Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts

Monday, 25 January 2016

how to make a mojito mocktail

One of my favourite cocktails of all time has to be the delicious, fresh tasting mojito. As I'm taking part in Dry January, which is part of my monthly bucket list, I wanted to experiment with some different drinks so I didn't feel like I was missing out. I know mojitos are drunk in summer but hey, rules are meant to be broken.

I wasn't expecting to be blown away as it had no alcohol in it but boy was I wrong. It is rather tasty and, I have to admit, I've had more than one over the past week or so. Give it a try. You won't be disappointed and you won't wake up with a hangover! A refreshing change.

Ingredients
1 tbsp granulated sugar
small bunch mint
juice of 3 limes
crushed ice
soda water

Method
  1. Muddle the sugar and the mint leaves with a pestle and mortar.
  2. Put a handful of crushed ice into two glasses. 
  3. In a separate jug, mix the lime juice and mint mix together.
  4. Pour into the glasses, then top up with soda water.
Happy Days!

Have a great week lovelies.

Monday, 22 June 2015

make the most of seasonal fruits


Day 22 of my '90 days of summer 2015' posts; make the most of seasonal fruits. Don't strawberries just taste utterly heavenly at this time of the year? Delicious on their own, with cream or yoghurt. Our fridge is always full of berries; I put them on my breakfast, have them as a snack or as a dessert after a meal. 

How do you eat yours?



breakfast outdoors

Day 21 of my '90 days of summer 2015' posts; breakfast outdoors. This is definitely one of my summer loves. I love eating breakfast outdoors and taking the time to relax and enjoy every minute. I think this is such a great start to the day and I wish I could start everyday like this, but unfortunately the weather lets us down on a regular basis.

Coffee, croissants and jam; what could be better!


Friday, 19 June 2015

have a picnic in the park


Day 19 of my '90 days of summer 2015' posts; have a picnic in the park. I think this has to be my favourite thing about summer. I love picnics and enjoy choosing different locations to have them in. Last year, we had them in some spectacular places and hope to do the same again this year. 

It's great to be outdoors enjoying the fresh air; so good for the soul.

Have a great weekend lovelies!


Wednesday, 17 June 2015

burger and a beer

Day 17 of my '90 days of summer' posts; burger and a beer. In our house, summer means it's burger season. I just love a good, juicy burger with homemade wedges and washed down with an ice, cold beer.


Sunday, 14 June 2015

make lemon curd

Day 14 of my '90 days of summer' posts; make lemon curd. I just love the fresh, zingy taste of homemade lemon curd. Apart from it being incredibly simple and quick to make, it is utterly heavenly. All you need is a spoon or some hot, buttered toast.

My favourite tried and tasted many times recipe is on the BBC food website here. Sunshine food at its best.



Monday, 8 June 2015

eat a summer cupcake


What's a girl to do on her birthday! Start the day with some delicious cupcakes from Fancie, of course. Blueberry, lemon curd, vanilla, caramel; so many to choose from. I doubt if these cupcakes will last the day!

Have a great day lovelies!

Friday, 5 June 2015

make bread - tuna melt piadina



Day 5 of my '90 days of summer' posts; make bread. If you can't be in Italy for the summer, you can bring a taste of it home with this delicious piadina. It is so easy to whip up for lunch or supper even if you have never made bread before. So simple yet so tasty.

If you want to try it, find the recipe in Save With Jamie.

Have a great day lovelies.

Wednesday, 3 June 2015

make ice cream


Day 3 of my '90 days of summer' posts; make ice cream. Anyone that knows me knows how much I love ice cream. You can guarantee at the first sign of sunshine, I'm eating ice cream. It's the one thing I eat the most of at this time of year.

I fancied making my own but as I've never made ice cream before I wanted to find a recipe that looked easy and tasty. I found it! This Nigel Slater recipe is not just simple to do, it has to be the most flavoursome ice cream I've ever had. If you like marmalade and dark chocolate, you are going to love this.

Go on and give it a try; you won't be disappointed!

Have a great day lovelies

Monday, 1 June 2015

strawberry and blueberry smoothie

Day 1 of my '90 days of summer' posts; a delicious summer smoothie. It is a refreshing mix of milk, strawberries, blueberries and low-fat vanilla yogurt. A great way to start a summer's day!

It will be quite a challenge to post every day with something fun to do in summer, but it will certainly make sure I make the most of the better weather and longer days. 

Have a great day, lovelies.

Monday, 18 May 2015

baked feta salad with pitta crisps

This delicious dish always reminds me of hot, leisurely days on the beach in Greece. When I am in Greece, I have to indulge in a Greek salad at least once a day. It's perfect for lunch or a light bite and the added extra of pitta crisps finish it off nicely. 

Tasty, healthy and quick and easy to prepare. A delightful taste of summer.

