The Butcher, the Baker and the Candlestick Maker.

Brrrrrrr!  It is very chilly.  I have just read the weather forecasters are predicting a White Christmas.  Ooooh, I hope so.  Next week we are set for Arctic conditions that are predicted to last until the New Year.  We will see.  It will make a change from the terrible floods we have seen again in the UK over the last few weeks.  There were floods in Worcestershire, the county I live in, but personally I have not been affected by floods.  A work mate could not make the journey to work and the village my brother lives in regularly has it's bridge closed due to floods.  The only problem I have had is a very soggy back garden.  It has been like a sponge.  Each morning I have had to squelch squirch my way up to the chicken coop.  Out they run.  These chickens are happy to be alive whatever the weather.
              'Lavender' is over her broody month and I am very happy to report she is back to her usual self.  She is singing her pretty song again and bossing everyone around in the garden, chasing off the pigeons, magpies and blackbirds.  She seems to be good pals with 'Rosie' which is nice.  The two of them seem to be spending increasing amounts of time together.  Rosie was lowest in the pecking order and the most attention needy where I was concerned.  She is the one that likes to jump on me and climb onto my shoulder.  I am only getting two eggs a day as Lavender has not resumed laying and somebody is laying an egg a day but the shell is so thin it is always broken.  I have tried supplements and additions to the water but it has not helped.  The egg itself is fine, but I cannot get them to the house without breaking them.  I think it is indicating all is not as it should be with 'someone' I do not know who and as they all run around happily hoppitty skipping I am trying not to worry to much.
               I gave Henry and his friend a lift to work this morning.  Well, what is left of Henry:

This is Henry's hair 'Donation' for The Little Princess Trust.  He has raised in the region of £400 now for the charity which is really fantastic.  I am sad to see this hair go and would have liked to have done a weaving project with it.  Four days after having his first haircut in years Henry went for another haircut!  This made me chuckle.  He appears to be constantly preening and fussing over his hair now!  He likes it 'just so'.  This haircut has been quite a shock and the poor lad does not quite feel like 'himself' at the moment.  I am sure he will get used to it soon.
              Euan has been nagging me for months to use our 'Candle Making Kits'.  Today was the day.  He took all of the following 'Candle Making' photographs apart from the one of himself.

My Aunt gave me this kit for my birthday this year.

I bought this kit from a charity shop for £1.

We got out aprons on and got a serious look on our faces, ready to set about this important business.  I think my son could get a job in security or as a door man!  Would you cross this fella?. . . I know I try not to!

We dutifully followed the instructions and covered everywhere with newspaper and then we set about identifying the contents of the boxes.  I had to nag Euan a bit to read the instructions for himself.

We were both a little amused by this rubber mould. . . well I am the mother of two sons after all.  Say no more.

Euan manages to get Messy shots of the kitchen.  I bought the smaller of these two saucepans from a Car Boot Sale a couple of weeks ago.  It cost £1.50 and I got it specifically as the 'Candle Making Pan'.  It worked well as you heat the wax over a pan of boiling water.  We decided to go 'Advanced Candle Making' and add essential oils.  We made purple 'Lavender Candles' and Red 'Ylang Ylang and Cedarwood Candles'.

We liked the adding colours part.

We prepared the moulds with the candle wicks and poured in the molten wax.  Then we left the candles in the garden for hours to set.  Euan has decided a 'Lucky' recipient for each candle.  He will give them as Christmas gifts.

I am itching to have another try now.
           While we tried to wait patiently for our candles to set we did some baking.  I made some bread rolls to eat with Homemade Pea and Ham Soup for dinner.  We are determined to keep out the cold.  Euan made our favourite 'Cookie Recipe' of the moment.  He did a great job making 'Smartie Cookies'.  We used this 'Nigella Lawson' recipe Here.  They are a bit too quick and easy to make.  Euan managed it by himself.  I did the oven part.  They made the house smell lovely and were a welcome tea break.  Euan prefers 'warm cookies' with his cup of tea.  I however am not fussy. . . a cookie is a cookie is a cookie.  Eeeek cookies, Christmas and Weight Watchers do not mix very well do they?

