Nicola's Sausage Rolls

Finally losing the last remnants of a major hangover due to another amazing party. My eldest had reached the great age of 25 years so it was a really good excuse for him and his fiancé to throw a bash. They do throw a criminally great party, lots of amazing food, drink and great company. The food was amazing, throwing open the BBQ in January to impose amazing smoked flavours onto a couple of brined joints. Astonishing. Well the request was put out to me to bring a supply of my sausage rolls which had been appreciated at the last bash, again recipes were requested but I don't really follow one so this is just going to be some info as to what I use and how it comes together.

Ingredients

 2x Waitrose Gourmet Sausage meat
2x Heston's Streaky Bacon , cut across into chunks
6 Large onions ,  halved and sliced
2x Bread slices, breadcrumbed
1x Sage, cut bottoms off and finely chop
1xThyme, cut bottoms off and finely chop
 2 Red chilli , not two packs
2x Puff pastry , all butter version (yummy)
1-2 Eggs to mix in, as well as seal and glaze
Balsamic Vinegar

Into a frying pan place the finely sliced onions and put on a medium heat to sweat and then caramelise. This needs to be done until a good dark colour is reached. Place two thirds in a mixing bowl to cool and one third needs to be mixed with a good splash of Balsamic Vinegar, continue to cook until the liquid becomes syrupy.
Next cut up the bacon into fine chunks, fry until a good crispy texture is reached. Remove from the pan to cool.
Blitz 2 slices of any bread in a processor to make breadcrumbs.
Place into a bowl the Sausage meat, the cooled bacon, the cooled caramilized onion (not the syrupy ones), add the breadcrumbs and at least one beaten egg.
Finely cut up 2/3rds (too much may make the rolls bitter) of the thyme and sage and add to the mixing bowl. Then finely chop two deseeded chillies and add to the bowl.
Prepare two baking sheets with baking parchment.

Unroll the sheet of Puff pastry onto a floured board and roll out until it is almost a third bigger than when it started both in width and length, too thin and the rolls will break. Cut a horizontal line across the middle of the longest length, egg wash the edge and then place along the middle of both sections some of the combined mixture. Along the edge of both place some of the syrup onions. Carefully roll over to seal the edge and ends and place onto a baking tray. Repeat for the other tray.

Place into a preheated oven at 200C, then cook to a golden colour approximately 30 minutes but keep checking from 20 minutes (I'm paranoid they will burn). Remove from the oven, rest on the tray for 10 minutes, then move to a cooling rack so we don't get soggy bottoms! Do NOT cut until cool. Slice diagonally and eat the end bits as your treat!!!!

The eldest has a new home

The new place

Little bits of collecting household items here and there had cumulated to this day where my eldest and his girlfriend collected their keys and set up home together in the most perfect house.

Finally sorted

New fantastic jobs had meant that at last both of them could actually settle into having a home.

In the process of movin

Where to put everything!

Cars were filled at ours and instructions given as to when we could arrive. I thought we had a lot but to my astonishment this was dwarfed with other hidden booty that had been collected!!

The kids collected their keys and set about a full clean of the house whilst it was empty although it had recently been painted therefore just needing a freshen up everywhere. I finally got the call and then cars arrived from everywhere to fill the house!! Everything just kept coming!! People had been so kind as well as the fact they had been gathering little bits for at least a year. An overdose of glasses  could allow them to entertain for a year or to create a fantastic display : ) Unfortunately my eldest's girlfriend had to leave for work... we all felt for her as she was leaving her house.



The new sofa received its legs, the new washer (provided by her brother) was deposited in the garden, the spare bedroom had no room left in it and cardboard boxes filled everywhere.

Everyone was so good to be helpful but not to impose.

Four hours later

It was hard to know where to start, the bed was put together so at least they could sleep. My eldest decided food was needed so a sneaky trip for a nibble was taken before we gathered a few bits of food shopping to tide them over the first day. Then we gathered a last few bits from her parents, who are just the most incredibly kind, relaxed and inviting people ever and we returned to the bomb site of the house. At this point I left!!!!

