The sunshine is only available on a plate today and I will admit that I'm not too bothered about the dreary weather. The reason for this has to do with the slight departure from the norm I am taking - by becoming a book-blogger for a day (the bibliophile within is always looking for a chance to make itself known). The Man Booker Prize longlist was announced last Tuesday and I'm joining in "Bookerthon 2007" also known as " why am I attempting to read 13 books, chosen by a bunch of literary judges within the next 3 weeks?" The process will require my nose being stuck firmly in a book, giving me a new-found appreciation for the rain-sodden view out my window. The person responsible for this foolhardiness is one of my favourite bloggers, so I thought this might be as good a time as any to point you towards the links in the nether regions of the sidebar, those non-food related places where I can occasionally be found lurking.
The always witty dovegreyreader should come with an addiction warning, though as a community nurse she may be able to offer you some help with rehabilitation. Thankfully, she is a prolific writer posting every day, and sometimes several times a day, should you begin suffering withdrawal symptoms. Check in regularly over the next few weeks to read her reviews as she makes her way (with terrifying swiftness) through the list of books, which incidentally you can find at the bottom of that sidebar on the left. I have no intention of trying to review the books here, although I may add a rating or two as I go ( with alarming slowness).
I have mentioned The Book Depository before but I can't help bringing them up again. You can scream at and curse me all you like when you get your credit card bill, but they deliver FREE... WORLDWIDE. My postman is beginning to regret the day I moved to his route.
Eoin Purcell works for Mercier Press publishers in Cork. He writes predominately about the ever-changing publishing industry but we have to love him because he's one of the reasons we'll be getting our greedy hands on a Murphy's Ice Cream book next year.
Abebooks can track down almost any book you could want, whether new or out of print and just so I won't alienate any regular visitors here they now have a new Books for Cooks room where you can whet your appetite on this 1775 edition of La Cuisiniere Bourgeoise for the princely sum of £1800.
Library Thing is something I found through Eoin's site and though I have only touched the surface of this catalogue of seventeen million books I am looking forward to seeing how it develops and I might even get around to cataloguing my own puny library and getting a kick out of seeing how many other people have similar tastes. It's only a matter of time before this has a spin-off dating site, if it doesn't have one already... excuse me a moment please...
...what? A recipe? Now?! Maybe something quick to perk you up and give you sustenance before getting back to your reading.This is a colourful gathering of pretty vegetables ( please don't start a tomato debate!) and my attempts at growing purple basil ( yes, it says red on the seed packet but it looks purple to me, as do red cabbage and red onions but I'll not start that debate either) and it will give you a brief ray of sun on your plate right about lunchtime.
ROASTED PEPPERS STUFFED WITH TOMATOES AND PURPLE BASIL
- 2 Romano peppers (or bell peppers)
- 2 handfuls of baby yellow plum tomatoes (or any kind of tomato you choose)
- few sprigs of purple basil (or regular basil, is this getting annoying yet?)
- extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling
- salt and pepper
- Preheat the oven to 200 C. Slice the peppers carefully in half lengthwise, remove the seeds and the pith and place on a baking tray. Slice the tomatoes in half and tumble into the waiting peppers. Season, drizzle generously with the olive oil and tear over the basil leaves.
- Bake for 20 minutes or untli soft and sweet and beginning to char at the edges. Eat with crusty bread to mop up the juices.
Serves 2.
Why thank you exceptionally kindly!
Might I add too that your blog is simply mouth watering!
Eoin
Posted by: Eoin Purcell | August 14, 2007 at 08:51 PM
No problem Eoin, thank you for coming to visit!
Posted by: Laura | August 14, 2007 at 11:40 PM
MMmmmmmm my mouth is watering, this looks great, will have to try...
Posted by: MTeriors | August 15, 2007 at 09:11 AM
I just made some lovely bread that would be lovely to sop those juices. Lovely photo.
Posted by: MyKitchenInHalfCups | August 15, 2007 at 09:38 PM
MMMMMMMMM! Looks yum! No time for reading in my house. When I'm old and grey I'll come to Laura's Mobile Library and take out a few books:)
Posted by: Lorraine@italianfoodies | August 15, 2007 at 10:30 PM
Okay well I'm forewarning you right now. My wallet does, in fact, hate you now that I've discovered The Book Depository. :P
I don't think I've ever seen a pretty plate of peppers and tomatoes.. EVER.
Just beauteous. :D
xoxo
Posted by: Lisa | August 17, 2007 at 04:35 PM
Mary T: I got the peppers and tomatoes in Lidl so you have no excuse not to try it!
Tanna: Just send me a slice please the crust will be fine.
Lorraine: I only got to start reading again in the last couple of years, it's bedtime stories for you for the forseeable future!
Lisa: My humblest apologies for TBD, you are not the first to curse me and you probably won't be the last!
Posted by: Laura | August 17, 2007 at 04:45 PM
Goodness that's a lot of reading! And your roasted pepper recipe sounds completely delicious and just the thing for the red, green, yellow, and orange peppers I've got sitting on my counter right now!
Oh, and I've tagged you, so if you've got time away from your reading, check out my blog.
Posted by: kellypeakellypea | August 20, 2007 at 04:42 PM
nice pic! Thanks for the heads up on the Man Booker's list. While I may not be able to participate in the "Bookerthon", I would love to read as many books from the list as possible. :)
Posted by: Mandy | August 22, 2007 at 12:41 AM