The Chestnut Horse

Believe it or not, I'm ready for some plain 'ol roast chicken. We have been eating very well here in the UK. I'm really enjoying the change in pub-food! Very exciting!
Last night, we ate at The Chestnut Horse, in the town of Easton. Just look at this place! It is beautiful! The room we were in was so cozy and inviting. As with most ancient pubs there are many rooms and varying ceiling heights to watch out for.

My first course consisted of Tempura Prawns, to me, this plate is bordering on main course size. Three large prawns in a light Tempura batter on a bed of julienned red and yellow pepper & red onions in a sweet and sour sauce, with a little balsamic glaze thrown in for good measure! There was a little pot of 'some kind of dipping sauce' that I just can't figure out what was in it. Really, this was delicious, but I needed help in finishing the serving as to not insult the chef. Plus, the serving plates are The Wave/Gourmet from Villeroy and Boch a fun shape!

Main course was pork mignons layered with dolcelatte cheese and piquillo peppers. There was a sauce of black olives and basil.......this was a great dish and can be duplicated at home! The peppers came from a jar, these are relatively easy to find and use. As always, there is a side-trio-of obligatory vegetables; carrots, mange tout and baby corns.

There was no room for dessert! My waist band is getting tighter each day!

At the local 'Chippie'!

Still on the road. We found our way down to the corner chippie.......minus the newspaper, we ate in the shop!

I got my fill of fish-n-chips last night. Don't you just love the mushy peas! Not everyone has a taste for them!

The 'grease' quota for the month has been filled!

Road Food!

On the road again! This time to the UK, my husband, a pilot, takes the aircraft to maintenance for the month of August. Clay and I tag along.

One of the nice aspects of our trip is sampling the pub food. I guess the term now-a-days is 'Gastropub'. An imaginative and sophisticated style of cooking, served in the cozy pub atmosphere. Wooden tables, candles and flowers adorn each table. Copious servings, always a roast of some kind, and a vegetarian option. It is the kind of food I serve at home, really!


This is a sample of what was on the menu for Sunday Lunch at The Sun, located in Bentworth. The menu changes with the season, with Daily Specials noted.

Today, there were two chalkboard specials. One was the Roast Lamb, and in the photo above is the Somerset Pork Roast with cider & onion sauce. Traditionally, you are always served 3 veg and 1 potato side dish. This is lots of food on the plate!
For dessert, I couldn't resist the Banofee Pie. I wonder it they would give me the recipe. This was really yummy!
See for yourself....

You can see the thick chocolate sauce that the pie was

Look at my booty!

Trust me.....not my best side! Now that I got your attention, read on!!!!!!!
My neighbor brought over a package this morning. It was an 'Amazon Box', I thought, Huh? Did I forget about something I ordered? To my surprise & delight this box was filled with booty galore! All the way from Maryland! Cathy, a formidable blogger who runs My Little Kitchen was terribly thoughtful and generous in her choices. Even down to the New York Times that was cushioning the treasures she sent.

Cathy sent some awesome Vermont Maple Syrup---can't wait to try this on my 'yeasted' waffles! Plus, the bottle is very cool and will be kept, when empty, for other uses!
She sent some cookies and bars (both arrived in great condition, not a crumb was seen, even tho they made an ocean crossing!) We are tearing into these, trying not to finish them off in one day, DELISH!
Baking Powder---you can only find 'single-acting' baking powder here, so this was a fantastic addition to the box! Old Bay seasoning, which I love to use on any fish filet or use with any dry rub concotion! Salt Water Taffy and a package of Pecans rounded off the booty!

Blogging by Mail has been such fun to participate in and I can't wait for the next one. I guess next time I'll try my hand at making and sending cookies, instead of copping-out by sending tea and sea salt to my Blogging by Mail buddy.

Sincere thanks to Cathy for sending the box and Nic for hosting!!

Home Sweet Home

Nothing compares to the anticipation of a trip away.....But there is nothing better than returning HOME! I've been visiting family in the states, and visiting colleges in the Northeast with my son. A great trip and an exciting education for us. Yes, we are saving tuition money as we speak!
I had fun in Boston, introducing Clay to Clam Chowder and Steamers. The Steamers, he just wasn't so sure about, and this kids eats EVERTHING! I think it was the 'beard & foot' that turned him off.

Imagine how excited I was when arriving home and checking my stuffed mailbox and finding a package from California! Nic, from Bakingsheet invited the blogging community to join
Blogging by Mail. She sent a little Thanks for Joining with a carepackage filled with goodies.
I discovered a tupperware filled with
Blondies! Some JellyBelly JBz....and a tempting packet of Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate Mocha mix! I popped open the tupperware and took a long sniff......yum..

You know how you feel after an all night flight, tired and HUNGRY! (our cabbie was driving on fumes, imagine he forgot to fill the tank and drove us from CDG to the western burbs on empty!)
I'm afraid my son gave me the 3rd degree before I started to snarff down the blondies;

1. Do you know this person?
2. Is she a crazy blogger?

After answering his questions, we both dug-in. Fresh and delicious and just how I imagined a delicacy from Nic would be!

It has been fun catching up on all my favorite blogs. Some have had fantastic face lifts (panic, my turn!!).
One has tagged me for my very first MEME (yep, I'm honored and excited!).

It is great to be home!