'Be How You Should Be'

My brother has been so unwell, so today (to cheer him up) I made him a quiche and a Wimbledon inspired cake. A 3 layers of vanilla sponge, a layer of homemade strawberry jam, fresh strawberries and copious amounts of freshly whipped double cream.

Well, on my way round it got me thinking how sometimes life isn't fair, my brother hasn't moaned and just got on with it, a real inspiration.

Then, that got me thinking about life in general, it's a lot like cooking, a good attitude, some love, care and thought, you can't go far wrong really. Its like sometimes, you really can't be bothered to go the extra mile with doing the dinner,  it's ok, but it could have been amazing.

I recently discovered Jamie Oliver burgers in the supermarket, they are really good but by adding some homemade salsa, some little onion rings (let's be fair just a swish of fizzy water, a stir into plain flour, makes a fab tempura batter) that with some great bread either ciabatta or focaccia, a few nice salad leaves and you can have something really quite wonderful.

Its like relationships if you make the effort, treat people how you'd really like to be treated, smile often, and REALLY listen, then what you get back is something so special.

This afternoon I was at my son's sports day. A young boy came running up to his very glamorously dressed mum, she was obviously totally disinterested in her child's achievements in the events and he obviously really wanted her attention. I over heard him say "mummy I dropped the baton". She kissed him on the head, looking towards the horizon or possible somebody more 'important' and said 'well done darling thats great'.

Quiche Recipe
Shortcrust pastry
9oz plain flour
41/2 oz chilled diced butter
2 egg yolks
iced water
pinch of salt

In a food processor blend flour and butter until breadcrumb like,add salt, then egg yolks, if still a little dry add a little water, turn out and chill in fridge for half an hour. Once chilled roll out and line either a 8inch loose bottomed flan tin and 6 small muffin tins or a 9 inch loose bottomed flan tin. Blind bake for 20 mins at 200 then remove beans and parchment and bake for 10 more mins. Turn oven down to 150

Filling
240 g diced good bacon
2 shallots chopped finely
400 ml double cream
splash of lemon juice
4 eggs
50g cheddar
black pepper

Slowly cook shallots until translucent, could take 10 mins, ad splashes of water when pan dries, put to one side, cook diced bacon, mix Lemon juice, cream, pepper, cheese and eggs in a bowl,put half the bacon in bottom of pastry cases, pour in cream mix, best done on a baking tray in the oven, sprinkle over rest of the bacon, cook for 35 mins.