Karen and Nigella

Fashionable Food

2011-05-08T11:16:00.000-07:00

Red velvet cake is a relatively new concept to me, and as fashionable as macaroons. The bottom line is that I think I like colourful cakes, so the idea of a shocking red cake intrigued me. So, today was the day. I obviously opted for the Nigella's Kitchen version, in cupcake form, rather than a larger cake.

Dry ingredients were plain flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and bicarb. In another bowl I creamed caster sugar, butter, red food colouring (you can use beetroot to do this too, but not for me), vanilla extract and buttermilk. I gradually mixed the dry and wet together with beaten egg and added cider vinegar. I poured the mixture between 12 cake cases and baked for 20 minutes.

The result was some rather topsy-turvy looking cakes - all different sizes. I do wish I had used muffin cases as I think they make for a more impressive cupcake but hey-ho. The frosting was butter mixed with icing sugar, cider vinegar and cream cheese. I decorated the cakes with chocolate sprinkles, but would have liked some red sugar, as suggested in 'the book', however, this delicacy was not to be found in your average supermarket on a Sunday afternoon.

We have had three of the cakes, and have delivered some to friends this afternoon as they are best eaten on the day apparently (we have a dozen). It would be rude of me not to have another tonight, would it not??

Goddess Mx

Back from my blogiday!

2011-05-04T04:27:00.000-07:00

Hello *meekly*. I have loved doing this blog, but am ashamed to say I have neglected it of late. My reasons for this are many, but probably foremostly because I am still looking for a job since being made redundant at the end of March. I naively thought that I could just trot merrily into a job of my pleasing, but it has not quite worked out that way and blogging whilst career-searching has seemed a bit of a luxury. However, here I am, despite still being jobless (well, I am working my best Joan from Mad Men impression now and again as a temp). I figured, with some gentle coaxing from Master M, that it is 'good to blog' so I'm going to try and get back in the zone. Another reason was a couple of friends have said to me recently that they have enjoyed reading my blog (yeah, I know as mates it is kinda their duty)!

Although I have been a bit bluesy, my cooking has continued, and yes all of the Nigella variety (with the exception of some Royal Wedding themed canapes and cocktails where I strayed to alternative recipes - shock). I don't want this to be a long 'un, and I have cooked up a few dishes, so I'll keep each one short...

During the Easter break, I delved into Nigella's Feast book for some inspiration for a Good Friday supper. I wanted to go for something that we could all eat as a family, and fish on a friday seemed kind of apt so opted for the Blakean Fish Pie (named after William Blake's sunburst paintings). This wasn't so different to the usual one I make with cod, haddock and salmon, topped with fluffy mash. The piece de resistance was the addition of plump king prawns, saffron and single cream in the sauce. The boys went out for an hour or so to allow me to prep, ready to whack the dish in the oven when we were ready for it. Good Friday dinner was had in the garden with peas, and my son's satisfying 'nomnomnoms' which is the best compliment really.

Next dish was a fresh salad to take to a friend's BBQ so Nigella's Summer did the trick, opened at The Rainbow Room's Carrot and Peanut Salad. On reading the recipe I had one of those freaky moments reading about the Rainbow Room, where Nigella's mother used to take her kitted out in full sixties Biba fashion. I had only just been speaking with friends about maxi cardigans (yes please) and fabulous floor-sweeping Biba dresses, selling at House of Fraser. Anyway, the salad comprises thickly grated carrots, salted peanuts, groundnut oil, red wine vinegar and sesame oil. Takes about five minutes but is a great accompaniment to all things barbequed.

Another weekend, another bank holiday, but with a difference. The Royal Wedding. Hoorah! Off I went printing off DIY paper union jack bunting (austere times), masks of the lovely couple to cut up, along with a search for the perfect playlist, red/white/blue balloons and UJ napkins. We had a british themed menu - homemade cheese straws, earl grey cocktails, raspberry champagne cocktails, cornish camembert for starter and Heston's trifle for pud. The main was from Kitchen - Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic (a classic French dish, but shhh, really wanted to make it). Olive oil was heated in a large casserole dish, chicken thighs seared and removed, spring onions and thyme browned along with 20 of the unpeeled garlic cloves. The browned chicken was returned and topped with the remaining 20 cloves, salt, pepper and vermouth, and oven cooked for 90 minutes. A really tasty dish, but the best bit for me was counting the cloves - bringing out my OCD! - and the delicious aroma spread throughout our house.

The next day, in a mildly hungover fug, Little M and I made Blueberry Cornmeal Muffins to take to a housewarming BBQ. I love making muffins because you can do it quite quickly and then feel suitably smug and domesticated. These had the usual plain flour, bicarb, baking powder, caster sugar and egg in. Veg oil was used, along with buttermilk, blueberries and polenta (cornmeal substitute). The cakes were great, although not 100% sure about the grainy texture.

After a day meeting Bob the Builder, Peppa Pig et al at Harewood House, Sunday night called for a curry, so I opted for the Thai Chicken Noodle Soup from Kitchen. Chicken stock was heated up in a big soup pot, and in went some coconut milk, fresh ginger, fish sauce, chopped red chilli, tumeric, tamarind paste, soft brown sugar, lime juice, cooked chicken, stir fry veg and noodles. Once piping hot, I ladled the soup into bowls and sprinkled with the magic that is coriander. Slurp.

Last night I made Poached Chicken with Lardons and Lentils. I really enjoy the texture of poached poultry so this was ideal. Garlic oil was heated in a casserole dish, followed by chopped carrot, leeks, parsley, lardons, dried mint, lemon zest, chicken thighs, puy lentils and water. I seasoned and then let the pot simmer away for 45 mins before dishing up our fare - really comforting, and great heated up again for lunch, as I have done today!

So there you have it. I am sure I have missed some recipes, which I might add at a later date. Not too much later mind! Good to be back.

Goddess Mx

All brownied out

2011-03-20T14:08:00.000-07:00

I feel like I am back into the swing of this Nigella challenge thingie again, having made quite a few of her dishes from 'Kitchen' of late.

Earlier in the week I made Chinatown chicken salad - an explosive dish with loads of red chilli, fresh ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil and a touch of sugar as a dressing. The salad bit consisted of salted peanuts, iceberg lettuce, beansprouts, spring onions, red pepper, cooked chicken, coriander and tortilla chips. This salad is so crunchy that I had to go and sit in the kitchen to eat it, as hubby and I were annoying each other with the sound effects!

The next salad I made was not so good - chicken caesar. The dressing was raw egg beaten with garlic oil, extra-virgin olive oil, parmesan, lemon juice and salt. Romaine lettuce was torn up roughly onto plates with the chicken, seasoned, sprinkled with toasted pitta bread and drizzled with the eggy dressing. It was o-k but not as exciting as the chinatown. It tasted too healthy, which to me is a bit of a let-down.

My dad came to visit this weekend, and in 'nurturing' mode, I thought I would make something really wholesome - a kind of kitchen classic. I have flicked past risotto bolognese in 'the book' many a time, but it fit the bill for the purposes of this weekend. The meat sauce began with a mush (in the food processor) of onion, carrot, celery, garlic, parsley, bacon and anchovies which was heated in butter/olive oil, before adding minced beef to brown. Marsala was the next ingredient in alongside processed tomatoes, tomato puree, milk, bay leaves and beef stock (I was unable to source veal stock as the recipe suggested). The dish was put in the oven for an hour to work its magic. Once out of the oven, the dish was placed on the hob (low heat), arborio rice added, followed by ladleful after ladleful of stock until the rice was cooked. I then seasoned, added butter, parmesan and then served. I liked this dish a lot, but maybe it was trying too hard. Perhaps less is more.

I always think it is nice when you have guests to have a tin of something sweet to snack on, so I made everyday brownies. Double bonus here as they made the house smell like domestic bliss - hmmmm... I melted butter over a gentle heat, added light brown muscovado sugar, sifting in cocoa powder, plain flour and salt. I then whisked up some eggs and vanilla extract and mixed these through the mixture with chunks of milk chocolate. This heavenly pool of chocolate was poured into a foil-lined baking tray and baked for the required time whilst I did a mighty-fine job of scraping the bowls satisfyingly. Once baked and cooled, the sliced brownies were sprinkled with sieved icing sugar. I think I overbaked these a little as they lacked the gooiness within, but no matter as they were gooood anyway. I have packed my dad off with the rest as I have had more than my share and need to eat very healthily next week to achieve anywhere near my holiday body by next Sunday (hello francais)!

Goddess Mx

No spring chicken...

2011-03-14T12:17:00.000-07:00

... yeah, that is how I have been feeling lately, but have also been racking my brain on what to entitle this post and this is the best I can come up with! You see, the subject of this post is chicken, as I endeavoured to make Nigella's mother's praised chicken.

The ingredients for this dish are pretty standard fare for a sunday roast really - a chicken and loads of veg. The actual prepping of the chook was a bit unnerving for me being a bit of a scaredy cat. You have to untruss it, lie it breast side down and lean on it until you hear a crack (to flatten it). The next bit involved cutting the ankle bones off with a pair of kitchen scissors. After my lesson in butchering, the rest was a breeze! The chicken was browned off in garlic oil, resting snuggly inside a casserole dish. Vermouth was added to the pot and reduced before adding chopped carrots, celery and leeks. The pot was topped up with cold water and I added sea salt, pink peppercorns and parsley stalks before bringing to the boil then simmering with the lid on for a couple of hours. Once done, the chicken was served alongside basmati rice and topped with wholegrain mustard (didn't have the suggested English version), parsley leaves and dill - my new favourite herb. My verdict on all of this is that it was pretty average, summed up by the photo. The best bit was the herbs. I think there was a distinct lack of stock.

Today I embarked on using the leftovers (as guided by 'Kitchen, of course!) which took me, oh all of five minutes to prepare, and was a much more satisfying meal than last night's - lunch was a mouth-watering chicken, bacon and avocado salad. I fried off a few streaky rashers of bacon in garlic oil and then prepared a plate of iceberg lettuce, cold cooked chicken, avocado chunks before making a lovely dijon mustard-rice vinegar-olive oil dressing. This was all thrown together, sprinkled with parsley (couldn't get chives in Waitrose) and eaten happily with pleasure. There is something about iceberg lettuce and salty bacon that works oh-so-well.

Back soon with more chicken left-overs, but until then I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine.

Goddess Mx

A fluke but it worked!

2011-03-03T11:39:00.000-08:00

I must have mentioned before that the making of a perfect Toad in the Hole in our house has been no mean feat. The batter has either been too thick, too thin, has failed to rise or risen way too much. So it was with reluctance that I bought some sausages to give it another go, already thinking that the whole thing was doomed to failure.

I whisked some eggs and milk together then squeezed the sausage meat out of six fine sausages to form twelve meat patties. These were then browned off in some olive oil and the batter added to the hot roasting dish with some sprigs of thyme to be immediately place in a hot, hot oven. Pondering over why I had too much batter, I realised to my distress that I had forgotten to add plain flour. I tried to whisk flour into the hot tin (I know stupidly dangerous) and the batter started to fly around my kitchen. I decanted the whole sorry mess into a mixing bowl and whisked before quickly chucking it all back together and into the oven before breathing a sigh of relief. Domestic goddess? Whatever!

Amazingly I was thrilled with my Toad in the Hole which looked not too disimilar to Nigella's in the book. Master M thought it was too doughy but I seriously thought it was perfect! Question to all you foodie bloggers: what consistency should Toad in the Hole batter be - light, or stodgy (in a good way)?

Goddess Mx

A birthday bonanza

2011-02-28T05:13:00.000-08:00

I feel like I have been in a bit of a whirlwind lately with job-hunting and my son's second birthday. Blogging has gone out of the window a bit, but I have managed to cook up a few recipes from 'Kitchen' and feel it would be rude not to share my experiences!

I decided to make Nigella's traditional cheesecake so that there was a little something sweet in the house (the alternative was Annabel Karmel's magimix yoghurt cake that I made for my boy). I was slightly apprehensive about this after the banoffee cheeseake I made from Kitchen last year which I overbaked, so kept a close eye on it during the baking process. The base for this dessert was pastry rather than your usual biscuit base. A pleasant change. The filling comprised of curd cheese, double cream, seperated eggs, lemon juice and sugar. I made the mistake of using a tin the right size in width/length, but too shallow by a couple of centimetres resulting in me throwing half of the filling away (what a waste)! I got the consistency of the filling just right, but due to the tin mix-up, the balance was wrong and there was too much base to topping. I liked the flavours, but as I have a sweet-tooth, I think I am more of a biscuit-base kind of gal. If you want to read some amusing lyrics about a love of cheesecake, look no further than King Missile's 'Cheesecake Truck'.

For an accompaniment to lunch time quiche (shop-bought) I made tabbouleh. I had been meaning to make this for a while after sampling some of my sister-in-law's delicious Morrocan version. The dish was made with cold cooked bulgar wheat; oodles of parsley, mint and dill; olive oil; garlic oil; pomegranate seeds; tomatoes; lemon zest and juice. A lovely fresh dish, and beautiful too.

I have had a rising urge to cook something spicy lately, so a trip to our local continental supermarket was called for to pick up some seeds: fennel, black cumin, green cumin and black mustard. My mum bought us a fab new authentic indian spice container which I joyously filled with my new purchases and other colourful powders. The seeds, some hot chilli powder and turmeric were sprinkled over diced potatoes, olive oil and unpeeled garlic cloves to produce some fabulous roasties to be eaten with a lemony roast chicken. The final touch was some lime-doused raw red onion for added crunch. The perfect end to a brilliant weekend with family and friends to celebrate Little M's birthday.

Goddess Mx

A happy snowman and some cosy stew

2011-02-21T14:00:00.000-08:00

On Saturday we awoke to snow which I hadn't seen coming. Little M and I built a lovely friendly snowman with stones for eyes, a plum nose, some food packaging for a mouth and a planter for a hat. To keep him warm we donated one of mummy's old scarves.

As an antidote to the colder weather, a stew was in order - chorizo and chickpea to be precise. Vermicelli was warmed in olive oil, followed by bulgar wheat, some warming cinnamon, salt, water and bay leaves before being left to simmer until the liquid had been absorbed. In another pan chorizo pieces were fried for a few minutes before being watered with amontillado sherry, snipped apricots, chickpeas and canned cherry tomatoes. Once done, I piled bulgar wheat into two welcoming bowls, topped with the stew and sprinkled some coriander on for some added magic. Absolutely delicious and I would recommend the tomatoes to everyone. They are not much more costly than your standard tinned toms and are definitely tastier.

On Sunday the snow had gone but the snowman was still there, grinning away.

Goddess Mx

Perfect Day

2011-02-18T12:39:00.000-08:00

What would your perfect day look like?

I would be on holiday in Cornwall, in a beach chalet. I would wake up at sunrise in a bed adorned with Egyptian cotton sheets with Master M snoring gently beside me. There would be a gentle breeze blowing into the room, soft sunlight and a saltiness in the air. In the background I would hear Little M chatting away happily to himself in a room next door.

