Friday 30 December 2011

Battle of the Toys Guns v Swords!

I'd like to think you can never be over diligent when it comes to child safety, though I am aware that due to my line of work I am exposed to extreme cases.  When it comes to - dare I say it - "boys toys", I have never been a fan of either toy guns or swords.  Yes I grew up with them, and a brother running after me shouting bang bang you're dead *charming*, so yes I may be being over-sensitive.  However, in this current climate of knife culture, I thought I'd share with you an interesting conversation I had with a policeman on the matter!  His words were extremely enlightening when he informed me that if a child had to have a "pretend weapon" then he recommended it be a gun over a sword anytime, his reasons being!
1) A gun is not a contact sport, whilst a sword lends itself to being 1!
2) A gun can rarely - we hope - be found, whilst a knife from the kitchen can make a really good pretend sword!
This information left its mark on me, and far from trying to be a killjoy just thought I'd pass it on!
All comments would be welcomed!
Annie x

Tuesday 27 December 2011

Leftover Turkey Curry for 2

Update: Sept 2015  I first published this recipe on the 27th December, to use up the Christmas roast.  I have since used it for leftover roast chicken, and also roast venison, and was as delicious!

This recipe is for 2 but can be easily doubled up for four!  I have adapted this from many other recipes to use ingredients I had in the fridge, and it was fabulous!
Ingredients
1 tbsn sunflower oil
1 onion peeled and chopped
3 garlic cloves peeled and chopped
2cm knob of ginger, peeled and grated, or cheat ginger if easier
1 teaspoon chilli flakes, or 1 chilli deseeded and chopped
4 cardamon pods, slightly crushed (back of a knife will do)
1/2  tsp ground cumin
1/2 tbsn ground turmeric
1/2 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp ground coriander
250ml turkey or chicken stock/gravy
2 heaped tbsp of yoghurt - I used 0% Fat Greek
3 large handfulls of roast turkey, or chicken chopped
1/2 tbsn Coriander chopped
Method
Heat the oil in a large pot, add the onion and fry for 2-3 minutes.   Then add the garlic, ginger, chilli, cardamom, cumin, turmeric, garam masala and ground coriander, cook over a medium heat until the onion is soft.

Add the stock and bring to the boil, then simmer for around 15 minutes.

Stir in the yoghurt, then add the turkey to heat through.  Add the coriander and serve with rice.

As an alternative, which is what I did, after adding the turkey, I added some rice to the pot and cooked for another 10 minutes or so, before adding the coriander and serviing.   It was more like a one-pot dish and was fab!
Enjoy!
Annie x

Tuesday 20 December 2011

Breakeryard.com

Some of you may remember that Jasper was lucky enough to be cast in an advert, which I am pleased to say is finally on T.V.  A version of it is also on the website of www.breakeryard.com
I just wish I'd known about this company when I needed a new seat for my Peugeot 2 years ago, great idea :)
Annie x