When it Comes to Saturday Night...

When it comes to a Saturday night, there's really only one thing to do during the colder months right?

So tonight, when you are snuggling down in your oh-so-comfy Bodas Cotton Pyjama Shirt (available from Net-A-Porter) and your UGG slippers (available from ASOS), why not try a simple homemade snack which you can easily whip up during the adverts:

Homemade Popcorn:

Ingredients: 

1. 2 table spoons of vegetable oil (not olive!)

2. Popcorn kernels.

3. 20g of melted butter.

4. Teaspoon of cinnamon.

5. Tablespoon of caster sugar.

Recipe:

1. Put the oil into the pan.

2. Put the hob onto a medium heat and heat up the oil, slowly.

3. Make sure the oil is hot, hot, hot.

4. Drop in a hand full of the popcorn (your decision on how much.) Then put the lid on the pan. Turn down the hob slightly. Popping will begin and will then increase. Shake the pan slightly.

5. Do not remove the lid and remove it from the heat. Shake slightly and slowly. Put back for 30 seconds and shake again.

6. When the popping stops, turn off the heat and remove the pan from the hob.

7. Melt the butter and mix in the cinnamon on medium heat. Mix in with popcorn and sprinkle the sugar!

8. Popcorn to be enjoyed with the X Factor.  

Frying-Up Leeks

Leeks aren't just for boiling, you know. Okay, they may be fine that way every once in a while, but if you're looking for something different to do with them then attempt the following recipe.
Leeks are one of my favourite vegetables - they are just so unbelievably versatile.
Earlier today when I was out for lunch I grabbed a quick brie, mushroom and leek toastie and it was utterly delicious.
So, for the next time you want to try something different with the top vegetable, try this:

Ingredients:

1. 2 medium leeks.

2. 30g butter.

3. Salt and pepper for seasoning.

4. Handful of fresh, mixed herbs.

1. Cut up two medium-length leeks.
2. Warm a frying pan on low and add 30g of butter.
3. add your leeks, constantly stirring to avoid over-cooking.
4. Season after a couple of minutes and add a handful of fresh, mixed herbs (from the garden - ofcourse!)
5. Continue to sautee for about one minute and then they're done.

Welcome Back, Jamie

Jamie Oliver = One of the bests.
His simple, no-larking around approach is what has made his work so incredibly famous. And with such fabulous recipes as the ones that follow, are you really surprised?
So it came to my delight when I saw that Jamie was releasing a new book:

This latest book which is available from Sainsbury's for an incredible £8. Yes, £8! Is full of '30 minute wonder' recipes.
From his 'Summer Vegetable Lasagne' to 'Sticky Pan-Fried Scallops', there is really nothing that you can falter about these recipes.
If I were you I'd get on your camel coat and go and buy one now (from Sainsbury's if you want one-hell-of-a-deal).

Camel-Cracking Finds

I don't know about you but my new favourite colour is....Camel.
I just can't get the colour out of my mind and on my latest shopping trip, it seemed to b everywhere I turned. From the latest boots, to brogues, to coats, to dresses. The desert animal is literally everywhere.
So I figure if it's hanging on all kinds of fixtures in different stores, why cant it be hanging off of me?
Here are the latest finds which I will be snapping up soon and wearing out to dinner. Such as my upcoming Veggie evening at a local pub and dinner with friends to catch up with the latest gossip.

Double Breasted Blazer, £69.99, Zara

Plush College Coat, £69.99, Zara

Long Sleeve Breton Striped Tee, £20, Topshop

Isn't the colour just so amazing? And most of all, versatile. Layer it up during the winter months, it's practical and damn hot.

Let me know if you have any other camel-cracking finds.

You'll Either Love It...Or Hate It. I'm Excited to Try It!

No, your eyes are not lying to you. Yes, that is the Marmite logo - and that is a bar of chocolate. It is, alas, Marmite Chocolate.

As part of their Christmas 2010 range, Marmite has launched what they are coining 'Very Peculiar' chocolate. A combination of chocolate and all the other ingredients which you usually find within the Marmite jar.

What do you think? I think it sounds pretty exciting but perhaps only a one-time purchase to - shall we say - 'experiment.'

The bars will cost £3 and will appear in shops such as Debenhams on your local high-street.

I know I'll certainly be popping down and giving it a try, I am, after all, one-hell-of-a-Marmite-fan.

Pickling Onions

As I mentioned earlier, this year I am pickling my own onions - just in time for Christmas.
Below is a brilliant method to create the perfect pickled onion...

Ingredients:
1. Packet of pickling onions.
2. Sarsons pickling vinegar.
3. 4 table spoons of salt.
5. Water, straight out the tap.

Method:
1. Peel your onions.

2. Wash the onions.
3. Place a saucepan on the hob and enough water to fill a bowl to 3/4 full. Dissolve large amounts of salt until no more will dissolve. Put this salt-water in a bowl.
4. Put the onions in and leave for 24 hours.
5. Do not leave for more than 24 hours, remove from brine, wash and place in a sterilised jar along with the pickling vinegar.
6. Leave until Christmas!

