Marie Cookpad

   Ahh Spring. I love this time of year when everything it sprouting in the gardens and we begin to enjoy asparagus, early strawberries and new potatoes. Back home there is a dish that takes full advantage of all of the early new vegetables called Hodge Podge .   It is a wonderful melange of fresh vegetables  . . . peas, carrots, beans, potatoes, etc.  briefly cooked and then tossed together in a mix of cream and salt pork. Oh, it is so good.  Its a bit early for that yet  . . .    But  not too early to be enjoying new potatoes and fresh asparagus.  The fresh asparagus season is very brief, so I try to enjoy it as much as I can this time of year when it is at its very best!   This is a very simple recipe composed of quartered new potatoes and fresh asparagus cut into 2 inch lengths . . .   Tossed together and roasted in the oven with some good olive oil and Balsamic vinegar.  Don't use cheap Balsamic  . . . you w...

  We have been enjoying some gorgeous weather over here in the UK during the month of April. It would have been so lovely had my children been here like they should have been.  We could have gone to lots of places with such lovely weather.  Oh well! It is what it is!   Yesterday we had our first BBQ of the season.  I found some lovely bone in meaty chops in the freezer and brined them all morning and then we cooked them on the BBQ.  Oh my but they were so tender and delicious!   I kept things simple on the side.  I made a bowl of coleslaw with some cabbage and carrots.  I like to throw in some raisins sometimes.  They give a nice flavour and a bit of colour to the slaw.   I also did this Tex Mex version of my Road Kill Potatoes.  I love, Love, LOVE Road Kill Potatoes.   Don't let the name put you off.  You boil potatoes in their skins and then smash them down with a potato masher on a baking sheet, brushing them with ...