selecting one or two bottles of high octane import to be drank out of an oversized red wine glass after dinner. The only thing I don’t really like is the fact that I don’t have a trolley to bring around the market with me; I think I’m going to have to invest in one of those plaid trolleys you see grannies pulling behind them, well, maybe not.

            Another event that took place at work this week was me handing in my notice. I was a bit inspired by Eddie Hobbs of all people last year when I watched his program about how to spend your SSIA. The number one thing to do was to change. your. life which really rang home. I had spent a good chunk on home improvements but went through all my finances, made a spreadsheet to outline a savings plan and sent a deposit off to Ballymaloe Cookery School to hold a place on their certificate course beginning in April. Most friends and family weren’t too surprised, even at work, many people thought it was something I’d go into eventually as all I seem to talk about is food. But handing in my notice made it so much more real. I was awake all that night in a bit of a panic; what will I do after? What if I can’t find a job? What if I can’t pay my mortgage? What if I’m not good? What if I can’t handle a kitchen? Questions raced around in my head until I eventually nodded off and I’m sure I spent the night grinding my teeth in my sleep. That’s just me stressing about what might happen, of course, everything will probably be fine and I’ll be happy out working somewhere nice before setting up my own fabulous business (;o)) but Sarah’s a stresser and that’s just the way it goes.

            I cooked Sunday lunch for the family last weekend which was roasted sea bream served with roast potatoes and a caprese salad on the side. That was followed by rhubarb crumble and custard. I had to improvise with the crumble as my big dishes were going to be used for the fish & potatoes so I just baked the crumble on a baking tray & stewed the rhubarb in a saucepan. What a way to go. The crumble came out so crunchy, it was fantastic. I made the custard using up a Green Saffron vanilla pod which was perfect with it. Anyway, there were a few roasties left over which I used up during the week in a frittata. I used up two egg whites from the freezer to be mixed with one whole egg which made a really light supper. Here it is…

Bacon & Potato Frittata

with a green & mango salad

Serves 1

What You Need

1 small onion sliced

Some bacon bits (I used leftover bacon from a bacon & cabbage dinner)

2 cooked potatoes sliced pretty thick

1 whole egg (or 3 if you don’t have spare egg whites)

2 egg whites

A splash of milk

Juice of half a lemon

100ml olive oil

Half a mango

Some salad leaves

What You Do

·        In a bowl, whisk the eggs, milk & seasoning.

·        Heat some oil in a small pan and gently fry off the onions and add the bacon & potatoes after a few minutes.

·        Pour in the egg mix and allow them to cook for about five minutes. Finish the frittata under the grill until the top is a golden brown colour.

·        Mix the lemon & oil in a jar & dress the leaves. Chop up the mango & add to the salad. The zingy salad is great with the frittata.

Comments

[Rachel@fairycakeheaven]

ooooooooooooooo what a big move congratulations am so so jealous!!!! You'll be fantastic girl and don't doubt it for a second!!!!

[Sarah]

Thanks Rachel, I'm really looking forward to it. I went down a couple of weeks ago for a tour and you really couldn't meet a nicer bunch of people.

[Kieran]

That's so exciting! I'm sure you'll have a blast...

[Deborah]

How exciting Sarah! I'm very jealous! Hope you'll be blogging throughout... I really enjoyed when Caroline did that!

[Kate]

You go girl!! Don't worry about it - once you are doing something you love you will always find a way to make a living from it.

[Sarah]

Thanks girls, I'm really looking forward to it. I'll try my best to keep the posts regular, Caroline's was great for me to read so I got a good feel of what to expect. Deb, I may be knocking on your door looking for a job yet!!!

[Lisa]

Sounds scary, but we all need that sometimes (I wish mine had been by choice!)
Good luck, it will be great!

[Caroline@Bibliocook]

That's great news Sarah! I wish you the very best of luck and, as I'm hoping to visit Ballymaloe at some stage over the next few months, will even try and meet up there. Thanks also for the nice comments about my Ballymaloe postings - I look back now and don't know how I ever had the time to write while I was there!

[jen]

That's fantastic! Best of luck with this exciting new adventure :-)