Grandma: The shady cook from 'Grandma's comfort food' whose recipes lie a third of the time, and I have the burnt enchiladas to proove it!
Was shopping at sainsbury's recently when while waiting at the till I saw an interesting thing on a nearby display stand.
'Grandma's Best Recipes'
hmmm....... I instandly wanderd out of the que and picked up the cute country designed book. I flick few the pages and sure enough I see a few of the same recipes from 'Comfort foods' and a ton of new ones. The book was reasonably cheap at £5.99 so I decided to purchase it and see if Grandma was still the lying whore I knew she could be.
New recipes include soups, sauces, fried dishes, cakes even scones (if I liked scones) the book even has prettily designed labels at the back that read: Made with love by..... and baked with love by....... you know if you were going to gift your successful endevours to someone. But I wouldnt cut things out of a book this pretty....
Is it useful? Well we'll have to wait and see.
For now I'm going to watch some more stargate universe and probably forget to do my creative piece draft fro tomorrows lecture. Hazzah!
Thursday, 1 December 2011
An Update
Update: where by new information on an ongoing or new event is received and quickly forgotten.
Howdy troopers,
Its been a month and a bit since my last blog so here's an update:
Number of recipes tried: 2
Number of recipes W1Ns: 1
Number of recipe FAILS: 2
Number of assignments done: 2
Number Ignored: 4
Number of xmas presents bought: 1
Number still to get: 30+
Number of television episodes watched: Iv'e lost count but def 100+
Number of module reading read: 0
So yeah...... not bad, not great either, don't get me wrong I've had fun this past month I mean October was BRUTAL but november was cool. The christmas fair opened up in town and before that was a nice fireworks eve with friends but now is the start of DECEMBER!
23 days till XMAS bitches! And I ave so much to do, assignments FYP, shopping, visiting.....
sigh...
Then I rememberd 'oh yeah! I has a blog!' So I logged in and low and behold, the old fashioned wallpaper I once thought was quaint now killed my soul alittle so I have changed things up once again into fluffy pink madness to brighten my mood.
Anywho I thought I'd give another push for doing more cooking, having been confined to ready meals for money problems which thankfully no longer exsist. So I will be cooking more, Im planning to bake mince pies for family and friends, yay!
Some things dont change though....I still suck at baking, made a batch of cookies last night curtesy of a few mixed recipes I had, I put to much sugar in because damn did they come out crunchy.... and alittle burnt so keeping with in tradition there :)
So watch this Space and i'll try and keep you posted.
Howdy troopers,
Its been a month and a bit since my last blog so here's an update:
Number of recipes tried: 2
Number of recipes W1Ns: 1
Number of recipe FAILS: 2
Number of assignments done: 2
Number Ignored: 4
Number of xmas presents bought: 1
Number still to get: 30+
Number of television episodes watched: Iv'e lost count but def 100+
Number of module reading read: 0
So yeah...... not bad, not great either, don't get me wrong I've had fun this past month I mean October was BRUTAL but november was cool. The christmas fair opened up in town and before that was a nice fireworks eve with friends but now is the start of DECEMBER!
23 days till XMAS bitches! And I ave so much to do, assignments FYP, shopping, visiting.....
sigh...
Then I rememberd 'oh yeah! I has a blog!' So I logged in and low and behold, the old fashioned wallpaper I once thought was quaint now killed my soul alittle so I have changed things up once again into fluffy pink madness to brighten my mood.
Anywho I thought I'd give another push for doing more cooking, having been confined to ready meals for money problems which thankfully no longer exsist. So I will be cooking more, Im planning to bake mince pies for family and friends, yay!
Some things dont change though....I still suck at baking, made a batch of cookies last night curtesy of a few mixed recipes I had, I put to much sugar in because damn did they come out crunchy.... and alittle burnt so keeping with in tradition there :)
So watch this Space and i'll try and keep you posted.
Monday, 3 October 2011
Has changed Blog
Change: Not as they were - places, events, people.
Howdy all,
Have discoverd dynamic template whatumaycallit, and have been faffing around for half an hour having ago having gotten tired of the coral that was my blog. Biggest decision was deciding between cute easter chicks which i actually own and the old timey wallpaper which you see before you.
I know it looks boring, will spruce it up later but for now-
I just felt like a change :)
Howdy all,
Have discoverd dynamic template whatumaycallit, and have been faffing around for half an hour having ago having gotten tired of the coral that was my blog. Biggest decision was deciding between cute easter chicks which i actually own and the old timey wallpaper which you see before you.
I know it looks boring, will spruce it up later but for now-
I just felt like a change :)
Monday, 12 September 2011
Perfect Mash
Mash: Boiled potato chunks 'mashed' with a mashing thing, to creamy smoother perfection - top for gravy meat dishes, or just with beans and cheese.
So I say 'perfect mash' and you know what? I mean it, its the best mash I've ever had and I made it, ME! ha ha ha ha.......... With a little help from Grandma, when she's right, she's right.
So here's the hizz-aps:
INGREDIENTS:
EQUIPMENT:
METHOD:
Here we go...
Boom your done, perfect mash and it's not even a quest to complete.
TIP: Great with: cheese, beans, sausages, gravy, ANYTHING!
So I say 'perfect mash' and you know what? I mean it, its the best mash I've ever had and I made it, ME! ha ha ha ha.......... With a little help from Grandma, when she's right, she's right.
So here's the hizz-aps:
INGREDIENTS:
- Potatoes, big ones, think 1 and a half for each person. I know there graded but really any will do.
- Milk, not allot, just a splash.
- Butter 1 tbsp per two people.
- Salt.
- Pepper.
EQUIPMENT:
- Masher - I don't know the real name (looks like this - masher)
- Big sauce pan for boiling/mashing
- small saucepan for heating milk
- colander
- bowl - medium
- table spoon.
- two pronged peeler (recommended but any peeler will do)
METHOD:
Here we go...
- Bring to the boil a medium saucepan of salted water - a pinch should do.
- While boiling peel, and chop the potatoes into even chunks so that they boil at same time, slices speed up the process.
- when water has boiled, boil slices. This should take no more then 10 minutes
- How to check when potatoes are boiled: take a knife, stick it in a chunk, if it slides off, then there ready if it sticks give it a few more minutes. try three chunks to be safe.
- Now when the potato is boiled, drain the water from the saucepan, you can use a colander or the lid if your skillful, or have a lid with holes in.
- No placing the potatoes back in the hot pan, mash! pound the potatoes, up and down, with the masher until smooth and paste like.
- Heat a splash of milk in a small saucepan, while heating take a table spoon of butter and add it to the mash. mash it in. When the milk is heated, no more then 30 seconds, pour that in too.The hot milk will be absorbed by the mash making it soft and creamy and yummy :)
- MASH!!!!!!!!!!!
- Mash until satisfied, feel free to taste, it'll be awesome. Add salt and pepper as you feel like, or not at all your choice.
Boom your done, perfect mash and it's not even a quest to complete.
TIP: Great with: cheese, beans, sausages, gravy, ANYTHING!
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Time Out
Break - to smash, damage, destroy, crack, no longer working/workable, relaxing, chilling, so on and so forth.
So Faithful and possibly imagined readers you may have noticed I'm not blogging everyday since coming to uni, there is a very simple explanation for this. I keep forgetting.
you see theres been allot to do such as getting used to the house, piles of laundry, cleaning, trying to get nameless others to do so, visiting friends, family visits, trying to figure out my Final year project and pretty much trying to figure out my life. My one solace is that everyone else appears to be going through the exact same thing. Shit happens but at least I can talk about it with people who understand thank god for my generation.
So what have you missed?
I made a cottage pie, it rocked. I made beef stew, it sucked.
I went to the beach with the family, that rocked, I lugged a heavy luggage bag on the train, that sucked. despite my love of trains.
Having fun with the housemates, rocking, seeing a certain housemates mess, shocking.
Laundry done, FYP? what FYP? ugh.......
and last but not least I have kept up with my spending hazzah! considering I was 500 in the red I am now 150 in the clear. or there abouts thank you bank of mother but don't worry reader, I'm not some sponge soaking up my mother's generosity, I am looking for a job.
Problem is I may well be unemployable having only ever done two weeks work experience and never having an actual real job. Or experience. Damn.
So things to do: type up recipe for cottage pie and absolutely awesome mash, work on stew, work on FYP, work on ...work and work on life.
