Book Review | The Ten (Food) Commandments - Jay Rayner

First things first: this is not a recipe book. It contains recipes sure and good ones at that, but they are not the raison d'être of this book. They are, like snacks to nibble on whilst you ingest the true message of the written word. That word is worship. At the altar of PIG and other foodstuff... 

If like me you love food, then this is definitely a read for you. Funny, smart and current Rayner does something with words I had only previously experienced with Nigella Lawson: he makes me want to eat. To eat very well indeed.

Thank you

Book of Elsa

PS: it's available here

Aubergine Dip | Book of Elsa

This recipe came my way in the middle of the night courtesy of Nigella Lawson, Feast (2004) I've fiddled with it a little. By which I mean, taken out stuff I didn't like or have in the cupboards at the time of cooking. 

The dip itself is fantastic with bread, carrot sticks and any other crudités you might like. I don't judge. Enjoy 

xo

Holiday Essentials | Book of Elsa

First and foremost, a book. If like me you believe in entertaining yourself then a great read (or two) is the way to go; Magazines are acceptable too... If you must.

   

Sun cream and insect repellent are vital = your older self will be full of thanks and the mosquitoes won't take you for an all you can eat buffet. On the same note don't forget to apply the latter at night especially if you're going somewhere tropical.

  

Tablet/Phone: Be sure to download a few games that don't require internet to play.

OBVIOUSLY.

DUH....

Gabriellas' Pavlova Book of Elsa

I've had a love affair with pavlova on/off for the last 10 years. Adjusting recipes in order to achieve crispy sides and bottom with marshmallowy insides has not been easy. My first attempt can only be described as a crispy egg white and sugar biscuit with over whipped cream and limp defrosted berries. 

Now please don't let the description above stop you from trying this. I mention it only so that YOU dear reader know that if for whatever reason the following recipe doesn't work the first time. PLEASE try again. 

The recipe below comes from How To Eat by Nigella Lawson (1998) p. 373 

Some words of wisdom before we begin:

1. Do wipe your mixing bowl and whisk with a segmented lemon or lime before you begin. The eggs just won't grow in volume if there's any grease.
2.  Any fruit/berries on top will do. I'm using strawberries here as they are my sister Gabriella favourite. Indeed this is her favourite dessert. But please no frozen defrosted ones. You'll just end up disappointed. Take it from me: it's not worth it.

The Mourning Bride - Zara

The Mourning Bride (excerpt) by William Congreve

by russellboyle.com

Zara from Act iii Scene viii

Ha!
Who waits there?
As you’ll answer it, take heed
This Slave commit no Violence upon
Himself. I’ve been deceiv’d. The Publick Safety
Requires he should be more confin’d; and none,
No not the Princes self, permitted to
Confer with him. I’ll quit you to the King.
Vile and ingrate! too late thou shalt repent
The base Injustice thou hast done my Love:
Yes, thou shalt know, spite of thy past Distress,
And all those Ills which thou so long hast mourn’d;
Heav’n has no Rage, like Love to Hatred turn’d,
Nor Hell a Fury, like a Woman scorn’d.

William Congreve
1670-1729

Plane Essentials - Book of Elsa

Plane Essentials

Travelling is one of my fave thing to do however, it can get quite stressful so here I suggest what things I take on planes, hopefully it will help you guys.

Also, if you're not travelling alone it might be more economical to share hold luggage between you because honestly being free of bags on a journey is worth the money! 

THE LIST includes but is not limited to:

Magazines

Books

Playing Cards

Ipod/Phone

Headphones

Chargers/Adaptors

Passports

Snacks

Blanket

Sunglasses

Summer is HERE! - Book of Elsa

For me, Summer hasn't truly begun until A: Roland Garros has started and B: I've made this fruit salad. 

I Hope you love it as much as I do.

My Black Is Beautiful - ZINHLE MLOTSHWA

My Black Is Beautiful - ZINHLE MLOTSHWA 

Yes, I'm black, darker than most, 

But in my blackness I boast.

Boasting of my own? No! 

But boasting of the quality

Which He: my God gave me! 

From the curvature of my hips

To the thickness of my thighs, 

Yes; even down to my big brown eyes? 

He made my black beautiful! 

And for the first time in a long

Time, I'm loving me and mine.

Come to the truth, should have

Known it from my youth, 

But now that I know my

Black is beautiful, 

You cannot use me, mistreat

Or abuse me.

It is no longer a allusion but

I have come to the conclusion

Even if it means me loving

Me, cause you see

I have the power to love

Myself hour after hour.

I am God's creation. Yes, 

A master plan even the

Absence of a man.

I still stand tall yell, 

Refusing to fall, screaming

Loud and very proud, 

MY BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL! 

It is more worth than gold, 

Cause my black runs deep

Into my only soul.

Not just for external for

Staring and glaring, 

But it is the inner me

That God would have you see.

And it causes me to

Shout beyond the shadow

Of a doubt, MY BLACK

IS BEAUTIFUL! So if

You are a woman

And you are real and you

Feel what I feel.

Do not be ashamed to

Proclaim what he said

And what you read.

Fearfully and wonderfully

Made god very good

With what I wish you

Would tell somebody, 

Anybody, your body, 

MY BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL!