Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Leftover Pizza...
...that was tonight's fair.
After an hour of yoga I felt much better and did some work then walked to school. I took the long way and walked for over an hour and nearly got run over by a big, stupid truck. At the traffic lights too!
I then took the kids to the park until 5pm so we got back tired, hungry and unable to function properly so pizza was heaved from the recesses of the freezer and shoved into a a rather cool oven. No-one noticed how bad it was, except me but the funny thing about hunger is that even crappy, cool pizza tastes like nectar from the gods. We all ate it in front of the tv watching a ridiculous family movie (Yours, Mine & Ours) and Kelly and I even cried with the twins pointing at us and laughing.
The night is still young, Brian goes to fight pretend foes tonight and I shall look out all the summer clothes for our holiday. I'm living the life of a movie star! Have a good Tuesday everyone.
After an hour of yoga I felt much better and did some work then walked to school. I took the long way and walked for over an hour and nearly got run over by a big, stupid truck. At the traffic lights too!
I then took the kids to the park until 5pm so we got back tired, hungry and unable to function properly so pizza was heaved from the recesses of the freezer and shoved into a a rather cool oven. No-one noticed how bad it was, except me but the funny thing about hunger is that even crappy, cool pizza tastes like nectar from the gods. We all ate it in front of the tv watching a ridiculous family movie (Yours, Mine & Ours) and Kelly and I even cried with the twins pointing at us and laughing.
The night is still young, Brian goes to fight pretend foes tonight and I shall look out all the summer clothes for our holiday. I'm living the life of a movie star! Have a good Tuesday everyone.
Tired today...and yesterday.
I usually work through the tiredness; I think "If I wasn't doing this, I'd be sitting doing nothing" and that can't happen as there is always so much to do. Well, yesterday I kind of took the day off. I still cleaned and hoovered and ironed. I still made dinner. But I stayed in my tartan trousers, I applied no make-up...I didn't even pull a comb through my hair.
There was no frantic running. There was not a sign of urgency. Instead, I shuffled.
I walked slowly from room to room, half completing tasks and kicking the occasional teddy bear. Most of my time was spent blogging. Having never blogged as much before, I have to say it was great fun although my head started to hurt after staring at the computer for so long and my body went into a mild shock at not having done any walking. But that aside, it was fun.
A holiday.
I'm still tired today. I still have my tartan trousers on. You should see my hair; I went to bed with it wet and now I'm a fully signed up member of the Hair Bear Bunch (anyone younger than 35 won't have a clue what I'm on about!). I haven't yet placed a mascara wand near my eyes.
So, I'm at a crossroads: do I get dressed, do the housework, cook, do some paid work, go for my usual walk and generally run around like the proverbial blue-arsed fly or do I have another chillin' day? I think I already know the answer....*sigh*. Better go put on another pot of coffee....
There was no frantic running. There was not a sign of urgency. Instead, I shuffled.
I walked slowly from room to room, half completing tasks and kicking the occasional teddy bear. Most of my time was spent blogging. Having never blogged as much before, I have to say it was great fun although my head started to hurt after staring at the computer for so long and my body went into a mild shock at not having done any walking. But that aside, it was fun.
A holiday.
I'm still tired today. I still have my tartan trousers on. You should see my hair; I went to bed with it wet and now I'm a fully signed up member of the Hair Bear Bunch (anyone younger than 35 won't have a clue what I'm on about!). I haven't yet placed a mascara wand near my eyes.
So, I'm at a crossroads: do I get dressed, do the housework, cook, do some paid work, go for my usual walk and generally run around like the proverbial blue-arsed fly or do I have another chillin' day? I think I already know the answer....*sigh*. Better go put on another pot of coffee....
Monday, June 15, 2009
Pasta Supper
Want a really quick, tasty but low fat (and cheap) pasta supper? Then try the following recipe I just made for my tea; it was really good, it took 10 minutes to cook, preparation was minimal and I couldn't eat it all as it was incredibly filling.
Pasta Supper
4 Tomatoes (or more) cut into quarters
Pesto (yes, I know but I love the stuff and I made A LOT!)
