Little thoughts…
16:05, It’s the Saturday after Christmas. Quantum of Solace is playing in the background on my MacBook. I’m in my element. I have luxury mince pie, double cream and Tamnavulin Single Malt – American Oak, Sherry Cask. I’m the primary cook around here. It’s my escape, my happy place. Think James Martin meets Carmy and Richie from The Bear. When things go wrong, I swear at myself, and occasionally burn my finger tips, scream in the freezer and often…I make something of significant note. I also wear the perfect tee shirt while I cook… Sunspel x CDG basic crews. Saturday roast dinner, but this is something a bit different than normal. On Christmas, I made a lovely Châteaubriand and roast chicken – my wife did the rest. It’s still the festive period…decadence is among us. I will be “cooking” the pre sous-vide Beef Shin and Nemo Roast potatoes. Unfortunately the damned things were nearly ruined and almost disintegrated while on the boil. I’ve salvaged them, somehow. Goosefat is good for that sort of thing.
I have a moment, so I delve into the Tamnavulin, I’ve only sniffed the bloody glass for 30 minutes between tasks. The red wine sauce and the sous-vide beef is permeating the entire kitchen. The richness of the brandy and port from the pies are all blending into this indulgent array of flavours across the palette. I’m enveloped in the euphoria of double cream coating the roof of my mouth, it creates a perfect canvas for the scotch’s warmth of sherry oak and spice. It takes its claim over the senses and it’s a truly wonderful experience. My father-in-law says double cream sends a signal to the most primitive bit of the brain,
“I am solace”
“I am warmth”
“I am sustenance, and I am good”
Yeah he’s about right. However, Scotch sends another signal to my brain, “Life Is Good, Indulgence is Good, I am Solace”
I love these indulgences, they are becoming far too common…but that’s for another day. Today, I am cooking alongside one of my favourite bond films. Like a vintage car, a pair of audiophile headphones, or Jon Jones… It has major flaws, but they are pretty much worth it for the entertainment.
**Fun fact – You can buy a well-sorted Bentley Turbo R – Mulsanne for £20k. 2025 goals anyone?
Quantum is the film that solidified Craig as my style icon. Hold that thought – I need to baste the beef and prep the cauliflower cheese… | When I think back on Bond’s watches, one of the highlights for me is the 42mm Planet Ocean with the orange bezel. A former friend and I used to dream out loud about that watch from our old apartment in student housing. He used to dream of buying one at graduation or (more likely) getting one as a gift from his grandmother. It was truly unobtanium for both of us at the time. But things change – especially on my side…I suspect that they didn’t change as much for him. (Too nasty?) We didn’t end things on good terms…
Craig took a much more rugged look here, Casino Royale was polished Bond. The garb was slick Sunspel polos and chinos. Here, we get comfy Tom Ford suits, selvedge denim and sandy desert chukkas. This is served with a large side helping of ass-kicking-axe-swinging enjoyment. Olga Kurylenko and Port Au Prince serve as a near perfect reflex to Eva Green and Monte Negro. Casino Royale is better, but not far and away better for me. Both are incredible Craig instalments. At some point, I’ll do a full review of the film. But not today.
As the beef now rests, those damned potatoes take their perfect crackly form with a perfect glass like texture on the pan side. I scrape the side of my knife across the big one, “CRACKLE”… and the inner texture is near pomme purée. Perfect. The cauliflower cheese goes in for its final blast under the grill, I take a minute to breathe it all in. These moments—wrapped in indulgence, nostalgia, and a touch of inspiration—are what make life feel balanced. The richness of the food, the spiced heat of the Tamnavulin, and even the flawed brilliance of Quantum of Solace are reminders that it’s okay to embrace the imperfect and enjoy the ride.
Here’s to the little luxuries that make us pause, the rugged elegance of Bond, and big plans for 2025. Maybe a new watch. Maybe that Bentley Turbo R.
Who knows? Life is good. See you in the new year…