Happy Sunday.

Happy Sunday everyone!

I've had an absolutely lovely day to round off a great weekend. I went out for the afternoon with a couple of the other teachers from school and one brought her little'un along. We went to Greenwich park to play on the slide and swings (and the adults blatantly enjoyed this more than littlie in the cold), then we went for lunch in an absolutely lovely restaurant where I had a goats cheese tart with caramelised onions and rocket salad with dripping chips on the side. (I realise you didn't need/want to know that detail, but I tend to remember places and events through the food I ate. Is that weird?)

It was such a lovely, relaxing day and so nice to finally get to know some new people. Obviously I see everyone at work and we get on when we're chatting in the staff room, but having friends to call upon outside of school really is my aim right now and it was lovely to have that today. I think this is another one of the many things I missed out on through having to traipse across London to see my ex every weeken but now that my time is my own, I can make new friends.

Yay for me :)

Tasty Tuesday

I've been waiting for a chance to whip up a big batch of this to photograph and share with you all. It's a recipe which has been in my family since my Nan first heard about "exotic Mexican food" (oh how times have changed!) and is, guaranteed, the nicest chilli recipe you will find. Plus, it's cheap and yummy, what more could you want?!

Again, please excuse my photography. No excuse this time, I'm just dreadful. 

Chilli con Carne

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

1 large onion (or 2 medium), diced

1 large clove of garlic, crushed

500g minced beef (or quorn alternative)

2 tins of chopped tomatoes

3 teaspoons of hot chilli powder (or less to your taste)

1/2 teaspoon of cumin

2 tablespoons tomato puree

150ml of red wine

1 can of drained kidney beans.

1) Saute the onions and garlic in a large saucepan until softened (I use a stock pot for this).

2) Add the mince and cook until brown, stirring to break up the lumps.

3) Add the tomatoes with their juice and a quarter of a can worth of boiling water. Bring all to the boil and then let simmer for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4) Mix the chilli powder, cumin and tomato puree with a couple of spoonfuls of the hot tomato/meat mix. Stir until smooth and add to the meat. Then add the red wine and season lightly. Stir, cover and let simmer for a further 45 minutes.

5) Serve and enjoy! 

Lovely with tortilla chips or a sliced tortilla wrap, rice or a jacket potato and a big dollop of creme fraiche.

This also freezes well, so cook up a batch and freeze what you don't eat. Then simply defrost on the day you wish to eat it and chuck it back in a saucepan and heat through. 

So, today I start my health-kick!

Being in London has really messed me up. My diet has gone to pot; I haven't done any exercise other than walking and the one day's cycling round London; I can't afford a hair-cut, nor have I found a decent hairdresser who can style my hair in any way other than an afro or corn-rows (a consequence of living in a predominantly black-african/black-carribean area)... generally, I'm a state! My hair, my skin, my energy levels are all generally dreadful so I need to get back to being healthy.

I kick-started this this morning by whipping up a nice big pot of carrot, lentil and coriander soup for my lunch, I've planned my meals for the rest of the week to keep healthy when my friend comes to visit and I've found the details of the kick boxing club near me which I can join. I used to do kick boxing a while ago but when my school closed I couldn't carry on so when I saw the same chain of schools had a club near me, I became very excited. I love doing it so much, it's a killer workout and such a confidence boost and, of course, means I can finally get my black belt! I'm only about a year away if I really get training... might even have a cheeky practice tonight and kick-box my way round my front room before I have a nice long bath, deep-condition my hair and generally sort out the state that is, well, me.

All this as well as having cleaned the entire flat this morning and, at some point, starting the massive to-do list to get my classroom ready for September. It's already looking better now I've moved the furniture to where I want it and put up the backing paper and boarders for my displays but it's still looking empty and lacking in personality (despite the 20 hours I put in there last week - anyone who says teachers get 6 weeks holiday clearly has no idea...). Once my friend goes home next week it really will be time to get going and blitz that place, and I can probably fit in 5 hours before I go and pick her up at 1pm on Monday anyway. For now, though, I shall get back to my laminating and VCOP pyramids...