Goats Cheese
Salt and Pepper
Spaghetti (100g)
Put oven on to around 200 Celsius
Drizzle pesto over tomatoes, around a tablespoon and add sea salt & black pepper.
Crumble over a little goats cheese to taste...feta would work just as well.
Place in oven. After around 5 or so minutes, put water on to boil for spaghetti. Cook spaghetti as per instructions and drain.
Take tomatoes out of oven and blend 3/4 of them in a blender...if no blender then mash with a fork.
Pour blended mix over spaghetti and bowl up! Arrange the remaining tomatoes around the plate. Enjoy.
I'm not a calorie counter...life is too short, right? However, I'd say I'm more aware these days and for future reference, I've worked out that this pasta comes to 458 calories for the full serving. See the following breakdown:
350 calories for 100g uncooked spaghetti
0 calories for tomatoes
58 calories in pesto although as you are all well aware, mine was made without pine nuts!
50 calories for the goats cheese (the creamy kind, used around 25g)
Total calories 458 which is pretty good going; I didn't finish mine tonight as it was too much. The amount of sauce was enough for 2 so if you were to add another 50g pasta then the total for two would be 633 or 316 per serving. No wonder I'm losing weight.
The approx. cost of this per serving is 55 pence. Yup, you heard right.
Asda Spaghetti on offer at 2 for £1, 1kg pasta. Per 150g therefore is 15 pence.
Tomatoes approx. 14 pence each x 4=56 pence
Goats cheese cost 25p (Asda £10 per kg)
Pesto I'm just going to estimate at 15 pence per tablespoon although it could well be less.
Total Cost=£1.11/2= 55 pence per serving!! Goodness...who says you can't eat well for less?
Pasta Supper
4 Tomatoes (or more) cut into quarters
Pesto (yes, I know but I love the stuff and I made A LOT!)
Goats Cheese
Salt and Pepper
Spaghetti (100g)
Put oven on to around 200 Celsius
Drizzle pesto over tomatoes, around a tablespoon and add sea salt & black pepper.
Crumble over a little goats cheese to taste...feta would work just as well.
Place in oven. After around 5 or so minutes, put water on to boil for spaghetti. Cook spaghetti as per instructions and drain.
Take tomatoes out of oven and blend 3/4 of them in a blender...if no blender then mash with a fork.
Pour blended mix over spaghetti and bowl up! Arrange the remaining tomatoes around the plate. Enjoy.
I'm not a calorie counter...life is too short, right? However, I'd say I'm more aware these days and for future reference, I've worked out that this pasta comes to 458 calories for the full serving. See the following breakdown:
350 calories for 100g uncooked spaghetti
0 calories for tomatoes
58 calories in pesto although as you are all well aware, mine was made without pine nuts!
50 calories for the goats cheese (the creamy kind, used around 25g)
Total calories 458 which is pretty good going; I didn't finish mine tonight as it was too much. The amount of sauce was enough for 2 so if you were to add another 50g pasta then the total for two would be 633 or 316 per serving. No wonder I'm losing weight.
The approx. cost of this per serving is 55 pence. Yup, you heard right.
Asda Spaghetti on offer at 2 for £1, 1kg pasta. Per 150g therefore is 15 pence.
Tomatoes approx. 14 pence each x 4=56 pence
Goats cheese cost 25p (Asda £10 per kg)
Pesto I'm just going to estimate at 15 pence per tablespoon although it could well be less.
Total Cost=£1.11/2= 55 pence per serving!! Goodness...who says you can't eat well for less?
Ritzy Chicken Nuggets or Battered Chicken!
I changed my banner. Yeah for Photobucket!
For years, I've been feeding my kids Nigella Lawson's 'Ritzy Chicken Nuggets'. They don't particularly sound fabulous but actually, they are and are just as tasty if not more so in an adult salad with a mustard dressing. They are very moreish and I always have to remember the old adage: 'Little Pickers Wear Big Knickers'. My advice? Don't make too many or you'll be squashing them boiling hot into your gub before the kids catch you.
