The Slaw {homemade coleslaw}

Happy Easter to you all!

It's been a very busy day in AnneeApple land but lots of fun too.  Hubber is working night shifts this weekend, so as he came home it was time for us to get up.  Baby, big girl and I made some Easter Baskets this morning... some sewing with ribbon and lots of stickers in preparation for our Easter Egg hunt later on, which was lots of fun!

Easter Egg Hunt in the garden {with bubbles too and Gran and Grandad}

Whilst baby napped I prepared dinner... I didn't do the traditional Easter Sunday Roast as it's big girl's 19th Birthday tomorrow and she wants to go to The Carvery for dinner.  I bought in some quiche {not had quiche in so long} and made my homemade 'The Slaw' and rustic wedges with roast onion and cheese {posh for chip n cheese}... here's the recipes:

The Slaw

This is so simple and once you make homemade you'll not buy shop bought again... {this served 5 as a side portion and there is still a little left}

3 carrots

1 red onion

1/4 of {the above} white cabbage

250ml mayo {I use Tesco or Asda Lighter than Light}

Sprinkle of mixed dried herbs

Splash of malt vinegar

Pinch of salt

Pinch of sugar

I use my vegetable peeler to peel the carrots into very thin ribbons, cut the red onion and cabbage into very thin strips.  Into a tub {one with a lid} put the mayo, big splash of malt vinegar, herbs, salt and sugar and stir until combined.  Toss in the veg and stir {If you need to add more mayo that's fine, just add until it's the right consistency... if it's too wet just add more veg}.  Put the lid on and give it a good shake.

This is best left in the fridge over night but if you're not that prepared {like me today} then leaving it a few hours is fine too.  Let me know if you make this and how you get on, I love it and I'm keen to know what others think of it.

Rustic Potato and Roast Onion Wedges with Cheese

We all like chips right?  This is a posh{er} version.

Chop the potatoes and a white onion into wedge chunks and put in an oven tray, drizzle with some sunflower oil and sprinkle with some dried Rosemary.  Cook in oven for 40mins {turning half way through}... for the last 5mins of cooking add grated cheese over the top {as much as you like for your own taste}... Mmmm loved these, very tasty!! {I forgot to take a photo of the finished dish... oops!}

Now to think of next week's Meal Plan... this week's went to pot as my oven broke! More on that tomorrow!

A x

Getting Organised {postcircle}

Have you signed up for #postcircle yet?  I must say, so far I am loving creating stationery and writing the letters. I had forgotten how good it is to actually write a letter!  

The suspense of having to wait to know the answer to your question, waiting for the postman each day hoping there's a handwritten envelope in his hand just for you!  It's great!

When I first signed up, I started the search for a nice writing set... not wanting to spend a fortune in-case I didn't really get into it.  How difficult is it to find nice writing paper?!  

So far all I've found is a writing set in WH Smith but it was quite expensive.  I don't have a Paperchase near me (was once my fav shop) and I know they will have some lovely things.  I decided to make my own!  It's been a bit of trial and error, putting the double sided tape on the wrong side of the envelope, cutting things too short... printing things too small but I'm getting there and my last batch was quite nice and instead of cutting the writing paper I tore it so it has a rustic edge.  I've got lots more ideas and I'm even contemplating making some sets up to sell on if anyone is interested as there is a serious lack of good paper / designs out there.

My stationery

We made a trip to Ikea tonight.  We had originally went to buy a new cabinet to house our printer (as little fingers are pulling the front open and close, open and close, open and close... so it will get broken!) but when we saw it in the showroom it looked a bit cheap (it was £60 too!) so we didn't bother buying it.  Whilst we were there we bought some new replacement canvas boxes (that we use for all of baby's toys and books, they slot perfectly into our TV cabinet, so when baby goes to bed we chuck everything back into it's box and close them over... toy free!).... so that inspired me to use some of the old boxes (the ones that are decent) and have a bit of a de-clutter and to sort all my craft things out... I didn't realise I had so much, it was all hiding in the garage (and I think there might be more in there)...

I've now got all I need for #postcircle in the one place.. I've got a box of coloured paper and card, a tub full of cards and envelopes, ribbons, embellishments  stickers, card toppers, buttons and other bits and bobs and another case full of pens, paints, fancy edging scissors, inks etc... so much good stuff that I can't wait to write more letters... although I'll wait now until I get some more.

I had been having a little 'poor me I've not had a #postcircle letter yet' moan on Twitter (I was just so desperate to get it all going) and the lovely @squeakypigshop sent me some happy mail.  It was so thoughtful, such a lovely long letter AND a chocolate bunny.  

