It was the Darling Buds of May and a hearty English breakfast that inspired this blog. Produced by Yorkshire television the typically English comedy 'The Darling Buds of May' began broadcasting in 1991 and was set in an idealic Kent village.

Starring Catherine Zeta Jones and David Jason the show had 'lashings' of English sunshine, lashings of everthing good about English village life including the famous farmhouse breakfast. My overwhelming memory of the show is Ma Larkin working in a farmhouse kitchen with 4 or 5 frying pans on the go filled with fried eggs, rashes of streaky bacon, and sausage. All served with wedges of crusty home made bread.

It has to be the greatest on screen breakfast in history. The farmhouse English breakfast is supreme - but what is the perfect combination of ingredients?Farmhouse eggs, obviously, but are they scrambled, fried or even poached? Bacon - from locally farmed pigs. But is it streaky, smoked or unsmoked? Sausage, again from local stock and produce, but are they pork or beef and are they filled with locally grown herbs? Then theres the extra trimmings , black pudding - essential for me but not to everyones taste. Tomatoes - grilled, mushrooms - fried of course, hash browns and fried bread.

It's extremely English of course, but do any other nations get so excited about breakfast and celebrate it as much as we do. The french eat croissant, french bread and coffe, whilst the kids drink hot choclate from a bowl. Indian families endulge in eggs scrambled with spices, potatoes, and onions. A good site for Indian breakfast recipes is (http://www.thokalath.com/cuisine/breakfast.php

But for me it has to be the traditional English, farmhouse style of course and in particular the way Ma Larkin would cook it - with 'lashings' of everything.

'Perfick'
 

This weekend has been a great opportunity for me to spend time with the kids. Mom at work and the kids off school and great summer weather to be enjoyed. Well heres the deal, long school holidays, many great things to do outdoors all adds up to hard work and a costly exercise. Remember it is your time to relax and recover from the stresses of work.

So today I have spent time at home cooking with the kids. First up get the cook books out and let them search. They will do this for hours. Let them get their noses in the spice and herb cupboard and smell those different ingredients. Send them off to find out where they come from on the internet.

Once you have a shopping list take the kids to the supermarket, you will be amazed how much they enjoy it when they are in control of the cooking.

Stop and have a posh coffee whilst the kids explore the books in the book store. Take your time and relax you deserve it.

When home get the kids cooking. Let them do it, only help when you have to and let them take responsibility. Set the dinner table, get the kids to make name cards and menus for the table setting. Even let them get dressed up for dinner. When your spouse arrives home to happy children, a home cooked meal and a smile from you you will have had a great day all round.

By the way we made Fussili with Sausage, Peppers and Olives - my daughters choice.