Chicken of the sea

so many years ago, Jessica Simpson proved herself undeniably blond when having a conversation about tuna....it's worth the google. https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=k2h72aXVP8o .
It's like one of her most famous bloops.
anyhow, cut back to present day and I thought I was being THE BEST MOM EVER by buying a fancy chicken instead of a normal chicken for our roast dinner. I mean, who needs a common, farm chicken when one can have a chicken fed on a diet rich of omega 3's? Not only am I giving my kids some good lean protein but it will be infused with those yummy oils that taste like a salmon farted in your throat right? ....but it's chicken so you won't even taste it. Um, no.
So I lovingly prepare it this morning, Gwyneth Paltrow rotissarie style, and put it to slow cook.
I was excited about this chicken, and made all the trimmings - potatoes, broccoli, spinach salad, Yorkshire puddings, about 1/2 cup of gravy as I had run out of granules...but the scene was set.
Took the chicken out and put it to rest, and licked the oils off my fingers that had accidentally spilled and thought that it tasted kinda odd....took a good sniff of the baking dish and I was seriously concerned - was my chicken off? Tasted a little bit - no it was okay, so I happily proceeded to serving it up to my two scrumptious girlies. Now my Miss Mouse, she loves chicken, was halfway through when she eyeballs me:  "Mom, this chicken tastes weird - what did you do?"
Don't you just love A. the trust in me and B. the accusing tone? sadly I could not deny it, as it had dawned on me as I had started my own plate that this is super duper Omega chicken literally tastes vile.....I came clean to the girls hoping they would tell me I am indeed THE BEST MOM EVER, and I have been so thoughtful and loving to think of all the dietary needs. Instead I got " Mom, this tastes like bad tuna."  ( secretly I totally agree.) but in good mom fashion I told them not to be silly and eat it in a mix with as much gravy as 1/2 cup of gravy would allow.

I don't know about you, but I reckon if I sent one of these chickens to Jessica Simpson I just might blow her brains.......
And if you feel the need to eat your own chicken/tuna combo, then follow this link:

https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/waitrose-omega-3-chicken-wholebird/622833-507898-507899

Pumpkin Pie!!

I have wanted to try making pumpkin pie for such a long time, and finally found a very easy and fun recipe.

Of course, being Halloween, there was a bit of pumpkin lying around.

I can say, it was delicious. I was in heaven using some of my very favourite spices, the delicious winter smells wafted through the whole house, and the Mice children LOVED it.

Want to give it a go?

 

Ingredients

For the pastry
sweet short crust pastry case (or a packet of ready made sweet short
crust pastry with 40g/1½oz crushed pecans mixed in.)

For the filling
450 g/1lb prepared weight pumpkin flesh, cut into 1in/2.5 cm chunks
2 large eggs plus 1 yolk (use the white for another dish)
3 oz/75g soft dark brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ level teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
½ tsp ground allspice
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp ground ginger
10 fl oz/275 ml double cream

Preparation method
1. Pre-heat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.
2. Use a shop bought sweet crust pastry case, about 9 inch/23 cm
diameter and 1½ inches/4 cm deep.
3. To make the filling, steam the pumpkin then place in a coarse sieve
and press lightly to extract any excess water.
4. Then lightly whisk the eggs and extra yolk together in a large bowl.
5. Place the sugar, spices and the cream in a pan, bring to simmering
point, giving it a whisk to mix everything together. Then pour it over
the eggs and whisk it again briefly.
6. Now add the pumpkin pureé, still whisking to combine everything
thoroughly.
7. Pour the filling into your pastry case and bake for 35-40 minutes, by
which time it will puff up round the edges but still feel slightly wobbly
in the centre.
8. Remove the pie from the oven and place the tin on a wire cooling
rack. Serve chilled (stored loosely covered in foil in the fridge) with
some equally chilled créme fraïche, but warm or at room temperature
would be fine.

Thanks Mr Worrall Thompson

what I am loving in my kitchen right now....

free range duck eggs from the farm up the road.

miso soup.

The Food Doctor's savoury seed blend.

banana, oat and sunflower seed mini muffins.

Gwyneth Paltrow's recipe for roast duck and sesame pancakes.

Cupcakes take the cake.

I have an amazing cupcake recipe, given to me by a friend, and I just have to share:

110g butter
225g caster sugar
2 large eggs
150g self-raising flour
125g plain flour
120mls milk
1tsp vanilla essence

Oven to 160 degrees.
Cream butter and sugar, add egss one at a time and mix after each.
Combine flours in a seperate bowl
Combine milk and vanilla essence
Add one third of the flours to creamy egg mix, and beat well, then add some milk and beat. Alternate until all ingrediants are incorporated.
Spoon into cupcake cases, until two thirds full, and bake for about 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove from oven and leave to cool in the tin for about 10 minutes before putting them on a rack.

Ice with some lovely Hummingbird Bakery icing. . . flavoured with strawberry and peppermint essence. So yummy, and a huge hit with the kids.

Scrummy cupcakes

I was given this recipe and OMG, as my eldest sister would say, they are orgasmic!

VANILLA CUPCAKES

Makes 12

110g unsalted butter, at room temp.
225g golden caster sugar
2 large eggs
150g self raising flour, sifted
125g plain flour, sifted
120ml milk
1tsp vanilla essence

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a muffin pan with cases.
Cream butter and sugar until pale and smooth
Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each one
Combine flours in separate bowl
Add vanilla to milk
Add one third of flours to creamed mixture, beat well, then add one third milk and beat again
Repeat until all ingredients have been added
spoon into cupcake cases, about two thirds full.
Bake for approx 25 minutes, until raised and golden brown.
Remove from oven and let them cool in tin for a few minutes before cooling on wire rack.

Add some Hummingbird bakery frosting and voila ! orgasmic cupcakes!

Highly recommended recipe....

Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Ingredients


1/2 cup (1 stick) plus 6 tablespoons butter, softened
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
3 cups Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
1 cup raisins

. .Preparation
Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, beat butter and sugars on medium speed of electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Add oats and raisins; mix well.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered.

Thanks Liv, willl give them a go!

ooh yummy!

mY jOY:

The baking of the biscuits = Noli's tummy is feeling better!

Biscuits:
250g soft marg
150g caster sugar
40g cocoa powder
300g plain flour
1/2 tsp bicarb
1tsp baking powder

Topping:
30ml cocoa powder
175g icing sugar
60ml boiling water
sprinkles

1. Grease baking tray, oven 180 C
2. Cream marg and sugar until soft. Beat in cocoa, beat in flour, bicarb and baking powder.
3. Roll dough into little balls, and press down. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
4. Cool, mix up your topping ingrediants, and pour over your biscuits, then decorate.

The dough is really dry, you begin to wonder if it maybe too dry, but it does work, I just used my hands. I rolled them into golf ball size, and push down gently with a fork!

Another one pot wonder dinner:

Take some chicken pieces, coat them in seasoned flour, fry them up so that they are nice and browned, add a large quantity of white wine, copious amount of chopped rosemary and garlic, and leave to bubble away until liquid has reduced and chicken is cooked. Serve with Mr A.'s secret recipe mash potato and blanched asparagus and sugar snaps......yummy!

Our Mousie only has a few more days left at her nursery. I am so incredibly sad they are closing down, and yesterday at their toy sale I will admit to shedding some tears. I am so, so sad that places like this have been the worst hit by the recession. Scout's nursery was everything you wanted a nursery to be - small, family orientated, fun, caring, FLEXIBLE and nurturing. I am still trying to find a place for Scout to go to after Christmas but know it will not come close to what she has had for the last year. Tomorrow is their Nativity, and a chance for Mouse to take her pressies in. I wish I could say I have laboured over them, but I didn't; although they are all still handmade and chosen specifically for each teacher.

mY jOY:

Lying in bed with Mouse just now, as for some strange reason she is wide awake...maybe she is as excited as I am that Eliza got a new baby sister today!!!!

food glorious food

today was a blissful foodie day...but I didn't have my camera so use your imagination.
First: Toasted bagels with fried bacon and banana with strong, sweet rooibos whilst playing with Mr A.'s car on Dartmoor. (we even chased a rainbow!)
Second: Decadent chocolate cake with chocolate/coffee icing - have been converted to microwave baking - how have I not known this before?
Third: Roast chicken with a herb crust, roast potatoes, roast parsnips with Parmesan, and Brussel sprouts and carrots tossed in a balsamic glaze.

My tummy is so happy right now. (sigh)

The house has begun to get dressed for Autumn

And not only did I celebrate October with butterflies and leaves, I made one of the most perfect Autumnal dinners:

Chicken Tray Bake
Take some chicken thighs, throw them in an oven dish with some new potatoes, crushed garlic, tin of chopped tomatoes, kalamata olives, chopped red pepper, season with salt and pepper, fresh rosemary and flat-leaf parsley, and drizzle with some olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Cook, covered, in a hot oven for about an hour. Uncover, add some halved white mushrooms, stir it all up and pop back until it comes up crispy, bubbling and smelling delish. Serve with some lovely mash - to soak up all the juices…mmmm, yum!

Then follow it with the most decadent chocolate cake from Tessa Kiros.

SERIOUSLY, go and invest in her recipe books.

Over the years I have used mine constantly.

And as they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating!

mY jOY:

I l ove my little Mousie more than I ever thought possible. Today, to get away with licking more chocolate out of the bowl, she calls her dad over...."here Dad, let me help you" takes his finger, wipes it in the bowl, ensuring a big blob of chocolate icing is on it.....and promptly guides it into her own mouth!

a little bit of heaven...

I was blog-surfing again.....what can I say, these days until Mr A. gets home are just ddrrraaagggiiinnngggg by........BUT I found a very clever and creative mama, and on her blog were these . Now I suggest you go over there and unless you are Aimee, your mouth should water...I just HAD to make some today, and my oh my, they are oh so yummy......


and considering the spring clean I have ahead of me tomorrow, I am not in the least bit worried about the million - zillion calories per bite!!!

ladybirds

and 2nd birthdays! Pretty little girls, pink, flowers, bubbles, fairies, glitter, butterflies, sugar...and a dash of spice!

tha cake that took 3 hours to ice....and was gobbled in 10 minutes!

Scout....never far from the food table. She is like a goldfish .....would just eat until her stomach explodes unless you stoppped her!

Snow Day?

Considering most of our friends have been snowed in today and had much frivolity I thought I would post two photos to show you the difference.

The first is of London and is stolen from Wayne's Facebook page - Ox and Cona are having a BLAST!! (sorry I didn't ask first Wayne but the pooches just looked like they were having so much fun!)

The second is the pathetic attempt in our garden this afternoon......

so no, we did not spend the day taboganning, building snowmen or snowangels....we did not catch snowflakes on our tongues or have a snowball fight....

INSTEAD...we played in the sand-pit and garden...

Checked out the stream over our fence....



Made Queen-Jam-Tarts!!


and Babotie for dinner...
I have included the Waitrose Recipe as it is SO SIMPLE AND YUMMY!!!!!

BABOTIE

Serves: 6

Ingredients
500g Lean Ground Beef

1 large onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tbsp medium curry powder

3 tbsp mango chutney

50g Sultanas

350ml semi-skimmed milk

2 slices wholemeal bread, crusts removed

3 large eggs

Method
1.Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4.

2.Heat a large non-stick frying pan and fry the beef over a medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring all the time. Add the onion and cook for a further 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion starts to soften and the beef is lightly browned.
3.Add the garlic and curry powder and fry for 1-2 minutes to allow the spices to cook. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the mango chutney and sultanas.
4.Pour about 200ml of the milk into a small bowl. Tear the bread into small pieces and add to the milk. Leave to soften for a minute then stir into the beef mixture.
5.Tip the mixture into either 6 individual shallow ovenproof dishes, or a 2-litre shallow, ovenproof dish. Press down well with the back of a spoon.
6.Mix the remaining milk with the eggs and a little seasoning, and beat lightly. Pour over the beef and place in the oven for 30-40 minutes until the mixture is piping hot and the top golden brown.

Serve with a light salad of chopped cucumber, cherry tomatoes and sweetcorn.
Cook's tips
There are many variations of this dish. For example you could add chopped dried apricots or apricot jam instead of chutney. If making in advance, follow steps 1 and 2, then add the soaked bread, and egg and milk mixture just before cooking.

CAUGHT in the ACT!

I made a milk tart....I got distracted.....a little mouse pushed her trip-trapp to the counter...climbed up...got comfortable...and stuck her finger in!


We bought Scout a toilet seat, she has progressed so well with the potty, but we felt it was time to move to the big toilet...sadly she didn't get the gist of what she was meant to do with it!!!

No honey-mouse it is not a hula-hoop!!!!!

You can ALWAYS tell when a

RECIPE BOOK

is a goodie!

It is dog-eared

It has food splats

some pages may even be stuck together......

LOOK what my Mom posted me.......

The COVETED Blue Ribbon Book of Beautiful Baking.....

I cut my teeth on baking with it in high school!!!!!

AND now it is MINE!

My Mom GAVE it to me!

I am OVER THE MOON!!!

and so I immeadiately made a milk tart, and Scout and her little buddies demolished a fair portion of it....(with our help!)

Thanks Mom, it is the best gift ever

XXX

A Saturday....

SO..... today being a quiet Saturday we did bumbling around the house kinda stuff!

My CLEVER husband, Mr A. made a start on his wood mirror. He had collected all the wood from Dartmoor and look how cool it looks?!?! He isn't happy with the frame, so is going to weather it a bit, and will add bits of pieces of wood still...I think it is one of those things that you make, look at, muse over and then tweak! I will have to show you the complete finished product when Mr A. is finally satisfied!