I wrote my reply today... oops it might be a tad long (sorry!).  I also got my first #postcircle letter and it was so exciting... it was all so thoughtful the envelope was apples, I was giddy before I opened it!  Inside there was a beautiful letter and a gift of 3 fabric fish and some to do list paper, so pretty!

My first #postcircle mail

I hope you've got some exciting plans for the Easter weekend?  I'm working tomorrow but off on Sunday and Monday... and it's my BIG girl's birthday on Monday, exciting times!!

Have a lovely Easter!

A x

MPM {Meal Planning Monday}

 

Oh, it's the last Meal Plan of March!  It's my big girl's 19th birthday one week today... eek!  19!  Here's my plan for the week, not exciting at all... I'm hoping to have some fresh ideas for meals in April.. hoping!

Monday - mince and sausage casserole in the slow cooker with york puds and mash (this was meant to be stew but when Hubber took out the bag of meat from feezer, he thought it was stew but it wasn't.... oh well)

Tuesday - chicken nuggets for littlest and pizza for the rest (I'm working till 7pm.. boo)

Wednesday - toad in the hole with mash and gravy (or beans)

Thursday - carbonara (my quick method, I'll post the recipe) with chicken and bacon

Friday - brinner (breakfast for dinner - which is probably quite apt as Hubber is on night shift)

Saturday - twice baked potatoes (not decided on the filling yet)

Sunday - Easter Eggs (and probably a roast)

This week I'm also planning to finish sewing up my knitted Easter Bunny, make progress on the littlest jewelled cardigan I'm knitting for Summer and write more #PostCircle letters,

Have a good week everyone, I'm off shopping for a special girl's birthday.... 19... eek!

A x

Ps... don't forget to link up with Mrs M (click the image at the top) 

{stuff}

Is it just me or is the world moving way to fast?  There is always far too much to do and never enough hours in the day...  this week has been a blur!

You'll have heard (or be sick of hearing) that I've been under the weather, it's just been the cold / flu virus that everyone's had but it really drags you down... If I had the option of going to bed for a day or two to try and sleep it off it may not have lasted so long but that option just isn't there, not when you have a toddler!  So, after nearly 4 weeks of feeling yuk, I eventually went to the Dr as I was in some pain... I have a paraumbilical hernia from all the coughing and vomiting... great!  There is a chance I may need surgery to repair it.  I've to have some test this week and the decision will be made on the results.

On a happy note, I signed up to join #PostCircle  (<< click to find out more).  I'm so excited and can't wait to receive my first letter.  I am on Team Vole and there are 6 members... I sent my first letter out a few days ago and I created my own letter paper and envelope... I hope they withstood the journey!

my stationery

I've managed to stick to my Meal Plan for this week so far and tonight's slow cooker ham with fried rice was very tasty indeed!  

Here's my method:

A ham joint... not an expensive one as slow cooking it makes it so tender... simply covered with water and slow cooked on low for 8 hours.

Rice... I use what I call the 'Riddock Rice' method (as my friends shared their method with me and it's FOOL PROOF)... to serve two I use half a cup of basmati rice and put this into a pot, add a pinch of salt and any herbs / spice you like (you don't have to, a pinch of salt can be enough), add a splash of oil (sunflower or olive oil) and stir until the grains of rice have some oil on.  Then add twice the amount of boiling water (so I'd use one cup of boiling water as I used half a cup of rice) and stir again.  Then pop the lid on the pot, put the gas onto a low peep and cook for 12mins (DO NOT STIR)... turn the heat off and leave to stand, with the pot lid still on, for another 12mins (DO NOT STIR DURING THIS TIME)... after the 24mins you can take the lid off and stir.... perfect rice!

Whilst the rice was resting I chopped up some onion, red pepper, green pepper and mushroom and gently cooked in some oil when the rice was ready I added that, plus some sweetcorn and some slow cooked ham, 2 tablespoons of soya sauce and cooked / stirred for a few minutes until all heated through...  Serve and enjoy!  I love this kind of dish as I can have some leftovers the next day for lunch (I love cold rice).

I'm really looking forward to my Pastry Ring on Saturday, it was so tasty last time I made it, fingers crossed it works out the same!

What have you been up to?

Ax

{Monday Meal Plan}

Can you believe I'm still under the weather?  Entering week 4 of cold and flu symptoms, off to the Dr this afternoon, hope he can prescribe a miracle cure!

