You have probably sensed from the preceding posts that I LOVE my food. I definitely live to eat.
It shouldn’t be that difficult, therefore, to imagine me being overwhelmed with joy at a roast dinner. They are the bedrock of my family’s appetite. What made this occassion so special, however, was the newly discovered variation to the customary Sunday dish. It was a new technique that I had found a few weeks before rummaging in a musty, old family recipe book.
I say new – to others its probably solidly established in their repertoire. But now it is in mine, too.
Essentially, the recipe just combined Boulangère potatoes and lamb shoulder in one pan. With a bit of enthusiastic spicing and a generous sprinkle of salt and garlic, the fat dripped off the lamb and bathed the entire dish in deliciousness.
The potatoes had a crispy crust and a juicy centre, and the meat was – crucially – cheap. It was all effortless. My Mum was overjoyed. As were all my guests. A happy evening was had.
Good ingredients, great music to accompany its preparation, and interesting company to serve it to – all make for times of true joy in my little twenty-something life.
Diary of a Twenty Something Time Traveller 