Can anyone else smell burning?!
So Faithful and possibly imagined readers you may have noticed I'm not blogging everyday since coming to uni, there is a very simple explanation for this. I keep forgetting.
you see theres been allot to do such as getting used to the house, piles of laundry, cleaning, trying to get nameless others to do so, visiting friends, family visits, trying to figure out my Final year project and pretty much trying to figure out my life. My one solace is that everyone else appears to be going through the exact same thing. Shit happens but at least I can talk about it with people who understand thank god for my generation.
So what have you missed?
I made a cottage pie, it rocked. I made beef stew, it sucked.
I went to the beach with the family, that rocked, I lugged a heavy luggage bag on the train, that sucked. despite my love of trains.
Having fun with the housemates, rocking, seeing a certain housemates mess, shocking.
Laundry done, FYP? what FYP? ugh.......
and last but not least I have kept up with my spending hazzah! considering I was 500 in the red I am now 150 in the clear. or there abouts thank you bank of mother but don't worry reader, I'm not some sponge soaking up my mother's generosity, I am looking for a job.
Problem is I may well be unemployable having only ever done two weeks work experience and never having an actual real job. Or experience. Damn.
So things to do: type up recipe for cottage pie and absolutely awesome mash, work on stew, work on FYP, work on ...work and work on life.
Can anyone else smell burning?!
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
TEX-MEX BURGERS with the housemates
TEX-MEX: cheese burger....that's a burger with cheese INSIDE the burger....W1N!
So I moved back to UNI town same day as my new housemate. After bonding with some wine cut with lemonade, we decided to make TEX MEX burgers, the recipe for which we were watching on the 'Start Cooking' video podcast of which I am a big fan.
This is very easy and quick to make taking no longer then 20mins including prep time (which can get messy/fun depending on your outlook on life)
So here's the recipe:
INGREDIENTS: (for four)
Optional:
EQUIPMENT:
Method:
1. Dice your damn onion.
2. Put the mince, ketchup, sprinkles of salt and pepper / optional seasoning, cheese and onion in the mixing bowl. Then with clean hands mix it all together for a few minutes.
3. Pre heat the frying pan on a medium heat (greasing optional but recommended), mean while begin turning the meat mix into burger pattys. First you grab a generous handful then roll the mixture into a ball. Place on the baking tray and squish it down till its shaped like the burger of your desire. Repeat untill all the mixture is gone as you probably cannot freeze and re-use it.
4. Begin frying your burgers. Try to fit as many as you can in the pan without over crowding it. Fry on each side for four minutes (4 mins) and that should be enough, however depending on the thickness of your burger you may need to give or take a minute opn each side.
5. Serve!
This recipe is based on 'start cooking's' recipe for the TEX-MEX burger with some changes made to the recipe as we dont have mexican mixed cheese in england so I changed the cheeses and I didn't put in curry powder as I can't take the heat. The original recipe can be found on itunes, its free and awesome or on http://startcooking.com/ with the lovely Cathy, seriously go check it out.
........Go on then!
So I moved back to UNI town same day as my new housemate. After bonding with some wine cut with lemonade, we decided to make TEX MEX burgers, the recipe for which we were watching on the 'Start Cooking' video podcast of which I am a big fan.
This is very easy and quick to make taking no longer then 20mins including prep time (which can get messy/fun depending on your outlook on life)
So here's the recipe:
INGREDIENTS: (for four)
- 1lb of mince beef
- Two types of grated cheese of choice, 75g each (we chose cheddar and mozzarella)
- Salt (pinch)
- Pepper (pinch)
- Ketchup (healthy dollop/squirt)
- Small onion x1
- Burger buns.
Optional:
- Tomato
- Lettuce
- Chilli powder
- Mixed herbs
- The onion
EQUIPMENT:
- Chopping board
- Knife for onion
- Knife for burger buns
- Mixing bowl
- Frying pan
- Cheese grater
- Baking tray
- spatula
Method:
1. Dice your damn onion.
2. Put the mince, ketchup, sprinkles of salt and pepper / optional seasoning, cheese and onion in the mixing bowl. Then with clean hands mix it all together for a few minutes.
3. Pre heat the frying pan on a medium heat (greasing optional but recommended), mean while begin turning the meat mix into burger pattys. First you grab a generous handful then roll the mixture into a ball. Place on the baking tray and squish it down till its shaped like the burger of your desire. Repeat untill all the mixture is gone as you probably cannot freeze and re-use it.
4. Begin frying your burgers. Try to fit as many as you can in the pan without over crowding it. Fry on each side for four minutes (4 mins) and that should be enough, however depending on the thickness of your burger you may need to give or take a minute opn each side.
5. Serve!
This recipe is based on 'start cooking's' recipe for the TEX-MEX burger with some changes made to the recipe as we dont have mexican mixed cheese in england so I changed the cheeses and I didn't put in curry powder as I can't take the heat. The original recipe can be found on itunes, its free and awesome or on http://startcooking.com/ with the lovely Cathy, seriously go check it out.
........Go on then!
Friday, 12 August 2011
Packing... or not.
Laziness: I has it
So its Friday night, I'm supposed to be packing up my room getting ready to return to Uni on Sunday but I'm not. I always leave everything last minute especially when a task is as daunting as moving the massive piles of clothing that have taken over my room which by the way is a converted walk in wardrobe/airing cupboard. theres a bed and that's it. And now the bed is covered in laundry (I have too many clothes)
I began the summer holiday with the resolve to sell the junk I didn't need and raise some scrap (overdraft :s) but did I? nope. Didn't even unpack.
Yeah, I know.
But I've always been phenomenally lazy despite the fact that I actually enjoy cleaning/washing up/ organising stuff. Its just the get go I have a problem with. Weird.
Anyway....
I'm looking forward to going back, I miss my Uni home, and the people of course, even though most wont be back till later. Being almost alone will help me with the summer reading I haven't done and the Final Year Project I've been ignoring. Plus it means more cooking! which is handing because that was the whole reason for this blog....wasn't it?
Only hitch being we don't have Internet in Uni house. I know. It's been driving me and my housemates crazy but now finally the landlord is sorting it out until then I'll be updating on the uni computers...oh God, no Internet TV! Noooooooooooooooo.................
Bah x
So its Friday night, I'm supposed to be packing up my room getting ready to return to Uni on Sunday but I'm not. I always leave everything last minute especially when a task is as daunting as moving the massive piles of clothing that have taken over my room which by the way is a converted walk in wardrobe/airing cupboard. theres a bed and that's it. And now the bed is covered in laundry (I have too many clothes)
I began the summer holiday with the resolve to sell the junk I didn't need and raise some scrap (overdraft :s) but did I? nope. Didn't even unpack.
Yeah, I know.
But I've always been phenomenally lazy despite the fact that I actually enjoy cleaning/washing up/ organising stuff. Its just the get go I have a problem with. Weird.
Anyway....
I'm looking forward to going back, I miss my Uni home, and the people of course, even though most wont be back till later. Being almost alone will help me with the summer reading I haven't done and the Final Year Project I've been ignoring. Plus it means more cooking! which is handing because that was the whole reason for this blog....wasn't it?
Only hitch being we don't have Internet in Uni house. I know. It's been driving me and my housemates crazy but now finally the landlord is sorting it out until then I'll be updating on the uni computers...oh God, no Internet TV! Noooooooooooooooo.................
Bah x
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
Birthday Riots
Riots- when a group of people (mob) act like dicks, burning and looting in their wake across the country.
So I promised an update on how my twentieth went so here it is and hold on tight cause its a doozy.
It began at 12 hanging out with my Uni friend V in London doing a bit of shopping with the awesome birthday money I got. we were just leaving the Armani store when we realised we were running late to A) find the others and B) watch the film (horrible bosses) so we ran to the nearest tube station and tried to find our way. After a few minutes being lost we found a train but half way through the journey a crazy lady got on and freaked us out so I grabbed V and got off at the next stop, when then tried to find another way to Lester square and the cinema while hoping we were not to late. After getting to the right station we RAN up an escalator (for those who have never been on the tube before the escalators are three floors long. I may be twenty but I'm hideously unfit, we were gasping by the end of it.
unfortunately we missed the first screening but we all decided to go lunch then catch a later showing so we all had lunch at a Yates bar. Where they lost my fish and chips for an hour :(
Bah.