Fours hours later

Four hours later I received the most amazing photos, a transformation....... how he did it I don't know. The house looked lovely. An organised kitchen, a comfortable lounge, and an elegant bedroom. He must be shattered.

Today I received a lovely text from her saying how amazing he had been so when she returned they could have the promised olives and wine and a quiet sit down in their new home.

Add caption

Congratulations......

Finally sorted

More recent photos with my eldest and his girlfriend both working their magic......

A sad day but a celebration also......

To Philip,  you were someone who had some amazing loving friends and a wonderful family..... a few photos of the day....

Philip's children

Photo board

Anne with a new family member

Ann, Pete and Anne

Ali and Charlie

The children together 

Vin Neuf Summer Wine Tasting

Relaxing with a glass of Dandelion Shiraz 

Every year Vin Neuf arranges a summer walkabout wine tasting. Around 40 are on show and nibbles are sent round created by Hillers . Hillers run the most fabulous farm shop but now have an over subscribed restaurant and beautiful gardens. It is a lovely event which this year had the advantage of one of the balmiest evenings so far.

A  comparative photo of a Jeroboam and a standard bottle

I had come with Anne and Vicky which made for a very merry and relaxed event. This was added to by meeting old friends and catching up, the icing on the cake, you forget how important these people are to you. They all add up to me! 

The evening was spent sipping, nibbling and strolling. To top the evening however Vin Neuf had entered everyone automatically into a raffle draw which had the one prize of a Jeroboam of Montrose Rose wine . To my utter, utter astonishment I actually had the surreal moment of hearing my name being called and I had WON. To say I was happy, oh yes I was, I don't win!! but I DID.....hugs for everyone, no shame from me.  Envy : ) did crawl out of the woodwork afterwards with continued comments regarding my win, of course all done tongue in cheek.Thank you for another fabulous evening James and Vin Neuf, and thank you to everyone who just made a perfect event.

Blitz Hill - 1940s evening at Blists Hill, and viewing sons soon to be house.

Blitz Hill- World War II themed evening

Son's girlfriend greeting her tardy dad : ))

Son's girlfriends family, awe...

Lounge

Detail, attention to every detail was obvious from the start as we gathered to go into this balmy bright themed evening.
Already the day had been spent pulling items out from under beds and eaves, as well as the loft and the garage. My eldest is flying the coop and along with his new job has found a lovely house to rent nearby with his girlfriend. We found that everything had taken longer with washing down items as well and left slightly late. We arrived just in time for the estate agent to let us in and allow us to peruse  the whole house, lovely. Such a sensible layout with a plethora of plugs etc and pristine.

Kitchen

Bedroom

We then met up with the rest of my eldest's girlfriends family to allow us to divest the car of its contents in their garage and change for the event. As we had driven up the horizon had filled with the building dark clouds of a thunderstorm which it had let loose allowing us to wallow through waves of water however now the clouds were in the distant and stood like pillars with the light reflecting off them. The sun was out, and it had some heat.


BLITZ HILL

Detail does indeed make for the very best of evenings. It would not take much to imagine yourself transported in time to the era of WW2, that is was attention to detail does.

 The evening now had the promise to be warm and balmy. I was so happy as it became obvious how much everyone had invested in time and detail at the event.

Rations for the week

At 6 pm a thousand of us queued, and I was so happy to see nearly everyone had attempted a look, the men with flat caps or uniforms whilst the ladies where in elegant tea dresses, land girl/boiler suit outfits or uniform. Hair was coiffured with curls and loops and bands tied in a knot at the top.

Traction 

Carpenter

Bakery

Fairground 

Before long we got in with a map, which we were told to look after in case of spies, and then had a fantastic walk around immersing ourselves in the fun of the Home Guard marching, the Army vehicles, the fair ground, the Shire horse practice, eating tasty bread and fish and chips, buying fresh grown products fresh out of the tended ground. Wow I was in awe.

Driving the Shires, buying homegrown produce

 

Being assertive!

The evening continued to warm and bright with everyone having the very best of times.

Proper Fish and Chips

 What a lovely event, well done to everyone who taped up the windows, laid out the bunting, planted up the luggage, took time to dress their hair, to polish up their vehicles. It was the very best of evenings.