It Was A Dark & Stormy Night...

Suddenly there was an almighty crash and the building seemed to shake.

Unfortunately it wasn't Snoopy dancing on the roof, nor was it thunder to go with the lightening zinging across the sky, or even a car slamming into a bus (or vice versa). Instead it was a cop's nightstick smashing our safety-glassed storefront window in frustration as a criminal used our building as an escape-route, slamming the front door shut in the cop's face. And to add insult to injury, the neighbour who saw the incident is not terribly swift and didn't bother taking down the cops tag number. Now we are stuck paying for a broken window (we are talking 2m x 3m (6ft x 9ft) that will need replacing sooner rather than later.

Good thing I had anticipated the increasing greyness of the day.

My bed was covered in fresh linen and a warm snuggly blanket,

ready for me to take a rainy Saturday afternoon nap.

I had made serious comfort food after coming back from the birthday party - chopping veggies is a very soothing occupation after being surrounded by squeeling 5 year olds. And after the window incident, I certainly needed comfort.

Orange & Red Soup

This is made with any sympathetically coloured veggies you might have. It is a fridge clearing act that creates a sweet borscht-like concoction that can be served chunky, pureed or strained, depending on what texture tickles your fancy.

• Onion
• Pumpkin
• Butternut squash
• Carrot
• Sweet potatoes
• Yellow zucchini or summer squash
• Beets
• Bay leaves
• Olive oil 1 tbsp
• Salt, pepper & white vinegar to taste
• Sour cream and parsley for garnish

Dice the onion & gently fry in the oil until golden and fragrant.

Dice all the veg into 2 cm cubes

Add about 1 cup of the squash & beets to browned onions, stirring occassionally - you want them to get a bit caramelized, for extra flavour. Do not burn.

Add the rest of the veg

Add cold water to barely cover and throw in the bayleaves.

Bring to boil and reduce to a slow simmer until veg is soft (about 1/2 hour)

Season to taste (the vinegar makes it less cloying and adds a welcome extra dimension)

For clear borscht-y soup, strain through a seive, pressing only very lightly on the veg. Strain again through a coffee filter or muslin. Let the liquid settle, and then carefully pour off the clear liquid, stopping before the sludge joins the party.

Meanwhile, baking merrily away in the oven was a pastissio/moussaka/lasagna thing that will provide me with at least 10 meals.

La MoussTissio

A layer of tomatoe & meat sauce (simple bolognese)

A layer of cooked corkscrew macaroni

A layer of sauteed eggplant

A layer of feta/bulgarian cheese

Repeat

Top with a layer of well nutmegged bechamel

Bake in a medium oven until browned, crispy and bubbling.

Serve immediately or let cool thoroughly, cut into portions and freeze.

Directions for a Rainy Afternoon

Finish cleaning kitchen

Pour a cup of fortified coffee or tea

Climb into bed with a favourite book

Curl up and enjoy!