After leaving lunch we went to M&m world because I love m&ms but it was so bust that we were unable to enjoy the life sized statues fake portraits and m*m bus...
I remembered spotting an actual HAGAN-DAZ restaurant. a restaurant for ICE CREAM! and i thought 'dessert anyone?' best 7.40 I ever spent, we all ordered different ice creams and we all enjoyed them they were orgasmic. No exaggeration whatsoever. I strongly recommend you go before you die.
After It was time for the film. We went to Empire in the square and screen 1 was HUGE like the oscars HUGE with big red curtain and sparkly ceiling it was all very glamorous AND the seats Lent back!
Half way into the film, which was awesome btw, fzzt, ZAP Power cut?!
Yeah, so in complete darkness we had to leave, the management promised we could get a refund later and we left. So we turn all our phones back on (because we are polite movie goers) and I have missed calls from my mum and cousin(who only calls me btw when she's worried) so I thought oh no whats wrong? but everyone else has lots of missed calls too so we were standing there calling up people and get this: Riots have broken out around London AGAIN!
for those who don't keep up with the news like myself, riots have been breaking out in London the past few days with stores being broken into and looted, violence and arson abound, and the police out in full riot gear. scary stuff.
My mum and cousin were calling to warn me that my police officer cousin has called to say that not only is the riot moving to where we are (o_O) but that the stations back home have all been closed because of rioting there!
I'm stranded on my birthday in a riot zone!
After relaying the news to my scared compadr'es we decide to call it an eve and not go to a gay bar, my friend heard had cheap drinks. damn. Even though they all offered to let me stay I went with my friend Luce to her home instead in a safe part of London.
Me and her family watched the news all night, fires everywhere, even outside of London. the riots had spread across all the country. It was scary but also exciting to be honest my first thought when I heard the riots were coming near us was 'go have a look?' but my Friends talked me out of it.
Still even though I got stranded, I still had an awesome birthday and you know what? even though I still don't believe I'm twenty it doesn't feel as bad as I though it would. In fact, its kind of fun :)
Any way I better go I Can Smell Burning..... hmm riots or kitchen ?
So I promised an update on how my twentieth went so here it is and hold on tight cause its a doozy.
It began at 12 hanging out with my Uni friend V in London doing a bit of shopping with the awesome birthday money I got. we were just leaving the Armani store when we realised we were running late to A) find the others and B) watch the film (horrible bosses) so we ran to the nearest tube station and tried to find our way. After a few minutes being lost we found a train but half way through the journey a crazy lady got on and freaked us out so I grabbed V and got off at the next stop, when then tried to find another way to Lester square and the cinema while hoping we were not to late. After getting to the right station we RAN up an escalator (for those who have never been on the tube before the escalators are three floors long. I may be twenty but I'm hideously unfit, we were gasping by the end of it.
unfortunately we missed the first screening but we all decided to go lunch then catch a later showing so we all had lunch at a Yates bar. Where they lost my fish and chips for an hour :(
Bah.
After leaving lunch we went to M&m world because I love m&ms but it was so bust that we were unable to enjoy the life sized statues fake portraits and m*m bus...
I remembered spotting an actual HAGAN-DAZ restaurant. a restaurant for ICE CREAM! and i thought 'dessert anyone?' best 7.40 I ever spent, we all ordered different ice creams and we all enjoyed them they were orgasmic. No exaggeration whatsoever. I strongly recommend you go before you die.
After It was time for the film. We went to Empire in the square and screen 1 was HUGE like the oscars HUGE with big red curtain and sparkly ceiling it was all very glamorous AND the seats Lent back!
Half way into the film, which was awesome btw, fzzt, ZAP Power cut?!
Yeah, so in complete darkness we had to leave, the management promised we could get a refund later and we left. So we turn all our phones back on (because we are polite movie goers) and I have missed calls from my mum and cousin(who only calls me btw when she's worried) so I thought oh no whats wrong? but everyone else has lots of missed calls too so we were standing there calling up people and get this: Riots have broken out around London AGAIN!
for those who don't keep up with the news like myself, riots have been breaking out in London the past few days with stores being broken into and looted, violence and arson abound, and the police out in full riot gear. scary stuff.
My mum and cousin were calling to warn me that my police officer cousin has called to say that not only is the riot moving to where we are (o_O) but that the stations back home have all been closed because of rioting there!
I'm stranded on my birthday in a riot zone!
After relaying the news to my scared compadr'es we decide to call it an eve and not go to a gay bar, my friend heard had cheap drinks. damn. Even though they all offered to let me stay I went with my friend Luce to her home instead in a safe part of London.
Me and her family watched the news all night, fires everywhere, even outside of London. the riots had spread across all the country. It was scary but also exciting to be honest my first thought when I heard the riots were coming near us was 'go have a look?' but my Friends talked me out of it.
Still even though I got stranded, I still had an awesome birthday and you know what? even though I still don't believe I'm twenty it doesn't feel as bad as I though it would. In fact, its kind of fun :)
Any way I better go I Can Smell Burning..... hmm riots or kitchen ?
Sunday, 7 August 2011
MAH BIRTHDAY!
Birthday: Day of a persons birth/ anniversary of said event. An annual occurrence, accompanied by cake and well wishing. Sometimes presents :D
Its my birthday......my ba-ba-ba-birthday TODAY! woo!
general anxiety of turning twenty non-withstanding and after spending up until last night forgetting/ not really thinking about it. To KABLAM! its mah birthday woo! kept waking up with excitement! Going to London with a few UNI pals today, movie and then dinner should be grand. Oh, and the best part dear reader?
My nan is getting me a dutch oven! (casserole pot)
Argos is doing a range of cookworks bad boys, RED CAST IRON COOKWARE! and I'm gonna get me some! boo-ya! (man I'm jazzed up!)
Anywho I'm waiting till day light to open pressies and wake up my mum demanding a happy birthday (It's like 5am, i tried sleeping I promise!) will up date with awesome soon!
..... ITS MAH BIRTHDAY! WOOP WOOP! :D !!!!!!!!
Its my birthday......my ba-ba-ba-birthday TODAY! woo!
general anxiety of turning twenty non-withstanding and after spending up until last night forgetting/ not really thinking about it. To KABLAM! its mah birthday woo! kept waking up with excitement! Going to London with a few UNI pals today, movie and then dinner should be grand. Oh, and the best part dear reader?
My nan is getting me a dutch oven! (casserole pot)
Argos is doing a range of cookworks bad boys, RED CAST IRON COOKWARE! and I'm gonna get me some! boo-ya! (man I'm jazzed up!)
Anywho I'm waiting till day light to open pressies and wake up my mum demanding a happy birthday (It's like 5am, i tried sleeping I promise!) will up date with awesome soon!
..... ITS MAH BIRTHDAY! WOOP WOOP! :D !!!!!!!!
Monday, 1 August 2011
The Problem with Pies...
Sleep: I has too much.
Something you should know about me dear readers, I have a backwards body clock, I am positively nock-turnal. It's been going on for so long that to be awake before noon comes as a complete shock and sends my senses into melt down. As such I'm sure you can imagine being up and ready for my nan's party was almost nigh on impossible, espeacially since I'd been having a bad week and sometimes forget to sleep altogether so, and I apologise, no pie was made.
Not to say it won't be at one point in the future when a situation calls for apple pie. Perhaps a bake sale, or it could be a friends favourite who knows? Anyway, substituted that for a bottle of malibu which was strongly needed. At said family reunion for my nan, which did, in the end, turn out famously, began awkwardly with the reintroduction of family we had not seen in years, in fact I did not recognise most of them. The reason for the estrangement was down to family politics I was not privy to which occured years ago. In truth it didn't matter any more, after a while we all just got along and chatted nicely enough, It was quite a lovely day :) plus everyone got to see nan, and she was quite chipper, only complaining once, which for her shows restraint.
oh, and one of my long lost cousins turns out to be married to a football player, fancy that.
Something you should know about me dear readers, I have a backwards body clock, I am positively nock-turnal. It's been going on for so long that to be awake before noon comes as a complete shock and sends my senses into melt down. As such I'm sure you can imagine being up and ready for my nan's party was almost nigh on impossible, espeacially since I'd been having a bad week and sometimes forget to sleep altogether so, and I apologise, no pie was made.
