2010 saw me MIA from blogging. It was a busy year, new home in another country, a daughter married, a new hip for my husband and a new baby granddaughter. Phew! So please forgive me.
As 2011 arrived I found myself celebrating in Poznan, Poland. I also found myself resolving to give more care and attention to my blog. So as this is my first day back home and back in the kitchen, what better time to begin.
I've enjoyed a really long break over the festive season and as a result have come home to an empty fridge, and bare cupboards, so something would have to be concocted out of not very much. There was some pancetta, which was wavering on best before, and an onion in the fridge. Red lentils, a tin of tomatoes, some garlic and stock, and I had the makings of a pot of soup.
I fried off the pancetta, onion and a clove of garlic, added the lentils, tomatoes and stock. With the addition of salt and lots of freshly ground pepper my first soup of the new year was already smelling good. Lentil and tomato soup on the menu tonight.
I am always amazed at how easily a good hearty meal can be made without too much effort, or indeed with very few ingredients. How many of you I wonder have fridges and food cupboards overflowing with ingredients we might just need? Lots of you I'm sure. I am going to try and use up some of the stuff at the back of the freezer and cupboards over the next few months.
This won't stop me trying some of the new recipes from all the lovely new cookbooks I got for Christmas, and yes I will buy ingredients on he off chance I'll need them. But that's the fun of cooking. Always thinking ahead, imagining delicious meals you can cook and enjoy with family and friends.
I am so looking forward to getting back to my blogging, and to trying to think of dishes using up these impulsive buys. Some I know will be a success, some will be just okay and maybe one or two will go straight to the bin. But then if you never try you never know, and there will be space waiting to be filled!
A HAPPY and PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR to all my fellow bloggers. I look forward to following your blogs in the coming months.
2 comments:
great to see you back Jacqui.
Soup looks delicious.
I think I'll try to use up some of my cooking/baking accumulated stock - excellent resolution.
Lovely to see you back. You have had quite a year. Poland? My goodness. Your soup looks delicious.
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