Random Likings

It's been a while since I posted any of these. So much so that when I went back through the list of bookmarks, some of them were a bit out of date (Easter LEGO, anyone?)

1. Neatorama (www.neatorama.com)
My new favourite time wasting site. Looking for etiquette tips from the 1950s? Or what about a little medieval trivia for the next quiz night at Ye Olde Fighting Cocke? (or whatever medieval pubs were called). Or maybe you're just looking for a replacement Bob Marley magnet and finger puppet. It's all here.

 
2. Steve Backshall
Deadly 60 is my new favourite Sunday night programme. Not only does it afford me quality time with the kids, it's informative and entertaining. Apparently Steve is also smoking hot very fit, not that I tend to notice that sort of thing. But I've noticed been told you can see his six pack through a wetsuit. Apart from the frequency with which he removes his shirt, I enjoy his show because he's so darn enthusiastic about pretty much everything. I spend half my time thinking that he's nuts (he wades through alligator infested marshes, swims with sharks, and generally puts himself in a position I would run a mile from).

3. Florence china from Whittard
How gorgeous is this china? (Answer: very, obviously). I want it all and then some. I love, love, love Whittard's clipper style mugs because they are the perfect size and really stylish. They're nice enough to use for guests without being so precious that you worry if they get broken (£6 for the mug, but keep an eye out for sales). I adore the polka-dots and the colours of the Florence Range, which includes mugs, cups and saucers, tea pots, plates, and pasta bowls. Check it out at www.whittard.co.uk

4. Vibe Watches 
I am seriously debating treating myself to one of these build-your-own Vibe Watches, as seen here at Funky Watch (www.funkywatch.co.uk). Choose the colour face, band, case and bezel you want to create a completely unique and fairly robust looking watch. Parts cost from £2.50, with faces costing £19.50.

5. That's Nerdalicious
This is another timewasting informative website (www.thatsnerdalicious.com) I have bookmarked, but I can't remember when I did it, or what post prompted it.
Maybe it was this Japanese McDonald's French Fry holder for your car?

More than likely it was something to do with LEGO, like this customisable LEGO mug...

... or this incredible Ninjago cake (how clever!)

Anyway, if you have nerd tendencies or small boys to amuse, this site is a handy bookmark

Disclaimer: I have not been paid for, or asked to promote any of this stuff. It's purely things I have seen and liked in the course of my expert procrastinating very important work. I'm not saying I'd be adverse to a little something, and if Steve Backshall arrived on my doorstep bearing cake, coffee and a six pack I wouldn't turn him away, because turning someone with cake away is both a) rude and b) insane unless it looks like this, in which case slamming the door in their face is the only rational option

 

(Not a) Meal Planning Monday - 18 March 2013

I don't have a meal planning Monday post this week because it's pretty much going to be leftovers. The recipes I have been cooking have been quite large so I have several portions of roast beef (slice it and freeze it in gravy to keep it lovely and moist*), pea and ham soup, and pulled pork sitting smugly in my freezer. 

What I am going to share with you is the perfect Yorkshire pudding recipe. I the past I either used Margaret Fulton's Yorkshire puff recipe or just chucked the ingredients in a bowl until it looked the like the right consistency. Both were ok, but sometimes they cooked a little too unevenly or quickly in my current oven, leading to occasional disappointing results. Well, not any more! I have found THE best Yorkshire pudding recipe. Try this and you'll never go back, I promise** It's from BBC's Good Food and is simply
140g plain flour
200ml milk
2 eggs
pinch salt

Mix and leave to stand for at least 30 mins. You should always let your pudding or pancake batter stand. I don't know the ins and outs, but it always cooks better. Do the normal bit about getting your fat sizzling, smoking hot before pouring the batter in and cook at 210C / Gas Mark 8 for about 20 minutes for little puds, or 25-30 minutes for a large one. It comes out all golden and puffy before sinking into an dense, squidgy delight so good you might not even both with the meat. 

I've made this twice now and it's turned out perfectly both times. See for yourself

Another recipe I tried this week came from The Girl Who Ate Everything and it's her Chocolate Eclair Cake It's one I posted on a thread last week when I was trying to decide on my birthday cake. I don't have a picture (it didn't look as nice as hers) but you can take my word that it was gorgeous! It does require you making the base the night before (or in the morning of) as it needs to be completely cold. Her recipe calls for vanilla pudding mix. I couldn't find this so I used Asda's Creme Brulee mix and it was ideal. I am ashamed to say it only lasted a day and a half and that I ate a sizable part of it.

If you want some actual Meal Planning Monday inspiration remember to check out Mrs M's linky. I'll do better next week, I promise.


*top tip - take that Delia!
** clearly, if it turns out badly I am not responsible, but if it's great I take full credit.

It's a Birthday Cake Bonanza!

I know, I know... yesterday's post was all about eating healthily because I'd had loads of cake over the weekend but today's post is about cake. Well, since it's cake related I know there is no need to excuse myself.

It's my birthday at the end of next week and I am debating what cake I want to make. Last year it was Boston Cream Pie which was tasty, but not spectacular as I was hoping. I have been perusing my Pinterest board for inspiration but I can't make up my mind. Please help! I want it to be pretty special - more dessert than mere cake.

