I’m loathed to admit this (because #yawn), but it’s been another ropey week in Steph-dom.
I’ve been in my head a lot with thoughts – it’s like a game of ‘think-tennis’ in there. ‘Think-tennis’ is one of the worst sports my brain plays; the rallies can last for hours, the volleys and smashes and lobs (I’m really testing my tennis knowledge here) are fierce and exhausting, and when the point is over (which takes longer than in a regular game of tennis), there is no celebration, no rapturous applause from the crowd and no swig of Orange flavoured Robinsons cordial, I just fix my shorts (like Rafa), bounce the ball a few times and set off again*.
*I really wish I could play tennis so that this metaphor had a bit more relevance.
So, in the words of my friend who had an equally bad week, I feel glum.
I never know how to handle this glumness; however, I do know that my instinct, which is to fight it whilst simultaneously finding multiple reasons to think of myself unworthy and unlovable, is very NOT helpful.
And so, I tend to find that acceptance is my best bet – “Hi, I’m Steph and I feel glum even though it’s warmer and the sun is (occasionally) shining, and the birds are singing (so loud – adorable) … and that’s just the way it is for now.”
Despite my glumness, I have some seriously lovely things to tell you about from my week so without further ado, let’s get down to the good bits:
That bright yellow thing in the sky…
I mentioned it briefly above but NEWSLFLASH… On Wednesday and some of Thursday, the sun shone, and the air was warm and oh my goodness it was heaven. Even my very grey mood felt a shade lighter for a moment. I really wonder whether I should emigrate. Flight to Sardinia PLEASE!
Food
The week has also featured some of my favourite foodie things…
WHITE BREAD (specifically, a Crème fraiche white tin loaf (you know the kind for toasting or buttering to dip in soup or for sandwiches) – I’ve made a simple white tin loaf that incorporates a portion of sour cream in the past and it’s a lovely concept. I had half a tub of crème fraiche leftover from a meal at the weekend and figured it was a reasonable substitute for the sour cream – it was not, and I should have realised this beforehand. Crème fraîche has a much higher fat % (and thus lower hydration). I ended up needing to add a considerable amount of extra water later on which isn’t a method I would advocate. Nevertheless, the loaf tasted phenomenal, I need to have another go and then I’ll share the recipe with you.
CURRY - Chicken and chickpea korma – did I tell you about this last week or the week before? I’m sure I’ve mentioned it. Anyway, I seem to have devised a really quite marvellous Korma-style chicken and chickpea curry - it happens to be pretty nourishing which is a second big WIN and I’m a bit obsessed with it. Is this something you’d fancy trying? – if so, let me know, and I’ll jot down the recipe for you!
CIABATTA (ISH) – I’m not exactly sure what the ciabatta laws are – is there a specific hydration that constitutes authentic ciabatta? Are there ciabatta police? I need to dig deeper into this. Nevertheless, I baked some rolls on Thursday that I’d say were Ciabatta, they sat at around 76% hydration, and I think this is my preference. I LOVE an airy light loaf however, I find there’s a limit – too wet and the crumb becomes a little too custardy and err, moist? And moist just isn’t my jam when it comes to bread, I like a sort of lightness that’s tender and soft, not damp. I need to do a little more experimentation with these guys but will try to nail down a reliable recipe for you.
RAVIOLI - Homemade pasta, filled with a blend of spinach, ricotta, parmesan, nutmeg, and a pinch of lemon zest. Cooked until al-dente and served with jammy roasted British tomatoes, toasted pine nuts and an extra sprinkling of parmesan. Bellissimo!
CHOCCY DODGERS – my new favourite feel-better, pick-me-up biscuit – if you need some foodie comfort – scroll down now and get baking!
KIWIS – heard they were good for me (again) so bought a pack of 4. Ate the lot, they were my version of perfect – firm, not mushy cotton-wool soft. V.Good – bought another pack of 4… am 3 deep, might have a mild Kiwi addiction (also – look how pretty they are? Honestly, I marvel at the beauty of fruit… ART!)
ASPARAGUS - had my first spears of the season and they were predictably fabulous.
My head also feels REALLY full of bake-y ideas – I need to write a list and work through it, or it will be carnage.
TV
…some TV MUSTS (IMO)
Red Eye – I’ve always been really captivated by everything to do with planes, although, ironically, travelling on one makes me puke and quite nervous. Regardless, I generally love programmes where they feature; it can be a drama or a documentary, the planes can be in the sky or on the ground, show me a plane and I’m interested – remember my Hijack obsession? Oh, and did I tell you that I watched ALL the recent documentaries on the missing Malaysian airlines flight - MH370? Fascinating. Should have been a pilot… or maybe an engineer.
