Memories of The Two Red Shoes, plus a menu for this Valentine's Day
As Valentine’s day approaches thoughts return to previous romantic adventures.
Although it may reveal my great age I must admit to vivid memories of Saturday night at The Two Red Shoes in Elgin, known locally as ‘The Twa bits’.
Alex Sutherland and band playing ‘fit to burst,’ the guys standing round the walls to view the ‘talent’ and the lassies made up to the eyes with skirts up to their handbags gyrating and circulating in the middle fervently hoping for an ‘Are you dancing?’
To conform to fashion it had to be the Dusty Springfield/Mary Quant look which involved yards of false eye lashes, clarts of black mascara, a very white face and lips, gallons of Taboo perfume and an extremely short, tight skirt.
Thus we were attired wobbling and shaking to the music while trying fervently to look very disinterested and cool!
I have always been fascinated by the turn of phrase employed in the dating game – commonly known as ‘ The chat up line!’
So in the interests of this article I dug into the archives to come up with the following which you may or may not like to try in order to persuade your chosen Valentine to join you for a meal!
Many years ago a budding and rather good-looking young vet asked me out to dine and afterwards was keen to persuade me to step inside for a coffee!
Restoring antiques was his passion and I think he had hopes that I may be next on the re-upholstery list!
His irresistible invite – ‘Would you like to come up and try my reconditioned chair?’
Working in catering during my adventure-filled youth, I came across many characters one of whom decided that a personal food supply service could be achieved by some romance.
He called me one night on the phone to ask ‘Will ye no come oot wi a buddy the morn’s nicht?’ Unfortunately on that occasion I was washing my hair!
Aberdeenshire, the home of Scotland the What, finds a more down to earth approach, literally.
A few years ago a farmer fell for this young lass, and his romantic present of a beautifully gift-wrapped turnip, adorned with a huge red bow, was backed up with the not to be refused invitation, ‘Well now my maiden, whit aboot a rummage at the car boot sale this Sunday?’
If music be the food of love play on – nay music here but some simple recipes that may tempt that certain someone to dine chez vous.
Don’t forget the red roses.
.
Smoked Salmon Surprise
Wrap thin slices of smoked salmon round tender asparagus spears. Drizzle with walnut oil and fresh lime juice. Serve with fresh brown bread and butter.
.
Chicken béarnaise
Easy and a wee bit exotic.
Serves 2
2 chicken portions – skinned.
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 tomato - chopped
1 small onion – peeled and finely chopped
1 large carrot – peeled and grated
1 apple – peeled and grated
1 large potato – peeled and grated
60g ( 20z) chopped bacon
Salt and pepper
1 small glass dry white wine or vermouth
.
Heat the oven to 180C ( 160C fan) 350F, Gas 4.
Brown the chicken in the oil and set aside.
Mix tomato, onion, carrot, apple and potato and season with salt and pepper. Spread evenly in the base of a small casserole dish.
Lay the chicken on top, season the chicken with salt and pepper.
Scatter with the bacon.
Pour over the wine.
Cover and bake in the oven for 45 minutes or till the chicken is tender and the juices run clear when pierced with a skewer.
Serve with new potatoes or crusty bread.
.
Sue’s lemon posset
Serves 2
Mix 115g (4oz) thick Greek yoghurt with115g ( 4oz) whipped double cream, 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind and 115g ( 4oz) lemon curd.
Chill and serve with blueberries to decorate.
