Pat on the Tummy's interview

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Interview by Laurence

We interviewed Pat on the Tummy!

Hello Pat on the Tummy, so tell us...

When did you begin your blog and what inspired you to start it?

I began my blog on January 1st, 2013 as a kind of New Year's resolution. I needed somewhere to keep my ever-growing collection of recipes, some friends wanted me to share and I wanted to record my impressions of Romania as well as what I've read. I've realised I don't have time, in among all the cooking and reading, to blog everyday but I have made huge efforts to submit something at least once a week. Recently, I've been doing that while catching up with The Great British Bake-off. I always have great plans for things to include but...

In your wildest dreams, where is your blog going to take you as it develops?

In my wildest dreams, fame, fortune and stardom! In reality, I don't know, maybe to be paid to write about food or travel, or even be paid TO travel and write about food.

Are you active in the blogging community? Have you met any interesting people through your blog or has it brought you to new places?

I'm afraid I'm not that active. To be honest, time spent on the computer is, in a sense, time spent not doing the things I love doing. It's hard to balance and my scales are heavily down on the activity side at the minute. Maybe that will change if my blog begins to get a few more hits and comments and as the Romanian winter approaches.

Do you have a secret weapon in the kitchen?

I have so many weapons in the kitchen; none of them are secret - transparent cooking!

What would be your choice of dish or menu if you had to choose your "last meal ever"?!

That is such a hard question! I would have to be eating for a week I think to be really satisfied. After all, there are artichokes, capers, avocado and haggis to be considered. Would I want exotic or comfort? Comfort, I think, so it would have to be a good homemade steak pie with mash, gravy and peas. Unassuming, maybe, but oh, so satisfying.
Oh, but maybe lasagna, a good curry, cheesecake, escargots...

What is your earliest memory involving food?

Baking pancakes, gingerbread and scones with my childminder when I was three. She baked every Monday and I loved 'helping'. I still use her gingerbread recipe.

Are there any chefs that you admire in particular?

My favourite has to be James Martin - he knows all the posh stuff but is still down to earth and is aware that people don't cook like Michelin star chefs everyday - they just want something original and tasty. There are a lot of new chefs getting more air-time at the minute and some of them promise to be really interesting. I'm more interested in filling contented tummies than art on a plate though.

What is THE Romanian dish that you think deserves more attention internationally?

I'm not normally a dessert person but Papanasi is unbelievable: sweet, sour and utterly delicious. It's hot cheese doughnuts with sour cream and cherry jam. Yum. And you even get the doughnut holes on top.

Which Gourmandize recipe would you recommend? (if none take your fancy add your own and share it with us!)

Sea Bream with Lemon Roasted Asparagus and New Potatoes - it's one of mine; there is such a wonderful selection of fish available in Romania.

Any last words or message for our readers?

Soapbox? No, but I do think that everybody should be able to cook and should take pride in doing it.

Thank you Pat on the Tummy for answering our questions and see you soon!
Published by Laurence - 17/10/2013

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