Skins

IF Funky Homo sapiens- graphics were available as skins to your

mobile phone(any maker/model), laptop(any size), iPod and/or iPad,

would you be interested, please?:)

(with better graphics, just a quick sample:))

Saturday Roast

River Cottage, Veg Every Day

Recipe no.2 - Roasted Aubergine and Potato

Recipe available online HERE

As strange as it might sound, I've never roasted anything before, or had roasted meal in matter of fact. I suppose it's not really a Finnish / Scandinavian thing to do.:)

My closest thing for a "roast" was when my neighbour in my first UK home in Small Heath, Birmingham, 2003, was preparing a Sunday Roast and hadn't cleaned the oven for a quite some time (told our shared landlord, lovely Mr.Riggall) and apparently the oven literally exploded. The kitchen was all black and quite badly destroyed. The young couple had just adopted a little kitten, and I took care of it while the firemen did their thing and it was safe to return.:) Sure was a scary Sunday morning wake up call; closest to a fire I've ever been (touch on wood).

Anyways, here you are, my first ever roast... I think.

I used the left over aubergine from yesterday's meal which was a half of a quite large one, and 3 large-ish potatoes.

Seasoned with salt and black pepper.

Another cool flea market find:) Two huge German Milk Glass "Salt and Sugar" jars. The containers hold a full 500g bag. I can't remember what they cost, but defo 1euro / each, max!

Stir every 15minutes, says Moominmamma, who was a present from Santa:)

Not in the recipe, but I added some red onions.

I like them as large chunky bits:)

15mins in. I accidentally put the onion in on the first half of the 45mins, would've been perfectly cooked with the last 15mins too.

The world's best garlic press comes from Ikea. I've used the same design for the whole 12-13 years I've lived on my own:) I've been given others too, but this is the best there is, with a removable cylinder for easy cleaning ♥

Freshly squeezed lemon juice. I used only 3-4 teaspoons, rest was saved for a cheese cake I'm making for my grandparents who will visit tomorrow, Sunday (or today as it's 1.30am)

And some chives (ruohosipuli) for finishing touches:)

This is what Mr. Hugh Fearnley- Whittingstall's roast looks like:)

And this is mine, not too bad me thinks:) I suppose I conquered my first ever roast! AND found a totally new setting from my oven, ha;)

This meal cost approx. 1.50euros (!),

serving 2 good sized, tummy (over)filling meals

excluding the olive oil, pinch of salt and black pepper

Sure was easy and well GOOD!

x x x

River Cottage, VEG Everyday

I love cooking, and love to come up with some-what-weird recipes, which of "Käännytyspiirakka" (*Proselytism Pie) is one of my most "famous" ones:) Käännytyspiirakka was designed to gently convert stubborn meat eaters into "bunny food":) Although I don't believe in forging ism's to people, but Käännytyspiirakka has been very successful in it's mission hence the recipe changing hands amongst the carnivores:)

BUT as my life has been quite hectic and even rather unfortunate the past couple of years, I haven't had much energy to cook:( So my hubby has kindly taken over the daily dinners. He's one of those very insecure cooks who fail to recognise their talents. He is gifted, he is. Everything he makes is a success, I can't even exaggerate the fact, it's so ridiculous, ha:).

I purchased him a veggie cooking course and another focusing on various beans as a Christmas present, just to boost up his confidence:) I expect to hear lot of moaning in the morning of the classes (shhh!), but I bet it'll be very inspiring:)

Anyways, the reason of this post was that I bought him this lovely "Rover Cottage, Veg Everyday"- book to go along the cooking courses:) And on the side, was hoping to get back into my own cooking myself:) I have a new cooker, but have barely used it:(

River Cottage is my ultimate favourite cooking series. I'm not sure if it's ever been shown in Finland, but even as a vegetarian myself, and the cook Hugh Fearnley- Whittingstall being a passionate meat lover, he does it honourably, respecting his ingredients and is just some how very sweet and gentle ( in lack of better words). He's just pleasant in every way:)

Hugh Fearnley- Whittingstall started the River Cottage series by purchasing a cottage from the English countryside, starting a little garden, trying to become as self-sufficient as possible. Gradually expanding his estate, raising livestock and now he even has staff to look after his ever expanding and versatile garden:)

The River Cottage, Veg Everyday came together when Hugh decided to go strictly veggie for 6 months. I was lucky enough to find the whole series from YouTube, some naughtie had uploaded it, but as long as it's available, please have a look:) 8 episodes altogether- Hope you enjoy!