Ingredients
200g feta cheese
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
1 red chilli  (deseeded and finely chopped)
1 clove garlic (finely sliced)
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

for the salad
1 green pepper (deseeded and sliced)
1/2 cucumber (halved and sliced)
160g baby plum tomatoes (halved)
1/2 red onion (sliced)
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp dried oregano

for pitta crisps
3 white pittas (torn into pieces)
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Method

  1. To make the crisps, put the torn pittas on a baking tray and drizzle with the oil. Bake in a preheated oven for 15 minutes at 200 C.
  2. Place feta in a small dish and scatter over the thyme, chilli and garlic. 
  3. Drizzle with the oil and bake for 10 minutes.
  4. Toss the salad ingredients in a bowl and top with the feta.
  5. Serve with the pitta crisps.
Have a great week lovelies.




Saturday, 9 May 2015

small sighs

This week has been a very busy and tiring one so I was very happy to say hello to the weekend! We don't have many plans for this weekend except maybe an out to a bluebell wood if the weather permits. I am quite happy to spend time recharging my batteries and pottering around the house and garden. I'm such a party animal!

Here is what I've been enjoying this week:



Date night amaretto and vanilla trifle



Bluebells growing in our garden

My new Cath Kidston mugs

 Saturday favourites



My favourite purchase of the year so far

Enjoy the rest of the weekend lovelies.




Monday, 27 April 2015

fresh mackerel with roasted rhubarb









This combination of mackerel and rhubarb is absolutely delicious. Furthermore, it is so easy and quick to prepare. A perfect dish for brunch, lunch or an after work supper dish. This is a recipe we always make as soon as rhubarb is in season, as it never fails to hit the spot. 

Ingredients
for the roasted rhubarb
4-5 stalks rhubarb
1 tbsp light brown sugar

for the mackerel
2 fresh mackerel, filleted
1 tbsp seasoned plain flour
1 tbsp olive oil
3/4 sprigs of chopped rosemary
1 tbsp capers, drained
a splash of sherry vinegar

Method
  1. Cut the rhubarb into roughly 6in lengths and place in a roasting tin with half a teacup of water and the sugar. 
  2. Place in a preheated oven (200C/400F/Gas 6) and roast until it is soft enough to stab with a fork, about 10-15 minutes. Allow it to cool, drain and set aside the cooking juices.
  3. Dip the skin side of each mackerel fillet into the flour to coat. Place the mackerel fillet, skin side down, in a pan of heated oil. Scatter over the rosemary. Add the roasted rhubarb to the side of the pan to heat through, then add the capers.
  4. Turn the mackerel after two minutes and then cook for another minute or two. Add the sherry vinegar and allow it just to come to the boil. 
  5. Remove the mackerel and rhubarb and add a little of the reserved juices to the pan. Scrap round the pan with a wooden spoon to lift the crispy bits. Serve straightaway, with the sauce over the mackerel and the rhubarb on the side.
Believe me when I say you will love this dish. Perfect for Spring.

Have a fabulous day lovelies.




Monday, 20 April 2015

a perfect way to start the day



As a lot of you know, or if you follow me on Instagram, one of my favourite parts of the week are my weekend breakfasts. It feels so good to be able to eat outside in the garden again. I'm sure food tastes better when eating alfresco! Croissants, fruit, smoothies and coffee! What more could a girl want!

My last post was all about choosing the right cafetiere and I'm really pleased to say we have found the perfect one. We chose the Bodum Chambord and we are so glad we did. It pours perfectly, no drips and spills, which makes it perfect for breakfast in bed. I definitely recommend it. I happened to be shopping in TK Maxx and I spotted it at the bargain price of £19 instead of the Amazon price of £44! Although, I still drool over the copper plated version of this one but it's quite a bit more expensive!

A good, hearty breakfast is always needed when a girl is busy looking for wedding dresses! It's exciting times ahead for us as we plan our summer wedding. This dress business is trickier than I thought!

Have a great week lovelies!



Wednesday, 24 September 2014

autumn fruit pudding & whisky double cream

A classic, warming pudding just right for Autumn evenings especially now that it's turning a little chillier. I used damsons from my trees in the garden and apples given to me by my neighbours but I'm sure other fruits would work well too.

Ingredients
2kg damsons or plums, pears and eating apples
a large knob of butter
100g brown sugar
1 vanilla pod
3 bay leaves
a pinch of ground ginger
a pinch of ground nutmeg
a pinch of ground cinnamon
1 x 300ml pot of double cream
1 tablespoon icing sugar
a shot of whisky

For the batter
200g butter, room temperature
200g golden caster sugar
4 large eggs
200g self-raising flour

Method
  1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4.
  2. Peel and core the apples, damsons/plums, apples and pears, then cut them into large pieces. Halve and stone the damsons, leaving the skin on. 
  3. Put into a large saucepan with the butter, sugar, spices and bay leaves. Stir it all together and stew for 20 to 30 minutes covered. When the fruit is soft, take out the bay leaves and place to one side.
  4. For the batter, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well, then fold in the flour. 
  5. Place half the fruit into the bottom of an ovenproof dish (without the juices) then top with the batter. Finally, spoon over the remaining fruit and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until golden brown and risen. 
  6. Using a knife, slice open the vanilla pod and scrape the seeds into a bowl. Pour in the cream and whisk together with the icing sugar until it forms soft peaks. Stir in the whisky.
Serve warm with lots of the cream and a little of the fruit juices. Delicious! Clean plates are guaranteed! Enjoy!

