Nigella Love and Knitting

So on Monday I got to have a surprise day off work (paid too woo!) as the stormy winds had broken the shutter on the warehouse next to our workshop and it wasn't safe for us to work. As much as I love it, I'm doing a scenic painting job at the moment, an impromptu day off is always good. Especially when the chances of a massive metal shutter falling on you are quite high.

In my determination to use it for something productive I managed to watch six episodes of Nigellissima whilst knitting and making Christmas decorations. Incidentally I have seen all six episodes on previous occasions however this did not deter me from indulging in them again. I must say this is not my favourite Nigella series, but most of the recipes look tasty and I generally enjoy her programmes and am a little bit obsessed. I obviously ended up being ridiculously hungry and wanting pasta so I adapted her recipe for Pea and Pancetta Risotto and made it with normal pasta as I didn't have any orzo. It was very tasty and I will definitely make it again. To save you scribbling the recipe down as you watch the clip I've added it at the bottom of the page as it's not on the website!

I forgot to take photo of mine but here is Nigella's. This is also a nice bowl.

For a while I was a bit obsessed with the pixie saucepans she uses and I still am on the hunt for some although annoying my current kitchen somewhat resembles a shoe box, and even though they are tiny, I'm not sure we have space for them.

Here is the aforementioned knitting, I have a cardigan that clearly should have pockets, and doesn't. So I've taken matters into my own hands and started to make my own. This is my first attempt at stocking stitch and purl knitting and I'm quite impressed with my efforts so far. Although its hard to see as its black I assure you its quite even and so far has no surprise holes! After a very entertaining conversation with my Mum where she tried in vain to explain to me how to purl (entertaining for her, less so for me..) I found this video (From Kristen at Goodknitkisses) which helped me immensely, so if you are like me and forget how to knit on a regular basis it's worth checking out! Also I like that she uses lime green wool, it's the kind of wool that'd make a really good scarf. When I've finished my pockets and sewn them onthere will be an unveiling of my new and improved cardigan!

As a finishing note here is Nigella talking about 'oozing', enjoy!

Here is the recipe for Pancetta and Pea Risotto, She gives no measurements on the program and its not featured as a recipe on the website so I just guessed and it worked pretty well. As long as the ratio of pasta to water is roughly 1:2 its fine!

Pancetta and Pea Risotto / Orzo
Pancetta
Frozen Peas
Orzo/Pasta
Double volume of water to pasta
Pinch Salt
Knob of butter
Parmesan

Fry and crisp up pancetta in wide pan, add frozen peas and cook till 'they've lost they're frozen look'.
Add Orzo and stir to coat in pancettary oil, add water to the pan with a pitch of salt and bring to the boil.
Turn down to a simmer and stir occasionally, when all the water has been absorbed it is done.
Stir in knob of butter and grated parmesan and serve.

I used penne pasta in mine and it worked fine - a much easier way of cooking one pot dishes with pasta and less washing up!