Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Food Glorious Food!

Hello everyone. I thought I might share a hooman recipe with you today!


A short while ago Mum took me on one of our favourite walks along the Leeds - Liverpool canal. The tow path has been closed for a while, so we hadn't been there for sometime.


This is where Mum likes to pick wild garlic (ramsons) It grows in semi shaded moist conditions often in wooded areas. The season is usually April - mid May, so we were really surprised when we caught the instantly recognisable smell in June! I guess the terrible spring weather has made everything late! 

Yep Mum; that's definitely Wild Garlic!

Being a responsible owner, Mum always has several poo bags (in my case, pedal bin liners...) about her person, so we stopped and picked some. This attracted several odd looks from other walkers as Mum appeared to be bending down in a patch of nettles!

With this year's crop Mum decided to make a simple Wild Garlic sauce for pasta.

The Wild Garlic leaf. Looks quite like Lily of the Valley.

The garlic needs washing thoroughly before use. Many recipes say this isn't necessary....but there are a lot of dogs along that tow path.......just sayin'!


Wild Garlic is a bit like spinach, in that it seems to break down to very little once it is cooked. Mum used about 50 leaves to make a sauce for 2 people!

Once the spinach is washed, blanch for 3 minutes in boiling water and then drain. Place it in a food processor and blitz until you have a smooth bright green sauce. Add a glug of olive oil, 1 tbs of lemon juice, a sprinking of zest and salt to taste. 

Wild Garlic pasta sauce ready to go!

Mum used Fiorelli, but it works well with most pasta. Good for our vegetarian friends too!

While we are on the subject of food, I feel I should share something for all my doggy pals out there. I best just say that if your hooman is with you and if they are eating or not feeling so good, you might want to skip this.....
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My latest find!! Raw green lamb tripe........or possibly it is an alien. For those of you unfamiliar with this delicacy, it is the lining of a lamb's stomach. Beef tripe is more common and usually bleached white for human consumption. I should point out that this was purchased at a butcher's counter for people..... nice! 

So, if ever proof was needed that my Mum adores me, this is it. She said that initially it smelt like a cross between horse poo and rotting eggs......but now that it has been in the fridge for two days (airtight lead lined box required...should it attempt to escape) there is a definite hint of rotting fish there too. Needless to say, I LOVE it!

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Finally I would like to pay tribute to Blueberry, sister of Bunny over at Tales and Tails As many of you will already know, Blue passed away yesterday; yet another victim of the dreadful Osteosarcoma. She didn't suffer for long; having started limping intermittently only two weeks ago. 

Our deepest sympathy goes to Carrie, Bunny and all the family, who have lost their very special girl. Mum had a real soft spot for Blue (and her mum, Lilac before her) and she wasn't the only one. Blueberry will be missed all over the world.....which says a lot about what a special dog she was.

Blueberry. RIP.
Run Fast Run Free Beautiful Blue. 





Comments (25)

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Lily Belle's avatar

Lily Belle · 614 weeks ago

OMD, that pasta sauce looks so yummy! Mommy said it reminds her of Pesto Sauce. Now, Mommy also had some yucky words for the picture of your tripe, but I think it looks and sounds delicious. We've never had it but am sure we would love it.

We are very sad to hear about your furend Blueberry! We will go over there now to some some love.

Hugs,
Lily Belle & Muffin
madsnapper's avatar

madsnapper · 614 weeks ago

so sorry to hear about Blue, there are many sweet pets in blogland that are sick now. that tripe is gross, i was raised eating beef tripe, we were very very poor. i did not know what it was until i was 16 and i never ate it again...
My MOM picks these mushrooms that grow wild where we walk sometimes. They are super special, but I can't remember their name.
I too am very sad to have learned of Blueberry going to the Bridge. She was such a jokester. She will be missed.
Blessings,
Goose
That looks like an excellent recipe and free too! We have some wild garlic growing in our woods so Mum will have to try it.
The Leeds and Liverpool canal is such a beautiful place, Mum and Dad would like a canal boat holiday some day.
Our deepest sympathy to Blueberry's mum.
Dip Bridge and Elliot x
Tripe is probably something I will never get to try cuz mom has a delucate stomach and love me as she does I just don't think she could go there! Sorry about Blueberry. We will say a prayer for the family.
Frankie and Ernie's avatar

Frankie and Ernie · 614 weeks ago

We tried to leave words for Blueberry's family butt we guess some sort of Password is needed and we don't have that. We are very SORRY to hear that she left for the bridge.
that pasta is GORGEOUS... Love the Color the Wild Garlic gave it... and the Shape of the pasta was perfect.
We have seen tripe in MEAT SHOPS here... butt not often. From your description of its AROMA.. it must be DELIGHTFUL... YES, your mum really did show how much she loves you by bringing that home fur you.
1 reply · active 614 weeks ago
I don't think you need a password to comment. Oh sheesh! I hope not!
Deccy, you do eat some foods we never have heard of, will say that the Lamb stomach does look good.