I would tiptoe out of bed and sneak outside to sit on the sandy beach and read for a while, followed by some yoga or meditation of some sort.

I would make some breakfast smoothies and croissants, wake up the boys, and we would all sit together in bed eating, laughing and looking forward to the day ahead.

We would leisurely get ready and go for a long walk along the beach to a wood where we would find a clearing to relax in for a couple of hours. We would eat a delicious picnic lunch. We would sleep under the sky.

In the afternoon we would browse around the local seaside shops, buying silly presents and postcards for our family. We would spend the rest of the afternoon building sandcastles, paddling in the sea and looking for crabs along the beach.

In the evening we would cosy up around a barbecue of delicious seafood, listen to some live folk music and meet new friends for an evening of good conversation and more laughter.

Bedtime would beckon early and we would all reminisce on what was the perfect day.

Today was far for perfect as I was made redundant. I knew it was coming but I feel pretty crushed. I know worse things can happen but it has rocked the world as I know it. I know things will be better soon, and 'when one door closes, another door opens'...

When I feel sad, cooking sorts me out so off I trotted to the kitchen, Little M on my hip, to make meat pilaff. I browned off some onion in vegetable oil and added coriander and cumin seeds along with dried thyme. To this I added basmati rice, chicken stock and left to simmer for 15 minutes. Cooked turkey was my choice of shredded meat to be added to the pot, followed by pine nuts, pomegranate seeds, coriander, parsley and seasoning (I figured the 'super foods' pomegranate and turkey would sort me out)! I then decanted to two bowls and we ate heartily. Very comforting food on a far-from-perfect day.

I have a couple of other tricks up my sleeve for the weekend aided by Dr Nigella so will be back soon.

Later peeps.

Goddess Mx

Precious Paella

2011-02-12T10:59:00.000-08:00

Around six months after Master M and I got together at university, we had an insane moment when we decided that even though we were totally skint students, it would be an ace idea to go on holiday to Tenerife. It was a brilliant holiday that holds dear memories for me. We slept all day, went out all night and drank cocktails that were too strong. Twenty years old and not a worry in the world. One of the bits I remember most about the holiday was a special meal we went for towards the end, when we pushed the boat out and ordered an extra nice bottle of wine and a seafood paella. I have mentioned before that I am not great eating food with bones, and nor am I fantastic with deshelling shellfish (although I am miles better now than ever before). I was horrified when our paella arrived topped with shellfish above the normal size, reaching out over the plate at me. At the time we had a laugh about it and went on to enjoy the treat. After the holiday, Master M took a shining to calling me 'precious paella' (don't know why) and this stuck for many years! So it was with a smile on my face that I decided to make Nigella's pantry paella.

The idea with pantry paella is that you are supposed to use odds and ends that you have lying around your kitchen. I had some of the ingredients but bought others, including pork to cook and leave to cool, as if I was using it as 'leftovers'. Amusing. I heated some oloroso sherry (or cream sherry to you and I) together with some saffron threads and left to cool. I then fried off some sliced spring onions and garlic in olive oil. Next I added arborio rice, a bag of frozen mixed seafood, peas and the pork. Chicken stock and the cooled sherry mixture were poured into the wok and the whole concoction was left to simmer for twenty minutes. The dish was garnished with lemon wedges and coriander, with a little sea salt. I had never made a paella previously, but the ease at which I made this surprised me. I did think the end result was more like risotto than paella, but next time I would leave it to dry out a little more. It did taste delicious nevertheless. Like holiday dinner at a nice harbour somewhere.

Today we visited some friends that we don't get to see enough of, so at Master M's suggestion, I made up some choc chip cookies. These were easy to make too - melted butter mixed with a combo of soft light brown sugar/caster sugar, vanilla extract, egg, flour, bicarbonate of soda and milk chocolate chips. I used an icecream scoop to produce blobs of the dough onto a greased baking tray and baked. The result was a yummy smelling house, and a tin of yummies to take over to friends to be consumed with a nice cuppa. And more for later!

I was honoured to receive a Stylish Blogger Award from Yummy Chunklet - check out her blog, it is full of fabulous food and I am hooked on reading it.

There are four rules to taking part - thank and link to the blogger who nominated you; share seven things about yourself; award 15 new bloggers, and tell them you have done it. I will be passing the baton to:

http://usmasala.blogspot.com/
http://momzblotter.blogspot.com/
http://jeansheartbeat.blogspot.com/
http://knackeredmotherswineclub.blogspot.com/
http://bundance.blogspot.com/
http://bakingwithfrench.blogspot.com/
http://notesfromhome.com/
http://thesinglemumdiaries.wordpress.com/
http://bakeforhappykids.blogspot.com/
http://anniesfoodjournal.blogspot.com/
http://jbskitchen.blogspot.com/
http://diaryofditzymummy.blogspot.com/
http://curtainsforthewindow.blogspot.com/
http://cookingmanu.blogspot.com/
http://cupcakesmile.blogspot.com/

I have enjoyed reading lots of Stylish Blogger Awards on other blogs and am pleased to take part. The tricky part was thinking about what to write! Here is my best shot:

1. My maiden name was Livingstone and I grew up in a town called Livingston.

2. As a child I was an avid fan of all Australian soaps, especially Neighbours. So it was to my delight that my friend's dad was UK agent to the actors/actresses from Neighbours, as it meant that the likes of Jason Donovan and Natalie Imbruglia were often in our street.

3. I love music, but my all-time favourite band has to be The Levellers. I have seen this epic band so many times that I have lost count. One night when I was watching TV, my sister called to say that she, my two brothers and dad were backstage with the Levs as they had supported my brother's friend's band The Complete Stone Roses. The phone was passed to me so that I could have a chat with the band. I can't remember what I said but I think it was along the lines of 'I really loooove your music' (how corny)?

4. When I was twelve I ran away to Inverness, a three hour journey from home with only a pound in my purse for school lunch. My friend had genuine reasons to flee home, but I just went along for the ride. I liked a bit of excitement and apologise now for being a source of constant worry for my lovely parents (can I just add that we were delivered home by midnight on the same day we left).

5. My family are like the Von Trapps. They can all sing, my mum plays the violin and my brothers are keen guitarists. My brother Martin Livingstone has put his whole heart and soul into promoting his brilliant music - please take a look (sorry for the plug)! I play the saxophone (this has lapsed for quite some time) but sing badly.

6. I am a slave to advertising and have to try the latest fad. I get anxious if I have not yet tried a new chocolate bar, e.g Aero have an 'bubbly lamb' which I am itching to sample!

7. I would say I am an average looking gal, but I have modelled once. When I was seventeen and working at the local golf club, an entrepreneurial colleague asked me if I would model pyjamas that she had designed to be sold at upmarket department store Jenners in Edinburgh. I don't think I have ever been as flattered in my life. I very much enjoyed working with a gorgeous male model, and there was a life-size cardboard cut-out of me in Jenners for quite sometime, although the brand never took off (hopefully nothing to do with me)!

Until next time.

Goddess Mx

A girlie night in and a very chocolately cake

2011-02-06T11:32:00.000-08:00

Last night Master M was out on the town, so I had the pleasure of my own company and Take That's Circus DVD. All I needed to add was a nice cosy dinner and some good red wine. Dinner was smoked haddock, an egg, tomato, parsley and frozen peas poached in milk (in a buttered dish) and sprinkled with oodles of pepper. I bought some nice white slice-your-own white bread to accompany my meal and buttered generously. I did find that I had to decant the fish, egg and tomato into another dish as the 'fishy milk' put me off a bit.

Today my mother-in-law came for a visit and we had lunch at Pizza Express, followed by some research at the Early Learning Centre on kitchens for Little M. I am a teensy bit smug about this as I have been trying to persuade Master M for quite a while that we should buy a tea-set/kettle/toaster/kitchen and now he is finally coming around to the concept. The thing is, once the idea is there, my hubby really throws himself into finding the best on the market. Maybe we have a little cook/chef in the making with our son...

We had some lovely flourless chocolate lime cake at home which was made up of melted dark chocolate mixed with caster sugar, unsalted butter, a lot of eggs, ground almonds, cocoa powder and lime (zest/juice). The cake was then baked for 35 minutes and was dusted with icing sugar. We then all devoured a slice each leaving enough for MIL to take some away and to stash in a tin for a treat tomorrow and the next day. Waste not want not...

Feeling weary about the week ahead due to some work uncertainties, but will continue to cheer myself up with my family and cooking away the blues in my kitchen!

Goddess Mx

A world made of chocolate

2011-02-05T11:15:00.000-08:00

I often wonder what it would be like if the world was made of chocolate. I am not kidding, that is how much I adore the stuff. I love the Lynx advert when the guy walking down the road is made of chocolate. Now that is the kind of man I like - I don't wonder why he is eaten in the cinema, gets his bum bitten on the bus and has his arm ripped off. Hansel and Gretel was also one of my favourite books, probably because it gave me an excuse to daydream about a house made of sweets and chocolate.

It was no contest when Maison Cupcake challenged us with the latest Forever Nigella to 'Seduce with Chocolate'. Chocolate brownie bowls are not brownies as you know them. They are not gooey but more sponge-like so that they can hold whichever filling you wish to load them with. In Kitchen, Nigella strongly advocates using a special 6-Cavity Dessert Shell Pan. She does also say that you can use Yorkshire pudding tins instead, which I did (I do live in Leeds after all). My brownie bowls were actually saucers which I prefer as I was able to fill more ice-cream into mine!

I added horlicks, cocoa powder and boiling water to melted butter mixed with sugar. To the mix I poured in some yoghurt, flour, bicarbonate of soda, egg and vanilla and whisked up. The mixture was then poured into a couple of Yorkshire tins and oven-baked for just over ten minutes, pressing down on them with a teacup to get the 'saucer' effect, and voila, perfect little holders for a never-ending list of fillings. My choice du jour was good quality vanilla ice-cream and chocolate sauce.

The great thing about these puddings is that they can seduce just about anyone with chocolate because the bowls are not rich so you can really go to town with the topping. Master M reckoned they would be good with poached pear or stewed apple, and even suggested a Black Forest brownie bowl (eighties chic)! Nigella's dried cherries soaked in cherry brandy (from her Christmas book) would work a treat for this. I like 'death by chocolate' so would go for choc ice-cream, sauce, sprinkles and might even add a cheeky flake.

One last fab thing about these bowls is that you can make up a batch and freeze them to seduce yourself whenever you have the urge. Now if you will excuse me, I have a date with a brownie saucer...

Goddess Mx

A little slice of Carribean magic

2011-02-03T04:57:00.000-08:00

I first tried jerk chicken with rice and peas at Leeds West Indian Carnival a couple of years ago. I liked the rice but struggled with the chicken, probably because I am a bit of a baby with bones. I do however love the concept, especially all of the different flavourings, and who can argue with chicken dowsed in rum?? Last night I made Nigella's version and was glad I did.

Nigella suggests using chicken breasts with the peg bone still in, but I couldn't source these so just went for the regular bone-free option. These are marinaded in a long list of spices and other ingredients which I whizzed up in the food processor, namely:

allspice
dried thyme
cayenne pepper
ground ginger
ground nutmeg
ground cinnamon
garlic cloves
root ginger
muscovado sugar
dark rum
lime juice
soy sauce
cider vinegar
whole (yup hot!) red chillies
onion

The chicken was then cooked in the oven for an hour in total until it looks worryingly charcoaled on the outside.

For the accompanying rice and peas, I fried off some chopped onion in vegetable oil, added chopped red chilli, garlic, long grain rice, coconut milk, stock, kidney beans and let simmer for 15 minutes. To serve I added some thyme and seasoned a little with salt.

All-in-all a pretty decent dinner for a Wednesday, but very spicy so is not for those who can't handle a bit of heat. The chicken wasn't tender inside but I'm not sure it is intended to be. All that was missing was a can of Red Stripe, some live louder-than-loud music, dancing and a procession of colours.

Looking forward to this year's event. It is second only to the Notting Hill Carnival which to me says it is pretty special, and something that we Yorkshire folks should be shouting about!

Goddess Mx

'There's no place like home'

2011-01-31T01:27:00.000-08:00

This weekend we strayed from the usual routine at home, and visited friends in Redhill. After a few hours singing ‘Tommy Thumb’ and ‘the wheels on the bus’ we arrived at our destination. It was well-worth the journey to meet our friends' 18 month old son, and to see their sprawling period property that they moved into shortly after his arrival (jealous, moi)?

On Saturday we went to Godstone Farm – the one that was affected by E.coli a couple of years ago. The boys loved wandering around chatting with the animals (Little M was particularly taken by the huge amount of tractors and diggers onsite). The highlight of the trip for the adults was a cosy hot chocolate in the play barn where the children ran off some steam. I was a little on-edge about all of the posters reminding us to wash our hands, and the notice that said to assume that all of the larger animals have E.coli. I guess it was an exercise in learning to not continually wrap Little M up in cotton wool (although it might have been warmer)! Back home, we had some delicious lamb shanks cooked with chickpeas and harissa, followed by ginger bread and butter pudding (a la Nigella, but not cooked by me for a change). We attempted to watch The Social Network on DVD, but embarrassingly Master M and I fell asleep midway through. We do like our early nights.

Sunday was spent driving home, with a stop at Heathrow to watch the planes take-off and land from the top of the car park. Little M loved this and aeroplanes are now his new favourite topic of conversation. All-in-all we had a thoroughly good weekend - great company and food. I think we had both forgotten how nice it is to get away for a few days.

The really great thing about going away for the weekend is coming home. Once in the door I made a batch of Buttermilk Scones, which we had with some of the Jumbleberry Jam I made at Christmas. The scones are so easy to make – flour, cream of tartar, butter, vegetable shortening, buttermilk, caster sugar and bicarbonate of soda; all mixed together, rolled out, cut into discs and egg-washed. The scones are then popped onto a greased baking sheet and baked for 12 minutes. The result is a nice light scone with a lovely bronzed topping. They taste plain yet tangy but the slight sourness really works well against the homemade jam. We all couldn’t resist going back for more.

Looking forward to a trip to the cinema tonight to see a chick flick – perfect start to the week. Happy Monday everyone.

Goddess Mx

PS - didn't get the 'Britain's Best Dish' gig. Their loss not mine! Happy that the pressure is off in a way as now I can get back to what I like to do best - work my way through 'Kitchen'. What shall I make next??

"Better the devil you know..."

2011-01-27T05:31:00.000-08:00

"... than the devil you don’t", or so the saying goes, meaning that sometimes it is best dealing with someone or something you know (but find difficult) than with the unknown. Is this true? The other school of thought is ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’ which can open doors for you aplenty. Which one sways you? Do you thrive on change and live on the edge or are you more of a home-comforts kind of person who likes the here-and-now and would happily stay there?