 You would have to have a will of iron to resist one of these little beauties.  We have some wrapped and ready for Henry and his friend when we collect them from work.  He works hard and struggles to get a 20 minute break during the whole day.  So I am sure these cookies made with brotherly love will go down well. I feel like we have had a productive day at home.  The kitchen looks like a bomb has hit it!  I hope you are having a great weekend.
XXX

Adjusting to Autumn

It is very cold today.  So far I have had trouble feeling positive about the Autumn.  It all looks very pretty but;
The nights are drawing in and the days have been wet, windy and cold.  I showed you my muddy dog walk.  It really is not as inviting as going out in the Summer.  I am still trying to lose weight but in the colder weather I just want to eat stews and casseroles and chunks of crusty bread.  Exercise is also harder to squeeze in.  This week I put weight back on.  Gah!  I have still lost 2 stone though and I really don't intend to put that back on.
          Euan is really looking forward to Halloween.  I have had trouble finding him some 'Vampire fangs' of all things.  I have been round and round the shops and in the end have ordered some from Ebay.  I hope they arrive in time.  I bought both boys a Toffee Apple yesterday as they are in all of the shops at the moment.  Euan was eating his and making a terrible noise and mess.  I asked him to eat his Toffee Apple with better manners.  Then he pointed out to me that without his two front teeth and four other missing teeth he really was doing the best job he could.  Poor little man, I forgot the tooth situation when I bought the Toffee Apples!
             I have a collection of 'Pumpkins' sitting in the fireplace ready for Halloween.  The shops have a lovely variety of 'squash' at the moment and it is great to experiment with them.  I came across a delicious sounding recipe for 'Potimarron Soup'.  I had no idea what a 'Potimarron' was so I went to good old 'Google Images'.  Low and behold I had one!  The above squash is a 'Potimarron'.  I have made pumpkin soup before and I am not really that smitten.  I have made 'Butternut Squash Soup' before and that is a big hit in this house.  'Butternut Squash Soup' is one of Henry's favourites.  (Ooooh talking of Henry, he got an e-mail yesterday, he got the part-time job.  Hoorah)!  Back to the Butternut, Butternut is a delicious vegetable but it is a battle to keep all of ones fingers when preparing and peeling it.  The recipe I came across for 'Potimarron' used unpeeled squash.

You just need to scoop out the seeds and chop up the flesh with the peel on.

Then I simmered the chopped 'Potimarron' with chopped onion, in 1.5 litres of vegetable stock until the potimarron is tender.  I used my hand 'whizzer' to make a delicious smooth, rich, chestnutty flavoured soup and seasoned to taste.

I served with a blob of reduced fat Creme Fraiche and some crispy fried bacon lardons.  This soup is absolutely Scrumdiddlyumptious.  It cheered me up, warmed me up and filled me up.  If in your travels you hap to come across a 'Potimarron' pop him in your basket and give him a good home.  This is a very simple soup where you just can't go wrong.
            There is a Tai Chi school in Devon that are running a rather interesting Potimarron Project you can read about it by clicking the link.  I am hoping to get hold of some seeds for next year and I will try to grow my own golden orbs of lovliness.
              We are on School holiday now for a week and I intend to get a well earned rest as well as digging out some crafty UFOs and completing some projects.  In my recent decluttering exploits I think I have come across about seven unfinished projects!  I need to get busy.  My other half has put in an order for a simple woolly hat. . . he wants it as of yesterday!  Euan also needs some gloves. . . kids and gloves!  We have lots of gloves that have lost their partners!  One of his favourite Bart Simpson gloves ended up on the school roof!  He just happened to throw it as the wind took it!  As you do!
XXX

Homemade 'Take Away Style' Doner Kebab

It looks nearly as bad  good as one you would buy from a Kebab shop.  Kebabs are a guilty secret for me.  I am ashamed to say I rather like um!  I try not to think about the origins of the meat and how it got from animal to it's large 'spit'.  I also try not to think about how long the large lump of lamb has sat in the shop going round and round.  I dare not think about the calories or Weight Watcher points . . .but now I think I may have found a perfectly acceptable compromise.  It is much lower in calories than a shop bought version and much kinder on the purse.  It was a hit with the boys too.  I substituted some of the ingredients using fresh garlic in large amounts and leaving out the onion.

