GREAT GRANNY MUGWUMPS SPECIAL SAUCE FOR MUTTON

Throughout the afternoon the whole house was wreathed in the delicious aroma of roasting mutton,we were all hungry for dinner long before the meat was cooked and our poor cats were beside themselves in anticipation of their share of the treat.

While the meat cooked I prepared the vegetables and a special sauce to accompany the roast,another of Granny Mugwumps delicious specialities.

SAVOURY ONION SAUCE FOR MUTTON

1 pt fresh milk

1 bay leaf

4 small sprigs of fresh rosemary

12 peppercorns

1 clove of garlic crushed

2 oz butter

1 heaped tablespoon of plain flour

salt to your taste.

1 tablespoon of dried onions or 1 small onion quartered (Gran always used a quartered onion in this sauce and removed it with then rest of the flavourings, she would sprinkle grated cheese on to of the onion and grill it for a few minutes before eating it with bread and butter, the cooks perk, as she put it.)The sauce made this way is smooth,add the dried onion if you like bits in your sauce)

Place all the ingredients in to a saucepan ,bring almost to the boil the remove from the heat,cover with a lid and leave for at least two hours. While the milk and herbs are infusing place the dried onions in to a bowl and pour on water ,enough to cover and a little more,leave for two hours. Strain the liquid through a fine sieve and disguard the seasonings.

Melt the butter in another pan and then stir in the flour,mix until the flour and butter paste bubbles.

Add the milk whisking all the time,bring gently to the boil then add the boiled onions reduce the heat and cook the sauce for about four minutes,stirring constantly.

Not only can this sauce be made the day before ,it actually improves in flavour if made in advance.

Buy the time we sat down to eat all three cats were in the kitchen,Twiggy behaved like the lady she is and refrained from swearing,Moth however was not so gracious and swore like a trooper. Harry was his usual boisterous self. As soon as each cat had received a piece of the meat the left the kitchen amicably enough and we,at last could partake of our share.

Without any doubt this was the finest piece of mutton I ever cooked and the boys tucked in with a will. I was glad to see that they really enjoyed to food as this means that we shall have mutton occasionally instead of Lamb all the time.

The meal over and the dishes done my son set out to a meeting of The Friends of Silver hall Park ,of which he is Chairman. On tonight’s agenda will of course be the recent chemical spill in to the river,the second spill in two years and devastating in its effect upon the wild life living in its environs.

Also under discussion, the new children’s play ground , the planting of new trees and lastly a date will be decided for the AGM,which I as a member shall be able to attend. My son is not at all sure the he wishes to remain chairman as his other commitments make things difficult. The dreadful events of the past few days have ,however made him think again,I am not sure what he will decide but I do know that it would be a sad day for the park if he stands down, as under his auspices much good work has been completed and new projects begun.

I await his return with interest and hope he can be persuaded not to retire.