Last night I made Devil’s Food Cake for a colleague who is turning forty this weekend. The ingredients of the cake are made in three different bowls. Firstly, cocoa was mixed with boiling water and muscovado sugar, mixed and set-aside. Secondly, butter and caster sugar were mixed in another bowl with some vanilla extract. Thirdly, the flour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda were mixed in a further bowl. All of the ingredients were then gradually mixed alternately with eggs. The batter was poured into two lined, buttered sandwich tins and baked in the oven according to Nigella’s recipe.

Once in the oven the frosting was made by melting butter with muscovado sugar and boiling water, adding chunks of dark chocolate and then mixing until melted. This mixture was then left for an hour to become spreadable. I never thought it would - it seemed quite oily and like it would just slide off the cake. However, it worked its magic and the overall result was a devilishly good chocolate cake, filled and covered with the dense topping. This takes rich cake to a whole new level!

I attempted to decorate the cake with smarties, in a 4-0 fashion, but gave up and went for a more random approach. It was also adorned with 40 candles which I felt added a certain special something (dontchathink)?

Goddess Mx

An ambulance, a new bed and an audition

2011-01-24T02:21:00.000-08:00

Well, my weekend has kept me on my toes, that's for sure.

Little M was suffering with a cold last week - the umpteenth this year. On Friday he developed a rash, so, to be on the safe side, I made an appointment with our GP to check it out before the weekend was on us. He did all the usual checks which were fine, but when looking at the rash he seemed more concerned and mentioned 'suspected meningitis', words that no parent wants to ever hear. At this point I felt all of the colour drain out of my face. Before we knew what was happening, Little M was overjoyed during the journey to hospital shouting 'ambulance, nee-naw'. I'm glad he enjoyed the ride! To cut a long story short, we spent the rest of the night in hospital so that Little M could provide urine samples and have blood taken. Let me tell you it's not easy to get blood out of a tubby toddler. After a long and anxious night, we were told it was viral, and that we could go home. Phew!

The following day, at lunch time, I tried to put Little M in the cot for a nap, listening outside his bedroom door as I normally do. Seconds later I heard the little pitter-patter of his feet running towards the door. So he had climbed out of the cot. When asked to show us how he had done it, he proudly obliged prompting Master M to build Little M's 'big boy bed'. It was a bit of a toss-up between keeping him in the cot a while longer and risking him abseiling down the side; or going for the bed option with the worry of him roaming around at his leisure upstairs. We went for the latter. I spent the rest of the day in a frenzy racking my brains on how to make sure everything was as toddler-proof as could be. Master M was out on Saturday night, so I didn't sleep too well listening out for little feet, but gladly, Little M only fell out the bed once and it didn't wake him. He just carried on sleeping on the floor. Bless. I think he loves his new bed.

On Sunday I had my big audition for Britain's Best Dish so we all traipsed off to York for the day. The audition was a bit long-winded - lots of waiting around - but basically consisted of a screen test, a chat with the programme producers and then another conversation with the ITV food team. The last two bits were absolutely fine, but the first bit was awful! I had to pitch to camera about my dish in quite a gimmicky fashion which I suppose is what telly is all about. The producers gave me some ideas of how I can make my dish more special, and I should hear more this week. It was a good experience, if nothing else comes of it.

Fast-forward to today and I have been off work sick for a couple of days. I've just been to the docs who have confirmed it is a throat infection so I am currently on the sofa under my duvet, drugged up on penicillin and linctus. Think Little M may have given me his poison!

Apart from my Britain's Best Dish pudding, the only thing I have made in between all the commotion is Anchovy, Egg and Pepper Salad. The saltiness of the anchovies complemented the creaminess of the eggs and sweetness of the peppers. I had this as a dinner for one and would quite happily have it again either as a solo supper, or for the rest of the family.

More cooking soon.

Goddess Mx

PS - happy birthday Robert Burns, and to those of you celebrating, enjoy your haggis, neeps and tatties.

'Caravan of Love'

2011-01-19T02:33:00.000-08:00

What could be more appealing on a Tuesday night than Slut’s Spaghetti? The title of this dish is the English translation of Spaghetti alla puttanesca, and was invented by Sandro Petti, co-owner of a famous Italian restaurant in the 1950s. One evening Sandro was low on ingredients to cook for friends, so they insisted he “Facci una puttanata qualsiasi", or “make any kind of garbage” which he did (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaghetti_alla_puttanesca). Nigella doesn’t mince her words and breaks this down in ‘Kitchen’ to say that it is a pasta dish that might be made by a lady who can’t be bothered to shop for her ingredients fresh, so uses jarred goods from the pantry. Sounds good to me!

The method for the pasta sauce is as follows: heat olive oil, add chopped anchovies, crushed garlic, tomatoes, chilli flakes, olives, capers, season and leave to simmer for 10 minutes while the pasta cooks. Once the spaghetti is al dente, combine, plate up and sprinkle with chopped parsley. All that was left to do was slurp greedily (is it possible to eat spaghetti without making a mess)?

Next up was some good old telly – One Born Every Minute which never fails to make me cry (and start planning the birth plan of my next not-conceived-yet baby); and Big Gypsy Weddings which fascinated me no end, and got me thinking again about my dream to have my own vintage chintzy caravan in the garden. Let’s call it my special ‘summer house’ to escape to for chocolate eating, reading and general ‘I love me’ stuff.

Goddess Mx

PS - might not do much more cooking for the rest of the week from 'Kitchen', as I have been called for an audition on Sunday for ITV's Britain's Best Dish - need to practice! Making a pudding and will keep you posted :)

Music I want my Son to Listen to (whilst eating Speedy Seafood Supper)!

2011-01-18T00:44:00.000-08:00

This post is inspired by ghostwritermummy who, like me, loves the fabulous Ben Folds. To enter your link read her post on Daniel Johnston.

I love music. It makes me happy when I am sad, soothes me when I am tired, celebrates with me when I am on a high, and provides a constant soundtrack to my life. As I type this, the Black Eyed Peas track 'I've Got a Feeling' is playing on the radio which never fails to make me smile. I like to say I have good taste in music across a broad spectrum of genres. However, my guilty secret is now out that I enjoy a bit of Alexandra Burke or Cheryl Cole when I am doing some cleaning around the house, the volume cranked up high. In particular, songs that have impacted on me, or hold dear memories are:

Levellers – 'One Way' (reminds me of my first music festival – T in the Park - back in the early nineties where I bounced along to bands like the Manic Street Preachers and Rage Against the Machine);

The Smiths – 'There is a Light that Never Goes Out' (very romantic albeit a bit morbid lyrically, and reminds me of dancing around our tiny flat when we first moved to Leeds with friends);

Fleetwood Mac – 'Go Your Own Way'; Cat Stevens – 'Matthew and Son' (again reminds me of parties in the flat, and happy times with friends who we have now lost touch with);

Orson – 'No Tomorrow' (reminds me of a job I had working with substance misusers, one of the best and most rewarding I have ever had);

Radiohead – 'Anyone can Play Guitar' (memories of when I first realised that I wanted to work in the arts/events industry);

Desree – 'Kissing You' (memories of Master M and I when we first got together, and our ‘first dance’ song);

Wes – 'Alane' (memories of a holiday in Western France as footloose and fancy-free young lass);

Morrissey – 'First of the Gang to Die' (saw him three times in the year he released ‘You are the Quarry’ – mucho respect. The most rowdy gigs I have ever been to);

Teenage Fanclub – 'Radio' (the first band I have ever truly loved. This is my most played track ever. I used to listen to it up-loud lying on the sofa with headphones on. One of the best bands ever, in the same genre as the fabulous Belle and Sebastian; Camera Obscura and BMX Bandits);

Ben Folds Five – 'Song for the Dumped' (memories of teenage angst, and a soul-searching night with Master M at their gig);

I would be delighted if Little M liked any of the above-mentioned, and really can’t wait to find out what he is into, whether it is classical music, heavy metal, reggae or hard-house! The only indication I have so far is that he liked me listening to The Script album when I was pregnant (could feel him ‘dancing’) and has a penchant for ‘Away in a Manger’ several times a day which has now been prohibited until next Advent.

I also hope he likes seafood! I made a glorious seafood supper last night consisting of a bag of frozen seafood added to spring onions heated in garlic oil, saffron-infused boiling water, vermouth, tomatoes, tarragon and seasoning. This genius soup was devoured alongside some doughy granary bread. I recommend that everyone tries this, while listening to any of the music above for a night of happiness to brighten up a dreary January evening.

Goddess Mx

Pasta galore, clams and South Indian curry

2011-01-17T00:54:00.000-08:00

On Thursday night we had pasta yet again - papardelle with blue cheese, pinenuts and butternut squash. I would never have thought to use squash with pasta but it worked well. The recipe also uses sage which I have only ever used in casseroles but it added a punch that I liked. The meal was really good but I am feeling a bit stodged out again. Think I will have to take a pasta rain-check this week.

On Friday night I made clams with chorizo. Am enjoying a weekly outing to the market to get some fish or seafood, although this was a pricey meal for this late in January when payday is calling. The clams were plunged in ice-cold water and I chucked away any that didn't close. Sliced chorizo was fried off for a few minutes in our huge new Le Creuset pot until it gave off it's bronze oil, and then placed in a foil packet whilse the clams were steamed in sherry. I then reintroduced the chorizo, choppped in some fresh chives and clattered the results into bowls, accompanied by some crusty bread to sponge up the sauce. Lovely.

We went out on Saturday night to see some friends who were hosting an Italian meal. I immediately started planning in my head the Frangelico Tirimasu dish from 'Kitchen' but was pipped to the post by another guest who was coming who was bringing Tarte au Citron. As a starter we had delicious anti pasti followed by, yes, you have guessed it more pasta - spaghetti bolognese! It was worth it though - slow cooked all afternoon. I usually just whip up a bolognese in 20 minutes or so but as my friend V proved, it paid to cook it slowly.

After four lots of pasta last week, I was adamant about walking my 8-10000 steps a day so headed out for a half-hour brisk walk, pedometer clamped on. Thirty minutes later I had only done a measley 4000 - how on earth do normal working mums manage to do anywhere near 8000 steps a day! On top of the 4000, I did another 2200 just doing everyday stuff. The Waitrose reckons that you should do 16000 for maximum fitness - how anyone would fit in a couple of hours walking every day is beyond me!

Crying out for some vegetables, I made South Indian vegetable curry on Sunday night. I heated up some garlic oil, fried off some onions (half-moon slices), green peppers, ginger; added ground cumin, coriander, turmeric and ginger; tamarind paste; then added broccoli and cauliflower florets to bubble for around ten minutes. More veg - fine green beans and baby corn - were then added for a further five minutes, followed by sugar snap peas. The curry was served with noodles (a nice change from rice) and sprinkled with chopped dill, instead of the usual coriander.

Looking forward to making more puddings this week as last week was a bit of a main meal-fest.

Another project for the week is a little think about starting a herb garden - reckon I spend a fortune on shop-bought stuff. I think I am going to start with mint and rosemary as they flower, so are bee-friendly too - bonus!

Goddess Mx

The world's most expensive spice

2011-01-13T00:30:00.001-08:00

Last year, my sister-in-law and her fiancee came to stay and gifted us an original tagine dish from Morocco, along with loads of spices - cumin, coriander, turmeric and some saffron threads. They gave us a great lesson on how to cook a Tagine the proper way (J is originally from Morocco so somewhat an expert!) and I think it is a brilliant dish to cook up for friends, or a dinner party as some may call it (I personally don't like this term, don't know why)! I like meals when you can stick a big pot in the middle of a table and all can just dig-in. When we were students in Leicester, I can't count the number of fondue nights we had sitting chatting and grazing all night around a cosy, candlelit table - happy days...

... anyway, I digress! Last night Master M inspired me to make a risotto with saffron that K and J had given us last year. I have often wondered what uses saffron has and have since discovered that it is the world's most expensive spice - see What's Cooking America. This website also claims that 'saffron is especially good when used in cooking seafood dishes such as bouillabaisse and paella. It is also used in risotto and other rice dishes'.

Nigella's Kitchen boasts a Saffron Risotto which was a joy to make (glass of wine in hand). I used fresh chicken stock and simmered with a tsp of saffron threads in one pot; in another I melted butter, olive oil, added risotto rice, marsala and ladled the stock in gradually for around 20 minutes until the rice was al dente. The final step was to add a bit more butter, some seasoning, parmesan and then I piled into pasta bowls (with a final dusting of parmesan). A very satisfying meal I must say. It seemed quite plain to begin with (I am used to Master M's divine prawn and pea risotto), but it really worked and felt like a bit of a mid-week treat.

Have a nice day all.

Goddess Mx

Thanking our lucky stars

2011-01-12T01:44:00.000-08:00

Us Brits are terrible at complaining about stuff, and the weather probably tops the bill - either too hot/cold/wet/snowy. When you look at what is going on in Australia it all pales into significance. Today in Leeds the ground is wet but the temperature is rising and the sun is smiling in the sky. Let us be thankful for what we have and spare a thought for those struggling down-under.

I was chuffed yesterday arriving home to see that Master M had bought some ingredients for me to make Pasta with Spinach, Feta and Pinenuts. While the pasta was cooking, I heated up some garlic oil and added some sliced onion to cook on a slow-heat for 10 minutes before adding a touch of mixed spice. I then added some toasted pinenuts, spinach, feta, salt and pepper, tossed together et voila - a delightful cosy meal a deux. I always feel good once I have had some spinach. Popeye eat your heart out!

To top the day off, my lovely huz made me a Green and Blacks hot chocolate with a shot of Kahlua which means I have fallen off the wagon, 11 days into January. Predictable! Heavenly and worth it though.

Goddess Mx

PS - next dish won't be pasta as have made it twice in one week now. Carbelicious.

Pasta like you would have on holiday

2011-01-10T00:33:00.000-08:00

No matter which way I look, I am surrounded by talk of holidays - our friends have just come back from sunny Sydney, a friend's family are off to Barbados and various other friends are booking at least a week in the sun to look forward to. We went on our first family holiday to Menorca last year and paid above the odds for a package deal. I think we made the right decision as we needed to build confidence in travelling with a toddler and booking last minute has its own stresses, but this year we have opted for a late deal. I am reading 'Eat, Pray, Love' at the moment by Elizabeth Gilbert, and this is as close as I am going to get in terms of holidaying for now, so I have let my mind take me to Italy, India and Indonesia quite happily.

So where is all this talk of foreign shores leading? Calamari of course! I may have mentioned before that calamari reminds me of holidays - Greece in particular, sitting in a beach cafe in my bikini with a bowl of fried calamari rings with garlic and lemon. In Samos (Greece) I have also had a delicious dish of stuffed whole squid which was heavenly which would be interesting to re-create. Now, Leeds Market is brilliant and I can easily by ready to eat baby squid (with tentacles) for around £1 to feed two which I think is a bargain. Nigella suggests buying pasta to replicate the calamari rings that the squid are cut into, and I went for some expensive large tubes which look nothing like the seafood rings but was nice anyhow. The pasta is cooked as normal and the sauce comprises olive oil, vermouth, butter, red chilli, spring onions and parsley. The rings are fried off first for a couple of minutes and then left to simmer in the sauce for a bit. As the pasta shapes were so big therefore meaning the cooking time took longer, I overcooked the squid but it was still tasty and the texture was fine.