It makes a juicy Lamb Meatloaf that you then slice as thinly as possible.

Lamb Doner Kebab – Serves 4  
Ingredients 1tsp dried oregano
½tsp dried Italian herbs
½tsp garlic powder
½tsp onion powder
¼tsp cayenne pepper
1tsp salt
½tsp black pepper
500g lean lamb mince
Instructions
Preheat oven to gas mark 4/180C/350F
In a large bowl, combine the dried oregano, dried Italian herbs, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper
Add the lamb mince and mix thoroughly for 2-3 minutes. Take out all of your aggression on the kebab mixture, punching and kneading until no air pockets remain and the kebab meat is extremely smooth
Shape the seasoned mince into a loaf and place on a baking tray
Bake in the middle shelf of the oven for 1 hour 20 minutes, turning the loaf half way through the cooking to ensure even browning
Once cooked, remove from the oven and cover with foil. Allow to rest for 10 minutes
Slice the doner kebab as thinly as possible and serve with pitta, salad and sauces.

October - Trying To Start As I Mean To Go On!

I am trying to start October the way I mean to go on!  Gah!  It is a Monday and today was not a great deal better than last weeks Monday.  I shoot out of the door in the morning to take Euan and the dog to my parents.  I would be late for work if I took Euan to school.  His Dad works nights so he can't take him to school either.  Luckily my parents take him and I only work for three days a week, thank goodness!  I shoot out of the door and inevitably back in again for something forgotten.  I start my day chasing my tail and I end my day chasing my tail.  It is ridiculous.  At work I do not get proper breaks, I snatch five minutes.  It is not enough to come up for air.  I eat my lunch with nattering children and come home to nattering children!  Good job I like nattering children.  I try not to get stressed and ratty but I just can't help it sometimes when I have too much to do or more than three things at once.  Today it was not a 'School Book bag' full of letters it was 8 year old's homework.  We did not do it at the weekend because the teacher had a mix up and I did not know what we were supposed to be doing.

Bertha Benz

Task 1:  To research a famous inventor and write a Fact File.  Euan chose Karl Benz.  I actually think his wife Bertha was the more interesting character.  She took his car without consent...probably the first ever case of 'Twocking' and she drove herself and two of her sons for the first ever 'long distance journey'.  She drove 66 miles...where did she go?  Her Mother's house.  This proved to the world the reliability and potential of her hubbies cars.  Behind every great man there is an even greater woman...and all that!

Task 2:  Take three newspaper articles, estimate the amount of words for
each article, count the words for each article, find the difference between the estimate and the actual amount and round to the nearest ten!  Problem numero uno!  No Newspaper...fly to the shop for a news paper.  I read all my news online!  The poor boy was counting words with heavy eyes!   Homework completed and one boy fast asleep.
          I am still trying to get my house in order!  If you remember I started this de-cluttering malarkey in January.  I am still at it!  On Saturday I managed to clear out my Wardrobe.  I dug so far into the back of the wardrobe I nearly met Mr Tumnus in Narnia!  I gave a large bag of large sized clothes to the charity shop.

 There were large sized skeletons in my closet!  I am glad to be rid of them, I can tell ya!  I am losing weight and losing my knickers and trousers. . .but I do not want to spend money on clothes I am not going to be wearing for long. . luckily I found some nice pairs of pre pregnancy trousers in Narnia (baby is now 8yrs old)!  I have not worn these trousers for years.  Now they fit comfortably and they are non stretchy trousers.  My thrifty squirreling has paid off for once.
      I have also discovered Fly Lady on the net.  I am using Fly Lady to try and get my house in order.  It is early days yet, but I have a shiny sink!  I have used the kitchen timer tonight to clear two of my 'Hotspots' and de-clutter.  Fly Lady helps you to develop a routine as habit!  I shall see if it works for me!  Blessing my house and respecting myself!  Blah blah blah! Lol!

Have you ever come across Fly Lady and her concepts?  I think she may help me!
      Thank goodness for the Trusty Old Slow Pot again!  I had a delicious Chorizo, Butternut Squash and Bean Stew to come home to!

