The Voice Within

Don't worry I am not going to showcase my Mariah Carey voice!


I don't think you are getting enough of the real me through this blog. 

Time you knew a bit more, then I will get back to recipes.

In no particular order:

1. I mess up the first time I try and cook something, when I don't try I am amazing.

2. Occasionally I crash into things on my bike because I daydream about meeting the love of my life.

3. The only time I don't smile back is when I am practising Bikramyoga - I pay a lot of money to be there so I like looking and smiling at myself. 

4. I am investing a lot of time and money in this blog and scared if it is worth it.

5. My job lets me buy expensive skin care and nice food but I have no workmates. So this years Christmas party will be the same as last years -in front of the T.V.

6. At first I would cook for the blog, but I believe this is an easy habit most bloggers can get into: to try and get more traffic and followers.

7. This is just a blog. That's all.

8. Someone stole the lights from my bike tonight and I ate a whole lot of comfort food for dinner.

9. I used to care about the lack of comments and followers, but now I don't take notice and will continue as I am.

10. I will keep on cooking and if it looks pretty I will dress it up prettier, and blog about it.

11. Getting asked out in the daytime comes as a shock to me every single time and I tend to ask if the guy is feeling O.K. Mentioning this does not mean I am big headed: I am vain.

12. I hold a fork in my right hand.

13. My degree was in psychology and I got a third, I wish I pursued drama and food technology.

14. I believe in taking risks and not looking back.

15. Always the last one to know about a new song or album..however this is slowly changing.

16. I don't want to be the next Nigella Lawson, I am not the next anyone.

17. Gordon Ramsey doesn't scare me, my uncle does.

18. My awful use of grammar worries me.

19. Balancing shopping bags on my bike makes me a hazard in London.

20. I can't deny my love for Tesco, the reduced shelf makes my freezer shelf look healthy.

21. I cook, listen, upload and blog because what you see is my passion and I love it.

Chicken Fajitas

♬ 'Stereo Typical' By Rizzle Kicks

Ditch the Mexican food kit and prepare some of these dips the night before, and all that's left to do is cook the chicken or seafood and warm the wraps.

I had a large blender to make the dips and this is not a necessity, they can be made finely chopped or even crushed with your hands!

Shopping List:

400g chicken breasts
OR 
King prawns/ scallops for pescetarians
OR
Portobello mushrooms for vegetarians or refried beans.

Wraps

Rocket leaves

For the guacamole-

1 avocado 

1 small red onion 

1 small red chilli 
1 medium tomato 

For the chicken/fish marinade:

1 can of chopped tomatoes

1 tsp cayenne pepper powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp mixed spice
Olive oil
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp cumin powder


Other fillers:
Peppers
Cucumber

Soured cream

Jalapeños

Mild cheddar cheese

Salsa - 

3 medium tomatoes 
1 garlic clove

Fresh basil leaves (need 3)

1 lemon (half of juice)

Tomato puree (2 tsp)

Brown sugar (1tsp)

Salsa - is thicker and chunkier than it looks!


How to make:
Blend all the ingredients and season.

Guacamole - not the best looking dip out there but tastes great.

How to make:
Blend all the ingredients.

Peppers and cucumber at the ready...

Bowl of grated cheese, cover with cling film. Not sure why I felt the need to show you a bowl of cheese, just trying to set the scene!

    

▶ Recipe for chicken/fish/mushroom filler:

: Chop the breast/fish/mushrooms and fry with a tablespoon of olive oil and add half the can of chopped tomatoes.

: Add all the powders and let it simmer.

If younger kids don't like spice just yet...

Add less of the cayenne pepper, miss out the fresh chilli and add more fresh tomatoes to the meat/fish or vegetables.

If they want it hotter:

Miss out the can of tomatoes and add 1tsp chilli powder to the meat/fish.

VERDICT:

The boys were not sure about the look of the guacamole...which was expected. If there is something new at the table and green I find being silently persistent will get them to try it.

Favourite Song:

ê 'Stop With The Chatter' 

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