Eastern promise

I'm reliably informed by a colleague that the programme I mentioned previously, with the apple-cheeked presenter, was called Chinese Food Made Easy. I quite enjoyed it, even though the homemade pot noodle item wasn't for me. The book accompanying the series is fab, too.

I've been on a bit of a mission to improve my Chinese, Thai and other kinds of oriental cooking this year, for various reasons. I'm actually quite proud to say that I've done rather well and some of my favourite homemade meals these days are Eastern-influenced. I'd even go so far as to say that's what I may cook if I was out to impress!

I've particularly got into noodles and I've been perfecting my not-at-all-authentic pad Thai. Remind me to give you the recipe sometime!!

Not poodle

I'm eating a Pot Noodle as I write this.

I've always wanted to start a blog post in that way! No, really - I am, though; I didn't just say it for effect. I'm two-thirds of the way through a Sweet and Spicy Pot Noodle. It's delicious!

There was a programme on TV a while ago in which the apple-cheeked presenter demonstrated how to create a homemade version of a pot noodle. It was essentially a pot with noodles in it, plus some vegetables and a bit of sauce, but she made it in five minutes (ie the time it would take to boil a kettle and follow the instructions on a shop-bought version).

Now, that's fine for her but I like Pot Noodles as they are! I don't want them to be healthier, tastier, more filling, etc - they're fine for me. I'm not even bothered about 'knowing exactly what I'm putting in my body' because, by the way, it really isn't a temple! I do a lot of my own cooking - as you've probably noticed - but sometimes I want convenience food and sometimes somebody else can do it better. There's a time and a place for everything!

Let's have an apple party

It hardly seems any time since the last Apple Day at Audley End House. Nevertheless, it has come around again already - and this year filled a whole weekend.

I went along last Saturday to take part and to enjoy the lovely autumn weather. I also took along an apple from the tree in my garden and was reliably informed that it's a good, healthy example of an Egremont Russet! Good for eating or cooking lightly on a tart!

I think Apple Day, however predictable and samey, will remain a part of my yearly calendar because it seems perfectly to encapsulate the beginning of autumn. The trees at Audley End House fade and shed prettily and the ranks of apples, pears and vegetables sum up a bountiful English harvest.

I love each season when it arrives and walk around for a fortnight telling myself (and anyone else who'll listen) that it's my favourite. I think, however, autumn really is my favourite! All the nicest food seems to be in season and all the nicest colours abound. I'll try to stick to it this time and not have my head turned by the frost of winter or the first whiff of spring!