tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41458304605038862082023-11-30T17:12:13.901-08:00feedingfamilyoffiveforfiftyFeeding a family of five for fifty pounds per weekHelen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.comBlogger246125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-28999768253201901552011-05-09T11:22:00.000-07:002011-05-09T11:22:10.111-07:00Blogger has Deleted My BloglistOh woe is me: my follow list has been pillaged and is no more. I seem to have lost a host<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> or is it a bunch, a posse...or maybe a flotilla </span>of followers which means that the ones lost were those who only followed me because I followed them. Well, that's ok then. Lets face it, those kinda bloggers are unwilling to commit to my rants and diatribes, flaky behaviour and periods of absence. Only the true follower would hang in there,<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> not particularly noticing or caring about your absence but </span>happy to see your wee name pop up every month or so nonetheless.<br />
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But what am I to do, I'll miss those peeps I followed, albeit quietly, stalker-like in my silence but reading nonetheless. Thanks Blogger. Better say it again in a whisper, they may pillage my page next......<span style="font-size: xx-small;">thanks a lot, Blogger.</span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Insert sarcasm</span>.<br />
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But to food. Always to food.<br />
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<a href="http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/sol/index.jsp">Sainsburys</a> in the UK has started an ad campaign "Feeding Four For Fifty". Hmmm. I think my fifty could take their forty in a fight but check it out, it's all about paying less and eating healthy and the recipes look good so I'm all for it. <br />
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We've had sausage meatballs in a tomato and basil sauce this week alongside tortellini in an oregano, tomato and ricotta cheese sauce, turkey chilli with a lovely yoghurt and avocado dressing....soooo good and a lot less fat and cost than beef....Sloppy Joe Bake, a wee invention as my kids and I can't bear the thought of eating it on buns; I know it's cultural and would no doubt taste great <span style="font-size: xx-small;">I promise to give it a go</span> but for now, we tried it topped with potatoes, bread, cheese etc.<br />
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This post has no pictures...wah, I hear <span style="font-size: xx-small;">me </span>you cry but that will be resolved once I can <span style="font-size: xx-small;">once again</span> upload the darn things. <br />
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Stay with me peeps, it's about to get tasty round here.Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-36494435467090867762011-04-07T03:52:00.000-07:002011-04-07T03:52:17.815-07:00Easter HolibagsApril is the month of no return; the kids are at school for a total of approx. 7 days, the rest being dedicated to Easter holidays, bank holidays, the <a href="http://www.officialroyalwedding2011.org/">Royal Wedding</a> and there may be an election in there too. So how do you keep them entertained? No, seriously, HOW.........? <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Nah, only kidding, I have this down to a tee after years of practice. <span style="font-size: small;">It's a finely tuned balance of food, entertainment, jammie days and the occasional throwing money at the situation.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLNbN5Vv2bDhkAVFacfMj5dZXLoqFX5khPan3UlyyB2qSAwY1mFQfyDQIiZHI5Wes1f5ukszv8pCUSXWjCXOB_Z1UrslKuhT-kcH5OgpXRtwF80ClAhhrItcWJxmmGs_8tXF4Zy1uQrs/s1600/kate_middleton_prince_william_wedding_list.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLNbN5Vv2bDhkAVFacfMj5dZXLoqFX5khPan3UlyyB2qSAwY1mFQfyDQIiZHI5Wes1f5ukszv8pCUSXWjCXOB_Z1UrslKuhT-kcH5OgpXRtwF80ClAhhrItcWJxmmGs_8tXF4Zy1uQrs/s320/kate_middleton_prince_william_wedding_list.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><br />
The secret is not to peak too early <span style="font-size: xx-small;">ain't that the truth</span>....; so here's how it's going so far: Saturday after school ends, have great friends who throw a party <span style="font-size: xx-small;">or throw it yourself</span> to celebrate the start of the holidays and who will supply you with a constant flow of gin and champagne, the kids a constant supply of sweeties, Easter egg hunts and dvds. A bit of sunshine helps, if you can arrange it as an hour at the park for the kids, <span style="font-size: xx-small;">and only the kids, you'll be sitting sipping that gin and tonic</span> helps tremendously.<br />
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The Sunday, arrange for some visitors...not too early, you've been drinking gin remember, but not too late either, you'll be in need of those bacon rolls and <a href="http://feedingfiveforfifty.blogspot.com/2010/02/leftover-week-10.html">lemon cake</a> to aid your recovery. It just so happened it was Mothers Day...perfect; breakfast in bed, for me a toasted bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese and huge mugs of tea....then up to make the cake and then chill on the sofa with the Sunday papers until mum and sisters arrive. See, we're all happy; the kids are happy to see their family, adrenalin pounds at the excitement of it all <span style="font-size: xx-small;">tiring them out</span> and you get to sit still. And eat. Doing not much at all. That's important. <br />
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So they've had a busy weekend, it's time to take stock and chill for a few days but only if it's raining; if it's sunny, you must go out in Glasgow as we don't know when that rare ball in the sky might surface once more <span style="font-size: xx-small;">or at least, throw the kids out</span> but in general, Monday is the day for jammies, dvds, cookies, food and games.<br />
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Tuesday was a wee bit similar, truth be told <span style="font-size: xx-small;">I spent the day cooking, see below,</span> but it gets them ready for a nice long walk to the train station come Wednesday for a trip the the <a href="http://www.hopthemovie.co.uk/">cinema </a>. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">By 7.30pm, they're home, fed and tired and mum can go meet her pals at the pub. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YtX0Pdrc0vclPiLoGzijyYq7DjMNnhGyPckc2np89iAKlcEaW5cuJiktdYd7M67wGKrSssGAD_G4pLOWkomBadI_FZtBE7-U000IAj9SWdK6X2bAbrycm4YAL7WJgwy0NFj1ks_gugs/s1600/kidlies2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YtX0Pdrc0vclPiLoGzijyYq7DjMNnhGyPckc2np89iAKlcEaW5cuJiktdYd7M67wGKrSssGAD_G4pLOWkomBadI_FZtBE7-U000IAj9SWdK6X2bAbrycm4YAL7WJgwy0NFj1ks_gugs/s320/kidlies2.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><br />
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That leads us nicely to today; the girls are having a pony day where they get to clean out, pony ride etc. and me and the lad get to have some laddie time:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNBzj1K_JUTmfcsq07tvWOvL-46cvvxyYTHSqA-mN70LNhTxLG1P2dgc9K-PymnnW2HakG7IaK2J4MxH9F3mVkLKmtdOhzQ5KKAm0jbtYj3MGxKaDmqH7MiUgQZ0qwenB9DwRe-TbiTk/s1600/kidlies.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>"So, Fraser, what shall we do today?"<br />
"Stay in, play the Wii"<br />
"The sun is shining, son, lets go do something"<br />
"I think that would be good, but for now, I really think you should have a coffee and a biscuit first and why don't you go on the computer for a wee while? You deserve it"<br />
"Well...ok....."<br />
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Hence my bloggy update. <br />
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Now to the issue of food: this week, I cooked Martha's Beef Goulash, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/moroccan-style_chicken_47173">Moroccan Style Chicken with Couscous</a> and my Original Chilli recipe; I've experimented over the past year with chilli, my favourite having sirloin steak in it as well as mince but you know how I like to get value for money and although it is indeed a tasty chilli, the sirloin and extra ingredients push up the cost enormously. My original chilli costs less and is a good starting point where extra ingredients can be added. <br />
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<b>Helen's Original Chilli</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRLLmn15YWFmi4g7kaKNqKVz7HPZJYej9v5VHN759p77uHqD9bhSomkNG5gYH9V1r8DJ96HlQzI2T5UcjwxBeS7GH55krryPjEcj0sbXyWRVdPCv0m8Ut85rTTjqZ8WmjgFTmZo_CsEk/s1600/chili.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRLLmn15YWFmi4g7kaKNqKVz7HPZJYej9v5VHN759p77uHqD9bhSomkNG5gYH9V1r8DJ96HlQzI2T5UcjwxBeS7GH55krryPjEcj0sbXyWRVdPCv0m8Ut85rTTjqZ8WmjgFTmZo_CsEk/s1600/chili.jpg" /></a></div><i>Ingredients: </i><br />
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<ul class="subset"><li> 1 tbsp oil </li>
<li> 1 large onion, diced<a href="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/knowhow/glossary/onion/"> </a> </li>
<li> 1 red pepper, diced (I like the long, pointed peppers as sweeter) <a href="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/knowhow/glossary/pepper/"> </a> </li>
<li> 2 garlic cloves, crushed </li>
<li> 1 heaped tsp hot chilli powder </li>
<li> 1 tsp paprika<a href="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/knowhow/glossary/paprika/"></a> </li>
<li> 1 tsp ground cumin<a href="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/knowhow/glossary/cumin/"></a> </li>
<li> 500g lean minced beef </li>
<li> 1 beef stock cube </li>
<li> 400g can chopped tomatoes </li>
<li> ½ tsp dried marjoram or mixed herbs containing marjoram </li>
<li> 1 tsp sugar<a href="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/knowhow/glossary/sugar/"> </a> </li>
<li> 2 tbsp tomato purée </li>
<li> 410g can red kidney beans </li>
<li>Square of dark chocolate</li>
<li> Teaspoon cocoa powder</li>
<li>Half cup coffee</li>
</ul><br />
<ol><li> <span> Add oil to a large pan and add the onions and cook for 5 minutes on medium; stir occasionally. Once the onions are soft, add the garlic, red pepper, chilli, paprika and cumin. Give it a stir, then leave it to cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. </span></li>
<li><span>Brown the mince. Turn the heat up, add the meat to the pan and brown; break up the mince with your wooden spoon. Keep stirring and breaking up the mince until totally browned.</span> </li>
<li> <span> Mix the stock cube with 300ml/1⁄2 pint of hot water. Pour this into the pan with the mince. Add the can of chopped tomatoes and the marjoram, sugar, cocoa powder, coffee, tomato puree and add a good shake of salt and pepper. Stir.</span> </li>
<li> <span> Bring to the boil, give it a good stir and put a lid on. Turn down the heat until it is simmering and leave for 1 hour. Stir every now and then.</span> </li>
<li> <span>Add the beans and chocolate. Bring to the boil again, and gently simmer without the lid for another 15 minutes, adding a little water if you think it needs it. Taste and season well. Have a wee bowlful because hey, you made it, you deserve it but then leave for at least an hour or overnight before serving for dinner as the flavours really get a chance to adhere.</span></li>
</ol>* I serve mine with flatbread or rice, topped with a little grated cheese and natural yoghurt.<br />
** Add chopped up chillies for an extra kick.Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-75561869464844842072011-03-03T02:10:00.000-08:002011-03-03T02:16:29.452-08:00Ode to a GoldfishYesterday was frought with drama; the day started pleasantly enough <span style="font-size: xx-small;">very pleasantly actually, even though I did my headless chicken act for an hour beforehand but hey, that's life as a mum, isn't it? So is rambling, apparently, </span>as my friend Shona picked me up to take us into town for coffee and shopping. We had some toast, chatted and then went our separate ways, on the hunt for gifts, knick knacks and sundries.<br />
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On looking at bags in Debenhams, <span style="font-size: xx-small;">they had a 20% sale on, you'd think they were offering them with a Faberge egg and a year's supply of lottery tickets,</span> a scuffle broke out between two women <span style="font-size: xx-small;">I say women, one was growling so much, she may have been part Rottweiller</span> over one, frankly, rather tatty looking creation and they turned to me for 'advice' <span style="font-size: xx-small;">by advice, I mean a decision. By decision I mean they both wanted me to tell them that they were right. I suppose you got all that from the quotes anyway and there is really no need for me to explain further...well, tough, I'm in a lyrical mood....by lyrical I mean....oh never mind.</span> On stating that I wasn't getting involved, they both decided to 'involve' me anyway by turning their lovely mouths to terms of endearment in cursing form<span style="font-size: xx-small;">;<span style="font-size: small;"> that was fun.</span> By fun I mean not fun. By cursing, I mean swearing ....oh, you got that? Good. Just wanted to clarify. One called me a bitch. Can you believe that? Me? Lovely, unbitchless wee me. Man, that bag was fugly.</span> <br />
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I had no phone with me to tell the time<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> I don't wear a watch, I'm a rebel</span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">without a Cassio</span>.... and didn't worry about it too much, considering I left the house at 9.15am and didn't have to be back until 3.30pm. On entering a very calm, sedate establishment who sell nothing but white yes, white....just white...I became aware of a man becoming increasingly angry. He'd been back three times looking for 'pomegranate' <span style="font-size: xx-small;">you don't want to know </span>and they STILL didn't have it? It was an OUTRAGE. The girl suggested he go to <a href="http://www.jomalone.co.uk/">Jo Malone</a>, they did Pomegranate apparently... Her manager wasn't too impressed. My outrage managed to surface for a brief millisecond when I realised Pomegranate was what I wanted too <span style="font-size: xx-small;">or had he just put the power of suggestion into my mind?</span> but quickly subsided when I realised Ginger was better. I wanted to call after him "HEY! Ginger's better! Pomegranate SUCKS!" but thought better of it.<br />
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You'd think that would be it for my day, wouldn't you? Nooooooo. I've not even <i>started </i>on the food yet and there's some way to go. For those of you waiting for pics, just scroll down to the bottom and ignore the rest of this diatribe. <br />
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Asking someone the time,<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> you'd think I'd asked for a kidney, the way she sighed and told me it, eyes raised to the sky, reluctantly looking at her watch, as if lifting up her arm caused her enough activity to have to go lie down for an hour</span>, I realised that I was, in fact cutting it fine and headed for the train station. On waiting at Partick, the hub of all activity in Glasgow....<span style="font-size: xx-small;">it's like the Rail version of the Bermuda Triangle....strange things gather and drama abounds....</span>the usual token nutter comes up the escalators, shouting abuse at rail staff at the top of his voice. We're used to this sort of thing, it doesn't happen every day but usually, the nutter will go sit somewhere away from everyone and continue to shout until he falls asleep and is removed by local authority.<br />
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When the train pulled in, everyone headed for one carriage, away from the shouting bearded man and that was fine, until he got lonely and came looking for us, so he could shout some more. What's the point after all, without an audience. <br />
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So eventually the train pulls to a halt. The man is wrapped round a pole, refusing to leave. Twenty of them mingle round, scratching their heads and drawing up plans on How To Remove A Nutter From A Pole. <br />
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Some time later, the Big Man gets on the train. He surveys the scene, look of bored disgust on his face, arms folded in front of him. He assesses the situation and without even looking at anyone, he simply kicks out his foot, just enough to make the man fall over so that he is caught by the other twenty and dragged out of the carriage. The Big Man shakes his head at the Little People, annoyed to be taken away from his sports fixtures and goes about his business.<br />