Tasty tuesday

This is a nice, hearty casserole which can be served with rice, potatoes and green veg or just simply in a bowl with a big chunk of crunchy bread. It's the one my family request me to cook, so it must be good if it passes their standards!

Again, please excuse my photography, my camera is still with the manufacturer.

Mediterranean chicken casserole.
Serves 4

Ingredients
4 chicken legs (I have used 1 drumstick and 1 small chicken thigh per person, it depends on what is on offer)
2 whole peppers, one red, one yellow/orange, cut into chunky strips.
1 tin of cherry tomatoes (NOT normal chopped/whole tinned tomatoes)
1 large red pepper cut into chunks
2 tsp of chilli powder
1 large garlic clove, crushed
1 chicken stock cube made up with 175ml of water
2tsp olive oil.
100g pitted black olives

1) Pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees celcius.
2) Fry the peppers and onions in 1/2 tsp of olive oil for 4-5 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and fry for a further minute.
3) Remove the peppers and onions from the frying pan and set aside in a large, oven-proof dish.
4) Return the frying pan to the heat and add the rest of the olive oil. When hot, add the chicken pieces to the pan and fry, turning frequently, until golden brown.
5) Place the chicken pieces on top of the onion and peppers in the oven-proof dish. Pour on the tin of tomatoes and add the chilli powder. Stir lightly and put in the oven to cook for 30 minutes, covering the dish with a lid/tin foil.
6) After 30 minutes, remove from the oven and add the olives. Stir lightly again and return to the oven for a further 40 minutes.
7) Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

This also freezes well, so rather than halving the recipe for 2 people, cook the lot and freeze what you don't eat. Then simply defrost on the day you wish to eat it and reheat for 45 minutes in the oven.

Tasty tuesday

This brownie recipe is, if I do say so myself, absolutely to die for. Probably literally, given the amount of butter, chocolate and sugar but hey, if you wanted a low-fat, healthy recipe then I doubt you would have even got this far. So indulge and enjoy.

PS. Excuse the photography, my usually shoddy skills are worse seeing as my camera is with the manufacturer for repair and this is the best I could muster on my blackberry.

Chocolate Chip Chocolate Brownies
Makes 12-16 slices.

Ingredients
150g dark/cooking chocolate (ideally 70% cocoa solids)
150g butter
80g milk chocolate (cut into 1cm square chunks)
80g white chocolate (cut into 1cm square chunks)
100g plain flour
1tsp baking powder
3 large eggs, beaten
175g caster sugar

1) Prepare by setting to oven to preheat at 175 degrees celcius and line a 30x30cm tin (I used a roasting tin) with lightly buttered greaseproof paper. (If like me you don't usually see the point in greasing greaseproof paper, then you will struggle to get the brownies out).
2) Put the dark chocolate into a large mixing bowl with the butter and put over a saucepan of boiling water and stir until melted.
3) Remove from the heat and stir in the sugar and baking powder.
4) Gradually fold in the flour and chocolate chunks, sieving the flour into the mixture as you do so.
5) Pour the chocolate mixture into the prepared baking tray and spread evenly using a spatula.
6) Place in the oven and bake for around 20-25 minutes.
7) Let the brownie cool in the tin before removing and serving.

Tasty Tuesday

This is such a quick pudding, it can be made on those days when your main meal doesn't go far enough and you want to quickly whip up a pudding. It takes 20 minutes from start to finish, even the first time you make it, so it's ideal for weekdays.

Quick Lemon Sponge Pudding.
Serves 4-6

Ingredients
100g self-raising flour
100g caster sugar
100g butter (softened)
2 medium eggs
Zest of 2 lemons and 4tbsp juice
150g lemon curd

1) Lightly butter a 2pint/1litre pudding basin.
2) Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl and add the sugar, butter, eggs, lemon zest and 2tbsp of the juice.
3) Use an electric hand whisk to beat the ingredients together until the mixture becomes pale and thickens.
4) Spoon the mixture into the bowl, making a small hollow in the centre.
5) Microwave the pudding on the highest setting for 4-6 minutes, until springy to touch in the middle.
6) Remove from the microwave and leave for a few minutes before turning out onto a plate.
7) Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl, mix the lemon curd and the remaining lemon juice and then pop into the microwave on high for 30 seconds.
8) Stir the sauce then pour half over the sponge. Leave for 2 minutes to allow this to soak in, then pour on the rest and serve.

