Loud, raucous music that sounded distinctly like an Irish fiddle band my dear readers. That is precisely what I heard as I approached Momma Fox's door for this month's cooking lesson, and no, it was not the result of some potion mix up or spell mistake. Even though both of those reasons are perfectly valid when it comes to this reporter and her magical experiments, it was not the case as I paused to study the miniature marvel's shamrock encrusted home. It seemed that the kitchen witch was fully embracing the upcoming celebrations of St Patrick's Day, even though her glittering emerald decorations looked somewhat depressed in the torrential downpour that was currently soaking me to the bone.
Knocking smartly to make myself heard over the din rising and rippling from within, I was most surprised to see, not the tiny tawny eared form I was used to, but a giant bear of a man beaming down at me. Then even more so when the said grizzly picked me up enthusiastically and hugged me. "What the he....!" was about to burst from my lips but quickly died in a flush of crimson as he began to laugh. "Well, well, well little lady! What do we have here? You're that sweet little reporter that my Iona told me all about aren't you?"
Confusion and a flash of temper must have flashed in my dark eyes because no sooner had I drawn my wand at the man before me, Momma Fox appeared at my elbow and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Watching her turn glittering gold chips on the man, I had to admit that I would not want to be the receiving end of such a look. "Darah Micheal O'Bryant!! What did I say about minding your manners when Nikita got here? You are not allowed to scare her, you great oaf!" To his credit, then man seemingly named Darah had the good grace to look sheepish as he quickly apologised, dried my clothes with a quick spell and hurried out of sight.
"Well, now Child, that was all very exciting now, wasn't it? You will have to excuse my darling brother. He can be a bit of a fool sometimes. He means no harm. He's just arrived home from Ireland and is in high spirits. He's also brought back a lovely recipe I want us to try. It's a bit new to me too but that will be an adventure too, now won't it?"
Following Momma Fox back to the kitchen, I could only nod and smile. My nerves were still on edge from the incident in the hallway. Though when she placed the day's recipe in my hands to read, I found myself grinning down at the mini marvel and rolling up my sleeves eagerly. "Oh, Momma Fox! That sounds delicious! Can we start now? Please?" A quick nod later and we were off!
Ingredients:
600g/1lb 5oz large potatoes, peeled and chopped into large chunks
400g/14oz swede/turnip, peeled and chopped into large chunks
75g/23/4oz unsalted butter
250g/9oz savoy cabbage or kale, finely sliced
salt and freshly ground black pepper
25g/1oz cheddar, grated
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4.
2. Cook the potatoes and swede in a cauldron of salted boiling water until tender (A gentle application of Thermeum for 10 minutes should do). Drain well and then places in a pan for later.
3. Heat 50g/2oz butter in a pan and gently cook the cabbage for a few minutes, until the cabbage is tender but retains its colour.
4. Add the cabbage to the pan with the potatoes and swede. Add the remaining 25g/1oz butter and mash together using a potato masher. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
5. Place the mashed vegetables into an ovenproof lidded dish and top with the cheese. Cover with a lid and bake in the oven for about 30 minutes, then remove the lid and continue to cook for a further 15 minutes, or until piping hot and golden-brown on top. Do not be tempted to speed this up with Thermeum as the cheese will burn.
6. Serve with either steak, sausages, pork chops or stew.
Once the food once slid in front of me to try, I found I could not stop the question that had been tickling at my mind the whole time we had been cooking. "Momma Fox, this looks and smells amazing, but please? Why on earth is it called Rumbledthumps?"
I never got the answer though as Darah bounced into the kitchen, stealing my plate and making off with it towards the room the music was coming from with a booming laugh.
I'd love to tell you that I didn't curse him, but that would be entirely another story. So until next time dear readers, Happy cooking (And researching!) - Nikita