In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden

This book was published in the late 60's.  I was reminded of it by Carol of Journey –and-Destination who contributed her post about it to Books You Loved: March.

I had a feeling that I had read it but I'm so glad I got it from the library.  The writing was just so good.  It is a story about a widow who joins an enclosed order of nuns – Benedictines.

I've always been fascinated about how contemplative orders work and this novel satisfies that curiosity while being interesting on many other levels.

You don't need to be religious to enjoy this book.  The characters are well drawn and the challenges they face are realistic – they just happen to be in a monastery (not a convent).

Give it a go.  I'm now ordering some of her other books from the library.  She wrote more than 60!

It's Mark Twain again

Chicken & Orzo Salad

This salad was a real winner.  It was a great way to use leftover chicken schnitzel.

Ingredients:

Leftover crumbed chicken

Oil/butter

Sherry

Orzo – a cup

Stock

Fish sauce or salt

Pepper

Celery stick

Radish

Cherry tomatoes

De-seeded cucumber

Method

Heat your mixture of oil and butter in a pan and then add your orzo and fry it off for a minute or two.

Add your stock – I used a pork and celery one I made recently.  I didn't bother to heat the stock first – orzo is a pasta not a rice.  Season with your fish sauce and pepper.  (If your stock has salt in it, be careful not to make it too salty)

Let it cook until the orzo is tender – about 15 minutes or so and let it cool.

When still warm but not hot add the other ingredients and serve.  Check for seasoning right at the end to see if more salt or pepper is needed.

This 'salad' got a firm seal of approval from the better half.