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The train continues and I arrive at the station, a 30 minute walk from my destination. So to cut a long story a tiny bit shorter, I've been walking for hours, I get the kids, we go food shopping, I have ten minutes to get organised for yoga and even refuse an offer to go to the pub...unheard of, I can assure you...and go home to normality. I open the door to find the youngest wee lass crying her eyes out, the other two looking crestfallen and an upside down fish being given resuscitation by an anxious dad. So the rest of the evening is spent massaging a fish, comforting children and falling asleep exhausted. Our lovely wee goldfish died, after six years, just as two baby gerbils arrived. What HAVE we done?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cTDI-p2Ybm8LhtZWZ__vgdQedjo8IRIA6jj2_Ds3vcMYdFHy9G88tR16Evndc9PUYYPAZW4o0m8zxebFzYzWOLkjICkDp9YbUPlhnSwye0UTIdXa92Uesa7nnTgaJvCTJFNIWA1fOe0/s1600/strawshortcaksecupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cTDI-p2Ybm8LhtZWZ__vgdQedjo8IRIA6jj2_Ds3vcMYdFHy9G88tR16Evndc9PUYYPAZW4o0m8zxebFzYzWOLkjICkDp9YbUPlhnSwye0UTIdXa92Uesa7nnTgaJvCTJFNIWA1fOe0/s320/strawshortcaksecupcakes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Raspberry Shortbread and Whisky Cream Cupcakes for Burn's Day.</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyePZ6kNtkv27OlZwK_bxGP34idmrYHuSrvgDdtS9Zt3yBTzsIiu23WDwqp8KILy0qoCRhd6I9KMCgSNpLYK0EHuubcyUBfrSlOROzmW2qSyVjJTJRwDoL5daRo3EvrIuvaSIl3b7_waU/s1600/basil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyePZ6kNtkv27OlZwK_bxGP34idmrYHuSrvgDdtS9Zt3yBTzsIiu23WDwqp8KILy0qoCRhd6I9KMCgSNpLYK0EHuubcyUBfrSlOROzmW2qSyVjJTJRwDoL5daRo3EvrIuvaSIl3b7_waU/s320/basil.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Vegetable Lasagna being prepared; recipe to follow, this was delicious!</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4HiQ1CYJdQih7ncp-bgjeoit_rAK3QASHOxSap9lTP2MCI5Zfnu7CgqggkMVHhXgTXR3BZ05skWzp5BymNEZRiAcb2HkEASUThG91ECkaP3QGj4XO8DNtfWNP8MsB7kJFT8CrD0ucMc/s1600/calzone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4HiQ1CYJdQih7ncp-bgjeoit_rAK3QASHOxSap9lTP2MCI5Zfnu7CgqggkMVHhXgTXR3BZ05skWzp5BymNEZRiAcb2HkEASUThG91ECkaP3QGj4XO8DNtfWNP8MsB7kJFT8CrD0ucMc/s320/calzone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Helen's Calzone Attempt.</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrv89x0dwKVwguq5iebXjaaZnTyqrHEPaKcfn1wpnLjkdMpBAxBlRzeiPzBa2oRZcC9rtQ_TrCt-rb316FOND79_TD1A2ModyWJk_LrrO-hOP6GZK802KGyVDOlFT5pZgYePv4fVxlMG0/s1600/caramelapple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrv89x0dwKVwguq5iebXjaaZnTyqrHEPaKcfn1wpnLjkdMpBAxBlRzeiPzBa2oRZcC9rtQ_TrCt-rb316FOND79_TD1A2ModyWJk_LrrO-hOP6GZK802KGyVDOlFT5pZgYePv4fVxlMG0/s320/caramelapple.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Caramel Apple Granny; wish I'd got a better picture but, mmmmmmmm. This was good.</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQD2TbqZuW5BBL-wa8f9Nma7VaZJsiX3fVQ_oxneMjWehKlTE3qFOr5ToY_Cc63SsKfLKRHXyRUY5ltX_JYZpK5G7d4AHITpE0FYURK2K-1bHC5zQOetHUyNIVQUpTyOi3mCFx6B8azA/s1600/caramelapple2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQD2TbqZuW5BBL-wa8f9Nma7VaZJsiX3fVQ_oxneMjWehKlTE3qFOr5ToY_Cc63SsKfLKRHXyRUY5ltX_JYZpK5G7d4AHITpE0FYURK2K-1bHC5zQOetHUyNIVQUpTyOi3mCFx6B8azA/s320/caramelapple2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> The Apply Granny; you can't find a recipe for this so I made it up ans was pretty happy with the results...I promise to share.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-Koc24KHg3STNTBYhEsKlrxZTnXbQDZWtZ33mixyz6EckE8j1tkKH7T6nyxMcx4pd-qRQ86EzXINI2PMZpTBG7ajVLFtEzFwKotbpXeeVtk1B3D_wY-LnnqYwn8B0Cj7T1fxNxeVhJ4/s1600/chickpotchimis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-Koc24KHg3STNTBYhEsKlrxZTnXbQDZWtZ33mixyz6EckE8j1tkKH7T6nyxMcx4pd-qRQ86EzXINI2PMZpTBG7ajVLFtEzFwKotbpXeeVtk1B3D_wY-LnnqYwn8B0Cj7T1fxNxeVhJ4/s320/chickpotchimis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Making Chicken and Potato Chimichangas...frying the potatoes in a little turmeric, salt, pepper, thyme, garlic clove. I used leftover chicken which had been breaded.</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZITI79Th7HiofJjUQo2GxXLRBk5vkR1OD6OadpJmnYi-7n6sledD99lmFHvLiQZrI61_AdOzsZUThyphenhyphenuNhH_YjKPVY6cILoxipadvBsVSP5VZJIG7DVTQnUsnWwidoHRUzVqgLP_8BM_8/s1600/chickpotchimis2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZITI79Th7HiofJjUQo2GxXLRBk5vkR1OD6OadpJmnYi-7n6sledD99lmFHvLiQZrI61_AdOzsZUThyphenhyphenuNhH_YjKPVY6cILoxipadvBsVSP5VZJIG7DVTQnUsnWwidoHRUzVqgLP_8BM_8/s320/chickpotchimis2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Filling the tortilla.</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5h-QnM8cFcON4kL5qmPoxh04YGReoBB4kKv8nlcRz3YSwKIMowePsBqoO3RpLvz_-Eu03eq9AEXv-Grd-ilUq7RddJldOYj5iZwNGP5Xv5wp-1j8xThZPU5XwOqrawMtxvlPssrhODaI/s1600/chickpotchimis3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5h-QnM8cFcON4kL5qmPoxh04YGReoBB4kKv8nlcRz3YSwKIMowePsBqoO3RpLvz_-Eu03eq9AEXv-Grd-ilUq7RddJldOYj5iZwNGP5Xv5wp-1j8xThZPU5XwOqrawMtxvlPssrhODaI/s320/chickpotchimis3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Adding the cheese, Monteray Jack if in the US, grated Mozzarella if in the UK</i>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkfvOQCJhP1vB118Gan098SeX5YN43W84gtczPT_qyL6tUiziSpzLibFtcvvz30rDLbLeZI4BfEKi78_7Rks9Acn1hadAmWYXn9aA7WAjVJ8zTk_OP323skWnDI2kOXAWWdUCcaEJry0/s1600/chickpotchimis4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkfvOQCJhP1vB118Gan098SeX5YN43W84gtczPT_qyL6tUiziSpzLibFtcvvz30rDLbLeZI4BfEKi78_7Rks9Acn1hadAmWYXn9aA7WAjVJ8zTk_OP323skWnDI2kOXAWWdUCcaEJry0/s320/chickpotchimis4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Folding up the chimichangas. From here, fry for a minute or so both sides in a little oil then bake in oven for 10 minutes. They go lovely golden brown, the cheese melts and everyone enjoys. Normally, I'd make this with chillies, salsa, etc. but sometimes you just have to use up those leftovers the best way you see fit!</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXuOBA1UQk3LDkThyGhyGO6ZmayJb_EJi20djRt6797iLj9RKIBvczorq1mMf3GLzTpVY8MBGNP2XVOEiInddlgY9FpL2YxhKFNNek4Wrk9thePyLw-YUM9NZECbiVXNJaROxrk2I3YU/s1600/chocorange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXuOBA1UQk3LDkThyGhyGO6ZmayJb_EJi20djRt6797iLj9RKIBvczorq1mMf3GLzTpVY8MBGNP2XVOEiInddlgY9FpL2YxhKFNNek4Wrk9thePyLw-YUM9NZECbiVXNJaROxrk2I3YU/s320/chocorange.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> This looks like a blob but man oh man, was this good; chocolate orange cake, recipe to follow. I'm making one tonight so more photos...as a whole cake this time!</i> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7IIQ1oHJ6-3hGGeJLHBgSpoOqg72njtujXTNbErntFhOcpIwG-Pb6nU2JmaVDC5iVZOR-fpYub3P2BKPL37adnefhGWhJk8wHxrdc-V56m_h6rX-p04jerbRN0T3kv7daqk3CHaDfaA/s1600/chorizostew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7IIQ1oHJ6-3hGGeJLHBgSpoOqg72njtujXTNbErntFhOcpIwG-Pb6nU2JmaVDC5iVZOR-fpYub3P2BKPL37adnefhGWhJk8wHxrdc-V56m_h6rX-p04jerbRN0T3kv7daqk3CHaDfaA/s320/chorizostew.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Pork, chorizo, roasted pepper,s new potatoes, tomato sauce, thyme, olives....the list goes on. This dish was so easy and very tasty. Again, recipes to follow.</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4_0Dm8S1_suIKXO5KEAUfi2NR3GjqvdFVWhaVxrVbP6XVOte0tx2c4-R26HQSiU4x_IgWwpVvwyPbkgEf2Qwz-WgmCEnFsCgy5SU9LEtkuY7jv9Tx2iLjPXhkPWvK8av-S3IUuHzkOE/s1600/cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4_0Dm8S1_suIKXO5KEAUfi2NR3GjqvdFVWhaVxrVbP6XVOte0tx2c4-R26HQSiU4x_IgWwpVvwyPbkgEf2Qwz-WgmCEnFsCgy5SU9LEtkuY7jv9Tx2iLjPXhkPWvK8av-S3IUuHzkOE/s1600/cupcakes.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Wholemeal chocolate cupcakes with Nutella Icing. Grand.</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrR-LWfVWbZaOOkhcX-0ZNAbWLTxu-I2aMUpdGm4rpwW_7RJ3vlVwCm8CTvv6PqI1vRzLOhtIJEGfsw0yBtTR0OF3H9xCkcnaEMwN2OgFxzw_wKKbm7cwFoO-kUXtd1Ij4864skfzqqug/s1600/marionscupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrR-LWfVWbZaOOkhcX-0ZNAbWLTxu-I2aMUpdGm4rpwW_7RJ3vlVwCm8CTvv6PqI1vRzLOhtIJEGfsw0yBtTR0OF3H9xCkcnaEMwN2OgFxzw_wKKbm7cwFoO-kUXtd1Ij4864skfzqqug/s320/marionscupcakes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Aunty Marion's cupcakes.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptDWhvKsZ75nPTrVwk_dCF70ZB26GEOiUEb08z240yFeqy-RCLjoRBf3Qtdork-bDVABMp1DsBu3c22_NZT6xtygFfiRXDWanNR971Uc-9SZDmtfBFkQNx-Jqld0TBLJSz4mlnx_ZL70/s1600/marionscupcakes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptDWhvKsZ75nPTrVwk_dCF70ZB26GEOiUEb08z240yFeqy-RCLjoRBf3Qtdork-bDVABMp1DsBu3c22_NZT6xtygFfiRXDWanNR971Uc-9SZDmtfBFkQNx-Jqld0TBLJSz4mlnx_ZL70/s320/marionscupcakes2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> The cupcakes were lemon drizzle with lemon icing. They were well tasty!</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLK0QkqUhKTmrP_tN6sDajo8r82DCdkiWb32o3UbRvh7AvnyiAu1SrpI-P4byhgkd7tIYXkeBBQjUQuIMxy3JhD5cL4Tkuefb-6o-l1xmZZSaF9KJxnK9ucypEGtePFHewTbXXOnbcb5Q/s1600/rootveggratin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLK0QkqUhKTmrP_tN6sDajo8r82DCdkiWb32o3UbRvh7AvnyiAu1SrpI-P4byhgkd7tIYXkeBBQjUQuIMxy3JhD5cL4Tkuefb-6o-l1xmZZSaF9KJxnK9ucypEGtePFHewTbXXOnbcb5Q/s320/rootveggratin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Root Vegetable Gratin....another winner, recipe to follow.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In memory of our wee goldfish. </div>Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-86810653353338209842011-01-25T13:31:00.000-08:002011-01-25T13:31:10.852-08:00To A HaggisHappy Burns Day! Today, in Scotland, we celebrate Robert Burns, our national poet by eating, drinking, reciting poetry and generally making merry. For our Burn's Supper, we eat haggis, after serenading it with it's own special <a href="http://www.glasgowguide.co.uk/wjmc/tohaggis.shtml">Address</a>...<em></em>and other verse of such blethering words, only those who are Scottish, drunk or sleeping can understand it...oh, and how we love it!<br />
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Here is my daughter, Addressing the Haggis..... <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzZYhtSDxKdYyglkLzcvjZfiJFuHNo9WENgtTxx7-RygAKa7-acBZiUanACxuYQ4lIhTR2bSk4ai08_u3ef' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwqUTLaksjhERSxVs5kSzr2jnE5xSAl7uON3ViMJirrxD2LECB_4sKqgrD9t9nRlaPWzlM0SrdFA7zMJX0orPW2EMZy79PzQEk_vKjAd5K8IyCX9VQvwK6bu_NafrBr_6OgTt8ijJHLM/s1600/haggispie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwqUTLaksjhERSxVs5kSzr2jnE5xSAl7uON3ViMJirrxD2LECB_4sKqgrD9t9nRlaPWzlM0SrdFA7zMJX0orPW2EMZy79PzQEk_vKjAd5K8IyCX9VQvwK6bu_NafrBr_6OgTt8ijJHLM/s320/haggispie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Tonight, we had Haggis Pie with neeps and tatties.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We'll be having a Burns Supper on Friday night with friends. Cullen Skink, Haggis Neeps and Tatties and Shortbread Pudding will be served alongside a wee dram or five. I promise to explain what this all means, then. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><em>Sláinte</em><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-54627401313559357642011-01-21T02:06:00.000-08:002011-01-21T02:06:04.904-08:00Some FoodWell, bloggy peeps, another year is well underway, another chance to eat well, work hard and play. I've been warming up the cold, frosty days with lots of stews, soups and broths as well as a few salads and cakes because lets face it, everyone needs cake in their life<br />
!. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTZgjbg0pXSVZ_kaDB8_I4sx5UpuwQ-P9EAUQ8iuTIYvHfk20WEnWNx2nUWEEi1q_RNPaN5lxZAQPKSu2BEL1FgXR8ZvPOTPFoG3WAT7Oko7Do6qHVGuFI8FuK1QMJXcUbHnouV_lt-E/s1600/lemonchick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTZgjbg0pXSVZ_kaDB8_I4sx5UpuwQ-P9EAUQ8iuTIYvHfk20WEnWNx2nUWEEi1q_RNPaN5lxZAQPKSu2BEL1FgXR8ZvPOTPFoG3WAT7Oko7Do6qHVGuFI8FuK1QMJXcUbHnouV_lt-E/s320/lemonchick.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Lemon Chicken Stew</i></div><i> </i>When I first made this, it looked wonderful but didn't taste so great; I went against my instinct and stuck to the recipe. I realise now, my instinct is probably pretty good when it comes to food and although I should probably act on it, I have been surprised before. I remade it by marinading the chicken in lemon, ginger, thyme, sesame oil and olive oil with a tiny bit of chilli and lots of salt and pepper. The full recipe to follow.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcF05O3JYzl3VGN2iCy3erWrZW_lXKNx-hDd6tRdK4QQTB-vQdgq-xCk1ePWpTFKF4irHNS6avoUCCWffQYYC94_wdvZaJ8st5zWNqd1DdIg4h6GBJSiZWuhKai6CJHyBKB6BLxcDUaz8/s1600/patatasbravas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcF05O3JYzl3VGN2iCy3erWrZW_lXKNx-hDd6tRdK4QQTB-vQdgq-xCk1ePWpTFKF4irHNS6avoUCCWffQYYC94_wdvZaJ8st5zWNqd1DdIg4h6GBJSiZWuhKai6CJHyBKB6BLxcDUaz8/s320/patatasbravas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Patatas Bravas with Chorizo....mmmmm.</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuXjX5FWLIbD23O9IdOUwSJQbdDr_1UtAa9MzwUEtdmLW2JXotpwtRbFJMZF9Ay-k3nq2gso9z7CRZhe_dO1jNSqjc__ym_oaf1x5Y5zOD_oIeAuTnRBhFGVEI7cKQdZLYWiNOhdHXKY/s1600/samosas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuXjX5FWLIbD23O9IdOUwSJQbdDr_1UtAa9MzwUEtdmLW2JXotpwtRbFJMZF9Ay-k3nq2gso9z7CRZhe_dO1jNSqjc__ym_oaf1x5Y5zOD_oIeAuTnRBhFGVEI7cKQdZLYWiNOhdHXKY/s320/samosas.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Helen's Samosas</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> </i>Coming up this week: Haggis Samosas! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETRoq3h36P3PtJSV6Zcw9s1CKhGWQHVmBH-lFrZIo42dqhwWi6L7508zVFWdQvAZvGjmdgKLSwHVlu9ZvEX_NzGRuVdw_ICzKVv18xPrdjLEM-jx2FJt81nN0HHGi9L58xeXoxdRr6Sc/s1600/scallops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETRoq3h36P3PtJSV6Zcw9s1CKhGWQHVmBH-lFrZIo42dqhwWi6L7508zVFWdQvAZvGjmdgKLSwHVlu9ZvEX_NzGRuVdw_ICzKVv18xPrdjLEM-jx2FJt81nN0HHGi9L58xeXoxdRr6Sc/s320/scallops.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Scallop Salad...a wee bit of sunshine amidst the stews</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EN8J1T3BpVfQqlzqqreDmD2WyvDU0pz9oiuuNn1hPLSEtrYAu05ZyY8-oskFFlNAkOvQtlw4_tAylG81vgtblD_B4DHhQjeScFwHuryMBBcrfjf117y3uD9RORN36QLH7oYtZrV4nLg/s1600/biryani.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EN8J1T3BpVfQqlzqqreDmD2WyvDU0pz9oiuuNn1hPLSEtrYAu05ZyY8-oskFFlNAkOvQtlw4_tAylG81vgtblD_B4DHhQjeScFwHuryMBBcrfjf117y3uD9RORN36QLH7oYtZrV4nLg/s320/biryani.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Biryani</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbMcI87BApi_JA8Pw_KQsaI9mGYZLju3em1UCKLOda-Dr5V-kybCvj2aArz1_3QTl78cs8V5CCiJ9bv4rq8qtMkBsJpSKLk0GI6XWr-G3I-hjMXGFPTnwiN3A_Kkt5l2vEHSohaOWA64/s1600/cakeburger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbMcI87BApi_JA8Pw_KQsaI9mGYZLju3em1UCKLOda-Dr5V-kybCvj2aArz1_3QTl78cs8V5CCiJ9bv4rq8qtMkBsJpSKLk0GI6XWr-G3I-hjMXGFPTnwiN3A_Kkt5l2vEHSohaOWA64/s320/cakeburger.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Will's Cheeseburger Cakes! Yup, cake....very clever and tasty.</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_t5zTzxjSCSWRpwEFf9QeNNrmzBgAdHdcqMS_0hWWCO3INj976uwZxvc9SFDnXzbxYemzaOvTa3XeFQcPiab1Kt1mXJplH2wmX0Ufw0stc4LzHYfx6k_vSlCivp9ReEh2ZGuHMOFCdIw/s1600/choccake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_t5zTzxjSCSWRpwEFf9QeNNrmzBgAdHdcqMS_0hWWCO3INj976uwZxvc9SFDnXzbxYemzaOvTa3XeFQcPiab1Kt1mXJplH2wmX0Ufw0stc4LzHYfx6k_vSlCivp9ReEh2ZGuHMOFCdIw/s320/choccake.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Brooklyn Blackout Cake filled with cream and berries, covered in Nutella Icing</i></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rVME-B6Mij_XzbKJCqEMwjAM9E4ZBzC4eJ6VvolB_6lMopT0ES3cqzuTU3syMcuPWpafYY2AptJc0KMYR5TvJDtoWlWS214l0TX3Dw3hMPE3ep6SYetNUDJBR5ced_60dpIsSgBoFr8/s1600/grampssteakpie.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rVME-B6Mij_XzbKJCqEMwjAM9E4ZBzC4eJ6VvolB_6lMopT0ES3cqzuTU3syMcuPWpafYY2AptJc0KMYR5TvJDtoWlWS214l0TX3Dw3hMPE3ep6SYetNUDJBR5ced_60dpIsSgBoFr8/s320/grampssteakpie.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Grandpa's Steak Pie!</i></div>Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-48566074182433781782010-12-11T11:04:00.000-08:002010-12-11T11:05:21.125-08:00Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus - Must See!<iframe frameborder="0" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SXh7JR9oKVE?fs=1" width="480"></iframe>Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-15353889263173346702010-12-03T06:47:00.000-08:002010-12-03T06:47:10.465-08:00December AlreadyI took the bull by the horns some time ago and decided to get busy with my paintings, my cooking and my cupcakes. I cook all day and night on a Monday and Tuesday morning with yoga inbetween afternoon deliveries, I draw and paint on a Wednesday and weekends when I have commissions, bake on a Thursday and deliver on a Friday. Hence my lack of posts, dear friends.<br />
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It's been a revelation: I've discovered a certain style to drawing that people seem to really like which I'm delighted about and I've attended many fairs this autumn/winter and intend to travel next year further afield <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(any fairs near you?)</span>. It's all very busy and exciting.<br />
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I make family meals on a Monday for busy mums and dads and made a few new discoveries: stews are always a success, the humble cannellini bean is great for slow cooking, I now know 101 things to do with a tin of tomatoes, whereas many meals are great for reheating, some don't quite work and trying to ban children from the kitchen on a Monday is a laborious task. I've found out that you should never cook a meal for others that you've not tried first; if it isn't to your taste, don't serve it and trust your own judgement at all times.<br />
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It's been a busy, eye-opening time but I feel it's all taking shape and I'm getting into a routine. It all went up in the air this week with the annual sickness bug affecting all three kids but I managed. We cheered ourselves by putting up the tree and lighting Christmas scented candles<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> yes, Christmas scented....Christmas has a smell</span>!...with Helen's Hot Hottie Chocolate although the kids couldn't have any because they were ill. I felt it was evil to drink it in front of them so Brian stood in a cold kitchen, sipping his with a bobble hat and gloves on.<br />
