Food Bloggers Unplugged - Revealing the Awful Truth about My Cooking

Lovely Dom at Belleau Kitchen has nominated me to take part in Food Bloggers Unplugged which originated from A little bit of heaven on a plate .  The idea is to answer some questions to give you, the reader, some insight into who I am and what I am about... 

1. What, or who inspired you to start a blog?

When my younger son Jonny moved to China, a few months ago, I decided to start a blog so that he could keep up with all of the happenings at home.  After the first few posts I was hooked.

2. Who is your foodie inspiration?

Nigel Slater.

3.  Your greasiest, batter - splattered food/drink book is?

A wonderful, handwritten recipe book which my mother began when we lived in Hong Kong.  It has red velvet covers, is battered and worn, and I love it.

4. Tell us all about the best thing you have ever eaten in another country, where was it, what was it?

My mother's lemon meringue pie!  When I was a child we lived in Hong Kong, way back in the 1960's.   My mother used to make wonderful food, but her lemon meringue pie was sublime.  For some reason I only remember her making it in Hong Kong, not when we returned to UK.

5.  Another food bloggers table you'd like to eat at is?

Without any doubt that would be Dom from Belleau Kitchen 

6.  What is the one kitchen gadget you would ask Santa for this year (money no object of course)?

Sorry, I know this is a cheat - but I would like Santa to bring me a cook.

7.  Who Taught you how to cook?

My mother was a brilliant cook and taught me a lot.  The one other person whose teaching I frequently recall, was a very feisty spinster who taught Domestic Science at The Nicolson Institute in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.  She was a dragon with a heart of gold. I often 'hear' her voice asking me whether I am cooking soup, or that wooden spoon which I had left in the saucepan!

8.  I'm coming to you for dinner what is your signature dish?

On a bad day, when my solid fuel Rayburn is feeling sulky that would be a takeaway - on a good day (for both me and the Rayburn) it would obviously be something ambrosial, but for starters it would be spinach soup.  I make amazing spinach soup!!  It all falls apart after that - hence my need for Santa to bring me a cook.

9.  What is your guilty food pleasure?

Without a doubt that would be picking the crust off a freshly baked loaf of bread, leaving the bread exposed.  I frequently have to 'tidy' a loaf afterwards!

10.  Reveal something about yourself that others would be surprised to learn?

I grew up 'seeing' names in colour.  I couldn't believe that other people didn't, my parents found it difficult to believe that I did!  This is a well documented phenomena called synesthesia, although I knew nothing of that when I was younger!

Finally ...tag 5 other food bloggers with these questions ... like a hot baked potato...pass it on!

I would like to nominate:


Shu Han @ Mummy I can Cook
Ian@the owl wood
Quay Po@ Quay Po Cooks
Ronna@ Ronna's Blog
Mary@ Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes