I am always stuck for dinner ideas, even though I know that I have a larger selection of recipe choices than lots of other families.
We eat food from all over the world, and I am really lucky that our kids are not too fussy...
But I still always run out of ideas every afternoon as to what to make - so I am compiling this list more for myself, and if it helps anyone else with easy dinners, quick dinners and family friendly dinners then thats a bonus!
I will keep adding while I remember, and if you want a recipe just ask!
Pasta dishes:-
Carbonara (creamy, bacon and mushrooms)
Italian sausage, peppers and tomatoes
Tuna
Chicken, cream and spinach
Prawn, tomato and fish stock
Chorizo and tomato
mac and cheese
Meatballs
Lasagne
mousakka
Fish Pie
Risotto - Mushroom or everything that is in the fridge
Stir Fries
Egg and Tomato
Lettuce
Pork and Black bean
Chicken and sweetcorn
Prawn - sweet and sour
- and celery
Steamed Fish with ginger and spring onion
Salmon with black bean
salmon in soy
salmon in lemon, chill and lemongrass
teriyaki
Stir fried noodles
Stuffed peppers - courgette/aubergine, sun dried tomatoes, olives (opt - sausage meat, quinoa/cous cous) cheese
Chilli
Omelette
Spanish omelette
Prawn and garlic
chorizo
Patatas Bravas
Fajitas
enchiladas
Pizza
Thai Curries
Indian Curries
Japanese Curry
Sausage stew
Thursday 22 October 2015
Friday 13 February 2015
Monday 19 January 2015
Body Shop at Home Consultant
Hi
I've been a little quiet on the foodie front, as I have started to be a Bodyshop at Home Consultant.
I have seen that some other bloggers have been inundated with requests for information about joining - and I know that I Googled and searched for information before taking the leap, so thought I would post my experience.
So, having looked up online as much as I could, I decided to take the leap and join the Bodyshop at Home business.
It cost me £45 to join which included me getting £180 worth of products!!!! This is a bargain compared to other home selling opportunities.
(you literally get everything in the picture...well as good as - I think my absinthe hand wash was substituted for almond...but hey - I'm not complaining!!)
So the deal is that you have to book 4 parties when you sign up (I had one myself, so then only had to harass 3 others to have one for me). I was a little anxious about that, but I knew I could count on one friend for sure and my sister-in-law, so that left 1 party...I mentioned it to Mums in the school playground, and had another 2 bookings!!
In your first month, there are great sales incentives where you can win products to add to your kit/add to your bathroom cabinet :-) which run alongside every consultants sales promotions - so basically at the end of your first month your kit has pretty much doubled!!
I have 3 small children, and decided that I would like to do one evening party a week. On average I get about £50 per party - which for 2 and a half hours out I think it is Fab!!
I must be honest that I do not take home that £50 per party ....I seem to spend more each time I order!!! I have become a little addicted to their products and keep wanting more!!!!!
Ok, so the parties including travel take up about 3 hours and you do have to do the admin at home (log the party sales and arrange delivery). After the first couple of time you can pick up speed of order entry. But other than that, it is up to you how much time and effort you put in.
The theory is that you book your next parties at your present ones. I found this a little tricky at first, but with help and training I am getting better!
I assume not all managers and teams are the same, but I have had a lot of support and help. There is training available every month, and last week I got a skincare certificate from one day training. (But you could always get in touch with me if you are in the UK, and be on the same team with same supportive managers!)
When I say support I mean it. I was toying with the idea of certain other products to sell at home parties, but after a conversations with those recruiting me I felt that it would be too pushy and I would be harassed to meet figures and targets. (To remain an active Bodyshop at Home Consultant, after your first month, all you need to do is £150 every 3 months...this would be done in one party...every 3 months - nice and easy!)
I am not a pushy or 'sales-y' person but these are products that see themself. It is not overpriced, so even those who go to the parties and are broke can still buy something for as little as £2 (actually there are discounts and offers on so usually even less than that!)!
I remember sitting at a party for kitchen equipment, and feeling so awful that there was not even the smallest thing that I could get so that I contributed a little something to the hosts pot!!
I nearly forgot to talk about money! I paid back my start up costs from my first party!!!
You earn 25% of sales AND....
Also, at £150 sales you get a small product free
at £300 you get a product worth around £30
at £600 you get a series of products worth around £60
at £1000 you get a series of products worth around £90
at £1200 you get additional 2% of all your sales
at £1600 you get additional 5% of all your sales
Please do not hesitate to ask any questions...or join my team (UK only), then I can answer them all!
abbess@hotmail.com
I've been a little quiet on the foodie front, as I have started to be a Bodyshop at Home Consultant.
I have seen that some other bloggers have been inundated with requests for information about joining - and I know that I Googled and searched for information before taking the leap, so thought I would post my experience.
So, having looked up online as much as I could, I decided to take the leap and join the Bodyshop at Home business.
It cost me £45 to join which included me getting £180 worth of products!!!! This is a bargain compared to other home selling opportunities.
(you literally get everything in the picture...well as good as - I think my absinthe hand wash was substituted for almond...but hey - I'm not complaining!!)
So the deal is that you have to book 4 parties when you sign up (I had one myself, so then only had to harass 3 others to have one for me). I was a little anxious about that, but I knew I could count on one friend for sure and my sister-in-law, so that left 1 party...I mentioned it to Mums in the school playground, and had another 2 bookings!!
In your first month, there are great sales incentives where you can win products to add to your kit/add to your bathroom cabinet :-) which run alongside every consultants sales promotions - so basically at the end of your first month your kit has pretty much doubled!!
I have 3 small children, and decided that I would like to do one evening party a week. On average I get about £50 per party - which for 2 and a half hours out I think it is Fab!!
I must be honest that I do not take home that £50 per party ....I seem to spend more each time I order!!! I have become a little addicted to their products and keep wanting more!!!!!
Ok, so the parties including travel take up about 3 hours and you do have to do the admin at home (log the party sales and arrange delivery). After the first couple of time you can pick up speed of order entry. But other than that, it is up to you how much time and effort you put in.
The theory is that you book your next parties at your present ones. I found this a little tricky at first, but with help and training I am getting better!
I assume not all managers and teams are the same, but I have had a lot of support and help. There is training available every month, and last week I got a skincare certificate from one day training. (But you could always get in touch with me if you are in the UK, and be on the same team with same supportive managers!)
When I say support I mean it. I was toying with the idea of certain other products to sell at home parties, but after a conversations with those recruiting me I felt that it would be too pushy and I would be harassed to meet figures and targets. (To remain an active Bodyshop at Home Consultant, after your first month, all you need to do is £150 every 3 months...this would be done in one party...every 3 months - nice and easy!)
I am not a pushy or 'sales-y' person but these are products that see themself. It is not overpriced, so even those who go to the parties and are broke can still buy something for as little as £2 (actually there are discounts and offers on so usually even less than that!)!
I remember sitting at a party for kitchen equipment, and feeling so awful that there was not even the smallest thing that I could get so that I contributed a little something to the hosts pot!!
Oh Money!!!
I nearly forgot to talk about money! I paid back my start up costs from my first party!!!
You earn 25% of sales AND....
Also, at £150 sales you get a small product free
at £300 you get a product worth around £30
at £600 you get a series of products worth around £60
at £1000 you get a series of products worth around £90
at £1200 you get additional 2% of all your sales
at £1600 you get additional 5% of all your sales
Please do not hesitate to ask any questions...or join my team (UK only), then I can answer them all!
abbess@hotmail.com
Monday 28 April 2014
Homemade Healthy Muesli
Since making this muesli, I have been totally addicted to
it! Not only at breakfast, but lunch and
snack cravings are being turned into Muesli time!
It is so easy to make and so delicious. I was lucky to have most of these ingredients
in my store cupboard. I would recommend
using what you have – the options are endless.
If you are weight watching, be aware of the amount of fruit
you are adding as the natural sugar in dried fruit is very high. The coconut however can be used in abundance!
I made my own dried apple chips to add to the muesli, and
will in the future dry more fruit. I
can’t understand why sugar is added to already sweet fruit.
I use cup measurements for this, but any cup will do. It was only to get an idea of proportions,
but not actually important.
Ingredients
1 Cup Rolled Oats
½ Cup Oat Bran
½ Cup Almonds (pulsed in a processor, or roughly chopped)
½ Cup Coconut chips
1/3 Cup Raw Chia Seeds
1/3 Cup Mix Seeds
1 whole dried Apple
1/3 Cup Banana Chips
¼ Cup Golden Incan Berries
¼ Cup dried Raspberries
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp Raw Cacao
Alternatives
Raisins, Sultanas, Currents, dried strawberries, any dried
fruit really – whatever you like or whatever is in the cupboard.
If you are avoiding sugar, cut out all dried fruit except
for the coconut.
Give everything a good mix in a large bowl, and store in an
airtight container.
This is enough for over 10 servings.
My favourite is Muesli with Yogurt and Honey!!
 |
| Homemade muesli with yogurt and honey |
Or you can add fresh fruit for more yumminess!!
Friday 25 April 2014
Homemade Dried Apple
I have been very productive today. Firstly I have dinner prepped and cooking
away in the slow cooker (Homemade Pork Curry, blog coming). I wanted to make my own muesli, and as
healthy as possible.
Muesli is not
always for those on a diet, and what you buy is not always as healthy as you
may think. Firstly if you are on a diet
be careful what you eat with muesli, the sugars added can be through the
roof. I decided that I wanted apple in
my muesli so when I saw that there was added sugar in the readymade dried apple
packets I decided to make my own.
Drying your own fruit still contains a lot of natural
sugars.
It is super easy, just a little time consuming. Next I shall be drying my bananas too.
When I make this again, I shall do at least 2 apples - so the kids can have a health lunchbox addition (they have not seen a scrap from this batch, it was too good to share)!
Method:
Simply slice or dice the apple discarding the core (also
skin is optional, I kept mine on for the added goodness. I was worried it may be tough, but it was
perfect). To be honest, I preferred the
diced pieces to add to my muesli, but I would slice for the kids’ lunch boxes
as an alternative snack!