The chicken is marinaded for at least a day so you need to buy the chicken and buttermilk in advance for tomorrow's tea!
Ritzy Chicken Nuggets
2 chicken breasts
1 tub buttermilk (usually 285 ml)
150 g Ritz crackers
125ml vegetable oil
Place the chicken in a plastic bag and get rid of all that pent up aggression by battering them with a rolling pin....very cathartic. Probably best doing one breast at a time or wee holes appear in the bag and the chicken starts trying to escape...not a fun sight.
Take out of bag and cut around 8 goujons per breast. Place chicken in a freezer bag or bowl and cover with buttermilk. Leave to marinade for 1 or 2 days. The chicken turns opaque and is very, very tender so these cook quickly.
Put the Ritz crackers into a bag and have another go at releasing that pent up anger by smashing them to bits with said rolling pin or shoe or even head...whatever takes your fancy that day. I must admit to adding a little salt and pepper but there is no real need. Roll the chicken in the crumbs and then heat oil in frying pan. These nuggets will take only a few minutes each side to cook...as soon as they turn brown, turn them over. Transfer to kitchen towel and blot dry.
I serve these with either rice, baked potatoes or potato salad and vegetables. Tomato sauce or mayonnaise is a pre-requisite. Watch kids devour them and look on in jealousy, hoping someone leaves you a morsel.
For years, I've been feeding my kids Nigella Lawson's 'Ritzy Chicken Nuggets'. They don't particularly sound fabulous but actually, they are and are just as tasty if not more so in an adult salad with a mustard dressing. They are very moreish and I always have to remember the old adage: 'Little Pickers Wear Big Knickers'. My advice? Don't make too many or you'll be squashing them boiling hot into your gub before the kids catch you.
The chicken is marinaded for at least a day so you need to buy the chicken and buttermilk in advance for tomorrow's tea!
Ritzy Chicken Nuggets
2 chicken breasts
1 tub buttermilk (usually 285 ml)
150 g Ritz crackers
125ml vegetable oil
Place the chicken in a plastic bag and get rid of all that pent up aggression by battering them with a rolling pin....very cathartic. Probably best doing one breast at a time or wee holes appear in the bag and the chicken starts trying to escape...not a fun sight.
Take out of bag and cut around 8 goujons per breast. Place chicken in a freezer bag or bowl and cover with buttermilk. Leave to marinade for 1 or 2 days. The chicken turns opaque and is very, very tender so these cook quickly.
Put the Ritz crackers into a bag and have another go at releasing that pent up anger by smashing them to bits with said rolling pin or shoe or even head...whatever takes your fancy that day. I must admit to adding a little salt and pepper but there is no real need. Roll the chicken in the crumbs and then heat oil in frying pan. These nuggets will take only a few minutes each side to cook...as soon as they turn brown, turn them over. Transfer to kitchen towel and blot dry.
I serve these with either rice, baked potatoes or potato salad and vegetables. Tomato sauce or mayonnaise is a pre-requisite. Watch kids devour them and look on in jealousy, hoping someone leaves you a morsel.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Frozen Yoghurt
I tried to make frozen yoghurt. I do not know if I shall succeed. Did I bother looking out a recipe? Noooo. I don't know who I think I am but if it doesn't work, it is a waste of good yoghurt, Green & Black's dark chocolate, a handful of sugar and some vanilla.
I am waiting with baited breath until 10pm. Is that too late to be eating frozen dessert?
Nah. 'Course not.
I am waiting with baited breath until 10pm. Is that too late to be eating frozen dessert?
Nah. 'Course not.
Sunday Chilling
It's Sunday already and we're chilling, tidying up and generally making a nuisance of ourselves. Tonight's dinner will be:
Soy Sesame Chicken Skewers and Rice.