A Little Freebie + Pickling Onions

Today the sun is not shining (shocker) so I am staying in and completing a few jobs which are on my to-do list.
First up: Pickling my onions. Nothing tastes better than homemade pickled onions at Christmas time. They are so easy to do and when you pop open that jar at Christmas time and smell that vinegar - it is all worth it.
Check back later for instructions on how to do this.
Meanwhile, yesterday a little surprise sample came through the door from Boots. I am sure many of you also received it: 'No7 Protect and Perfect Day Cream'. I have often heard many, many pearls of wisdom from people like my Mum and Nan to 'start with creams early on in life - there is no point in doing it once the horse has bolted!'

So today I am going to have a little try at this day cream which is apparantly one of the best on the market.
Have you tried it? I will be slapping it on whilst pickling my onions.
I'll let you know the verdict.

Quaint Country Pubs

I have always been a fan of quaint, old country pubs. There is just something about snuggling up near a log-fire, drinking a glass of wine and catching up with old friends. For some reason, a lot of these pubs have now been modernised (and in my opinion ruined!) and so striking across a good one is quite a delight.
Take a drive out to the country and have a snoop around, and remember to let me know what you find!
But I thought I would let you in on some of my fabourites:

The Swan Inn, Bitton: This small pub has become, what some would say, 'my local.' The typical, English pub food goes down a treat on cold winters evenings, while the bar and wait staff are very delightful. It is easily accesible and perfectly reasonable. I would recommend booking, to ensure a table.

The Sign of the Angel, Lacock: I have to say, lacock is one of my favourite places in England. Not only are you virtually walking around the Harry Potter set, but the old English heritage homes, pubs and shops seem to take you back to a different era. I love the unspoilt brilliance of everything that it is has to offer. Being a National Trust site means that it is a popular area for tourists - but oh so worth the trip. Stop in local tea rooms for afternoon tea and be sure to visit The Sign of the Angel for a cracking Sunday roast. It is actually a beautiful, old hotel but the pub/restaurant has become famous all over England. Trust me, it is definitely worth it. Take your dog to Lacock and wander around the cobbled streets - you will feel like you are in a Jane Austen novel. Visit: http://www.lacock.co.uk/angelhome.html Booking is essential.

(I can't say it looks much different today, minus the cattle ofcourse!)

Have you found any other secret treasures? Let me know, it's a good excuse to take a visit somewhere! 

Olive Magazine

Being a veggie can often be difficult. Cheese is usually always on the menu when it comes to grabbing a quick lunch and this can sometimes be monotenous. Don't get me wrong, I am a big cheese fan. Nothing seems to go down easier than a slab of cheddar or blue cheese. But sometimes, I just want to find something different - someting unusual and off the radar.
So when I was scouring through the latest October edition of Olive Magzine, page 77 came as quite a treat: '10 Veggie lunches for £1' > Cheap and delicious.
If you haven't bought the latest Olive Magazine (then why not?) below are some of the 'meat-free lunches' which they have described:

1. 'Crunchy houmous seeded butties': Grab 2 slices of seeded brown bread and pop on a thick layer of houmous. On top of that place a grated carrot and an appropriate amount of watercredd. Alas, a sandwich is made.

2. 'Bang bang noodle salad': Cook enough egg noodles for one person and drain. Pop the noodles in a bowl with 2 thinly sliced spring onion, some shredded mange tout, 4 baby corn sliced and a bit of sliced chilli (for added warmth). In a seperate bowl, grab a table spoon of crunchy peanut butter, another table spoon of sesame oil and 2 table spoons of soy sauce - throw in enough boiling water to create a dressing. Mix it up!

Dont they sound utterly fabulous? Even if you aren't a vegetarian, how could you possibly resist? I know I will certainly be throwing them together soon. Another perfect strike, Olive.

All above recipes from: Olive Magazine, October 2010 edition.

Creme Brulee - The Cheater's Way

After a long day at work I know that many people would rather put their feet up and watch the latest trashy American TV show than slave over a hot stove all night.
The thought of the hard work is often dreaded as much as going to work in the morning. As for me, I am always in the mood for cooking, I find it relaxing and seeing the end product after a lot of hard work = sheer satisfaction.
So every now and then on here I am going to drop in a little cheater's guide - just to treat you!
Are you a fan of Creme Brulee? If you haven't tried it, trust me you are and after trying this, you will be.
Just the other day I was walking around Sainsbury's grabbing some ingredients for a recipe when I discovered this:

I know from talking to friends and family that often people make the effort to cook the main course from scratch, but when it comes to dessert, grabbing it from the packet is so much easier. Now, I am not going to say I always approve of the packet-approach, but I know it can often be soooo easy and can also taste soooo good.

So why not pop along to your local Sainsbury's and pick up these 2 pots of Vanilla Creme Brulee? They are so unbelievably easy to cook in the grill and taste surprisingly good.

So just for tonight, pop the blow-torch away and wack on the grill instead: Tomorrow, back to the from-scratch method! I'll allow you to cheat - just this time!

'Till later. x