Tag #lunch

Baking Bread…

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So why did I have to wait for a Pandemic to bake bread?

Honestly, it is the simplest thing to bake and so delicious. We always serve with pickles, tomatoes, meats and olives and makes a great lunch.

Pop the flour into a large bowl with yeast, 2 oz butter, water and salt and mix up into a lump then knead for at least ten minutes.

Recipe

1 lb 2oz granary bread flour

1 oz butter

salt

1 1/2 tsp yeast

9 fl oz warm water

Leave for 1 – 2 hours in a warm place covered with a clean damp tea towel

Bake for 30 minutes in an oven 230c (450F, Gas Mark 8)

I’ve got enough to make one more loaf and then will have to hunt down some granary flour. There is a shortage in the UK.

Enjoy your delicious homemade bread. Maybe we will all continue to bake after this is all over?

Lockdown Food and Memory Lists

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This morning David (Husband) got up very early and visited our local supermarket. This saves queuing and wanting to clonk the one idiot who refuses to social distance.

My goodness, we have enough food now for several weeks and spent loads of money. This action derives from me having nightmares about running out of food, waking up with Covid-19 symptoms, and having to isolate with no food in the house. Yes, my children smiled on last night’s Zoom chat, joking they don’t charge much for delivering food.

When I become really old (if I get there which is doubtful if I don’t stop eating crap), I will be one of those stubborn folks, who refuse help will I not? Didn’t even occur to me to ask for help.

The food arrives with hubby saying it was quite busy, and I decant the bags and proceed with the ridiculous task of decontaminating the food packaging and jars. Dear God, really? This is what we have come to?

Then, once washed, and only then, is it organised, with obligatory rubber gloves on, into the appropriate storage. Raises eyes to the ceiling. What a carry on.

Although, I must confess, a list was carefully written and it is fun to have the BIG REVEAL of goodies such as copious red wine (tick), chocolate biscuits (tick), craft beers (tick), mixed nuts (tick) and I’ll probably be as fat as a house, by the time this has finished (tick)! Hubby even managed to get some gold dust; oh I mean hand sanitiser. £6 flipping pounds!!!!! I paid £20 online, but at least I acquired it when needed.

Seriously though, at the beginning of this dreadful time, I could hardly eat because I had the worst anxiety and panic I’ve ever had. My blood pressure is high and the situation is an ongoing worry. At least the government are now indicating when lockdown will end but we will all have to be very, very careful for months to come.

This week. I’m taking steps to reduce the rubbish and eat more healthily. I’m walking in the local woods daily to raise my mood ‘what is this mad woman who wanders around the woods?’ I feel everyone is thinking. Who cares what folk think as they walk their dogs? I do not. Also, we are eating even more fish, chicken and veggie meals. Although, I’ve clocked hubby has bought some charcoal, lighters and beef burgers so a BBQ is obviously imminent.

Some of the things I’ve been eating are chicken casserole, pan fried salmon/cod veggies, veggie omelettes, fresh pasta, home baked bread and picky bits for lunch. All good, healthy fodder but a few biscuit snacks are creeping in the evening which we NEVER have normally.

Who would have thought we’d have been living like this when we were at the New Year’s Eve party drunkenly hoping the 20’s are going to roar? Roar they are, but not in the way I was hoping.

I listened to the Happier Podcast with Gretchen Rubin and the topic discussed was lists to make memories. In a future post I will write about what I’ve changed during this time and what I will continue. Here is today’s list…

Words and phrases to describe this time:
Loo rolls
Sanitiser
Flour
Hair dye
Puzzles
Quiz
Family walks (‘It takes a Pandemic to go on a family walk’ written on Instagram)
Exercise equipment
Clean
Birds (tweeting)
Zoom
Alcohol (Beer, wine, gin)
Isolating
Social Distancing

Working from home

ICU

NHS

Thank you

Clapping

Lounge wear

Laptops

Masks

Board games (added from comment, thanks)

Anything else? Thanks for stopping by. Comments welcome.

Hearty Lunches

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As a lot of people are trying to focus on health and fitness, I’ve devised some nutritious recipes which are healthy and filling…

Breakfast – Fruit and Nut Porridge

So you could have this for breakfast or even lunch. It is really filling and keeps you full until lunch time. Porridge, milk, protein powder (optional), peaches (any fruit) plus a sprinkle of nuts. Delicious. Also, you can make with half milk and half water to cut down on calories and it is surprising how little difference it makes to the taste. A tip is to soak the oats for at least five minutes before you cook. This makes the porridge creamy and substantial.

Simple Omelette

Fry some new potatoes or sweet potatoes and courgettes in a pan with a tiny splash of coconut oil and water. When cooked, throw in three beaten eggs, season and enjoy. This is a good, quick lunch and is incredibly filling. Eggs always fill me up.

Roast Veggie Couscous

Another quick, simple recipe. Roast some vegetables in the oven. Whatever you like. Courgettes, peppers, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes and olives are in this bowl of delight. Make loads of couscous by pouring in a bowl and add the boiling hot water. Mix until soft which takes about a minute or two. My goodness it is quick! Throw in the veggies, some herbs and a little spice if you wish and serve. When I had this at work I served it in an attractive bowl and got some envious looks and comments. Cheap, quick and easy to prepare. I usually box up for about three days.

Spinach Pasta

Another quick one! Boil your penne pasta, cook some spinach and mushrooms. Make the dressing of olive oil, lemon, pepper and herbs and mix all together. I usually box up for about three days and pop in the fridge.

Hope you like my simple recipes which can be prepared in a matter of minutes.

