The stories I want to write, the characters that fascinate me and a lemon ginger chicken for Marta
Just recently, I found myself thinking about all the stories I wanted to write. I mean, I have tons of ideas in my head, I have three whole stories featuring Camila Roeberg from my first published novel already stewing in my mind, I have an idea for a story set in The Preternaturals Series universe but featuring none of its current characters, I have a story about dragons and warriors and sorceresses already two thirds written... I have a lot of stories, do I have enough time to pen them down? I wonder. Still, I'll go for them, I'll work on them, and the future will say what the future will say, right?
But if I am to be really, really honest, there's two stories I have wanted to write for a long, long time. Two stories I know for sure I will never pen down and yet will dream about them all the time. Two stories that have populated my imagination for far too long, now, they're part of who I am, really. But there are already far too many versions of them out there - well, at least of one of them! - and both require the kind of research I simply have no means of doing. Because both feature historical figures, supposedly, and historical happenings, dates, places, history in its purest form. And not the history of my country, sadly - although I believe someone should write one of those intensely vivid and good historical novels about Viriatus, really. It would be great, I tell you.
One of those two stories that fill my mind constantly and end up influencing everything else - even if you can't tell - in my life is the Arthurian legend. Yeah, come on and sue me, I'm all for Arthur and the knights of the round table. I've read so many of the versions already out there and loved most of them because each one gives off a different point of view, a different setting of the characters. But I do have a soft spot for The Mists Of Avalon, yes. I would love writing down my own version of the Arthurian legend, based on the point of view of the women, yeah. A different view of Morgan le Fay, a different view of Guinevere, of Vivianne, of Igraine. A different view of Merlin as well, and Arthur. Imagine the research this would beg for. The means requiered. A dream it stays, then.
The other story - and this one speaks so dear to my heart - is that of Ragnar Lothbrok's sons. The Ragnarssons. Not like they're depicted on Vikings, though I do love that show, and it somehow got me to view Ragnar in a slightly different way. But I am obsessed with two of his children, Sigurth Snake-eye and Ivar the Boneless. Especially Ivar. Ever since I read Harry Harrison's and Tom Shippey's trilogy The Hammer and the Cross that I have been enchanted by Ivar Ragnarsson, wishing to know more about him and to write about him. I did pen down a short story, a long time ago, featuring him in the background but focusing on one of his mistressess. Not enough research handy to bring it into fruition, but I would love to be able to dig in and write about him and Sigurth. Maybe one day...
For now I will satisfy myself with finishing my work in progress and getting those three novels published, I will satisfy myself with writing this blog and cooking and shooting and styling for it, I will satisfy myself with the work at hand which is already making me spread myself rather thin. And that brings me to this dish at hand. I wanted another dish to bring to Marta's March table, which features lemons, so I had to cook one of my most favourite things, which is chicken. Roasted. In the oven. I mean, I can't get enough of oven foods, and the weather has decided it is still begging for it. Even if Spring is supposed to have sprung already, we're expecting a decrease in temps this week, coming back to Winter cold days with rain and wind and dreary skies. So oven dishes it is. Chicken with lemon and ginger, and it is too good.
For the chicken you will need:
- 1/2 a chicken, cut into pieces (I cooked this for 3 people, make it a whole chuck if your numbers are bigger)
- zest and juice of half a lemon + a few lemon slices
- a knob of ginger, grated
- olive oil
- dried garlic
- five to six shallots, halved
- six garlic cloves, smashed
- dried chives and cilantro
- 1 tsp turmeric
- salt and pepper to taste
- half a glass of white wine
For the oven fries you need:
- 10 small new potatoes
- zest of half a lemon
- salt and pepper
- herbes de provence
- 1 tsp paprika
- olive oil
Querida Ruth,
ReplyDeletepara mim a época de assados no forno nunca acaba! Pode estar 40 graus lá fora que eu não me importo mesmo nada. Eu ADORO assados, e frango assado no forno é uma quase obsessão. Amo. Essas batatinhas aí ao lado do frango estão com um aspeto tão, mas tão delicioso!!
Uma receita que me deixa completamente rendida. My kind of confort food, sem dúvida.
Obrigado por mais esta receita :) amei
Beijocas grandes
Marta
P.S. também adoro a lenda de Rei artur e os seus cavaleiros... já a lenda do filho de Ragnar conheço muito pouco... há uma série chamada Vikings que é sobre essa lenda não é?...ou estou a misturar coisas?... :)
Ah gostei do novo look, mais leve e fresco. Mais a condizer com a estação :)
Pois, eu tb faço pratos de forno o ano inteiro, quero lá saber do calor eheheheh. Obrigada pelas palavras <3
DeleteThree novels! Wow! This is a huge plan already. And you still have energy for the blog. Big big respect!
ReplyDeleteOh my, thank you! Writing novels is for me more fun than work, really, so it comes a bit easy - doesn't mean they're any good ahahahah.
DeleteQue bonita e mais leve está a tua nova casa! Eu tenho uma grande admiração por ti, porque escreves, a sério. não tenho essa capacidade, imaginação e disciplina. Ainda só li o teu primeiro livro e como sabes fiquei na expectativa de criares mais livros com a personagem, ainda bem que mais cedo ou mais tarde voltaremos a encontrar a Camila!
ReplyDelete*insert emoticon de olhos e boca aberta* pah, tens a capacidade de ser completament self taught numa área q eu considero das mais dificeis, p isso olha, a admiração é mesmo mútua lol!! A sério q gostaste da Camila? Ela a mim irrita-me um bocado, gosto mais da Kit - tenho dois livros já meio amanhados com elas duas, e com os outros personagens tb. Mas confesso q prefiro os meus vampiros e as minhas bruxas, gostava bem q lesses p me dares opinião eheh.
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