You Ate The Mandarins
On fear and comfort, late Autumn rituals, and cinnamon-scented stews
Edition #21
Plus a bonus, the tonic not worth making (but smells divine).
On Our Table and On The Radar
The Way We Cook
On demand. Leni felt like a stew - texting me all day. By what felt like the tenth message, I’m hauling heavy bags of fresh veggies, dropping them onto the kitchen bench with a satisfying thud.
James takes over, he’s much faster than me in the kitchen. By the time I’ve fed the dogs, the stew’s bubbling gently, cinnamon’s warm base note filling the house. The smell? Of spice, delight, it’s nice.
We polish it off. I drink the last of the broth straight from the bowl, I tell Leni to do the same, it’s the best part, so she doesn’t.
I did promise to welcome new traditions - and rewrite a few manners around our table.
(For more on that, see my Substack,
Hungry For More: “Dinner isn’t just eating - it’s crafting rituals, dissolving inhibitions, and inviting real connection.”)
Mandarin Mood, Bitterness Included
I experimented with an immunity-boosting post swim tonic. I even named it, wrote a blurb, got poetic about it. Was D S Durging it.
You Ate The Mandarins
Swimming, rain, hail or shine. It’s cold today.
Heat from the inside out.
Citrus, ginger, dynamite cloves.
Mint, raw sugar, bee hive honey
You look like sunshine. Smell spicy. Feel warm.
I had high hopes. But I included the citrus pith and no honey could mask the bitterness. Makes a nice room scent though.
Set the Table
We’re cooking whatever keeps us fit and feeling good. Hearty, homely food - stews, soups, things that warm you up.
We tear into rye and caraway loaves from Ramsgate Organic Markets. Thick, crusty, perfect for mopping up leftovers. Hang on, there’s a word for that - scarpetta.
Roasted chestnuts. Italy’s street snack, and the one thing I wanted to eat when we were there - but didn’t. Finally tried them.
First attempt: burnt in the oven.
Second attempt: air fried for crunch, 7–8 minutes.
With a glass of red? They’re…fine. I get the appeal. Just not loving them. You?
Now, Something Sweet
This Lazy Pie Apple Galette, just 3 ingredients & 5 minutes to prep: apples, raw sugar, and puff pastry.
“It’s a really easy dessert - knock it up in 5 minutes bake it in the oven, slap some Greek yoghurt on it and say hello fat kid”
When we were kids, Mum used to make us toasties with paper-thin apple slices dusted in cinnamon sugar. They were a treat - same same but different.
On The Radar
If Galette’s not your thing and you’re craving something deep, dark and sexy go for the chocolate brownie from Ham. They’re salted, stuffed with caramel, and dangerously delicious. I slice off a piece, warm it just enough to soften, then add a dollop of Greek yoghurt. One piece lasts me days, if I’m lucky.
Taking the Plunge
Watched Oceans by David Attenborough. The destruction from industrial fishing is confronting - but how quickly mother nature can regrow if you leave it alone? Unreal.
My Own Plunge Dive
What’s wrong with me?
I haven’t swum in a week. Last night, my brain started chatting, Why swim when it’s cold? You don’t even know how to swim! Bitch how dare you. You have to get up at 5:30am. Who does that?
But I know that voice well enough to tell it to fuck off. Best tip: tie your shoelaces and get out the door.
I did. Felt better. Then I saw the water, swirling, messy and unease crept in. Was it brain bitch or my gut warning me?
I got in, stumbled over exposed rocks, goggle cleaner stinging my eyes, cossie top also exposing boobs, and then…
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