Back at last!

Well, today is the first day I have really felt that things are moving in the right direction,after so many setbacks.

 I am home,  with full time care , but now I have the confidence to get on with my life again So far, on the cooking front it as been somewhat tentative, but here are some of the things I have achieved  in the past week.

Some of them I have managed while still sitting in the wheelchair, but it is rather lower than I would like, so I try to get close up to the hob,and then stand with the chair safely behind me, so I can sit if down if i feel wobbly.

I made a huge batch of Hummus,some flavoured with paprika, some of it with a little  Cinnamon, and then the rest  with lemon and coriander.

Then an enormous Cauliflower cheese,with ham and tomatoes to bulk it out. 

A Bolognese ,made with veal mince,which  gave it a gentler flavour. 

Sunday roast chicken, that nearly finished me off,it really was a bit much, bread sauce, sausages, roast potatoes ,three other vegetables,plus a French fruit tart for pudding. Thank goodness the carer could take the bird out of the oven. As it is completely beyond me ,and impossible to lift one handed! I. Have had far too  many burns from dropping things over my legs  and hand to try now. 

Triple Chocolate cake.and some cookie type biscuits.made with candied peel and bashed up chocolates thatno one   much liked.

Lemon  drizzle cake, 

And now I am about to make an asparagus Risotto , with some extra vegetables. ,beans, courgettes,and maybe peas as well.

 I have some wonderful chicken stock left from the carcass at the weekend. So I know it will taste magical.

And finally, always  looking ahead, I have ( with  the Carer's  help,she did  ALL the chopping of the vegetables) started on some Piccalilli for Christmas presents.

Finally,not forgetting the Spiced Chilli Vodka made with lemongrass, ginger, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods ,and a couple of chilies .will leave that to macerate,and have a taste in a month or so. By Christmas it should be perfect!

Not bad for a start? 

Sorry no photos, but I am certain you can imagine everything......yes there is, just before we scoffed the entire risotto, Rhiannon took the photo, not me. 

Life!

I know those of you who read this will not believe it , but eight  weeks ago, just having returned home from Hospital, I broke my ankle in two places,and have been totally out of action ever since. First I was  in Hospital ( again) and then at aNursing Home over the past five weeks, still not home yet.

Almost THREE months away from my home,and kitchen. No hope of walking for some long time yet,let alone standing in front of the stove! 

Sometimes life can deliver a really cruel blow. Restart the Chemotherapy in early August.

Cake made for staff at Oncology Ward 62

 Well. You must wonder why I am posting this . I have had two sessions if Chemotherapy already, but seem to pick  up every infection going,my immune system is so low.

. This culminated in my having FOUR simultaneous infections. And had to go to the Oncology Unit at the local Hospital, ,where I stayed for two weeks.The cake has been made this morning, before I go to an Oncology  Appointment this afternoon.  It is based on the tried and tested Mary Berry's tray bake recipe, but with the addition of masses of fresh blueberries and raspberries .my granddaughter aged 11was my helper ,and I mainly directed proceedings from my chair.

 It is to say a huge thank you to all the staff there who looked after me so well,enabling me to come home after fifteen days.

There won't be too many postings, as I am still incredibly weak, and have very  little energy!

 But I will do what I can, so keep looking !

And thanks to those who have sent messages of support, it is going to be a long haul, but the prognosis is positive, even if it hell to go through.

The onehandedcookblog returns ...albeit temporarily!

Recent happenings

Means that I will be unable to continue with the blog,as I have just been diagnosed with cancerI
I need to focus all my energies on getting fit,and anyway I don't feel much like cooking right now.

The onehandedcookblog makes BRIOCHE,

Here is my effort at brioche, I have such an easy recipe, even being one handed it is quite simpe to do.

Here's the recipe.
1teaspoon of dried yeast
500grms strong plain flour
I teaspoon of runny honey
1teaspoon of salt
4eggs beaten
150 grms soften unsalted butter
3 1/2 fl oz warm water

Mix the honey,yeast and warm water together ,and leave for ten minutes
Sift the flour and salt together,make a well in the middle of the flour
Add all the rest of the ingredients,including the butter
Knead for five minutes
Leave in a warm place to prove in a covered bowl for an hour or longer,
Knock the dough back ,and knead again,then either put in a loaf tin, or as you can see, make balls of dough,and put them not a cake tin.
Leave to prove again,then egg wash the tops
And then bake in the oven at 180o ,170o fan oven for 25 to 30 minutes ,but watch to see that it doesn't burn.
Can't wait to cut into it,and eat the first slice.

Tuesday's supper.shared with four friends.

Mushroom soup, made with a pound of Chestnut Mushrooms, a handful of dried Porcinin as well and some garlic, duck stock from last week,and not much else,bar some salt and pepper. One of the guests is not eating anything with cream or butter,so the soup has the minimum of fat .it is a rich dark brown colour,and I shall just put a little yoghurt and a swirl of English Truffle Oil on the top. I found the oil in a Restaurant in Cirencester just before Christmas.
Next a Fish Pie, sliced leeks and spinach on the bottom,then Salmon, prawns and some scallops with a white wine sauce made with dIll and parsley ,and some mashed potato with grated cheese and breadcrumbs over the top. That should do the job,and keep everyone happy, also a salad if they want it.
Cheeses are Roquefort ,Manchego and a Goat log, with the last of the Cuban Guava Paste.
Then sliced mangoes, pineapple and blood orange with passion fruit juices .
I have managed to drop a PINT of DOUBLE CREAM onto the floor, it fell out of the fridge, and I am no good at juggling things onehanded! The mess was indescribable,worse even than the melted butter fiasco of last week. This time it was over the dining room carpet as well as the usual floor and walls and my trousers and shoes. I had enlist the help of a very kind MALE neighbour to clean up.