Here's my first try from the book;

Aubergine and Green Bean Curry

Recipe available online HERE

Sorry about the rubbish pics, good practise for inside shooting

Grounding the coriander (korianteri) and cumin (kumina)

Blending the curry paste, although my (smoothie) blended didn't really do the trick, it as bit of a head ache even though I added some water to make it blend easier and not sticking to the sides so badly ha. (AND late in the evening, I suddenly remembered that I even have this smaller blender, perfect for dressings and pastes, doh)

Lemon grass, ginger, onions, green chili and spices look bit chunky, but it all melts in perfectly when heating them up, so chopping them tiny does the trick even without owning a blender:)

(LOVE!) Aubergine fingers

Adding the paste over fried aubergines

I steamed the French beans rather than allowing them to cook in the curry mix. I just threw them in the very last moment. I think steaming brings out the flavour the best:)

I think I added too much coconut milk, had to simmer for quite long to get rid of the excess liquid:)

And here's the final product:) I also forgot to purchase fresh coriander (for the finishing touches and -taste) And I had read just a day earlier that people with AB+ blood type, heh, should avoid sunflower products so I replaced sunflower oil ith olive oil which is superb with aubergine anyways and don't think it added any extra flavour:)

Cashew nuts on top

I threw half of the curry paste to the freezer so I will have the spice mix ready for another try:) Just need to remember to pay attention to my coconut milk and maybe tad less ginger (inkivääri) and it sure will be a good proper curry challenging the gorgeous, tasty and traditional English veggie curry, made best in Birmingham, UK ♥♥♥

The ingredients for this meal cost 9.70euros (excluding the dry spices)

which I only used half of each = 4.85euros, served two people with generous sized meals. Just to prove that veggie dinners are not at all costly as people often complain about:)

Golden Oldies and Brand Newbies

Funky Homo sapiens

Quality Hand Made Jewellery

est 2003

Peas, Peace and Beads

Phew, been shooting and resizing pics the whole Saturday.

It's 4am and still at it, ha. Anyways; here you are, the fruit of my... errr. fingertips... Hope you enjoy:)

New Lankalikka matryoshka Necklaces have arrived in a larger size:) YUM!

A taster of some new Lankalikka Make- up purses

Funky Homo sapiens Upcycled Graphics- serie cameo necklace

Lankalikka Röjyrossi- Brooch

Andy Eats Only Candy's Critter Tote Bag (lined!)

Hand made and silk screened in Joensuu, Finland

Outo Wear & Gear Bobbed Beanie in Mustard

and Muru "Murre" organic cotton Mittens in turwuoise / lime

Lankalikka Make-up Bag / Mini Purse

Outo Wear & Gear Bobbed Beanie in Olive green

Lankalikka röjyrossi- Brooch in Mustard

Lankalikka Matryoshka Necklace in Turquoise

Funky Homo sapiens Swallow necklace in Yellow

Available HERE

Hope you've had a lovely start of the weekend:)

Hemulen woke up slowly, recognised himself and wished he had been someone he didn't know"

NEW! Black and white, square shaped Moomin postcards

freshly released and arrived to the

Funky Homo sapiens- Boutique:)

Authentic Tove Jansson illustrations from the books

she published in the 60's.

© Moomin Characters™

Hope you enjoy!

Available HERE

x x x

*Title from "Moominvalley in November", chapter 5, The Hemulen

Smooth Operator

Santa brought me a blender for Christmas:)

yup, it's very fashionable at the moment, but I do like me smoothies:)

A very simple Strawberry- Kiwi Smoothie contains:

- Ice, if you like - blend

- half a bag of defrosted strawberries 400-500g (will serve 2 peeps)

- Splash of Orange juice with bits (or squeeze yourself) - Blend

- 2 kiwis - Final blend and voila!:)

One can add sugar I suppose if it's too sour for your liking:)

I like my smoothies fresh, simple and very cold, he!

This lot will serve two generous sized cups for two people, or divide for smaller quantities and add some ice cream to make some yummy milkshake:)

I will defo have a go of making some sorbet, the blender cuts everything so fine so shouldn't be a problem:) Kiwi and Buckthorn Berries are my favourite, hand made by my mother- in- law!:)

Smoothie to be followed by some happy flea market finds:)

Love this oval shaped serving plate, apologies for the rubbish photo.

Produced by one of my favourite English retro potters; Johnson Brothers:) Cost 2.50euros, priceless!

AND found this matching cream jug for just 80cents from another flea market! It's not the same pattern, but very very close! I would've not even noticed if I didn't know:) This is by a fellow 70's English pottery designer Jon Anton which oddly enough, couldn't find much information about. Absolute bargain:)