January has been the month of getting back to normality after a busy December. LB has been upping her gain in the kitchen and has even decided to set out a feast just in case that tiger does really come for tea.
Make – Pizza (made by superheroes)
I’ve been trying to get into a bit of a routine with meal planning. To make things easier I theme some of the days. Tuesday is usually pasta of some sort, Saturday homemade takeaway and Thursday nearly always pizza.
I get the dough going during my breakfast (all hail the god of a Kitchen Aid) then as the kitchen is cold at this time of year I leave it on the side to rise during the day. In the summer I’ll put it in the fridge for a slow rise. Come dinner time the dough is rolled out and topped.
Purists look away now but we sometimes theme the toppings. Favourite one so far was chicken tikka, spinach, peppers, mango chutney then drizzled with minty yoghurt. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.
Last week’s offering was shredded duck, hoisin and spring onion pizza expertly made by Supergirl.
Eat – M&S Edamame and Black Rice Nourish Bowls
I’m usually good and take lunch to work, but you can guarantee the day I don’t something crops up and lunch is grabbed on the fly between work and picking LB up from childcare. You can always rely on M&S for a tasty lunch that is full of taste and not smothered in mayo. I’m not one to jump on food fads, but M&S have recently launched nourish bowls, they were just what I fancied and would certainly buy again. Bright colours, loads of veg and really filling.
We won’t talk about the fact that when pregnant with LB I craved M&S Asian Chicken Noodle Salad and cried mid-aisle when they’d run out of stock. Never come between a pregnant woman and her cravings.
Get – Gin Explorer
I like to think I’m not a hard person to buy for, but apparently I am. I like surprises in the post and Hubs came up trumps with this year’s Christmas present – a subscription to Gin Explorer. Yes you read that right, a subscription of gin through the post. January’s box arrived with four gins, two tonics a few treats and recipes. I’m trying to stagger them to one gin a weekend.
So far I’ve tried the Bramley & Gage 6 o’clock damson gin with lime a splash of fiery ginger beer. Next on the list is Sipsmith VJOP with some of The London Essence Co. Tonics.
Read – Nelly’s Cupcake
I’ve loved Nelly’s Cupcakes blog long before her little girl Zoe came along. She’s also a great one to follow on Instagram (@nellyscupcakes). Nelly’s a fellow foodie; has a similar love for funky girl’s clothes that aren’t emblazoned with pink, glittery slogans and is a proud “pack pony”.
Go – The Boot, Repton
I’ve talked about The Boot’s fabulous Sunday lunches before but this time was DATE NIGHT! LB packed off to the grandparents for a sleepover and we had some much needed couple time. The evening menu is different to their day time menu. It’s not long ago they won AA Pub of the Year.
I started with a smoked haddock scotch egg. Perfect size for someone who wanted to make sure there was room for pudding but wasn’t prepared to sit there with nothing to eat while husband tucked into scallops starter. For main he went for a burger and I had possibly the best vegetarian dish I’ve ever eaten out – roast butternut squash with bhaji, spiced veloute, bbq broccoli and onion crunch. Photo doesn’t do it justice.
The dessert, oh the dessert. You can rarely go wrong with a salted caramel fondant with white chocolate parfait. Absolutely delicious.
February brings a busy month for me with work but we’re bound to squeeze in another meal or two out along with far too much heart shaped food. How has your January been?
Original article: Make Eat Get Read Go – January ’17
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