It really was rather good.  The ingredients and method were all a bit chuck it all in and run!
Ingredients
Serves six
Half a Butternut Squash Chopped into large chunks
Onion
a can of chick peas
a can of Borlotti beans
a can of tomatoes choppes
300g of Chorizo chopped
leftover sausages
Carrots
A couple of left over potatoes
A tablespoon of Paprika
A tablespoon of Apricot Jam

Method
Whack it all in the slowpot and leave it all day!  The result was a sweet, spicy stew, great for the colder weather and October the 1st.  We ate the stew with some bread rolls I made at work today to celebrate 'Harvest'.

Cute 'Snail Rolls' and 'Turtle Rolls' there were also Hedgehogs but they got munched!  This was a really fun activity with children and they loved it today, making bread dough and then the animals.  Euan felt upset eating his and I caught him kissing his 'Turtle' as he felt so guilty eating him!  I used a tutorial from Here.  I would recommend this activity if you find yourself with kids that need occupying!
XXX 

Random Raspberries and Other Stories . . .

What a lovely 1st of July.  Not only did we have the excitement of the Olympic Torch.  I have had the excitement of picking the first of this years raspberries from the garden.  Yum.  Three Little Red Hens cluck enthusiastically for their share.  They love raspberries and for the next few weeks they will provide a daily treat.  I try to put the raspberries to good use, making jam and Homemade Raspberry Liqueurs.  Tonight I made a scrummy and speedy pud using ready made Meringue Nests, Homemade soft cheese and homegrown raspberries.  Very pleased with myself I was too.

I just filled the Meringue Nests with the Soft Cheese and popped the raspberries on top.  Delicious.  The raspberries grow in the 'Chickens half of the garden'.  I had until today assumed the majority of the fruit was safe as although a hungry chicken can do a fairly high standing jump most of the berries are to high to reach.  Now this evening I have discovered there has been some cunning going on.  I found three chickens pecking all the berries off this fallen raspberry cane.

I did not see the deed but I suspect the three worked together and jumped on the cane until it fell!  I hope they are not going to make a habit of it.

Innocent until proven guilty. . . unless you are a chicken.  You can see they have been playing 'Foghorn Leghorn' with corn on the cobs. . . they love that too.  Good job I love them.  The cheeky girls!
Finally. . . Oh yes. . .

Pinch Punch First of The Month!   xxx

'Cherry Pie' Day Friday and Hooray it is National Chip Week!

This Pie is proof that beauty is skin deep.  It pie may not be the most beautiful of pies on the outside, but, oh my!  On the inside it is full of juicy, cherry lovliness.   Now this is what I am talking about. . . . this is what Pie Day Fridays are made for.

This pie was far far more popular than Pilchard Pie.  Cherry Pie with a bit of Squirty Cream, what more could you ask for?. . . Well yeah . . . ok. . . .  maybe a nice bit of clotted cream, or double cream or ice cream.  The boys deserved a Cherry Pie before they became 'Pie Phobic'.

Ingredients
Shortcrust Pastry
2 jars of Dark Cherries in Syrup (470g jars)
20g of cornflour
30 mls of water
25 g sugar
egg and milk beaten together to glaze the pie.

Method
Strain the syrup from the cherries and place in a pan.  Warm the pan of syrup, until it reaches a slow simmer.  Add the sugar and stir.  Mix the cornflour with the water and add it to the syrup, simmer and stir for a couple of minutes until the syrup has thickened.  Gently stir the cherries into the syrup and let it cool.  Line your pie dish with pastry.  Put the cherries in the pie and top with a pastry lid.  Brush the lid with a mixture of beaten egg and milk.
Bake in a medium to hot oven for 30 - 40 minutes until the pie is golden brown and shouting 'Eat Me!' when you look at it!

Your comments on yesterdays post made me laugh, yep I was/ am happy, sunshine and Spring flowers are meant to do that!  I also discovered wisdom in my Doormat. . . . If you are going to be a doormat . . . there is nothing to stop you being a glam, happy doormat.  Hoorah for doormats everywhere.  Love your doormat today!  I think National Doormat Day would be good, the one day where you pay homage to trusty old doormats, a bit like 'Mothers Day'.  Talking of National Days...my day got even happier when I discovered Here at Lavender and Lovage it is National Chip Week!  Blimey life is so bright you gotta wear shades!  Pancake day and National Chip Week in the same week.  If National Chip Week has passed you by so far, the great news is you still have time to catch up.  Chips chips chips!  Eat as many as you can!  Chip Butty for lunch and Egg and chips for tea!  Now that is fine dining!   Pop over to Lavender and Lovage for fascinating chip facts and a new spin on the humble chip 'Crispy Squashed Chips'  I am definitely crisping and squashing my chips from now on.
Happy Pie Day Friday Folks. . . hope you are all having a good one.  X 