Exciting news that I promised on my last blog is that I have applied for Britain's Best Dish on ITV and have a couple of recipes up my sleeve which I hope the programme producers will like. My only worry is that they are simple recipes, not like last year's dishes on the programme so I hope this doesn't go against me. They are my own recipes (crikey!) and the flavours are great. Should hear this week whether I will be called for an audition - fingers crossed!

Goddess Mx

Light at the end of the post-christmas blues

2011-01-06T07:48:00.000-08:00

Well, today was the day that I packed away the rest of our christmas decorations. Yes, I know that I am probably later than most other peeps, and our lovely christmas tree did come down on 6th January. But who says it should have? Well, from a religious point-of-view the 6th is The Epiphany, the revelation of Jesus. To me that would say that the tree should stay up a bit longer, and adorn even more lights, but no, my living room is going to become as grey and January-ish as the rest of my life at the moment.

So, let's do a little trot back down memory lane, December-stylie, remembering some of my glorious christmas fodder. I am also going to submit this post as part of the Forever Nigella blogging event - http://blog.maisoncupcake.com/forever-nigella/.

There was the jumbleberry jam (from Nigella Kitchen), which was a raging success. I am still enjoying it now on toast with comforting tea, and the berries make me feel like I am kind-of being healthy (no need to mention all the jam sugar). I also gifted some of the jam to some friends who were pleased recipients.

My steeped christmas fruits (from Nigella Christmas) were well-worth the wait as the plump Grand Marnier-drenched golden sultanas made a scrumptious marriage with some good quality vanilla ice cream - posh rum n raisin at its best, and a lush pudding on christmas eve for the family. I also made vanilla sugar which was a nice treat in my coffee, and will be for months to come.

The festive salt (from Nigella Christmas) was dished up with our boxing day feast and used sparingly, and today we used it on our roast chicken, although I can't say I really tasted it - don't think it helped that I bought a cheap chicken (skinto). Looks pretty and christmassy though and makes me feel like a domestic goddess if my salt is in a special jar.

Winter isn't the same without some cosy soups to curl up with, and Dr Lawson's Cuban Cure Soup (from Nigella Christmas) was no exception. A robust soup with chorizo and black beans, this warmed the cockles no end. I think I am going to make more soups this year, but wholesome ones to get excited about. No pic here I am afraid.

My chilli jam (from Nigella Christmas) was a failure then I triumph all at once, due to reheating it a day later to help it set. Not been able to sample it yet as I am waiting for it to mature at the end of this month. Grrr... Another thing (along with pay day) to work towards. C'mon!

My marinated feta (from Nigella Christmas) was great, but am dissapointed that it has set in a conjealed murky oily mess in the jar (refrigerated). At least I tried it. This always happens to anchovies for me too. Anyone relate and how can you stop it happening?

Double blue crostinis (from Nigella Christmas) were a nice little bring-along I took to a party for the toddlers. The mummies seemed to like and I surprised myself with how easy it was to make a yummy dip. You can't go wrong with blue cheese. Well maybe if your friend announces at the party that she is preggers. Oh well!

I had a little pre-detox before christmas - for all of half a day - eating homemade chicken broth (from Nigella Christmas). Really bland but kind-of in a good way and it blew my cold out of town, which I had been carrying for months on end beforehand.

I knew at the start of December that I had to make Nige's puddini bonbons (from Nigella Christmas) and I am glad I did. They brought instant christmas cheer (when I was eating the mixture whilst making) and gorgeous little gifts but note to self to make them smaller next time to fit more in gift boxes.

The making of Peanut Butter Cups (from Nigella Christmas) was a lesson in 'don't judge a book by its cover'. They looked ghastly but tasted immense. Peanut butter and chocolate are meant to be and I have been addicted to the former since.

My solitary addition to christmas dinner was redder than red cranberry sauce (from Nigella Christmas), with cherry brandy. I really enjoyed it but think it is sweeter than your standard stuff. I would advocate never buying this again though as it is no trouble at all to make.

This year marked the beginning of christmas eve eating. We had previously been fans of takeaways but it was nice to get family around the table to eat Ginger-glazed ham and Macaroni (you guessed it, from Nigella Christmas). I will now be making a christmas ham every year whether it is cooked in ginger ale, coca cola or pineapple juice, this is a must-have of the festive season. Unfortunately I am missing a photo of the magnificent ham.

Nigella I salute you - I feel like you were almost with us this christmas, what with all of the delights you have inspired me to cook. Who needs Jamie Oliver? One thing that seemed to be all the rage this time with Jamie and all of the celebrity chefs was leaving your turkey to rest for hours after cooking. Seems bonkers but it really works and makes for juicy, tender turkey. Who knows what they will come up with next year. I do hope Heston's christmas pud with the candied orange in the centre comes back. Well worth the media frenzy and £15, but perhaps not worth the crazy ebay bidding on them when Waitrose ran out. Maybe I will try making my own - Nigella's of course? New project!

Happy 2011 to all - cooking and doing whatever else makes you happy. I know that's what I will be doing.

Goddess Mx

PS - my hubby also cooked some Nigella stuff this christmas and I am trying to persuade him to do a guest post. Watch this space!

PPS - normal blogging will resume tomorrow as I am aware this is a review of previous cooking, therefore posts. I cooked a FIERCE meal on Friday which I am excited about sharing and maybe somethine else cooking related to chat about which is potentially quite exciting!

Confectionary Queen

2010-12-22T03:39:00.000-08:00

It has been a few days since I last blogged (and yes I am now addicted)!

In a jolly mood on Christmas Eve, I made some Puddini Bonbons with the following sweet treats:
cooled christmas pudding
melted dark chocolate
icing sugar
golden syrup
rum

This mixture was then rolled (quite messily) into little squidgy balls and chilled on a lined baking tray in the fridge. Next bit was the icing stage which consisted of melting (and eating at the same time) white chocolate dribbled on each bonbon, and then quite literally adorning with a cherry on the top - well, a slither of red glace cherry, and two of green to mimic holly. Pretty personified.

The sweets were then placed into adorable gold petit four cases, and popped into christmas gift boxes - the perfect stocking gifts for all staying at our abode.

Thinking I was confectionary queen, I then went on to make Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, or fake Reese Peanut Butter Cups. Now, these things looked like they were made at Little M's nursery and I was too embarassed to get them out to serve to our christmas guests. Didn't stop me sneaking into the kitchen though to chomp on them as they tasted just as good as the real thing. The base was made of smooth peanut butter, icing sugar and butter, and the topping a mixture of melted mixed milk/dark chocolate.

I have got it really lucky in my house over the christmas period as my huz is in charge of the kitchen, just the way he likes it so who am I to interfere? My addition to the christmas day feast was Redder than Red Cranberry Sauce - cranberries, caster sugar, cherry brandy and water. So simple yet so good. No excuse whatsover to buy it again.

I decided that because I was taking a step back from christmas day cooking, the Chrimbo Eve feast would be my doing - Ginger-Glazed Ham and Macaroni Cheese (didn't get a photo of the ham unfortunately). We normally don't bother with cooking on CE and opt for a takeaway but this will be my new thing as again, simplicity at its best. All I needed to do was bung my ham joint in a pot with ginger ale and gently boil for 3.5 hours, glaze with ginger conserve, mustard, brown sugar and ground cloves and bang in the oven for 20 minutes. As for the pasta, I par-boiled some macaroni, made a cheese sauce with flour, butter, milk, emmental, cheddar, parmesan and condensed milk, and oven-cooked to perfection. For dessert we had shop-bought vanilla ice-cream (good quality) with my (here's one I did earlier) golden sultanas soaked in Grand Marnier. Yummy sups.

As usual the whole christmas thing has gone in a haze. We have had a houseful of family which has been lovely, and it really was the best yet with Little M. His phrase of Christmas Day was 'more presents'. Very cute. One of his favourite gifts was a 'bag for life' from the Early Learning Centre with plastic food in it which he proceeded to distribute to all in his vicinity, whilst naming each item.

Looking forward to eating and drinking less tomorrow (said that yesterday too) and a brisk walk with my boys. We managed a walk to Roundhay Park on Christmas Day, and a saunter around Bolton Abbey on Boxing Day with a bit of sledging thrown in, but I, and my bulging tummy, are pleading for a bit of physical activity. Maybe so I have the excuse to keep eating, drinking and being merry.

Goddess Mx

PS - other highlights of our lovely christmas were a surprise visit from my mum, our new SLR camera, and gorgeous smelly cheeses, wines and fois gras on boxing day, courtesy of my sister-in-law's French fella who enjoyed (we hope) his first British Christmas at ours.

Goddess Mx

Jewish Penicillin

2010-12-20T00:34:00.000-08:00

Everyone knows that Chicken Soup does the trick when you are under the weather - I have fond memories of Heinz CS after doses of the flu, tummy bugs and other ailments, courtesy of my mum.

I used to pride myself on never really getting ill, but now with a toddler-in-tow, I seem to always have the cold. So, I thought I would give Nigella's chicken soup a whirl. According to the website Jewish Penicillin, Dr. Stephen Rennard, a specialist in pulmonary medicine, tested the theory and concluded that chicken soup "actually has a mild medicinal effect, inhibiting inflammation of the cells in the nasal passage, reducing the symptoms of a cold". Anything is worth a try.

To make the soup, I popped into a pot the following magic ingredients:
1 small chicken
1 carrot, peeled and halved
1 tbsp maldon salt
1 onion, halved with skin still on
1 cinnamon stick
3 litres of water
Juice of one orange

I then simmered for around 3 hours, longer than the 2 hours suggested, but I couldn't get all of the water in at once as I need a bigger pot (massive lilac Le Creuset to be precise)! I then strained the broth into another pot and chilled overnight. A day after I scooped the fat off the top of the liquid, heated up, and added a handful of beansprouts, some chopped spring onions, red chilli and coriander to the mix, and devoured. It was really simple and I did feel like it was doing something to my cold immediately (although could this be a kind-of placebo effect)? I have since drank the broth on its own from a mug, which is also nice. Perfect food this week when temperatures have reached -9.5c.

Would be interested to hear about what others eat when feeling below-par.

Goddess Mx

Secret Santa with the Yummy Mummies and Tots

2010-12-19T11:09:00.001-08:00

In Spring 2009, obviously I was on a high (if in a somewhat sleepy, hazy state) after the birth of Little M, but it was also the season I met some lovely ladies - my yummy mummy friends. I left it too late when pregnant to book onto the antenatal NCT classes that everyone swears by - if only for the great group of friends that you will probably meet - but met my group at a postnatal NCT coffee morning, when the wee man was four weeks old.

For around 6 months we all religiously met, sometimes to gush about our new offspring, other times to weep due to lack of sleep, and there were also incidences of just turning up to be there to breastfeed for a couple of hours non-stop, safe in the knowledge that there were other women out there who were going through exactly the same thing as you at that time in your life.

Fast-forward to today for our (second) annual secret santa party. This time last year our little ones were crawling around or cruising along the furniture, in contrast to today which was just chaos! They are all now fully-fledged toddlers - chatty, cute as a button, and can tantrum like the best f them. Us mums are much more confident, self-assured and are now capable of having conversations about stuff other than what colour baby poo should be and other mothering delights! I hope that the babies (as we will always call them) and the mummies will be lifelong friends as we have all come a long way together.

Food at the party was star-shaped sandwiches - houmous sarnies were a firm favourite - on milk roll bread, lots of crudites, dips and cheese twists. We also had mince pies, toddler-sized cakes (in petit four cases), gingerbread men and truffles that one of the girls makes every time we get together (they are dreamy).

I opted to make Double Blue Crostini to take to the party, but not as you know it. Instead of using bread, tortilla chips are used. You can either spread the filling on the chips or just use it as a dip. The dip was made up of Saint Agur, cream cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, white pepper and chives. Much nicer than a shop-bought dip and oh-so-easy! I am going to try the chilli cheese variation for christmas canapes, maybe for christmas eve.

Am currently boiling up some chicken soup which will hopefully soothe my weary soul, but more about that tomorrow. It is taking an age!

Goddess Mx

My Big Fat Greek Christmas

2010-12-17T12:57:00.000-08:00

First of all, Chilli Jam update... I reheated the jam for a good ten minutes (boiling) and then tested on chilled saucers and could tell straight away that it had worked, so success!

Today I made Marinated Feta. When you think of Christmas, Aegean cheese is not the first thing that springs to mind. However, just like the Festive Salt, this dish LOOKS like Christmas - red crushed chillis (as with the salt), dried mint, and dried oregano were sprinkled over the crumbly cubes of feta, distributed among two jars, and each doused with olive oil. Need to wait a week now to try so maybe on Chrimbo eve we can all make like we are Shirley Valentine and eat Greek Salads, although it seems a bit wrong in this climate at the moment. I do think it will make a mean addition to the Boxing Day 'Cold Cuts and Salads' table.

You may have noticed that I have slacked off somewhat on the old 'one recipe a day'. As with 'Julie and Julia' I think to do this realistically, something in your life would have to give - sanity, relationship, career, the list goes on. I must admit, I think it was becoming a bit of a chore for me to HAVE to cook everyday and was beginning to take the fun out of it, so I am just going to plod along now. I may make a long list of stuff one week, and then nothing the next. The main thing is to enjoy, which I am keen to keep doing.

Happy Friday.

Goddess Mx

Not rolicking enough

2010-12-14T02:53:00.000-08:00

All excited last night about my new jam funnel (oh dear) I got ready in my kitchen to make Chilli Jam. Jam sugar - check, cider vinegar - check, red chillis and peppers - check - and off I went.

I did the same as with the Jumbleberry Jam, erm maybe except from testing on frozen saucers (the jam is actually more of a jelly so I didn't think I needed to). There was an 'oh sh*t' moment when as I was leaving it at a rolicking boil (as per the recipe), the frothy mixture rose at an astonishing pace to the top of the pot and boiled over onto the hob. I shrieked and jumped back, not wanting to be scalded, and then continued to let it boil, a little less ferociously.

The result is that the jam hasn't set! It is more of a syrup. I have two choices: bottle it and rename 'chilli sauce' or try and salvage it by decanting from the jars back into a pot and reheating, this time testing as I go.

Not so smug anymore. This might be my last preserve of the season!

Goddess Mx

Burning the candle at both ends...

2010-12-13T03:43:00.000-08:00

What another action-packed weekend. Had a fab time on Thursday night with some friends at the first christmas-do of the season - lots of wine-drinking and a bit of dancing to boot (I am not a huge fan of dancing but felt I should join in to avoid the 'bah-humbug' approach). Got to bed at 2ish and little M decided it would be a good idea to wake up at 4.40am - I know! Amazingly I got off hangover-free and was just a bit on the tired side, so we managed the usual Friday activities including some painting with string - my son is going to be a top abstract artist, mark my words.

