Snow, Books, New Phone, New Year’s Eve.

We figure we got about 2 inches of snow on Boxing night. Suffice to say it was enough to stop Matt going shopping at the crack of dawn on Thursday. He went somewhat later. There isn’t a lot of traffic around because the school is closed – I supposed the buses were running, but didn’t see that until later in the morning. By the afternoon the sun had really been shining so the roads were pretty clear although the park still looked lovely and white. Pity it didn’t come Christmas Eve. Matt was watching something on TV the other night about the formation of ice crystals to make snow, unfortunately I was doing something else so didn’t really catch much of it. It really is incredibly complicated how snowflakes form.

I have been reading some delightful books by Samantha Young, Fire Spirits is the name of the series, I have read three and thought it was a trilogy but there is at least one more in the works to be released some time next year. The first one is called Smokeless Fire, then Scorched Skies and Borrowed Ember. The books are full of Jinns of all kinds including 7 Jinn Kings. Not very nice creatures at all. There is also a love story between 18 yr old Ari and her guardian Jai. I got the first and second books, for my Kindle, totally free. I am only disappointed book 4 is not yet ready for release. I get an email from Pixel of Ink every day listing specials and freebies available on Amazon. Saves looking for them oneself. I’ve actually found several books, trilogies or series I enjoy from reading this email.

I finally ordered myself a new phone for my computer room. I didn’t want anything elaborate or expensive and ended up with a cordless which is costing me about $30 with tax and delivery (I paid for faster delivery). The one I am using right now is driving me batty. I never realised how often we end up with phone calls where we have to press this number and then that one.

We have gift certificates to a restaurant and discovered a couple of friends had the same certificates. We had discussed going together. However they phoned to say they planned to go on New Year’s Eve. We were tempted, but it’s a fair drive to where they live and that branch of the restaurant and we are both a tad nervous about doing a lot of driving on that particular night. Despite all the campaigns there are still a lot of idiots who drive drunk, particularly on New Year’s. So, I think we will stay home and have a good meal and then maybe toast the New Year or maybe this year, be a couple of wussies and go to bed.

I don’t know how many are planning to entertain for New Year’s Eve, but this recipe seemed to me an absolutely ideal one for an entertainment.

Salmon and Herby Potato Coulibiacs

An impressive addition to any buffet, this puff pastry parcel is filled with fish in a creamy parsley, dill and lemon sauce

Ingredients

• 600g potatoes , thinly sliced
• 1 large onion , thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 100ml double cream
• 100ml crème fraîche
• 4 tbsp chopped parsley
• 4 tbsp chopped dill
• zest 1 lemon
• 2 x 375g packs all-butter puff pastry
• a little flour , for dusting
• 650g side of salmon , skinned and pin-boned, cut crossways into 3cm slices, then cut in half lengthways to get thick fingers
• 1 egg , beaten

1. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Par-boil the potato slices for 2-3 mins. Drain and set aside in a large bowl.
2. Gently fry the onion in the oil for 10 mins until lightly golden. Cool slightly, then stir in the cream, crème fraîche, herbs, zest and plenty of seasoning. Pour over the potatoes and mix very gently.
3. Roll out one pack of pastry on a lightly floured surface to a 35 x 35cm, then lay on a large baking sheet. Pack ¼ of the potato mixture down one side of the pastry, leaving a 5cm border. Arrange ½ of the salmon on top to cover the potato. Cover the salmon with ¼ of the potato. Brush the pastry all the way round with beaten egg and fold over the pastry. Trim the edges and crimp with your fingers, or seal with a fork. Make decorative fish for the top, if you like.
4. Roll out the remaining pastry and repeat the process, using up the rest of the potato and salmon. Chill for 30 mins.
5. Brush the pastries all over with beaten egg. Bake for 40 mins. Leave to rest for 10 mins if serving hot, or serve cold.

Have a great day