The Red Arrows

The Festival of Speed is on at the moment, and we are not that far away from Goodwood.  I'd heard that The Red Arrows would be doing a display this morning, so the girls and I jumped in the car in an attempt to get near to the famous racetrack.  Great plan but the traffic put a stop to it.  We parked about 5 miles outside of Chichester and watched the skies.

We did get to see a bit of the display - my pictures really don't do it justice, but at least it is a flavour ....

The noise they make is amazing  

Their formation flying is impeccable

It was over far too quickly.

 

 We've been bitten by the bug and want to go to their next display.  It must be a wow-moment to see them up close.

Something different to do with chicken

This is what we had for dinner last night - it is well received in our house, with 3 out of 4 occupants actually in agreement about the supper choice.

 I think the recipe was made up by husband as I can't find it in any of my copious collection of cook books. It doesn't have a name, as such.  We call it Chicken Tikka, but it's a bit removed from the authentic dish! 

Make a marinade using

a large dollop of tomato ketchup,

garlic puree (because in my opinion life is too short to spending it chopping garlic cloves),

a dash of chilli powder,

a generous teaspoon of curry powder,

season with salt & pepper

and add lots & lots of chopped coriander (still my most favourite herb IN THE WORLD)

I also add a teaspoon of Apple Chilli Relish.  (I'll post the recipe for this in the Autumn, as I plan to replenish my stock then)

It was a bit of a challenge taking the photo with one hand and not spilling the relish with the other - you can see that I didn't quite manage it.

 

Marinate for at least half an hour, but longer is better, then fry. It's nice hot or cold.

 

If, like me, you have a teenage daughter, who has the appetite of a mouse, you could save 5 pieces of uncooked chicken, roll them in stuffing mix and fry them in the biggest frying you can find - rather than wash up a smaller one - and then you have also solved, at least for one day, the perpetual question of

"what can I take for my lunch tomorrow?

The fourth member of the household who doesn't eat this dinner is my husband - what an irony!

He had eggs and chips xx

 

Baking Day

 I don't particularly enjoy producing an evening meal, night after night, for a family who don't all like the same dinner.  I'm afraid I'm not one of those accommodating chefs who will make three different dishes on demand. 

But what I do like to do is bake - it's what I do to relax and to help me unwind after a busy day.  I love the alchemy of taking a bunch of simple ingredients and turning them into something delicious.  I also prefer to provide the family with food that is simple and not full of additives.

So today I made Chocolate Chip Muffins and Flapjacks




These are regulars in our house, as everyone likes them. 

I prefer shortcake or Victoria sponge or malt loaf or 101 other things.  But if I made those, I would eat them all too and then I'd be the size of a house! 

Pizza dough is also a good antidote to a stressful day. 

It only takes half a dozen ingredients:

500g strong bread flour

teaspoon of salt

325 ml warm water

couple tablespoons of olive oil

couple of teaspoons of sugar

56g sachet of quick yeast

Put sugar, yeast & oil in water & mix,  add salt to flour, add wet ingredients to dry.

Mix together & knead for a bit - the longer the better really. 

All that kneading is very therapeutic.  Leave it to rise for about half an hour. Then knock back and divide into four.

Spread on a tomato sauce

 

and add cheese.  Because I make the bases quite thin, they only take about 10 minutes to cook in a hot oven.

The cooked pizzas went before I could take a photo, but looking at the empty plates I know the girls and their guests were happy with tea!

Let me know if you'd like the the recipes for the muffins and flapjack.

What's in the bag?

Mum, the girls & I went shopping at the weekend. 
We were on a mission to complete the next stage of the attic make-over

Younger daughter knew precisely what she wanted

 

This is exactly what she was after!

The next time you see this material, it will in the panels of her wardrobe.  There should also be enough left to make a couple of covers for the cushions on her bed.

What's in the box?

On Friday there was a knock on the door and these two boxes were delivered.

Oh!

 I hadn't ordered anything, but it seems my husband had....




What's in the box?

Vegetarians might want to look away now



A lamb - neatly portioned in joints, chops and mince

53lbs to be exact.

 

The bonus is, I can be sure this lamb had a happy, free-range life. 
It has no artificial additives, flavourings or preservatives. 
And it was looked after by a happy* shepherd (my husband).

Yum yum - lamb is my favourite.  



*occasionally

.

Salsa and Five-minute Coleslaw

Coleslaw and Salsa are two of my favourite salad things. 

To put together a quick salsa ....

 

Chop ripe tomatoes

 Add half an onion, red or white, which ever is knocking about.  Add zest of a lime and the juice.

 

Add lots and lots of chopped coriander (my most favourite herb in the WHOLE WORLD)

 

Finally, add a good dash of Tabasco
 

Mix it all together. 

Coleslaw takes five minutes to make if you are lucky enough to have a food processor and is worth the effort even if you don't!

Chop half an onion

Blitz about a third of a cabbage.  I use white or red - again, which ever is in the fridge

Grate a couple of carrots - a one minute job with the help of the food processor

 

Mix with plain yoghurt and mayonnaise, season well with salt and black pepper

 Delicious and so good for you.

Ta Dah

We've finished the attic make over. 


The girls were very keen to do the painting and as the carpet was to be replaced anyway, I let them loose with the emulsion.  Older daughter painted about half of one wall before declaring in a theatrical style that she was simply exhausted and would be hospitalised if she were to continue.  Younger daughter had a vested interest in continuing, as the room will be her bedroom when finished, and stuck at it for a lot longer.  Given that a child of ten displayed more stamina than me, I felt obliged to continue, although I secretly agreed with older daughter.   Fortunately I had to stop to prepare dinner and my husband completed the task over the next couple of days.





Younger daughter had a very specific design idea for a wardrobe and shelves.  Lucky her dad used to be a joiner.  A bit more time in the garden ....

and job done





The open panels in the wardrobe doors will be lined with material.


The carpet was laid on Monday.  I wish I had taken a photo to capture just how revolting the old carpet was - both colour and condition - but you can get a flavour of that from the previous posts.

Ta dah - here is the finished room








It is a fabulous room now.  The pale walls and carpet make it feel much larger and the extra windows give great views and loads more light.  Younger daughter couldn't wait to move in and we carted all her belongings upstairs the moment the carpet fitter left. 

Older daughter's wish was fulfilled and she had her bedroom to herself once again.  She was sweet enough to admit that she actually missed her little sister being there.   

Girls, a word of warning from your mother, you have NO EXCUSE now for untidy bedrooms.