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A Debt Settled
Date: Nov. 19th 2009
Category: Brunch
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I owe someone.
Quite awhile ago, Mr. Nazca sent me a certain little book in the mail and by doing so, threw down the figurative gauntlet. My challenge, assuming that I would choose to accept it, was to read said book and at the very least attempt a recipe.
The book in question: Nanny Ogg’s Cookbook: A useful and improving Almanack of Information including Astonishing Recipes from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld.
I’m serious.
Apparently Nanny Ogg is the one that everyone goes to for advice. Having never heard of Nanny Ogg before this book, I was quite surprised to learn that I can, in fact, consult her for all sorts of friendly tips including, but not limited to, ettiquette with scarecrows; how to properly offer an umbrella and how to behave at a ball. Nanny Ogg also offers marriage advice, which isn’t useful to me at the moment, but should I ever be married I know that I can count on Nanny Ogg’s to instruct me in the proper way to argue with my husband.
Very useful.
There’s a section on “Etiquette in the Bedroom”, but it seems the most important bits are obscured by printed notes that must have been overlooked during the printing process. Unfortunately the notes cover up the parts where Nanny Ogg’s explains how to … ah … handle things.
Not so useful.
Anyway, the best part of the book is clearly the recipe section. Who wouldn’t want to try Mrs Colon’s Genyooin Klatchian Curry or Nobby Mum’s Distressed Pudding?
My personal favourite, and the recipe that I shall hold dearest, is the one for Bread and Water. Luckily I have the ingredients for that on hand pretty much all of the time.
When it came time to decide what to make in order to impress Mr. Nazca, I seriously considered Knuckle Sandwich, but instead settled for Nanny Ogg’s Perfectly Innocent Porridge. The recipe includes one for Completely Innoffensive Honey Mixture Which Shouldn’t Make Anyone’s Wife Laugh, unfortunately, that recipe calls for rose petals and edible gold leaf which are, sadly, in short supply these days.
Nanny Ogg’s porridge was quite delicious, though. I topped it off with vanilla sugar, butter and blueberries. I’m assuming Nanny Ogg’s would approve.
I must say I was wonderfully entertained by this book. I just hope the reprint clears up that Etiquette in the Bedroom section …
Mr. Nazca, consider our debt settled. For now.
Ciao!
A Recipe for Porridge based loosely on what Nanny Ogg says …
Serves 2 people.
1 cup porridge oats
1 cup whole milk (you can also use water but that’s so boring)
optional toppings: butter, brown sugar, vanilla sugar, fresh fruit, nuts …Combine the oats and the milk in a small pot and let come to a boil.
Reduce heat and let simmer for about 5 minutes, until the oats are cooked through.
Serve immediately with the toppings of your choice.
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February 2010
Valvona & Crolla: A Year at an Italian Table by Mary Contini.

Have you ever read a cookbook that brings tears to your eyes? Tears of joy for all the beautiful food in the world that can be made. That would be this book. Love it.
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11/19/09 at 8:06 pm
I have that cookbook too! If you’re looking for funny British fantasy fiction that reads quickly and makes you laugh out loud, Terry Pratchett is great.
11/19/09 at 9:54 pm
A lovely porridge!
Cheers,
Rosa
11/20/09 at 3:44 am
Love your writing!
11/20/09 at 7:24 am
Love your take on the book!! And that porridge looks sensational.
11/20/09 at 7:56 am
Sounds like a hoot!
I love oatmeal in the cold mornings, yum!
11/20/09 at 8:31 am
I’d fight Goldilocks for that bowl of porridge.
11/20/09 at 8:36 am
Interesting-sounding cookbook. I’m with Marysol, above, I’d fight Goldilocks for that bowl of porridge, too.
Paz
11/20/09 at 9:37 am
Hee hee, this book sounds awesome!
11/20/09 at 12:14 pm
Yay! At last!!!
It’s a great book. Terry Pratchett rules.
Wonder if Orang-utans like porridge? Ook!
PS still one more debt to go
11/20/09 at 3:14 pm
O my god.. They made a cookbook with Terry Pratchet’s discworld as the ruling factor?? That must have been incredibly entertaining for sure! I can do porridge though… that shouldn’t be too adventurous..lol
11/20/09 at 5:14 pm
I always love reading your posts.
Only problem now is I have a craving for porridge…good thing tomorrow is Saturday!
11/21/09 at 6:06 am
A lot interesting compliments a blog!
11/21/09 at 7:34 am
Ha! I have that book and it is entertaining to read. And there is reference to it in one of the Discworld books as well, which, when you know Nanny Ogg, makes it funnier.