Nigella's Banana Bread

Had a few of the school Mum's over for coffee this morning. Made this again...Nigella's Banana Bread. It was really good! I made it without the walnuts as the kids don't really like them. Good enough to buy rum for if you don't have a bottle in the under stairs cupboard like I do...

Combat those January Blues...

I am trying to keep my spirits up. It's not that there is actually anything wrong (which makes me feel worse - lucky and yet so ungrateful!) it's just January. It doesn't get light until about 8 in the mornings, I am not looking my best after the Christmas indulgence, and to top it off, my youngest son went off to nursery on Monday. He's going three mornings a week. I feel like he's left home! Apart from when he's home and then I remember why it was time he went for some structured fun at nursery...

So anyway, if you too are feeling blue, here are three things that have cheered me up in the last few days:
1. A massive clear out of junk this weekend. Big tidy up. Loads of sorting, chucking, sweeping, cleaning, throwing, donating and recycling. Honestly, start small: one drawer or box and soon you will be quite addicted and feeling good, productive and organised.
2. Loud music, for me, songs with quite loud swear words that you can shout go down a treat...today it was a bit of Indie Rock a la Bloc Party (Silent Alarm) and yesterday some Mumford and Sons (Sigh No More)...
3. Make yourself a nice breakfast (after the school run, if you do one) and sit down at a table to eat it...I know, this is real groundbreaking stuff! A good start to the day...Here is a picture of today's eggs and smoked salmon...

I know you can't do all of these things every day, for example, tomorrow morning I will be at creepy crawlies listening to the Bob the Builder theme whilst jumping on the bouncy castle with Zac by 9.30 but hey, I might listen to some loud sweary music on the way home...Fortunately Zac can't pronounce his Fs...

More blog posts coming...I must, if only for my fans...Thea and Becky... :)

Byeee Nix X

Wraps...I can't get enough of them!

My friend Nicky Leader got me started on these...She made me one for lunch the other day and now I can't stop. It's not like I had never had a wrap before but somehow these are different and much tastier. I think it's the fresh herbs which happen to be growing like mad in my kitchen due to the new light since we had our extension...and the proximity to the kitchen tap. It really would be remiss not to water them when I see them every time I make a cup of tea.

So, I have made wraps with lots of different fillings over the last couple of weeks. Here are a few of my favourites.

This one is hummus, avocado, cheese, tomato, basil, mint, then finished with some freshly snipped lettuce, a drizzle of balsamic and a little salt and pepper.

I had a friend coming yesterday so I roasted some peppers, red onions and tomatoes, all covered in 'evoo' (just heard that the other day - extra virgin olive oil!) and a little salt and pepper. In the oven on high for 40 mins, then low for an hour or so, then off and leave in oven.

Before and...

after (we had eaten half of the tray!)

So these wraps had similar ingredients...but also some nice ham and lots of roasted vegetables.

Also very good with smoked, peppered mackerel. 

Honestly. So delicious. 

Nix X

Beef, Coconut and Spinach Pilau

A friend gave me this recipe. It's yum. Thought I'd put it on here for anyone that likes a bit of spice.

Feeds: 6

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook time: From 1.5 Hour

Oven Temp: 4-5, 180-190, 350-375

Take

·         675g (1.5lb) lean braising steak and cut into 2.5cm cubes

·         30ml  (2 tblsp) oil

·         2 onions, peeled and sliced

·         2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped

·         45ml (3 tblsp) Madras curry paste (use Balti or Korma for a milder curry)

·         1 green chilli, deseeded and finely chopped

·         1 400g can of coconut milk

·         850ml (1.5 pint) good, hot beef stock

·         Salt and pepper

·         300g basmati or long grain rice

·         100g baby spinach leaves

·         2 med tomatoes quartered

·         Handful freshly chopped coriander to garnish

·         Toasted almonds to garnish

Make

Heat half the oil in a large ovenproof casserole dish and brown the beef in batches for 3-4 mins. Remove from the pan and set aside. Add remaining oil to pan and cook the onions and garlic until lightly brown, stir in curry paste and cook for 2-3 mins.

Return the beef to the dish and add the chilli, coconut milk and stock. Season. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover and cook in the oven or on the hob for 1 hour. Stir in the rice, cover and cook for a further 20 mins until all the liquid has been absorbed. Add the spinach and tomatoes. Leave to stand for further 5-10 mins.

Serve

Garnish with freshly chopped coriander and flaked almonds.

Happy feasting! Nix