Scrambled eggs and motherly love

Date: 2012-01-30

Pregnancy has changed me. I used to spend my time in shops looking for exciting ingredients - figuring out new flavour combinations. Now, I wander the aisles aimlessly in the hope of finding the holy grail - the 'cure' for my nausea. I've tried a combination of Tic Tacs, Wine Gums, salt and vinegar crisps, popcorn, gummy bears, Haribo Tangfastics, cherry flavoured chewing gum, Granny Smith apples, oranges, blueberries, raspberries, satsumas, cashew nuts (salted only) and Foxes Glacier Fruits but nothing seems to work.....However, there is one thing that makes me feel better - scrambled eggs and toast.

I now order scrambled eggs wherever I can get them and I've come to realise that no two places serves them the same way. I like mine creamy and rich, made with only a hint of milk and a large knob of butter. When I make them myself I try to stir them as little as possible so that they acquire some shape and I always take them off the heat before they are quite done as they continue to cook in the pan afterward. Too many places beat the bejeezus out of the eggs, leaving you with a rubbery gloop which has a poor consistency. Seasoning is also crucial - unsalted eggs are tasteless. I particularly hate when large flakes of black pepper are added. It doesn't look right...as if sand and dust has escaped from the hoover into your precious eggs. White pepper is the answer - invisible in eggs but gives a peppery kick at the same time. 

Grumblings about texture aside, eggs (either my own, Mike's or a restaurant's) remain my cure. While there is no doubt that eggs are soothing, the reason I love them so much is because my Mum used to make them for me when I was sick. Now as I eat them, I can hear her soothing voice, and feel her arms wrapped around me. I will soon be a mother myself and I hope that I will have that same soothing effect on my child.   For now, I still haven't outgrown my Mum's hugs or scrambled eggs and I don't think I ever will. 

Yes it's been too long

Date: 2012-01-17

I never imagined writing this kind of blog post but here goes... the reason I have been off air for so long is that I am expecting a baby in July and I'm suffering from the most awful morning sickness (which lasts all blooming day in my case).

We're thrilled with our baby news but I've been struggling to keep food down let alone cook it. I feel like I've had a brain transplant. I'm experiencing the weirdest cravings and I've totally gone off most of my favourite foods. Normally, I shake my head in disgust as I walk past fast food chains but I have a loyalty card from Eddie Rockets at this point - who knew chicken tenders were so tasty?  This is not normal for me so I've spared you my temporary lapse in food taste. I'm 14 weeks down and I'm assured that I will start to feel better soon - most likely by week 16. 

As you can imagine, there have been some embarassing scenes....the worst moment was throwing up on Ranelagh Main Street while passers by shook their heads assuming I had drank too much the night before, the second most depressing moment was ripping my trousers on Christmas Day. Who says you don't gain weight in your first trimester!? 

In other news, I have started writing a food column for the Sunday Times the first edition of which appears on January 22nd. I'm very excited about it. As for the blogging, I promise to get back to it once I feel better and my brain starts working again.