two in one

Thanks for the comments on Miss M's antics....she really is funny...I'm just not laughing now.

I wanted first to talk about food. Ali mentioned that one of her goals was to try to create interesting meals this year for her family. I love cooking, well I used to love it a lot more than I have these last couple of years. It is often so rushed and the process of eating with small people isn't that relaxing. But I would like to try a little harder this year too to try and cook something beyond the basics at least 2 or 3 times a week. So I suggested to Ali that we should cook with a common ingredient, each choose a recipe which contains that ingredient and share the results. It doesn't have to be a photo just a link to the recipe or the recipe itself. Every week or so, a new ingredient is chosen selecting something that is sympathetic to different hemisphere's. So I thought I would get the ball rolling.

And the ingredient for this week is......

Seeded/wholegrain Mustard.

Last night I raided my freezer and found some pork fillets. I then raided the internet and found Roasted pork fillet served with a mustard mash, green beans and a port and onion gravy. It is rather a lengthy name isn't it? Now I know that not all of you enjoy pork, but if you do this it is super easy and the port and onion gravy is really delicious. I added a clove of garlic to my beans. I will definitely cook this one again. My tip if you want to try it,  is have everything cut and ready to go because it is very fast to make once you get started. And if you don't like pork and feel you are in a cooking rut, then we put the challenge to you to find something beyond baked beans and toast for tonight's dinner.

Ali will choose the next ingredient, so look out for it if you want to be apart of this international cooking fest. And I'd love to hear about your choices.

Next and quickly for this post is back to the red endevour. This week I have been working on some collages. If you would like to see more visit here or the shop. I also made a needle book with some Japanese fabric I have had for awhile and even though it was made in a hurry, I'm happy with the results.

Comments

[simple me]

I like this idea of cooking with a common ingredient. A bit of a challenge but an interesting one.

[Ali]

Hey, my comment I posted here earlier has disappeared - maybe someone ate it!

Nice ingredient choice - my take on grain mustard is up and running. Love your red stuff, especially the needle case.

[Shell]

That's a great goal - I think I'll take it on board. I'm a pescetarian (vege but I eat seafood), and I get bored with the same old thing all the time.

I've been collaging too - lots and lots actually - it's my medium of the moment (I can't do the one thing for any extended period of time or I get bored!). Loving your red theme - pretty!

[Tiff]

Oh Love your cooking challenge! I was just reading Ali's post about her new year challenges... how funny! The Japanese needle book is just lovely. T