Time Out Tuesday

Today has been a long, cold Tuesday filled with trials, tribulations, and being towed down to the garage to get my car fixed!
So it goes without saying that I don't have the energy to cook tonight, and I'm giving in to the temptations of an M&S ready meal and a glass of warming red wine.

Oh and the latest Grazia, of course, seeing as it's Tuesday..

I'm so looking forward to getting Toby to bed so I can have a hot bath, do my nails and relax! Hope you've all had a far less stressful day x

The night we danced...

Had a great night with Rene last night...you're the best dance buddy!

And, of course an excellent pouter. I just can't compete with those lips!

This morning, I was in dire need of poached eggs on toast. And about a litre of orange juice. The best hangover cure around.

Sorry for the short, rather ineloquent post, but I'm not feeling at my most articulate this morning. And Rene, my love, I look forward to dancing with you again! x

Rachel Allen's Mincemeat

I love a challenge. And I'm usually too nice to say no to people. So when I was asked to make 100 mince pies for a special Christmas late night shopping event at the boutique where I work in Bath, there was only one thing for it! So Toby and I had a day of baking yesterday, which of course he loved. I did have to play some Christmas music to get me in the mood though!


I used a mincemeat recipe from Rachel Allen's Bake cookbook-a book which hasn't yet let me down, and this recipe was no exception. It really is simple, and makes 2.7kg of mincemeat. That was enough for me to fill my mini mince pies, and a 1ltr kilner jar which will keep in the cupboard until nearer Christmas. In fact, the flavours improve over time (it will actually keep for a year!) so ideally you should make this a few weeks before use. What are you waiting for??

Here's what you need:

2 large cooking apples, peeled, cored and cut into chunks

Finely grated zest and juice of 2 ranges and 2 lemons

250g shredded suet (I used vegetable)

275g raisins

275g sultanas

275g currants

125g candied peel, chopped

650g soft dark brown sugar

50g chopped almonds or pecans

2 tsp mixed spice

75ml whiskey or brandy (I used whiskey)

Place the apple chunks in a small saucepan with 1 tsp water, cover and cook for 8-10 mins until the apples are cooked down to a pulp. Leave to cool.

Now mix all the remaining ingredients together in a large bowl. Add the apple mixture.

Put into sterilised jars and (ideally) leave for at least two weeks before using.

If you're more disorganised, like me, then use straightaway. It will still taste deleicious.

We used ready-made shortcrust pastry to make our pies, which we rolled then cut out cirlces to fit our mini muffin trays. This is where Toby came in very handy.

Line the holes of the tray with the larger circle, fill with a tsp of mincemeat and top with one of the smaller rounds. If you are so inclined, you could cut out small stars to top the pies instead.

Brush the tops of the pies with beaten egg, and bake in an oven pre-heated to 200'C/Gas 6 for 10-13 minutees until pale golden. Leave to cool.

You can't argue that these certainly look...home-made!
Sprinkle with sugar or dust with icing sugar,and serve.

They went down well with the customers, although I'm sure the free bubbly also helped. It was a great evening though, and be sure to check out the shop's websites:

http://www.meeboutique.com/

http://www.luxshoes.co.uk/

Swooning over Ron Weasley

A very big night for Zoe and I last night, as we went to see the latest Harry Potter film! It was a bit of a 2 for 1 event, as it was Orange Wednesday and Pizza Express also do the same offer. More money for the Pinot Grigio then!

Despite being absolutely stuffed, we managed to find room for some chocolate at the cinema. You can see how excited Zoe is..a lady behind actually told us to calm down as we kept squealing so much. Not cool, I know, but we just couldn't contain ourselves!

Anyway I highly recommend the film (OK it was nearly 3 hours, but I could have taken another hour!)....and the dough balls.

I'm off to work this evening for a special Christmas late night shopping event. I've spent all afternoon baking up a frenzy in the kitchen, making 100 mini mince pies for the customers! Pictures to follow tomorrow, now I have to go and make myself look festive..x

The Crown at Bathford

My parents came to visit today, and took Toby and I for lunch at the newly re-furbished pub in Bathford. Having been recently taken over by a French couple, and branded as a "bistro pub", we were curious to see how things had changed..

Well, the decor had certainly improved for a start. The atmosphere was also relaxed and welcoming, with a large roaring fire in the centre of the pub. It wasn't too busy either, which is unusual in a pub on a dreary Sunday, so we were able to relax and take our time. The drinks also arrived very promptly which always helps! We had the house red, as recommended by the waiter, and it was delicious.

But, I hear you cry(!) what about the food?

At £12 per roast, I was a bit apprehensive that we might be disappointed. But when they arrived-beef for Mum, Lamb for myself, Dad and Toby-we were very impressed. The meat was cooked to perfection, with a bit of pink the middle, and there was a generous amount of it. It was accompanied by proper, big fat puffy yorkshires; as good a roast potato as I've ever had; and some cabbage, sprouts and leek that had been cooked in a garlic butter.

I must say it's nice to go for a roast and not come away thinking "could've done that better myself". Thanks to Mum and Dad for a lovely afternoon, and if you live in the Bath/Wiltshire area then give this one a try!

Prawn Jacket Potato!

Here's a simple one, but a goody nonetheless. I was inspired to rustle this up after seeing it on my friend Rene's blog http://www.renehumphrey.blogspot.com/

Basically pop a jacket potato in the oven (after pricking all over, and smearing with olive oil and sea salt) for 1-1/2 hours.

Meanwhile put a 150g packet of cooked, peeled king prawns into a bowl. Add two generous tablespoons of creme fraiche, the juice of half a lemon, just under a handful of chopped dill, and season. Mix it all together then pop back in the fridge.

Serve with the potato and some salad. This amount of prawns will serve two, but I kept half and had the rest on a toasted bagel for lunch today. Delish!

Spinach and Barley Soup

So I got round to trying Sophie Dahl's Spinach and Barley Soup. I've got a bit of a thing for soup at the moment. This one's very cheap and easy to make, and super good for you. If I'm being honest it's not the most exciting soup I've had, but it's certainly very virtuous!

You're gonna feel so smug when you see the amount of spinach that goes into this...

(To serve 4-6)

Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan. Add 1 chopped onion and 2 fresh sage leaves (I only had dried sage so used just over a teaspoon). Cook on a low heat for about 5 minutes.

Stir in 180g of washed and chopped spinach leaves, and cook for another few minutes.

Pour in 1.5 litres of organic vegetable stock. This is where the recipe states to simmer the spinach in the stock for 10 minutes before adding the barley. I didn't do this, however, as otherwise you just boil all the nutrients out of the spinach!

Add 150g pearl barley, bring to the boil, then simmer for half an hour or until the barley is soft.

Season to taste.

Ladle into bowls and serve with reshly grated parmesan. Easy.

Miss P's Top Tip: Next time I would try leaving the spinach leaves whole, to add a bit more texture to the finished soup.