Not to say it won't be at one point in the future when a situation calls for apple pie. Perhaps a bake sale, or it could be a friends favourite who knows? Anyway, substituted that for a bottle of malibu which was strongly needed. At said family reunion for my nan, which did, in the end, turn out famously, began awkwardly with the reintroduction of family we had not seen in years, in fact I did not recognise most of them. The reason for the estrangement was down to family politics I was not privy to which occured years ago. In truth it didn't matter any more, after a while we all just got along and chatted nicely enough, It was quite a lovely day :) plus everyone got to see nan, and she was quite chipper, only complaining once, which for her shows restraint.
oh, and one of my long lost cousins turns out to be married to a football player, fancy that.
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Invitation Only...
RSVP: Telling the host your coming at least three days before the event, and not being a douche and showing up unexpected, causing your stressed out host's head to explode.
So here's the dream...
I'm living in my own apartment, decorated it a country chic, tasteful style with warm colours In the city. Hosting a dinner party for 8 at 8 for sassiness. Embossed cute, elegant invitations. Stylish place settings, beautiful flower centre piece (which I made, no idea how but I have time to learn) I cook a magnificent feast of who knows what with starters like prawn cocktails and garlic bread which I made from scratch. And sharing a lovely pie dessert or cheesecake I also made from scratch. And the evening ending with someone toasting me on being a wonderful hostess. Applause, maybe an award...
But yes that's it, I dream of hosting dinner and cocktail parties in my fashionable city apartment.
But a thought occurs to me dear reader, I can do that at Uni! we have a pretty nice long dinner table at Uni and I have the kitchen there and friends who would love the chance to dress up and be fed for free. It can be a welcome back/ welcome the new housemate (the last one went to study in Poland :( ) party. Glamorous.
So just wanted to post because I know I'm not the only one who wants to be a lovely hostess whose gatherings are the talk of the town with everyone grasping for an invite. Also because if this event does go down, study schedule allowing It will be the ULTIMATE post! Recipes for starters, main, dessert, how to time manage a party, hostessing skills and fails. All to help you, aspiring chefs/hostesses/hosts rock.
Really excited now! Though it will be September time :(
So here's the dream...
I'm living in my own apartment, decorated it a country chic, tasteful style with warm colours In the city. Hosting a dinner party for 8 at 8 for sassiness. Embossed cute, elegant invitations. Stylish place settings, beautiful flower centre piece (which I made, no idea how but I have time to learn) I cook a magnificent feast of who knows what with starters like prawn cocktails and garlic bread which I made from scratch. And sharing a lovely pie dessert or cheesecake I also made from scratch. And the evening ending with someone toasting me on being a wonderful hostess. Applause, maybe an award...
But yes that's it, I dream of hosting dinner and cocktail parties in my fashionable city apartment.
But a thought occurs to me dear reader, I can do that at Uni! we have a pretty nice long dinner table at Uni and I have the kitchen there and friends who would love the chance to dress up and be fed for free. It can be a welcome back/ welcome the new housemate (the last one went to study in Poland :( ) party. Glamorous.
So just wanted to post because I know I'm not the only one who wants to be a lovely hostess whose gatherings are the talk of the town with everyone grasping for an invite. Also because if this event does go down, study schedule allowing It will be the ULTIMATE post! Recipes for starters, main, dessert, how to time manage a party, hostessing skills and fails. All to help you, aspiring chefs/hostesses/hosts rock.
Really excited now! Though it will be September time :(
Apple Pie - Mama's favourite
Family: People you love and with out whom life would suck, often blood related.
So my family is throwing my Nan a party as the past year has sucked pretty hard for her, being bedridden since falling down the stairs, discovering throat cancer and now not being able to eat food, so my well meaning aunts (her daughters) decide HAWAII!!!!
So this Sunday my small home will be infested with aunts, spouses and spawn. We're borrowing marquis and umbrellas just in case of rain and I offered to bake apple pie, since it's the only thing I baked which didn't totally suck.
Plus I didn't want to be the only one who didn't make a dish, being away for so long coz of uni and now an adult I can tell the family is waiting for me to step up and be a participating active family member rather than what I usually do.... stay in my room playing computer games. Don't get me wrong I love my family but after the initial 'hey, how are you?' I just sort of end up standing there, now to old to play with the children but not old enough to keep up with my aunts and cousins who chat history that the kids were kept out of.
(the conversations the adults had that you ignored when you were younger coz u were playing with a fire truck or what have you).
Anyway I figured I'd really present at the party, I'm making a play list on media player - thinking 1950's tunes, and Apple Pie so I can be like hey, I'm not useless hellllllllllloo????
So I'll be writing up the recipe and some photos, as always any tips on the perfect apple pie don't be afraid to comment!
So my family is throwing my Nan a party as the past year has sucked pretty hard for her, being bedridden since falling down the stairs, discovering throat cancer and now not being able to eat food, so my well meaning aunts (her daughters) decide HAWAII!!!!
So this Sunday my small home will be infested with aunts, spouses and spawn. We're borrowing marquis and umbrellas just in case of rain and I offered to bake apple pie, since it's the only thing I baked which didn't totally suck.
Plus I didn't want to be the only one who didn't make a dish, being away for so long coz of uni and now an adult I can tell the family is waiting for me to step up and be a participating active family member rather than what I usually do.... stay in my room playing computer games. Don't get me wrong I love my family but after the initial 'hey, how are you?' I just sort of end up standing there, now to old to play with the children but not old enough to keep up with my aunts and cousins who chat history that the kids were kept out of.
(the conversations the adults had that you ignored when you were younger coz u were playing with a fire truck or what have you).
Anyway I figured I'd really present at the party, I'm making a play list on media player - thinking 1950's tunes, and Apple Pie so I can be like hey, I'm not useless hellllllllllloo????
So I'll be writing up the recipe and some photos, as always any tips on the perfect apple pie don't be afraid to comment!
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
The Evils of Baking
WTF?! : The noise heard from my kitchen on the completion of one of my baking attempts.
I'm pretty good at following a recipe, not to say my cooking is fantastic but I have yet to give anyone food poisoning and believe me I have come close. But something happens whenever I try to bake.
I have tried cookies, ginger snaps and something that i cant remember what it was supposed to be but came out as coal.
All of which were burnt despite the cooking time insisting i leave them in for another twenty minutes, all were crunchy and tasteless and scrapped of baking trays that I could hear seething at me.
Most famously was my attempt at chocolate cake last Christmas were by it looked good despite the drippy nasty tasting icing, but when I went to cut it (I didn't freeze it I swear) EVEN THE BREAD KNIFE, you know the BIG knife shaped like a RAZOR could not cut through it! and it weighed a stone.
IT WEIGHED A STONE- IT WAS A ROCK!
I blame the muscovado sugar, only dark was available.
Yes I substituted an ingredient, (it was supposed to be light muscovado) but I thought: "what the hey? can't be that much of a difference right?" WRONG! so very, very, ashamedly wrong...
anyway moral of the lesson: Don't substitute an ingredient unless you've tried it before. unless you KNOW it works.
In the meantime i'll try baking with the proper ingredients.... thinking Victoria sponge...
I'm pretty good at following a recipe, not to say my cooking is fantastic but I have yet to give anyone food poisoning and believe me I have come close. But something happens whenever I try to bake.
I have tried cookies, ginger snaps and something that i cant remember what it was supposed to be but came out as coal.
All of which were burnt despite the cooking time insisting i leave them in for another twenty minutes, all were crunchy and tasteless and scrapped of baking trays that I could hear seething at me.
Most famously was my attempt at chocolate cake last Christmas were by it looked good despite the drippy nasty tasting icing, but when I went to cut it (I didn't freeze it I swear) EVEN THE BREAD KNIFE, you know the BIG knife shaped like a RAZOR could not cut through it! and it weighed a stone.
IT WEIGHED A STONE- IT WAS A ROCK!
I blame the muscovado sugar, only dark was available.
Yes I substituted an ingredient, (it was supposed to be light muscovado) but I thought: "what the hey? can't be that much of a difference right?" WRONG! so very, very, ashamedly wrong...
anyway moral of the lesson: Don't substitute an ingredient unless you've tried it before. unless you KNOW it works.
In the meantime i'll try baking with the proper ingredients.... thinking Victoria sponge...
Eep!
Competition: When other people rock harder than you do.
So I was browsing the old interwebs looking for inspiration blog wise and came across more than I bargained for. Almost every other cooking blog I came across not only looked kick ass, but the authors had all published books, cooking and otherwise and I'm thinking to myself: Damn!
and Eep! simaltainiously.