Pie Day Friday - Another Under Rated Pie To Try

"QUALITY CANNED FISH FOR OVER 50 YEARS. CONTAINS OMEGA 3. GLENRYCK PILCHARDS are of the finest quality and freshly caught from the ocean for canning. "In value for money, GLENRYCK PILCHARDS provide more first-class protein than does beef steak." GLENRYCK PILCHARDS contains more calcium than cow's milk. A serving of GLENRYCK PILCHARDS can provide 33% of the "Recommended Daily Intake". (One can contains four servings). "Omega-3 fatty acids naturally found in GLENRYCK Pilchards add to the dietary value of a good, hearty meal". Allergy Advice Free From Additives, Free From Artificial Preservatives Ingredients South Atlantic Pilchards (64%), Tomato juice from concentrate (34.7%), Salt, Modified Maize Starch, Thickener - Guar Gum, Spices" 
(Taken from the Information on the can).

Sounds like good stuff to me.  Not to anyone else in the house though.  I am continuing with my plight to work my way through our 'Store Cupboards' and the Freezer.  If I get on my hands and knees and feel about in the back of the cupboard, I am coming across all sorts of things like these Pilchards.  It is a shame to throw food away if it is edible.  As a child I can remember eating Pilchard Sandwiches, Pilchard and Tomato Sandwiches, Pilchards on Toast and once a delicious Pilchard Pie made by my Uncle.  Uncle Keith whose name was Dave was my dads older brother.  There was a lot of that in those days wasn't there?  Jack who was Reginald, Nancy who was Kathleen, Bill who was James, I have never really understood how that happens.  Uncle Keith went back to being called Dave after about thirty years, but I never got the hang of it, he was always Uncle Keith to me.  He sticks out in my memory for many things, he was an ex Paratrooper and suffered with a very bad back.  He told me 'You are not safe unless your feet are on the ground!'  That makes perfect sense to me.   He had four children and I think home cooked nutritious meals that did not break the bank were crucial to many families.  I can remember a very tasty Pilchard Pie that he bought to our house for my Dad.  Pilchards seem like a 'super' food to me if you read their nutritional resume.  My sons would rather go hungry than eat a pilchard though!  Not for all the tea in China would they eat a Pilchard.  I am on my own again with this Pie.  I am really getting the hang of this 'Pie Making' lark and can rustle one up in about ten minutes, I used to think pies were tricky but like anything the more you make them the easier it gets.


Ingredients
2 x 150g Cans of Pilchards in Tomato Sauce
1 tablespoon of Olive Oil
1 Large Onion Peeled and finely chopped
1 small yellow pepper finely diced
1 small red pepper finely diced
1 small green pepper finely diced
1 tablespoon of tomato ketchup
A Jolly good squeeze of lemon juice
Salt and pepper


Method
Line a pie dish with shortcrust pastry and roll out the top of the pie crust.
Fry the vegetables in olive oil until they are tender.  Mix all the ingredients together well and season well to taste.
Put the pie filling in to the pie and place the pastry lid on.  I liked decorating the top of my pie with two little smiley fish, with little swishy tails and scales and everything!  Ok I had a bit too much fun making little fishies to decorate the pie.

Bake in a medium to hot oven until it is golden.
Serving suggestions:
This pie is tasty hot served with New potatoes and green vegetables such as peas or beans or it is also delicious served cold with a salad.

