Holy Halloumi!

So there a few ingredients that always get me excited, or that jump out at me when browsing a menu. Halloumi cheese is one of these things. If you've never tried halloumi before...do it! You won't regret it. It's a greek cheese that holds it's texture when cooked, and has a great flavour. It's also very substantial, so is a great base for a salad...

In tonight's case, I cooked some sliced halloumi in a heated griddle pan alongside some courgette and red pepper (for approx 3-4 minutes each side). Then I served this on top of some tinned lentils, which I had heated and added a touch of dijon mustard and a squeeze of lemon juice.

I've had a hectic day of packing up my house and painting my new flat, so I needed something quick, wholesome and satisfying. Tick, tick, tick!

Mmmm halloumi, how I love thee....

Simple Pleasures: #1

You Are My Sunshine

I can't tell you how pleased I was to be out in the sunshine with Toby yesterday. It feels like it's been a long old Winter! And even though the air was still freezing, I could finally sense that Spring is just around the corner..

Of course, it helps that our local park has a great little cafe. The type that serves decent coffee and gets the newspapers in. They even had Nora Jones crooning away in the background. Oh, and on a Saturday they have a DJ and sell booze. Now that's one way to keep the parents coming back...

Garlic and Thyme Mushrooms on Toast

Last night's dinner was somewhat rustic, based on my new ethos of simple, fresh, healthy food. Think Nigel Slater (with his quick, mostly veggie based meals) rather than Nigella (full fat cream, anyone?)
So I cleaned and chopped half a punnet of organic chestnut mushrooms. Then I heated a small knob of butter and 1tsp olive oil in a frying pan. Added 1 chopped garlic clove, then the mushrooms and about 1tsp chopped fresh thyme. Saute it all together for about 8 minutes, stir in 1tbsp creme fraiche, and serve on wholemeal toast.
This would also make a great brunch dish!

So after a nice light meal, I tried not to think about all the sumptous treats I had witnessed the other evening on Lorraine Pascale's new show Baking Made Easy. It really did make me want to go over to the dark side and get out my baking pinny.

In particular are the ammaaaazing looking Oreo fudge brownies...

If you'd like to give into temptation, then you can find the recipe here on the BBC website.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/cookies_and_cream_fudge_48648

Roast Sea Bass with Lentils.

Used a little shortcut tonight, as I've been at work today so didn't want to spend all evening standing around in the kitchen. I tried out these packet lentils from the supermarket, and actually they were pretty good! You just simmer them in water, on the hob, for about 20 minutes.

I served a portion of lentils with a small seabass that had been prepared at the fish counter, which meant no gutting and decapitating for me to do! I simply put a wedge of lemon and a sprig of rosemary inside the fish, put onto a baking tray, drizzled with olive oil, and roasted in a hot oven for 20-25 minutes.

A simple, healthy, fuss free meal. Just the sort of food I want to eat right now.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, I'm planning on using the leftover lentils as a dip to have with some crudites and pitta bread for lunch tomorrow! How frugal of me.

Cleanse.

Ahh hangover, my old friend, how nice to see you again. Now, just how many blueberries do you think I need to consume to cleanse the body of toxins?

And by toxins I mean whiskey.

Hope you all had a crazy weekend x