Tuesday 28 May 2013

Chicken Saltimbocca

You know that lovely feeling when you have time to sit down with your partner over a meal, and have some proper conversation? But then the food is so good that suddenly neither of you really wants to talk about anything, and you just kind of sit silently and contentedly devouring it for a while? Well, that happened tonight. Which should tell you how good this chicken is. Because I looooove to talk.


Saltimbocca is a classic Roman dish, traditionally cooked with veal. Chicken or turkey are perfectly happy substitutes though, so don't worry too much about that. I adapted this from a Whole Foods recipe that was originally for four people. I served it up with some garlic roasted potatoes, and some asparagus and green beans that were griddled in olive oil, lemon zest and black pepper, for 6-7 minutes. They were deliciously crunchy, and complemented the chicken as if they belonged together. Give this dish a try and it might just become your new favourite.

Serves 2

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 
Salt and black pepper
2 large thin slices prosciutto
4 sage leaves, more for garnish
1/2 cup flour (approx)
2 tablespoons butter, divided
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup dry white wine
Lemon wedges

Sprinkle each cutlet lightly with salt and pepper. Top with a slice of prosciutto and a sage leaf. 
Place chicken cutlets between 2 sheets of parchment, waxed paper or plastic wrap. With ar olling pin, gently pound cutlets to an even 1/4-inch thickness, pounding the prosciutto and sage into the chicken. 

Spread the flour on a shallow plate and dip the chicken in it, lightly coating both sides. Heat a knob of butter and the olive oil in a large pan. When the butter begins to foam, add the cutlets to the pan, prosciutto side down. 
Cook 3 to 4 minutes per side, turning once, until lightly browned and cooked through. Transfer to a platter and cover to keep warm.


Add wine to the hot pan and stir with a wooden spoon to loosen all the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the wine reduce by half. Remove the pan from the heat and swirl in remaining butter. 
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, then pour over the reserved chicken cutlets. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.


Monday 27 May 2013

Sometimes, tea and toast is the very best thing ever, isn't it? I'm finally starting J.K Rowling's new book now that uni's over for the year and I can actually read what I want to, not what I'm told to. A strangely liberating feeling.

Sunday 26 May 2013

Down on the Farm

We spent a lovely Sunday enjoying some fresh country air at the stable yard. The boys got to play in the hay bales, ride bikes, and the Little One even had his first horse ride! Which caused me to get all mumsy and emotional as he just looked so grown up. It's funny how the smallest of things can trigger feelings of pride, but at the same time an overwhelming urge to keep them as a baby forever.



After so much outdoor activity, we headed to Marshfield Farm to treat the boys to an ice cream. Just on the edge of the Cotswolds, amidst ridiculously beautiful rolling countryside, lies this independent dairy farm that uses milk from their own cows to make the BEST ice cream.





I like it when a place does one thing, and does it really well. Marshfield Farm ice cream is now stocked all over the country, but if you live locally then you should definitely head to their ice cream shop on a weekend. You can buy their 1 or 2 litre tubs to take home, or choose from a brain-freezing selection of flavours to have on site in their parlour. Besides from the classics, flavours include coconut, cookie dough, toffee fudge, blackberry and clotted cream, and a very tempting raspberry pavlova. 

If you're so inclined, do as we did and take a stroll to watch the cows while you eat the ice cream. Unless you find that kind of creepy. Is it? No, no it's nice. I'm sure the cows are glad to see it going to good use. 




Thursday 23 May 2013

Happy Birthday Kat


Last night we had a great evening of cocktails and tapas to celebrate the beautiful Kat's birthday.
Then, a final farewell drink at The Porter - an old haunt and something of a Bath landmark, that is closing down at the weekend to be turned into a trendy wine bar. And so Bath loses another establishment with any kind of gritty personality. I have to say that having been going there since I was about 16, and with many fond (and not so fond) memories, I'll be sad to see the place go.