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It's -12 and very, very snowy here in Scotland. Brrr. But here's some cake to keep you warm....you need to go put the kettle on. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOtiRrataeLtUcotS5T8-q7hf4g7EdPA6LgNLuZGcGytL7Nfpv-BbhXZ6TulboaPqqb6WyTQKSwwf0KY50RGjdGw_LOm-8aPd2MjKVehSe8Gre4b3cAFChvSiJiRBMgbkSh7ItL4dPy4/s1600/grandpas+cakea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOtiRrataeLtUcotS5T8-q7hf4g7EdPA6LgNLuZGcGytL7Nfpv-BbhXZ6TulboaPqqb6WyTQKSwwf0KY50RGjdGw_LOm-8aPd2MjKVehSe8Gre4b3cAFChvSiJiRBMgbkSh7ItL4dPy4/s320/grandpas+cakea.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Grandpa's Victoria Sponge and Buttercream Icing Birthday Cake, November 2010</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHMNQVBY9D5P85lYP72Z4_2tRUKZ_OHjiix3BO096CCwbn6st2NITBZFVfuEGsaDXIH4GyYEeOqMLK6TxBvKzq6forWwEVIRVMaE2nsaTH6gJ_OaYYg1-ALBLXNF247uY5-7aNDVs8uM/s1600/anga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHMNQVBY9D5P85lYP72Z4_2tRUKZ_OHjiix3BO096CCwbn6st2NITBZFVfuEGsaDXIH4GyYEeOqMLK6TxBvKzq6forWwEVIRVMaE2nsaTH6gJ_OaYYg1-ALBLXNF247uY5-7aNDVs8uM/s320/anga.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzPfySMU7zYSqoxbTv9pKaAdIiIjvuSpccMmsR7h-2SEOuRXtyJAo_vReE9oUMF7sz8I-I0Qp-veo8j52SdluWYvITL15aswoQSDhKZyAseX0Qw9JPwi39cGpaTJkfPEQ2OoR-GJz4yo/s1600/ang2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><i> Angela's 40th Birthday Party Cake, November 2010. Bit of a weird picture, it was dark!</i></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzPfySMU7zYSqoxbTv9pKaAdIiIjvuSpccMmsR7h-2SEOuRXtyJAo_vReE9oUMF7sz8I-I0Qp-veo8j52SdluWYvITL15aswoQSDhKZyAseX0Qw9JPwi39cGpaTJkfPEQ2OoR-GJz4yo/s1600/ang2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzPfySMU7zYSqoxbTv9pKaAdIiIjvuSpccMmsR7h-2SEOuRXtyJAo_vReE9oUMF7sz8I-I0Qp-veo8j52SdluWYvITL15aswoQSDhKZyAseX0Qw9JPwi39cGpaTJkfPEQ2OoR-GJz4yo/s320/ang2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYO3FwLHcW66PLEzWitYWOkATrR0Y9emH6b0hICF6FCtuhLZXm9XpQ7mciOsjIyVQbBL3cntgEOyQ34RpE5guc1yhGKcf0ZCisqKoNRRWubFnGporAixzwgeuaqQcBGEECK9W25-z8z2w/s1600/chicken.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-61542946490231447672010-12-01T15:12:00.000-08:002010-12-01T15:12:15.075-08:00Aw, wee lamb!Aw, wee blog. Wee lamb. Totally neglected by the big bad Scottish lady. Here's a wee dusting, pet. I'll be back soon for the proper clear out. Sorry, blog. Sorry fellow bloggers, I miss you. Thanks for not ditching me!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWN3ZAiCn4UkUfgZR8EWoyVUNvXVqH8BjgvUwQdNLwsVDQf4KcRyJ9iV0LEyM7ry7cwee5qQ5WPbhUoZW-OEk8UpetS9J6FCo1M-e2il1sb3me2tZH1UNqPXfVrkFNI58TDC1KsZHqJ2I/s1600/garden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWN3ZAiCn4UkUfgZR8EWoyVUNvXVqH8BjgvUwQdNLwsVDQf4KcRyJ9iV0LEyM7ry7cwee5qQ5WPbhUoZW-OEk8UpetS9J6FCo1M-e2il1sb3me2tZH1UNqPXfVrkFNI58TDC1KsZHqJ2I/s320/garden.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Far too much contemplating, not enough work.............</i></div><br />
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NOT! <br />
<span id="goog_2030202383"></span><span id="goog_2030202384"></span>Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-16902735864816016722010-09-18T00:53:00.000-07:002010-09-18T00:55:44.037-07:00If Food Be The Music Of Love........Why Don't You Stop Yer Whingeing<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> a</span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">good wee word; think a cross between wining, moaning and wailing...it's not fun...</span>And Just Eat It? So said the lady to her wee boy in the cafe, sitting next to me. He had said "This Tastes Minging" and then, surprisingly, considering his young age <span style="font-size: xx-small;">around 7</span>, "Isn't Food Supposed Tae Be The Music Of Love....or sumhin like that?" "Cos If Ye Loved Me, Ye Widnae Make Me Eat This Mingin Stuff". And that's when she replied. <br />
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I had to leave so that I could laugh; it was funny and in it's own wee way, very sweet. I guess you had to be there to see how she smiled at him and they both chuckled to each other. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fsziK28-NQH8kKRy7vV_Esf7xm2v8a9flkaOUcWejtfQVm2GfYP7pjXktZ48bc3bu6BuemOFnr8TEbSCvqNlVCMn0ofzfCrOatzWJnp_yauYgiz9GrSy4Gw6UQn7Ajn2qhhNLLRY77o/s1600/beefandbarley.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fsziK28-NQH8kKRy7vV_Esf7xm2v8a9flkaOUcWejtfQVm2GfYP7pjXktZ48bc3bu6BuemOFnr8TEbSCvqNlVCMn0ofzfCrOatzWJnp_yauYgiz9GrSy4Gw6UQn7Ajn2qhhNLLRY77o/s320/beefandbarley.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Beef and Barley Broth</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's been stews, casseroles and pies this past few weeks; the chill is already in the air and we've felt like coorying up with a bowl of something hot, soothing and meaty! I'm having smaller portions than everyone else but that's ok because a stew like this fills your belly pretty quickly. All recipes to come next week.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxYCtjt8-AA_4BTDRqMXTMvVX3m6yqrVg9_Bj86u5Cqc9qTorGKiqLwnGG3WJorLHU54Kp1vm2NfnL4N4j1o9OTLJW8zkFsXKR-t-rnCDwgrLs2eQTXpQ9FZQNbIhoObVm_7DNXPJqbs/s1600/beefandbarley2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxYCtjt8-AA_4BTDRqMXTMvVX3m6yqrVg9_Bj86u5Cqc9qTorGKiqLwnGG3WJorLHU54Kp1vm2NfnL4N4j1o9OTLJW8zkFsXKR-t-rnCDwgrLs2eQTXpQ9FZQNbIhoObVm_7DNXPJqbs/s320/beefandbarley2.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>More Broth!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6whAiF9tmu_Xt531b_1E-1GJG6KGTfnM-0oaLuqV7LgM9gF8zfEnGrIRHQJSQqdKpzXdFjY9x2ZGxtAX1HTIZIxNuuWKiV6bYHGpbbGOF1u_cnjuhi-sdimdNkleAaWWv2MgfS-t5uTs/s1600/chicken+cobbler+pie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6whAiF9tmu_Xt531b_1E-1GJG6KGTfnM-0oaLuqV7LgM9gF8zfEnGrIRHQJSQqdKpzXdFjY9x2ZGxtAX1HTIZIxNuuWKiV6bYHGpbbGOF1u_cnjuhi-sdimdNkleAaWWv2MgfS-t5uTs/s320/chicken+cobbler+pie.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Chicken Pie with Cheesy Cobbler Topping...oh my. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Tq4Fpdn8geiwWLxr3EK7BcWclggr4kxEZ00LNghiQp2fOBK9PIm8dQ9QI1uK4fUavl6ooi6KQW8i8ErHhoxhCbUz8-xqINC7IMUGk-z9FW2GQayp3FN1Cm7iKqujedwEHdJm9OuHl8I/s1600/garlicbread.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Tq4Fpdn8geiwWLxr3EK7BcWclggr4kxEZ00LNghiQp2fOBK9PIm8dQ9QI1uK4fUavl6ooi6KQW8i8ErHhoxhCbUz8-xqINC7IMUGk-z9FW2GQayp3FN1Cm7iKqujedwEHdJm9OuHl8I/s320/garlicbread.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Tasty garlic bread </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIm4GL99c2GFSe9LktVdLhNTb94oEhZ2zT9Gf2EVAf_5-c6QMJG4B2kNCHXNonYMY6RoWoEElFo99_lLqy1aeyHTC8EPX8cV1Fek8cUXXMo-_Ef9ku94rKGW6EZd_KnpAQPvLZFxbfxrs/s1600/beefandsausage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIm4GL99c2GFSe9LktVdLhNTb94oEhZ2zT9Gf2EVAf_5-c6QMJG4B2kNCHXNonYMY6RoWoEElFo99_lLqy1aeyHTC8EPX8cV1Fek8cUXXMo-_Ef9ku94rKGW6EZd_KnpAQPvLZFxbfxrs/s320/beefandsausage.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Beef, Sausage and Potato Stew...this was later topped with dumplings. Very tasty. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39qw1e_4KlL0Up4kiuopgYEmOIAfIYoyvSACI9fsycHvVMtPGslaktVlLyze022qsr7vKIdHRTFQb_KL9Q_GyWhUq0OP92n4FeZ2ExKSP510N8Y7Am3-oOWLSLdORxtJ9sn-UFkFMvok/s1600/carbonnadealaflamande.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39qw1e_4KlL0Up4kiuopgYEmOIAfIYoyvSACI9fsycHvVMtPGslaktVlLyze022qsr7vKIdHRTFQb_KL9Q_GyWhUq0OP92n4FeZ2ExKSP510N8Y7Am3-oOWLSLdORxtJ9sn-UFkFMvok/s320/carbonnadealaflamande.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Carbonnade a la Flamande with Mash and Crisp Vegetables</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
This is a traditional Belgain dish made with Belgian beer and slow cooked for hours. You caramelise the onions first, making this a really tasty meal with a hint of sweetness.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArIE51LN5FE2pjNffqeFhqNtAE818Wf2rb2rQn-uYiyvXeG2sYJhjBbeEjEmBNRnl_xZwPBPrFlgxg-_3KfQL-eO6fNBjYmU7P7lbfK9YIZW8vrUlSBTRvKuFxAQ16dzlM88whtCM3SE/s1600/randi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArIE51LN5FE2pjNffqeFhqNtAE818Wf2rb2rQn-uYiyvXeG2sYJhjBbeEjEmBNRnl_xZwPBPrFlgxg-_3KfQL-eO6fNBjYmU7P7lbfK9YIZW8vrUlSBTRvKuFxAQ16dzlM88whtCM3SE/s320/randi.JPG" />l</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Friends, trying to eat in peace; "fer goodness sake, can I eat my soup??" </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
I promise all recipes next week; I have my first fair this week and I'm head to toe in badges and paintings! Have a wonderful weekend, lovely bloggy peeps. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-74304380482543610032010-09-14T06:27:00.000-07:002010-09-14T06:31:17.908-07:00The squatters have moved in.The amount of 'anonymous' piffle on my comments has grown exponentially since my hiatus. Begone, evil anonymous pifflers, I'm back and you can just bog off with your 'buy adult chickens' and 'buy bizarre liquids'; what is an adult chicken anyway? Aren't all chickens 'adult'? Does anyone ever click on these links? Have the anonymous computer generator peeps nothing more substantial to do with their time?<br />
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Aaaaand rant over. <br />
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How are you all? How have you been? I missed you. I've been cooking, crafting and generally messing about, limiting my time to mimimum use of the computer. I've still been shopping on a budget, as usual and cooking tasty meals...or so the kids tell me...even taking photos, knowing I'd be back one day....and looking after the family as always.<br />
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My life in food...and badges! Recipes to follow...I'll be back on Thursday. Have a wonderful week.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBqAbZLjT2jprzNU7_rVZqpV337GWadhcan7Y6pPHTU4Ut_MZURU7KAYwQJYDSX2_DuhHr8I6SP1epOlD0zNw52YVi_pedBiiqTYABux0EH-WW1tE7NJ6W2QWbUCSIZkqTJfXfmXvfPo/s1600/P8136524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBqAbZLjT2jprzNU7_rVZqpV337GWadhcan7Y6pPHTU4Ut_MZURU7KAYwQJYDSX2_DuhHr8I6SP1epOlD0zNw52YVi_pedBiiqTYABux0EH-WW1tE7NJ6W2QWbUCSIZkqTJfXfmXvfPo/s320/P8136524.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Sweet and Spicy Goats Cheese and Prawn Salad</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjs5SejcCwdMINiRQ0ysh8ovW1oJIZ1c9DpaJ3lMY3DMiCa_Wkfqf6UcKaBjyMkliloVTTICVn7Wy1l13npk60hnpHNprgk7fkgQqk8iEaob-MV_mUJdJgQWqm0UPjOntf3GorNIpuMiE/s1600/P8296671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjs5SejcCwdMINiRQ0ysh8ovW1oJIZ1c9DpaJ3lMY3DMiCa_Wkfqf6UcKaBjyMkliloVTTICVn7Wy1l13npk60hnpHNprgk7fkgQqk8iEaob-MV_mUJdJgQWqm0UPjOntf3GorNIpuMiE/s320/P8296671.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Roasted Scallops, Potatoes, Onions and Chorizo...sublime!</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieayjTukQivG7HojRCjv2IuT3qoxVXpXr2ysA-dj1v8PryvyvAPrz0adGGYKtv3HWCZUSedKMaTXaakhiiTk-E5I5EyRwQBaUaUNl4nnIxqUfu-JrsfDWuVbZhMuraCJe8oRf5gqdDOi4/s1600/P8206626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieayjTukQivG7HojRCjv2IuT3qoxVXpXr2ysA-dj1v8PryvyvAPrz0adGGYKtv3HWCZUSedKMaTXaakhiiTk-E5I5EyRwQBaUaUNl4nnIxqUfu-JrsfDWuVbZhMuraCJe8oRf5gqdDOi4/s320/P8206626.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Slow Cooked Spicy Lamb Shanks</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qqkLX9mGmI92ZvHvPZWJ2dipgVurhVw2PucAoaCYnGiMEFQ4tzBB6xVVNv7dnEjI0oIBPjfF0ENMK7cOvuFoOGdVTf-9tUQE095AXjIKsJNO9B6HapnkU19LIV8Qu4EeKDSmzVv7dcw/s1600/P8206630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qqkLX9mGmI92ZvHvPZWJ2dipgVurhVw2PucAoaCYnGiMEFQ4tzBB6xVVNv7dnEjI0oIBPjfF0ENMK7cOvuFoOGdVTf-9tUQE095AXjIKsJNO9B6HapnkU19LIV8Qu4EeKDSmzVv7dcw/s320/P8206630.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Chocolate Tart</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lYtGxGonhYxZZZdKv9nw_z9x76IO8ZP1CbwGHCUpaHXMBViQsS7qB3wwWPGNicSFW_bK3utARCyAC9HeJt_e_Yl_rNCxkQSgRNxLyN7deLp2m3NFgGKpLXcYIfTlWJuvRpAkFjouprU/s1600/P8206635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lYtGxGonhYxZZZdKv9nw_z9x76IO8ZP1CbwGHCUpaHXMBViQsS7qB3wwWPGNicSFW_bK3utARCyAC9HeJt_e_Yl_rNCxkQSgRNxLyN7deLp2m3NFgGKpLXcYIfTlWJuvRpAkFjouprU/s320/P8206635.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A bit of a tart...and fruity to boot!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeg418QavTmYFOacOernx_l3wTKodK4rAdEys8M1p47v1mXqx_TNFOu94KB-zEr9CT3N_vFaCEwklsFq3BSH-6Gs3CKq_zFOnEBIS98yOWHhQPTJykSSKI9I7J7a1Ivy8wZCJF_-ipi8/s1600/P8136523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeg418QavTmYFOacOernx_l3wTKodK4rAdEys8M1p47v1mXqx_TNFOu94KB-zEr9CT3N_vFaCEwklsFq3BSH-6Gs3CKq_zFOnEBIS98yOWHhQPTJykSSKI9I7J7a1Ivy8wZCJF_-ipi8/s320/P8136523.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Kids' Fish, Potatoes and Cucumber...pretty tasty, kids! </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6oIQ5v9Hf90_kYYt284OevaRUkT5IEDB4dXe30r6QGE1XZ_aURtUVTVV4Pt0croLCXEvVkmTBXJqsspknoyoA43sUKw-nwdZEIQ5RenHzkRGgbvSMgvaUISv2Z07EbOiNf2KDO1nE2c/s1600/P8196616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6oIQ5v9Hf90_kYYt284OevaRUkT5IEDB4dXe30r6QGE1XZ_aURtUVTVV4Pt0croLCXEvVkmTBXJqsspknoyoA43sUKw-nwdZEIQ5RenHzkRGgbvSMgvaUISv2Z07EbOiNf2KDO1nE2c/s320/P8196616.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Helen's New Badges and Gift Tags</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sUIsLd7I504mFUg69xmr7q-h2NZinKEFZf-5zTZIjuNOi_ZOP9XIxdpAm1_c13F8VaUb0UdG4tRTJs3Q3U_19R4CpdH15lDD_In-k54AnzEjhkknD1oOl95aBr7c_SKy9JEaF4Glcrc/s1600/P8196562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sUIsLd7I504mFUg69xmr7q-h2NZinKEFZf-5zTZIjuNOi_ZOP9XIxdpAm1_c13F8VaUb0UdG4tRTJs3Q3U_19R4CpdH15lDD_In-k54AnzEjhkknD1oOl95aBr7c_SKy9JEaF4Glcrc/s320/P8196562.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Such fun to make and selling well!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSKX-fDeX9dvZQbfPYuktyERBHuEhP5kXOs9l2JE6BAHewZfWEPdLEHhluh0SS3s2IEbqWm2Px4YCBuIHcTEf1UrGwj7aT3Kz6Xulsr-m9MC7TeGX2WkWTVW-noNODD5fSR7VGPENe5w/s1600/P8266639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSKX-fDeX9dvZQbfPYuktyERBHuEhP5kXOs9l2JE6BAHewZfWEPdLEHhluh0SS3s2IEbqWm2Px4YCBuIHcTEf1UrGwj7aT3Kz6Xulsr-m9MC7TeGX2WkWTVW-noNODD5fSR7VGPENe5w/s320/P8266639.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Customised for Birthday Favours</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmbmADYrD9GHsC6mL1MvCr2-RT9w_JJUaA1jr_ErvTt9GE2HrUo8LbgYu8gBB3Zp2ksKQle6pkJHv9uSVtsjQuyVkPp3nm7L-Musg49ZrwgqYt4Nq9Wo6OVIBGhp6tq3HFog2pe4G7ew/s1600/P8196581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmbmADYrD9GHsC6mL1MvCr2-RT9w_JJUaA1jr_ErvTt9GE2HrUo8LbgYu8gBB3Zp2ksKQle6pkJHv9uSVtsjQuyVkPp3nm7L-Musg49ZrwgqYt4Nq9Wo6OVIBGhp6tq3HFog2pe4G7ew/s320/P8196581.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Who for? You guessed it....</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVG9eGIWj_R-nX-oTkKvZOX3lyN6yvMmEWhvw1tchCZCnVP16vVOE8PMh5_NBpKtTZsCCvQx-7ni2X2MjdysknOPQVYDBp0mRQqP1h9MRa_Zn21FtCOdLszxUTVNJxijZKOn1A_N-afOI/s1600/P8196571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVG9eGIWj_R-nX-oTkKvZOX3lyN6yvMmEWhvw1tchCZCnVP16vVOE8PMh5_NBpKtTZsCCvQx-7ni2X2MjdysknOPQVYDBp0mRQqP1h9MRa_Zn21FtCOdLszxUTVNJxijZKOn1A_N-afOI/s320/P8196571.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Paris</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OlgQ4yBHSxtGABlavp0x4WX15owgdzVABNZqqTRZp_FI9BAnRR_pzxS4z5U3xV077qihTmhLba4ZcF4n9ucnHPHRgml9-DzAbD6zo11hwFSQA2_OtbBmRkcxZ893Gs5SvdFXBirw0lE/s1600/P8196604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OlgQ4yBHSxtGABlavp0x4WX15owgdzVABNZqqTRZp_FI9BAnRR_pzxS4z5U3xV077qihTmhLba4ZcF4n9ucnHPHRgml9-DzAbD6zo11hwFSQA2_OtbBmRkcxZ893Gs5SvdFXBirw0lE/s320/P8196604.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Night Nurse</i></div>Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-72218522537707226742010-08-24T10:22:00.000-07:002010-08-24T10:22:36.648-07:00Edwin Morgan DiesOne of my<a href="http://www.edwinmorgan.com/bio_index.html"> favourite poets</a> died this week aged 90. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.readingroom.spl.org.uk/podcasts/img/edwin_morgan350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.readingroom.spl.org.uk/podcasts/img/edwin_morgan350.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
He was a Glaswegian, like me, and I met him once or twice in <a href="http://www.ubiquitouschip.co.uk/">The Ubiquitous Chip</a> (or so said the old man with a wicked sense of humour and a twinkle in his eye...). I have the fondest memories of learning his work, including the following poem whilst still at school...one of my all time favourites...from the Glasgow Sonnets:<br />
<br />
A mean wind wanders through the backcourt trash.<br />
Hackles on puddles rise, old mattresses<br />
puff briefly and subside. Play-fortresses<br />
of brick and bric-a-brac spill out some ash.<br />
Four storeys have no windows left to smash,<br />
but the fifth a chipped sill buttresses<br />
mother and daughter the last mistresses<br />
of that black block condemned to stand, not crash.<br />
Around them the cracks deepen, the rats crawl.<br />
The kettle whimpers on a crazy hob.<br />
Roses of mould grow from ceiling to wall.<br />
The man lies late since he has lost his job,<br />
smokes on one elbow, letting his coughs fall<br />
thinly into an air too poor to rob.<br />
<br />