Garlic Tea - Home remedy for Coughs, colds and Flu

I have got to share this recipe with you:
Garlic Tea
I think the 'Forest' claimed a victim.  Since last Wednesday I have had a painful throat and chest.  I also have a cough, just a good old winter something or other!  I came across the notion of 'Garlic Tea' on a discussion board on Ravelry.  I know Garlic is very powerful for home remedies.  Garlic Tea sounds pretty terrible but you have to trust me on this one, I actually rather like it.  I could almost go as far as to say it is almost delicious!  It seems to be keeping whatever it is at bay and really is the only thing making me feel better.  Euan has rather unceremoniously pointed out I stink but I am definitely staying home as it is freezing outside and we have had snow, so I should not be causing offence to anyone.  Good job we are cyber friends and not meeting in person.  We have been overdosing on garlic anyway in this house,  in our food, soups, mushrooms, pasta sauce.  I bought some excellent plumptdelicicious garlic last week.  The cloves are super-sized.
   In true 'In The Sky' style I have adapted this 'Garlic Tea' recipe from researching several recipes.  So here is my version.  It is traditional in Spain and Mexico to serve Garlic Tea for Coughs, colds and Flu.  Keep this recipe  in mind, you may thank me!  Besides they say 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!'

Ingredients:
Four of five cloves of garlic peeled and halved.
The juice of one lemon
2tsp of Honey (local to you if you can)
1 tsp of ground ginger (or fresh root ginger, a lump as big as your thumb peeled and sliced)
Boiling Water

Method
I put all the ingredients straight into my trusty little Thermos flask and top up with boiling water.  When it runs low I just top it up with more water, honey and lemon juice.
This still remains a popular post of mine How to make Hot Port for Medicinal Purposes, however 'Hot Port' is great for bedtimes, when you have to function 'Garlic Tea' is the home remedy for me.

Pie Day Friday - Cheese, Potato and Onion Pie Mmmmm

I like the left over pastry snacks on Pie Day Friday sometimes more than I like the pie.  These are Cheese and Marmite Pinwheels.  (The little Bart Simpson plate says 'I do what I want, when I want!'  Very apt!)  I topped the Pin Wheels with a three seed mix and they were delicious baked.  Enthusiasm is certainly dwindling for 'Pie' in this house.  My brood are fussy little 'so and so's'!    I took it upon myself to consume almost the entire 'Cheese, Potato and Onion Pie' single handed, it does keep for at least three days well!  It is also delicious cold.  I love the simple combination of cheese, potato and onion. It's a good job too when you are eating it for breakfast, dinner and tea, for three days!)  I am amazed three simple ingredients can make such a delicious flavour.  Obviously I am on my own in that opinion in this house. They thought that it was an 'Apple Pie' and never got over the shock or disappointment.

I made a batch of Shortcrust Pastry.
Ingredients for the Filling:
200g of Grated Strong Cheddar
2 Onions peeled and Finely sliced
3 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
200ml cream
1 egg

Method
Line a pie plate with half of the pastry.  Layer the base with the potatoes, onion and cheese.  Beat the cream and egg together and pour it carefully over the filling, reserve a tablespoon of this mixture to brush on the lid of the pie before baking.  Put the Pastry lid on the pie.  Brush with remaining egg and cream mixture.  Bake in a medium oven for 45 minutes.  Voila, one magic pie, made from very simple ingredients.

I am sure these boys would eat my Pie!  They don't look fussy!

Hope you are all set for a relaxing weekend.  X 

Pie Day Friday (3) - Delicious Calzone

My word is it 'Pie Day Friday' already?   I followed the recipe exactly from my 'New' Hairy Biker Pie Making 'Bible.

Calzone is basically and inside out Pizza.  You use a Pizza dough like a 'Pasty Shell' and put all you Pizza topping inside as a filling.  Henry's High School canteen sells them as 'Pizza Pockets'.  They are very portable and would make a great lunchtime snack for 'Teenagers' with places to go and people to see.
They use a basic Pizza Dough.  I made these once before but they were not a hit as the dough was about  3cm thick.  This time I got it right and used the rolling pin to roll out the dough to about half a cm.

I wanted to get creative with the topping/filling but kept to the recipe, which turned out delicious.  I found it useful to assemble all my ingredients together in smaller bowls as soon as the dough had been put to rise.  The Kitchen looked like a bomb had hit it, but these are really worth the effort.

Tomato Sauce:
Finely Chop an Onion and fry it gently until it starts to brown.  Add one clove of finely chopped garlic.  Cook for one minute.  Add 1 tin of chopped tomatoes and a teaspoon of sugar.  Let it cool.