Tip: Make the sponge and sauce but keep separate and simply serve portions of the sponge, repeating step 8 when required. This means you can make a giant one for just one or two people and eat it over a few days (the sponge will keep in an airtight container for 3 days, the sauce will keep in the fridge and both will need 30 seconds in the microwave to reheat).

Tasty Tuesday

So following my inspiration earlier this week, I'm hopefully starting myself a little blog tradition today with my first recipe. Fingers crossed my food serves you well, even if my photography and general food presentation at the moment leaves much to be desired!

Sweet potato, spinach and feta quiche

Serves 4

Pastry

(Ok, I'm suffering here from my Mum having taught me, so excuse the imperial measurements here.)

4oz plain flour

2oz butter (room temperature for ease)

2-3 tablespoons cold water.

Filling

200g sweet potato, diced to about 2cm squared.

150g baby spinach leaves

100g feta cheese

80g cheddar cheese, grated

1 small onion, finely chopped

100ml milk (I used skimmed)

100ml creme fraiche

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon olive oil

1) Pre-heat the oven to 190 degrees (or 170 degrees for a fan oven).

1) Put the butter and flour into a mixing bowl and rub together with your finger tips until you are left with fine breadcrumbs. Add the water gradually and mix into a ball of dough.

2) Roll the pastry out onto a floured surface until large enough for your flan dish.

3) Pop the pastry into your flan dish and trim the edges. Line the pastry with grease-proof paper and fill with baking beans (or dry rice if you don't have any).

4) Bake the pastry blind for about 15 minutes.

5) Meanwhile, fry the onion and sweet potato in the olive oil on a medium heat for 5 minutes.

6) Add the spinach to the frying pan for 1 minute.

7) Remove the ingredients from the heat and layer into the bottom of the baked pastry.

8) Mix the two cheeses together and layer on top of the vegetables.

9) Whisk the eggs in a mixing jug, add the creme fraiche and milk and whisk. Pour over the other ingredients in the pastry case.

10) Pour the mixture into the baked case and pop all of it into the oven for 30-40 minutes, or until topping is set and lightly browned.

11) Leave to set for a further 10 minutes, then serve. Also tastes great served cold as left-overs the next day.

Enjoy!

Masterchef.

Is it sad that I'm organising my life around the Masterchef finals this week? Ok, that wasn't a question because the answer is obvious, but still, the fact remains that I'm glad Glee is on +1 in a bit.

Telly is awesome. I love the crappy, trashy programmes best of all because I hate having to think when I watch a TV programme, and thrillers or dramas with tension and mystery make me feel really anxious to the point I can't sleep. Which is sad, I know at 22, that I'm scared of programmes like that, but I am.

The reason I watch Masterchef religiously amongst other cookery programmes (Saturday Kitchen is my favourite, I love James Martin and want him in my kitchen please) is because I secretly wish I could cook like that. I love cooking and by most people's standards I am a good cook, but I by no means cook to impress. I always go for the sort of homely food that reminds everyone of their Mums and Grandmas, which lets face it, is what we all want. But talk to me about presentation and I couldn't care less, it all goes down the same way, right?

Admittedly, I doubt I'll be picking up many tips from this episode (they are cooking kangaroo and crocodile), but I still love aspiring to that type of cooking. Cooking for anyone other than close friends and family fills me with dread as it is, even for my friends I panic and fret my way through any entertaining, and so any tips and inspiration are much welcomed. My best mate always puts on an amazing spread when she cooks for us, always making something new and interesting and whilst it's great to pick up recipes from her, sometimes I want to be the one setting the standards, not trailing on behind.

I look on at food blogs with the same envy. Maybe one day I will be one of them, maybe even just dropping a recipe once a week (a Munchie Monday or a Tasty Tuesday perhaps?) but until then I shall keep practising and gathering as much knowledge and inspiration as possible.