I managed to make some festive salt on Saturday which makes me happy every time I look at it with its little red baubles (or pink peppercorns), sparkles (star anise) and poinsetta (crushed red chillies). Looking forward to trying this over some roast chicken or steak - probably both.

On Saturday I was all set for another night out for a friend's birthday, but little M had a dose of projectile vomiting and just wanted to cuddle mummy so we had a low-key day instead. I did manage to make a lovely soup - Dr Lawson's Cuban Bean Soup so quite apt! I used chorizo, spring onions, black beans, chicken stock and coriander and it really did restore and revive me.

Am really quite excited about a blogging event that I have heard about:

For more information on this, please go to http://blog.maisoncupcake.com/forever-nigella/

I will certainly be taking part, probably quite a few times.

Goddess Mx

Jammy Dodger

2010-12-05T11:56:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I think I am a 'jammy git' - in other words, a bit of a fluke who lands on my feet, despite not trying too hard. I should give myself more credit though as I have managed to make some lovely Jumbleberry Jam, which I am incredibly proud of! The most tricky bit of the whole thing was finding jam jars at a decent price, so I have ended up buying a selection from different places, which I will now have to fill with more lovely preserves. I conclude that the cheapest place to buy jars is Hobbycraft where standard jam jars are only about a quid each - bargain.

So, off I ventured to make my jam. I couldn't believe quite how easy it was - throwing together some mixed summer berries (frozen), and an equal amount of jam sugar, bringing to a boil and simmering for 15 minutes, before testing a scrummy blob on a chilled saucer (I had to repeat this process three times) to see if set - you know it is done if it starts to wrinkle. Next I poured the sticky goo into jars, left to cool, lidded and tied with pretty polka-dot ribbon.

Truly in the mood for preparing jarred goods, and with many jars left to use, I made some steeped christmas fruits (golden sultanas drenched in Grand Marnier) which will create part of my posh rum and raisin ice-cream. Whilst at it I made a jar of vanilla sugar - split and cut vanilla pod in granulated sugar. This will be used for vanilla coffee among other sweet treats.

Looking forward to a night out at Harewood House tonight with some girlfriends - christmas fair and a slap-up meal. If I have time before heading out, I will make some festive salt.

Goddess Mx

'Tis the season to go to black-tie dos...

2010-11-28T06:26:00.000-08:00

Has been a busy week indeed gearing up towards an Awards ceremony our team has been organising at work. When Friday arrived I was eager to collapse in an undignified heap (or just have a weekend zoned out in front of the TV), but of course that cannot happen, so instead we have had an action-packed time, which was probably a good thing to take my mind off of the week ahead!

I had a big old cooking session on Friday afternoon when I whipped up a delicious Minestrone to fight off the coming snow (I served it with Parmesan which I will do more often with soup). I went on to make a cheeky Jumbo Chilli Sauce for my mother-in-law to have with a prawn salad when she stopped in to look after Little M to allow us a night-out at a lawyers' black-tie dinner. It was a really easy sauce to whip up - roasted red peppers, loads of coriander, oil and garlic and it keeps in the fridge for a week - no photo as Blogger keeps rotating it sideways so not uploading it! The do was fun and we won £160 worth of spa vouchers for Rudding Park in Harrogate - nice.

On Saturday we had Parsley Pesto for our X Factor TV dinner. I think I have said before, but pasta and pesto is one of my favourite meals so this is a nice twist. We also had a lovely time with a friend who moved out of Leeds a couple of years ago. One of those 'pick-up-where you left off' friendships. I was a bit embarassed that we were all in bed by 10pm on a Saturday night though. That's what happens when you are up after 1am on a Friday. Can't stand the pace anymore...

I also made a Venetian Carrot Cake, mostly to treat MIL who is gluten-intolerant. I am liking these flour-free cakes more than the real deal. The ground almonds mean that the cake lasts longer too so there is no pressure to eat it all day long just to avoid throwing any away (which in my view is not allowed).

Fast-forward to today, and my work event has passed, much to my relief. It was a success, and we managed to get home from London, despite snow blanketing most of the country. It is wonderful how people come together in what seems like a crisis (it's only a bit of snow for goodness sake)! Panic-buying, 'snow days' and cars abandoned all over the place.

This week I have lived almost entirely on panini, chips and the like so it is little wonder that my tummy feels somewhat neglected. I would love a detox week in Thailand but that just aint going to happen. With tummy ache, and a toddler who refuses to wear a hat, scarf and gloves in Russian-like weather, I ventured out of the house with the buggy to get some basic supplies. I had to walk backwards to our local shops, dragging the McLaren all the way! The only thing that would do to eat on our return was a cosy bowl of cous-cous (Standby Starch) - flavoured with thyme, cumin anc chicken stock. Really reassuring food.

I had dinner early with Little M and we feasted on Pancetta, Pepper and Parsley Pasta which looked so pretty (although maybe not on camera)! This meal has just the right balance of salt (pancetta), lemon and chilli to tick all of the boxes. It was also quite a fitting meal, as it looks like christmas on a plate - fantastic red and green - which brings me onto an announcement...
I am switching from Nigella's 'Kitchen' to 'Nigella Christmas' as we are now in Advent. A bit of a diversion from the original plan, but necessary methinks!

Seasons Greetings to all.

Goddess Mx

PS - I also made an appetising tomatoey Cous-Cous with Salmon dish which I had forgotten about, as follows (my brain can't keep up with the cooking):

Karen BA (Hons) MSc Queen of Preserving

2010-11-24T07:59:00.000-08:00

I started off with something easy for dinner - lovely scorched Halloumi with Beetroot and Lime. The Beetroot was whizzed up in our sexy new red Magimix food processor. The things I get excited about now are shameful really.

Around 9ish (so an hour before my usual bedtime) I thought I would just 'whip up' some Pumpkin Chutney. It took me about 45 minutes alone just peeling, deseeding and chopping the pumpkin into miniscule cubes, peeling off a bit of my thumb in the process (ouch). Then came the fun bit. Mixing it up with cinnamon, ginger, cloves and all manner of other yummy stuff like red onion and white wine vinegar, and left to simmer for an hour, filling our house with a lovely aroma of christmassy joy.

So now I can say I have started my christmas shopping (or cooking) finally - hip, hip hoorah! 'Holidays are coming'...

Goddess Mx

A Sombre Weekend

2010-11-21T11:28:00.001-08:00

On Saturday night I cooked pasta with salami, which does what it says on the tin, nothing exciting really, except perhaps from the addition of cannelini beans. Verdict on this dish is that the beans were surplus to requirement.

It has been a bit of a wierd weekend on the whole. For me the whole thing has been overshadowed by news that a guy we met on holiday died on Saturday. He was only a bit older than us. We don't know the whole story, but he is survived by his fiance, 7-year old son, 1 year old daughter, and a new baby on the way. Why, oh why, is life so unfair? A former colleague of mine at work is also gravely ill, who I had thought was relatively young in her early sixties. Life is so very precious. It certainly puts into perspective all the minor work worries and all the other daily grinds of life.

I like this poem, by Jenny Joseph, entitled 'Warning' which sums up the way I am feeling at the moment:

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

I may not be wearing purple very much at the moment, but am very pleased with my purchase of a long black velvet dress which I am going to wear to a couple of posh dos over the festive period:

I am off to grab life with both hands, and to enjoy every minute.

Goddess Mx

Feeling hot, hot, hot

2010-11-19T12:35:00.000-08:00

Something good shall come out of another that is bad. We were supposed to be visiting friends this weekend but got the call yesterday to let us know that their little boy has chicken pox. Now there was a dilemma: go and expose him so that he has then had it; or stay at home and let Little M get it when nature takes its toll. We decided to stay. So the good bit that has come from the bad is that I get to do some more cooking, starting tonight with my Korean Calamari.

I am eating alone again - becoming a bit of a habit, which I don't actually mind - and am managing to stay away from the annual Children in Need on telly, which is actually a lot of nonsense (but for a good cause, of course). I have been meaning to make this dish for a few weeks, but haven't been able to get Baby Squid, so this morning, Little M and I jumped in the car and drove down into the misty city of Leeds to the market to get some. You can imagine my embarassment at the squid costing only 37p. I know it is not exactly a delicacy but I wouldn't have it every week. Well maybe now I shall at that price.

The squid was soaked in mirin, whilst I made the sauce of gochujang (or Hot Pepper Paste), soy sauce, sugar and sesame oil. I fried off some baby corn and spring onions, fried the squid, added the sauce and served the whole glorious concoction with fluffy sushi rice. Can I just say that I have been suffering with a really energy-zapping head cold this week, and I think that this meal has just blown it right out of the water. It is a bit cheeky in terms of heat, to say the least.

Looking forward to a lazy(ish) day tomorrow and am going to make it my mission to find golden sultanas and 250ml jars to make some pumpkin chutney.

Goddess Mx

A Bread and Cheese Dinner

2010-11-17T04:39:00.001-08:00

Last night I had an indulgent 'bread and cheese' dinner. There is something immensely satisfying about a crusty piece of torn-off baguette with a great big hunk of cheese, so a Blue Cheese Dressing drizzled over some juicy baby toms with some accompanying bread was lovely - the photo doesn't do it justice at all (looks a bit like scrambled egg). The dressing is made up of stilton, worcester sauce, yoghurt and milk, and I consumed the leftovers for lunch today.

Now this one is definitely a bit of a joke. I did mention that I was looking for quick-fixes for my recipes this week so Elderflower Spritzer is probably the easiest thing to make in the book. Elderflower Cordial plus sparkling water. Not rocket-science but nice and refreshing none-the-less. I am looking forward to making Elderflower Gimlet which includes Lime Cordial and Vodka or Gin - now we are talking!

I fear that I am not going to get to cook tonight. Master M is cooking - I think he misses it, and the opportunity to choose what he is eating. So, I might slip behind this week. My fault for applauding myself yesterday - too cocky!

Goddess Mx

Quesadillias are a piece of Cake, so I made one of those too

2010-11-16T04:59:00.000-08:00

This weekend we are going away for the weekend, so I realised I would have to up my game somewhat and cook at least a couple of dishes a day a few times this week to compensate for a no-cooking weekend. So, I referred to the 'Express' Index of 'Kitchen' to find some speedy ideas. The Avocado Quesadillas jumped off the page at me, shouting 'eat me'! I love dishes that only comprise of a few ingredients and this consisted of tortilla wraps (which I had in the freezer), avocado, manchego (gorgeously nutty) cheese and jalapeno peppers (which I had in stock). The ritual of making these is fun, and I enjoyed griddling them for the stripey effect. I happily tucked into my plate of triangles at the table, alone. I love sitting down properly at the table to eat which I plan to do more often. Next time I might even clear the post, pile of washing, Little M's artwork or whatever else may be on our kitchen table, to lay it properly, as Nigel Slater said you should.

Pudding was Lemon Polenta Cake which I was dubious about, as it is labelled gluten-free, but what a pleasant surprise! Instant polenta is used with ground almonds as a flour substitute, and boy does it work. I ate a piece standing up Nigella-style in the kitchen, just to sample of course, before bringing it into work this morning for a meeting. It is amazing the productivity cake can bring out of people.

I was reflecting on my cooking, and looking at my blog posts since the start of this and am quite blatantly proud of myself on the number of dishes I have produced in the past six weeks. A firm pat on the back to me, from me. I think the person who has got the most out of doing this is ME - I have learned to cook properly, experiment with new ingredients, dedicate myself to a project whole-heartedly just because I want to, and look forward to trying new things soon, e.g. learning a language, doing a photography course, learning to knit more than a few rows, start a book club... and the list goes on.

Goddess Mx

Easy like Sunday morning

2010-11-15T04:05:00.000-08:00

Sunday is my second-best day of the week. Naturally, Saturday is better as you have that wonderful feeling of another day ahead before you have to jump on that old treadmill of the working-week. We had an easy morning yesterday, as it should be on a Sunday, pottering around the house before heading out to church, and then a treat at the Waitrose coffee shop - fruit smoothies balanced out with cake for mummy and daddy, and a yummy fruit salad for Little M.

The rest of the day was non-eventful, just as I like it, so it made sense that dinner should follow-suit. Spanish Chicken with Chorizo and Potatoes is a straight-forward, no-messing kind-of dish - chicken thighs, chorizo (£7 worth for two of us!), red onion, new potatoes, oregano and olive oil in a shallow tray, cooked in a hot oven for an hour, and enjoyed. We did enjoy it but I did get the feeling that it wasn't that great for me - very salty. I had high expectations of this that didn't match up, but then you can't win 'em all can you?

I bought some pumpkin yesterday whilst they are still in season, and with it I intend to make some chutney. Need to find some jars, and some pretty christmas stickers to label them with. This is where my dometic goddess skills really need to up their game! If I can pull this off, I will be feeling very smug.

Goddess Mx

Japanese Prawns and a Giddy Geisha

2010-11-14T05:36:00.000-08:00

Picture the scene... Me adorned in a beautiful silk kimono, hair in an impressive up-do, immaculate make-up, gracefully pottering around my gleaming kitchen making a Japanese feast.

Cut to the reality. Me looking pasty and make-up free with one-day old hair slapped back in a messy knot, wearing a pink White Company dressing gown stained with porridge and all sorts, courtesy of Little M. Stumbling into the kitchen, I did manage to cook some divine Japanese Prawns, all within five minutes. These babies were cooked in a sauce made up of Mirin, Sake, Wasabi and spring onions, toppled onto a plate piled high of lettuce and coriander. Feeling pleased with myself on a relatively healthy dinner, I poured myself a Giddy Geisha - a shot of sake with tonic water and a dash of elderflower cordial. Naughty but nice.

Sayounara.

Goddess Mx

South-East Asian cuisine rules on a Friday night

2010-11-13T10:51:00.000-08:00

Having accidentally omitted the year-out travelling at the end of uni, we have done a good job packing in a few countries over the years including the majority of Europe, Thailand, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, New York and the glorious India. I have loved every one of those countries for different reasons, and obviously food plays a significant part in the experience. However, if food was the deciding factor, Thailand would win every time for me. The cuisine is delicious, healthy, fresh and oh so pretty - intricatly floral-carved fruit anyone? Yes please.

We have a (sort of) strict fish-on-a-friday rule, so it sometimes feels quite limiting when choosing what to eat. Last night we had Salmon and Sushi Rice with a hot, sweet 'n sour Asian sauce. Not strictly South-East Asian, more Pan-Asian food with touches of japanese, Vietnamese and Thai flavours. I griddled the salmon, much to Master M's distaste as he cannot stand the smell of fish in the the house. I agree, but to be honest, pan-fried salmon is so scrumptious that I will put up with a smelly house for the satisfaction it gives. Sushi rice is another of my new cupboard must-haves. It is like a cross between normal rice and sticky, but you can eat it quite happily with a fork, although I do like getting my hands involved with a good sticky-rice. The sauce was excellent - garlic, red chillies (hot), ginger, fish sauce (sour), sake, mirin and lime juice. We devoured it.

