whatever's on offer

They eat well for old pensioners!

It’s only a soufflé.

What’s in it?

Eggs, parmesan and gruyere cheese.

Is that all?

A smidgen of salt, black pepper, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, mustard powder.

Doesn’t sound much.

It’s all in the making: recipe of Elizabeth David with the mustard powder and nutmeg added by Delia. All today’s recipes are derived from Elizabeth David.

Was she that good?

As long as you do like he does; ignore some of her daft comments like never use an electric whisk for eggs and she wouldn’t be seen dead buying a trout.

What’s in that salad?

An orange and watercress dressed with olive oil, mustard and red wine vinegar.

Is that her’s too?

No! that’s Nigel Slater.

Is the wine selected to go with the meal?

No!  Usually whatever’s on offer.  She buys it. This one’s Italian - Sicilian  to be exact. When they went to see Oliver it was the house wine in an Italian restaurant in Covent Garden and they  discovered how good it is. Change from Australian and the like.

Is he a good cook?

Likes to think so: follows the instructions to a ‘ T’ usually: says why should he change what professionals have been doing successfully for years.  

Had a disaster earlier today though: bought a pizza from Waitrose for lunch, removed the wrapping as instructed and placed it directly onto a shelf in the oven. When he next looked to see how it was going, the ‘hand-stretched’ pastry had burst at the bottom and had leaked gooey cheese and ham all over the oven.

Does he swear much?

Only today - and when similar things happen every time he cooks!