mostly david ephgrave

I’ve been called many things in my lifetime, some of them libelous, but I’ve never been called a chef. I’d have been surprised if somebody had, if I’m honest, as my culinary knowledge is pretty limited. I’m not one of those people who tries to apply the ‘I can’t cook’ excuse, as that’s a cop-out. Anyone can do it. It’s a science. Follow a recipe and you can’t really go wrong. (Cut to a massive house-fire.) Despite the fact I’m not as ambitious at food preparation as I’d like to be, I do have a speciality, and that’s leek, bean and potato soup. It may only be this in that I’ve learnt the instructions – I didn’t invent them – but in a change to my usual internet bloggery, I thought I’d impart them to you (whoever you may be). Ingedients: ·       1 tsp olive oil ·       1 large clove of garlic, finely chopped ·       2 large leeks, washed and fin...

Sometimes, a thought will enter my head that is so mundane that when I catch myself thinking it, I realise just how dull I have become. I had two such moments yesterday, both in quick succession. I was making leek and potato soup (one of my few specialties) – and as I chopped up a leek I thought about how it clearly a member of the onion family. I mulled over the similarities for a good few minutes before I realised what I was doing. I’ll usually also chop up a couple of small potatoes to put into the soup, but as I was making a large batch, I decided to use just one big one. I couldn’t believe how much easier it was to use the peeler on it; I made a mental note to remember this for future reference. I guess this is what happens as you get a little older; the small things start to get you through the day. My life is littered with these moments; I daren’t list too many, for fear of tarnishing my public image.   Oh, go on then: just one more. The other day I was...