Next up was Orange and Blueberry Trifle (should have been Blackberry, but they are out of season). Easy-peasy pud to make - marmalade sponge drenched in Cointreau and freshly squeezed orange juice, piled with whipped double cream, and decorated with jewels (blueberries). It was nice, but I don't think it is as good as an old-skool trifle with custard - call me old fashioned.

We didn't watch Mad Men last night, but finished the first season of Downton Abbey which I have loved. Nice surprise that they are doing another series. On that note, cannot wait for the next lot of Sherlock Holmes which I thought was genius.

Off to Tokyo this evening, so I better get my Kimono on before I skip into the kitchen for tonight's treat!

Goddess Mx

Hibernation Food - Italian is the biz

2010-11-11T05:44:00.000-08:00

The last couple of days I have been feeling sleepy, like I want to curl up into a little cave with my boys and stay there until the (warm) sun comes out again. So, the food that I always crave when in this mood is Italian as it seems to satisfy, and I think adds that extra layer of fat that we all need at this time of year. A couple of days ago I made Panzanella, which wrongly is a dish popular in Tuscany within the Summer months! It is like an oily-bread salad, which I must admit put me off before making it - soggy bread salad? Well, it works, let me tell you. If you are looking for a partner for pasta and pesto, this is just the ticket. You cube some dry italian bread (I did Ciabatta) and mix it with basil, tomatoes, red onion, red wine vinegar and lots of extra-virgin olive oil and then you are ready to munch.

Last night I made Salmoriglio sauce which we had with our regular rapid roastini, and some poached chicken - very nice indeed. Master M wowed me with compliments with this one, and I had actually swayed from the recipe, using dried Herbs de Provence instead of fresh oregano (I have never seen this before), and fresh basil rather than parsley. It was just a delicious Sicilian herby lemon sauce really which worked a treat.

Little M is napping now then we are off for a playdate. I made us both a vegetable salad today for lunch (steamed cauliflower, french beans, sweetcorn, with tomatoes, lettuce and boiled egg), in an effort to get him to love warm winter salads as much as I do. I thought it would work as I used a raspberry vinegar to sweeten it all. The wee one just nibbled a few bits of cauliflower, but all credit to him for trying.

Trifle tonight, and I would like to make a start on the Mad Men series, as a friend has let us borrow the first box set. Speak after the first DVD-a-thon.

Goddess Mx

We Love Karen 32

2010-11-08T05:01:00.000-08:00

No blogging again this weekend and again I have been cook, cook, cooking! This blog is self-indulgently entitled 'We Love Karen 32' as that is what was iced on my rather fabulous birthday cake! I pulled into our driveway on Thursday night to my mum and dad standing by the door and had that moment where everything goes all out of context before I realised that they must have come to surprise me for my birthday. Lovely. I had only earlier been making a mental note to get a date sorted with them to come down from Scotland knowing that if I didn't do it soon, it wouldn't happen before christmas. They came armed with goodies (including the cake) for all of us, including presents for Little M and the obligatory tin of shortbread for Master M.

Just because you have guests doesn't been you can become a slacker in the kitchen! Quite the contrary, it egged me on even more to become a bit more of a mother hen and make sure everyone was well-fed. So the twisted lasagne was born (or Mexican as Nigella prefers to pen). Instead of meat, sweetcorn and blackbeans were the filling of choice, and tortilla wraps instead of lasagne pasta sheets. Much less of a faff.

To accompany the lasagne I made Avocado Salsa which I had made previously with fajitas, but this time jalapenos peppers were added which gave a welcome kick. My dad didn't join in - he is a bit of a snacker rather than an eater of proper meals! - but my mum and Master M had some. The latter of whom dislikes sweetcorn so I was chuffed he made the effort. My mum said it was 'mmmmm' which made me happy, and Master M didn't say much which I took to believe it wasn't really his thing.

On bonfire night we took Little M to a small firework display at our local boozer. He was really tired so didn't actually see any fireworks but did enjoy the fire. So, off we trudged home and I put the little chap to bed, after watching some homemade displays out of our guest bedroom window. Then, as a winter warmer, I made tomato curry with 1kg of cherry toms, and peas, among other ingredients/spices. Dad joined in on this one and all seemed to enjoy it but we all concluded that it wasn't really a curry. Just a nice kinda tomatoey dish.

With the curry, we had coconut rice which was great. Into the olive-oiled basmati, I tipped in some spring onion and 1 litre of coconut milk/boiled water. This simmered down, 15 minutes later resulting in pot of yumminess. I would definitely make this again as it livens up what can be an often predictable side.

On Saturday morning we headed into town early so that I could look for some must-have leg-lengthening boots that I had found in Grazia - they are from Primark and I really had to beat that hellish mid-Saturday scrum. They didn't have the boots so will have to try again another time. I also introduced my mum to the delights of the Cath Kidston shop as she was a CK virgin. Think she liked. I bought a chintzy iphone cover which I never thought I would do, as I kind-of went off Ms Kidston when she sold-out. It was much more interesting when she just did ironing board covers and book bags. My mum and dad also bought me some gorgeous art-deco style cake forks which of course I later in the weekend used to eat the birthday cake.

After Little M's usual swimming lesson, a rest for all, and a stroll around the local park, I cooked us all Chicken with Greek Herb Sauce (or Tsatsiki) and rapid roastini (for the benefit of my folks, naturally, who had yet to try it)! I think we all agreed that it was delicious. The sauce especially went down a treat. Shop-bought Tsatsiki can taste a bit too artificial but this was really fresh and well herby!

Following the main, we had Lemon Meringue Fool which is dead easy to make - lemon curd, double cream, limoncello whipped up with some meringue broken-up and tossed in. Heavenly. I used my martini glasses as dessert dishes which looked cool. Will do this again.

All good things come to an end and my brilliant parents finally had to go home on Sunday, my birthday. But not before making my day special along with my boys. We had a nice cooked 'Master M Special' breakfast and then bundled into our cars to go to Lotherton Hall for a kick around in the leaves and a wanter around the bird park. A really nice memorable day. At home, Master M made us dinner and pudding, then my creation of the day was a post-dinner shot - Baby Guiness which is Kahlua topped with a smidgen of Baileys. A nice end to an even nicer weekend.

Goddess Mx

PS - One of my presents was Take That tickets - woo hoo!

Haunted House, 'Starry Eyed' and Spring Chicken

2010-11-04T05:43:00.000-07:00

Can not believe it is already Thursday. What a week it has been...

I think I have already mentioned that I am planning a big work event at the end of this month. Well, a colleague and I were in London for a meeting, and then had a manic time running around looking at venues for a future conference. Now let me just say that I have really missed London having not been there for a couple of years, but I just don't think I can keep up with the pace of it now. It was refreshing after dashing around to come out of the tube to the sun setting over Battersea power station which you can see in my photograph. I really do enjoy the versatility of London. Even all of the random things that happened during the visit including the Twem from X Factor lookalikes on the tube, one of whom was wearing a blue Croc on one foot, and a brown suede brogue on the other. Only in London.

After we got away from the hubub of the City, we caught a train to Egham and a taxi to Beaumont Estate in Windsor. What a funny little place (it is actually quite sprawling actually). After checking in, we were directed up in the lift to the second floor where we could not for the life of us find our bedrooms, only a corridor which could have come directly from the film The Shining. Back to the lift we hot-trotted only to be met by a spooky boy of about sixteen who said he had come to help us - a pale lad dressed in what looked like school uniform. He led us up many, many stairs to an even scarier annexe where our bedrooms awaited. Now, I am no scaredy cat but I was too spooked to sleep on my own, so my friend and I shared her bed and sat in bed drinking wine under the duvet for the rest of the evening (so not so bad). We have since discovered that the venue is an old boys catholic boarding school, which does boast a couple of ghost stories including a little boy who sits on the steps of their chapel; and a janitor discovering that a corridor full of Henry VIII portraits that had been taken down off the wall, turned upside-down and left on the floor, all when no-one else had been in the building. We did find out though that the boy was real, not the ghost that we had originally thought.

On Tuesday night back to lovely Leeds to see Ellie Goulding at the O2 Academy (Master M's birthday present from moi). I am not the biggest Ellie fan. I would put her in that category of whiney, screechy female solo artists that isn't really my bag. However, on Tuesday she surpassed herself in my opinion. What a talented lady. Her band was massive. I don't think I have ever seen that much percussion on a stage in Leeds, and she proved her musical skills singing her heart out, banging the drums and strumming her geeeetar, so RESPECT. I rate her acoustic stuff more than the music she has released so far though, and am not impressed that she is re-releasing her debut album.

With all of the shenanigans of the week, I didn't get around to cooking until Wednesday, so I will be cooking in my sleep all weekend. I did make spring chicken last night which I know is a bit random in the run-up to christmas, but it was super-tasty. The jist of it is chicken thighs, oil, pancetta, peas, cider, leeks, garlic, celery, tarragon, little gem, and erm... "done" (as Gordon Ramsay would say, not that I like to quote him). Would recommend. Apologies for the steamy photo!

Will be cooking a twisted lasagne tonight if I can find black beans.

Goddess Mx

Key (S)Lime Pie

2010-10-31T14:22:00.000-07:00

Had a great time at the kid's Halloween party. My friend who hosted is one of those mums I always dreamt I would be - super organised and brave enough to invite a bucketload of toddlers over for a party in her house. I never seem to find the time or the inclination. Having said that, I probably had more fun at her house today for a mid-afternoon bash than I would do a grown-up party with drinks and nibbles. Must get out more! We played ghost-skittles, decorated pumpkin faces and had scrummy pumpkin soup and lots of other halloween-themed food like ghost rice crispy cakes, beetle grapes and pastry witch fingers. Someone commented on my cool spider fascinator. I am so stylish obviously! On the way home Little M was astonished at the darkness. 'Dark' is one of his favourite words, but I don't think he has actually been outside in it for quite a while. He never ceases to amaze me.

Anyway, back at the ranch I cooked sole (or 'soul' for the purposes of halloween), coated in instant polenta. This was served with a rather cheeky Tartare sauce made up of creme fraiche, gherkins, baby capers, jalapeno peppers and lemon juice/zest. I loved the whole thing. One of the best dishes of the challenge yet and my expectations were not high to begin with. Maybe that is how I should play things in future so that I will be pleasantly surprised.

For dessert we had Chocolate Key Lime Pie which tasted good, but the presentation left a lot to be desired. Basically I reckon I have the wrong kind of pie dish. I used a ceramic one, but think I need to invest in a tin dish which is deeper and larger. The biscuit base was nice but didn't really set in the fridge. The choc chips were a nice twist in the base, and the filling was zesty and refreshing. There is an abundance of it left in the fridge which I hope will be eaten while I am away over the next couple of days in London - a work visit, but still looking forward to it as the last time I was in the capital I was 9 months pregnant so way too long ago.

Due to being away, I am going to be doing a lot of cooking when I come back. This week I am one dish down as I was unable to source baby squid anywhere. A challenge for next week.

Goodnight.

Goddess Mx

Spooky Scallops

2010-10-31T07:16:00.001-07:00

Well, this is the weekend of Halloween and is it just me, or is the UK going mad over it or what? Everywhere you look there seems to be someone walking down the street with a pumpkin, and the supermarkets are going crazy with in-your-face merchandise. Little M has a spider outfit for the 'cuteness' factor, plus the fact that we have a party this afternoon. I have bought a children's spider hairband so that we co-ordinate - sad huh? Was going to make something to take but have opted for spider cupcakes from the patisserie counter at Waitrose.

I was going to theme my cooking this weekend to relate to the festivities, but as it happens, I seem to be using green food which is kinda scarey in a way (I remember at school having our milk in little bottles dyed with purple food colouring). First on the menu last night we had Scallops with Thai-Scented Pea Puree which was nice. I cautiously cooked the scallops as I didn't want to over/underdo the little luscious coins. They were good, but I think I could do with some practice. As you can see from the photo, it definitely looks like home fodder, especially as there was a ton of puree! I did follow the quantities in the recipe so if Nigella says!

Right, must go and party but more later on Key Lime Pie (more green food) which is chilling in the fridge.

Ooooooooohh.

Goddess Mx

Classy Ladies

2010-10-29T05:12:00.001-07:00

Nuff said - (nasty) Asti + Guiness = 2 happy ladies

Walking on Sunshine

2010-10-28T01:39:00.000-07:00

Well, yesterday was a sunny old day, and not as cold as normal either. A few little nice things have happened this week which have added a little sparkle in my life. The biggest sparkler was all was the news that a large high-street jeweller - who I have been battling with for the past couple of months - have finally agreed to replace a diamond that had fallen out of my eternity ring which I have only had since Little M was born. They were adamant that it was 'accidental damage' but surely eternity means more than a couple of years eh? Another act of kindness was a colleague at work whose brother got me a signed backstage pass from a James gig he went to in the US. It is pinned up on my noticeboard at work to make me smile, along with other things that make me happy: a 'You are my sunshine' postcard; a photo that my brother had taken of Loch Lomond; and a laminated 'first runner-up' award that I was given for a tongue-in-cheek bake-a-cake competition at work (for chocolate marble cake).

To celebrate all things sunny I made Sunshine Soup. A very humble soup consisting of blistered (in the oven) garlicky, oily yellow and orange peppers, sweetcorn, vegetable stock and a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Happy days. Hope the sun is shining for you.

Goddess Mx

A Cosy Dinner for Two

2010-10-27T00:49:00.000-07:00

On the menu last night was Redcurrant and Mint Lamb Cutlets, followed by leftover Pandowdy. Easy peasy and a nice dinner to make for friends. The lamb is just panfried as it is in garlic oil. After the lamb was removed from the pan, I chucked in my clementine juice, sherry vinegar, salt/pepper, redcurrant jelly and worcestershire sauce and whisked together with the gorgeous lamb juices. I then served up all of this with a tangle of rocket leaves and the newly brilliant (to us) rapid roastini (or shallow-fried gnocchi).

I feel like I now have more knowledge of the basics that you should have in your kitchen cupboard, so might post this soon. At the top of this list though is garlic oil which I have used every day since the start of the project - well, in the savoury dishes anyway. What is the point in crushing some garlic into standard olive oil when you can buy it already done? Another essential is worcestershire sauce (for a bit of zing), followed by spring onions which can easily be snipped into a dish rather than chopping an onion which brings on floods of tears.

Goddess Mx

Pear Pandowdy

2010-10-26T02:23:00.000-07:00

I am writing this blog with a Texan-drawl just to set the scene for anyone reading. This is my kind of pie as the ramshackle appearance is part of its charm - and that is what I like. Home cooking should look like this, and it makes eating all the more enjoyable. I get a bit bored rolling out pastry for hours on end, trying to make sure it doesn't break, so this was the perfect amount of time mixing and rolling only one piece - the lid to a pot (or griddle) of perfection!

I have done a little research but can't really find an origin for the Pandowdy, but have decided that it should be America. In Louisiana to be precise. And to be even more exact, the little town that True Blood is filmed in. That is the image in my mind so that is where it shall be from!