RIP <a href="http://www.edwinmorgan.com/bio_index.html">Edwin Morgan</a>. I think of you, as Carol Ann Duffy said, with love and gratitude.Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-47039069030533214972010-08-22T13:19:00.000-07:002010-08-22T13:19:51.481-07:00My Food Week in Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The last day of summer, the sun shone with glee. We spent the day loitering in the garden, lazing on deck chairs and enjoying the warm sun. We had a BBQ and Brian and I stayed up to watch the sun set. The kids, tired and excited about the return to school, smiled through half shut eyes as they wearily set of for bed, windows open to let in the cool air.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcw7JkWQuOykVGYQQ4a5V4tRHldBAsihvnA2ibAx7uYJ4FCNJRWtf1esULDPudiR8ByNEieFwB-EDr7jHlgoE9_lTcrfC91xYq4Z4TNe7b8woXYGZ_lz-bHRimWdcPt3vHOF2IJKvO6k/s1600/fish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcw7JkWQuOykVGYQQ4a5V4tRHldBAsihvnA2ibAx7uYJ4FCNJRWtf1esULDPudiR8ByNEieFwB-EDr7jHlgoE9_lTcrfC91xYq4Z4TNe7b8woXYGZ_lz-bHRimWdcPt3vHOF2IJKvO6k/s320/fish.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Breaded Cobbler with baby buttered potatoes and cucumber slices</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR79Y4bKCEit-AlXGdgeMCtk1eu1IpqcOgP5axne3ZurEdPmmyzvOIIkxfcMrGZuvtx0Wv2huSt42HeFdMWvXnWb1ircWOC9t-hp5OI1g_h4c5k_wJJrMRwSGVnzr0uXRvKFLXSdvP4Us/s1600/goatscheese2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR79Y4bKCEit-AlXGdgeMCtk1eu1IpqcOgP5axne3ZurEdPmmyzvOIIkxfcMrGZuvtx0Wv2huSt42HeFdMWvXnWb1ircWOC9t-hp5OI1g_h4c5k_wJJrMRwSGVnzr0uXRvKFLXSdvP4Us/s320/goatscheese2.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Goats Cheese and Spicy Prawn Salad with Sweet Chilli and Black Pepper Sauce</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJlf3fGfM6PGB9YEKPTJst_3h051t0BBjwfEiwY_JuRLzDxXdXazqR-V-vWG5QlJoZ-P2pehPvEKA7kqXZ1oD4ghAsl6J1l-RnoUojbjz9lP84Jyjeqbu5_3jLTiy5OHt_szOAR9d3pc/s1600/prawnbroth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJlf3fGfM6PGB9YEKPTJst_3h051t0BBjwfEiwY_JuRLzDxXdXazqR-V-vWG5QlJoZ-P2pehPvEKA7kqXZ1oD4ghAsl6J1l-RnoUojbjz9lP84Jyjeqbu5_3jLTiy5OHt_szOAR9d3pc/s320/prawnbroth.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Yet more prawns! Prawn Broth with Noodles. Mmmm. </i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJGlPH31LZh72H0Hb1bqNlfMKVCJNTO62ABbNe7eRDRn5IalPYcI2-4EExw9YNFs_n50khnvNmUXNj0q029JdAnLrWYjmW4F1X4axV3RA2zeRt22oTYKkjzJHG7Aytvppcz3uOUKojd8/s1600/chick.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJGlPH31LZh72H0Hb1bqNlfMKVCJNTO62ABbNe7eRDRn5IalPYcI2-4EExw9YNFs_n50khnvNmUXNj0q029JdAnLrWYjmW4F1X4axV3RA2zeRt22oTYKkjzJHG7Aytvppcz3uOUKojd8/s320/chick.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>You know we love Chicken with roasted veg </i></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZv7ei5KeAxYwpnyQADIuCJthwoPgwnCdbr3zNdHXp1LiIIL0lrR7aF0Dv5g16ifE0l_NtLodKsMmuOxOvF03ZdkI6uVz5tRO8l2rQQd6_KVx5TvboCjkvP9Xn5PycyVkO4-aOrxSBRGw/s1600/picnic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZv7ei5KeAxYwpnyQADIuCJthwoPgwnCdbr3zNdHXp1LiIIL0lrR7aF0Dv5g16ifE0l_NtLodKsMmuOxOvF03ZdkI6uVz5tRO8l2rQQd6_KVx5TvboCjkvP9Xn5PycyVkO4-aOrxSBRGw/s320/picnic.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Healthy BBQ food; halloumi and mushroom kebab, mixed salad, sunblushed tomatoes drizzled with pesto, loives, BBQ'd asparagus and baby buttered potatoes.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFA7J0_UE9DOvc0-5z1mO9OxXKVbs2Rc0Z7WBXNbyBUbeaxcQ2jN38E1rZ1eg3rZ_ja-dzMtcrqlWYh-Um4OwMPfoFGXjw57K7vgQ8UVzimIcUmmlzQMjBA41njhjs_GrBXMIcSuBxSs/s1600/koftaspic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFA7J0_UE9DOvc0-5z1mO9OxXKVbs2Rc0Z7WBXNbyBUbeaxcQ2jN38E1rZ1eg3rZ_ja-dzMtcrqlWYh-Um4OwMPfoFGXjw57K7vgQ8UVzimIcUmmlzQMjBA41njhjs_GrBXMIcSuBxSs/s320/koftaspic.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Homemade mini burgers and lamb koftas</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_zaytIzyk_LhHrsOBObpyjhzlH1VGlyX19tGCiqDbXtj5tvLWUhJc2drOy2uqhUdRL3AMk3otBY9YfN9RpSLCIL24X6O9Cnk8XC7RBcVEXzSxBnRRFGbQ-pU2jrozOIndwWITkC2oJE/s1600/prawnpic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_zaytIzyk_LhHrsOBObpyjhzlH1VGlyX19tGCiqDbXtj5tvLWUhJc2drOy2uqhUdRL3AMk3otBY9YfN9RpSLCIL24X6O9Cnk8XC7RBcVEXzSxBnRRFGbQ-pU2jrozOIndwWITkC2oJE/s320/prawnpic.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Prawn skewers coated in spices and olive oil</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuXSZyXT6wmMBdv9gTqHqqxf_OAfOT6bcpcBYtxbjdIypXC-rfhD1NOkk9XQcCr3fl0DdlN8djqdmLZJYXTv5_OmpSQlTiJEqBlfkN496aTOmVJyuw6byB2yjTjac7g9hTmbkb9GaZv4/s1600/lulupic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuXSZyXT6wmMBdv9gTqHqqxf_OAfOT6bcpcBYtxbjdIypXC-rfhD1NOkk9XQcCr3fl0DdlN8djqdmLZJYXTv5_OmpSQlTiJEqBlfkN496aTOmVJyuw6byB2yjTjac7g9hTmbkb9GaZv4/s320/lulupic.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Lucy enjoying the BBQ and the sun!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrDdEZE4W671e_8JVgFNULonzeZ23pWgFmTGmbZunqAtFdU6O1jiMpZDrrrVLmiSN1RPYs2MqwWPeUq4lgwOPGk9WxEm8f0yqZLIQnclA5Ogvh4rTpE-mJp6VjiF8JBEP2iPBbugDx_E/s1600/babysweetcorn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrDdEZE4W671e_8JVgFNULonzeZ23pWgFmTGmbZunqAtFdU6O1jiMpZDrrrVLmiSN1RPYs2MqwWPeUq4lgwOPGk9WxEm8f0yqZLIQnclA5Ogvh4rTpE-mJp6VjiF8JBEP2iPBbugDx_E/s320/babysweetcorn.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>That's BBQ'd baby sweetcorn sticking from his gob!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOXYlK-lRRdb_ptdQqqBWRVjSCB9vlPRWU3zt2Ur2sVahlfQk3WULTGn0_cr8wt0BvBTR4gocRtgK5tA1grHIvQ3fW8QKvjqxoi9TaSaYFfGP7Ykt41hl17Cq7oxmGsh1AycJqQlJKVo/s1600/kellypic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOXYlK-lRRdb_ptdQqqBWRVjSCB9vlPRWU3zt2Ur2sVahlfQk3WULTGn0_cr8wt0BvBTR4gocRtgK5tA1grHIvQ3fW8QKvjqxoi9TaSaYFfGP7Ykt41hl17Cq7oxmGsh1AycJqQlJKVo/s320/kellypic.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Kelly eating and reading at the same time as usual!</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAr__g5pWw45kuxN67m9Xfiw-BACFTx1f0pgUR5lmBnths4QQ1z6zvOAKmUkSA34EAEsXSXqqdljg24x5Uvd3LOi4xAXQPwt3JZp6XbtnotnzNzsFTgtjDTvoUtjlJMaFWegF1MRvN88/s1600/sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAr__g5pWw45kuxN67m9Xfiw-BACFTx1f0pgUR5lmBnths4QQ1z6zvOAKmUkSA34EAEsXSXqqdljg24x5Uvd3LOi4xAXQPwt3JZp6XbtnotnzNzsFTgtjDTvoUtjlJMaFWegF1MRvN88/s320/sunset.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>And the sun sets on a beautiful day</i>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The food, as you can see, has remained light and healthy...the weather allowed us another few BBQs and we've had a busy, productive and tiring but lovely week.</div>Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-64955990330653647052010-08-13T03:43:00.000-07:002010-08-13T03:43:20.385-07:00The Summer's Over....That's it, the last official day of the <span style="font-size: large;">school holidays</span>. There was hollering over haircuts, spanking new school trousers too small, brand new shoes suddenly too big. The weather has been rubbish: rain, wind and cold....the cost, a lot; trips to the pictures, pizza, shopping and indoor entertainment-all designed to blow your mind at the minimal cost of £50 per trip, per family....roll up, roll up! <br />
<br />
There <i><span style="font-size: x-large;">have been highlights</span></i>; having them here has been wonderful, watching new friendships form, clubs being created and books being read. They've baked cakes and bread and ate them with relish. Seeing them play in the odd pockets of sunshine has been great, faces held to the sun to catch the rays as they stay out all day, coming back for dinner and juice and then running off again before the fork stops clankering on the table.<br />
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They've all grown at least an inch and have a grubby, rosy glow about them. It seems like not the greatest summer to me, but through their eyes, it's been fantastic and filled with adventure and fun. That's all that really matters.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywrCB88eVNk1mZ8xpXeIQ8vTS039MzwBzaD8kLzC8rH3ZbRF-slu6sKypMw9tHbcbkusVKcMOJIVwjfdnQRxW8dqbqUzg4nc4cxk8JAs759JDZr5RqV62iV3KaZ97SSR8cVjZlTs6yd8/s1600/DSC00091_mini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywrCB88eVNk1mZ8xpXeIQ8vTS039MzwBzaD8kLzC8rH3ZbRF-slu6sKypMw9tHbcbkusVKcMOJIVwjfdnQRxW8dqbqUzg4nc4cxk8JAs759JDZr5RqV62iV3KaZ97SSR8cVjZlTs6yd8/s320/DSC00091_mini.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3lk1QelzrlweoOXuSiLQvktjQ5Co_qBEOj3PaYVD24UOR5VtB65ckVBymLZNNyBX0zyTJ0u4cqPyHLbGlbV8OnJJwYlt4aMCjE-89KA9byr5yKC_s2gYoiv8qfwtAYboVL7MWZJF9xU/s1600/prawnnoodles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3lk1QelzrlweoOXuSiLQvktjQ5Co_qBEOj3PaYVD24UOR5VtB65ckVBymLZNNyBX0zyTJ0u4cqPyHLbGlbV8OnJJwYlt4aMCjE-89KA9byr5yKC_s2gYoiv8qfwtAYboVL7MWZJF9xU/s320/prawnnoodles.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Coconut Prawn (Shrimp) Curry with Noodles</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Absolutely delicious; light coconut milk is used, making this a low fat but very tasty tea. Recipe to follow.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-2xMtdpySS1jeYHLv4DRR7pQCGpIDHWalxa4prcHHXsMzs63PwClS_tCP_22Y_xg1RmmUoOgRJhmA5ESgZxfBiuwowCSUACpWOJriFwX0LjzjVMixsGW0aRD_mj72NX7L8sY4kjdoZU/s1600/hearthbread.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-2xMtdpySS1jeYHLv4DRR7pQCGpIDHWalxa4prcHHXsMzs63PwClS_tCP_22Y_xg1RmmUoOgRJhmA5ESgZxfBiuwowCSUACpWOJriFwX0LjzjVMixsGW0aRD_mj72NX7L8sY4kjdoZU/s320/hearthbread.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Hearthbread pizza</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedingfiveforfifty.blogspot.com/2009/07/shopping-list-24th-july-2nd-august-2009.html">Hearthbread</a> topped with homemade tomato sauce and mozzarella, herbs and a drizzling of olive oil. Delicious, but for kids (and dad) only right now!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoM_Z7MwNNAXWo639oyHEW1HEsCgc2dajCWgaf_FBXfMQ4Vhb_9iWhIoYTGZDNld3-l37uKEICIj-swMubinHeMjXXWVTNJaZBehkS6AIEvIokCSWgkeMKbvUzySID3bo0hWlHFRbQBA/s1600/lettucefilled.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoM_Z7MwNNAXWo639oyHEW1HEsCgc2dajCWgaf_FBXfMQ4Vhb_9iWhIoYTGZDNld3-l37uKEICIj-swMubinHeMjXXWVTNJaZBehkS6AIEvIokCSWgkeMKbvUzySID3bo0hWlHFRbQBA/s320/lettucefilled.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Lettuce boats filled with roasted veg, olives, garlic and cured meats with a low fat dressing and mint</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A great alternative to bread...well, not really, but when you're looking to loose a few pounds, then yeah, it works well! I roasted asparagus and artichokes in a little olive oil, sea salt, mint and black pepper, filled the lettuce boats alongisde a little chopped chorizo and Parma ham. Thin slices of cooked garlic and olives were added along with a little lemon and honey dressing. Lovely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApIT_Z6ciMTNRTpoCmAzbchTU2Zr_eEonWZ2KP2M-b0RJiDdLNBghnDYzjuHLuRR1XhlwlXirZI4VmedYsc-kflZMZfsLvLpdNZeo4gizoCD7Up8cnRs1923RWOqh7QyRFfW0xILhfjw/s1600/lettucefilled.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-7368753627762777412010-08-09T12:31:00.000-07:002010-08-09T12:31:14.017-07:00It's That Time Again....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> All dishes still to be cooked this week <span style="font-size: xx-small;">and any in the near future</span> will be with <span style="font-size: large;">weight loss</span> in mind. I know that when it comes to this subject, many of us want to run screaming for the hills; fat content, weighing and calorie counting don't figure in my plan<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> life is too short</span> but lots of fresh vegetables, smaller portions and tasty little bites of treats do <span style="font-size: xx-small;">as does a wee bit of gin and tonic and wine...lets face it, you didn't expect any less</span>. I don't intend to tell you my weight <span style="font-size: xx-small;">gawd help us all</span> as <i><span style="font-size: large;">I don't have scales</span></i> but when I'm down a few dress sizes, I'll letya know! <br />
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<i>I'll work out the calorie and fat content of some meals for those that requested it last time.</i><br />
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I like something sweet in the mornings so that's when I'll be treating myself: digestive biscuits with margarine and jam, Welsh cake, croissant or cookie but just the one. Lunches will be soups, light snacks, crackers like <a href="http://www.ryvita.co.uk/">Ryvita </a>with goats cheese, tomatoes and salads with light sprinkling of nuts and seeds.<br />
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The fridge and freezer heave with leftovers yet I have lots of fresh food; it's a battle over which to eat first. Fresh veg should always be used so today I made <b>chicken soup with chickpeas</b> and <b>grilled vegetables with halloumi cheese</b>. The kids had a separate meal of <b>salmon pasta</b>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQw4JqDWjWuoWtSWHPuLSzcgKNimd9RgKGXDfIK8xnMf52z3De7cfEBfwSnIJuanxZ9jJTUXPKofXi98ja7fF9wkeJF-ioyEoyybxOOaywNA3OMl96H1JN3ee4SlGgd7R2aHmySCFo3q0/s1600/pasta.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQw4JqDWjWuoWtSWHPuLSzcgKNimd9RgKGXDfIK8xnMf52z3De7cfEBfwSnIJuanxZ9jJTUXPKofXi98ja7fF9wkeJF-ioyEoyybxOOaywNA3OMl96H1JN3ee4SlGgd7R2aHmySCFo3q0/s320/pasta.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Pan-fried Salmon Pasta with Parmesan, Lemon and Peas</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cook pasta as per instructions. Drain and drizzle with a little olive oil, a knob of butter, a large handful of grated Parmesan cheese, a good squeeze of lemon juice and a heaped teaspoon double cream. Mix well and add in the cooked salmon, cooked peas and top with a good grinding of black pepper and some more grated Parmesan. <i><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCFFAt4Jo-bfKQoBTFgaSSnzVK8rkKCZUF3b91bSxbjieFMwBBZ-UcH0BVKMeSLSava3-3kD8HYTUeUVMVqoSV6JMSDYnKdq7dK70Wyi-GKlT5HiAqHHnO8kT7t0N0VTE88HW379mPUg/s1600/soup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCFFAt4Jo-bfKQoBTFgaSSnzVK8rkKCZUF3b91bSxbjieFMwBBZ-UcH0BVKMeSLSava3-3kD8HYTUeUVMVqoSV6JMSDYnKdq7dK70Wyi-GKlT5HiAqHHnO8kT7t0N0VTE88HW379mPUg/s320/soup.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Chicken Soup with Chickpeas</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: center;">This recipe was taken from Sophie Dahl's 'Voluptuous Delights'<i>.</i> I highly recommend it, I love this soup! Mildly but expertly spiced, delicate yet full of flavour, I could live off this for a long time. I intend to make it at some point with the addition of cubed potatoes, maybe some toasted cumin seeds and serve it with flatbread. Delicious.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">1 medium onion, chopped**</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">**white onion but I used red this time, worked well</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">2 tbs olive oil</div><div style="text-align: center;">Half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon </div><div style="text-align: center;">Half a teaspoon of ground ginger</div><div style="text-align: center;">3/4 teaspoon of ground turmeric</div><div style="text-align: center;">A pinch of ground cumin</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 swede or turnip, peeled and chopped</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 celery stalks, washed and sliced</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 litres/8 cups of chicken stock</div><div style="text-align: center;">750g/1.5 lbs skinless, boneless chicken thighs, chopped **</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>**I used two free range chicken breasts this time around....approx 250g...I think the recipe suggestion is rather a lot of chicken but I think thigh meat would work better</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">400g/13oz can of chickpeas</div><div style="text-align: center;">Salt and pepper to taste</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fresh chopped parsley or coriander/cilantro, to serve</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sweat the onion in the oil in a big, deep pan over a low heat. Add all the spices, stir to coat and cook for several minutes. Throw in veg and stir, cooking gently. Add stock and chicken and cook for a further 15 minutes. Add chickpeas and cook for another 10 minutes. I put lid on and simmered slowly. Season to taste. I added a squeeze of lemon juice too. Serve with the chopped herb of choice and Sophie recommends a splash of olive oil but I didn't use this time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoWIuPubB8NGM5b1eGGKJC3bYaLiPdFBpJmtHkRpUaBAiXGfmjOWS409z8m5X_ptjW1yHHUPs1fn-lZMV3IQv5ANOqkkbFZ5rjqPTB_teURsWeAXxCBHWSFPILogyowO_p4UJVxDQfKg/s1600/grilledveg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoWIuPubB8NGM5b1eGGKJC3bYaLiPdFBpJmtHkRpUaBAiXGfmjOWS409z8m5X_ptjW1yHHUPs1fn-lZMV3IQv5ANOqkkbFZ5rjqPTB_teURsWeAXxCBHWSFPILogyowO_p4UJVxDQfKg/s320/grilledveg.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Grilled Vegetables with Halloumi Cheese</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sophie Dahl again! Tasty although I hate it when veg goes soggy so make sure the veg is thinly sliced so that it crisps up quickly. This was nice but I'm unsure if I'd make it again until my grill is fixed (I used the oven this time). Thinly slice aubergine and courgette (eggplant/zucchini). Salt the aubergine and leave for 30 minutes...this will draw out the moisture. Rinse with cold water and pat dry. Place with the courgette on a tray, sprinkle with ground cumin and then combine 2 tablespoons olive oil and the juice of half a lemon and drizzle over veg. Grill for a few minutes (I actually used the oven as my grill isn't working...grilling would be MUCH better) and then turn over. Add halloumi cheese and blast under the grill under golden.<i> </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJJVVqbHaVxeNzudo3lriMFOi-tZXmKUKdtqyoxpv9no4sL2v5b77wTX8gKLIGF2x8AGIxKdQW4CnwYVpz8ozGayCsCas_-D-JbanrKy4-jpIndy3CzPwCn3MAEcjGaxCpEv84YThD_g/s1600/P8026437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJJVVqbHaVxeNzudo3lriMFOi-tZXmKUKdtqyoxpv9no4sL2v5b77wTX8gKLIGF2x8AGIxKdQW4CnwYVpz8ozGayCsCas_-D-JbanrKy4-jpIndy3CzPwCn3MAEcjGaxCpEv84YThD_g/s1600/P8026437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJJVVqbHaVxeNzudo3lriMFOi-tZXmKUKdtqyoxpv9no4sL2v5b77wTX8gKLIGF2x8AGIxKdQW4CnwYVpz8ozGayCsCas_-D-JbanrKy4-jpIndy3CzPwCn3MAEcjGaxCpEv84YThD_g/s320/P8026437.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Artichoke Tart and Jersey Royal Potatoes with Pesto</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniki9q4N15QrNzZmN7_1hGL6pRQKO5VRZUEmviOUtn3xWr9GNc5MZqRAA9DBqaFh6G3Pxhoh7_fVVDDz_jfDIj5nJ5GkYuF0a7Ffka7FOHobYtKWEpG_dyCy-PttzymVODvsv3eThzKg/s1600/P7306375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniki9q4N15QrNzZmN7_1hGL6pRQKO5VRZUEmviOUtn3xWr9GNc5MZqRAA9DBqaFh6G3Pxhoh7_fVVDDz_jfDIj5nJ5GkYuF0a7Ffka7FOHobYtKWEpG_dyCy-PttzymVODvsv3eThzKg/s320/P7306375.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Salmon coated in Panko Breadcrumbs with Baby New Buttered Potatoes</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5tW2JIRURlZSywDJbsysx-b1lhvmAkTZegPtfXPteObUg1FkALYQbO1k37aV3EVubk7UM3QNmcsrMf5htCGeXofKfQSC3NtaCNzUn7olLv8cH3BIMHRtKDNySFodjxSanS0f8e_1PGE/s1600/P7306380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5tW2JIRURlZSywDJbsysx-b1lhvmAkTZegPtfXPteObUg1FkALYQbO1k37aV3EVubk7UM3QNmcsrMf5htCGeXofKfQSC3NtaCNzUn7olLv8cH3BIMHRtKDNySFodjxSanS0f8e_1PGE/s320/P7306380.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The kid's chocolate cupcakes with Nutella and Malteser Topping...well done kids, delicious!</i></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQacyB62Gr4OutXDC1JMa_mZn8Koa0fKllt-_DbgwKDFe78ICZee1FBeP_3gcSGk51gTPrnaVTJoB5FmzTNjg18uHPhR_QvEf7U1h9Qhy0D8D8tmYxe5Pw5tX-uPsokcgtixvQ9AOwFuI/s1600/crackers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQacyB62Gr4OutXDC1JMa_mZn8Koa0fKllt-_DbgwKDFe78ICZee1FBeP_3gcSGk51gTPrnaVTJoB5FmzTNjg18uHPhR_QvEf7U1h9Qhy0D8D8tmYxe5Pw5tX-uPsokcgtixvQ9AOwFuI/s320/crackers.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Ryvita with Brie, Pesto, Olives, Cherry Tomatoes, Parmesan Shavings and lightly grilled Parma Ham</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> </i>Day One: Today's breakfast was two digestive biscuits with margarine and jam, lunch was crunchy salad and dinner and supper was the chicken soup with a little of the grilled veg. I ate two chocolates with coffee as I had visitors. Lets call it dessert.....</div>Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-68373066245615142322010-08-04T06:58:00.000-07:002010-08-04T06:58:39.417-07:00New Dress BluesI bought a <span style="font-size: large;">new dress</span> today from a<i><span style="font-size: large;"> funky</span></i> new store in town; on returning home, I put on the dress to show my lovely, supportive family <span style="font-size: xx-small;">yeah, not so much</span>. I stood in front of the kids and watched their silence unfold; Fraser cocked his head to the side and declared it "old-fashioned". Lucy kinda smirked and the words "oh dear gawd" emanated from every fibre of her being.<br />
