Advent Calendar XII

 

I have often made mention of my almost constant battle with my weight, well lets be honest it's not so much the weight as the fat round the middle! I know that it is the result of three weaknesses, lack of exercise, too much booze, and a love of food. I know we all like to eat (well nearly all) I also like to cook. I do sometimes find it difficult to get excited about cooking just for one, it can sometimes feel like a lot of faff then to just sit down and eat on my own. But, when I retired I told myself I should cut down on the processed food and cook more from scratch. I am also trying to buy my meat from a butcher, my fish from a fish monger etc. rather than just get everything from the supermarket. It certainly makes life more interesting.

This week I have made my own lentil soup, a Coq au Vin, and a couple of vegetable gratins. I find that I will still cook the same quantities as I would for more people, but then I will have the same thing a couple of times or freeze a few portions (I will always do this with a bolognaise sauce, and often with casseroles). All this does mean I am eating better, but I can only do it because I have the time, it simple wasn't possible most of the time when I was working full time. It's one of the things I am finding, that activities expand to fill the available time!

Tonight I am actually at home so I will clear the table, wrap some presents, open a bottle of minervoise (my favourite) and then tuck into some of the Coq au Vin with a couple of mince pies to follow.

I marinated the chicken for nearly two days, then cooked it yesterday, left it to rest and will warm a portion up for tonight. The rest will be reserved for Sunday evening to follow on from the afternoon CSB concert!

I know none of this has much to do with Christmas, or Advent, but one of the reasons I am so happy to be cooing up a storm now is the knowledge that I haven't got to do it for Christmas, somebody else will have all that to do as once again I will be going away for Christmas, just as soon as I get through the last of my five remaining Christmas performances!