The pandowdy differs from other pies as it just has a crust on the top only. I thought it was lovely. Having had maybe one too many puddings of late, I was actually thinking that eating this would be a chore but it was delicate, consisting mainly of pears rather than apples, although I did throw a couple of apples in. The pears were lovely and grainy, not too sharp, and the pastry nice and plain to balance everything off. We have half left so enough for more tonight. Lush.

Off to face the rest of the day bravely. Had my first session this morning with a chiropractor who told me I have a knot the size of a golfball in my right shoulder. He has corrected my spine, and my neck - with two very loud cracks - and has warned me that I will feel very uncomfortable later today and that I will need to apply icepacks tonight. Hope I have lots of frozen peas in the freezer.

(A sore) Goddess Mx

Pudding, brunch to-die-for, and a nice wintery salad

2010-10-25T07:19:00.000-07:00

I am dismayed to begin this post with news of the fact that I do not have a photo of the lovely puffed-up delight that was my Choc Chip Bread Pudding. It was really a Bread and Butter Pudding but let's not get pedantic. It really did look a treat, like a swollen puddilicious crown. I did photograph the dish in its splendour but unfortunately we were broken into over the weekend and the scoundrels took my iphone so the proof (of the pudding) is gone. You will have to take my word for it that it looked lovely, and was equally as tasty.

On Saturday I made a brunch dish which was a nice change - Cinnamon Plums with French Toast. I enjoyed making the compote which comprised of sugar, cranberry juice, plums and cinnamon sticks. The scent really reminded me of childhood, although I am not sure which part. I love smells that transport you back in time. Very powerful.

On Sunday my mother-in-law came for lunch and we made Butternut Squash Salad. I do like a salad but it is difficult to come up with ideas in the winter for warmed versions so this was welcomed with open arms. The squash was cubed and roasted in oil, turmeric and ginger, and then tossed in rocket, pine nuts and golden sultanas. Very good indeed and MIL approved. With happy tummies we all ventured into the City to buy new shoes for Little M: the flashy ones that light-up as you walk; and his first pair of wellies. I don't know who was more excited - Little M or us grown-ups living vicariously through him.

Going to have a go at the Apple and Pear Pandowdy soon, along with some other delights. I bought some cocktail ingredients too to mix things up again.

Goddess Mx

A big slurp of Vietnamese Pork Noodle Soup

2010-10-21T11:52:00.000-07:00

This dish is another variation of one we usually make including Shitake Mushrooms, which were sadly missed on this occasion. There is not a lot better though than a slurp-fest of noodley, brothy soup on a freezing cold evening. The one comment I will make is that I don't think Oxo stock cubes add the required magic. We usually buy fresh stock for this kind of dish and it works better. Lime was a welcome ingredient though which added a bit of a twist. Would be interested to try some mint and/or lemongrass to see what this would bring to the soup party, but that might be too much. These are ingredients much used though in Vietnamese cuisine apparently.

No cooking tonight as I have been snacking all day to get me through a difficult day's work. Have an event coming up at the end of November which is going to eat up (no pun intended) a lot of my time, so will really put this challenge to the test.

More food soon.

Goddess Mx

A little first-aid and Chops with Couscous

2010-10-19T07:27:00.000-07:00

Without much prior thought (well, any actually) I had inadvertently booked myself onto a first-aid course yesterday, during one of the busiest weeks at work of the year. Despite not being able to focus my mind on the training, I did manage to come away from it feeling terrified about all manner of things - choking being the biggest. Little M's party trick seems to be stuffing as much food as possible into his mouth at once so it is always a worry for me. His favourite is a whole banana in his mouth at once - that's my boy. If I could take one thing away from the training it would be that if you can't move an obstruction by performing the heimlich manouvre , you should move onto CPR rather than try and get your fingers in the person's mouth. Told you, scaremongering stuff but something everyone should know.

Anyway, moving onto food for the day, last night I made Indian Rubbed Lamb with Lemon Rocket Couscous which was like a fireworks display for the tastebuds! Christmas chops I am now calling them due to the involvement of ground cloves. I urge everyone to try these NOW.

I'm not cooking tonight as it is just me and the young 'un in our house, so I will just have something easy, and start to write my birthday wish list. Ooh, so many things that I would like, including a live-in cleaner (which 'aint going to happen).

Goddess Mx

Loads of cooking, and the leaves following off trees...

2010-10-17T13:13:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all,

Gosh, it has been a while, and can I just say that I have the believable excuse that I am too busy cooking to blog??

On Thursday I cooked Speedy Scalloppini, which is basically pork pan-fried with lemon, and the most genius foodie idea yet this year for me - gnocchi, also pan-fried in olive oil. So, like teeny roast tatties but taking only 4 minutes to cook. We will be cooking this time-and-time again methinks. This meal is a lovely variation on another Nigella (Express I think) recipe of pork fried in a cider sauce, with mustard-doused gnocchi, only it is fresher. This dinner was a brill end to a hectic week that I doubted I would ever get through (I don't work Fridays).

Friday wasn't the fun-filled day that it always usually is with Little M as I had that feeling of having a dark cloud over me for the day. I am putting it down to Seasonal Affective Disorder, or feeling grouchy due to the summer being long-gone. To cheer things up I made Linguine with Truffle Oil which was scrumptious (my verdict), or 'eurgh, overpowering' (Master M summises). The recipe stipulates making it as a solo meal and I will do so on those evenings when it is just me as it is such a treat. I love the simplicity of the dish, and the creaminess of the sauce. You will note that the photo I have uploaded looks suspiciously like the Spaghetti and Marmite concoction. What can I say? It was a bit more special. Note to self: need to think of ways to spice up my photos. Must buy nice kitchen gadgets!

Saturday I woke up like a bear with a sore head. Not helped by the fact that Little M has reverted back to his 5am wake-up call. I really did have a chip on my shoulder. You know when everywhere you look you are reminded by that to-do list that never seems to be ticked off, including things like buy new capsule wardrobe (yes, I was having one of those 'I have nothing to wear' days). So, out Little M and I went into the crispness of the morning for a spin on his smart-trike, and then I whipped up some Chocolate and Banana Muffins, and can I just say, there is nothing like the fuggy smell of cocoa and warmed banana filling your house to clear away the cobwebs. They were very good and more bready than normal muffin fare.

That was far from 'it' as far as cooking was concerned on Saturday as later in the day I made Irish Oaten Rolls, and then Korean Keema for tea.

The Keema was lovely. It was a journey to get to the finished result though. Master M hunted down the gochuang sauce eventually after searching in Hull, and then Leeds. I then had to hot-trot to the supermarket to change my turkey mince which had started to turn despite the best before date being Saturday - dontcha just hate it when that happens? I also had to pick up last minute coriander which I am glad I did as it was the icing on the cake.

The rolls were really moist and well, homely tasting, helped by the Guinness, yoghurt and honey. Still have some left for during the week and there is something about homemade bread that makes you feel like you are a domestic goddess.

Today I am feeling much more like myself. I always feel a bit low at this time of year. I think it is the cycle of leaves falling off trees that makes me reflective and well, a bit glum about the prospect of six months of winter. But then I sort myself out, start to look forward to Halloween, Bonfire night, my birthday and Christmas, and get a bit giddy again. Cosy, cosy...

We had two walks today, one first thing looking for the Gruffalo in Roundhay Park, and the other late afternoon at Temple Newsam where we said hello to the goats and sheep. I love our family life. We also went for a carvery at lunch time and met some friends that we see a couple of years ago which we always enjoy.

Just made Coconut and Cherry Banana Bread which is heavenly-tasting. I told my mum I was making it and she reminded me that our old Afro-Carribean neighbour, Charlie, used to make this and it filled his house with a really nice rich scent. I did take it out of the oven a little prematurely to avoid the cheesecake debacle, and ended up having to pile it back into the tin for extra time in the oven. The house smells good though so, result.

Signing off until tomorrow. Have got all of next week's ingredients but shall keep the next dish a surprise (don't get too excited)..

Goddess Mx

Chicken Tarragon and a whole lotta colour

2010-10-13T07:36:00.000-07:00

Ta-Dah - last night we had posh chicken and chips! I went against the grain and instead of serving the meat with new potatoes n' green beans, went for the good old oven chip and asparagus just because I love it (and it is on spesh at Co-op)! The chicken was great and really easy to do. Just fry on one side for 5 minutes, turn over, add vermouth, 'erbs and cream and let bubble away on a low heat ferrociously until done. Nice and easy so just the way I like it.

I was going to post a photo that I had taken on my iphone of the beautiful tree outside our bedroom which is more and more stunning throughout the autumn months, until the leaves fall off onto our car and then it becomes annoying! I did take the photo but it doesn't do the tree any justice. Would love a really great camera. The colours that autumn bring are just divine - a gazillion shades of red, green, yellow, orange and brown. The only time of the year that we can truly have a go at rivalling India in the colourful stakes... Oh what the heck, here is the picture anyway.

Not sure about what to cook tonight. Might do pasta or meat with gnocchi but to be honest, am quite full after a lunch meeting in town (of a not-at-all-nice omlette with really fatty pancetta). I am sure I can find some space in that ever expanding belly of mine later on in this fine day.

Goddess Mx

I only forgot the best one...

2010-10-11T07:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was poorly sick again - the price you pay when you have a toddler at nursery. I think this made me forget to post about one of the best dishes yet, which we ate on Friday night - Lamb with Rosemary and Port. We have so many half-opened bottles of port at home that I was glad to find this little gem of a recipe. I had bought the 'Essentials Waitrose' lamb steaks and was concerned that these would be like the 'Sainsburys Basics' range (not that hot on quality). However, I was pleasantly surprised. We had the meat with mashed potato and asparagus. I did struggle to find rosemary though, so had to use dried Herbs de Provence which seemed to work ok.

Nigella reckons that she adds port to cooking instead of opening a bottle of red wine, in the same way she would add vermouth rather than white wine to say a risotto. Will be using port more often. Marsala is good too as an alternative to red.

Tonight I shall be cooking Chicken with Tarragon Sauce, and tidying up my messy house.

Goddess Mx

Oh Monday, Monday...

2010-10-11T04:20:00.000-07:00

As per the norm, I have been so busy over the weekend that this is the first chance I have had to blog. So here goes...

The fajitas on Thursday where absolutely a-m-a-z-i-n-g, and were a great tonic to compensate for an irksome week! The chicken was so tender and infused with lime, cumin and other lovely flavourings. When I put all the little bowls of additional yumminess out on the table it all looked a bit too healthy. A little bowl of coriander, creme fraiche, avocado salsa, sweetcorn and sweet chilli sauce but it was a taste explosion. Felt sorry for Master M who doesn't partake in coriander or sweetcorn consumption, and indeed doesn't like iceberg salad which I also served up. The biggest surprise was the tortillas which were much nicer warmed in the oven than the usual nuke in the microwave. Will be making these again for sure.

Next up was Friday and if I had blogged then, the title would have been 'Thank Cheesecake it's Friday' as that is what I baked, yes baked! I managed to do it while Little M was having his afternoon nap but he awoke while it was still in the oven in its bain marie (or water bath). I had nightmare images of him toddling into the kitchen, opening the hot oven, and pulling the tray out of the oven so kept us both prisoner in the living room until it was done. Fast-forward to Saturday evening and we had a couple of good friends over for cocktails, dinner (pizza) and cheesecake. Oh, I shouldn't have been so smug. The cheesecake was hideous. Really overdone I reckon. I think it needed a little less time in the oven as it was claggy (is that a word)? The toffee sauce was nice but a bit thick I thought. Will need to do lots of practice with this dish I suspect.

Yesterday we had a lovely day out with friends at Harewood House. Have always been put-off going by the admission price but admittedly I think it was worth the money. The gardens are so beautiful and we saw a silver birch across the lake which looked golden in the mid-afternoon sunshine. We spent the whole day there just meandering around with the ducks in the bird park, penguin viewing, perusing the orchard and vegetable garden and generally soaking up the autumn sun. Will definitely be visiting in future and not just for the Peppa Pig days or occasional concert.

At home I made a humble egg and bacon salad which does what it says on the tin really. Nigella says she boils her eggs for just one minute and then lets them stand in the boiled water for 10 minutes so that the yolk still has a hint of a wobble. This works really well! This meal was plain but satisfying, rather like something your granny would serve up which can't be a bad thing.

To balance out the modest salad, I made Strawberry and Almond Crumble. I really enjoyed it but it had a heck of a lot of sugar in it, which might not be entirely necessary due to the sweetness of the strawberries. I loved the contrast in textures. The soft strawberries combined with the crunch of the flaked almond-topping. A real treat.

Goddess Mx

Muffin Mania

2010-10-07T04:42:00.000-07:00

Was kind of relieved in a way that our guest for the evening called-off so that I could concentrate on the task in-hand - making my first sweet treat Apple and Cinnamon Muffins. Mixed all my ingredients up and realised fatal error that I didn't have honey in the house. After deliberating over whether syrup would be an adequate substitute I decided not (too sugary, and already loads of sugar in the recipe), and made the dash after Little M's bedtime to buy some. 30 mins later and my glorious muffins (just the right size, not like the manufactured bulging sort that make you feel sick) were ready to devour. They were really yummy, particularly the crunchy sugar-cinnamon-almondy topping, and enough to take a batch into work.

Not much else to report of a Wednesday evening. Just telly (The Apprentice, so loads of shouting at the the box) and a snuggle up with my fave glossy - Grazia.

Dinner pre muffins was scrambled eggs and toast - cosy, scrummy dinner a la Master M. Tonight I am cooking Fajitas and am going to do a spot of yoga if it kills me. Need to balance out all this eating somehow, although it is good to have a little extra cuddliness over the colder months which are fastly approaching... Roll on christmas so that I can get making foodie gifts.

Goddess Mx

Mussels in Cider, followed by Downton Abbey

2010-10-06T01:15:00.000-07:00

Well, I was delighted with last night's dinner of Mussels in Cider. I love Moules Marinieres in its original French winey state, but was keen to try this version too, although slightly hesitant after sampling Mussels in Guiness during a recent Belfast trip. I love both Guiness and Mussels but the two are not a marriage made in heaven.

As much as I was dreading the 'debearding', I actually got quite into it. And the byssals are just like little beards - cute. My favourite part of the process was tapping the half-open uncooked mussels against the sink to see if they closed, and dragged this bit out as long as possible. The liquid I cooked the mussels in comprised of olive oil, parsley, sliced garlic, spring onions and vintage (darling) cider. And it worked very well! And yes, the bread dipping was the best bit whilst eating.

After dinner we watched 'Downton Abbey' which we had pre-recorded. As Master M says, no-one does period dramas like the BBC. Think I quite like it. Favourite quote of the programme which got me thinking was when the Earl of Grantham said of Downton Abbey 'It is my third parent and my fourth child'. Can you imagine feeling so passionate about something/somewhere other than your family?

