Mud Cakes and Wine

It is the end of October and my thoughts are turning to Christmas not just for us but for the food bank. Last year I did food bank advent in December, this year I have decided to do it in November. I decided to do November as December can be busy and expensive this way I can make sure I think about the items and spread the cost. I contacted our local food bank to chat through what they would like, they let me know they were doing special boxes on Christmas eve and would I think of the following items Gravy Mix Stuffing Cranberry Sauce Tin Foil pickles Selection boxes Special Biscuits All need to be in date for 25th December and lets be honest a few days after and nothing that needs refrigeration. Last year some friends and I clubbed together and we did 6 items each. A good way to join together and we had lots of chats about who was getting what. We had a lovely big box of bits for the food bank by mid December. So each week I will be adding a few extra items to my b...

We have nearly made it to half term, only one day to go. We have shattered children who need some time to rest and relax. Friday - Hot dogs vegetarian ones for the boys, slightly posher version for us Mapleglazed hot-dogs-with-mustardy onions Saturday - Chinese chicken this is new and in the comments someone had served this with noodles and this is how we are going to do it Chinese chicken pancakes Sunday - Roast pork, Mr MC&W did a butchery course so this is the leg of pork will have it with roast potatoes, carrots and spinach and v broccoli Monday - Lentil Mustard Salmon. Salmon with mash and peas for the boys. Mustardy salmon beetroot and lentils Tuesday -  Cauliflower cheese and spinach pasta bake. I can only do this with time so perfect meal for the holidays. Cauliflower cheese and spinach pasta bakes Wednesday - Thai Chicken - I am doing this as I need to write it up for a school cookbook and get some photos. Thursday - Using up the pork for Paprik...

This is our second year of GYO in the planters we brought for the front garden. This year really has not been as good as last year, which was a real disappointment. Shall we see where it all went wrong. Trough style planters really need some thinking about and planning, far better than how I planted them this year. This is a little annoying as I thought I had already learnt this lesson last year but it looks like I had not.  I planted Swiss Card next to Fennel and the Swiss chard took over and the poor fennel had not light and did very badly. To make matters worse we did not really eat the Swiss chard.  Which meant wasted food and space. This was pure bad planning and planting. The courgettes did OK but not very well, last summer we had them none stop for weeks. This time they did not grow properly or went mouldy at the bottom. I am not really sure why this happened. They were planted in the same position as last time but a different variety. The carro...

Some how I managed to cobble a meal plan together, I really must get more organised but the kids are full of cold and shattered and we have so much homework to do that is the whole family. It is very hard to fit it all in. Also this constant rain just does not help anything. Friday - Pizza easy easy easy Saturday - Quorn Burgers and salad again easy Sunday - My favourite meal and so easy French Style Chicken this I do with mini roasts French style chicken with peas and bacon Monday - Neapolitan Rice Salad from Gino Healthy Italian for me and Mr MC&W he had had the weekend playing golf. Boys will have tuna mayo loaded waffles with salad Tuesday - Chicken Tagine from Mary berry with couscous. I am going to try this with the boys and see how we go. Chicken tagine recipe by mary berry Wednesday - Fish in sauce with new potatoes and roasted Mediterranean veg. Fish goujons, mash and peas. Thursday - Super Smokey Bacon and tomato spaghetti super smoky bacon tomato sp...

The meal plan is late again and rather rushed. I am finding with everything going on it is done last minute, I sit down in the evening and there is just no inspiration. Need to find a time to sit down when I can spend just ten mins planning. Friday - Scampi and Chips (fish fingers for the boys) and peas Saturday - Macaroni cheese for the boys. Chicken salad for us. Sunday - We have family over for ATM and Mr MC&W birthdays and we are having fajitas veggie and chicken ones. Monday - is Mr MC&W birthday so steak and chips. The boys will have tortellini. Tuesday - is a crazy day so simple meals for us all. Tomato soup and rolls for the boys. We will have a smoked mackerel salad using mini roast potatoes i just have to pop in the oven. Based on this Smoked mackerel salad with beetroot and horseradish Wednesday - Baked Gnocchi Puttanesca baked gnocchi Thursday - Mushroom Stroganoff and the boys will have a quorn one with rice Mushroom Stroganoff

Last week was crazy with my training course and this weekend it is our middle ones birthday and school visits and trying to keep up with my course work. My poor brain failed terribly at the meal plan. Friday - Chili for us all Saturday - Pizza Express trip for us and a couple of Mouses friends Sunday - Quorn Burgers and chips this was requested by Mouse for his birthday treat meal. Monday -  Omelets and salad for the boys and we will have a Crunchy Mozzarella and Pesto Mushroom with wedges Crunchy pesto and mozzarella baked mushrooms Tuesday - Smoked Salmon and Celeriac Dauphonise. Jackets and beans for the boys. Smoked salmon and celeriac dauphinoise Wednesday - Chinese Chicken Curry for us all Chinese chicken curry Thursday - Home from work Spaghetti, this is also using up some of the pesto from Monday. Homefromwork spaghetti