Monday, September 22, 2014

Treasures Blogfest

Underrated Treasures BlogfestAlex J. Cavenaugh is hosting The Underrated Treasures Blogfest today. At first I thought I didn’t have anything to talk about but then I remembered a film I saw as a child.



Song of BernadetteI don’t know how old I was when I saw this film, but I wasn’t more than around 7 I think. The film was made in 1943 and at one point I was attending a convent school and they took us to see this movie. The Song of Bernadette which is the story of Bernadette Soubirous who had visions of Mary, Mother of God and who was instrumental in uncovering the waters of Lourdes which have healing properties. Wikipedia have the full story of the film here. The film has stayed vividly in my mind ever since for close on 70 years. It really made an impression on me. I have never heard of anyone else seeing it nor have I heard/read the film being mentioned anywhere but, to me, at the time, it was an absolutely wonderful movie. By the way, I am not a Roman Catholic but as a child during the war, moving around with my parents, my father being in the RAF and posted to different stations throughout England, I went to whatever local school was available. This included two convents and 8 other schools.

As for an underappreciated book, I have to choose Havenstar by Glenda Larke. I love all of Glenda’s books but this, her first, is the one I have read several times and never fail to enjoy it. Glenda’s books are set in the most incredible worlds which she builds beautifully and sets the scene for different kinds of magic. The Havenstar world is set in a restricted environment where Kerris, the daughter of a brilliant mapmaker, is not allowed to follow in his footsteps because she is a girl although she has been doing most of her father’s work, behind the scenes, for years. She is betrayed by her brother and forced to flee into the Unstable which is an absolutely fascinating and dangerous place where anything can happen. When Glenda first published this book it was in her married name, Glenda Noramly, and then shortly after, the publisher went under. It has now been reissued in digital, paper and hard back. Glenda has a blog at Tropic Temper which is where I first discovered her quite a number of years ago.

How about an under appreciated food. The traditional Steak and Kidney Pudding. I used to make these a lot many years ago, but now avoid the pudding part because it is very bad for dieting. The author of this recipe is right, it is very different and I am not sure I approve of the untraditional way she has altered it even though it does sound pretty tasty.

Steak and Kidney Pudding Recipe

By Elaine Lemm
steak and kidney pudNo other British dish shows the British idiosyncrasy of calling a savory dish a pudding than Steak and Kidney Pudding. A Steak and Kidney Pudding recipe may at first look a little daunting, but don’t be put off, it is actually quite straightforward and all the efforts are well worth it.
This is my version and slightly more elaborate than my grandmother made, not sure she would approve of using red wine, but I love it.
Do not confuse this 'pudding with a Steak and Kidney Pie, this is something completely different.
steak-and-kidney-pudding-1500pg.jpg - Photo ©  Elaine Lemm

Ingredients
  • 1 oz/25g beef dripping, lard
    or vegetable oil
  • 1½lbs/675g beef topside, cut into 1"/2.5cm cubes
  • 12 oz/350g beef kidney, cut into 1"/2.5 cm cubes
  • 1 onion, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 2 carrots, washed, peeled and thickly sliced
  • 1 oz/ 25g all purpose/plain flour
  • 10 fl oz/ 300ml beef stock
  • 5 fl oz// 150ml red wine
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ¼ cup/ small handful flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp tomato puree
  • 10 oz/280g self rising flour
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • Pinch salt
  • 5 oz/ 140g beef suet, finely chopped
  • 2 - 3 tbsp cold water
  • Butter for greasing
  • Salt and pepper
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 180 minutes
  • Total Time: 225 minutes
Preparation
Serves 4
Preheat the oven to 350° F/180° C/Gas 4
  • Heat a large casserole dish on the stove, add the dripping/lard or oil and heat until slightly smoking. Add the beef cubes and the kidney, stir well until all the meat is browned. Add the onion, carrots and stir again.
  • Sprinkle the flour over the meat and vegetables and stir thoroughly.
  • Add the stock, red wine, bay leaf, parsley and tomato puree. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and cover with a lid, place in the hot oven and cook for 1 hour.
  • Remove the casserole from the oven, season with salt and pepper to taste, and leave to cool.
  • Make the pastry. Place the flour, baking powder, and salt into a baking bowl. Add the suet and rub into the flour. Add enough cold water to form a stiff, slightly sticky dough. Leave to rest for 30 mins.
  • Grease a 2 pint pudding basin with the butter. Divide the pastry into ⅔ and ⅓ and roll the larger piece of dough in to a circle large enough to line the basin plus an extra ½" border. Dust your hands with a little flour then carefully line the basin with the dough.
  • Add the meat mixture to the lined pudding basin. Roll the remaining dough in to a circle large enough to cover the pudding basin. Wet the overhanging lip of the basin with cold water, lay the lid on top and press firmly around the edge to seal.
  • Cover the basin with two circles of greaseproof paper secured with kitchen string.
  • Steam over rapidly boiling water for 2 hours. Check frequently to make sure water has not boiled dry - top up with boiling water as needed.
  • Remove the pudding from the steamer, remove the greaseproof paper and serve.
Beware, Steak and Kidney pudding is a very filling dish but is lovely with mashed potatoes to soak up the rich, sauce and fresh, seasonal vegetables.