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The kids followed me upstairs, giggling as I went to show husband. He looked me up and down, grinned and asked "<b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">did you make it yourself</span>?</b>" followed by "so <i>that</i>'s what you've been doing at all those night classes".....playing to his audience of giggling children, he went on to describe his horror in many forms which ended with me curled up under the duvet, with only eldest daughter hugs for comfort.<br />
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Sigh.<br />
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Thank gawd there's always cake. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQY2EHvE06rCxtKAeYmHsO9PyIl79ub_TlRwtF7R1CWxlWtYdXTBdwBdjXVkaRpCee0Gl1-eodmFya7rTSfv_cLtH7Lc50P8rX3-r5EWA6e0AMSzuLi-vodeJ_wUPKGEwL7SOEzjfca2Y/s1600/DSC00101_mini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQY2EHvE06rCxtKAeYmHsO9PyIl79ub_TlRwtF7R1CWxlWtYdXTBdwBdjXVkaRpCee0Gl1-eodmFya7rTSfv_cLtH7Lc50P8rX3-r5EWA6e0AMSzuLi-vodeJ_wUPKGEwL7SOEzjfca2Y/s320/DSC00101_mini.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Chocolate Cheesecake with mixed berries </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had friends over at the weekend and I served <b>antipasti </b>with <b>basil pesto, sunblushed tomatoes, brie, fresh bread, dipping oil, olives </b>and <b>balsamic vinegar, Parmesan,</b> a variety of <b>tarts</b> including <b>caramelised red onion and goats cheese, artichoke and mint, goats cheese and pesto, asparagus and cheddar</b>. There was also <b>lasagna, pasta Bolognaise, macaroni cheese, green salad</b> with a <b>honey and balsamic dressing</b> all followed with <b>apple pie, chocolate cheesecake</b>, extra thick double cream and Colpi <b>ice cream</b>. Twas a great night and no-one went hungry!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj41bZoHOsGKkPOg50oxZYoNT9UHqkXpBpGFfJNzorEQ_OUTrT8ofUJzXH5IuFlihnLXBMHdhtHUXDOnZEZ9xBgf1lDZVC5tL6WR98CsaGI9ANIS2HJowR2Y_PxPxnuERak-BVWEfQnDc/s1600/applepie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj41bZoHOsGKkPOg50oxZYoNT9UHqkXpBpGFfJNzorEQ_OUTrT8ofUJzXH5IuFlihnLXBMHdhtHUXDOnZEZ9xBgf1lDZVC5tL6WR98CsaGI9ANIS2HJowR2Y_PxPxnuERak-BVWEfQnDc/s320/applepie.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Apple Pie</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdmLKRvchQQKjJ9T58GWE9wlabn3ZzgQwv9eJnjh1xhesn_V1IK_kpvg4U_jvDgdiguiJYeX0jvI4VI4orVriODHqFVRzdd_6YBDd-3opDJcmRKHgVBtr6yrmtZ2crDpZtaKOSiCAz4w/s1600/buffet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdmLKRvchQQKjJ9T58GWE9wlabn3ZzgQwv9eJnjh1xhesn_V1IK_kpvg4U_jvDgdiguiJYeX0jvI4VI4orVriODHqFVRzdd_6YBDd-3opDJcmRKHgVBtr6yrmtZ2crDpZtaKOSiCAz4w/s320/buffet.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Helen's buffet, suitable for kids!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> </i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHKHlJFJpr7_L4esBGZQ4bLi8JYlZy_JEdyTviUpwldhE4mnpzsOHKtqPkhSI6Hph8UQIBfcdTt2YFpoM4ro-vBcmgj5lCigU6NHJaOOG2Leig4CyaYRX_ZD6W7GdgFzIH6W5HfXMYPY/s1600/lasagna.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHKHlJFJpr7_L4esBGZQ4bLi8JYlZy_JEdyTviUpwldhE4mnpzsOHKtqPkhSI6Hph8UQIBfcdTt2YFpoM4ro-vBcmgj5lCigU6NHJaOOG2Leig4CyaYRX_ZD6W7GdgFzIH6W5HfXMYPY/s320/lasagna.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Lasagna </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLJI1I1iKcgg7AAVHx2kwbQ7Eo9VH_Trwzv0wuHS-s_U7Urr77wFN8rsxcGuGhJdUQK_6eP_abQTPtCFAhkrOBDz3dMzkNOCwJrqQl9ZUWone_41kbwvy01lLzxsyM3hhkC2nS2XfubE/s1600/antipasti.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLJI1I1iKcgg7AAVHx2kwbQ7Eo9VH_Trwzv0wuHS-s_U7Urr77wFN8rsxcGuGhJdUQK_6eP_abQTPtCFAhkrOBDz3dMzkNOCwJrqQl9ZUWone_41kbwvy01lLzxsyM3hhkC2nS2XfubE/s320/antipasti.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Antipasti </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeES3NVoeY6eRQsVo37H4sUJCEagmiN3P5luG6C7b5ZtaNqk4PiL1lz1WqFx2gDDtCgo7Tcv51OILrBpD1vXtpddYS7AlnP0KEGn3jke2xY3qzrYKV7zyQgOHdlc7evw06y-GBiQU7vC4/s1600/tartandpasta.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeES3NVoeY6eRQsVo37H4sUJCEagmiN3P5luG6C7b5ZtaNqk4PiL1lz1WqFx2gDDtCgo7Tcv51OILrBpD1vXtpddYS7AlnP0KEGn3jke2xY3qzrYKV7zyQgOHdlc7evw06y-GBiQU7vC4/s320/tartandpasta.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Pasta Bolognaise and Asparagus Tart </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2rkgW3Jt7KkdFS_tEHVozxz5F1CT-9OCEMmgBRsq0c2kmddIW6b5BaTFC-O9nva8dFJqjXINHifhpZVLLOMOAstoAPNtgADMLmnP37ZbMQKFr7CxN1oA-gWgdI8g_wUwvp9hCFgPv-E/s1600/DSC00097_mini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2rkgW3Jt7KkdFS_tEHVozxz5F1CT-9OCEMmgBRsq0c2kmddIW6b5BaTFC-O9nva8dFJqjXINHifhpZVLLOMOAstoAPNtgADMLmnP37ZbMQKFr7CxN1oA-gWgdI8g_wUwvp9hCFgPv-E/s320/DSC00097_mini.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>William's cupcakes...tasty cakes, well done lad! </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVg9W0ZUb3qNi6Nm7O73tpxD0mlyBLeXxJLpSjQ_Rlylm81faGH0-et525kyTjThuGGYImaiDOSFRD-3dkD5GWSObTJ38mZUd4mljIT671G9xH6mOOMarR3DDkII9nlU8EkzLIPG0xS_o/s1600/valscake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVg9W0ZUb3qNi6Nm7O73tpxD0mlyBLeXxJLpSjQ_Rlylm81faGH0-et525kyTjThuGGYImaiDOSFRD-3dkD5GWSObTJ38mZUd4mljIT671G9xH6mOOMarR3DDkII9nlU8EkzLIPG0xS_o/s320/valscake.JPG" />;</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Val and Colin's Chocolate Cake...the icing was an experiment, </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I need to make again before I decide if I like it or not or whether to share! </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm a bit late in giving the shopping list but suffice it to say, it was within budget and will last for 10 days in total; meals include the following:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rosemary and Garlic <b>Roast Lamb</b> with a Pesto crust,<i> served with roast asparagus, broccolli, green beans and roasted potato with a red wine gravy</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chicken Soup with Chickpeas</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fish & Vegetable Stew with dumplings</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Salmon Tempura with Sesame Fried Rice and green veg</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Prawn coconut curry</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Grilled Vegetables with Halloumi</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Macaroni Cheese</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lamb Curry</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fishcakes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stirfry</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Recipes and pictures to follow, my friends!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-55603157032263463742010-07-28T13:14:00.000-07:002010-07-28T13:14:01.535-07:00Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting......We saw <a href="http://www.karatekid-themovie.com/">Karate Kid</a> today, a pretty great remake in my opinion. Jaden Smith, <a href="http://www.willsmith.com/">Will Smith</a>'s son rocked the part and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Chan">Jackie Chan</a> was just brilliant in the role of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keisuke_Miyagi">Mr Miyagi</a> <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">although the name changed to Mr Han</span></i>. There was no 'wax on, wax off' or 'paint a fence' but something similar was portrayed in true <span style="font-size: large;">Karate Kid</span> style. The kids enjoyed it, we adults enjoyed it and I'd recommend a viewing during the long<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> and for us wet</span> summer holidays.<br />
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Last night I made an <span style="font-size: large;">almond cake</span>; I'd gotten all the ingredients out to find my scales were broken so I guessed them. Now, guessing is ok for a stirfry or even a pie but not so much for baked goods. I wanted some cake though; it seemed easier to just make it than put the ingredients away and really, that's as good as any a reason for pouring and dodding flour, butter and eggs into a bowl, willy-nilly. <br />
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With fingers crossed, I baked the cake on a low heat for 1 hour; it looked good and smelled ok but the jury was still out. By the time it had cooled, husband had arrived home and we had a slice with a mug of tea....pretty darn tasty, luckily, even if a little sweet. I think I overdid the sugar somewhat but the ground almond and almond essence made it almost like a <i><span style="font-size: large;">bakewell tart</span></i>...something I'll be cooking soon...and has inspired me for a few more variations...with scales this time.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6e4pnOPdxPO-Rqc_eq3RVlI0O9OKMPvQc8qpiKXP6vMCE4M5JFOtRVbGtAv1c2dOfiTZF6E-fHFUXNp6JWpp9qeKE8rT0gtaZ7cjVuTxhxFryqICOde-iF1iMVqK1nTXBXnGdjvEDoxo/s1600/almondcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6e4pnOPdxPO-Rqc_eq3RVlI0O9OKMPvQc8qpiKXP6vMCE4M5JFOtRVbGtAv1c2dOfiTZF6E-fHFUXNp6JWpp9qeKE8rT0gtaZ7cjVuTxhxFryqICOde-iF1iMVqK1nTXBXnGdjvEDoxo/s320/almondcake.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Almond Cake with Crunchy Topping! </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZ9FB_DA_-MWyRHi2wlq_rFwEjYOeECafZvLSb2pLZykSnkpjjpsZw8_mO0ZNHflrV3V7BrA9sCacQdLGQJ36OuR3tjVQaYK6UAW88M8hIch0WA3X6Ug1V6kORvvl3O3H9md12ECX93M/s1600/almondcake2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZ9FB_DA_-MWyRHi2wlq_rFwEjYOeECafZvLSb2pLZykSnkpjjpsZw8_mO0ZNHflrV3V7BrA9sCacQdLGQJ36OuR3tjVQaYK6UAW88M8hIch0WA3X6Ug1V6kORvvl3O3H9md12ECX93M/s320/almondcake2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Absolutely brilliant for breakfast</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is always curry in my freezer so when all else fails, leftover curry with freshly made flatbread is the order of any day:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79IQqt_LT1ultRkdtngm8-2zjqyM-wgcUiQjhaO37Rj52fOWkc5e2jP9Us0Sv2UkDfaJGknxbEUjCIo9KdTwzPgig9FKvrKkDtq1XnpJriNkr9Ho4q-fNwIcnmgUyHrhMUu8j08Bius4/s1600/chickencurry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79IQqt_LT1ultRkdtngm8-2zjqyM-wgcUiQjhaO37Rj52fOWkc5e2jP9Us0Sv2UkDfaJGknxbEUjCIo9KdTwzPgig9FKvrKkDtq1XnpJriNkr9Ho4q-fNwIcnmgUyHrhMUu8j08Bius4/s320/chickencurry.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Leftover Curry for dinner yesterday.....</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMv868xAqAX4sMv3Dhk3QagfGH1zfTkpqIwKzVaEO-YDsG1WDYVsKJ1R4MX6bS-yEg2V8FHlT8hyqYR8PM-H0fnd4C4LobsH3Oacs54pelor9Pctu1BcDewk9zEyY8Rkd0r5rh2aajSM/s1600/flatbread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMv868xAqAX4sMv3Dhk3QagfGH1zfTkpqIwKzVaEO-YDsG1WDYVsKJ1R4MX6bS-yEg2V8FHlT8hyqYR8PM-H0fnd4C4LobsH3Oacs54pelor9Pctu1BcDewk9zEyY8Rkd0r5rh2aajSM/s320/flatbread.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Cumin flatbread brushed with butter and salt</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi66wZaRDVv1AyE7hU_kWvkl_32eJaUUY9rsq_EmY29RDk6CKNyjeeykv4ldTHWSp7TsLzKWZGm7ntYKsVZpZQlg1G_wi1uEXk3tXfyZdIIGr66fyR2x4SVv_jxyxiEUX2i108_J-FZ2M/s1600/almondbread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi66wZaRDVv1AyE7hU_kWvkl_32eJaUUY9rsq_EmY29RDk6CKNyjeeykv4ldTHWSp7TsLzKWZGm7ntYKsVZpZQlg1G_wi1uEXk3tXfyZdIIGr66fyR2x4SVv_jxyxiEUX2i108_J-FZ2M/s320/almondbread.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Thick, sweet, cumin flatbread with crushed almonds</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tomorrow is a new shopping week although we have friends coming over on Saturday so we'll split the shopping into two, that for the week ahead and a separate shop for entertaining. The budget will remain £50 for 7 days worth of meals with an extra day added at the end for excluding Saturday. Menu to follow.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-33708663308151262282010-07-25T06:20:00.000-07:002010-07-25T06:20:14.081-07:00101 Ways to Cook VegetablesI sit here <span style="font-size: large;">typing</span>, unable to move out of this space as a structure has been built up behind me, ceiling high, made up of cushions, tripods, brushes and blankets; it is <i><span style="font-size: large;">precarious</span></i>, to say the least. To the left of me is four children, eagerly watching Corpse Bride, heads held in hands, stuck out of said structure. To the right of me is my husband, drilling a hole in something and cutting wires for reasons unknown to me although I'm sure he explained it less than twenty minutes before. I feel rather trapped. <br />
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This makes me consider the need for emergency supplies; a <span style="font-size: large;">secret squirrelling</span> of sweet and salty snacks to keep me going for an undetermined level of time, hidden beneath my computer desk. I'd start with a kettle that plugs into a hard drive <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>surely</b> such a thing has been invented?</span> for that ever needed cup of tea or coffee. A supply of Reese's Cups would be nice or my own version, tucked into an airtight container. Some crunchy Kettle crisps would be a must and maybe a bottle of fizzy or two<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> coke, Irn Bru, champagne.....</span>. A packet of midget gems or Sports gums could keep me alive here for years <span style="font-size: xx-small;">20 minutes</span> and some <i><span style="font-size: large;">sweet tomatoes</span></i> with a little packet of salt to dip them into.<br />
<br />
Or I could just crawl over the couch. <br />
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Take a blagged bucket of veg, fresh from a farm and ponder their fate:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnTjf_Ke-efNzPVx1Ccg83cSJMi3y1ersPhta4qDo5wDTzlYyLgwa2-ROdeqSilorKCZnKWCNrtGl76hLPwjQiUC5QMBQU8K9DAgOqq7GguV80Ep_7mqr77D6z6Uut4Vjm7codLz5nHs/s1600/freshveg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnTjf_Ke-efNzPVx1Ccg83cSJMi3y1ersPhta4qDo5wDTzlYyLgwa2-ROdeqSilorKCZnKWCNrtGl76hLPwjQiUC5QMBQU8K9DAgOqq7GguV80Ep_7mqr77D6z6Uut4Vjm7codLz5nHs/s320/freshveg.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Way no. 13:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5GgGyOR7ZShbBScwjj1XicuCxdj-5268tYlHypkM1FLg-5tLhXmGcXRNAUBvWLaR5EfG4J7HcfRWz7pTi6xCDb6wccE07Jdu32x9TdGJpKUK00wd0ikqH8AwLv0ogXp5mUTmXRKvLyU/s1600/curriedveg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5GgGyOR7ZShbBScwjj1XicuCxdj-5268tYlHypkM1FLg-5tLhXmGcXRNAUBvWLaR5EfG4J7HcfRWz7pTi6xCDb6wccE07Jdu32x9TdGJpKUK00wd0ikqH8AwLv0ogXp5mUTmXRKvLyU/s320/curriedveg.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Vegetable Curry </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Chop, peel and wash fresh veg and sliced garlic and fry in a little oil with cumin seeds, ground ginger, ground cumin, kalonji seeds, cinnamon stick and curry powder. Add a little <span style="font-size: large;">turmeric</span>. Add tomatoes. Stir gently and add a little vegetable stock and cook until soft. Add a little coconut paste and yoghurt and serve with homemade <b>cumin bread</b>......</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionJKeuw4CkdlOgLrTIuS4cc2qXQSmPitEw2yMknc9cbXTOtX6CSodBXUF9oU39CsQLr4KMnGByz5Sn69j-DzVSbk1pOXSenFKtHJdKKbawqjsCTXFWDnsGLxSUt2qH8Vm_rWPujbjy38/s1600/cuminbread.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionJKeuw4CkdlOgLrTIuS4cc2qXQSmPitEw2yMknc9cbXTOtX6CSodBXUF9oU39CsQLr4KMnGByz5Sn69j-DzVSbk1pOXSenFKtHJdKKbawqjsCTXFWDnsGLxSUt2qH8Vm_rWPujbjy38/s320/cuminbread.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Cumin Bread with Kalonji Seeds</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Mix together equal quantities of wholemeal and white flour with a pinch of salt and a sprinkling of kalonji seeds and toasted <span style="font-size: large;">cumin seeds</span>. Add a little oil and mix. Add some cold water, enough to form a nice ball of dough and knead for five minutes. Wrap in clingfilm and place in the fridge for 30 minutes. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> Remove from fridge and roll out on some sprinkled flour until roughly the size of the pan you are cooking it in. Heat a little oil in said pan and when really hot, dump in the dough. It will brown and start to rise immediately. Press down all over and after a minute, turn over. Press down once more. Brush with a little melted butter and sprinkle with salt. Eat with <i><span style="font-size: large;">curry</span></i> and a spoonful of yoghurt on the side. Mmmm.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Way no. 42: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANx8_mp4bZ4s3dRXTLYupAOlbj98G5PKoBgMA2_za0-5LVXMqJO6t5LO0RCDH-auQo8p-ocP2fHFS0MQ4jXUpgeCGQqdW08pF80PLQtJqtofqbQ-2iUiVMV1f7k6RkbOtbreoneTLK14/s1600/pastaveg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANx8_mp4bZ4s3dRXTLYupAOlbj98G5PKoBgMA2_za0-5LVXMqJO6t5LO0RCDH-auQo8p-ocP2fHFS0MQ4jXUpgeCGQqdW08pF80PLQtJqtofqbQ-2iUiVMV1f7k6RkbOtbreoneTLK14/s320/pastaveg.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Spinach & Rocket Pesto Pasta with grilled and toasted vegetables</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Place quartered onions and<span style="font-size: large;"> tomatoes</span> in a hot oven, drizzled with olive oil, salt and a sprinkling of oregano. Thinly slice the courgette and griddle or grill after brushing with yet more olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper when cooked. Cook pasta and toss with a little pesto...basil <i><span style="font-size: large;">pesto</span></i> works just as well. Top with veg and chopped, fresh basil and some more black pepper....enjoy.</div>Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-39731699764810658622010-07-23T03:57:00.000-07:002010-07-23T03:57:34.887-07:00St. AndrewsWe're just back from a few days at the golfing town called St. Andrews. We stayed in a lovely house called <a href="http://www.pitmilly.co.uk/location.cfm">Morton of Pitmilly</a> at Kingsbarn, a wee village next to St. Andrews which was set inside a working farm. Of course, we managed to blag a bag full of fresh veg before we left; beetroot, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage and cucumber, to name a few. I'm looking forward to making a stew!<br />
