Local market let down…

A Saturday morning last month I was up earlier than usual. The sun was pelting through  the bedroom window and my dog, Potato was thrilled at the prospect of an early walk. As my boyfriend continued to sleep I thought how lovely it would be to start my usual weekend routine an hour earlier than usual. I could get to the market before he stirred and wake him with the smell of fresh bacon and eggs. Ahhh, isn’t life a dream sometimes?

My Saturday morning trip to my local farmers market is undoubtedly one of the highlights of my week. I love the sense of community down there, the quality of the food is superb, but more than anything it makes me feel really good about myself to support local, and I think it is very important that we all do.

My Adventures in Wonderland…

It was January in New York City and the air was so cold I could feel it hit my lungs. The sky was blue, but every sidewalk, every chimney top and every tree was coated in a thick layer of solid white. Beautiful to look at, catastrophic under foot.

In the midst of this winter Wonderland there was me, trudging in a pair of $30 boots from the Army Surplus store through the streets of Little Italy. I was on my way to meet a guy I’d heard about through another guy, who says he could sort me out with some stuff.

My poison on this occasion was Miracle Fruit. A tiny red berry originating from West Africa that contains Miraculin – a sweetness inducer that temporarily alters your taste buds so that everything bitter becomes sweet. Could this finally be the answer to my Irish boyfriends disappointment in my lack of appreciation for Guinness??  I hoped so.

Baking Bread!

OK, I bought a bread maker and I bought some Dove Farm Gluten Free bread mix. I want to make gluten free bread.

My first loaf was quite simply a disaster, but I wont give up.

I have a TESCO machine, which lots of people said were great and I am sure it is. However the kneading spatula came off inside the bread, which is a potential broken  tooth, so that can’t be right. I cant get it to stay down though, so if anyone has a clue what I am talking about then I would appreciate your advice!

I am basiclaly appealing for any advice on making wheat free bread in a bread maker. Also really yummy wholemeal bread too, and any fun recipes you may have.

Looking forward to reading your comments x x x

 

Really healthy slow cooked Aduki bean stew.

Right, sometimes you just gotta share a recipe, and my dinner tonight was so good this is definitely one of those times.

I love my slow cooker, and suggest you all go out and get one if you haven’t already. I got mine for a tenner at Tesco, you really don’t need to get an expensive one at all. What I love about slow cooking is you do it all in the morning or lunch time then get on with whatever else you have to do with your day then by 8pm, dinner is ready. And the flavours are always incredible.

You can follow recipes or just make up your own. This is what I made tonight…

Pork Escalopes

OK, I just made this dish and it was SO good. Below is how it is supposed to be done but I did it with a mix of Calvados, dry white wine and half a teaspoon of honey – it worked just as good. I also fried some onions in another pan and added those, and the only herb I used was Thyme.

I served it with a baked sweet potato that was all creamy and sweet, and purple spouted broccoli with a rocket and Parmesan salad. But you really can serve it with whatever you like. If you want less of a sweet taste do mashed potato.

100% NOM!

For 2 people ….