Monday, 8 September 2014

a famous five picnic


I don't know if you were like me as a child but I always had a Famous Five book in my hand. I read them over and over many times and used to read them to my girls too. Visiting Dorset, which was a holiday destination for the author Enid Blyton, gave me an opportunity to bring my childhood dreams to life and experience a bit of nostalgia.

The beautiful Corfe Castle was the inspiration for Kirrin Castle so I just had to visit there with a picnic that I'm sure the Famous Five would have enjoyed, or so I like to think! Lashings of ginger beer, beef sandwiches, hard boiled eggs. shortbread. fruit cake and oranges. What could be better!


What a view we had as we were sat eating our picnic. The steam train runs from Corfe Castle to Swanage and is a real step back in time. I would recommend a trip as it runs through some beautiful scenery and has the old fashioned carriages which I loved.

 The waiting room at Corfe Castle station.

A view of the castle from the village.

How cute is this signpost!

Looking down from the castle walls.


 A view of the village from the castle.

I'm enjoying our picnic adventures so much that we are planning on lots more in different places. Maybe having themes; beauty spot picnics, Autumn picnics, Winter picnics and so on. I think it will be fun.

Have a great Monday, lovelies!



Monday, 7 July 2014

how to make iced coffee

One of my favourite things to do on holiday in Greece is to sunbathe on the beach and drink iced coffees, that the best bars make so well. Now that summer has arrived I wanted a little of the holiday feeling at home, but when I searched on Google for how to make iced coffees, there was little that inspired me. Should I use espresso, ground coffee or instant; milk, evaporated milk, condensed milk or cream? So, I made up my own recipes.

To make this iced latte, which is quite large, I added three teaspoons of high quality instant coffee and 3/4 of a mug of milk to a measuring jug. Then I added two dessert spoons of condensed milk and two teaspoons of vanilla flavoured syrup. You could use sugar instead of the syrup. Whichever you choose, the sugar is what helps to create the foam that is all part of the look. Then I used a hand blender, to mix and froth it all up, for about thirty seconds or so.

I then filled the jar with ice and slowly poured in the coffee to the top. Absolutely delicious! A perfect summer drink. Once you try it, you will be hooked!

For this iced coffee I used double strength cafetiere coffee which I then chilled. I wanted these to look pretty, so I put a heaped tablespoon of condensed milk on the bottom of the glass and then added ice to the top. Over this I poured the chilled coffee and served. Before drinking, you just give a quick stir with the spoon.

Which do I prefer, well I like them both. However, contrary to what you might think, the good instant coffee perhaps had the edge and probably makes better froth for a latte. It is also faster to make when you want to get in the sun as quick as possible.

What is your favourite iced coffee/latte?

Have a great week lovelies.



Thursday, 26 June 2014

ouefs en cocotte (eggs in pots)

This little dish is so modest that it barely needs a recipe. I made it as a starter last weekend, but it also makes a light, tasty supper. There are all manner of ways in which you can glam it up, but this is the humble eggs in pots.

Ingredients (serves 2)
about 80g creme fraiche
2 eggs
nutmeg
salt & pepper
to garnish
few leaves parsley
sweet chilli sauce

Method
  1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
  2. Season the creme fraiche with salt and pepper and a pinch of nutmeg, and place a tablespoon full in the bottom of of a ramekin dish.
  3. Crack one egg on top and add another tablespoon of the creme fraiche. Sprinkle a little salt, pepper and nutmeg on top. Do this for both pots and place the pots in a dish of lukewarm water that comes halfway up the pots.
  4. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the eggs are cooked to your liking.
  5. Add a teaspoon of sweet chilli sauce to garnish and top with chopped parsley.
Perfect with crusty bread. Enjoy!

We are hoping for lovely weather on Saturday so we can go out and explore, and on Sunday we are off out for Sunday tea with friends. Have a great weekend lovelies. 

Friday, 13 June 2014

small sighs

We spent my birthday weekend in sunny Scarborough and this was the view from our hotel bedroom. I left the curtains open at night so I could wake up and see the sea. I took this photo at three o'clock in the morning and as you can see, the sun is already starting to rise. Breathtaking!

This week I have been loving:

spending date night eating chocolate fondue

 drooling over my favourite recipe book


 picking self seeded flowers from the garden to brighten my kitchen

eating butternut squash and asparagus risotto

Have a great weekend lovelies. We are planning on painting the shelves for our office and a picnic for two in the park. Have you anything nice planned?