o a t c a k e s

As I start to feel so much better in my head, thanks to having a little less to worry and swirl around in it, I've also this week wanted to get stuck back in on eating healthily and doing some cooking. I've been juicing away, cooking with quinoa (using it up from the cupboard, not to be bought again given concerns over supplies -- pity, as it's very nice), and frying trout. Today I decided to bake some oatcakes, to have an alternative to soup or sandwiches for packed lunches.

First problem encountered -- when I reached for the big bag of oats from the kitchen cupboard, it was an almost empty bag of oats, with a nibble hole and many mouse droppings. Or droplets. They're very tiny. I'm impressed at how many oats they've managed to get through. Doglet and I will be looking out for an army of mice dressed in kilts and white vests, flexing their muscles as they limber up to throw their shotputs. Clever them.

After that it was pretty plain sailing. I used this recipe from Orangette. It's very nice, although perhaps actually a little too indulgent. It involves butter, yoghurt and sugar -- they're very tasty and moreish. But perhaps not so healthy. They're more of a treat oatcake, and not unlike those by Duchy Originals. I think I would like them also a touch more crunchy. I might go back and try the super austere ones in Delia's original cookery course next time, which I remember as having little more than oatmeal and water. They're surprisingly comforting, in a very plain scrubbed face and clean apron kind of way.

Anyway, these are nice for now, and I'm making up some hummous to go on them for lunch tomorrow.  Trying out roasting the garlic to minimise the pungency...