Lobster!!!

Lobster thermidor came out better than I thought. I ordered it cornish lobster

online, so it came cut and cooked. All that was left was to pick out the meat, dice and leave aside to put in the sauce.

The shell can be used to create a stock, by boiling the claws, however I used fish stock, onions, butter and some spices for the cream. 

Although mustard should be used, I forgot to get it from the shop. They say its not a thermidor unless it has mustard, so I'm not sure what mine was in the end. However, a hint of tumeric, coriander, cumin, chilli and a lot of paprika made it especially yummy. If I made it again I would leave out the tumeric though. Fresh tarragon and parsley were a wonderful addition. Mixed with cream, the sauce was sumptuous. Submerging the lobster, heating gently and filling the shells until the sauce was dripping out of the sides was a thoroughly therapeutic experience. I then covered generously with breadcrumbs for texture and, of course, cheese. 

If I was to do it again I would add a little more salt, and definitely more cheese on top. I can sometimes be afraid of adding too much salt as once there's too much, nothing can be done. All in all a delicious, decadent dish, perfect for a treat! 

Eid

Eid today. Various messages, texts, emails and calls wishing me a Eid Mubarak, from both Muslims and my non-Muslim friends. Or Eid Mu-Barack Obama which one of my probably drunk friends wished me at 3am yesterday evening.

The day consisted of eating a lot, napping, eating more and over-indulging after a month of abstinance. The only downer was seeing cops (I should say police but I watch too much America TV) outside the Mosque. Though we should be pleased that we are protected, it made me uneasy wondering what they were expecting would happen, and why there were almost six of them for only 60 or 70 people.

It feels like everyone is more aware of Islam, and festivals like Eid, since Muslims have been in the news more frequently over the past few years. The coverage may have been for the wrong reasons, but as long as we have open discussion, dialogue and non-Muslims feel free to ask questions, we could look at it positively and hope that maybe no publicity is bad publicity. This morning one of our rather quiet, reserved and typically English neighbours came out of the house, wished my Dad a Happy Eid, shook his hand then walked to his car. Such a small gesture but much appreciated and comforting to know that your neighbour knows you are a Muslim but doesn't think you might be building a amateur explosive device in the garden shed.

Papers like the Daily Mail and the Sun will always exist, but so will intelligent people who are able to read between the lines, so I like to think there is still hope that in a few years there will be less hate and hostility, as well as less cops outside not just Mosques but any religious establishment.