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Whilst there, my friend Irene prepared a <b>monkfish stew</b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">with the addition of wee dumplings from me</span> using the fresh veg from the farm whilst I got on with making <b>brushcetta</b> alongside olive oil and balsamic vinegar dip, crusty bread, olives and sun-blushed tomatoes as a starter and <b>salmon tempura</b> for the kids with a salad of chopped cucumber and apple.<br />
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Did I take pictures to share with you? No I did not, for various reasons, the main one being the food was inhaled before you could say "can you wait until I take a picture for my blog............." because the answer would have been a resounding "no" or even a "bog off". But it was good and looked well tasty. I know you'll <span style="font-size: xx-small;">hopefully </span>take my word for it.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">No food photies, only kids; normal service will be resumed shortly............... </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOykZb5WyVVNhf4Nf2w2cRuI2GtlFntCtaTRFfK7ZReTGSnrdehJx0zDhpU8Hapv_Pbd0x1f3ow5XmHv8J-xGWvNw9kb-42YFkWajYh1O1SQhVM6hrVmOpeSrupnZRos-VT2sg4lm18IM/s1600/kidsstandrews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOykZb5WyVVNhf4Nf2w2cRuI2GtlFntCtaTRFfK7ZReTGSnrdehJx0zDhpU8Hapv_Pbd0x1f3ow5XmHv8J-xGWvNw9kb-42YFkWajYh1O1SQhVM6hrVmOpeSrupnZRos-VT2sg4lm18IM/s320/kidsstandrews.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Kids in St. Andrews High Street with Skye the dog</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEB0qXXxI0y0QX2tAM9N2YQs8UZJ1y5CJmRIXUdJU1QRLtHsI6SpINErx89751p0PUu7KdjSTeQ8jmEXS51mm_heVOQcMY9xtCRuk-IL9SKWaCuXn832UUf5r2mNH3GBukjJMpXmz9D4/s1600/kidsstandrews2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEB0qXXxI0y0QX2tAM9N2YQs8UZJ1y5CJmRIXUdJU1QRLtHsI6SpINErx89751p0PUu7KdjSTeQ8jmEXS51mm_heVOQcMY9xtCRuk-IL9SKWaCuXn832UUf5r2mNH3GBukjJMpXmz9D4/s320/kidsstandrews2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Dear gawd....</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyW7RGSa7wtZEOPqvmH5Ryfl_E06u8J9awW8Phsovq35AaY5SJA838fHapXnE776467ZyB3pvRIAJvGU-MY71yVHFuKq80XpWxCIzb_cRwOwWDIa7-eb5X5MZTVfbKdHgBOyiFY-fYh4/s1600/lulusa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyW7RGSa7wtZEOPqvmH5Ryfl_E06u8J9awW8Phsovq35AaY5SJA838fHapXnE776467ZyB3pvRIAJvGU-MY71yVHFuKq80XpWxCIzb_cRwOwWDIa7-eb5X5MZTVfbKdHgBOyiFY-fYh4/s320/lulusa.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Lucy on Beach</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPwzG6gz12gsPeXXXxqeWmxzQO3OjoSi_jG_C2LVHt0qrjVaweqgSy4UQZlx1MFDUehxSpaO-m-W-RNB9wxHncwxK119OiRO8YWwopAxgSlXjANBlyVoaEOZXf1_wXenateaFqEDPAAQ/s1600/kidssa2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPwzG6gz12gsPeXXXxqeWmxzQO3OjoSi_jG_C2LVHt0qrjVaweqgSy4UQZlx1MFDUehxSpaO-m-W-RNB9wxHncwxK119OiRO8YWwopAxgSlXjANBlyVoaEOZXf1_wXenateaFqEDPAAQ/s320/kidssa2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>It was a gorgeous day</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDN63lreszusnfk431BindGmlDoOcNWvPPqa92mfMfdAKVfADtzOKz3WUApW5N4JX1U4SFisUe1g0NScwHFicPJOQJjfs7gZOVA9oGoSfDZFUlaoxYMbP85ueR-1m4s8OgylDkv0vlt3I/s1600/kidsa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDN63lreszusnfk431BindGmlDoOcNWvPPqa92mfMfdAKVfADtzOKz3WUApW5N4JX1U4SFisUe1g0NScwHFicPJOQJjfs7gZOVA9oGoSfDZFUlaoxYMbP85ueR-1m4s8OgylDkv0vlt3I/s320/kidsa.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Happy and confused?</i></div>Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-91406798594265804872010-07-19T07:47:00.000-07:002010-07-19T07:47:32.509-07:00Oven Disaster and Complete RandomnessMy oven hates me. She expressed this opinion by blowing up but not until after the chocolate cake was ready so har har to you, oven lady, I get the last laugh! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrQNR6b5B5f2cHFAt5nGRm40BmgkNBumYcb-la70HvIfonAKLZtJegOnD1u7jneH2fJYW0pj9CO9oGXIbltZaKQdWhzH0C9j75FH7T4q1_XjwskUnL7cWjHhl5VdMIG2aVuEuEWzDyZg/s1600/sadoven.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrQNR6b5B5f2cHFAt5nGRm40BmgkNBumYcb-la70HvIfonAKLZtJegOnD1u7jneH2fJYW0pj9CO9oGXIbltZaKQdWhzH0C9j75FH7T4q1_XjwskUnL7cWjHhl5VdMIG2aVuEuEWzDyZg/s320/sadoven.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Well...it didn't <i>actually </i>blow up, it just kinda stopped working. I think it needs a holiday from all the toiling and striving it's done over the years. Just a pity I have lots of food and cakes to make for various events. I think I'll be pushing my wee camping stove to it's limits.<br />
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So today I'm going to show you some complete randomness so here goes; a picture of a crazy cupcake I baked:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnm7pAFwt3lxNdeyJCptARSdEHH476sAx5Em_BuV3cZFOxL-y8HbnCmfPCjTrANlSPeyakus5jp2WYKmBcuS5-MWVN_qiCmripKMdnctBH7-y8W6_xd_owz-HS_ASMOudrbsf1e5Pzj0/s1600/P6185942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNlxxjMwf69gRday85Y_mdm7A0EM0wA8UaLhiRp0CNOi49A1cqSGcxsbrT9xoXa3OONfHsGhR8tm9IJvpraOrzYlBQgPt_PdcS95ZlAxQhMMzEC6X9pDnJ1L9S8qsvzNsmYzdUwFA2xk/s1600/P6225967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNlxxjMwf69gRday85Y_mdm7A0EM0wA8UaLhiRp0CNOi49A1cqSGcxsbrT9xoXa3OONfHsGhR8tm9IJvpraOrzYlBQgPt_PdcS95ZlAxQhMMzEC6X9pDnJ1L9S8qsvzNsmYzdUwFA2xk/s320/P6225967.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em></em><i>Psychedelic Cupcake!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">A very tasty <a href="http://feedingfiveforfifty.blogspot.com/2010/05/why-ill-never-be-millionaire.html">chicken khorma</a> wot I made.....<i><br />
</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSh15A-i6I51vENq-JDutMP0tjp4JP-4vRKxZKp9omxFF0IQDU8UYe98Cm0Oi32FtTpQYNlc6begSJyVpnkMw_mmXeusW34i5IbUk8koqeauUWZynTP4WRPE4PiJWux09nE5V87WfHco/s1600/10052010006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSh15A-i6I51vENq-JDutMP0tjp4JP-4vRKxZKp9omxFF0IQDU8UYe98Cm0Oi32FtTpQYNlc6begSJyVpnkMw_mmXeusW34i5IbUk8koqeauUWZynTP4WRPE4PiJWux09nE5V87WfHco/s320/10052010006.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Chicken Khorma....oh yeah!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">A picture of Lucy reading Keats:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae3qtLoE8fzNzFlo5yTvSS-m28LDqwCKSBOKXmHuMOhwOgN4C5laDzocY4Sm6Sf0ci4ry5eLbPh4BJeTkYME8Q20QkawLxMPvZI5WkNQ-aDvjVP7-SlGXou1CLzOOgXCAD4H0GMp_rHU/s1600/lucybook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae3qtLoE8fzNzFlo5yTvSS-m28LDqwCKSBOKXmHuMOhwOgN4C5laDzocY4Sm6Sf0ci4ry5eLbPh4BJeTkYME8Q20QkawLxMPvZI5WkNQ-aDvjVP7-SlGXou1CLzOOgXCAD4H0GMp_rHU/s320/lucybook.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Lucy reading...well, Keats......</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Poori Bread...mmmm!<i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7u6j4_jmbKPt-381Kulzj6PEhTQLHatBro5SG8xDZGE78aLiGzPJfhijEFfm3TmiaOsUNXwM9rnrasl2ldoTr-xbuKA1QoohZSNBQAMIer15bHy8dRh2oxXoP6q89RGZCbkFFr0QsWQ/s1600/poori2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7u6j4_jmbKPt-381Kulzj6PEhTQLHatBro5SG8xDZGE78aLiGzPJfhijEFfm3TmiaOsUNXwM9rnrasl2ldoTr-xbuKA1QoohZSNBQAMIer15bHy8dRh2oxXoP6q89RGZCbkFFr0QsWQ/s320/poori2.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Deep fried Indian Poori Bread. Heaven...I'm in heaven....</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yet more cupcakes.....<i></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6i4TphQTPG7v4Bx-My-h7w20dV2SHQNCY3TM0knMiUy1_2iHb7cGBIA-K6He0HfGWlwyQHWWslm7v4aErVvIqeMAwrgIU4bV6GOnFkXFrzKQ-Scl7-JJkSJHFPAGG_m0rRlLebj2wV0/s1600/PA040879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6i4TphQTPG7v4Bx-My-h7w20dV2SHQNCY3TM0knMiUy1_2iHb7cGBIA-K6He0HfGWlwyQHWWslm7v4aErVvIqeMAwrgIU4bV6GOnFkXFrzKQ-Scl7-JJkSJHFPAGG_m0rRlLebj2wV0/s320/PA040879.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Cupcakes</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Tartan creatures.....<i></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdWLOmKnP2hx_-heXIKsDeyY26mYrrxmArMwgGXpvRQXewAC89YGlCr-7R5EbrDfnM2N-B1irXK2VR3X4CwybyTMx635pBGIxcoe_-JWYOnDrWxIKf4RG3N965kRhqit4NmgHf40nkns/s1600/P4101456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdWLOmKnP2hx_-heXIKsDeyY26mYrrxmArMwgGXpvRQXewAC89YGlCr-7R5EbrDfnM2N-B1irXK2VR3X4CwybyTMx635pBGIxcoe_-JWYOnDrWxIKf4RG3N965kRhqit4NmgHf40nkns/s320/P4101456.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Tartan Sheep </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Lambs, just getting their tartan in.....<i></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQVyBGd6RMvSWwjtuq21XrQwdr-pj2TkKSuilh5FkZU2ZWq73YvEHGAjMNW1DWecf0FnxkNWAKTFiMDkFYP1V8KICsVRwdWdZWjtR8L94hg8MFHUSzwayG9puUuKyv2jI7PzubKQ4-xc/s1600/P4101454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQVyBGd6RMvSWwjtuq21XrQwdr-pj2TkKSuilh5FkZU2ZWq73YvEHGAjMNW1DWecf0FnxkNWAKTFiMDkFYP1V8KICsVRwdWdZWjtR8L94hg8MFHUSzwayG9puUuKyv2jI7PzubKQ4-xc/s320/P4101454.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Tartan Lambs</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Kids outside the Tardis.....<i></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypRh2TBM-LvHaaK4-dy8CK8fPAnOcobd4hJlQhhn_yasSwDe2PSP-CpRZRQJ0yIscdrzYhmkq6_4Jdj-VA1YcYA_bclaHr2ZvJEXlZhE7g4qpX8SlmSHbibOLhD0BCajSKi453QWsgtA/s1600/P4061436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypRh2TBM-LvHaaK4-dy8CK8fPAnOcobd4hJlQhhn_yasSwDe2PSP-CpRZRQJ0yIscdrzYhmkq6_4Jdj-VA1YcYA_bclaHr2ZvJEXlZhE7g4qpX8SlmSHbibOLhD0BCajSKi453QWsgtA/s320/P4061436.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Hello Doctor!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Don't want to really say too much about this one...........<i></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_laHYbsRuwHrY7LMWd44PO52g9IQfkK8JmNyxwBo6QBs0EV2H_CrK19f4RlPmNOhQ7V9hcywt9_dPtyBnxWbv_GslN1nCLEg_Ws3rgmVcQPVyiL9ZxgZSrVwLjh-yVz37RTXZuj6pTg/s1600/PC060063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_laHYbsRuwHrY7LMWd44PO52g9IQfkK8JmNyxwBo6QBs0EV2H_CrK19f4RlPmNOhQ7V9hcywt9_dPtyBnxWbv_GslN1nCLEg_Ws3rgmVcQPVyiL9ZxgZSrVwLjh-yVz37RTXZuj6pTg/s320/PC060063.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Falling asleep with random hat</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">And finally........<i></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49lyYz0wDd72rr3a-MHI73FFlXIQktcr-HXmNAGpx8TEgrEwJ1RbMJNfpPPIYv3O53y9GYiOaJT2S-X41KNrBaulXeHeUY2Ur3xRo-JmGOlY5NfS4ybzRwlSfb1BG_Y8ZBfsbGxRUAgI/s1600/P1311311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49lyYz0wDd72rr3a-MHI73FFlXIQktcr-HXmNAGpx8TEgrEwJ1RbMJNfpPPIYv3O53y9GYiOaJT2S-X41KNrBaulXeHeUY2Ur3xRo-JmGOlY5NfS4ybzRwlSfb1BG_Y8ZBfsbGxRUAgI/s320/P1311311.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Evening outside our window. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">True randomness can only come from within. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div>Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-62306870014536846022010-07-16T02:14:00.000-07:002010-07-16T02:14:47.368-07:00Cabin FeverThe month of <span style="font-size: large;">June</span> was <i><span style="font-size: large;">wonderful,</span></i> weather wise; the sun shone, we had BBQs, picnics in the park and the flipflops and sandals were dusted off for the duration. School came out on the very last week and we holidayed in the UK, with the sun hitting off our backs. Ah, it was glorious.............<br />
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Then July comes. The <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">rain</span> with it and it <span style="font-size: large;">Just Won't Stop</span><b>.</b> We're used to rain of course but after a while spent in cagouls, braving the park in the downpour or getting soaked on a short trip to the shops, it all starts to get a bit....well, wet. On top of it all, we are waiting to go camping...methinks the wait will linger a wee bit longer so I'm contemplating tossing us all on to a passing plane and heading for sunnier climes in Italy, France or Cornwall. Any suggestions?<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5BU9Tta8poEXgGDXb5oqkQgU9rSDG24OlQbFYxP8ZbkoNcZVOqY9m_Jj2Yfcuc6-_dnP5kX5a27JPkmjy3ZmPxYvl4YdHA71ufTV5YjuQYYbWHMyZQRQhsbfETgZ7WHW7syIOHuXsZI/s1600/P7116261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5BU9Tta8poEXgGDXb5oqkQgU9rSDG24OlQbFYxP8ZbkoNcZVOqY9m_Jj2Yfcuc6-_dnP5kX5a27JPkmjy3ZmPxYvl4YdHA71ufTV5YjuQYYbWHMyZQRQhsbfETgZ7WHW7syIOHuXsZI/s320/P7116261.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> Making Risotto </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Making risotto is <span style="font-size: large;">easy</span>; it may not seem it but it really is, as long as you are happy standing at the cooker for 20 minutes because this is how long it takes to cook. You make your stock and have it sitting next to you, still warm and ready to go alongside a glass of wine or champagne. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To begin, gently fry onions and garlic (or whatever else you want to use...mushrooms, celery etc.) in some olive oil and butter until soft. You add in the<i> unwashed</i> rice (I always add in a wee bit extra olive oil just before this) and 'gently fry' by stirring it around the oil for a good few minutes. When it looks like no oil is left and the rice appears translucent, then pour in the wine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The amount depends on how much risotto you are cooking; approx. 400g/14 oz rice-2 pints of stock- 2 glasses of wine or alcohol like Noilly Pratt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stir until all all the wine has been soaked up and then add a ladle of stock and a pinch of salt to the risotto. Stir until all the liquid is soaked up once again and repeat (without the salt!) until the stock has been used up. Take your time, don't rush it; as long as you stir and add in the stock a little at a time, you can't go wrong. It should take approx. 15 minutes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You must taste it at this point; I prefer the rice to be soft although it is supposed to have a tiny little bite to it and I stop cooking at this stage as it is still to 'mature'; more on that in a moment. If I don't feel the rice is ready by the time the stock runs out, I add in some water from the boiled kettle until it is. Check seasoning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Remove from the heat and add in a good handful of grated Parmesan alongside a great knob of butter (for the amount of cooked risotto above, approx. 4oz Parmesan and 2oz butter). Stir well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now for the maturation! You must put a lid on the pan and leave it to sit for approx. 2-3 minutes. This is when the risotto changes into a wonderful, creamy dish as the butter and Parmesan works it's magic, the rice continues to soften a little and it all matures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWshir4bIcnJh_A1maQd2XwDGluUNa-AGtCRvakIDV6iTjjTPu-IpN55gOsq6XYiv9qMWvv6IUYzUxM0EDDn2sRnpEreINNl6jDWm7jtmM621r79IGFmgLyCQB7LptSPa-2dEWx-ySlM/s1600/P7116262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWshir4bIcnJh_A1maQd2XwDGluUNa-AGtCRvakIDV6iTjjTPu-IpN55gOsq6XYiv9qMWvv6IUYzUxM0EDDn2sRnpEreINNl6jDWm7jtmM621r79IGFmgLyCQB7LptSPa-2dEWx-ySlM/s320/P7116262.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> A messy dod of risotto with peas but what a tasty dod it was!</i></div><br />
I like to add cooked peas to my risotto alongside another grating of Parmesan and a good grinding of black pepper. <span style="font-size: large;">Utterly delicious!</span> I always have loads left over and, although purists would be banging their heads off the keyboard at this, I put the remainder in the fridge and use it throughout the week as an accompaniment to dinners; it goes particularly well with roast chicken. Heat up in the microwave for 1 minute. Enjoy.Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-21383798491381675372010-07-14T08:05:00.000-07:002010-07-14T08:10:37.405-07:00Such a Tart!<div style="text-align: center;"><i>How to make a tart: </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6hTpyx3cpdC_868X3abae-1j5pklUaZH4ntFKAoW2I2devI0FvWZq-ok3nmyavZ7y5LIaSEyb7e-PW69k71DdCRM9-rh0qc1QFs4kTj7u9THxpcOyFSDK69G1SAQc6MyEEGppTETlxg/s1600/P7096223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6hTpyx3cpdC_868X3abae-1j5pklUaZH4ntFKAoW2I2devI0FvWZq-ok3nmyavZ7y5LIaSEyb7e-PW69k71DdCRM9-rh0qc1QFs4kTj7u9THxpcOyFSDK69G1SAQc6MyEEGppTETlxg/s320/P7096223.JPG" /></a><b>Make shortcrust pastry</b>: I make mine via <a href="http://www.channel4.com/food/on-tv/cookalong-live/cookalong-live-the-series/week-1/making-shortcrust-pastry-gordon-s-guide-08-10-20_p_1.html">Gordon Ramsay's recipe</a> but you can use whatever recipe you prefer or buy it from the chilled or frozen part of the supermarket-you can even buy it in sheets these days! <br />
