Saturday, July 7, 2018

Migraine, Great British Baking Show,

Having had a migraine today (Friday) I recalled that we had watched a documentary about them the other day and thought I would remind my self. I went to the Mayo clinic page and reading it many of the symptoms seemed the same as a stroke which made me think how does one know which is which. I didn't know one could get tingling or numbness in one's arm or leg when one is "coming on".  Really didn't know much about them even though I have had them as long as I remember. My mom had them too, she called them sick headaches and had no idea they were migraines. Neither of us had/have ever been treated for them - I just use Tylenol 3 these days, in the UK I took codeine, basically the same thing.

Watching The Great British Bake Show again, I really enjoy that show. I wouldn't like to take part though, I am not a baker per se. One of the challenges tonight was to make a several layered meringue cake with fillings. What I would call a Pavlova and not sure why they didn't. I have actually done that, many years ago now, but I built a tall basket of meringue and then filled it with whipped cream and fruits etc. Much the same as I do with the Pavolva rings I buy these days. I also discovered there were three different types of meringue, French, Swiss and Italian. The Italian looks like the easiest to me. I must remember that in future.

I made my filling for the Egg Rolls today but must admit I think it needs some salt. The recipe calls for soy sauce, but I don't think that's enough. Will see what I feel tomorrow when I make the actual rolls. For our Friday supper I made Shrimp Creole which I haven't made for a long time. My recipe is a combination of recipes I have used over the years so can't attribute it to any source in particular. By the way, it is pronounced as a cross between Wuster and Wooster Sauce. Non Brits seem to have a problem with that. I actually came across a recipe the other day where the ingredient was typed as Worchester - shudders.

Shrimp Creole

1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup celery
2 cloves garlic, chopped
3 tsp peanut oil
flour for thickening
ground black pepper
2 cup fresh tomatoes or canned tomatoes drained
1 6 oz can tomato paste
1 Bay leaf
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup sherry
1 lb shrimp cleaned and deveined
cooked white rice, basmati for preference


Servings: 4

Have a great day


  1. I get migraines more in the winter from light hitting the snow, but I only started getting them in my 50's.
    Not sure that I've ever made a Swiss meringue. Mostly Italian.

    1. Well if you read the article Denise, it is quite incredible the things that can happen.

      I had never heard of the differences before.

  2. Sorry to read that you had a migraine. Ack.
    I recall people calling them sick headaches. They’d say, “I have a sick headache.”
    But until your post, I didn’t know they were the same as migraines.

    I am a HUGE, Great British Bake Off, fan. Back when it was called BAKE OFF.
    Back with the original cast, it was BEYOND an excellent show. Really really good.
    That said, they have BAKE OFFS in several countries and I’ve watched almost all of them.
    I still call it BAKE OFF. No way, will I call it baking show. That’s crap.

    Very cool that you made your egg rolls. Air fry?

    1. Thanks Ivy, funny how people don't know what they have.

      We both enjoy the show and I love to see Paul and Mary bake themselves.

      Well, yeah, made them, but not 100% successful.

  3. Hi Jo - hope the migraine has gone ... take care - shrimp any which way suits me!! Cheers Hilary

    1. Just a trace now Hilary, thanks. I envy you being close to the coast. You presumably can get lots of fresh seafood.

  4. I hope your migraine is better by now. i honestly never even heard of pavlova till your blog! I've never seen them for sale in the stores. I wouldn't even know what part of the store to look.

    1. It is thanks JoJo. As for Pavolvas, I made a several tiered one once as I said. As for looking in the stores, in the bakery - it is a dessert after all.

  5. The shrimp creole looks delicious but we are on the keto plan to lose a few pounds. In about a month I will thoroughly enjoy a bowl of white sticky rice with butter.

    1. Not familiar with that diet Stephen, hope it works. I just followed a sensible diet and ate anything I wanted in moderation. Used FitDay to track all my food intake and lost 50 lbs.

  6. Sorry to hear about your migraine, Jo. Nasty things, aren’t they. If you’re having them often your doctor can prescribe a preventer - there are several different ones that, even if they don’t completely stop you getting migraines, do lessen the frequency and intensity. There are several specialised painkillers, too, which are much more effective than regular painkillers.

    1. They are Helen. I don't normally get them very often, but have had a couple or so lately. If I have them more I will look into specialised drugs.

  7. My dad gets migraines but he's figured out the triggers. I used to get really bad headaches that made me feel sick until I divorced my first husband and they disappeared. Thank goodness... they are horrible!

    1. Lately I think it could be stress for me Pinky. They were much less for years as I got older but lately.......