This is what I have narrowed it down to:

Caramel Fudge Brownie Cheesecake

Add caption

Candy Apple Pie

Chocolate Midnight Pie

Caramel Brownie Trifle

Coconut Caramel Drizzle Pie

Better than Sex Cake 

I was considering profiteroles, but this looks even better!

What do you think I should choose, and do you have any other suggestions? Man, why do birthdays only happen once a year?

Meal Planning Monday - 11 March 2013

Whoops, I missed a week there, didn't I? I didn't feel like meal planning last week, but I can be rebellious like that sometimes. Rock 'n' roll. This week's plan is full of cheap healthy food because I spent the weekend in Paris eating mainly meat, cream and cakes. It was an amazing few days that involved things like this...

...and this

... and a little bit of this

This week we're having:

Slow cooker soft tacos with Quorn mince and quinoa (nicer than it sounds)

Pea and ham soup

Pot roast beef with all the trimmings

Quorn and crunchy veg stir fry

Quorn mince cottage pie with cauliflower and butternut mash

Spinach soup or risotto, depending on how I feel

The avoidance of meat and fatty foods is a deliberated attempt to give my digestive system a break. 

For more meal planning posts click on the picture at the top and go to Mrs M's linky.

Have a great week. 

Meal Planning Monday - 18 February 2013

Phew, bit late in the day to be posting considering I've already eaten dinner but Monday night is better than Tuesday, right?

Last week's meal plan was a success and I really enjoying trying the new recipes people have pinned on the shared Pinterest board. I even made pasta for the first time and it though it was hard work it wasn't difficult.

This week's menu is a little easier to plan because I am Bzzing Maggi So Juicy products at thee moment. It's the first campaign I've done and I was a little sceptical since I am not a big one for packaged spice mixes (with the exception of taco/fajita seasoning). So far I have tried Tuscan Sausage one (with a tin of tomatoes and some water in the slow cooker), Mexican Chicken which was a even with my "no sauce" eating oldest (served with Mexican rice and wraps), and Sticky BBQ which I cooked with pork because even I can't eat chicken every night of the week. So yes, I would buy these to keep in the cupboard for those nights when you can't be bothered but don't want takeaway. 

This week's meal plan is

Sausage Casserole (see above)

Quorn Shepherds Pie with Sweet Potato and cheese Topping

Maggi So Juicy Mixed Herbs for Chicken with Smashed Potatoes

Sweet and Sour Chicken with boiled rice

Savoury Mince and Veg in Giant Yorkshire Pudding

Sweet Chilli Burgers

There was a special on Quorn mince this week so between that, the Maggi sachets and the chicken breast I had in the freezer I am pretty much covered this week.

I have been busy pinning to my Sweet Tooth board. I was hoping to attend my first Clandestine Cake Club meeting but the dates have changed and I'll be away (in Paris, so I'm not complaining!) and it's my birthday next month so I am searching for something really decadent and birthday-worthy to make.

Fudge is one of my favourite things to eat but the one time I tried to make it I failed dismally. It didn't set and I ended up up warming it and serving over ice cream. This time I definitely simmered and stirred for 15 minutes but it's still kind of soft. Does anyone have any tips for successful fudge?

Remember to check out Mrs M's Meal Planning Monday linky for more meal planning posts and let me know if you have any special cake/pudding suggestions. 

Have a great week.

Popcorn Treats and Saved By Cake - A Review

I'm not really one for food mags or cookbooks. There's so much online and I'd much rather spend my money on ingredients than books to clutter up my already cluttered house. I recently ventured out of the kids section and into the cooking section of my library and found two books worth sharing.

The first is Popcorn Treats by Hannah Miles (Amazon £6.99). I'm a bit of a popcorn fan, particularly if it's sweet. You might remember I recently made Caramel Marshmallow Popcorn - if you haven't tried it yet, you should! Popcorn Treats has 60-odd recipes, each on a separate page with an accompanying full page photo. I liked the layout because it's easy to follow - ingredients in one column and method in another - and there's no trying to guess what picture relates to which recipe. It's separated into Sweet, Savoury, Treats (things like popcorn cookies and lollipops) and Gourmet (nutty popcorn, margarita popcorn). Some of the savoury recipes might make it into my Christmas hampers this year but it's really the sweet ones I fancy.

Popcorn Treats would make a great addition to a popcorn hamper Christmas present. You could package it up with some ingredients, popcorn bags or boxes and an air popper for a teenager (or someone like me!) Given that my popcorn cooking skills are a bit hit and miss (I burnt the last batch and stunk the house out) I have put this £14.99 popper on my Christmas wishlist.

The second book is Saved By Cake, by Marian Keyes (Amazon £10). You just have to look at the gorgeous gooey pastels on the cover to know this is going to have some gorgeous recipes in it and it doesn't let you down. I'm a fan of Ms Keyes anyway and it's fab to be able to read her new stuff after such a long silence. I missed her! The tone of this book is engaging and chatty and it feels like you're in the kitchen with her while she's mixing and stirring away in her floral pinny. Kind of like a female, Irish Jamie Oliver. Keyes starts the book with a preface talking about how baking helped lift her from her recent bout of depression. I was impressed to learn she was a baking novice before this (she looks so competent on the cover) and the recipes are pretty ambitious at times, but all of them sound gorgeous. There are plenty of tips as you go along or when she introduces a new technique.

Download a free recipe card for no-bake Rocky Road Cake here