Prepare a baking tray with parchment paper, and sprinkle the apple pieces.
Pre-heat an oven to 100°C (Fan assisted) and bake the apple
pieces for an hour, turn/stir all the pieces and bake for another hour
(slightly chewy) or 2 hours (for crisper).
Switch the oven off and leave the door ajar till cool.
Coming next....Homemade Muesli!
Tuesday 22 April 2014
Real Bread, Fresh Flour
I have been making bread by hand for years, however today I
tried a new fresh flour. I have been
using fresh flour for a while as I wanted nice healthy homemade bread. I shall use the words of the producers as to
why I have searched to find a good local mill -
Pre heat oven to 200°C (Fan assisted).
Bake for 30 minutes.
“You can increase the amount of vitamins,
antioxidants, minerals, and natural fiber in your diet the natural way. Whole
wheat flour begins to lose nutrients during the milling process. Modern
commercial mills destroy many nutrients because of the high heat generated in
the milling process….
…Most refined wheat products have chemicals
and other unpronounceable additives that are unnatural and may damage your
health.”
While I love a slice of fresh white bread, the chemicals
added to prolong the shelf life leave me hunting for a healthier solution. I
found http://www.imbhamsfarmgranary.com/ Who luckily have a stall at a local farmers
market once a month. I have been using
their ‘Sussex Bread Flour’ and it is a nice loaf, however I have just made a
loaf using the ‘Seeded Bread Flour’ and it is delicious! So delicious, I decided to write this blog!
While the shelf life is not as long as shop bought flour, if
I know I will have left over I keep it in the freezer and it lives a little
longer (but this is rarely the case for us)!
Using a basic loaf recipe:
550g Seeded Bread Flour
7g quick Yeast
3g Ground Sea Salt
2tsp honey
40ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil
300-350ml warm Water
I use a dough hook in my stand mixer for making bread dough.
Mix all the ingredients together – adding the water a little
at a time until all the flour is combined and starts to make a ball. Mix for 7 minutes in the mixer or 10 minutes
by hand.
Leave covered with a clean tea towel to rise for an hour. Shape into rolls, loaf or plait. Leave to prove for another hour.
Bake for 30 minutes.
This is a delicious sweet and nutty loaf. If I was baking it just for myself I would
sprinkle some more seeds on top before baking – my kids however are not so keen
and pick them off the top. I have
stopped wasting them and leave it bare!
As it was the first day back to school this morning after
the Easter holidays, we were running rather late. I forgot to take a picture of the full loaf
(it was in fact sliced while still warm slathered in butter and shoved in the
lunch boxes).
Wednesday 27 November 2013
November brings Cake International to the NEC, and I could not resist another year of missing out. I have been to London a couple of times, but this was my first visit to the larger, bigger and brighter NEC one.
I actually think it was better than the London event. There is more space and therefore less elbows to the ribs! I think there were a few more exhibitors, and hundreds more competitors - which was so great to see. There are so many talented and skilled cake decorators it is so humbling to see!
I decided to enter a competition again, and with all the travel I decided on entering the cupcake class. Driving a wedding cake over 200 miles was too much for my nerves to face.
This year the rules had changed for this class, and after a couple of harassing emails to the organisers I was clear that we were to make a dozen cakes comprising of two different flavours and 2 different styles (i.e. 6 identical to each other).
I planned hundreds of different designs, and until I started to make them was I set on two (with perhaps a little altering on the way).
Below are the cakes I made.
I thought I would keep it simple with flavours. While I do have a cuptail (a cocktail in a cupcake) range I thought the judges would prefer more traditional flavours - chocolate mud and vanilla.
I actually think it was better than the London event. There is more space and therefore less elbows to the ribs! I think there were a few more exhibitors, and hundreds more competitors - which was so great to see. There are so many talented and skilled cake decorators it is so humbling to see!
I decided to enter a competition again, and with all the travel I decided on entering the cupcake class. Driving a wedding cake over 200 miles was too much for my nerves to face.
This year the rules had changed for this class, and after a couple of harassing emails to the organisers I was clear that we were to make a dozen cakes comprising of two different flavours and 2 different styles (i.e. 6 identical to each other).
I planned hundreds of different designs, and until I started to make them was I set on two (with perhaps a little altering on the way).
Below are the cakes I made.
I thought I would keep it simple with flavours. While I do have a cuptail (a cocktail in a cupcake) range I thought the judges would prefer more traditional flavours - chocolate mud and vanilla.
 |
| Dragon and wave cupcakes |
My wave cupcake was hand painted. Orange blossoms cut using cutters, and the large blossom - I cut each individual petal, painted and dusted then assembled on the topper
My dragon cupcake the topper was hand painted gold, then the dragon was hand modelled. These took about an hour each to model. I used scissors for the scales along the back.
Judges tasting!
The crazy thing about this competition was that when my friend went to collect my cakes at the end of the show, 4 of them and the board had been stolen! I would understand someone taking them all or someone getting curious/hungry and pinching a couple of cakes, but to take 4 and the board...I really don't understand!
I did have a blast when I was there on Friday and met up with some of my lovely cakey friends! I shall continue to enter competitions!
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