So Easy It’s Cheating Tartare Sauce

I am hosting Blogger Secret Ingredient this week and I had all manner of plans to cook something scrumptious involving my chosen ingredient, capers, on Friday night, however it was not to be.

I had a very busy Wednesday and we went out to supper locally, we sat down, ordered and I promptly got something in my eye.    It felt like an eyelash, I had a good look but could not see anything and put the slight discomfort down to a slight scratch from when I had rubbed it.     I woke up on Thursday and there was still a slight discomfort, not painful but not quite right.    I had all manner of things to do – mainly my web design course, I tried to forget about the eye thinking I would deal with it the next day if it was no better, and go immediately to A&E if it got worse.

Friday morning came and it was no better, still uncomfortable rather than painful, but having had horrid eye infections in the past I took myself off to Moorfield’s Eye Hospital to get it checked out.    Mindful of long A&E waits I took my iPod, 2 books, 2 knitting projects, a magazine and a large bottle of water.    I completely forgot anything to eat, happily there is an excellent cafe, The Shepherdess diagonally opposite the hospital  where I bought an excellent BLT in a warm baguette with freshly cooked bacon.

Everyone, including me, moans about the NHS and the waits but really it could not have been better, I was seen by a nurse practitioner within 10 minutes of arriving (I barely had finished my baguette) and then referred onto a doctor who saw me just over an hour later.      Considering the number of people there, and the number of obviously very serious eye injuries I could see I think that this was very speedy indeed.

The doctor gave both eyes a through examination with a slit lamp machine, added all manner of drops and after about 15 minutes turned my left eye lid inside out and scooped out a piece of something about the size of a full stop that had got stuck under the lid.    It instantly felt far far better and I was sent on my way with instructions to come back if it was not totally right the next day.     I feel fairly grim after a contact lens checkup and after all the light and prodding and travelling home I really did not feel quite right and all I wanted to do was sit on the sofa and drink several large glasses of wine.    Ed went out and got fish and chips and I mustered enough energy to make tartar sauce.    There are occasions when only homemade mayonnaise will do.    This was not one of them and Hellman’s did the job nicely.

(So Easy It’s Cheating) Tartar Sauce (Serves 2)

1 tbs capers – drained and chopped
2 tbs mayonnaise* (I use Hellman’s)
finely grated zest of 1/2 lemon

Simply drain the capers give them a quick chop and mix with the mayonnaise and lemon zest.     Garnish with a few chopped chives and serve.    Delicious with fish and chips!

*A word about mayonnaise – if you buy or use ready mayonnaise please check it is made with free range eggs.     Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, the Co-op and Hellman’s all use free range eggs.    A useful guide to products containing free range eggs can be found here.