2 chicken breasts
soy sauce
honey
lemon juice
sesame oil
sesame seeds
Onion
Peppers
Rice
Cucumber
Yoghurt
Chop chicken, onion and peppers into chunks and marinade in the following mix:
4 tablespoons soy sauce, a drizzle of sesame oil and honey, juice from 1 lemon. Leave for 4 hours or overnight. Lightly toast sesame seeds and coat chicken pieces, quantity to taste. Place onto skewers alongside onions and peppers (mushrooms also work well) and cook on griddle, frying pan or bbq until brown and cooked through. You can also cook these in the oven, if you prefer. Soak the skewers first to stop them from burning.
Cook rice as per instructions and mix with chopped cucumber.
Place yoghurt, approx. 5 tablespoons in a bowl and mix with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Serve rice, skewers and yoghurt with some pitta if you feel like it. Enjoy.
Soy Sesame Chicken Skewers and Rice.
2 chicken breasts
soy sauce
honey
lemon juice
sesame oil
sesame seeds
Onion
Peppers
Rice
Cucumber
Yoghurt
Chop chicken, onion and peppers into chunks and marinade in the following mix:
4 tablespoons soy sauce, a drizzle of sesame oil and honey, juice from 1 lemon. Leave for 4 hours or overnight. Lightly toast sesame seeds and coat chicken pieces, quantity to taste. Place onto skewers alongside onions and peppers (mushrooms also work well) and cook on griddle, frying pan or bbq until brown and cooked through. You can also cook these in the oven, if you prefer. Soak the skewers first to stop them from burning.
Cook rice as per instructions and mix with chopped cucumber.
Place yoghurt, approx. 5 tablespoons in a bowl and mix with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Serve rice, skewers and yoghurt with some pitta if you feel like it. Enjoy.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Food for thought.
I realised immediately that my resolve for not drinking too much would be put to the test by who turned up and how good the band were. I'm not for a minute attributing blame for my gin habit to those friends who buy double measures (you know who you are) but it can and does add to the quantity consumed; add a good band with excellent covers and you never know what could happen.
As it turned out, the band were good, including a particularly well versed Pink Floyd rendition (although the Frankie Goes to Hollywood cover kind of threw me off track, despite taking me right back to my youth) and a Kasabian number. The people were not the kind to force feed anyone and in fact, in that particular crowd, I'm probably the imbiber. This was no bacchanal evening however and a few gin and tonics with a glass of wine thrown in met our needs.
I was unsure beforehand of course and took the precaution of having scooby snacks ready in the fridge, lots of bottled water and a low fat, tasty dinner just an hour before going out. Cannae take that hangover, girls.
I opted for a undyed smoked haddock fillet and having quantities left of pesto sans pine nuts, I decided to try it with the fish. Pesto goes amazingly well with lemon sole and that is in fact one of my favourite dishes: lemon sole with pesto, crispy courgettes, spinach and sauce verde. More on that later! I placed the fish on foil, smothered it with the pesto and squeezed a little lemon juice atop alongside a few thin slices.
I packaged up the foil and placed it onto a tin, ready for the oven. I then chopped up a selection of tomatoes, spring onions and red pepper, mixed it all with a little pesto, added some fresh thyme, salt and pepper and placed in the tin alongside the wrapped fish.
The fish and salad veg was placed into a hot oven, bottom shelf as the chicken was cooking for the kids and Brian on the top shelf, for 10 minutes. I served it on a bed of mixed leaves including watercress and spinach as well as some rice and green beans.
The kids and Brian had roasted lemon and thyme chicken, roasted pearl potatoes, thrown into the chicken 30 minutes before the end. Once the chicken was cooked, it was plated and wrapped in foil to rest. The heat was turned up on the oven and the potatoes put back in-they start to caremalise at this stage because of the lemon juice and chicken gravy still inside the dish. That was served with rice and green beans.
So, today, I awoke with only a very mild sore head, thanks to the water, toast and butter and sleep I had last night. It was all go today with parties, walking and the likes so the traditional rolls and bacon were consumed with some frozen yoghurt and berries as an afternoon snack. I felt in the need for some stodge but needed to get it from somewhere other than the chippy! So I made my own version of fried fish and chips....calamari. The recipe for this is as follows and it really was perfect, not too high in fat and I'm full and happy.