I do have an idea in mind for my first self-written recipe, inspired by a flan I had in a cafe last month. Maybe that can debut my food blogging next week, or perhaps play around with some cupcakes to take to seminars.

The ideas seem to be rubbing off...

This might be slightly ambitious but I fancy upping the creative game...

New beginnings.

I keep thinking over how different my life will be this summer when I move to London. Whilst I currently live in a city, I live in a very small one at that, the pace of life is spectacularly different and the more I am realising the expectations are different.


Don't get me wrong, on gorgeous sunny days like today, Plymouth is the place to be.

Plymouth Hoe

But for the other 360 days of the year, it returns to it's usual guise of grey apathy and indifference. People here are generally happy with their lot in life, never aspiring to anything more and even if they do, they don't have the opportunities to progress so end up settling down quietly. It's something I've always known about Plymouth, and it's only been recently that I've been able to put my finger on what it is that makes me start crawling up the walls and browsing for cheap train tickets to London. And whilst that is obviously fine for some (and who I am to judge how others choose to live their life), it's not something I ever want to resign myself to. Hence why, on the 2nd of July this year (it's not a set date yet in anyway other than in my head), I'm moving to London.

Having been to London a few times recently for interviews and to visit friends or hit the shops, I'm now realising just how different things are:

The pace of life - whilst some people hate how fast paced and anxious London seems, I love it. People rush because they have somewhere to go, something better to be doing, someone they are desperate to see and it is that which epitomises my love for the city. Down here, if you saw a bus just closing the doors but there was another one in two minutes, no-one would even break out into a jog. Life is precious people, we should be fighting to enjoy and make the best of every second, and I wish people would realise that

The advert my friends talked about
(from the H&M website, I have no
rights to this image).

The style - In Plymouth, you are either a 'chav', an 'emo', a 'student' or a grown up. Which ever group you are in dictates the fashion you wear and the places you hang out. Everyone looks the same, no-one dares break the mould and when you do, you're mocked even for donning a bright lipstick. People look at fashion models and the people on the H&M adverts and question "who would wear that?" and state "well you can't wear that every day" or "no-one can work in heels like that". Yet in London, people wear what they want. There are no groups or cliques of fashion and trends, you can never feel too over-dressed or like you've made too much effort. And whilst this is a rather superficial observation, in some ways it isn't. In London, you fit in because you are one in 6 million, not because of the clothes you wear. And whilst it undoubtedly means I will spend my entire disposable income on clothes and shoes in my first few months, I hope it is as invigorating as it seems.

The things to do - In Plymouth, if it's raining, you either go: bowling, swimming, to the cinema, shopping or ice skating. If it's sunny, you go to: the Hoe, the Barbican or the beach. That is literally it. You struggle to think of new things to do after only a month-or-so simply because there is nothing new to think of, nothing new to do. When I move to London, I'm going to make a pact with myself - I will not go to the same place twice in my first year. Because I can, because I want to experience new things, meet new people, eat new foods and find new things that I didn't even know existed..

The food - This links to my pledge from the last point, because there is so much more to experience than what I can find here. On browsing the yellow pages, you find only 8 different cuisines listed, and one of those is 'British', and I want more. On visiting Brick Lane market with a friend last summer, the food hall there gave me more choice than I'd ever had before, and that was one small hall in one small part of London. I want to eat Ethiopian food, snack on Vietnamese products and guzzle down the tastes of Turkey, I want to try new vegetables, see new ways of cooking and, above all, take them home with me. Whilst I do love my 'Homepride' pasta bakes, there is more to food than that.

Travel opportunities - I want to go on the Eurostar and go to Paris! I want to fly away for the weekend to Prague, to Amsterdam, to Rome, to Madrid... and I want to do it all without a 4 hour trip to the airport either side of the trip.

Can you tell I'm getting rather excited about moving to London? I think I'm even more excited because I'm doing it on my own, not with a boyfriend, not even with a friend and although I will know people in London, I'm far enough away that what I do with my time is completely within my own control. Sounds amazing, I can only hope it lives up to my expectations, though seeing as life is what you make it, I'm sure it will.