Monday, November 28, 2016

Dune, Castro,

Somewhere or other I read that someone was going to re-read Dune. I decided I should do the same. I don't know why I didn't really enjoy it the first time, possibly because I had read a later book first and was expecting something totally different, I don't really know. However, I am about half way through the book and thoroughly enjoying it. I confess I don't quite get some of it, the Bene Geserit and their Missionaria Protectiva (I may have got that wrong) confuses me a little. The worms are the things that fascinate me the most. I had forgotten the story and it is very much like reading a new book for me.

The news hasn't stopped talking about the death of Fidel Castro, however, I don't know that it will make much difference to Cuba with Raoul Castro still head of the country. I have been told, by people who have vacationed there, just how very poor the people are and most Canadians pack their luggage with all kinds of things like toothpaste and shampoos to give away. Other things too I believe. However, not being politically minded, I didn't realise Cubans could get arrested for airing their opinions. We have never been but understand that it is a great place to vacation.

This recipe looked absolutely delicious so I had to share it. I am also going to include the video as it may be helpful. Not difficult though.

Bacon and Camembert Wreath





This mouth-watering bacon and Camembert wreath is the perfect Christmas showstopper which is guaranteed to take centre stage on your festive dinner table. It's the ideal party food for sharing with friends and family serving around 8 people. If you're having friends round this year then pop this in the centre of a buffet and everyone will be happy, guaranteed! You might just need more than one... This impressive wreath is so easy to make, wrapping readymade shortcrust pastry around thin slices of bacon and baking - it's that easy! It will take around 45 mins to prepare and cook this recipe but it's well worth the wait and the prep time is just fifteen minutes so there's not too much to do before you
get it in the oven. Topped with maple syrup it's one for sweet and salty lovers.
This bacon and Camembert wreath is best made and eaten on the same day!

320 g ready-rolled shortcrust pastry (11.29 oz)
12 rashers streaky bacon (regular bacon)
3 tbsp maple syrup
1 egg, beaten
1 Camembert

1. Heat the oven to 220°C. Cut each bacon rasher in half and set aside. Unroll the pastry, cut in half length ways and each half into 12 even strips. Top with bacon strips and brush over 2 tbsp maple syrup.

2. Curl each strip into a twist and chill for 30 mins.

3. Place the lid from the camembert box into the centre of a large lined baking tray and arrange the bacon pastry twists around it, to create a wreath shape. Brush with beaten egg and bake for 10 mins.

4. Remove from the oven and replace the camembert box lid with the cheese in the box base, cut a cross in the top and drizzle over the remaining syrup. Bake for a further 15 mins and serve.

Servings: 8

Source: GoodtoKnow
Have a great day
 

18 comments:

  1. You've made me think I should reread 'Dune'. I didn't like it the first time I tried it. In fact I abandoned it partway through (which is very unusual for me). Maybe we need some maturity to appreciate it.

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    1. Do try it again Helen. It is really something of a classic over here and yet 3 of my commenters haven't read it. I think I hadn't heard of it til I came to Canada mind you.

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  2. Hi Jo - I'm sure I'll get to read Dune at some stage ... as I too haven't read it. That wreath thing looks delicious ... I do that but like a swiss-roll and cut them in slices to cook ...

    Yes Castro and his legacy ... apparently lots of professionals who were sent without a quid pro quo into Africa ... so the Africans feel grateful ... yet ignoring the dictator at home - executions, prison, destruction, nepotism ...etc

    Cheers and have a good week - Hilary

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    1. It really is an excellent book Hilary, not sure why I didn't really enjoy it the first time.

      Typical Castro though isn't it?

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  3. I've never read Dune but vaguely remember hearing about it years ago. I still remember my cousin's home movies of her 1955 honeymoon to Cuba. And remember studying the overthrow of Batista as few years later in high school. I still remember the joy everyone felt for the country and their new leader. I saw his TV interview last night where he 'pooh-poohed' the idea of communism in his country. Well, we all know how that turned out. As for speaking your mind, I had to hush up my friend in Russia who was very free with her opinions. It is another country where the residents learn to keep their opinions to themselves and I did not want to spend my time there in a detention facility, lol. Our guide insisted that Russia has no interest in the Ukraine. Right.

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    1. I really am enjoying Dune Denise, I am surprised you have never read it as it is something of a classic in this part of the world. I thought things had eased up in Russia these days. Obviously not.

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  4. I saw the movie Dune years ago, but never read the book. Its not in my usual genre of books I read, so I probably won't ever read it. I did hear Cuba was a pretty country to visit; another blog I follow, she and her husband, also Canadians, visited there probably about 2 years ago now. Showed a lot of pictures of their trips on her blog. It will be interesting to see what happens in Cuba since the passing of Fidel Castro, but I agree, a lot could remain the same with his brother still running the country.

    betty

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    1. I didn't see the movie Betty, I cannot imagine it doing justice to the book. Really is an excellent story. Yes, lots of Canadians go to Cuba on vacation.

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  5. I wasn't crazy about Dune. Didn't read past the first one.
    They say that it's not so much he's dead as the people view it as the first crack in the egg.

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    1. Funny I got the impression that everyone in North America thought it was the greatest book of all time Alex. I am certainly enjoying it very much this time around.

      Never thought of it that way before, but it's still run by the military.

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  6. I have a few books which I re-read every few years. I haven't read Dune though.That wreath looks and sounds decadent.

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    1. Same here Pinky although I have more than a few. However I don't own Dune, it's a library book. I think I might invest in a copy now though.

      Looks delicious to me LOL

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  7. That sounds so delicious. Cuban-Americans are being very vocal in their celebration of Castro's passing. It will be interesting to see if America's renewed relations with Cuba help their people. If it doesn't, why are we doing it?

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    1. I wonder, as you say Susan, it will be interesting to see what happens.

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  8. I always thought our Cuba embargo and not allowing tourism there was pretty stupid. I understand why it was in place cause of the Bay of Pigs thing, but come on, that was over 50 years ago. And the US does all kinds of business w/ Communist China so I don't much care for that hypocrisy either.

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    1. You're right JoJo it was pretty stupid I guess.

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  9. Our PM is getting a lot of flack for his comments and I understand why but I also understand why he said it as well. Any place where communism reigns, people have to be very careful what to say or they will disappear.

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