So sorry to hear about you furpal Blueberry, but she is in a good place back to running around with fureinds and waiting for us all to come and join her!

The Mad Scots
Yep, your Mum definitely loves you. LOL

We are sad about Blueberry here, too.
We'll skip the tripe, thank you! But the rest...yum! Your Mom is a great cook, Deccy!

So sorry to hear about Blue.
The wild garlic is very interesting. I didn't realize you used the leaves.
I am broken-hearted over the loss of Blue. Of course, she's probably dining on lamb tripe and wishing we weren't all sad. She's with her momma and knows we loved her so.
Ow wow, oh Deccy, you are SO LUCKY. That tripe looks ABSOLUTELY DIVINE! Fantastic. I am going to send Gail out on a search for some right away. I don't care if she has to travel all the way to Yorkshire. I am SO ENVIOUS.
Toodle pip!
Bertie.
PS I guess the wild garlic stuff looks nice too. Or so Gail seems to think.
Mom says that pasta dish looks DEEEEELICIOUS!!! She wasn't as enthusiastic about the tripe though *BOL*. Seriously Deccy, we are going to start calling you Decadent Deccy 'cos you get the most PAWSOME meals!!

RIP Blueberry - run free and be happy

Wally & Sammy
Glad your mum washed the garlic;)

The lambs thingy....yuck and did i say yuck:)

We were also saddened at Blue's passing. She was a very special girl who enriched not only her family but those of us lucky to know her through Carrie's blog.
Mom I drooling over the idea of garlic sauce! And thank you for a much needed giggle about that lamb tripe. Mom said she loves all of us, but that is not happening at our house!

Thank you so very much for your kind words about Blue! It's hard to believe she's gone. It was very unexpected for all of us!

Bunny
I am so sorry to read about Blueberry, I will cross paws for her family.

That stuff looks pretty gross Declan. I have never eaten anything like that. Mommy wants to know if there is an animal "Hannibal Lecter" that is supplying you with those. If so please be careful and watch your back. The garlic thing looks yummy.

Loveys Sasha
I'm so sad about Blueberry, and understand their pain. Thank God blue was so loved for so long!
I enjoyed reading about the wild garlic and the sheep stomach. Declan, are you sure that you're going to get any more kisses if you eat that foul smelling tripe?
Tell Mom Sue that you love her!
Mum says she can't stomach having us eat stomach... Lovely tribute to the beautiful Blue!
DUDE! Send me some of that alien!!!

Mason
Hi Deccy, sauce looks great. We'll try to get your mom to make us some if she ever comes over to Canada. Lamb tripe...my dad says that maybe we can try it outside but then we'll have to be monitored closely and kept in the laundry room overnight in the event that major tummy upset happens. I think that he's worried about poo on the carpets :(
OMD, that looks so yummy!! Momma likes the pasta, but that TRIPE!!!

I just heard the news about Blueberry, and I'm so very sad to hear it. :(
I love Garlic, but wild garlic in the UK is quite different than regular garlic. If it tastes the same go for it, looked like a delicious dish! My heart goes out My heart goes out to Blueberry's family, May she be running to her heart's content!
Hi Deccy and Mum's, interesting about the wild garlic and it looks yummy! I get minced green tripe for Frankie and Beryl, it's easier to handle but still smells, lol! It took Beryl a while to be able to eat it, her being a Princess and all but she's good with it now as long as I don't feed it to her every night.

Hugs to you all ... and Blueberry xxxx
sue taylor's avatar

sue taylor · 614 weeks ago

Such sad news about Blue.
Good to see your being well catered for as always Deccy xx
Whoohoo for the pesto, not so enthused about your tripe, Deccy. Your mums must truly love you. Does KC like tripe?

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