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<b>Once you've made your pastry</b> and left it to rest (or opened up the packet...remember, if using frozen or chilled, let it come to room temperature first) then get ready to roll it out, using a rolling pin and a sprinkling of flour. I like my tarts a bit rough and ready so I use my tart tin to cut out the size of pastry I need and then give it another wee roll out to make it fit but you can use a saucer, a plate or anything round! I then butter my tart tins...any kind of tart, pie or cake tin will do...and lay the pastry onto it, pressing down and into the tin ensuring that there will be no air bubble underneath. <br />
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<b>You can par bake the pastry</b>, I usually do but only for five minutes; either pour some baking beans (specific beans for baking from good cake supply shops), rice or the easy option, a wee bit of tin foil in the middle of the pastry, where the filling will go. Bung it into a medium oven for five minutes and then bring out to cool slightly, removing the beans/foil/rice first.<br />
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<b>Ingredients of choice:</b> I always fill my tarts with the same mix; a beaten egg, approx. 5 tablespoons double cream, a good handful of Parmesan and plenty of seasoning-these are all mixed together to be poured on to whatever topping you prefer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBLWs7M9ZjrxjkCMsnpnmwfYSVcuhN6LFG-6LdKgbuta3HuHjLqq-BSNyocbt7-5HMtjgqkjfAE2N22gYWGGOpGj2oy6xD7dkXPgGYG5z1hA-HulgESjZ_sS0FVQ7a-41bAJhIDDm1xE/s1600/P7096216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBLWs7M9ZjrxjkCMsnpnmwfYSVcuhN6LFG-6LdKgbuta3HuHjLqq-BSNyocbt7-5HMtjgqkjfAE2N22gYWGGOpGj2oy6xD7dkXPgGYG5z1hA-HulgESjZ_sS0FVQ7a-41bAJhIDDm1xE/s320/P7096216.JPG" /></a></div>Red onions, chopped finely and sauted in a pan with some butter and olive oil. After a few minutes, add some crushed and chopped garlic to taste. Cook slowly until soft but not too browned. Let it cool and add to pastry.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrILLTiCdGfNAHJ3XrfjkgGwq2ewpAM6SlsdQQF13Jy7xPnaWA24yj0KWe5hnv7UbvGbK3Raolyn-FPbLSeU8ZuHxM-6L7vHLYANHuaUsLjvqVxJCZPbtfoEj9b0k6MZIkwCJtD4fKR8/s1600/P7096217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrILLTiCdGfNAHJ3XrfjkgGwq2ewpAM6SlsdQQF13Jy7xPnaWA24yj0KWe5hnv7UbvGbK3Raolyn-FPbLSeU8ZuHxM-6L7vHLYANHuaUsLjvqVxJCZPbtfoEj9b0k6MZIkwCJtD4fKR8/s320/P7096217.JPG" /></a></div>Add some chopped, sliced or crumbled goats cheese (or feta, or cheddar....) and place on top of onion mix.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CK9AcFl9KgcNFI_f9Kzcao2LnJfLDPVbY3niO3_r_nA1NAYh8o_weh_-ZywntEacQGhpTs534UfUWMId5gOHqffH0mEKAzWenEUP0z6ISDpassfSSu4S9cmmB2RUXyTqEMzpmvNyO-A/s1600/P7096218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CK9AcFl9KgcNFI_f9Kzcao2LnJfLDPVbY3niO3_r_nA1NAYh8o_weh_-ZywntEacQGhpTs534UfUWMId5gOHqffH0mEKAzWenEUP0z6ISDpassfSSu4S9cmmB2RUXyTqEMzpmvNyO-A/s320/P7096218.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Add dollops of pesto and either smooth out neatly or leave in lumps....whatever way you prefer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQH0N5kuyrWbTkriVEz2pTCinm5JDZT-hFcaaEySnqhf4Rm5h8qhI9FMFtjtYMNGzLvPxu8guh2oGi8zu30xo0Ps_-T4VN6NVBMBPBhZu_u4q1aVgbBF9ITO-hLDHWgV3Kx4F15p-YHI/s1600/P7096219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQH0N5kuyrWbTkriVEz2pTCinm5JDZT-hFcaaEySnqhf4Rm5h8qhI9FMFtjtYMNGzLvPxu8guh2oGi8zu30xo0Ps_-T4VN6NVBMBPBhZu_u4q1aVgbBF9ITO-hLDHWgV3Kx4F15p-YHI/s320/P7096219.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Pour in the creamy eggy batter til almost full but not too full because remember, it'll rise....and add some slices or halves of baby tomatoes, a basil leaf, a grating of Parmesan and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. I add a tiny squeeze of lemon juice too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYEArlIGtfhsWelwDcwwzQvm6oLUvGnf219-_29nEBr3CqfS782q-w6rbHH-baphiDLWYqbcqaewLYbzEyKAPxVKO-CZs6HXXAjozPYTf-4Iyb3O1OyAlAGb32mH18kJwMc7hLqClOk4/s1600/P7096221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYEArlIGtfhsWelwDcwwzQvm6oLUvGnf219-_29nEBr3CqfS782q-w6rbHH-baphiDLWYqbcqaewLYbzEyKAPxVKO-CZs6HXXAjozPYTf-4Iyb3O1OyAlAGb32mH18kJwMc7hLqClOk4/s320/P7096221.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Bake in oven until golden brown and puffy and remove to cool slightly. Can be eaten hot or cold.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVO6PUVtQ42XZaqIPhTKmx6rawT0JJvVLH8y55eMVjW3jWQwqSyptk-tMcGb7Fb3E1X0ydvbgtShf2pbWDdYiD47s0HtLetfJaB_5ViFoitoiiMqwVsWDUekDXRD7KG4BoUh7O8mOo5zI/s1600/P7096232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVO6PUVtQ42XZaqIPhTKmx6rawT0JJvVLH8y55eMVjW3jWQwqSyptk-tMcGb7Fb3E1X0ydvbgtShf2pbWDdYiD47s0HtLetfJaB_5ViFoitoiiMqwVsWDUekDXRD7KG4BoUh7O8mOo5zI/s320/P7096232.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I like a shallow tart sometimes so that there is lots of crust; this one was made in a large pie tin with artichokes instead of pesto and some rocket and basil. It was sliced into 8 and ate at random whenever anyone was hungry.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBZtOx2vC_IUwjmR_v8ZszIWGs76BS-6yWknzcqlJXoBFeEzgDKel8UUHl4zKvW5QQIJ5wHaciyadyjH4eUtR0hGl2d5ahtigf6nAOzX_Y9NxgPSHIftuClpNNa2Bf-rQkYg04Ay609g/s1600/P7096227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-31498402725876771752010-07-11T11:06:00.000-07:002010-07-11T23:16:22.917-07:00Yoga Bear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheuq56SFIRsmrAo6ndgzjdiSHVFSyhpfmjpvilZjj6EKk6v4nyeszy60n_x-01k8NUFPAeuG6E99L6kdxU64aVUjZSNWl6Wu21NBM-ltNgMBj4MDjcmtAqfLlKbKmMPt8o0lNijvDRA8/s1600/P7106249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheuq56SFIRsmrAo6ndgzjdiSHVFSyhpfmjpvilZjj6EKk6v4nyeszy60n_x-01k8NUFPAeuG6E99L6kdxU64aVUjZSNWl6Wu21NBM-ltNgMBj4MDjcmtAqfLlKbKmMPt8o0lNijvDRA8/s320/P7106249.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Ploughman's</i></div><br />
I woke up this morning like a bear with a sore head; the reason for this, quite frankly, out of character behaviour <span style="font-size: xx-small;">guffaw, I hear you cry</span> was sleeping in. I slept in for the first time in a long while and it did me no good at all. "Sleeping in is overrated!" I cried from the side of the bed, quickly followed by "It's someone else's fault!" and "Where is my TEA?!?".<br />
<br />
I grumped down the stairs and was greeted with the essential cuppa and no breakfast to speak off. "Sleeping in is definitely overrated" I grumbled from underneath my hot cup. When coffee was offered, the family ever hopeful that the caffeine would enter my system quickly, a brownie was proffered as an apology to the mum god for the lack of sustenance earlier. The brownie was accepted and, combined with the coffee, a new dawn broke and a wavering smile began at the corner of my mouth. All was well with the world once again.<br />
<br />
But still: brownie for breakfast? YUM!<br />
<br />
No sleeping in for me this week, even if I wanted to; this morning, I head off to a yoga course which continues throughout the week. I'm a wee bit nervous but really looking forward to it. It has me focusing on what I eat <span style="font-size: xx-small;">yes, Helen, because you certainly don't focus enough on what you eat........</span> and portion sizes as my main goal is to have enough energy without being too full, to retain momentum throughout the day without being floored by early morning yoga i.e. having to retire to my bed mid-afternoon<span style="font-size: xx-small;">... I have been known <span style="font-size: small;">or without the horrendous possibility of sleeping in...we know where that takes me<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> see above</span></span></span>. My yoga week lunch <span style="font-size: xx-small;">although there may be a few eaten in <a href="http://www.peckhams.co.uk/db.html?cat=gifts">Peckhams</a></span> and dinner menu, using ingredients in the pantry and leftovers from the past week's shopping and cooking is as follows:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Farfalle with Spinach & Watercress Pesto</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lentil Soup with Ham</div><div style="text-align: center;">Shredded Ham & Potato Cakes with Risotto</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pea & Ham Soup <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(from a chicken...? Now that's clever!...aye, the old adverts were the best 'uns) <span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stirfry</span></span> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Spinach & Watercress Pesto Muffins</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ham, Mustard & Homemade Chutney Sandwich<i> </i>with Potato & Leek Soup</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Red Onion & Cheddar Omelette with Crispy Salad and Toasted Linseeds </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pesto & Goat's Cheese Tart Slice with Roasted Tomatoes</span></span></div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> The kids and husband will have a few wee additions to this. This week's shopping won't be until Friday which will mean last weeks shop has lasted at least 10 days. Woohoo!</span></span><br />
<br />
We had Ploughman's for dinner on Saturday which consisted of Ham cooked in Coke, Homemade Bread & Chutney made with ginger, apples and raisins, Cheddar Cheese, Pickled Onions and Cucumber Slices. It was delicious!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOCvHYZSv4NCYCMqrAzzpqqempdvkzzPRMtALpNKcDvrLZik9XHlCD3bKRQ_KogTUrfn1zxqOi3OWU9gc0kJKtyAXdlv4f9K3VhkeIDkXdDOekludaxgDzYnY2iM_9WTSHtuqhf5o1gw/s1600/P7106243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOCvHYZSv4NCYCMqrAzzpqqempdvkzzPRMtALpNKcDvrLZik9XHlCD3bKRQ_KogTUrfn1zxqOi3OWU9gc0kJKtyAXdlv4f9K3VhkeIDkXdDOekludaxgDzYnY2iM_9WTSHtuqhf5o1gw/s320/P7106243.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Coked Ham...bet you thought it was a spelling mistake!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RU_Lug2Vp_rIdd_3rUzN_Gz4nO9CnJTHQJcXOr0ZV5gOwUi6JE41JJnqF2mG2TCUWNsec0utiBoR3V7o_vo5rPZ1-54aG9qt5H7ngMY98QJYk1sJo_CL2Vh956x2k6NBwX86MQ7h1YQ/s1600/P7106245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RU_Lug2Vp_rIdd_3rUzN_Gz4nO9CnJTHQJcXOr0ZV5gOwUi6JE41JJnqF2mG2TCUWNsec0utiBoR3V7o_vo5rPZ1-54aG9qt5H7ngMY98QJYk1sJo_CL2Vh956x2k6NBwX86MQ7h1YQ/s320/P7106245.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Quick and Easy Homemade Spicy Chutney</i> (recipe to follow)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Fish Pie last week was a hit:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGumHR39u3b4bTFM5i-74X8FSMZBCow3QDz9aSOuC3UdldSBNJZzAzTlhz_ppPSTUKt_IGNW04bJCcbK-L28w4sP825lj6KOyTZN9nL7zJkSXhgVScPE_pbLTW_at4oD4pRTsBhsXjCXk/s1600/fishpie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGumHR39u3b4bTFM5i-74X8FSMZBCow3QDz9aSOuC3UdldSBNJZzAzTlhz_ppPSTUKt_IGNW04bJCcbK-L28w4sP825lj6KOyTZN9nL7zJkSXhgVScPE_pbLTW_at4oD4pRTsBhsXjCXk/s320/fishpie2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Fish Pie with Mashed Potato Topping </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ingredients:</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 x lightly smoked salmon fillets (or non-smoked fillets)</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 x coley/cod or haddock fillet</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dash of olive oil or knob of butter </div><div style="text-align: center;">2 hard boiled eggs</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cooked petit pois or garden peas of choice</div><div style="text-align: center;">Half chopped onion</div><div style="text-align: center;">Half lemon</div><div style="text-align: center;">White sauce or light <a href="http://feedingfiveforfifty.blogspot.com/2010/03/harmony-was-hairspray.html">cheese sauce</a> (follow the <a href="http://feedingfiveforfifty.blogspot.com/2010/03/harmony-was-hairspray.html">recipe </a>but put in only a small handful of the cheese with some Parmesan or with no cheese at all)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mashed potatoes</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">* Wrap fish in foil with a squeeze of lemon juice and the remains of the lemon and a sprinkling of pepper. Bake in a medium heat for 8-10 minutes. When cooked, leave to one side.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> * Boil eggs. </div><div style="text-align: center;">* Make white or cheese sauce</div><div style="text-align: center;">* Heat oil or butter and saute chopped onion for a few minutes until softened but not browned.</div><div style="text-align: center;">*Cook peas in salted boiling water until just tender</div><div style="text-align: center;">* Boil potatoes and mash with butter, cream or milk and mash again with fork </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Flake fish, removing any skin or bones and add to sauce. Add any liquid. Stir and check for seasoning. You may want to add some nutmeg. Roughly chop up boiled eggs and add to pan with sauce and fish. Stir in cooked, drained peas and sauted onions. Pour into dish of choice, making sure the fish and sauce do not come up past half way; if it does, the sauce will leak out when you place the potato on top.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Top with mashed potatoes; use a spoon and place the potato at the edge of the dish, working round until there is only a hole left in the middle. Top this with more potatoes and smooth over with the back of the spoon. Using a teaspoon, mark the potato topping to resemble fish scales.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Place in a medium oven for 20-30 minutes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The cod was delicious:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELZtGS4v6hohOVS8iGdGLTXOdM5dMhFFHYhgEZI56sX-_UjI431Rhfc_Du3Y5JrStS8hWrl1DWWk3IfbwxBDjILOn4Pc-aKVrud6BoQFzr_1F87Jl5qEFb3LoT8FVakh8oHayu5PhpXw/s1600/P7066210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELZtGS4v6hohOVS8iGdGLTXOdM5dMhFFHYhgEZI56sX-_UjI431Rhfc_Du3Y5JrStS8hWrl1DWWk3IfbwxBDjILOn4Pc-aKVrud6BoQFzr_1F87Jl5qEFb3LoT8FVakh8oHayu5PhpXw/s320/P7066210.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Cod topped with spicy couscous served with rice and salad</i></div>Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-66118003952353422982010-07-09T05:17:00.000-07:002010-07-09T05:21:49.898-07:00Helen Ponders<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj94/heldophoto/radio-vintage-lady-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj94/heldophoto/radio-vintage-lady-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> Why is my hand stuck to a radio and why is my watch so darn tight? I'm going to pass out soon....gawd, I'm hungry.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div> <a href="http://www.themordaunts.com/The_Mordaunts/RantNRoll/RantNRoll.html">Laura</a> from <a href="http://www.themordaunts.com/">The Mordaunts</a> asked me: "I was wondering if you could give some hints/tip on how you got started with the weekly budget. I really need/want to do something similar. I am sure that we bleed money into our food budget constantly with our disorganized shopping. What are Auntie Helen's tricks for getting started on the road to food planning, food budgeting and food loving?" Ask, dear Laura, and ye shall recieve!<br />
<br />
I started with a well stocked pantry; my basic list would be as follows:<br />
<i>Cupboards: </i><br />
Rice<br />
Lentils<br />
Broth mix<br />
Chick peas<br />
Stock cubes<br />
Wide range of dried herbs and spices<br />
Dried chillies<br />
Maldon sea salt<br />
Olive and extra virgin olive oil<br />
Sesame oil<br />
Groundnut and vegetable oil<br />
Soy sauce<br />
Seeds and nuts<br />
Couscous<br />
Dried noodles (fine)<br />
Dried pasta<br />
Vinegar; balsamic, wine, etc.<br />
Tomato puree<br />
Chopped tomatoes<br />
Jarred artichokes<br />
<i> </i><br />
<i>Fresh:</i><br />
Herb plants<br />
Lemons<br />
Limes<br />
Onions<br />
Garlics<br />
Fresh chillies<br />
Ginger<br />
Potatoes <br />
Eggs<br />
<br />
<i>Fridge items:</i><br />
Cheese: Parmesan, cheddar, goats, feta<br />
Salad<br />
Butter<br />
Cream<br />
Milk<br />
Olives<br />
<br />
<i>Baking:</i><br />
Flour: plain, self-raising, wholemeal, bread <br />
Sugar: caster, icing (fine, superfine), brown, demerera <br />
Yeast<br />
Almond and vanilla extract<br />
Dark and milk chocolate <br />
Parchment paper<br />
<br />
You can make a multitude of meals with the items above and almost all of these will last for some time. To buy all these items at once would cost between £50-£75. That would be your first shop with some meat thrown in there for the week!<br />
<br />
Now that you have your basics, you want to write out your menu for the week with the following principles:<br />
* What meals does everyone like and what meals would I cook just for adults and just for kids? Minimise meals which need you to cook twice!<br />
* As a general rule of thumb, have one chicken, one meat, one fish, one pasta, one rice, one vegetable and two leftovers a week.<br />
* It's worth spending money on free range chicken; buy large and pick clean for another meal and for soup.<br />
*When buying meat, look out for special offers and cook large batches and freeze. Remember what you have in there so that you can add a frozen item onto your menu each week or so.<br />
*Use leftover chicken or meat to serve with pasta or couscous.<br />
*Even cooked veg can be kept to throw into soup or a pie.<br />
<br />
Get the whole family involved; ask them what their favourites are and ask them what new foods they'd be willing to try. Get the kids to eat favourites mixed with new flavours e.g. my kids like fish like salmon and coley and they like cheese sauce so I combined them with a smoked fish to make a fish pie and will add less cheese each time until I have a mainly white sauce.<br />
<br />
Get them to have routines: someone kneads the dough for the bread every Saturday, another cuts up all the vegetables for Sunday's roast....get them to give you suggestions as to what to add for flavour and try it out...in small batches!<br />
<br />
Shop once a week for the week ahead...if it lasts longer, great....you'll find this will happen from time to time as the freezer gets stocked up. Buy what you need as per your menu plan...write a shopping list....and also decide what you want for lunches and breakfast. Don't overdo the fresh ingredients unless you are willing to cook some meals in advance i.e. if you need fresh coriander for Friday's curry and it is Monday, do your weekly shopping on the Friday or buy a plant instead of cut herbs. Keep money aside for bread and milk from the local shop.<br />
