Cake for one

So last night my sweet tooth kicked in, and I had a massive craving for cake mixture. I know not everyone likes this, but if you haven’t tried it before, YOU HAVE TO! It is truly amazing.

So, whilst I was licking the bowl I thought I may as well make some cupcakes with vanilla frosting (YUM)

I didn't have time to photograph the whole process, but when I do I will post the cake and frosting recipe. You will never look back.


Suzi x

They said no.

I got the call on Wednesday. ‘We would like to invite you to audition for Total Wipeout this Saturday, can you make it?’ I eeeked a little inside, and said ‘of course’
2 weeks earlier I had sent a rushed application off, never thinking it would be good enough. Now if you don’t know what Total Wipeout is, it is the very popular BBC programme, where the contestants compete in a series of assault course challenges, one including 3 big red balls (I’m sure you get it now )

So here is how my day went...

My alarm didn’t go off, I missed my train, I forgot my camera and trainers, I rushed around London, I queued for an hour at the audition, sold myself for 1 minute to a lady dressed as a cheerleader, to be told NO straightaway, I sat outside the History museum, eating an egg sarnie from Marks on my own and left in total limbo. So I was on a massive comedown. What a waste of a morning. But at least I got to go see one of my bestest, Lauren, in her lovely new home in Clapham. I am so gutted I forgot my camera, so all I have for evidence is eating the best scrambled eggs in a local restaurant called Brew (it’s a must) and chatting all afternoon/evening with a few glasses of wine. Perfect. (To also mention, my good friend Kat joined us for the afternoon catch up J )

My Sunday was more chilled out, with a family lunch, gardening and a cheeky takeaway. Not forgetting getting the fright of my life when a frog jumped out on me. Pictures below

My little doggie, Pudding. My Niece Jess. My chinese take-away. My mate, the frog.

Notting Hill Carnival: vintage

So last month 3 great friends and I made the journey up to London to check out the Worlds famous Notting Hill Carnival. We indulged in Caribbean food (jerk chicken with rice and peas) and enjoyed a few cheeky ciders. We strolled around the streets taking in the array of different people there, even little kids bopping away with their parents. We stumbled across Portobello Road, and soon found ourselves back where we started, having not even covered a quarter of the festival. Did anyone else go? What did you think?

Extra special chicken casserole

The following recipe is by far, truly delicious and most importantly, easy. Although it isn’t the quickest dinner to make, it is definitely worth the wait. All you need is 15 minutes prep and the rest is left to brew for an hour or 3 in the oven, whilst you sit back and relax with a glass of wine. This recipe is very easily changed to your own tastes and preferences.

                     
                      Ingredients- for 2-3 persons                     

3 rashers of bacon

1 onion

2 small cloves of garlic

470g chicken breasts

Handful of mushrooms (optional)

Glass of red wine

Tin of chopped tomatoes

Half a tube of tomato puree

3 table spoons of mixed herbs

Handful of plain flour

Cooking oil

What you will need
1 casserole dish
2 frying pans
1 cooking pot (rice)
kitchen utensils
 

1. Start by pre heating the oven to 160 degrees, and then start chopping the onion, garlic, mushrooms and bacon

2. Heat a frying pan with a dribble of oil, and throw in the bacon, garlic and onions. Keep mixing for 5 minutes until golden

3. Whilst the bacon is browning, start to heat the second frying pan.
4. Now cover the chicken breasts in flour, and then place into the frying pan to seal the chicken.

5. Add the tin of tomatoes and puree to the frying pan with the bacon in, make sure you give it a good old mix.

6. Then add your mixed herbs. Again mix thouroughly.

7. You are now ready to transfer the chicken and the sauce mix into the casserole dish. Once in the dish stir in the glass of red wine.

8. Put the dish into the pre-heated oven. You now have 2 options. Either a long, slow cook for 3 hours at a lower temp (140) or you can chose to cook for just over an hour (160) Both options are amazing, so I would probably just stick with an hour or so.
9. Check on the food half way in, and give everything a good stir.
10. After one hour, put the rice on. To do this put a cup full of rice into boiling water, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, making sure to stir throughout.

11. You are now ready to serve. Now poor yourself a glass of wine, sit back, relax and let the food crumble in your mouth. Enjoy.

The perfect get away #2

Here is my second post from my weekend away from the Lovely Longleat Safari Park. I had never been there before, but for some reason I only thought it was a drive through Monkey Park, but they also have a zoo, full with every animal imaginable, a massive maze (my fave) and Longleat’s stately home. I only got round to taking photos off the animals, but unfortunately NO  monkeys, as my dad was in a rush to get through that part, I don’t think he wanted his car to get vandalised, like the one in front.

The perfect get away #1

I never got a chance to go to Centre Parcs when I was a kid, but I finally got a chance for a late summer break with the parents and boyfriend. Although it rained nearly the whole weekend, it didn't put a dampener (pardon the pun) on the holiday. We spent the whole weekend cycling, playing sport, chilling, nattering, cooking, drinking and generally having a lovely time together. We even ended the weekend with a trip to Longleat Safari Park. Oh how I wish I was just a kid again.