Beetroot cake - really???

John and I were up early and off down to Peyia to the Dentist as we are now able to go and have our check up and clean.  The good news was that now as part of the GESY (National Health System) we get one examination and one clean free per year and the treatment they can offer is to increase in time.  We haven't been overly bothered in the past because we have our Saturday Hospital Fund which pays an amount for teeth and eyes.  The bad news was that I have an issue with my back teeth at the top as the gums are receding badly even though I think I look after my teeth pretty well.  So Dr Harris took a panoramic x-ray (also free) and said he wanted a second opinion so I have to have a discussion with a specialist in a couple of weeks' time and if he concurs that I need treatment he will explain what is required and the cost.  Deep Joy!

Once home I set about making a cake - not any old cake but a beetroot cake!!!  I had struggled to get stuff in the freezer yesterday and so a box of frozen beetroot had to go.  In the winter we have roast betroot as a veg so this was left over.  So, as we try not to through anything away, I looked for a recipe and decided on the Riverfood Organic Farmers one.

I was quite surprised that whilst the cake batter was bright red the resulting cake was just like any other cake and when cut didn't have any trace of red to it.  I think I was probably expecting some different 'earthy' beetroot flavour but actually there wasn't really any and it resulted in a nice light cake which would probably be just as nice when a few days older with some butter spread on it.

Before we settled down for our supper I nipped out to do my last lot of watering at Edda and David's as their son is arriving Sunday and he is going to sort things out for them.  Edda was looking better and David said he had been able to go for a swim in the pool.  Bless them both they were so grateful that I had been because Edda was terrified that her beautiful garden was going to dry up, and die otherwise.  it only took me about 45 minutes so that was really no hardship.

David said that he and Edda wanted to take us for a meal to say thank-you when they were back up on their feet properly.  I said they didn't have to but rather I would like a cutting of a fabulous geranium that Edda has dotted around the garden - it has the deepest greeny-purple leaf and a huge flower head with the darkest red bloom.  She told me to take some there and then so I have a couple of cuttings which hopefully will take.  I took the flower off and stuck that in a vase.

Mum and Lilian are coming on Sunday and we had promised to get them some of the fabulous Halloumi which they sell in the village.  I was served by a youngish guy in his early 20s I would reckon who looked to be a relative, if not a son, of Maria and he was dressed very properly in a hat, long white apron and white wellie boots.  When he asked me to follow him into the small room where you pay I had to do a double take because when he turned round he was wearing the shortest pair of short shorts I have seen in a very long time - so small that for a mili-second I thought he was naked under the apron - he wasn't but it did make me smile!!!

We also got some feta as John wanted to make a whipped Lemon Feta dip as he had seen a recipe recently and he thought that would go well with the paprika wedges and steamed cod we had planned for supper.  I can confirm it is absolutely delicious but only after you have allowed it to chill for a couple of hours.

Great news we got to see Rob and Di today - it seems like forever since they came up for supper before this last lockdown - in fact they were due up for a curry and then weren't able to come because of lockdown.  Poor Di is in agony as she has injured her back so couldn't get out of the car.  Rob had kindly picked up our post.  We shall be able to get together real soon as apparently the Safe Pass for eating in an outdoor eatery is being dispensed with on Monday although John only had to wait until Wednesday to comply.