<br />
Change the above to suit your own family and your own needs; set a budget that suits you and try to stick to it. Don't waste anything; if it needs used, cook it and freeze it, if it needs eaten, have it for dinner or freeze it...everything can be made into a pie, a stew or soup.....<i>everything</i>! <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Good luck!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSntAZY2-ra9j0kpYykfo_I84Dp2NAGT_6iAlxfVN5kRoDe_ynPLjYDzyKc40cscIjh8QEifqOkQDaIZMqgw9tiFoX6KQsg0CMPGnWsaMElpYO641DdVfx3BHhfpHBjw2fXoXPT7HokI/s1600/P7066204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSntAZY2-ra9j0kpYykfo_I84Dp2NAGT_6iAlxfVN5kRoDe_ynPLjYDzyKc40cscIjh8QEifqOkQDaIZMqgw9tiFoX6KQsg0CMPGnWsaMElpYO641DdVfx3BHhfpHBjw2fXoXPT7HokI/s320/P7066204.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Messy but very tasty brownies!</i></div>Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-37809851943383335542010-07-07T13:00:00.000-07:002010-07-07T13:00:09.134-07:00Back to BasicsThe shopping cost for the week came to under £40 (see receipt below); we have lots in the freezer and fridge and I think we should manage well for the next 10 days with £10 for sundries.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The menu this week:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj94/heldophoto/domesticgoddess2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj94/heldophoto/domesticgoddess2-1.jpg" width="303" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Recipes to follow!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lunches will be <b>coked ham, cheese, homemade bread, soup, salads and egg and cress sandwiches</b>. Desserts will no doubt involve lemons, since I bought a huge bag of them...I'm thinking <b>lemon meringue pie </b>and <b>lemon cake</b>, <b>brownies, cupcakes and pancakes</b>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Some dishes from the past month...... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2M-YB71_wOw7bgHMO1O7wf6Ufkhio_NjLSzUEhOrXgfP07fCP4hf7d6J_GDRZU2J5go_pCxBDV7RdKNe10UpsqCzgE81qKVMY2YG5vffp82jWVuVjBWZijJl-WIMBQc6mCxVhJmKprn8/s1600/P7056199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2M-YB71_wOw7bgHMO1O7wf6Ufkhio_NjLSzUEhOrXgfP07fCP4hf7d6J_GDRZU2J5go_pCxBDV7RdKNe10UpsqCzgE81qKVMY2YG5vffp82jWVuVjBWZijJl-WIMBQc6mCxVhJmKprn8/s320/P7056199.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">First attempt at <b>Whoopees</b>, so called because when the Amish men in America discovered them in their lunchboxes, they'd cry "whoopee!"; tasty but not quite the way they were meant to be. They're supposed to be half cake, half biscuit but they resembled giant gypsy creams and were definitely more cookie than crumble. Not that the kids complained! I made the first batch for Val G and they went down rather well at her hoose. They don't keep well though. I'll make another batch with the added addition of baking powder and post the recipe if it works. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuVXhyphenhyphenzBZE7kYlI1Qhdm1nLsC1WgUgw71MJ7BLaA74i-VZyvp21VBxD9df9H3GjnCB_w-JendTCuh-ZEMFjst0A4MXd1JcV9QWN2-AjDSFD6d0_o7n6CaJ2PZBVzY-bbuTGRZzzM8Vyo/s1600/P6215957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuVXhyphenhyphenzBZE7kYlI1Qhdm1nLsC1WgUgw71MJ7BLaA74i-VZyvp21VBxD9df9H3GjnCB_w-JendTCuh-ZEMFjst0A4MXd1JcV9QWN2-AjDSFD6d0_o7n6CaJ2PZBVzY-bbuTGRZzzM8Vyo/s320/P6215957.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Yet another tasty Salad</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0jkZPNwY61oGL-5vBloEJULrDFM2TwAfqca-Dg_px1r5EVjqbg7fTVws_rEEr5VzOHe6dyZWq6lZwMZA58U-1qI3lCfII2eEB1B_JWqWDEwNdaX2AZ_9kt5SfJca5O10v9oB5gpYOX0/s1600/P6155893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0jkZPNwY61oGL-5vBloEJULrDFM2TwAfqca-Dg_px1r5EVjqbg7fTVws_rEEr5VzOHe6dyZWq6lZwMZA58U-1qI3lCfII2eEB1B_JWqWDEwNdaX2AZ_9kt5SfJca5O10v9oB5gpYOX0/s320/P6155893.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Chicken Pie</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_p8EODiEJ6X9M2qu_naEitwYupC-hii79Ks9A_MOMDJGhGmY_ZbvsmtVE4qaxyj1Cq0dpo2mEXaYUmFqB7_0_N8WxFbDuYs_4vmlkG_AkJycIIyLJ-O69AjIzd58L89y7hV93uULnFYw/s1600/P6155894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_p8EODiEJ6X9M2qu_naEitwYupC-hii79Ks9A_MOMDJGhGmY_ZbvsmtVE4qaxyj1Cq0dpo2mEXaYUmFqB7_0_N8WxFbDuYs_4vmlkG_AkJycIIyLJ-O69AjIzd58L89y7hV93uULnFYw/s320/P6155894.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Mini Chicken Pies!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxPbZwQDs2kBpifano-WCE8WKvlkhcfot4EunziP66QcmXSGzf-AhqZ9qIDEx4p6Z56vsk_EIfCesL6PioTbp__6ckcEl7AEaw0htLNlhhTt_8ZhAjwFj5KFaYd6mkUUympErvoOyTwc/s1600/P6165904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxPbZwQDs2kBpifano-WCE8WKvlkhcfot4EunziP66QcmXSGzf-AhqZ9qIDEx4p6Z56vsk_EIfCesL6PioTbp__6ckcEl7AEaw0htLNlhhTt_8ZhAjwFj5KFaYd6mkUUympErvoOyTwc/s320/P6165904.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Helen is Happy With Her Chicken Pie. Can you tell?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145830460503886208.post-78698540648787856732010-07-05T03:15:00.000-07:002010-07-05T03:18:42.678-07:00Making Whoopee!It's been a month? Wow. June IS a busy time but still.<br />
<br />
I have been cooking <b>a lot</b>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Bzw8XE2NeG3wHxexp6VwbAZ8d8zCEbDrL-FITkWF9spm0FBzo7Rs1Guy0xTXW50lewYbED7TiaPR0gLMHy3qhwHy0QVJpgt-x_05sQceDs7xz5K-4w6y3LdQ29KlZzV-4WmL1-6esaM/s1600/P6175925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Bzw8XE2NeG3wHxexp6VwbAZ8d8zCEbDrL-FITkWF9spm0FBzo7Rs1Guy0xTXW50lewYbED7TiaPR0gLMHy3qhwHy0QVJpgt-x_05sQceDs7xz5K-4w6y3LdQ29KlZzV-4WmL1-6esaM/s320/P6175925.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Asparagus and Artichoke Salad with Poached Egg </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This salad was just delightful; I roasted the <b>asparagus</b> in the oven with a drizzle of olive oil, lemon juice, black pepper and sea salt for 6-8 minutes; it comes out perfectly cooked and so tasty. I tossed the <b>artichokes</b> in there half way through with some dried mint and added both to the salad of olive oil, honey and balsamic dressed leaves, <b>Iberico ham</b>, <b>goat's cheese</b> and cucumber topped with a <b>poached egg</b>. A salad fit for a queen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfSpPd8nz2Rl7YQDgRo2yKZ2AWem9KQFY5tz1U-7hh5VmPHpUqiwmCc3e8Vy1EeOpM1fUuazsyFULzOqkji-oyl_dQ1W8qRY2srWwVGqEL3xR-79To4_-MIs2ZmtP6VEOrUkMgBc4E_w/s1600/P6225974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfSpPd8nz2Rl7YQDgRo2yKZ2AWem9KQFY5tz1U-7hh5VmPHpUqiwmCc3e8Vy1EeOpM1fUuazsyFULzOqkji-oyl_dQ1W8qRY2srWwVGqEL3xR-79To4_-MIs2ZmtP6VEOrUkMgBc4E_w/s320/P6225974.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Cupcakes for Jo</i><br />
<i> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> </i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTy-MS9lixE875Awjku0-5mEsZ0cE1svelWmnUyTctt3tRNbkJaoYw7UAKPRKpGnh07YGpaO98_xzZmurE6x8DwNIJ0DlKRw_boyzl7sM3URIeUQ5vkOudwnUr6YJlzi9txhFsCIE77bY/s1600/P6225982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTy-MS9lixE875Awjku0-5mEsZ0cE1svelWmnUyTctt3tRNbkJaoYw7UAKPRKpGnh07YGpaO98_xzZmurE6x8DwNIJ0DlKRw_boyzl7sM3URIeUQ5vkOudwnUr6YJlzi9txhFsCIE77bY/s320/P6225982.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Pan-fried Salmon with sesame oil, linseeds and salad</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBrVSCLBC2zUeXT_OjFVXlDbsFQd0SjMt17_rQSzYO6348a4aGsPoqqCdq2Hh6BSOf0RmIQdQW3KtUtJnjHHieDaJPezLFk4FMz5PqduojIXp7h1bnb0vVMcw_z8gjubgWfpzhvi_8hY/s1600/P6215955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBrVSCLBC2zUeXT_OjFVXlDbsFQd0SjMt17_rQSzYO6348a4aGsPoqqCdq2Hh6BSOf0RmIQdQW3KtUtJnjHHieDaJPezLFk4FMz5PqduojIXp7h1bnb0vVMcw_z8gjubgWfpzhvi_8hY/s320/P6215955.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Artichoke and Iberico Ham Salad with Parmesan</i></div><br />
I have also been running around like the proverbial blue-bum fly trying to pack it all in in time for school finishing <span style="font-size: xx-small;">which was last week</span>. When the last day came, it was a blessed relief! The kids played in the park with their friends; the park throbbed with mums, dads and kids having picnics, riding their bikes, playing on the swings.....the sun shone and we all exhaled, knowing we had 7 weeks of holiday time with the kids to look forward to. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"> I say we<b> all</b> exhaled; some will hold their breath for the entire 7 weeks, some will be ok for the first 4 until they find they want to run away screaming to the hills and some will just grin and bear it...e.ach to their own; right <b>now </b>I'm happy.........!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Q3T_MCVrNOh_FlfZgmNxf6Qy170CM9sk34sUU8IuOrriF5AqDTVjGwd8bEOC5c9H-bJ_6VGmujKXRk1I0bzOR0wCUbCknOVc90ZNXntJieIT7GH9Kkt4WTGavAmTPGjL-Ws-avIO5Vs/s1600/P6175936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Q3T_MCVrNOh_FlfZgmNxf6Qy170CM9sk34sUU8IuOrriF5AqDTVjGwd8bEOC5c9H-bJ_6VGmujKXRk1I0bzOR0wCUbCknOVc90ZNXntJieIT7GH9Kkt4WTGavAmTPGjL-Ws-avIO5Vs/s320/P6175936.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> I want my holiday to begin NOW!</i></div><br />
We went on holiday to <a href="http://www.crieffhydro.com/">Crieff Hydro</a> and then <a href="http://www.altontowers.com/">Alton Towers</a>, the biggest theme park in the UK; again, the sun shone and the kids had a ball. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDo_6PSDZRwmbWPSNKHgmp_wdc6L5vjT3K2W9d58ARdDpIMxCPbBK6E8t2_e0ki7qTMu7RjLfwI4z9omINRHejRDaXdCtDKwror8Se8J2UcJndnbF9Ls1j0yOJWz9C2Rr0ZflxxiYn1c/s1600/P6286042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDo_6PSDZRwmbWPSNKHgmp_wdc6L5vjT3K2W9d58ARdDpIMxCPbBK6E8t2_e0ki7qTMu7RjLfwI4z9omINRHejRDaXdCtDKwror8Se8J2UcJndnbF9Ls1j0yOJWz9C2Rr0ZflxxiYn1c/s320/P6286042.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Crieff Hydro with sis and niece </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKH4F4d85iuCcfb-ClJb64bNJMtDVR8w1w_MuSM_fkKY9grEg8FCaESMSwP3yHHNhIS1fg_8l0CH6qFBzRzPEgVc3ynYjm176OlttOyFzLR6kDbsHfP_Ha1rwENcI27_0eOjzEYXyN-s/s1600/P6286017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKH4F4d85iuCcfb-ClJb64bNJMtDVR8w1w_MuSM_fkKY9grEg8FCaESMSwP3yHHNhIS1fg_8l0CH6qFBzRzPEgVc3ynYjm176OlttOyFzLR6kDbsHfP_Ha1rwENcI27_0eOjzEYXyN-s/s320/P6286017.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Beautiful view over Crieff </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFi4cxGxoG1pIsqSr8SLXYoKwbHf0cXWUEdEAhG9vzXVVxv8pEFzoXMIYHVBNL2zg5wfBchrmmaLqDfm6fCvQInc-IankZwfXD4vj8JaaMouE7FAtDbh7DpmzqwpZyDdRhOhknpYEHDPM/s1600/P6286006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFi4cxGxoG1pIsqSr8SLXYoKwbHf0cXWUEdEAhG9vzXVVxv8pEFzoXMIYHVBNL2zg5wfBchrmmaLqDfm6fCvQInc-IankZwfXD4vj8JaaMouE7FAtDbh7DpmzqwpZyDdRhOhknpYEHDPM/s320/P6286006.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Lunch shenanigans </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZQfznQOMh84_NN-d5lYkPSd7VsAuzCiTqnB3yn2ahRSpzbTVHyr_kzAWYPmvdsRjzyhQbv1ZiAK6wnlLSB2So-rVKciWD6ecBem-5BB2miVGH52nnHXSPhouGRiL48A3lYdcUUCy0tE/s1600/P6286031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZQfznQOMh84_NN-d5lYkPSd7VsAuzCiTqnB3yn2ahRSpzbTVHyr_kzAWYPmvdsRjzyhQbv1ZiAK6wnlLSB2So-rVKciWD6ecBem-5BB2miVGH52nnHXSPhouGRiL48A3lYdcUUCy0tE/s320/P6286031.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Beautiful horses</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> </i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mRS3-L4EVnnOKTBGhbqxlk4L78BAqMprI-5PPKOqDUBu9EAxz34nY5V9LiB0p8Cg9kZvlxPdTSXE3ny06Rdcl0eqtt-Pl5H_24lQpHNphlzThZrvgClUU2DDPU8KgqCUpZckuVLpeKk/s1600/P6286039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mRS3-L4EVnnOKTBGhbqxlk4L78BAqMprI-5PPKOqDUBu9EAxz34nY5V9LiB0p8Cg9kZvlxPdTSXE3ny06Rdcl0eqtt-Pl5H_24lQpHNphlzThZrvgClUU2DDPU8KgqCUpZckuVLpeKk/s320/P6286039.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Feeding them grass</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvU-s5DdbysODTXUYpwPTkh1zdwIv9vNsWaJK50gmtsVA8UNIO2mSel1P5JU7H0npJ_RNpZqcEXU8J6YMgJSlkK-weY7_syk8OEbt-_eZTi_yo9QSBLP7qdp0l3IVy-9w6gLsDBDAdQQ/s1600/P6286045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvU-s5DdbysODTXUYpwPTkh1zdwIv9vNsWaJK50gmtsVA8UNIO2mSel1P5JU7H0npJ_RNpZqcEXU8J6YMgJSlkK-weY7_syk8OEbt-_eZTi_yo9QSBLP7qdp0l3IVy-9w6gLsDBDAdQQ/s320/P6286045.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Hydro Reception...happy to be there!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBVXwdYy5tGKMI8TPYmfqDOKCRhMCrRQRZH71mq5LQ0jWXBJwt3sYgVLw0K62r6y_CYWctaNtXCLmDCRDWbuRdLOaJS0lxS0kH2iej8cw4lleFvOgeWr1LU7ROncsDoR1oRBlogyEV94/s1600/P6296047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBVXwdYy5tGKMI8TPYmfqDOKCRhMCrRQRZH71mq5LQ0jWXBJwt3sYgVLw0K62r6y_CYWctaNtXCLmDCRDWbuRdLOaJS0lxS0kH2iej8cw4lleFvOgeWr1LU7ROncsDoR1oRBlogyEV94/s320/P6296047.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Entering Alton Towers </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdP2zdRYoe4MyYEWQ4s2PIc375VOB6qtb_fFU5qOkuZi5U_aOc-fyxUbrshI0If8lIxGLZ_SgIhI5vjPkree5QhaNBippP62z1lZZAFAG-J3g8M4esMj3q9oii8zgnX0ZfuOS27jQeoGA/s1600/P6306069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZe7XKXw2hLOmOaQOznhYCtpcAqMDqTtK-6zs7nAT3tCMVRJg0a1lKOtmnjKDK8YcxoOmmGSj9eXSrJhtnJ9Pv0cqtqmZ8eUKJriiBtuUObGKZNtzLKiTT-6eDrjNbtZ3bYyhkGYXd0A/s1600/P6306070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZe7XKXw2hLOmOaQOznhYCtpcAqMDqTtK-6zs7nAT3tCMVRJg0a1lKOtmnjKDK8YcxoOmmGSj9eXSrJhtnJ9Pv0cqtqmZ8eUKJriiBtuUObGKZNtzLKiTT-6eDrjNbtZ3bYyhkGYXd0A/s320/P6306070.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>One of the tamer rides! </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On holiday we had <b>salads, haggis, fajitas, creme brulee, hotdogs, hotpots, steak sandwiches</b> and lots of<b> fruit</b> and <b>wine</b>! Pretty tasty fayre, all in all. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On our return journey, we stopped off at Morecambe Beach;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenjOXh3bFgc0_5F5KanPTGlOzeLX8T2ecj0aIr2FoAoev6NH8CPTtrzzVu4z9dOrZPDCniQc0QLrZeUNg4tHfuDHpxs7mtrNKkVLmm8-a6RupR39eL5OqUZNcZLfKFJhn5S9F1_DA7T4/s1600/P7016083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenjOXh3bFgc0_5F5KanPTGlOzeLX8T2ecj0aIr2FoAoev6NH8CPTtrzzVu4z9dOrZPDCniQc0QLrZeUNg4tHfuDHpxs7mtrNKkVLmm8-a6RupR39eL5OqUZNcZLfKFJhn5S9F1_DA7T4/s320/P7016083.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Jumping for Joy! </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5_Q6Gm4ej8lsLf03ofLXtr64TQAXAv4kyDyA_RCGlmBFxowQqO5Ryd2LVMEPYe2rrZuAxN-z44uNzJx6r6hQIuoKRazYaW_Og-GZOlGOW_3PUcV99GP-Y6aLOXdTHqSlFsQ1YggHiKE/s1600/P7026148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5_Q6Gm4ej8lsLf03ofLXtr64TQAXAv4kyDyA_RCGlmBFxowQqO5Ryd2LVMEPYe2rrZuAxN-z44uNzJx6r6hQIuoKRazYaW_Og-GZOlGOW_3PUcV99GP-Y6aLOXdTHqSlFsQ1YggHiKE/s320/P7026148.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>It's always good to be home. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYESSPWwMk8cIzm96hiGvRwLyg-dlCSh5F5bOcy7ONw2I-DJS52Ndi4o5nhp8Sql4dSeiIfR5GaM7KcM_8PQfYiuncdyInbR2uTzr2_vMxDapSat_iUBJ40HqGmN3TWMwSgo-El5Lfbg/s1600/P7036188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYESSPWwMk8cIzm96hiGvRwLyg-dlCSh5F5bOcy7ONw2I-DJS52Ndi4o5nhp8Sql4dSeiIfR5GaM7KcM_8PQfYiuncdyInbR2uTzr2_vMxDapSat_iUBJ40HqGmN3TWMwSgo-El5Lfbg/s320/P7036188.JPG" />.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Roast chicken with lemon and thyme </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On coming home, we cooked up a roast chicken, stuffed with lemon and thyme, Jersey Royal potatoes drizzled with olive oil, butter and sea salt, roasted potatoes, steamed broccoli and baby sweetcorn, peas and green beans coated in pesto...a new discovery and really delicious.... rice, gremolata breadcrumbs<i> </i>(toasted breadcrumbs with parsely, lemon rind and garlic), gravy made with the juices from the pan with a glass of champagne added and reduced<i>.</i> A lovely home cooked meal.<i></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nGS0qNqQbzJF6dUl1QiKLIBX93v0cIaTh70cZzjLTZuq5RhvxJSWY6yfj7Inw_XgjmzTsTeW49W2uzVGcnPy0z0ehJ3yWMMG11E5RJ6I2QbbgBn2jYCeXh1Eldx3SVbNr5KyLG5G2Pc/s1600/P7036193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nGS0qNqQbzJF6dUl1QiKLIBX93v0cIaTh70cZzjLTZuq5RhvxJSWY6yfj7Inw_XgjmzTsTeW49W2uzVGcnPy0z0ehJ3yWMMG11E5RJ6I2QbbgBn2jYCeXh1Eldx3SVbNr5KyLG5G2Pc/s320/P7036193.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbViBw6XMYn4R56MxEO2R_-NvTV2siN8fOaHZAgx7q6SQxD4upHg7d5tyHCpHAx72vx3IxDWUqXyhVHX9Fs-hBbvOTjP0oHYPvVOIsLDfUHqj6XaHVn1EBj2qZuYa6IxZNayNLN08wYKA/s1600/P7026186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbViBw6XMYn4R56MxEO2R_-NvTV2siN8fOaHZAgx7q6SQxD4upHg7d5tyHCpHAx72vx3IxDWUqXyhVHX9Fs-hBbvOTjP0oHYPvVOIsLDfUHqj6XaHVn1EBj2qZuYa6IxZNayNLN08wYKA/s320/P7026186.JPG" />.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Crepes stuffed with Nutella and banana, topped with icing sugar and ice cream from the local Italian cafe. Mmmmmmm.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> </i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PkFbx3jWYVgQ6ESHUm3x-H2MIBw_srYu0CdIzFKLX8AmcjWfL-5bTdQesQySJkUtH-fnZLuF1XTaNzN9jYvIP8xEKz5hLQF12epMoeBly8UaFJpTz0XLofTRtUpxp1V3duQ1QiBHHsY/s1600/P7046196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PkFbx3jWYVgQ6ESHUm3x-H2MIBw_srYu0CdIzFKLX8AmcjWfL-5bTdQesQySJkUtH-fnZLuF1XTaNzN9jYvIP8xEKz5hLQF12epMoeBly8UaFJpTz0XLofTRtUpxp1V3duQ1QiBHHsY/s320/P7046196.JPG" />...</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And now I try and redeem myself for the rest of the week; <i>roasted tomatoes drizzled with pesto on Ryvita</i>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> Today, I make <b>Whoopees</b> for the first time; they're just out of the oven, the first batch going to Val's house today...watch this space for results. They have been cooked in the USA for some time now and have come to these shores, looking to dethrone the cupcakes crown. A cross between a cake and a cookie, sandwiched between a layer of vanilla buttercream, they may just do that very thing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Helen McGinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250noreply@blogger.com12