I grew up in a village in Aberdeenshire. With its nearby woods and wade-able stream, burning fields and tadpole infested bogs, perfect height swings and tiny sweetie shop (which also sold Doc Martin boots, for some odd reason), it was the perfect place to be a kid. The friends I made in the sandpit at nursery were the same friends I played hide and seek with at primary school. They were mostly the same friends I discovered cider, boys and music with in secondary school. And now, thirteen years after leaving school and twenty seven years after moving to the village, the girls my Dad affectionately calls “the munchkins” and I are still close.
I like that. 🙂
This past weekend the four of us went to Glasgow to celebrate our thirtieth year on earth. On Friday we spent a hilarious night surrounded by old photos and letters and cards and sticker albums and wine. On the Saturday evening, after an afternoon being cleansed and rubbed and steamed in a local spa, we went to The Living Room for a meal. Low red lighting, sumptuous leather booths, flickering candles, a grand piano and months of news to talk about- it was a special night! The food was delicious too. So good, in fact, I recreated my main course for D this evening: lamb chops with jewelled couscous and minted yogurt.
It’s a low fuss dinner. The lamb chops were simply rubbed with olive oil and seasoning before being grilled for 5 minutes on each side. A handful of chopped mint was stirred through plain yogurt. Both were served atop the following couscous (which is GREAT for lunch the next day too!).
Jewelled Couscous
(serves 4)
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp paprika
350ml stock
225g couscous
4 spring onions, chopped
Handful of pistachios, bashed
Handful of fresh mint, chopped
Handful of fresh parsley, chopped
Zest and juice of one lemon
- Gently fry the garlic and spices for 2 minutes.
- Add the stock and bring to the boil. Pour in the couscous, stir once, cover and take off the heat. Leave for 10 minutes.
- Fluff up the couscous and add the rest of the ingredients. Gently combine.
P.S. No idea why my font is so small this evening. Can’t seem to change it!
A Wee Bit of Cooking 
Your time in Glasgow with the girls sounds like a lot of fun. And this delicious dinner for D – he’s one lucky man!
I am glad u had a good time!
And oh, I have bookmarked this recipe 😀
Can’t get enough pistachios. I feel like I just discovered their goodness this year and now I want to put them in everything. The hadn’t found their way into couscous yet, but this recipe will change that.
Happy 30th year on earth!
Having a good time with friends is always a good thing.
Your childhood sounds idyllic – lucky you! Love the sound of this couscous, too – I can never get over how easy couscous is to prepare.
– There is nothing like having a good time with friends…and having this couscous for unch. Try adding roasted vegetables, like courgettes, cherry tomatoes, carrots and celery to the couscous next time. It is sensationnal. The dish looks great.
Glad you had a good weekend Wendy! It’s always special catching up with friends who have know you for ages
Your weekend sounds like fun! I grew up in a small village like that – there were 5 kids my age – 1 year on either side.
And I want pistachios in my couscous from now on!
I’m still in touch with my 2 best friends from Primary School, but we stopped going to the same school when we were 10 and my family moved to the states for the 1st time. One’s in Edinburgh and the other’s in Glasgow, and you just made me miss them! What a great weekend, Wendy, and the recreated lamb chops look absolutely delicious.
Nothing like a good reunion with long time friends! Sounds like you girls had a great weekend. Lamb chops look great!
(Too funny, we had a fig appetizer last night and today Amanda has figs on her site. We had lamb chops on the grill last night and you have them today. This is really strange!)
Sounds like fabulous fun! I love the way you put meals together and am always keen to try your recipes. Beautiful photo!
Thats a lovely post! Almost had me in tears, I’ve just said goodbye to a dear friend who has moved to Australia, I can completely associate with what you are saying. The Living Room is a good choice too, Glasgow has some fine eateries.
Cheers
David
Nora – He’s my guinea pig!
Anh – Hope you enjoy it!
Christina – Thank you! It’s a wee while till my actual birthday. Adore pistachios too. Am going to try making pistachio butter this weekend. Watch this space!
Cynthia – Couldn’t agree more!
Rosa – I’m always a bit surprised too. 🙂
Rose – That’s one of my favourite ways to eat it actually!
Sophie – Thank you!
Katiez – There were a few more kids than that in my village but we were all really close. 🙂
Amanda – Time for a trip to Scotland perhaps? 😉
Debs – Spooky!
Truffle – Thank you very much! 🙂
David – Awww. Australia is a long way. A close friend of mine has just come back from there. Trying to ban her from going again…