I mean good for them and everything but my blog in comparrison.... although I will say that ill be doing more simple foods then they do I mean some of these guys and gals were making dishes with a hundred different ingridients and inpronouncible names for what was clearly just an omlette.
Looking foward to the day when my blog will be remarked on on some website somewhere...hopefully not being slated.
Anyway If you have any ideas on how to better my blog I'd love to hear them :D
So I was browsing the old interwebs looking for inspiration blog wise and came across more than I bargained for. Almost every other cooking blog I came across not only looked kick ass, but the authors had all published books, cooking and otherwise and I'm thinking to myself: Damn!
and Eep! simaltainiously.
I mean good for them and everything but my blog in comparrison.... although I will say that ill be doing more simple foods then they do I mean some of these guys and gals were making dishes with a hundred different ingridients and inpronouncible names for what was clearly just an omlette.
Looking foward to the day when my blog will be remarked on on some website somewhere...hopefully not being slated.
Anyway If you have any ideas on how to better my blog I'd love to hear them :D
Quarter Life Crisis
Twenteen: The year before twenty one when said ex-teenager is still in denial about growing up, use of the actual T-word it was derived from will incur wrath of said...ex...teenager.
So I'm turning twenty.
Applause, applause.
And you know what? It doesn't feel like it and I'm not sure if that's a good thing. I mean I'm supposed to stop being a teenager and miraculously become an adult over night. In theory but really I feel like I was when I turned double digits. Just a bit meh. My first thought is that I wish I had accomplished more up until now having once vowed to be a millionaire authoress at age 15... and then briefly the summer before UNI deciding to become an astronaut... But really its like I should be settle, I should know exactly where I want to go and what to do with my life. I should have a plan by now, and really all I have is a doodle on a napkin or the occasional 'life list' i do to make myself feel more grounded and less up in the air with worry.
And you know I'm not a kid anymore. Which Is kind of sad.
I wish my thoughts were more coherent than this but It is such a big deal, and then not. Like: Yes I'm turning twenty, yes I'm not a child anymore yes my life may change but at the same time its like, I don't feel different, Ill still be at uni, I'll still hang with my friends, but I'm done growing up.
I know you never really grow up, and you never stop learning blah blah but they say you are the person your are at twenty for the rest of your life, and I'm scared that I wont be able to change the things I don't like about myself. which is bull shit of course I can, but in away it already feels too late...
Bah, so I guess its time to stop feeling sorry for myself get off my ass and actually do something about it. I refuse to wallow!
K enough over share for now, Wish me a happy birthday! x
So I'm turning twenty.
Applause, applause.
And you know what? It doesn't feel like it and I'm not sure if that's a good thing. I mean I'm supposed to stop being a teenager and miraculously become an adult over night. In theory but really I feel like I was when I turned double digits. Just a bit meh. My first thought is that I wish I had accomplished more up until now having once vowed to be a millionaire authoress at age 15... and then briefly the summer before UNI deciding to become an astronaut... But really its like I should be settle, I should know exactly where I want to go and what to do with my life. I should have a plan by now, and really all I have is a doodle on a napkin or the occasional 'life list' i do to make myself feel more grounded and less up in the air with worry.
And you know I'm not a kid anymore. Which Is kind of sad.
I wish my thoughts were more coherent than this but It is such a big deal, and then not. Like: Yes I'm turning twenty, yes I'm not a child anymore yes my life may change but at the same time its like, I don't feel different, Ill still be at uni, I'll still hang with my friends, but I'm done growing up.
I know you never really grow up, and you never stop learning blah blah but they say you are the person your are at twenty for the rest of your life, and I'm scared that I wont be able to change the things I don't like about myself. which is bull shit of course I can, but in away it already feels too late...
Bah, so I guess its time to stop feeling sorry for myself get off my ass and actually do something about it. I refuse to wallow!
K enough over share for now, Wish me a happy birthday! x
Stuff you NEED
NEED: When you have to have something/someone in order to live or meet immediate requirements. Often confused with WANT: when you seek out a something or someone for recreation rather then immediate requirements.
I've decided to compile a list of everything I think a good kitchen needs. Split into two groups. Absolute basic needs for a simple chef like moi (also the cheaper of the two) and the second list EXPERTCHEFWHYYOUEVENONMYBLOG?! or 'Intermediate'.
Most of the stuff can be found in any large supermarket like Sainsbury's (there I go again) I will actually be reading from argos. my favourite store ever. the catalogue is free from any store and the website is www.argos.co.uk they have everything from kitchen to bathroom, bedroom, toys, garden, furniture. EVERYTHING!
ok...
Basic Kitchen - non negotiable!:
Besides you dont have to get it all at once, I buy by recipe anyway to save money.
But if your hardcore...
Intermediate:
Basic list plus:
I did not include prices this time as I feel it really only applies to those of use who are confined to the basics list at the moment. I mean if you skipped to list two you probably dont care about the pricing anyway. And its not horrificly expensive, just more for those who want to be extra prepared.
Ok well same as always if you have any questions about what to buy or feel like I've forgotten something or hell, If you know anywhere cheaper please share with a comment! x
I've decided to compile a list of everything I think a good kitchen needs. Split into two groups. Absolute basic needs for a simple chef like moi (also the cheaper of the two) and the second list EXPERTCHEFWHYYOUEVENONMYBLOG?! or 'Intermediate'.
Most of the stuff can be found in any large supermarket like Sainsbury's (there I go again) I will actually be reading from argos. my favourite store ever. the catalogue is free from any store and the website is www.argos.co.uk they have everything from kitchen to bathroom, bedroom, toys, garden, furniture. EVERYTHING!
ok...
Basic Kitchen - non negotiable!:
- Two saucepans one big one medium. (£7.99 for 3)
- a mixing bowl (
- a sharp knife for chopping/peeling (whole set of knives £3.99)
- Cutting board (buy wood not glass, you WILL scratch it!) - £7.99 for 3).
- Hand wash. (If you have to ask, you have probably already given yourself or someone else food poisoning.) - like one pound from ANYWHERE.
- a plate for grated ingredients.
- Wooden spoon. - trust.( £2.99 for set of 3.)
- Two large baking trays for the oven. (Measure the width of your oven before you buy!) (£1.99 for 2)
- Spatula - for flipping or moving hot items from tray to plate. (metal with wooden handles preferred) Cant buy separate at Argos but should be no more then one pound elsewhere.
- Measuring jug (£4.99)
- Colander for draining spaghetti and washing vegetables (3.99)
- Cheese grater ( like £3 if that from Sainsbury's)
- Oven mits - adorable and practical. ( apron sets from £9.99 including gloves)
Besides you dont have to get it all at once, I buy by recipe anyway to save money.
But if your hardcore...
Intermediate:
Basic list plus:
- Utensils: spatula, tongs, serving spoon, whisk and potatoe masher.
- Frying pan x2 one for bacon the other for eggs.
- Dutch oven/ casserole dish (same thing)
- Milk pan (small saucepan for beans, sauces and...milk.)
- Tupperware for keeping leftovers
- Baking tray with muffin holders (for baking) x2
- Pastry brush x2 one for pastry the other for meat, mark each one to tell the difference.
- Rolling pin
- Electric whisk- for the weak armed like me .
- Two more mixing bowls small and BIG.
- Glass roasters x 2 medium size.
- Cooling rack
- Electric scales
- Vegetable peeler
- Kettle
- Cake tin - for baking.
I did not include prices this time as I feel it really only applies to those of use who are confined to the basics list at the moment. I mean if you skipped to list two you probably dont care about the pricing anyway. And its not horrificly expensive, just more for those who want to be extra prepared.
Ok well same as always if you have any questions about what to buy or feel like I've forgotten something or hell, If you know anywhere cheaper please share with a comment! x
Carbonara - The one thing Grandma got right
Spaghetti Carbonara: A cheese sauce spaghetti dish with an optional fried meat- freakin yummy.
Ok as promised I am no going to upload the Spaghetti Carbonara recipe, The only recipe which really worked in Grandma's cook book and somewhat of a speaciality of mine in that I hardly fail at it ever. except my first go which took two hours for some reason and ended up with me accidentily draining and then spilling the spaghetti into the sink needless to say dinner was cancelled and my house mates were pissed. Since then however I;ve gottent he timing down to:
30 mins or less.
And thats including making carbonara sauce from scratch.