Fry 150g of finely sliced Mushrooms in butter until they start to brown and let them cool.

I had some pepperoni in the fridge but in future would keep these 'Vegetarian'.

Two Mozzarella Balls, drained and diced.

Ground Black Pepper for seasoning.

Fresh Basil leaves.

Assemble your Pizza Topping, then I used water to moisten around the edge of the dough so it would stick when I folded it over.

Make sure the Calzone is sealed well to keep all those flavours in while they cook.  Bake in a hot oven for 15 - 20 minutes.  I made eight of these lovlies.  Very tasty, economical and filling...might make a change from turkey :)  

Teatime Treats Blogging Challenge -December 'Festive Mince Pie Somosas'

I have my entry ready for this fun Blogging Challenge 'Teatime Treats' hosted by Kate at 'What Kate Baked' and Karen at 'Lavender and Lovage'.  This month the theme is 'Christmas'.
My Festive little offering is a newly invented creation by moi and let me tell you they have gone down a storm in this house.  Let me reveal...in true Willy Wonka genius style (apart from there is no Chocolate!)
'Mince Pie Somosas.'  Yeah Baby Yeah!
These are a cheeky little twist on the old Festive favourite.  If you are greedy then can be eaten in one substantial mouthful, if you are more demure, you can have two tasty little bites, or just go how the mood takes you!  They are delicious hot or cold.
Ingredients
250g of Plain Flour
1 egg (from your bestest clucky friends)  Separate the egg.
2tbls of vegetable oil
Water to make a dough
1tsp of ground mixed spice


Filling
1 Jar of Mincemeat

Method
Add the egg yolk, oil and spice to the flour, mix quickly to make a breadcrumb like mixture.  Add enough water to make a smooth dough.  Roll out onto a floured surface, to about 3mm thickness.  Cut out Circles and cut each circle in half.  Using the egg white to seal the Somosas wrap the semi circle into a cone, place 1tsp of the Mincemeat inside the cone and use more egg white to seal the edge by pinching.  Deep fry in small batches until golden.  Drain on Kitchen Paper and sprinkle with Caster Sugar.

Delicious 'Festive Nut Roast'

Last week after the 'Vegetarian Debate' in this house I think we have decided to be 'Part time Omnivores'.  This has already taken effect and involves reducing the meat that is consumed in the house.  Last week I made my first 'Nut Roast' in years.  I was very pleased with the results it had a great flavour, sliced well and made a substantial meat-free main meal.  I decided to create this 'Festive Version' for the holidays.
This is a hearty, nutritious 'Festive Nut Roast' flavoured with Cranberries, Chutney and Mixed Spice.  It is delicious served as a roast meal and is equally delicious served cold with pickles.  It will keep well in the fridge for 3-4 days.  It can be mixed in advance and kept in the fridge until ready to roast.  It also freezes well.  A very versatile Vegetarian option, perfect for the festivities.

Ingredients
400g Wholemeal Bread crumbs
600g Chopped Mix Nuts
100g Dried Cranberries
1 large courgette (grated)
2 Carrots (grated, no need to peel)
1 large onion (grated)
3 tablespoons of a good quality Chutney (I used Tomato and Chilli Jam)
2 tsp of Dried Mixed Herbs
1 heaped tsp of Ground Mixed Spice
Salt and Pepper (Season well)
4 Eggs (from you bestest clucky friends)
2 tablespoons of Olive oil

Method
Place all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix until all the ingredients are really well combined.  I use my hands.  Turn the mixture into a buttered roasting tin or loaf tins.  Cook in a medium to hot oven for 1hr  30 mins.  Check the Nut Roast to ensure it isn't burning and adjust the oven accordingly or cover the top with tin foil..  It is good to make sure the Nuts are roasted throughout the dish as this brings out maximum flavour.  It smells so good while it is Roasting.  Serve hot with vegetables and a Vegetarian Gravy.   It is also delicious to serve cold in slices or chunks with pickles, crackers and cheese.

         On the Craft Front, Euan is collecting UFO's (Unfinished Objects) at the almost the same rate as his Mom!  He has several Yarny things on the go too.  Today we had a quiet moment of fun using this book:

We have not had the snow that the 'Weatherman' practically promised us, so we have had to make our own, ours is very pretty.