Regain Your Inspiration to Cook

This is new for the blog, something that has taken me ages to figure out, and glad the light bulb in my head has finally been switched on!

This all came about by a phone call I just had from a friend who said 'just in Sainsbury's and need to shop for the week, any inspiration about what I can prepare in 20 minutes?' and it hit me this is what some people do - I do! Shopping to prepare for the week ahead because maybe some of us don't have time after a long day to run out and buy specific ingredients.

Some households cook the same sort of dishes every other week, and this can fit into a regular routine especially if you have a family, it is difficult to come up with a new meal everyday. Even on this blog I cook a lot of pasta and curry dishes because that is what I feel comfortable with.

I have years of experience cooking for families so this will be real and honest, and trust me I know how hard it is to feed children.

Cooking for one comes naturally and cooking for two is something I am getting used to.

Some ingredients need to be prepared and ready to take out the cupboard/fridge or freezer and ready to cook, and I am the person to help and hopefully not mess your dinner time.

When a Sunday allows  I will start adding recipes, shopping lists and meal ideas.

Send your meal ideas to mixitcookit@hotmail.com, you never know you could be an inspiration to help others.

Most of these meal ideas won't have pictures, and that doesn't mean it won't work or look nice, trust yourself to see what you can create and post your thoughts.

I really think this part of the blog could do well and could open up discussions and ideas from anyone that comes across the site (fingers crossed), if it doesn't I might stop eating.

Granola

♬ 'Into The Light' By Chris De Burgh

I was a lady in a red striped dress last night at my local karaoke bar, and when a brave guy sang his heart out to 'Lady In Red' I hid in the corner as the locals joined in and sang their hearts out to anyone - even wearing a red badge.

With a slightly sore head this morning and Chris De Burgh still ringing in my ears I decided to make a batch of granola, with a dash of cranberries just to keep the red theme going...

Is granola fatty and bad for you? Once I started making this I didn't see the big deal, it contains seeds, oats and honey! (and yes maybe a few more things)

▶ Recipe for 10 servings, takes 30 minutes and 15 minutes to prepare.

Ingredients:

300g rolled oats

1 tbsp golden honey

2 tbsp vegetable oil

20g sunflower seeds

20g pumpkin seeds

50g dessicated coconut

1 tsp Manuka honey

1 tsp vanilla essence

50g dried cranberries

50g raisins

Method:

Preheat oven 200°c

: Line a small baking tray with greaseproof paper.

: Mix the honeys, essence and oil in a large bowl.

: Add the oats, seeds and mix well. The mixture should look sticky but don't worry it will separate once baked, the oil help this happen.

: Spread on tray and bake for 15 minutes.

: Then take out and add the raisins, coconut and cranberries - use a spoon to mix them in well.

: Back in the oven for a further 15 minutes until golden brown.

< Serve with your choice of fruit and yoghurt, the rest can be stored in a container for one month in a cupboard.

Next Time:

⤵ You could add a variety of seeds, yoghurt's and dried fruits - I only worked with what I had. For a more luxurious granola try adding macadamia nuts and dark chocolate.

Now what's for lunch?!

Bonfire Night Food

♬

Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.

I see no reason why gunpowder, treason should ever be forgot...

Tonight is Guy Fawkes night and if you are hosting a party or need to bring something to the event I hope some of these recipes can be of some use!

Banana and white chocolate cakes - tried, tested and loved by BBC Good Food!

How about baking loads of jacket potatoes, then making a big bowl of tuna mixed with basil pesto? This way everyone can grab a potato, fill with tuna and add cream cheese on top.

Hot dogs are always a winner on a night like this so make a batch of pomegranate ketchup!

For those who don't want to eat meat try this spinach and mushroom curry which would go perfect with naan or in a warm wrap.

A big pot of lamb chilli with rice or garlic bread.

Caribbean style chicken hot pot perfect with rice or pitta.

Fresh hot spiced brownies with...

...hot chocolate!

Have a blast.x

Brandy Bonfire Cupcakes

♬ 'Hot Fuss' By The Killers

Tonight is the night I decorate my eyes like fireworks and give out a few of these strange bonfire looking cakes. Well chocolate fingers were the only option at the nearest shop, thinner chocolate matchsticks would have been ideal, this way they look like logs!

▶ Recipe for 12 cupcakes

Ingredients:

300g caster sugar (10.58 oz)

120g soft butter (4.23 oz)

3 medium eggs

50g cocoa powder (1.76 oz)

200g plain flour (7.05 oz)

1 tsp baking powder

1 tbsp brandy (0.52 fl oz)

50ml milk (1.76 fl oz)

1 tsp vanilla essence

Covering:

150g dark chocolate (5.3 oz)

284ml double cream (10.00 fl oz)

2 tbsp caster sugar

chocolate fingers

Method:

Preheat oven 200°c, prepare cases in tin.

: Whisk the sugar and butter and add the eggs one at a time.

: Add the cocoa powder, baking powder and milk.

: Lastly add the brandy and essence.

: Fill each case half way, reduce oven temperature to 180°c and bake for 25 minutes. Each cake should rise looking like a mini volcano.

: Make the ganache by boiling double cream and sugar then pouring it over chocolate, stir until shiny and smooth.

: Once cakes are cool spoon the ganache over each one, and decorate with chocolate fingers or matchsticks.

< Warn others that they contain brandy! If you want to make this without alcohol then they will taste just as good.

Favourite Song:

ê 'Andy, You're A Star'

Orange Chocolate Pancakes

'Get up offa that thing and eat this to make you feel better!' 

(chuckling - I had to get this in!)

♬ James Brown Playlist:


'Sex Machine'
'It's a Mans Mans Mans World'
'Papa's Got A Brand New Bag'
'Get Up Offa That Thang'
'I Don't Know'
'It's Too Funky In Here'
'Fine Old Foxy Self'
'Hot Pants Road'
'My Thang'
'The Boss' 


Seriously 'The Boss' was the first song that crept in my head this morning and ever since then, I thought let me start the day as I mean to go on - with chocolate.

▶ Recipe

Ingredients:

140g plain flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 egg

200ml semi skimmed milk (rice or soy works too)

100g dark chocolate chips

1 fresh orange

Squeezy honey

50g melted butter

Compared to the standard pancake recipe - this one has baking powder and butter to create a springy cake texture. This way the sponge has been dampened with orange juice.

Method:

: In a small non stick frying pan melt the butter until it sizzles then pour in a bowl. The frying pan should be greased so leave that off the heat until the batter is made.

: Whisk the egg and milk, then add the melted butter and then the flour and baking powder.

: The batter should be thick, pale and runny.

: Put the frying pan back on a low heat.

: Try using an ice cream scoop for consistent shape.

: No need to flip the pancake if you don't feel comfortable - just use a fish slice*.

: Wait for the top of the pancake to form bubbles then turn it over and let it cook for 2 more minutes.

: Once done squeeze a bit of fresh orange juice on top and add a few chocolate chips.

: Once each pancake is done do the same so the chocolate melts in the layers.

: This batter should make about 10 pancakes.

< Serve with a glass or orange juice or milk and trickle the honey over the top of the pancakes.

Next Time:

⤵ Blackberry and raspberry pancakes with white chocolate.

Favourite Song:

ê 'The Boss' By James Brown

* No fish used in this recipe, a fish slice is a kitchen utensil ideally used for fish. I use it for flipping pancakes, bacon and loads of other ingredients I don't want to spoil the look of.