 

Mushroom Risotto

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This is a delicious quick lunch which uses up the old mushrooms you may have lying about.

Chop the mushrooms, onions, garlic, bacon (if want to include) and get a litre of chicken/veggie stock ready plus 200g of risotto rice.

Throw the chopped bits into a pan with a splash of oil and cook. After a few minutes throw in the rice and add liquid. You may want to add peas and or spinach or whatever you jolly well like. Leave for a few minutes to simmer. Add Parmesan cheese and enjoy.

Tip: This could be boxed up for tomorrow’s lunch too.

Bacon

Mushrooms

Onion

Garlic

1 litre of Chicken/Veggie stock

200 grams Risotto rice

Peas or spinach, etc.

Seasoning and mixed herbs

Healthy March Challenge – Becoming Lighter Series

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5 Fruit and Veg daily
No processed food
No or Little alcohol
Exercise min. half hour (pref hour)

#HealthyMarch

#BecomingLighter

The aim is to become fitter, leaner and healthier this month by following the above challenge.  Are you in?

Breakfast and lunches can incorporate plenty of fruit with some green veggies such as spinach (breakfast) and lettuce (salad lunch).  Suggest eggs for breakfast because they are filling and salads with protein (fish, chicken or eggs) plus a potato or couscous. A healthy evening meal such as a meat or fish stew is always tasty and can be eaten for the following two or three days, if necessary.

It is a good idea to keep an eye on sugar intake because it is hidden in tomato sauces, fizzy drinks and processed foods.  So obviously it is better to not have processed foods and enjoy cooking your own food.

The odd glass of wine is OK, but not too many.  I find this tricky as it interferes with a social life. However, we must give it a try. Oh, and don’t forget to drink about 6 glasses of water every day.

Oddly enough, for me, exercise is the easier part.  Suggestions for this includes gym, running, walking (city and country), swimming or whatever you enjoy most.

I will update progress and any comments below (with your blog links) are welcomed.

Cheers,

Andy Frances xx

design

Having lunch…oh yes…

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So I invited my friend to lunch and decided to cook something simple, tasty but satisfying. As we had such a much needed, uplifting day, thought I’d blog about it..

Somebody very important in my life suggested fresh spaghetti with a cherry tomato sauce. Fantastic, I thought. Means I can add a few side dishes like mushrooms with chorizo and fried, fresh prawns followed by a fruit crumble pudding.

Started with the fruit crumble by throwing some berries in a dish and making the crumble. Just lard and butter rubbed into the flour plus sugar. Simple and quick and the ice cream that was languishing in the freezer, just waiting to be thrown down my throat, accompanied the pud.

Next I chopped tomatoes up with garlic, herbs and chilli. Measured out the wine. Oh yes. Fried the garlic in 3 tablespoons of olive oil then added herbs and chilli. Added toms (2 mins) then splashed in the wine and enjoyed the exquisite smell that permeated the kitchen. Oh, and I put some cool, jazzy, funky tunes on.

Fried my chestnut mushrooms in butter with chorizo and left ready. Same with the grey prawns that rapidly turned pink. Sooo magical. Put some chips, manchego cheese and serano ham on the starter plate and was ready to roll. Well lay the table anyway.

Sorted the table, tidied and cleaned up, lit candles and waited a few minutes for my friend.

Great to catch up. We discussed recent Christmas times, trips (Rome), buying/selling clothes online, health, fitness laughed and moaned but mostly laughed. Of course, new year resolutions were discussed too. She wants me to start a ladies supper group…

Yes, the lunch wasn’t particularly healthy, but it felt decadent and I’m working up to my new year’s healthy regime. She enjoyed the food and said it is the sort of food you get in Strada. Taken that as a compliment (I think)…

Ha! Since received a thank you message saying the food was spot on. :-))

Details..

Cherry Tomato Spaghetti- Fresh spaghetti, 1 lb top quality cherry toms, garlic, chilli, herbs and wine.

Add: Chorizo, mushrooms and/or prawns, as I did.

Pud – Mixed fruit and crumble (1oz butter, 1oz lard, 4oz plain flour) mixed berries and sugar on top.

Prep time 40 mins.

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Food for thought…

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I am not a nutritionist, but like researching new diets and understanding how people eat. The problem is that we, as a modern community, like fatty food and sugar. But, our bodies do not. With copious amounts of healthy food (veggies/fruit) and exercise, it is fabulous to feel invigorated and happy.

However, it is very difficult to do this isn’t it? The answer is to almost cut out sugar and bad carbs such as white bread, red meat, chocolate (although partial to some dark chocolate) for most of the time.

What seems to work is to eat when hungry.  Devour lots of fresh vegetables, pulses, fish and chicken and the odd fillet steak and pint of beer for a treat.  Stop eating when nearly full and only eat when hungry.  Tricky with a family, but focus on the outcome and try the best you can.

Some people think eating a healthy diet is synonymous with being boring.  This is ostensibly a blocking method and not facing reality.  The food you eat does not have to be tasteless, in fact, far from it.  What can be tasteless is the same tedious meat and chips dinner, week after week.  Look on YouTube for inspiration and cook away.

This week’s lunches are pasta with chicken, vegetables or a boiled egg.  All packed up again.  This really stops the hunger and helps with the afternoon munches.  My other piece of wisdom is this.  Don’t follow recipes just go with the flow.  Do some research for creativity and vision, then go for it!

Chicken/Egg Pasta Lunch

Pasta, olive oil, ground pepper, herbs, lemon juice with veggies (onions, broccoli, mushrooms, spinach, pepper)

 

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