Anyway, I was convinced (during episode one) of this new horror/mystery drama on ITV, that I couldn’t do it – it was frustrating, and a bit scary, there were too many unknowns and there seemed to be huge injustice which I just can’t bear. Mum wanted to persevere, so we downloaded the final episode, checked how things were going to turn out, realised we could cope with the outcome and binged watched the remainder – no I don’t find this ‘spoils’ it for me – it makes it much more enjoyable, I hate surprises. Bear in mind that 10pm bedtime NEVER changes in this house so staying up until 11:30 one evening was MASSIVE.HUGE – it was the best drama-thing I’ve watched in ages – I highly recommend it… maybe just don’t plan to watch it if you’re imminently due to hop on a plane.Clarkson’s farm – LOVE LOVE LOVE this show and so excited that the new series is out… trying to pace myself and not watch it all in one go.
The Idea of You - so people have been chatting about this one a LOT… in all honesty, I thought it looked terrible. I put it on one night in bed (to send me to sleep) and couldn’t stop watching - cue late night and cranky Steph the next day. Ok so it’s MEGA cheesy but actually I really loved it - I’ve always been a big fan of Anne Hathaway but now also in love with Nicholas Galitzine!! This one is the epitome of feel good.
Books
Some books I’m obsessed with… and this is just a handful!
FRUITFUL by Sarah Johnson – I’ve been so fortunate to chat to Sarah quite a bit over the past year. Apart from the fact that she’s a LOVELY lady, she’s also a truly inspirational chef. Her debut book which showcases fruit is SO up my street - I *need* to add it to my collection.
Wild Figs and Fennel by Letitia Clark – I know mentioned this last week, but Letitia is my absolute foodie IDOL – I mean, I want to go and live with her in Sardinia but also I just love her simple and elegant style of cooking/baking. Her previous two books are STUNNNING - yes they feature some incredible recipes but also they are works of art - proper coffee table books. This one is another beauty - just look at some of the photographs (the work of Charlotte Bland, my fave photographer).
SIFT by Nicola Lamb – you guys know I’m a Nicola superfan – I actually feel like a groupie of her Substack newsletter. I have learnt SO much from it over the past couple of years and honestly am so grateful to her for all the wisdom she has imparted – she’s been a real inspiration and friend. I was, therefore, THRILLED when she asked me to test some recipes for the book last year, I’m not being dramatic when I say I had the best few weeks of my baking life burrowing away in my kitchen. I loved the need to be meticulous and made an annoying amount of probably very irrelevant notes for her as I went (things like, “OMG THIS IS AMAZING!” Lol… as well as some constructive stuff - I hope). It goes without saying that every recipe I tried was mind-bogglingly good – she’s such a clever cookie. Anyway, I’m so thrilled to finally see the finished article on the shelves (also v.v.v.v.v.honoured to have been given a little mention at the back of the book)… if you’re a baking nerd, you need to put this on your book-shopping list as a matter of urgency!
OK, I think that’s your lot for another week. Hope you’re all doing ok and if you’re not, I’m sending such a massive hug – I really get you!
Lots of love as always,
Steph x x x
Pick-Me-Up chocolate dodgers
As you may have gathered, I’ve really been in need of foodie comfort this week – there’s been lots of bread and jam and toast and marmalade… but also, I needed a solid (solid in a ‘good’ way not solid in a hard way) biscuit to help propel me through the days.
In 3 days, I forged through approx. 5 packs of butter in my quest for the perfect pick-me-up biscuit.
The truth is, I made a crate-full of very decent biscuits during this mission - from simple sugary shortbread triangles to no less than THREE flavours of buttery semolina crunch biscuits – the lemon ones were actually really great, BUT… they just didn’t satisfy my biscuity itch UNTIL this choccy dodger was born.
The biscuit recipe itself is a basic buttery, oat-y number – heavily inspired by recipes from Nicola and Anna Higham who’s book I also adore.
Two thin rounds of biscuit sandwich a thin layer of chocolate which I suggest you switch up based on whatever you fancy – imagine minty choc here? HEAVEN.
I really hope you love them as much as I do and that they can bring a bit of sparkle to your week.
*Quick little note – the recipe is pretty straightforward, but the quantities are small so try to be as accurate as you can with your measurements.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to The Comfort Chronicles to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.