Salt and Pepper Calamari with Mixed Rice
A handful of calamari, washed and dried. Calamari is incredibly cheap, the amount I used costing around 70 pence.
Sesame oil
Flour
salt and pepper
Chilli flakes
Vegetable oil for frying
Cooked Rice (I used yesterday's leftovers)
Chopped peppers, cucumber and spring onion and whatever else takes your fancy.
Green Beans
Drizzle over the calamari a small amount of sesame oil, salt and pepper, and mix. Roll in the following mixture: two tablespoons flour, lots of freshly ground black pepper, a good pinch of sea salt, chilli flakes to taste.
Pour oil in pan to cover bottom. Get really hot and add the calamari in batches...don't crowd the pan. The secret to tender, tasty calamari is to treat it like meat: you either cook it very quickly over a high heat or stew it slowly for a long time over a low heat. Cook quickly until the outside turns brown and then turn over. This should only take a few minutes. Place on kitchen towel to dry.
Mix chopped veg into the rice, sprinkle over some soy sauce and place the calamari on top. Eat with chopsticks and enjoy. Hangover, begone!
As it turned out, the band were good, including a particularly well versed Pink Floyd rendition (although the Frankie Goes to Hollywood cover kind of threw me off track, despite taking me right back to my youth) and a Kasabian number. The people were not the kind to force feed anyone and in fact, in that particular crowd, I'm probably the imbiber. This was no bacchanal evening however and a few gin and tonics with a glass of wine thrown in met our needs.
I was unsure beforehand of course and took the precaution of having scooby snacks ready in the fridge, lots of bottled water and a low fat, tasty dinner just an hour before going out. Cannae take that hangover, girls.
I opted for a undyed smoked haddock fillet and having quantities left of pesto sans pine nuts, I decided to try it with the fish. Pesto goes amazingly well with lemon sole and that is in fact one of my favourite dishes: lemon sole with pesto, crispy courgettes, spinach and sauce verde. More on that later! I placed the fish on foil, smothered it with the pesto and squeezed a little lemon juice atop alongside a few thin slices.
I packaged up the foil and placed it onto a tin, ready for the oven. I then chopped up a selection of tomatoes, spring onions and red pepper, mixed it all with a little pesto, added some fresh thyme, salt and pepper and placed in the tin alongside the wrapped fish.
The fish and salad veg was placed into a hot oven, bottom shelf as the chicken was cooking for the kids and Brian on the top shelf, for 10 minutes. I served it on a bed of mixed leaves including watercress and spinach as well as some rice and green beans.
T'was yummy!
The kids and Brian had roasted lemon and thyme chicken, roasted pearl potatoes, thrown into the chicken 30 minutes before the end. Once the chicken was cooked, it was plated and wrapped in foil to rest. The heat was turned up on the oven and the potatoes put back in-they start to caremalise at this stage because of the lemon juice and chicken gravy still inside the dish. That was served with rice and green beans.
So, today, I awoke with only a very mild sore head, thanks to the water, toast and butter and sleep I had last night. It was all go today with parties, walking and the likes so the traditional rolls and bacon were consumed with some frozen yoghurt and berries as an afternoon snack. I felt in the need for some stodge but needed to get it from somewhere other than the chippy! So I made my own version of fried fish and chips....calamari. The recipe for this is as follows and it really was perfect, not too high in fat and I'm full and happy.Salt and Pepper Calamari with Mixed Rice
A handful of calamari, washed and dried. Calamari is incredibly cheap, the amount I used costing around 70 pence.
Sesame oil
Flour
salt and pepper
Chilli flakes
Vegetable oil for frying
Cooked Rice (I used yesterday's leftovers)
Chopped peppers, cucumber and spring onion and whatever else takes your fancy.
Green Beans
Drizzle over the calamari a small amount of sesame oil, salt and pepper, and mix. Roll in the following mixture: two tablespoons flour, lots of freshly ground black pepper, a good pinch of sea salt, chilli flakes to taste.
Pour oil in pan to cover bottom. Get really hot and add the calamari in batches...don't crowd the pan. The secret to tender, tasty calamari is to treat it like meat: you either cook it very quickly over a high heat or stew it slowly for a long time over a low heat. Cook quickly until the outside turns brown and then turn over. This should only take a few minutes. Place on kitchen towel to dry.
