So, about 2 1/2 years ago – I discovered I could cook… And not just… cook… but cook really well. I know, it sounds arrogant…

But as my dad had said…. I could have burnt water in the old days.. so it came as a bit of suprise. (It’s amazing what happens when someone encourages you).

I have so many cookbooks.. Which I love reading and just going through, getting inspiration – but I don’t “use” them… and I don’t use them because I struggle to follow recipes, unless I’m baking which seldom happens. I use them as inspiration, ideas of combinations.. but.. I get annoyed with little bits and pieces in recipes.. So they are inspiration for my own creations and inventions. Sometimes I think this must drive the lad nuts.

The other thing about food, and cooking is that – I’m extremely picky. For example, I am totally over your average run of the mill pasta.. I love pasta.. BUT. I don’t like pasta with tomato or cream sauce because its been DONE TO DEATH. SIMPLE IS GOOD. (Gnocchi is very different give me mum’s homemade gnocchi and any sauce and I will be happy)
So most of my pasta has a meat, seafood or vegie base and a bit of olive oil, herbs and spices etc.

This brings me to last nights dinner. The quickest, most delicious pasta involves good olive oil, decent quality pasta, a can of decent quality tuna, some garlic, onions, any herbs lying around the house or any extra nice tasty bits (such as pine nuts *yum*). Last night, while whipping up my usual tuna pasta (tuna in olive oil – not brine) I decided to add some dried chilli flakes.. I know the merits of fresh chilli.. but I had never expermiented with dried chilli flake….

……I’m still in flavour country.