It's a busy day again today (when's it not?) so I threw in the ingredients for Spag Bol into the slow cooker this morning before work... I've made double portions so I can use half for tomorrow... here's our plan:

Monday - spag bol in slow cooker
minced beef, onion, pepper, mushroom, passatta, mixed herbs, garlic and tomato puree, dash of worcester sauce.... cook for 8 hours on low.

Tuesday - pasta bake with garlic bread
left over bolognese sauce (from Monday) add in cooked pasta, some homemade cheese sauce (which I whisk up in 10mins), grated cheese on top and bake in oven for 20-30mins.

Wednesday - ham ham with stir fry rice (fries for those who don't want rice)

Thursday - we are out for dinner tonight so just the kids to eat at home, they've requested some piri piri chicken and fries that just cooks in the oven... simple

Friday - homemade chicken chow mein

Saturday - mediterranean pastry ring and salad

Sunday - homemade lentil soup and baguettes (not decided on the filling yet)

There you have it... I'm hungry just thinking of it all...  What's on your menu?  Mind link up with Mrs M, click the link below..

A x

{Chilli}

I hadn't decided on today's meal as I had planned on a huge rush about to get to book club, but I hadn't even finished the book yet.... so that was that decided, no book club!

This morning before work I prepped some 'throw it all in chilli'....

Mince beef, garlic puree, tomato puree, onion, sweetcorn, red pepper, 500ml passata, few spoons of my veg pasta sauce (the leftovers), dash of worcester sauce, tin of baked beans, mixed dried herbs, sprinkle of chilli powder, 250ml water....stir and cook on low for 8 hours!

I was still in a rush to get home so I popped to the chip shop and picked up some chips and we had the chilli over the top with some grated cheese.... o.m.g it was lush!

Ax

{Meal Planning}

I'm late.. but here's my Meal Planning Monday post!

Monday (last night) - {just me and toddler} I made my delicious roasted veg pasta sauce and had that with pasta and homemade wedges (just potato cut up, thrown on a pizza tray and cooked for 40mins!)

Tuesday - chicken and pasta (same sauce as last night, scrummy!) for me.  Chicken and potato shapes and sweetcorn for toddler.  Pepperoni pizza for biggest.  (other two not in for dinner)

Wednesday - chicken fajitas

Thursday - still to plan as I have book club so could be a take out if we are in a huge rush

Friday - mince and potatoes, veg and york puddings

Saturday - cake?  well maybe not just cake but we are going through to Edinburgh so will have lunch there.  I won a delicious treat box of cakes from Patisserie Valerie so I'll collect them AND we're planning a drive through to Krispy Kreme... sugar rush or what?!

Sunday - we're all off on Sunday and Baby Ballet class is off so who knows what we're planning yet...

I'm looking forward to reading your menus... hop on over to Mrs M and check some out!

A x

Liven up limp veg!

I'm on the mend... I've had a cold / stomach flu for two weeks now, it's not been pleasant!  Meals have been quick and a lot of take outs but we've mostly stuck to our meal plan (I'll post my Meal Planning Monday post tomorrow).

Tonight I really wanted something tasty and nutritious. We had been away for the weekend to Wick so ate out a lot and I was dying for something homemade... We had around 10cm+ of snowfall today and the fridge was pretty bare... a limp courgette, a bendy leek, 4 wrinkly tomatoes, a handful of greying mushrooms and a bashed red pepper...fit for the food recycle bin or a tasty pasta sauce?

I prepped the veg and put in a roasting tray, a drizzle of olive oil a sprinkling of Schwartz mixed herbs, rosemary, chives, paprika and garlic granules and roasted for 30 mins.  When ready I popped them into a pot with a tub of passatta, pinch of pepper and simmered for a few mins. I then blitzed gently leaving a bit chunky and served with pasta!  Delicious and I've got two tubs for the freezer!

What do you do with your limp veg?

Test

I've tried posting from my mobile app before and it failed...trying again...

{Meal Planning}

It's Meal Planning Monday time again...  This week my Husband has taken the task of planning the menu as I've been pretty floored with the dreaded cold / flu (but I am still working away and doing all my chores but dragging a box of kleenex along with me!)

So here it is:

Monday - Chicken curry with boiled rice and chapati
Tuesday - Chilli nachos (slow cooker)
Wednesday - Sausage, beans and mash
Thursday - Ham Ham (as it's known in our house) slow cooker ham
Friday - Take away night... I'm thinking Indian
Saturday / Sunday - We have a trip to Wick this weekend, really can't wait to go!

Don't forget to hook up with Mrs M too... I loved reading through everyone's meal plans, lots of inspiration there.  I have so many ideas that I want to try out soon.... once the lurgy has gone!