So first things first:
Things you need also known as Equipment:
Next up, Ingridients: (these are for a four person serving, so if you have less divide by for, or more just ad 20% - any questions please dont be afraid to ask!)
Ok so its a cheese sauce dish. Whats important is choosing your cheeses. You need two and they cant be the same.
Because I could not find parmesan cheese ANYWHERE I substetuted for strong cheddar, because thats my favourite and it was all I had damnit! and I used percornio which is a nice nutty cheese. Now you can (in theory) use any two cheeses you like, mine came out quite tastey actually so why dont you try mixing it up and experimenting everytime you make it? so...
50 g one type of cheese grated. 50g the other cheese grated.
And thats all you need folks so promptly moving on to the bare bones of it...
1. GRATE YOUR CHEESES! on the smallest shred possible, will make it easier to turn into sauce.
Chop your pancetta / meat and any optional begetables you were thinking. Trust me the last thing you want to do is feel the pressure when the pot is boiled and over flowing and your desperately trying to chop a pepper who is literally laughing at your sucky dull knife! Its unplesant.
2. Fill your large saucepan with water, till about two inches or some from the top, then bring to the boil. To speed this up try heating the saucepan before hand one a medium heat and then pouring water from a fettle, straight from the boil. You know your water is boiling when it gets super bubbly and you have to turn down the heat to stop it from over flowing. When it is starting to bubble add a pinch of salt for flavour.
3.While the water is boiling, time for the sauce!
~Really simple add the cheeses, double cream and eggs to the mixing bowl and stir for all your worth. Untill the sauce is creamy but smooth. Add some pepper for some pep.
4. Sauce done? water boiling? good. throw the spaghetti into the boiling pot and leave for as long as the packet recomends to cook, you want the spaghetti to be limp and not chewy. occasionally stir with your wooden spoon.
5. While thats taking care of business time to fry.
After greasing a frying pan with either the oil of your choice (I prefer sunflower oil) or even a tea spoon of butter for flavour. add your extra ingridients the pancetta/meat and the vegetables. you want to fry on a medium heat for ten minutes or so untill the meat is crispy, and the vegetables are browning. If your cooking chicken make sure its not pink! that means its undercooked. once fried place on low heat and stir occasionally.
6. The spaghetti should be boiled to perfection by now so drain them into your colliander/seive and then whilst still wet pop back into the saucepan and back on the stove on a low to medium heat. Add the cheese sauce and stir. really mix it in so each thread of spaghetti is dripping with yummy cheese sauce then add your fried extras, stir for another minute while it heats up.
7. Voila! You just made spaghetti carbonara! woop woop! All you need to do is serve on a plate or in a bowl.
Once again if you have anyquestions about the recipe or method Ill be happy to awnser them just leave a comment, and I'd love to here how your dish turned out or what cheeses and extras you used. TTFN!
Ok as promised I am no going to upload the Spaghetti Carbonara recipe, The only recipe which really worked in Grandma's cook book and somewhat of a speaciality of mine in that I hardly fail at it ever. except my first go which took two hours for some reason and ended up with me accidentily draining and then spilling the spaghetti into the sink needless to say dinner was cancelled and my house mates were pissed. Since then however I;ve gottent he timing down to:
30 mins or less.
And thats including making carbonara sauce from scratch.
So first things first:
Things you need also known as Equipment:
- Colliander/seive for drainging unless you have a sauce pan with a draining cover.
- Medium sauce pan for two people/ Big for four
- Wooden spoon
- Cheese grater
- Plate for cheese
- Sclaes - electronic preferd (measuring cheese)
- Table spoon
- Mixing bowl
- frying pan - for frying vegetables/ chosen meat.
- Chopping board.
- Chopping knife - sharp and easy to use.
Next up, Ingridients: (these are for a four person serving, so if you have less divide by for, or more just ad 20% - any questions please dont be afraid to ask!)
- 400g of dried spaghetti , each pack contains around 500g so shouldn't be a problem.
- 4 eggs
- 4 table spoons of double cream
- Salt and pepper
- 1 table spoon of butter
- 150 g of pancetta (its a ham) or optional meat of choice shredded chicken for instance...
- Button top mushrooms (yummy)
- peeled or diced corgette
- Really anything you want to add you can add, no one will stop you and if they try kick ' em out of your kitchen!
Ok so its a cheese sauce dish. Whats important is choosing your cheeses. You need two and they cant be the same.
Because I could not find parmesan cheese ANYWHERE I substetuted for strong cheddar, because thats my favourite and it was all I had damnit! and I used percornio which is a nice nutty cheese. Now you can (in theory) use any two cheeses you like, mine came out quite tastey actually so why dont you try mixing it up and experimenting everytime you make it? so...
50 g one type of cheese grated. 50g the other cheese grated.
And thats all you need folks so promptly moving on to the bare bones of it...
1. GRATE YOUR CHEESES! on the smallest shred possible, will make it easier to turn into sauce.
Chop your pancetta / meat and any optional begetables you were thinking. Trust me the last thing you want to do is feel the pressure when the pot is boiled and over flowing and your desperately trying to chop a pepper who is literally laughing at your sucky dull knife! Its unplesant.
2. Fill your large saucepan with water, till about two inches or some from the top, then bring to the boil. To speed this up try heating the saucepan before hand one a medium heat and then pouring water from a fettle, straight from the boil. You know your water is boiling when it gets super bubbly and you have to turn down the heat to stop it from over flowing. When it is starting to bubble add a pinch of salt for flavour.
3.While the water is boiling, time for the sauce!
~Really simple add the cheeses, double cream and eggs to the mixing bowl and stir for all your worth. Untill the sauce is creamy but smooth. Add some pepper for some pep.
4. Sauce done? water boiling? good. throw the spaghetti into the boiling pot and leave for as long as the packet recomends to cook, you want the spaghetti to be limp and not chewy. occasionally stir with your wooden spoon.
5. While thats taking care of business time to fry.
After greasing a frying pan with either the oil of your choice (I prefer sunflower oil) or even a tea spoon of butter for flavour. add your extra ingridients the pancetta/meat and the vegetables. you want to fry on a medium heat for ten minutes or so untill the meat is crispy, and the vegetables are browning. If your cooking chicken make sure its not pink! that means its undercooked. once fried place on low heat and stir occasionally.
6. The spaghetti should be boiled to perfection by now so drain them into your colliander/seive and then whilst still wet pop back into the saucepan and back on the stove on a low to medium heat. Add the cheese sauce and stir. really mix it in so each thread of spaghetti is dripping with yummy cheese sauce then add your fried extras, stir for another minute while it heats up.
7. Voila! You just made spaghetti carbonara! woop woop! All you need to do is serve on a plate or in a bowl.
Once again if you have anyquestions about the recipe or method Ill be happy to awnser them just leave a comment, and I'd love to here how your dish turned out or what cheeses and extras you used. TTFN!
Saturday, 23 July 2011
Chapatis
Chapatis - Or 'Roti', flat bread served with ANYTHING! easy and quick to make, great with curries.
Note: India will try and tell you they invented it but don't believe them, Sainsburys have been doing it for WAY longer...
Ok first recipe, you ready? Fabulous...
Lets start of with and ingredients list shall we?
Iingredients:
Equipment:
The 'How To' :
1. Hello and welcome to 'Can You smell Burning?', with me Your Host *inaudible static* Today we are going to be making chapatis! Mmmmmm! preparation should be no more then twenty minutes and cooking time around 30 seconds for each chapati. Ready? Then Lets get cooking!
First of all fill your mixing bowl a third of the way with whole wheat flour, this should be more than enough for at least 15-20 chapatis.
2. Add water reservedly, while kneading the flour until you get a soft dough like substance which should be light brown in colour.
3. The dough substance is known as 'ata' (pronounced 'ada') , after giving it a good kneed so its nice and soft, place in in your tupperware and leave in the fridge for ten minutes to settle slightly. This is so your chapatis are more easily moulded into shape.
4. While your waiting for the 'ata' to settle, pour some flour into a tiny bowl or plate for dusting, and place a frying pan on the Hob on a low heat.
5. Ata out of the fridge? Splendid! Using your hands grab a handful of ata and begin to roll it into a ball. the ball needs to be a little smaller than the palm of your hand. ( If ata is sticky, try covering your hands in flour)
5. Now, using the rolling pin, Roll the ata into a nice round shape, like and omlette, pancakes are a bit too small. the height of the ata's edge should be around half the size of your little nail or less. It does not have to be a perfect circle, but please remember IT SHOULD NOT touch the sides of your frying pan.
