It’s Friday and its gone cold again… I had been wishful thinking earlier in the week on my dog walk with the sun out! There are daffodils and colourful tulips in the shops but we have to wait a few more weeks before those bulbs really start to show in the garden…
With that in mind the slow cooker has been out and in action this week! I do love meals that just slowly stew together over many hours, the perfect one pot, filling the house with delicious smells greeting you as you walk in hungry at the end of the day.
Also to fit around the childrens after school activities I do one pots in the oven all the time, they like stews but I couldn’t do them every evening. This week a really easy roasted veg and chicken dish: peel a few pieces of celeriac, swede, sweet potato and parsnips, top with a few pieces of garlic and drizzle with olive oil all in one roasting tin in the oven for 30 minutes at 180C. Then take the vegetables out and lay chicken breasts on the top and pop back in the oven for another 30 minutes. I wrapped the chicken breasts in proscuitto which made it all that bit tastier. Take the one dish to the table and serve with steamed broccoli, green beans or short of time some peas! Instead of chicken you could do the same with a few pieces of fish – delish!
I have been enjoying my Riverford delivery and am looking forward to my box arriving today. The difference that puts Riverford at the top in my mind is EVERYTHING they sell is organic and they are the actual farmers for the majority of the produce – love the company ethos. Did you see the savoury carrot and cheese flapjack recipe I tried on Facebook, they were so tasty!
This Sunday the Tonbridge Farmers Market are back behind Waitrose. This is the perfect place to buy some local produce and something special for next week?!
The best way to any man’s heart is through his stomach (it had to be said outloud!) so with Valentines Day next Tuesday 14th Feb (just incase you missed the red roses, and piles of chocolates at the supermarket door) I have found a great list of ’40 romantic recipes’ through Country Living magazine. Valentine Recipes from ‘engagement chicken’ to steak with tarragon mushrooms, there are lots of ideas including some indulgent puddings. Speaking of puddings the best one for Valentines in my opionion is Ruth Hinks’ Chocolate Souffle (I like eating puddings but don’t actually make that many and this is just perfect as its a fail safe souffle!)
I have a few Valentines themed recipes here, I know I will be using a few next week at my Valentines Cookery Camp for children and they may well come in useful over the half term holidays: Shortbread with Beetroot Glaze, Raspberry Velvet Cupcakes, Beetroot & Cheese Scones and this week I had to try one or two gooey ‘naughty but nice’ brownies – Beetroot with Dark Chocolate.
So keep warm, cosy and yes indulge yourself over Valentines! x