Empty nest syndrome

I'm all alone. Friday saw the second fledgling take flight, lured away from the nest by an attractive morsel of slime that his father was holding out to him -- forcing him to fly. He then proceeded to spend the rest of the day hiding out in the lower reaches of the bush, but has now vanished.




On Saturday, PJ took off for LA, E3, and undoubtedly a trip to the Golvin family's favourite Mexican takeout joint. Inspired by this, a punnet of organic tomatoes, and the fortuitious purchase of some chiles at the Winchester farmer's market this morning, I decided to make roasted tomato salsa. It's loosely based on this recipe, but with the addition of a rather attractive Japanese aubergine, also bought this morning. And with PJ away, I've been able to increase the amount of coriander, making up for months of doing without.






It's good stuff. Smoky vegetables, the brightness of the lemon and coriander, and the subtle heat of the chile. I've already eaten some of it on crackers, and will polish off more tonight with some roast potato wedges and sour cream. And maybe I'll have a helping for breakfast with some eggs, a type of huevos rancheros, after my visit to the gym at an ungodly hour on Tuesday. Go for the burn indeed.