Tuesday 21 May 2013

London

I should probably apologise for my recent absence on here! I've been busy finishing my exams for second year, so have been something of a recluse with my head stuck in a pile of books and a pen permanently in hand - or so it feels, anyway.
Thankfully it's all over, and we were able to enjoy a child-free weekend away in London. OK, perhaps it was a little premature to celebrate seeing as we actually went a couple of days before my final exam. But in my defence, my boyfriend bought us tickets months ago at Christmas to see Lana Del Ray at the Hammersmith Apollo. So who was I to say no?

We always check out Soho when we're visiting, although this time we forewent our usual cake stop at Hummingbird Bakery on Wardour Street for its next door neighbour, L'Eto Caffe. Although the interior won't win any awards for its simple design, the cakes sell themselves. We found it hard to choose from a selection including fruit tarts, meringues, carrot cake, cheesecakes and brownies; and the drinks selection was just as vast with a choice of leaf teas, fresh juices, smoothies and even cocktails.  A definite must visit if you're in the area.



We stayed close to Notting Hill, so spent a lovely couple of days strolling around, people watching, checking out the Portobello Market on Saturday, shopping for vintage and hanging out in pubs and cafes. The sun even came out for us, which is something of a rarity these days.

On Saturday night we treated ourselves to dinner at The Electric on Portobello Road, where I had what can only be described as the best Steak Bearnaise of my life. In fact it was so good I didn't even manage to get a decent picture of it - we couldn't wait to get stuck in! Washed down with a bottle of wine and a few Mojitos, we then danced it off at the nearby Trailer Happiness. A great night, which we certainly suffered for the next day.









 

The Castle, Notting Hill - the perfect place to stop for a pint and a bar snack. 


I'm usually quite happy to leave the bustle of London - but this time, I can't wait to go back. Although maybe that's just the effect of the sunshine. Or the drink.

Sunday 12 May 2013

Roast's Up

An afternoon enjoying a Sunday roast with friends, finished off with an enormous pavlova. I've never made meringue before but it's definitely being added to the to-do list now I've been reminded how much I love it!




Saturday 11 May 2013


Can we be real for a second? It's 22.30 on a Saturday night and I'm missing a friend's birthday to write about Jane Austen who, quite frankly, I heavily dislike right now. Not funny you guys.

Weekend treats

Lunch at GBK - a new favourite weekend treat, but one that has to happen very regularly! I am still full 8 hours later. Had a very lovely catch up with my brother who was visiting briefly. He asked me if I would do a reading at his wedding, and I got a bit emotional.



Friday 10 May 2013

So far this morning I have been to the supermarket, done two loads of washing and a bit of gardening. But what I should really be doing is writing an essay. And definitely not blogging, either.

Thursday 9 May 2013

Pinterest




Are you guys on Pinterest? I was hooked right from the start!
It's great for saving things that you find online onto your own pinboards, or for browsing what other people all over the world are pinning. Oh boy I do love the browsing. Be warned though, you can waste hours of your life merrily pinning away. Search by category, or follow people who particularly interest you.

Follow me HERE for recipes, style, home and lifestyle inspiration, and the odd amusing cat. I try and keep the cat thing to a minimum, honest.

See you there! x


Wednesday 8 May 2013

Chicken and Bulgar Wheat Salad


Against all the odds - and after a crappy day of revision, rain and writer's block - I managed to avoid the overwhelming urge to order as much takeaway food as I could physically handle, and made a salad instead.

I roasted a chicken breast in some mixed herbs and olive oil, for around 25 minutes. Meanwhile I re-hydrated the bulgar wheat: you just pour boiling water over the bulgar wheat, then leave it for 30 minutes to absorb. So simple!. I served it up with some salad, a squeeze of lemon and some extra virgin olive oil. And really, really tried not to think about Chinese food.

Monday 6 May 2013

Bank Holiday Weekend














This weekend was - Saturday lunch at Jamie's Italian; a few too many drinks in the sunshine; a hungover lie-in; shopping, a walk and smoothies by the river; carrot cake in the garden; a picnic in the park; ice cream.
A pretty wonderful weekend, really. Hope you all managed to enjoy the sunshine!

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