Have a great day
Jo


58 comments:

  1. Hi Jo - Steak and Kidney pudding is delicious .. so often now it's made with puff pastry as a pie ... and is so good on a cold day .. cheers Hilary

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    1. I always preferred the pud to the pie. Haven't made the pud for years though.

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  2. My grandmother left us with her recipe of meat pie. Also love the movie The Song of Bernadette.

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    1. I am surprised anyone knows the movie. It was such a long time ago.

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  3. My mom loved that movie too. I've never seen it. She would have been about 15 or so when it came out. Think I'll pass on the recipe though. I can't make myself even try organ meats. I can't even get past what sausage is made of.

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    1. You really are no foodie are you JoJo? I guess if you didn't eat these as a child most people are unlikely to try them later on.

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    2. No....world's pickiest eater here. My mom is too and she never made me eat anything I didn't want to when I was a kid. As I got older, I would just grab the cereal if I didn't like what was on the dinner menu. lol My dad would eat anything though. My mom wouldn't, and cooked for me like she cooked for herself. I still won't touch dark meat chicken or turkey. Has to be white & skinless.

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    3. What a great shame, you miss out on one of the world's greatest pleasures. The dark meat is delicious and the skin, if crispy, is too although I don't eat it (calories). I eat practically anything, I have always made a rule, if I don't like something, I try it again a couple of years later and if I still don't like it, I try it again after two more years. Usually I ended up liking things.

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  4. Hi, Jo. Thanks for sharing your picks for the Underrated Treasures Blogfest. Haven't heard of the movie or the book.

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    1. I have no idea if the movie is still available anywhere, but the book certainly is. One of my favourites.

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  5. I never would have thought about a recipe. But nice treasure. The liver part makes me leery of eating it. LOL
    My blog post

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    1. Not liver, kidney, but I posted a liver recipe during the A to Z which I love and I don't like liver. Very few people eat kidney these days which is such a pity because it's delicious.

      Will return visit later. Off bowling now.

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  6. I'll admit the idea of the recipe is daunting but your enthusiasm makes me want to try it Jo! Awesome choices.

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    1. Thanks Maurice. I love kidney but not many eat it now.

      Just off bowling will return your visit later.

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  7. I've always thought that Steak and Kidney Pudding was one of those things that would be bland and awful... but it looks pretty amazing. No recipe is too daunting for me, and I daresay I'd like to try making this one some time soon. Now then... I just need to figure out where I'm going to possibly find suet.

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    1. Aren't you in the UK? Suet should be easy to get. Canada sells it, difficult to obtain in the States although I believe vegetable suet is available. Suet is the fat which comes from the kidney area of the cow.

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  8. The movie sounds interesting and I discovered Glenda Larke's more recent books. I'll have to look up this one. Don't eat much beef and never had kidney.

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    1. So glad you have discovered Glenda, her work is fantastic and she doesn't get the appreciation she deserves IMHOP.

      Will return your visit later.

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  9. Replies
    1. Jeff has/had a copy of it that I gave him, said he enjoyed it. I love all her books but that is still my favourite. I am proofing for her these days too so get my name mentioned. Fame at last LOL

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  10. The Song of Bernadette was up for some Oscars and Jennifer Jones(played the lead) won the Oscar. She was married to "boy next door" Robert Walker (he had many issues) but she left him and married David O'Selznick of Gone With The Wind fame. Like your choice oh and I am not a meat pie person but I am sure many people love it:)

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    1. Didn't know all that Birgit, thanks. I must see if I can find a copy of it.

      It's not really meat pie at all. But the kidney puts most people off anyway and that's what makes it so delicious.

      Will visit you later, off bowling now.

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  11. I've never had kidney. Hmm. ;) Thanks for the great recommendations!

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    1. I love kidney, both beef kidney for puddings and pies and lamb's kidney for devilled kidneys, fried kidneys with bacon and eggs and so on.

      Will return your visit later. Just off bowling now.

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  12. Old movie.
    I've not ready any books by that author but I'll check out anything fantasy.
    Thanks for participating in my blogfest!

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    1. Yup very old but a good one nevertheless - it's stuck with me all these years.

      Do read Glenda's books they are great.

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  13. So I am not sure I could eat that pie, I am a vegan... lol. I love STEAK, never tried the rest... may have to have a go at it. I dig the film too... I belive I have the score for it in my collection as I love score music. thank you!

    Jeremy [Retro]
    Howlin' Wolf Records: On-Line Magazine

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    1. If you are a vegan what are you doing eating steak Jeremy??

      Interesting if you do have the score, I don't remember it.

