Tablecloths & Talking with My Mum
Who better to have a little chat with this Mother’s Day month, than with my Mum! I loved reading Mum’s answers to the Tablecloths and Talking chat, because it all felt so familiar. And reminded me that she is a total Francophile! My Mum – other wise known as Lib or Granny! – is definitely the foundation of my love of cooking. She is a brilliant cook and has always loved entertaining. She taught me all the basics like pastry and chutney, a good lamb roast and the perfect picnic slice. She can whip up anything from a random selection of pantry and fridge finds (just don’t pay too much attention to the use by date, coz Mum most likely hasn’t…!) and is still the person I call in a panic when I’m facing a kitchen disaster. We love to talk about food, share recipes and cook for each other. The foodie gene runs strong between us Elizabeths! Love you Mumma and thanks for sharing your love of cooking with me!.
Q: What is your favourite Dill Tickle product and how do you use it?
A: Tomato Relish which I use on my favourite go to quick meal: cheese on toast. A generous spread of tomato relish topped with thick tomato slices then cheese. All melted under the grill and accompanied by dressed leaves or salad. The complete meal.
Yes or No…
Coriander? Yes
Blue Cheese? YES.
Pickles on a Burger? I don’t eat burgers…
Egg Sandwich? Yes, with mayonnaise.
Q: What would your Last Supper be?
Entrée… Witlof, apple and walnut salad.
Main… Duckling a l’Orange.
Dessert… Biscotton Torte*.
Drink… very cold flinty Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc after a Scotch whisky apéritif.
And who would your dream guest be to join you for this finale?! Judi Dench (but if she couldn’t come, then Maggie smith! Or both!)
Q: What do you bring when you’re told not to bring a thing?!
A: a bunch of flowers from my garden**.
Q:What are your top 3 pantry must-haves/staples?
Whole almonds, skin on (I’ll blanch them if need be)
Fresh rosemary
My homemade quince paste - so good with blue cheese
Q: What is something that’s been sitting unused in your pantry for a while?
A: large jar of Bilberry Compote***!
Q: What’s your comfort food or the one dish that always brings you joy?
A: Mum’s roast lamb.
Q: What’s the best meal you’ve ever eaten?
A: A meal at Claude’s Woollahra when Damien Pignolet was in charge – amazing chocolate mousse cake. Or at a small restaurant in rural France, with the most exquisite caviar.
A quick 3…
Early Bird or Night Owl? I’m most definitely a night owl.
Your kitchen tunes? ABC current affairs or Classical music.
Fave Cookbook? Can I have three favourites? The Commonsense Cookery Book for the absolute basics, Secrets of The Great French Restaurants by Louisette Berthholle (the Sourbet Plougastel is to die for) and Ottolenghi of course.
*this is a family heirloom recipe. I think we all whip it out at birthdays as a showstopper!
**Mum’s garden is wonderful (I got married there) and there’s nothing better than a posy of flowers done by Lib.
***This cracks me up! What’s the use by on this Mum!?
Mum, Myself and Edie. And Mum picking apricots on the side of the road, for TDT jam.