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Tuesday 20 March 2012

Rachel Khoo and fun in the kitchen

Well, what a fun day I had yesterday. A full day off work (first in two weeks) and a full day in the kitchen with a break when I popped into Nottingham to buy a copy of Rachel Khoo’s book, The Little Paris Kitchen. Whilst in town I had a café complet style late breakfast in Café Rouge as a treat.
 
                                                             


Back in the kitchen I made some Madeleine cakes and gave the mixture a real good fluffing up with a fork and the result was perfect Madeleines! The secret is to not overfill the shell like trays and to whisk the mixture well before cooling it in the fridge. Mine were lemony though I did like Rachel Khoo’s take on the classic French cakes by adding a raspberry and filling it with lemon curd. Hmmm!


I also made a loaf of bread from a packet and salivated over three sirloin steaks before putting them in the freezer for another day. In between cooking I got on with some clothes washing and ironing and took a dish of Madeleine cakes round to my neighbour Jo as a late birthday present.


Later on I checked out my Facebook page and saw a link to a ‘just for fun’ competition run by the Royal Ballet. They wanted people to send a video of themselves performing a grand jeté (big leap) for a Royal Ballet Live event on Friday 23rd March. It didn’t matter if you couldn't dance (that’s handy) and to make it fun. So I got out my tutu – like you do – and made a silly video. It might be too long as they only wanted 30 seconds but it was fun to mess about. By the way – in case you are now worried why Phil would have a tutu – I found it on top of a post box early one frosty morning as I was going to work and kept the lacy thing to decorate my lectern for A Christmas Carol. There you go.
My day was full of anticipation because in the evening the BBC were showing a new programme called The Little Paris Kitchen and it looked right up my rue. Paris, lovely home cooked food, and a very beautiful and talented presenter, Rachel Khoo.



On Sunday night I had made a big pot of Moroccan lamb stew after coming home from a day’s work and it wasn’t ready until about 9.30pm and I just didn’t feel like eating so late so I left it to cool down and went to bed. Last night I heated it up and it was delicious and I still have enough left for two more meals.


So, back to Monday night. Half past eight finally arrived and I sat down to watch Rachel’s programme. Superb!!! A feast for the eyes, and then there was Paris in the background. I want the video now!!! I loved the bee hives on top of a grand building in Paris and the views of the markets around the 13th arrondisment and her no messing cooking style and enthusiasm. I was licking my lips by the end of the programme and was gutted when the half hour had finished. Encore! Encore! I might well watch it again on BBCiplayer. Might well? Who am I kidding? I WILL be watching it again on BBCiplayer.

13 comments:

Karenjane said...

That tutu looks jolly good on you. And with a bit of work, you could make the back row in the chorus with your dancing.

Great fun, gave me a very necessary cheer-up.

Is there no end to your talents?

Jean said...

The programme was fantastic, a real treat for us Francophiles and all those views of Paris, not to mention the wonderful food....I am really looking forward to the rest of the series and I'm off to track down a copy of the book right now !!

Janette Jones said...

Phil and Rachel sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g

Unknown said...

I think I will be watching it on iPlayer as well. The Hairy Bikers were hilarious tonight, touring round Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Another show for you to watch on line

Jean said...

Oops, I forgot to compliment you on your dancing !!!!!

Karenjane said...

I saw Rachel Khoo tonight - wonderful. Now I will have to get her book & try some of those recipes. That chocolate pudding with salted caramel looked so good.

Phil Lowe said...

Back row of the chorus!! Hilarious. Glad it cheered you up.

Phil Lowe said...

In my dreams. :0)

Phil Lowe said...

It was fantastic, wasn't it Jean?

Phil Lowe said...

I love the Two Hairy Bikers. Recently watched the series in Germany and Romania too.

Phil Lowe said...

Hahaha! I've deleted the video since the original publishing. Spare folk the slight of my bare legs.

Phil Lowe said...

It certainly did. x

Phil Lowe said...

Or in my reality, even better.