Tonight I need to find the time to make Strawberry and Almond Crumble for tonight's dessert (takeaway treat for dinner with an old friend from our Leicester days), and may make Apple and Cinnamon Muffins to take to work tomorrow. I think I may have gained a few pounds since the start of this challenge.

Goddess Mx

African Drumsticks - bang, bang, bang...

2010-10-05T02:07:00.000-07:00

What is better on a Monday night than an imaginary trip to South Africa - well, in culinary terms anyway? Last night I cooked African drumsticks - chicken in a marinade of tomato ketchup, apricot jam, onion, ginger and worcester sauce. It was tantalising. I decided to serve it with sweet potato rather than rice which we have had a lot of lately (and because I had one in the fridge asking to be eaten). The only way it could have been better is if it were cooked on the BBQ african stylee, which was never going to happen given the fact that ours hasn't seen the light of day this year. Sign of a bad summer.

I did the big shop yesterday stocking up on ingredients for the week ahead. Slightly apprehensive (but excited) about tonight's menu of Mussels in Cider, as I have to debeard (take away the byssal threads) and clean them. Have researched how to do this and it basically entails of the following (courtesy of http://allrecipes.com//HowTo/cleaning-mussels/Detail.aspx)

- Soak them for about 20 minutes
- Grasp the beard and give a sharp yank out and toward the hinge end of the mussel - sounds brutal!
- Place these mussels into another bowl full of clean cold water
- Use a firm brush to brush off any other oceanic attachments

Wish me luck. I think it will be worth it as I do adore mussels, especially mopping up the sauce at the end with a nice doughy hunk of bread.

Goddess Mx

A lot of food and a sickly cook...

2010-10-04T02:35:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since my last blog, so this one may go on a bit... *apologising in advance*.

Thursday brought with it the grand opening of Waitrose - have I mentioned it yet?? - and the TV launch of Nigella's 'Kitchen'. I dashed into Waitrose at lunch time to see what all of the fuss was about and immediately realised when the first thing to greet me was a gorgeous Patisserie counter with adorable cupcakes on display. I had definitely found one of my new favourite hangout places - what has become of me?

Nigella's 'Kitchen' was everything I expected and more. The best bit of the show, as always, was the midnight-feast bit at the very end. This episode saw her sneak down to the fridge to devour some peanut butter cheesecake, piled high with whole peanuts - love her. Other notes on the programme: it reminded me of my wish to have a walk-in larder; every time I see her studio kitchens on screen, I want to hotfoot it to mine and sprinkle it with fairy lights. Best think of the electricity bill...

On Thursday evening we had Chicken Teriyaki which was lovely. I really do like the combination of the chicken with sake and mirin. Master M reckoned the chicken was a bit fatty but I don't know if this is just because it was poached so the textures were different. I am sure he said 4/5 though so can't be bad.

I don't think it stopped raining on Friday and Little M and I had a lot of errands to run. Post Office, gift-buying, quick shot at Gymboree and then visiting a friend and her baby in the afternoon. All the hopping to-and-from the car created havoc with my hair and I had a fetching Afro by the end of it, much to Little M's amusement. Friday was Master M's time to cook and he made a lovely baked cambembert concoction with apples and toasted ciabatta. I've got to let him near the kitchen at times, as he is a rather good cook and I like being waited on hand and foot.

On Saturday we had a lovely time at a friend's son's naming day. It was a very moving morning - lots of readings, and a Bob Dylan rendition on the guitar - followed by a 'do' at the Leeds Club afterwards. I wasn't sure if it was because I had yet to have my morning coffee fix, or if it was the two pre-noon gin-and-tonics that did it, but I had a horrendous headache that stuck for the rest of the day. A walk to good old Roundhay Park helped a little, as did watching Little M enjoy running around 'quacking' at the ducks. Fastforward to later on, a friend came over to sample the Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce prepared earlier, and to take part in the viewing of X Factor formalities - The Judges' Houses. I think the verdict on the meatballs was that the sauce was on the runny side which I agreed with. Couldn't really taste the flavours due to my head cold. Maybe I won't swill the tomato cans and add water as Nigella recommends.

Still felt wretched on Sunday, the headache hanging around and just feeling below-par in general. We went to church and then headed to IKEA to get Little M a little table and chair which he was made-up with for the rest of the day, he looks so grown up sitting at it. A heavily-pregnant friend popped over for a natter, tea and biccies in the afternoon which was just the ticket on another torrentially rainy day. Had the ultimate new comfort food in the evening, a contender for chicken soup would you believe it?, Marmite with Spaghetti. And this is coming from someone who is a 'hates it' girl. Not any more. Maybe it is because you use just a hint.

X Factor rant alert: Was not impressed by Cheryl's X Factor decision to put blondie through to the live shows. Is she insane?? Gamu is amazing and should be snapped up now by a record company regardless. I uttered the words 'I'm not watching this now' but know I can't resist.

I am one day behind on the Nigella challenge but think it is ok due to the man-flu or whatever it is I have. Off sick today from work and every time I move from my duvet I go all hot and dizzy. Back under I go... Until I resurface later to cook African Drumsticks which is just a throw in the roasting tin job.

My final note, which is just more of a shout-out for a blog that has been recommended to me is for The Happiness Project London, written by a friend of a friend. In my feeling-sorry-for-myself state, I looked it up this morning on my iphone and have been hooked on it all morning. More 'chicken soup for the soul' type stuff. I personally am going to take on the rules she advocates - please read more at http://thehappinessprojectlondon.wordpress.com/

Aaatchooo.

Goddess Mx

Handbags, scarves and Pasta alla Genovese with potatoes, green beans and pesto

2010-09-30T02:12:00.000-07:00

I always love the drive home from work. No matter how weary I feel after a hard day's slog, I never fail to be cheered up by the fancy dress parade in Leeds' student suburb which is host to an infamous pub-crawl. How can you feel fed-up when affronted by young lads walking up the road dressed in outfits as unoriginal as dressing gowns and slippers, through to camptastic Village People wannabes? However, yesterday it wasn't the outfits that made me smile, but my lovely son who was adorned with handbags and scarves when I collected him from nursery. How have Master M and I managed to create such an amazing little person? So, off we went home to raid my wardrobe for bags and scarves to continue the fun.

For dinner we had Pasta alla Genovese which is basically pinenut-free pesto with pasta, potatoes and green beans. It was a satisfying meal but I think the pesto was a tad on the bitter side, perhaps due to me adding the basil stalks. Oh well, I live and learn. Master M omitted the green beans as he considers them devil's food.

Tonight I am going to cook Chicken Tereyaki for tonight, and will prepare Saturday's Turkey Meatballs so that we can kick-back and enjoy 'Strictly' without having to think about prepping the weekend's food.

Before all that though, I am going to Waitrose which opens today - woo hoo! There are green banners enticing me there everywhere I look - railings, bus-stops, billboard advertisements. Was considering taking a last-minute day's annual leave just so that I could go but thought that a bit short-sighted. After all it can wait until lunchtime when I can drive over! Also, Nigella's 'Kitchen' is on tonight so the wait is nearly over. Have had a sneak preview of what she is cooking on the BBC website, none of which I have made yet. Think the highlight will be her Peanut Butter Cheesecake.

Until tomorrow.

Goddess Mx

(Just the right amount of) Sweet and Sour Chicken

2010-09-29T03:45:00.000-07:00

So, after saying I wouldn't cook last night, I did after all and I think it was just what the Doctor ordered! My favourite kind of cooking is the one-pot variety where you just keep popping things in, a bit like a witches' brew. Very therapeutic. So instead of frog's legs and spiders (very apt on the approach to Halloween), in went red onion, chicken, red pepper, chinese 5-spice, beansprouts and waterchestnuts, among an array of other delights. I then left it to 'bubble, bubble, toil and trouble' while I tidied the day's chaos from the kitchen and prepared the rice.

Master M and I tucked in whilst watching the fifth episode of BBC drama 'The Deep', which was dissapointing and far-fetched in the extreme. Just as well we had a yummy dinner. The balance of sweet and sour was just right for me, gladly, after last night's fiasco of a meal. Master M gave it a 3/5 saying that it was maybe a bit runny, but I liked it that way.

Might do the pesto dish tonight. Will see where the mood takes me.

Goddess Mx

BBQ Mince - not for us...

2010-09-28T02:33:00.000-07:00

Well, not much to say about last night's BBQ Mince. The mince was too sweet for me, and this is coming from someone who has a saccharine-sweet tooth. Also, I served the mince in a soft white roll, as suggested in the book, and the bread turned to mush, not nice. Let's save the sweet tastes for puddings, although I am not opposed to Sweet and Sour Chicken which is coming later in the week.

I have realised that if I continue - in my slightly OCD way - to cook every recipe in the order they appear in the book, this would mean a couple of weeks of pudding/cake every day which isn't beneficial for the old waistline. So, next week I am going to make a combo of main meals and puddings to break things up a bit. This week has been quite heavy on the meat after all. Think tonight I am going to have a night off cooking - shock horror! - as Master M is at footie again and I am going to have a humble pasta and pesto (of the jarred variety). I technically made two recipes for the Crisp Chicken Cutlet dish earlier in the week, preparing the accompanying salad according to the recipe.

Feeling a bit yuk today, as is Little M who is not quite himself. Think we need a bit of a treat soon. Just as well our local Waitrose opens in two days, in parallel with Nigella's 'Kitchen' TV series. Things are looking up, up, up (the things that amuse/entertain me are quite simple really)!

Goddess Mx

Crisp Chicken Cutlets and Cheesy Chilli (with a bit of X Factor thrown in for good measure)

2010-09-27T04:43:00.000-07:00

Phew - Saturday was a bit of a mad one. Got up early as per the norm with little M, playing with trains and jigsaws. While shopping for all the vital ingredients for the week's menu, I was very nervous at the checkout waiting to hear the damage, but was pleasantly surprised at the £70ish pounds. Not bad for two people, and I did get lots of dried herbs, spices and oils that I wouldn't normally have to get so it should get less expensive as I go. As Master M went to the football, I had plans with my football widow friend and her son to go to the park. I remembered as I was practically leaving the house that I needed to marinade the chicken for my crisp chicken cutlets, so got the rolling pin out, bashed the chicken breasts flat and chucked them in a dish with natural yoghurt, milk and worcester sauce, all with little M on my hip taking it all in with goggle-eyes. He must have wondered what his crazy mummy was all about!

Fast-forward to dinner time and I fried the breaded chicken for 3 mins on both sides but don't think it was thin enough so the meat was still raw on the inside, while the coating was getting to the burnt stage. So, I cut the chicken into strips, finished it off and presented it as a salad, which was lovely. Also got Master M's seal of approval which means it must have been tasty indeed!

On Sunday we had an excellent day in rainy Hull as we went to The Deep, a spectacular aquarium that little M enjoyed running around in, not bothered about the fish so much as all the space to explore. We then ventured into Hull for lunch to avoid extortionate prices at The Deep, only to end up in M and S as Pizza Express, where we had wanted to eat, had closed eight months previously. Hull seems seriously short of good eateries so there is a definite niche there.

At home later after saying goodbye to Nana who had spent the day with us, little M went to bed and we had Cheesy Chilli which was tremendous. Comfort food at its best. Not much more can be better than snuggling up on an autumnal evening with a bowl of steaming hot bowl of chilli, oozing with Mozzarella, mildly salted tortilla chips and a dose of Simon Cowell et al.

I also got ahead of myself by preparing tomorrow's feast of BBQ Mince which I am unsure of to be honest. It has Jim Beam in it and all I can smell when I lift the pot lid is Bourbon so hope it doesn't overpower. I think we are having it with soft white rolls and more cheese (cheddar this time). Will let you know tomorrow.

Goddess Mx

Fritatta and Crust-Free Pizza, but not all in one night...

2010-09-24T13:50:00.000-07:00

So, I had mentioned that I had to substitute the ham for my fritatta but I was really annoyed with myself when I got home and realised that I'd bought coriander instead of parsley - duh! Coriander isn't even an italian herb so I didn't want to use it at the risk of ruining the dish so I used some (very wilting in a pot) basil instead. Nigella wouldn't be impressed! Anyway the results were great and I went back for second helpings. Here is a photo which doesn't do the meal any justice. I need a food photographer to come and live in my house.

Today's challenge was easy-peasy and completely delicious. I am having such fun with all of this. I made crustless pizza which is basically made with batter instead of bread. This worried me due to me and Master M being hopeless when it comes to making Toad in the Hole, no matter which recipe we follow. The only difference with the batter is that you chuck in some grated cheese - divine. Watching through the oven door I could see the base bellowing to huge proportions and thought 'oh no, not again' but after I added the topping - more cheese and sliced chorizo sausage - put it back in to melt, and took it out again, it deflated just as quickly and looked superb (in my culinary expert opinion)! As satisfying as it was, as someone who does enjoy a good pizza, I like it the traditional way. Crustless pizza sounded like a healthy-option but it was actually quite heavy, although I think it might be just what is needed for Master M when he comes in from his booze-induced evening.

Tomorrow is crisp chicken cutlets, followed by cheesy chilli on Sunday. It is all quite like student-fodder at the moment which I am loving. I'll blog again when I can. Was going to do it every day but by the time I have shopped, cooked and all the other stuff daily life entails, it sometimes doesn't happen!

Night.

Goddess Mx

And so it begins with a frittata party!

2010-09-23T03:13:00.000-07:00

This is a first for me. I am not a particulary fabulous writer but feel I have to record a challenge that I have set myself, inspired by the film 'Julie and Julia'. I loved this film which depicts Julie Powell in 2002 blogging her way through cooking every recipe in "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" by Julia Child in one year.

I am a big fan of Nigella Lawson and can't contain the excitement every time she brings out a new cookbook/tv show. The problem is, how can I possibly fit in all of her recipes in one lifetime? Nigella has recently released 'Kitchen' which is advertised as a 21st version of her first book 'How to Eat'. I hadn't even made a decent start on 'Nigella Express'!

Well, I feel I have the solution. Like Julie Powell, I am going to cook one Nigella recipe a day, beginning today, 23 September 2010. There are 190ish recipes which should mean I should be finished the book in 6ish months and then can work my way through the rest of her books. Let's not run though before we can walk...

So, the first recipe is Mortadella and Mozzarella Frittata, which I have already had to amend slightly due to my local supermarket not stocking mortadella. Having googled for an alternative and finding out that this italian ham is a poor man's version of raw ham, I have just bought milano salami instead. Let's hope it works just as well. I don't intend to stick to the recipes religiously if I can't source ingredients as this just takes the fun away doesn't it and would mean I am doomed to fail from the beginning (literally).

I have entitled this post 'and so it begins with a frittata party' from Nigella's reference in Nigella Express for her frittata selection recipe. Think I will always associate frittatas with parties now for some reason! Let's hope so after tonight's effort. I am cooking for myself as Little M will be in bed, and Master M is not home until late. Looking forward to it!

Verdict will follow tomorrow, along with details of what I will be cooking on Friday.

Laters.

Goddess M