Sunday 19 June 2016

Birthday lunch.

Tomorrow is the farmer's birthday.   As well as his present (I will put a picture on tomorrow when he has seen it) I am also taking him out to lunch today, so I sit here in my dressing gown at 9.15am, the sun is trying to break through thin cloud, and I shall go shortly for my shower.   I will finish the post this afternoon when I can tell you what we have eaten.   All I know is that I had a bowl of delicious salad for tea last evening and all I have had for breakfast is a nectarine and a banana, so I should be well ready to eat at lunch time.

This is the year of the salad for us, and I made one for tea yesterday which was given to me on my blog by Elizabeth in New York.  I can thoroughly recommend it; it takes only minutes to make but is best made a couple of hours in advance to give time for the flavours to meld.

Empty a can of chick peas, rinse well under cold water and drain.  Add a red onion chopped up small (or I used chopped up spring onions) and cubed, cooked beetroot (I use Tesco's sweet, spicy beetroot).   I added to this quartered cherry tomatoes and then a dressing of mixed herbs, lemon juice and olive oil.   Before I brought it to the table I garnished it with chopped parsley.

As Elizabeth says, her husband loves it because the beetroot turns the chick peas into a pretty pink.
We ate it with Scotch eggs which I halved and put on the top (sorry John). 

Very nice lunch as it always is at the Golf Club (we are not members as neither of us plays golf, but the restaurant is open to anyone and is jolly good value).   The farmer had beef broth, roast topside of beef with Yorkshire Puddings, roast parsnips, roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, brocolli, green beans and carrots and finally lemon meringue pie with cream followed by a cup of tea.
I had garlic mushrooms and roast salmon in a white wine and tarragon sauce - and then just a cup of coffee.   Now we are both trying hard to keep awake, which is why I have come on my computer.

16 comments:

Yorkshire Pudding said...

That chick pea salad sounds lovely and simple. I will make it on a warm summer's day. I wonder what you have bought the farmer for his birthday... something special I know. You are so romantic Mrs Weaver!

Tom Stephenson said...

Happy birthday, Farmer! Enjoy your celebratory meal, and many happy returns.

Sue said...

Can't wait to see Farmer's present. Hope you have a lovely meal.

Heather said...

The salad sounds delicious - thankyou for sharing. Birthday greetings for the farmer tomorrow and many happy returns.

Frances said...

Happy Birthday greetings to the Farmer. I'm sure that you all are now out having a grand lunch.

Tomorrow is also my sweet brother's birthday, and that of some long time friends who are twin sisters, true Gemini.

Lots to celebrate. xo

Living Alone in Your 60's said...

Happy birthday dear farmer. Loving the chickpea salad. Always looking for ideas for salad side dishes.

Barbara said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the Farmer!
Your food descriptions are making my mouth water.

angryparsnip said...

What a lovely day.
Happy Birthday Farmer !
Let there be cake or Lemon Meringue Pie. My favorite.

cheers, parsnip and thehamish

Maria said...

Buon Compleanno, Farmer!
I make chick pea soups in winter but I have never made salads, which are perfect for summer. Unfortunately, I do not like beetroot so I wonder if it would be just as good without it?
Greetings Maria x

Polly said...

Is that Tesco's sweetfire baby beetroot? I love it, can't get enough of it so I will definitely make your chickpea salad, it sounds delicious.

Elizabeth said...

Happy Birthday to your husband!
The food all sounds delicious - and so glad you enjoy the beetroot one - I actually made it yesterday for
the first time this year!

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

A very lovely birthday dinner.

Derek Faulkner said...

Blimey, the farmer did well to put that lot away, no wonder he felt sleepy.

thelma said...

Well Happy Birthday to the Farmer. Looks an excellent lunch, but so much food, both of us since moving to Yorkshire have problems with our plates piled high, the 'doggie bag' comes in useful for Lucy though....

The Weaver of Grass said...

Yes Polly - Tesco's beetroot indeed.
Yes Derek - he ate far too much in my opinion, but it was his birthday!
Yes Thelna - I must say that I usually ask for a child's portion.
Thanks to everyone for your comments.

Librarian said...

Belated Happy Birthday from me, too!

The lunch sounds very tasty, but I doubt I would have managed to eat mashed potatoes AND roast potatoes in one single meal, plus all the other things.
I love chick peas in almost any combination I have ever tried them, but it's new to me to combine them with beetroot. Sounds very nice, though.