A Walk to Stockbridge

Today, after the wind and cloud of yesterday, the sun shone again. It was a little breezy too but it was a gentle warm breeze. Perfect for a walk!

So instead of my usual walk to the waterfall ad back with the Fur Boy, I continued on to Stockbridge. Along the way there were some pretty sights to see, even though they are familiar to me, they still delight.

A rose outside someone's door

And when I turned the corner there were lovely historic buildings.

And over a wall, a secret garden

And then the New Town starts to rise above the trees.

I went to buy my bread in a local cheese shop called Mellis - it's quite famous in Edinburgh. It's full of the most delicious cheese and breads and hams and tasty things in jars.

Then the walk back home for lunch. I had some soup which I had made yesterday at lunchtime to use some spinach up. It's actually a recipe for Pea and Lettuce Soup but I used the spinach and it tastes just as good. I confess I am a thrower inner when it comes to some cooking, especially soups. I don't really use measurements.....

Pea and Lettuce Soup

Half a bag of frozen garden peas (about 4 cupped hands full)
1 garden lettuce (or a pot full of spinach - it reduces to nothing once cooked)
Pint and a half of chicken stock
Splash of sherry
Teaspoon of sugar 
Cup of single cream
A good size nob of butter

Melt the butter in a good size soup pot, then add the peas to sweat and cook a little in the warm butter for 5 minutes. Then add the lettuce, torn into pieces, and let that sweat for a few minutes. Then add the stock, the teaspoon of sugar and let it cook for about 15 to 20 minutes gently on the hob. Then add the splash of sherry, just enough to flavour it but not overwhelm the taste. Then the cream and a little salt and pepper. Once it's cooked a little whizz it to a smooth glossy green and then enjoy with lovely bread.

   
http://mellischeese.net/