Sweetcorn Fritters

Posted in Recipes on June 30th, 2010 by Vicky – 2 Comments

My son loves sweetcorn and often when I open a tin I have some leftover. This weekend I decided to use our sweetcorn up and found a recipe for sweetcorn fritters. They were a hit with all the family and I was surprised how quickly I made them! This can definitely go in my quick easy recipe section. I think these fritters would be good with a number of different combinations added to the batter, next time I want to try spicy prawn fritters.

Ingredients:

100g plain flour
1tsp baking powder
seasoning (I used white pepper & oregano)
medium egg
150 ml milk
150-200g sweetcorn
2 chopped spring onions

Method:

  1. Sift together the flour & baking powder into a large bowl. Add the seasoning.
  2. Make a well in the centre of the flour and add the egg, slowly add the milk and beat mixture together at the same time.
  3. Dry the sweetcorn on kitchen paper to remove most of the moisture, then add to batter mixture with the spring onions and stir.
  4. Heat a frying pan with a tablespoon of oil. Fry spoonfuls of the mixture for roughly 2 mins on each side or until crisp and golden.

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Our Apple Tree – Chapter 2

Posted in My Life on June 29th, 2010 by Vicky – Be the first to comment

I’m delighted to announce that after three years it looks as though we will have a good apple crop this year. The blossom I photographed earlier this year has progressed and we have counted at least 40 apples so far!

As I explained in chapter 1 my husband and I made the mistake of assuming lots of branches meant the tree was healthy. We have since learnt that a well pruned fruit tree is a happy fruit tree bearing lots of fruit. I have also learnt that the shade under our apple tree is the perfect place for Baby G’s paddling pool. The weather here has turned hot and we’ve been enjoying our garden, but when it’s this hot it’s easy to burn so it has been idyllic sitting in the shade of our apple tree while Baby G splashes in the paddling pool. When the sun is shining Britian is fantastic, we can relax in the garden, enjoy a Pimms (adults only!), eat strawberries and cook on the barbecue, what a great way to spend Saturday as a family.

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Summer Barbecue Meal Plan

Posted in Meal Plan Topics, Recommended Products on June 27th, 2010 by Vicky – Be the first to comment

When it is hot my husband would love to barbecue every single night, but I have to consider our budget when meal planning. After shopping at the butchers our bill was rather large so I added fish to our barbecue plan and compromised on some nights by substituting a cheap meal like pasta. See what you think….

  1. Barbecued Trout, green salad and rice.
  2. Kedgeree (I use a Nigella Lawson recipe – read it here) with salad.
  3. Barbecued Sausages, new potato salad, rocket salad.
  4. Bacon, spinach and creme fraiche pasta with salad.
  5. Barbecued Chinese spiced ribs, rice salad, rocket and radish salad.
  6. Barbecued Mackerel fillets, new potatoes and tomato salad.
  7. Barbecued Minted Lamb chops, cous cous and marinated green bean salad.

How can you do a really tasty barbecue really quickly?

We have found the answer by buying all our meat already marinated from the butcher. Buying marinated meat is only a few pennies more but it saves time and we have been so impressed with the quality. The butcher is able to marinate the meat for much longer than we would and as a result the meat tastes incredible!

I enjoyed watching Jamie Oliver’s episode of ‘Jamie at Home’ on Channel 4, where he shared loads of great tips on barbecuing, watch it here.

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A Feast of Photos No.3

Posted in My Life, Random on June 27th, 2010 by Vicky – Be the first to comment

While on my short break in Sussex I managed to fit in three visits to the National Trust! Visiting a National Trust property can be expensive, but if you’re a member and visit often it soon becomes a cheap day out. There are so many beautiful properties to visit in Sussex, my family and I visited Nymans, Sheffield Park and Wakehurst Place. This feast of photos shows our day at Nymans, a Gothic Styled mansion which, due to fire, is partly ruined. I love visiting the countryside, seeing beautiful gardens, incredible stately homes and then accompanying it all with tea and cake!

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Fathers’ Day

Posted in Food Thoughts, My Life, Recommended Products on June 24th, 2010 by Vicky – 2 Comments

Lucky Daddy had a yummy treat for his Fathers’ Day present this year. While visiting my friend in East Sussex my hunt for a great Fathers’ Day present took me to Lewes. I remembered from a visit years ago that Lewes has a number of chocolate shops, not high street stores but independent aristian shops selling handmade chocolates.

When I was little I was taken to the food hall at Harrods and my brothers and I were allowed to help my parents fill a box of chocolates with our favourites. I’ve never forgotten this treat and I wasn’t sure that anything would ever match that memory, but the chocolates I chose in Lewes were very good. Baby G said “Happy Birthday” as he handed over the chocolates, as he is learning about giving presents we were impressed, maybe next year he might be able to say “Happy Fathers’ Day”. I was allowed to have a chocolate and as you can see from the pictures Baby G helped himself to chocolates too!

If you have a local specialist chocolate shop I would definitely try making up a box for a gift. How can you buy a box from the supermarket once you’ve tried handmade chocolates? A whole box of just your favourites! Now I want a box of chocolates to be a very special treat, chosen carefully and tasting absolutely fantastic.

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