See what stuff me and my badly behaved pals have been up to lately
Our kitchen is so loud. It is where we all work, play, cook and do our thing. Over the last few days this room has also become our office. The table has turned into a humming, heaving mess of computers, pens, papers and pencils as Anthony and I work on our new project. During all this I have had that …
Why not consider saving some of your own this growing season? There’s nothing new about seed saving. It used to be an integral part of the gardening calendar as local varieties would be lovingly saved and passed through generations of families and communities. So whilst it’s undoubtedly very convenient in the cold (or rain) of winter to be huddled inside, …
I campaign for health, mental health in particular on the Isle of Wight (where I live). When I first contacted my local MP in 2014 he replied (along the lines of) he wasn’t aware there was a problem on the island… I replied to him that people with mental health issues are some of the least likely people to contact …
Welcome back to Elefante he be Cookin’ ! This is my festive edition at this special time when our days are filled with the Baby Jesus and the over consumption of our favourite boozes. So just in case you’re having problems getting as drunk as you would like I’m going to teach you Elefante’s Mull(er)ed Wine! So first open a …
I’m starting to get in the festive spirit so a packet of Mr Kipling mince pies caught my eye as I was food shopping the other day. I thought about buying the no doubt exceedingly tasty cakes until I remembered the British Hen Welfare Trust’s feather campaign and … didn’t. You see the charity is trying to persuade the cake …
You know those rogue Christmas gifts or rich leftovers that you ‘simply can’t have another mouthful of’ but don’t want to throw away? Heavy fruit cakes from Auntie Flatulence, booze laden puddings from Great Uncle Gout, or big lumps of marzipan that you don’t know what the hell to do with? I bring you bombombs – the perfect way to …
The humble pallet; what a brilliant, versatile and (perhaps best of all), free material. Of course they can also be used in a myriad of ways in the home but today I want to look at some of the easiest methods for their use in and around your garden or allotment. First off, getting hold of them It’s really easy …
Welcome to the cooking exploits of Elefante – yes he’s an elephant and he really is cookin’!! Do you like soup ? (I mean who doesn’t, right?) And are you ridiculously lazy? (Again who isn’t, right??) Well this is for you. It’s soup and you don’t even have to cook it! Yes, you heard me right, let’s make uncooked …
Pastry is one of the easiest things you can make. I’m talking short-crust here. I once made puff pastry and what an absolute arse that was. Unless you happen to have a ridiculous amount of time on your hands then some things are simply best bought …
So, it’s a special occasion, you’ve made a huge effort baking a cake, so-and-so is just about to arrive, but your cake doesn’t say ‘celebrate’ it says ‘half-arsed’. You, my friend, need the art of ‘jooj’. Among other things, the Urban dictionary defines ‘jooj’ as ‘to make something appear more ‘put together quickly’. The Guardian eloquently refers to ‘zhushing’ and …