Car, Breakfasts

Well I am pleased to report that our ancient vehicle passed it's emissions test with flying colours. Always a relief. Mind you we have it serviced regularly. I can now send for our sticker. Only trouble is I forgot to get the odometer reading. Have to get it when we go bowling today. This is our final day of the summer league when we have a luncheon of sandwiches etc. and prizes are awarded. As our team didn't get any higher than 4th we are not likely to get any. Unless we have any individual prizes. That is possible. I am not sure if we will be bowling on Thursday as we usually do because the lanes are being "dressed" which is something which has to be done every year. We might go to another alley instead. We shall see.

We've certainly been getting lots of rain lately. Maybe the drought is over? I hope. We went shopping this afternoon and it was only drizzling although in the morning it had been pretty wet. We were supposed to get a big storm but it didn't happen. Matt was out in the morning and said the wipers hadn't been used in so long they were squeaking.

I found some frozen escargots whilst in the grocery store. We had eaten them before from there and

they were pretty good. I also found some frozen kippers. Yippee, something else I can eat for breakfast. Not like the kippers we used to get in England, but still, kippers. The pictures show kippers like we used to get them. I miss a lot of things we used to have for breakfasts when I was a youngster. I guess I didn't realise how lucky I was at the time. My father would never have been content to have cereals every day, not sure he ever ate them, He did eat porridge or oatmeal as it is called here. He is the only person I ever knew who sprinkled salt on his porridge instead of sugar. It is supposed to be what the Scots do or did I don't know how true that is. We also used to have pickled pork belly or salted brisket. Herrings rolled in oatmeal and fried, smoked haddock and so on and so on. I don't think I have ever seen smoked haddock round here although I have found smoked cod. I certainly could buy smoked cod in NC as I used to use it and plentiful shrimp to add to my fish pies which were delicious.

Another yummy I couldn't resist.

Tomato Mostarda
Author: Andrew Dole
Source: Fruits & Veggies

A Flavorful Topping for Burgers & Vegetables

3 Tbs tomato paste
2 lb tomato, roma/plum
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 tsp coarse kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 Tbs whole grain mustard
3 each bay leaf, dried

1. Place all but bay leaves into food processor or blender.

2. Pulse until tomatoes are a thick purée.

3. Transfer tomato mixture into a sauce pan. Add bay leaves.

4 Simmer on low, stirring frequently, until mostarda reaches a thick BBQ/Ketchup sauce consistency.

5. When consistency is achieved start tasting. If the mostarda is flat in flavor (not vibrant) stir in small amounts of red wine vinegar until flavor intensifies. Remove the bay leaves.

6. Refrigerate in a tightly covered container for several weeks

Servings: 20

Have a great day