Clutching at (cheese) straws

There's nothing quite like a drizzly Monday when you are not at work. Free to sleep 'till 8 if so desired I did exactly that and then took the day slowly. Read Michael Chabon's The Final Solution - clever little novella with a heart - went to the gym, cleaned - it's a wild ride at my place.

N. and D.M. stopped by for afternoon tea/pre-dinner drinks and sampled the shortbread. The shortbread makes me so very happy. By the way, I read nowhere very authoritative that the round shortbread with spokes from the centre harks back to ancient New Year cakes that were made to resemble the sun. Love it when you find a pagan ritual in the middle of your biscuit tin. Wanting something savoury for N. that could be made with what I had in the house, I threw together some 'cheese straw' type-things. Puff pasty - brush it with beaten egg - sprinkle with paprika - cover liberally with grated gruyere and parmesan - cut into strips and twist up - brush with a little more egg and bake for 10-15 at about 180 degrees. Not very original or ground-breaking but very tasty. And very, very bad for you. Maybe I should call them 'Savoury cheese twists' - that sounds more sophisticated. 

A quick note to finish on how much I love making tomato sauces: smell, sensation, taste. Tonight there was a little fresh thyme, garlic, onion and fresh sage involved. All golden red and simmering. There's very little that a fresh tomato sauce can't fix. 

P.S. Like my new look? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller...?