New Year’s Eve is a special celebration for us: it is my wife Petronela (P)’s birthday, which in accord with Romanian tradition means ‘open house’, the table spread with Romanian food. No invitations are issued, friends and neighbours just ‘know’
Romanian food
The day before is a busy one for P as generally she does all the Romanian (specifically Moldovan) cooking but this year I attempted a favourite of mine – răcitură (known as ‘piftie’ in other parts, pieces of meat in ‘aspic’ – in this case pork though I prefer with cockerel or, even better, goose). Of course you can make it with commercially available gelatin but I was determined to make traditionally so was on a hunt for pigs’ trotters (feet) and ears. I was amazed when a butcher in Leeds Kirkgate market suggested the only place I would find them was in the pet shop. “Are you are butcher?” I asked. Fortunately there are ‘proper butchers’ in Bradford so I was able to pick up both trotters and ears on my way to hospital on Thursday (see previous post). The result must have been OK: my Romanian neighbour (Moldoveancă – lady from Moldova) ate almost a whole dish. Something new for me, at the suggestion of my Latvian blogger friend Ilze I ate some with mustard and vinegar. Delicious!
For those unable to come to ‘the party’ Facebook and other internet applications have created a different way for wellwishers to join in: at the last count over 150 people had written their birthday messages on Petronela’s ‘timeline’ to which must be added more than 30 private messages, some internet live chats and the odd phone call. What on earth would you do with that number of birthday cards?
London Fireworks
Guests gone (the last at 11pm) we turned on the tv at 11.55pm, popped the ‘bubbly’ at 00.00, then watched the London fireworks as we always do. Of course, with friends in other parts of the world I was sending New Year wishes at 00.00 before and after according to other timelines
Nile Rodgers and Chic – better music
A big musical step up from previous years, bracketing the fireworks, for me was Nile Rodgers performing with Chic, celebrating their 40th year. Dreadlocks flying, he ensured we stayed awake to finish the bubbly. The likes of Gary Barlow, Bryan Adams and Robbie Williams – as in previous years – don’t cut it for me, boring me to sleep! Queen better!
I’m now going to do something I never did before, stop this post here and continue – with a completely different type of musical experience with a lot of personal history behind it, in another post – probably tomorrow.
January 2, 2018 at 8:01 pm
Happy belated birthday to Petronela, I love my Romanian friends parties as you say very informal and if they don’t want to turn up they just don’t, no false excuses 😀.
January 2, 2018 at 1:21 pm
Happy new year! Looks like you had an amazing time 🙂
January 2, 2018 at 10:21 am
Many Happy returns of the Day! 💜 Petronela is a looker and she looks smashing, as always 🙂 Well, I get to know more about Romanian cooking and dishes from your blog 🙂
As far as I know, răcitură is called in Moldavia and it is made with chicken and turkey, and piftie is in Transylvania and the meat is pork.
Can’t wait for your next post 🙂
January 2, 2018 at 10:33 am
As you know Iulia, I say I was reborn in the Bucovina where the languages, food and traditions of Moldavia and Transylvania are all mixed up, so I’m used to piftie with chicken and răcitură with pork 😜 as well as the other way round. But it is where I’ve also had my favourites – with cockerel and goose.
January 2, 2018 at 10:41 am
I know 🙂 but I was told I was in the wrong about piftie and răcitură by some people born in Transylvania, and also being told that I do not know what piftie really is. As a form of protest I refuse to even taste piftie 🙂 😜
Everything you cook is and looks delicious 🙂 🙂
January 2, 2018 at 2:39 pm
Now I wonder who that could be – to be banned to the freezer with the penguins? 🤪
Anyway, I hope as a Moldoveancă you might try my răcitură, with freshly made mămăliga as we shall be eating tomorrow 😃💚
January 2, 2018 at 3:55 pm
I am laughing with tears!! I know I can always count on you for wonderful ideas :))))
My rebellious “attire” disintegrates at the mere sight of freshly made mămăliga! Thank you! 😃💚
January 1, 2018 at 4:26 pm
You tried it with mustard and vinegar! Nice! And I’m glad you liked it! Birthday girl looks lovely!! Can’t wait for next post 🙂
January 1, 2018 at 4:28 pm
Well gues who made me solit them 😂😂😂
January 1, 2018 at 4:30 pm
Have no idea!
January 1, 2018 at 4:33 pm
😜😃