Now that we don’t have a supermarket on our doorstep, I like to plan ahead. Not that it means we are ever really without anything, or able to buy milk, for example, if we run out. The nearest supermarket is only about 10 kms away, and in the time it used to take us to get from West Didsbury to Cheadle at the busier times of day, we can even be in Trieste and have a much bigger choice of supermarkets. And, since British Cornershop started delivering again to Croatia, post Brexit, we’re rarely without anything we really need. But, you know how it is before Christmas – food in cupboards, fridge and freezer, but it cannot be touched yet, because it’s for Xmas…
So, with just a few days to go before we can eat the Christmas stuff – because that’s the law – we’ve been creating meals out of what we’re allowed to eat. As in, food that isn’t just for Christmas! But, also food that’s a bit healthier and lighter as we know we’ll most probably be over-indulging over the next week or so. Last night’s dinner was what our nephew would call a “mash-up”, and it was pretty delicious and tasted all round healthy.
A big chunk of halloumi, cut in half, and lightly fried with lemon juice until all sides were nicely browned, but the cheese inside, still nice and squeaky. Thin slices of potatoes, smothered in olive oil, rock salt, black pepper, smoky paprika and chilli flakes and baked in the oven for about an hour, until the edges were crispy. A salad of rocket, cherry tomatoes, spring onions and cucumber, drizzled with nutty olive oil. And finally, a tin of smoked tuna, heated up in the microwave. Just the tuna, not the tin, as well. This is from a Greek range called Eridanous, which is often stocked in Lidl, and is very, very tasty.
So, a big plate full of salad leaves, fresh and healthy, spicy potatoes, cheese and tuna. Admittedly, it sounds as if it was all chucked together, and it kind of was, but the flavours were just perfect. Nice also, to have a winter dinner, that wasn’t just comfort food. Almost as if spring was just around the corner…