6. Grease the frying pan with sunflower oil but don't drown it. Two table spoons should do it (Even better if you have a greasing brush) Dust the moulded ata with flour then place on the pan.
7. This is where you have to pay attention! chapatis cook very quickly! after 5 to ten seconds, flip the chapati on the other side (I used tongs, a spatula would work as well, or if your feeling brave, fingers) the chapati should begin to loose its light brown colour and now turning white. When this side has, flip it over once again, should not take more then another ten seconds. (if little brown patches persist, press down lightly with spatula, or wrap a tea towel around your hand and press.)
8. Now back to the original side, and twenty ish seconds in, the chapati should be white with dark brown spots as opposed to the uncooked light brown. Don't worry you'll know the difference ( if still unsure I will be posting photos of my own attempt soon) it will also appear to inflate. using a spatula or tea-towled hand pressed down on the edge and turn the chapatti round pressing anew part of the edge as you do until you have gone full circle. So: press, turn a new part of the chapati to the north of the pan. release. press new part. repeat. Hopefully that makes sense, If not let me know and I'll post a video demonstration.
9. Repeat on the other side. providing that there are no light brown patches, Congratulations you have just cooked your first chapati! No quickly place it on a plate before it burns! It is now you can decide to butter it or not, I recommend it, but that's a personal preference. Your kitchen, your rules.
NOTE: You may have to re oil the pan once every seven chapatis. No big deal.
NOTE: If you don't use all the un moulded ata, return it to the fridge were it will last three-five days.
P.s. Well Done! It was a little scary for me at first, but I had a friend there to teach and help me, So good for you learning by yourself! It would be nice to hear how you all got on, please comment below. Did it taste good, did it all work out ok, or even if you have any tips on the recipe I would be happy to hear them.
Thank you and Goodnight! x
Note: India will try and tell you they invented it but don't believe them, Sainsburys have been doing it for WAY longer...
Ok first recipe, you ready? Fabulous...
Lets start of with and ingredients list shall we?
Iingredients:
- whole wheat flour
- water
- Butter (optional - but recommended for added tastiness)
- sunflower oil
Equipment:
- Frying pan
- table spoon
- rolling pin
- small bowl for dusting flour
- Medium sized mixing bowl
- plastic Tupperware box for the fridge.
- plate - chapati size (think omlette sized)
- knife (spreading optional butter)
- Spatula ( flipping the chapati)
- OR a tea towel (wrapped around your hand, works just as well)
The 'How To' :
1. Hello and welcome to 'Can You smell Burning?', with me Your Host *inaudible static* Today we are going to be making chapatis! Mmmmmm! preparation should be no more then twenty minutes and cooking time around 30 seconds for each chapati. Ready? Then Lets get cooking!
First of all fill your mixing bowl a third of the way with whole wheat flour, this should be more than enough for at least 15-20 chapatis.
2. Add water reservedly, while kneading the flour until you get a soft dough like substance which should be light brown in colour.
3. The dough substance is known as 'ata' (pronounced 'ada') , after giving it a good kneed so its nice and soft, place in in your tupperware and leave in the fridge for ten minutes to settle slightly. This is so your chapatis are more easily moulded into shape.
4. While your waiting for the 'ata' to settle, pour some flour into a tiny bowl or plate for dusting, and place a frying pan on the Hob on a low heat.
5. Ata out of the fridge? Splendid! Using your hands grab a handful of ata and begin to roll it into a ball. the ball needs to be a little smaller than the palm of your hand. ( If ata is sticky, try covering your hands in flour)
5. Now, using the rolling pin, Roll the ata into a nice round shape, like and omlette, pancakes are a bit too small. the height of the ata's edge should be around half the size of your little nail or less. It does not have to be a perfect circle, but please remember IT SHOULD NOT touch the sides of your frying pan.
6. Grease the frying pan with sunflower oil but don't drown it. Two table spoons should do it (Even better if you have a greasing brush) Dust the moulded ata with flour then place on the pan.
7. This is where you have to pay attention! chapatis cook very quickly! after 5 to ten seconds, flip the chapati on the other side (I used tongs, a spatula would work as well, or if your feeling brave, fingers) the chapati should begin to loose its light brown colour and now turning white. When this side has, flip it over once again, should not take more then another ten seconds. (if little brown patches persist, press down lightly with spatula, or wrap a tea towel around your hand and press.)
8. Now back to the original side, and twenty ish seconds in, the chapati should be white with dark brown spots as opposed to the uncooked light brown. Don't worry you'll know the difference ( if still unsure I will be posting photos of my own attempt soon) it will also appear to inflate. using a spatula or tea-towled hand pressed down on the edge and turn the chapatti round pressing anew part of the edge as you do until you have gone full circle. So: press, turn a new part of the chapati to the north of the pan. release. press new part. repeat. Hopefully that makes sense, If not let me know and I'll post a video demonstration.
9. Repeat on the other side. providing that there are no light brown patches, Congratulations you have just cooked your first chapati! No quickly place it on a plate before it burns! It is now you can decide to butter it or not, I recommend it, but that's a personal preference. Your kitchen, your rules.
NOTE: You may have to re oil the pan once every seven chapatis. No big deal.
NOTE: If you don't use all the un moulded ata, return it to the fridge were it will last three-five days.
P.s. Well Done! It was a little scary for me at first, but I had a friend there to teach and help me, So good for you learning by yourself! It would be nice to hear how you all got on, please comment below. Did it taste good, did it all work out ok, or even if you have any tips on the recipe I would be happy to hear them.
Thank you and Goodnight! x
Widening the blogosphere...
Aunt: Sister of my mother - Comes in various sizes and personalities each with a selection of catchy phrases. You'll love them!.....or kill them....
Busy day in a good way. Had a surprise visit by three aunts and their offspring, well some of them, I have quite a large family. About midday the conversation turned towards the paranormal.
Now were an average family of cynics however a few years ago (and don't spam and be an ass about it) my Aunty 'L' (nice) found ghost children in her house. just hanging around. flesh and blood and then gone the next, I've never really asked her about it coz it gives me 'the willies' but yeah, as a result she had a psychic come round because naturally she was freaking out, and you would have too, suddenly seeing ghosts running around. Bah!
And He said 'dont worry, they are here because you surround yourself with children in life and they sense you are a good person'.
I know, anyone could have said that, but then he started talking about stuff NO ONE could have known.
As the conversation went on with my aunts they regaled me with tales of the many psychics they had visited, which ones were full of crap and which were genuine. One told my mum that she would not marry her fiance. Tick. Would be betrayed by a tall blonde. Tick. and would be 'involved' (go mum) with a person in the law profession. Not yet - but here's hoping.
Then another psychic told my aunt she would make a fortune writing. But my aunt says: "I never write, what would I write about?"
It was here dear reader that I stepped in.
"You can write about anything, you should start a blog."
I brought my laptop down and set her up on blogspot. Hopefully her page will be running soon.
My point was that you can write about anything the Internet is living proof of that and I'm a strong believer that everyone has something to say or a story to tell.
As for this whole psychic thing, its a bit scary but at the same time I kind of want a 'reading' done. Plus the family is thinking about seeing Sally Morgan ( psychic lady) live this winter and I said I would go. brrrr...
Don't worry I'll Blog about it.....where was I?
Oh, right - chapatis!
Busy day in a good way. Had a surprise visit by three aunts and their offspring, well some of them, I have quite a large family. About midday the conversation turned towards the paranormal.
Now were an average family of cynics however a few years ago (and don't spam and be an ass about it) my Aunty 'L' (nice) found ghost children in her house. just hanging around. flesh and blood and then gone the next, I've never really asked her about it coz it gives me 'the willies' but yeah, as a result she had a psychic come round because naturally she was freaking out, and you would have too, suddenly seeing ghosts running around. Bah!
And He said 'dont worry, they are here because you surround yourself with children in life and they sense you are a good person'.
I know, anyone could have said that, but then he started talking about stuff NO ONE could have known.
As the conversation went on with my aunts they regaled me with tales of the many psychics they had visited, which ones were full of crap and which were genuine. One told my mum that she would not marry her fiance. Tick. Would be betrayed by a tall blonde. Tick. and would be 'involved' (go mum) with a person in the law profession. Not yet - but here's hoping.
