Sunday 24th August 2024

Its the middle day of the three day bank holiday. Like that means anything these days.

I suggested earlier in the week that she and Ange should think about going to a spa.

And they went on Sunday.

Meaning I was going to be home along for about seven or so hours. But I had chores. And cats.

I got up at seven. Jools was already up, busy and dressed. She made me a coffee, then I did breakfast so that she would have something, then she was off to collect Ange and drive to Ickham.

I have no idea what a spa day involves, other han she took her swimming costume and there would be vegan lunch.

Just as well we had steak for dinner when she got back.

Through the day I seasoned the two ribeyes, and let them marinade in oil.

I wanted to make Pommes boulangère again, but remember the last time I tired I nearly de-thumbed myself with the mandoline.

First up was the caramelise half a pound of onions, taking nearly an hour, then into the afternoon, get the mandoline out and slice lots of potatoes, this time using the guide so to protect my fingers, thumbs and hands.

I make some stock, and clarify a pound of butter. I mean this is not healthy. I place the onions in a baking pot, layer overlapping potatoes, covering each layer with stock and butter.

Four layers, and me having over half a pint of stock, I pour more into the pot, which would turn out to be a huge mistake. And using a non-circular pot, there wasn't anything to sit on the potatoes and cartouche when the baking starts.

Without the weight, the stock and butter is not forced to the surface, so dies not evaporate, and so the finished dish is too "wet", and the there was little caramelisation of the top layers of potatoes.

Between the prep, I do stuff in the garden, chase butterflies round and have lunch. And feed the cats.

And there is football: I chose to watch Palace v Forest in the first game, but it really didn't get going, and the threats of real friction didn't materialise.

Then Fulham hosted Man Utd. By then Jools was home, so I try to speed the cooking of the potatoes, but really didn't work. Come five, enough was enough, I put the corn on to boil and 15 minutes later griddle the steaks, and dish up.

Whatever its failings, dinner was wonderful. The steak perfect, and dipped in the leftover stock and butter, the corn wonderful and fresh, and the potatoes, though not crispy, but cooked and full of flavour.

Another good thing was little washing up. But we tag team that, and are soon done.

And pooped.

Man Utd, despite spending over £200 million on forwards, only score through an own goal, and only draw 1-1.

So it goes.