Bite Point

Sunday has come around quickly again. I got up early to enjoy the morning; it was cold but dry outside, and the sky was grey and featureless. Vanessa’s working today, and the boys slept in till late. I set about making a colossal chilli to freeze for next weekend—we have 50th birthday celebrations to cater for.

My chilli recipe is unnecessarily complicated and pimped out, but frankly, when I get the chance to cook, I like to ponce around and show off. I start by air frying some chopped-up bacon and chorizo, before adding it to a big frying pan so I can fry the minced beef in the chorizo oils and spices until it is caramelised. Red onions, garlic and sliced red chillis go into a huge wok until they are sizzled down, and then sliced red pimento peppers, baby tomatoes, and borlotti beans go in, to fry and reduce as well. Once that is ready, I add tins of chopped tomatoes, black beans and kidney beans, more spices, beef stock and a big dollop of Marmite… and finally, mix in the fried meats from the other pan. Cook low and slow for about six hours.

Today’s photo was not exactly planned but was once again captured on the windowsill in my man cave. Little Ed jumped up to survey the neighbourhood and was displeased that I had not kept the window open in the freezing cold, on the off-chance that he might decide to go hunting. I grabbed my phone and a small light panel, and caught this fearsome profile reflected in the window by chance.