Then another psychic told my aunt she would make a fortune writing. But my aunt says: "I never write, what would I write about?"
It was here dear reader that I stepped in.
"You can write about anything, you should start a blog."
I brought my laptop down and set her up on blogspot. Hopefully her page will be running soon.
My point was that you can write about anything the Internet is living proof of that and I'm a strong believer that everyone has something to say or a story to tell.
As for this whole psychic thing, its a bit scary but at the same time I kind of want a 'reading' done. Plus the family is thinking about seeing Sally Morgan ( psychic lady) live this winter and I said I would go. brrrr...
Don't worry I'll Blog about it.....where was I?
Oh, right - chapatis!
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Could it be...?
What ho!: An amiable/friendly British greeting used for both acquaintances and strangers. Short for:
"Hello, how are you? / Whats going on, you whore?"
Ah me...
So five posts in, still no food. My rampant apologies.
You see dear reader, at the moment I am staying with my mum for the summer until the 13/14th of august when I return to University. You may be thinking: "why should that hamper you?" or if you have never heard the word 'hamper' used in such a way you may be thinking: "why would that stop you?"
Well, me and my mum live with my nan/ her mother. In a small house, with a small, user un-friendly kitchen .There is LITERALLY no room for cooking. All meals are premade and microwaved/heated in the oven.
So no fresh bake here. Which makes me a little sad :(
However, whilst visiting an old dear friend's house I learnt how to make... wait for it... chapatis!
Yeah, getting all intercontinental on your ass!
The recipe for which I will be including In my next post followed by my Spaghetti Carbonara recipe I taught my friend in return.
Its happening!
XD
"Hello, how are you? / Whats going on, you whore?"
Ah me...
So five posts in, still no food. My rampant apologies.
You see dear reader, at the moment I am staying with my mum for the summer until the 13/14th of august when I return to University. You may be thinking: "why should that hamper you?" or if you have never heard the word 'hamper' used in such a way you may be thinking: "why would that stop you?"
Well, me and my mum live with my nan/ her mother. In a small house, with a small, user un-friendly kitchen .There is LITERALLY no room for cooking. All meals are premade and microwaved/heated in the oven.
So no fresh bake here. Which makes me a little sad :(
However, whilst visiting an old dear friend's house I learnt how to make... wait for it... chapatis!
Yeah, getting all intercontinental on your ass!
The recipe for which I will be including In my next post followed by my Spaghetti Carbonara recipe I taught my friend in return.
Its happening!
XD
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Still Typing...
Blogdiction: an un-inventive term to describe addiction to blogging for which I apologise.
As you may have guessed, if you have been paying attention to the dates of my posts, that I am getting a little type happy mostly because A) I like to write and its BEEN SO LONG! long enough to be embarrassing for a creative writing student and B) i'm excited about my blog. There I said it. Its not my first blog, but Its hopefully the first one I'll stick with.
Anywho...
When I look for recipes I always try the Internet first, being the beautiful, bountiful pool of free information that it is and there are some decent stuff out there which I will be testing and then sharing links for everyone including my own take on the dish - even I have to start from somewhere.
Then today, downloading itunes onto my new laptop I re-discovered an old video cast I used to watch. Start cooking. easy to follow recipes and the background music is awesome each video is like 3mins and I like them so go look.
http://startcooking.com/ I'm still downloading vids I'm thinking about trying the beef stew.
Man, I love stew.
As you may have guessed, if you have been paying attention to the dates of my posts, that I am getting a little type happy mostly because A) I like to write and its BEEN SO LONG! long enough to be embarrassing for a creative writing student and B) i'm excited about my blog. There I said it. Its not my first blog, but Its hopefully the first one I'll stick with.
Anywho...
When I look for recipes I always try the Internet first, being the beautiful, bountiful pool of free information that it is and there are some decent stuff out there which I will be testing and then sharing links for everyone including my own take on the dish - even I have to start from somewhere.
Then today, downloading itunes onto my new laptop I re-discovered an old video cast I used to watch. Start cooking. easy to follow recipes and the background music is awesome each video is like 3mins and I like them so go look.
http://startcooking.com/ I'm still downloading vids I'm thinking about trying the beef stew.
Man, I love stew.
HA-HA!
Hazzah: - A term used to express joy, victory or in the common tongue = W1N!!!!!!!
As you can tell by all of your address bars I am no longer bEurning! whatever that was.. I am now officially canyousmellburning2011.blogspot and it feels so right.
So thar we go, no confusing address, you are free to type me in anytime, Ill try to have something prepared...
heh, because I have a cooking blog? no? ok...
As you can tell by all of your address bars I am no longer bEurning! whatever that was.. I am now officially canyousmellburning2011.blogspot and it feels so right.
So thar we go, no confusing address, you are free to type me in anytime, Ill try to have something prepared...
heh, because I have a cooking blog? no? ok...
Can You Smell b'E'urning ?!
Ugh.
And things were going so well. bah. So my loyal and possibly imaginary readers, it seems that in my hast to create a blog I typed in a folly address 'beurning' instead of 'burning'. There is another 'Can you smell burning?' blog but whoever owns it did one post back in 2008 and hasn't posted since. The sole post was ' The Hell am I doing?!" or something like that.
So the address bar. Type in BEURNING.blogpot so on... or google me, or better yet subscribe that way you know its me....no this is not a ploy, don't believe me? add me to your favourites, ill never know and you get to keep reading..
Incidentally if anyone knows how I change my blogs address on blog spot, that would be helpful.
Man, I can be an idiot.
And things were going so well. bah. So my loyal and possibly imaginary readers, it seems that in my hast to create a blog I typed in a folly address 'beurning' instead of 'burning'. There is another 'Can you smell burning?' blog but whoever owns it did one post back in 2008 and hasn't posted since. The sole post was ' The Hell am I doing?!" or something like that.
So the address bar. Type in BEURNING.blogpot so on... or google me, or better yet subscribe that way you know its me....no this is not a ploy, don't believe me? add me to your favourites, ill never know and you get to keep reading..
Incidentally if anyone knows how I change my blogs address on blog spot, that would be helpful.
Man, I can be an idiot.
Burnt Salad
Burnt Salad - the culinary equivalent to flying pigs.
Whenever faced with the prospect of making my own meal in my youth I would often fob off that the one time I tried to cook a homemade pizza - it exploded much to the surprise of my catering class in senior school. Or I simply tell Jane (doe) that I could 'burn salad'; such was my lack of skill.
However, over the years, despite a spout of having no appetite at all, my love of food blossomed. The culprits? The film ‘Julie and Julia’ (recommended... go watch) and an overwhelming urge to learn to be a good 'home maker'.
Ah...the sounds of a thousand feminists turning in their graves... don't worry I'm not doing this to impress some guy, although every little helps... I just like the idea of being able to cook delicious and sometimes complicated food without burning down the kitchen/house/street...../ neighborhood. And you know - having a nice home. So sue me.
Said home is actually at university, In a UNI house with four other students all using the same. Damn. Kitchen. With their own equipment, cutlery and mess, so you can imagine the clutter.
Unfortunately, despite good beginnings, a food thief has come to light and some anonymous **** using other people’s stuff then leaving a mess has led to everyone keeping their possessions locked away in their room - unavailable to all who would ask for it.
Luckily for me there’s always Sainsbury’s basics everything and a Sainsbury’s - oh, just across the road. Handy. So after buying some basic equipment, and 'Grandmothers comfort food' cook book. I set myself the task of learning how to cook by Christmas....last year. I did well...ish until assignments/ money and 'Grandma' being a liar (ill explain later) began to take its toll and so I returned to microwave meals. Ginster's pies were my stomach's best friend. Chocolate was more a lover.
And now that I am about to embark on my third and final (gulp) year of UNI, I have once again got the 'chefs bug:' an overwhelming urge to cook, bake and chop a varying range of foodlets (made it up - embrace it).
Oh, and I'm blogging about it.
Yeah, what with studying a writers course at UNI I figured a blog would be good practice and if Julie from ‘Julie and julia’ can do it then so can I... pretty sure it’s the law somewhere...
So along with my culinary escapades I will be including recipes that work as opposed to inevitable burnt/poisonous failures I’m sure to encounter. And hey, might even include some little tid bits on life, I’m told I can be quite wise… Or at least egotistical enough to believe it, after all - I am amazing.
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