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  14. I love the sound of Havenstar. Great title, great premise. Great recommendation!

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  15. You lost me at 'kidney.' :P

    Havenstar sounds interesting.

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    1. It's good Melissa.

      It is interesting as are all Glenda's books.

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  16. Both of those are new to me.

    I have to admit that the Steak and Kidney Pudding had me cringing (I'm a vegetarian) but the second picture did look good! :)

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    1. To most people Chrys. But really love Glenda Larke's books.

      Well as a vegetarian, it wouldn't be your choice.

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  17. I saw that film on TV a year or two ago. It was an interesting film.

    Any food having to do with kidneys sounds less than appetizing to me, but I'd try it. The presentation looks nice.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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    1. Your surprise me it was on TV in recent years, wish I had seen it.

      I am glad you would at least try it Lee. Many people wouldn't.

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  18. Hi Jo! I haven't seen the movie, although I would like to. I'll check around and see if I can find it on Netflix, Redbox Instant or Amazon Prime. The book sounds good too, Havenstar.

    I have no doubt that I'd probably love the recipe. My parents were Hungarian and we loved all kinds of food. I haven't had kidney in a very, very long time. I'm more a liver person. When my parents were alive, we'd go to the Hungarian butcher in NYC and stock up on sausages, 'blood pudding', bisquits w/bacon, and all kinds of unhealthy but yummy things. Thanks for sharing this for the Ninja's blogfest. Eva

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    1. Lee has just said he saw it on TV a year or two ago so it might be around.

      I am sure you would love it in that case Eva. You should do a search for my Portuguese liver recipe, Iscas. In the UK it's called black pudding but these days it's difficult to get the real thing with a good fatty content. The healthy version is, IMHOP, tasteless. I have friends one of whom is Rumanian - his wife made a couple of dishes from there, one of which I also posted just a short while ago.

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  19. I'm a vegetarian now but even in my meat eating days I disliked kidney so I've never been tempted by steak and kidney pudding or anything like it and I don't remember seeing The Song of Bernadette but then I have never been much of a movie goer either.
    I agree with you about Havenstar though. A wonderful book but then I've never been disappointed in anything Glenda Larke has written. I don't know why she isn't better known because she is such a fine writer.

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    1. Glenda's books are wonderful aren't they. I have enjoyed every one of them.

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  20. Your choices same interesting. Not sure about the kidney though the presentation does look appetizing.

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    1. Very few people are willing to eat kidney I'm afraid. Pity, it tastes great.

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  21. OMG I was meant to come here today. I remember watching Song of Bernadette with my sister when we were very young. We cried and cried and cried afterwards, Thanks for reminding me Jo!

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    1. I don't remember crying but if it caused that much emotional response, I'm sure I did too. If it was recently on TV in the US it must be available somewhere.

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  22. The Song of Bernadette made a huge impact on me too! Loved it, and watch any time I see it in reruns! I was told the message she gave to the Pope was Baha'i ...

    Love meat pies - puddings not so much! LOL

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    1. I have never seen a rerun - I will have to keep my eyes open for it.

      I love puddings better than pies.

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  23. Your suggestions sound very interesting, except for the kidney dish. I don't think I'll ever try any dish with internal organs in it.

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    1. A picky dragon? Never heard of such a thing. Don't you eat your virgin snacks whole? Your Spanish ancestors certainly ate/eat organ meats

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  24. I love a good fantasy. Adding Havenstar to my list! The pudding might still be outside of my comfort zone though. The ingredients look okay, but I'm not sure about the kidney.

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    1. I'm sure you will enjoy it.

      You are not alone, so many are reluctant to give kidney a try.

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  25. Both the books and the recipe are new to me. A friend of mine's mother used to look for her British foods from Marks and Spencer's, a store in Vancouver. Not sure if it still survives. There are many people from the UK in my province, British Columbia -on the west coast of Canada. Thanks for info on the books.

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    1. When we first came here in '75 Marks and Spencer was here in this part of Ontario too, think they may have closed all across Canada now. Pity but although they are/were a wonderful store in the UK, we found them very expensive here. Nowadays British foods are mostly candies and teas none of which appeal to us very much. Do have a Scottish shop fairly nearby where they make a lot of British pies and pastries. Great place.

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  26. Not sure I've ever seen beef kidney at the supermarket in the US, much less suet, but it sounds like an interesting dish.

    The movie is one that my mother-in-law likes.

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    1. I have seen beef kidney for sale in NC, but not lamb's kidneys. I used to order lamb's from the supermarket in Kissimmee when we went down there.

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  27. I love that you included a food, and both the movie and the book sound fascinating. The name 'the Unstable' really catches my imagination.

    Think I'll skip the pudding unless I'm in the UK and can try it for real!

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    1. It is a fascinating read, and I have read it several times I enjoy it so much.

      I don't really have a comfort food, but if I did, this would probably rank high on the list.

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