Then ...Miss Mouse continued her cooking lessons - PANCAKES!!!

yum yum in my tum!

My best friend in the whole world is my sister. Now I know that sounds a bit high-schoolish, but it's the truth. Living abroad for the last decade has not diminished our relationship, in some ways it is so much stronger. Apart from Adam, she is my rock. Saying that though, I think I am one of the most blessed people on this planet, as my list of friends, and I mean the really true friends that you count on one hand, is long, good and strong. I have my three best friends from Junior School-two from High School-and three I have met since my adventure here began. Not forgetting of course, all the lovely people who do come in and out of my life, who make each day a bit brighter, each laugh a bit louder, and each memory worth keeping. And of course I was also blessed with a second sister...or by being the baby of the family, were they blessed with me? mmm.....

From each of my friends I gain something different, and I hope I give something different to them. Sometimes I am completely egocentric, selfish, demanding, and disagreeable. And sometimes my shoulders are broad. But that's what friendship is all about...a little give and take.

I was on the phone today with one such sunflowery friend. I was welcoming her back from her long holiday home and just doing the whole catch up thing. Then, from out of the blue, little tears crept down my face and all the uncertainty I have been feeling since Christmas just came out. I have so much on my mind, and feel a bit unsure of which direction to take. I tend to have all these great ideas in my head but fall apart a bit when it comes to executing them. Then I was reminded by my friend, that I am a queen - In the words of King Julien " I have a crown to prove it" ( if I made it myself, does it still count?). I realise I am more capable than I think and perhaps the most productive thing is not to feel scared, but to find out all the information that I can and then decide...and always, ALWAYS remember:

I AM A QUEEN! ALL WOMEN ARE!!

Green eggs and ham

So today inbetween meeting our housing agent....sorting brochures for my business....directing the gas engineer to our boiler that is about to EXPLODE....oh, and continuing the potty -training.....I was chatting to Tash....

Now Tash is one of the most gifted photographers I know....in fact she is the only professional photographer I know! If I were to pick five adjectives for Tash....they would be:
1. Boisterous
2. Fun
3. Dedicated
4. Passionate
5. Determined
Her website is about to go live, so when it does, I will let you ALL know as you must take a mosey on over to see her stuff! BUT that's not what this is about, this stems from Tash saying she hasn't baked in years, so I thought I would help her along with a super-yummy chocolate chip recipe I've had floating about!
You do not like them. So you say. Try them! Try them! And you may. Try them and you may I say.

Makes approx 16.

300g plain (all-purpose) flour
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
1 teaspoon fine salt
170g unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
215g light brown sugar
120g granulated white sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
300g milk chocolate chips

Sift together flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt. Set aside.

Stir together melted butter, brown sugar, sugar and vanilla. Add egg, then the yolk. Beat well to ensure that egg is evenly distributed. Stir in dry ingredients, then fold in chocolate chips until incorporated. It will look as if there are too many chocolate chips but the dough will be able to hold them all. Cover with clingfilm and chill dough until firm. At least 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 190C/Gas Mark 5.

Drop 1/4 cup sized mounds of dough onto a greased baking sheet.

Bake in preheated oven for approximately 10-12 minutes or only until the edges begin to turn golden. (They’ll look and feel underdone but they’re ready.) Cool on the sheet for 1 minute and remove with a wide spatula to a cooling rack. Cool thoroughly and enjoy!

My Joy:Dr Seuss is da bom!

Christmas lunch with new friends.

So..what do you do when it is the festive season and you have moved to a new town and met some lovely families? Throw a lovely big Christmas lunch!!!

1. Start with a brisk, refreshing walk on Dartmoor to get those tummies grumbling!

2. Feed the kiddies and then let them play..or collapse in front of the tv.

(did you see poor Fifi's broken arm.....she did it the day my cast was removed! poor poppet!)

3. The adults sit down and eat, and eat, and eat, and eat......hence no photos.....I was too busy eating! Tuscan roast pork, Lemon and oregano roast chicken, Rosemary and clementine roasted root veg and some fresh greens - YUMMY!

4. The kiddies join in for our dessert...they have it sussed clever clogs!

how fabulous is this !! And Mr. A helped me make it!

My Joy:

all of today was just fabulous. Adam and I are sitting on the sofa talking about how lucky we are to have met Aimee, Carlos, Steve and Tracy and their families.

It is amazing how life changes when you stop looking for the sad, bad things but focus on the good and beautiful!

LIFE IS GOOD

XXX