Mix chopped veg into the rice, sprinkle over some soy sauce and place the calamari on top. Eat with chopsticks and enjoy. Hangover, begone!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Nearly forgot...
...I got pine nuts! My life is once again complete. I bought two teeny weeny packets but at £2.00 a packet, I'll be using them like gold dust! There must be a shortage....I must find out.
Drive by posting...
...because I'm going out to see a band, have a few drinks and enjoy the setting sun. I made roast chicken for the kids tonight, along with rice, roast potatoes, roast carrots and steamed green beans. I did not partake of the chicken however, oh no...I instead opted for a lovely undyed smoked haddock fillet, smothered in pesto (got lots to use up!) with a medley (ooh, get me!) of salad vegetables, fresh leaves, rice and a pesto dressing. I've taken pictures to prove it!
Picture and recipe posting to follow....I know my friend Agnes was looking for a fish recipe from me so this might be the one although lemon sole works better.
I finally shopped today having not needed to because of the weekend's festivities and the remaining food. I spent £36.79 today and that included, along side dinner, lots of fruit, salad, juice, ice lollies (Skinny Cow triple chocolate lollies, 90 odd calories per bar......mmmmmmmmmm), mousse, yoghurt and nutella.
Have a wonderful Friday night!
Picture and recipe posting to follow....I know my friend Agnes was looking for a fish recipe from me so this might be the one although lemon sole works better.
I finally shopped today having not needed to because of the weekend's festivities and the remaining food. I spent £36.79 today and that included, along side dinner, lots of fruit, salad, juice, ice lollies (Skinny Cow triple chocolate lollies, 90 odd calories per bar......mmmmmmmmmm), mousse, yoghurt and nutella.
Have a wonderful Friday night!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Helen's Homemade Crisps
Mmmmm. Let me repeat that; Mmmmmmm! I love home-made crisps but since I've been cutting down in all those little ways that make a difference...you know, fat, fried potatoes, fat soaked potatoes...I don't make them that often but I felt the need to share.
Helen's Homemade Crisps
2 large Maris Piper Potatoes
Vegetable or Sunflower oil for frying
Keep the skins on for added flavour and crunchiness. Slice potatoes with a mandolin and place in some cold water. Give them a stir and then drain and dry on kitchen towel. Heat oil until very hot and drop in a handful of potato slices at a time. Give them a stir, separating them as you go along using a slotted spoon. You want to remove them whilst some slices are brown and some still quite pale. Remove and place on more kitchen towel. Repeat as often as necessary until all crisps are cooked. Pat to dry and sprinkle with sea salt. Leave for 5-10 minutes to crisp up.
Keeping it simple, I usually add some extra sea salt and a great big grinding of freshly ground black pepper. Some of the crisps will still be a little soft and most will be crispy...this is the perfect combination. You can add some paprika, vinegar, chilli powder or celery salt, whatever takes your fancy. You must have a remote control, a blanket and a good film handy!
Enjoy!
Helen's Homemade Crisps
2 large Maris Piper Potatoes
Vegetable or Sunflower oil for frying
Keep the skins on for added flavour and crunchiness. Slice potatoes with a mandolin and place in some cold water. Give them a stir and then drain and dry on kitchen towel. Heat oil until very hot and drop in a handful of potato slices at a time. Give them a stir, separating them as you go along using a slotted spoon. You want to remove them whilst some slices are brown and some still quite pale. Remove and place on more kitchen towel. Repeat as often as necessary until all crisps are cooked. Pat to dry and sprinkle with sea salt. Leave for 5-10 minutes to crisp up.
Keeping it simple, I usually add some extra sea salt and a great big grinding of freshly ground black pepper. Some of the crisps will still be a little soft and most will be crispy...this is the perfect combination. You can add some paprika, vinegar, chilli powder or celery salt, whatever takes your fancy. You must have a remote control, a blanket and a good film handy!
Enjoy!
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