Wednesday, 29 August 2012

Why use a slow cooker

I am not alone in my love of slow cooking, and having converted a few peoples over on twitter, thought I'd jot down some notes, as I am often being asked about it!

Prep for Chilli

Chilli with Tortillas, cheese and peppers
As I work from home, with children, I could be in danger of catering all day long, and then after the children have gone have to start afresh for our own dinner.  Slow cooking means I can prepare our evening meal around lunchtime, and not have to worry about it until later in the evening when I just need to dish up.


It is also cost effective, using the same amount of energy as a lightbulb, and though I would never leave the house with the oven or hob on, I have no qualms about leaving the slow cooker plugged in.
Chicken Jalfrezi
It is also fantastic if you have a dinner party, when I have been known to have 2 or 3 going at a time!  It means when guests arrive I am more or less done, and I can get myself ready without running around doing *stuff* at the last minute.

I personally have a 3.3l and a 6l.   The 3.3l is perfect for a family of 3 or 4, unless you are doing something like lamb shanks when you might need something larger.
Lamb Tagine
I regularly do curries, various cuts of mean, even a "roast chicken" recently, you can check out some of my other ideas here!

They retail at around £20/25, so it's not too big an investment if you don't take to it, and if you don't I bet you'd find someone who would!

@mediocre_mum hosts a #scsunday (slowcooker sunday) over on her blog, which is a great place for ideas and inspiration, and I have bought several books from Amazon starting at around £3.

What's not to love?  Would love some feedback :)

Enjoy
Annie x

Sunday, 26 August 2012

Stabilo - A Back to School Review

You may or may not know that back in the day I actually worked in National Sales for a well-known pen manufacturer.  I was therefore very happy reviewing some of the products Stabilo had in line for Back To School - an important time of year!

I have an 8yo boy due to go into Year 4.  Jasper is somewhat a typical boy, in that he's not really that interested in writing, as this takes him away from running and shouting and climbing, what 8yo boys do best. (I know there will always exceptions).

Also interesting is that until this year the children have been writing in pencil.   In Year 4 they are awarded their "pen license", something - told by the mother of an 8yo girl, "they really look forward to"!

Then we have soon to be 5yo Scarlett.  Due to go into Reception in September, and is very, very excited!  Scarlett colours, draws, and writes at most given opportunities!

Personally I loved all the shapes and colours, they are very attractive to the eye, and very nice to hold.  There has been some careful thought and design behind them, and who will be using them!  Younger hands find it easier to hold the bigger pens, then go for the smaller more traditional pen as dexterity increases!  Unless you are left handed like me, where I still prefer the bigger pens - or the Stabilo Easy designed for left handers (was bought as a gift many years ago)!

On that point, we were sent the Stabilo Easy for Right handers, which both my children are.

It has been designed to teach children where they fingers should be positioned, and comes with refillables.  Scarlett loved it, particularly as it could be personalised - she very much took ownership of it (it was also in pink, though it does come in blue as mine is)!

I did however let Jasper have a turn - having dragged him away from a fire engine game.  Jasper said it felt a bit weird, but he did a good job writing with it.  This may be something I have to revisit with him once he has said license!

Next we looked at the Woody 3 in 1, it's perfect for the creative doodlers who just don't sit still.  This chunky tool is a colour pencil, watercolour and wax crayon all in one.  Ideal for both big and little hands, at only £8 for a pack of 6, the price will keep parents happy too.



We also looked at the Cappi Pens.  All the caps are strung together on a clever ring, to help keep them together and therefore - which drives me dolally - stop them getting lost!   It's also perfect to fit round the loop of a car or aeroplane seat - just genius!  They are £6.50 for a pack of 12 - bargain!!

Shall be packing these for Germany in October!



All the products are available at Amazon, Cult Pens and good stationers nationwide :)

For more information please contact: 
Laura Shroff at Primal PR on 01628 594429 or laura.shroff@primalpr.com
Hannah Stewart at Primal PR on 01628 594419 or hannah.stewart@primalpr.com

We have now had to invest in pencil case for Scarlett, which is already been packed into her bookpack ready for Back To School *sobs at where has my little girl gone* :)

Enjoy!
Annie x


Friday, 24 August 2012

A letter to my 16 year old self........

I first heard this being done on Absolute Radio, and found it awesome, its taken some time but here goes.  Apologies for crap pics but most are at my mothers!

For the record I turned 16 on the 18th January 1983!


Dear Anne – yes are still Anne at the moment but soon Captain McVaign will re-christen you Annie, in a few years time when working for Cunard – there’s a joke there but I won’t labour it!

 You did great in school, despite all the teacher’s expectations (mainly based on the fact that you smoke)!  9 O’Levels, and you got your City & Guilds in Engineering.   I’m afraid the latter won’t work out directly for you, but it will stand you in good stead for the future.   Unless you start practicing lifting bus tyres for future interviews, but I shouldn’t bother!  Do as your mum says and go back to school for a year!

Oh and by the way, you always wanted to beat Gary’s tally of 6 O’Levels, well in about 20 years time he’ll confess that he only ever got 3 – once a git, but you know that – and actually hold that thought, he currently owns a pub J

You are very close to Gary Yearwood at the moment, through Cardinal Newmans’s and in fact he helped you a lot at Acton Tech too!  I suggest you give him a hug at every given opportunity.  He really needs it, though he won’t tell anyone, and I hate to say he won’t be around for long.........


Also, and I hate to shatter your illusions, but Gary O’Donnell is not the one.   I think you should have taken the hint when he called you fat with greasy hair, but you’re a thick skinned trier I’ll give you that!   And ignore Michelle, you will get many of those types in the coming years and you already know how to deal with them!

Drinking in the Vic most weekends probably not the best idea – but you know what, you’re having a ball so actually, go for it – it won’t hurt anyone, just maybe steer clear of the bunny park afterwards, you know what I mean ;)

If I told you you’d end up married with 2 kids you’d probably die laughing, well it’s true and you don’t do half a bad job of it.   The first marriage won’t work out, but hey what doesn’t kill ya makes you stronger – and you will look “thin” in your wedding dress in Vegas!

On that point, where to start, stop starving yourself and get your mum to hide the scales, you need to address this as soon as!  Coffins come in all shapes and sizes, seriously!!!!  No-one else cares too much what you look like!  (I may have to come back to you on this point, privately)!

Oh, and possibly my best advice (?) keep your ear to the ground regarding a new social networking site called Twitter!  Through that you’re gonna make some of the bestest friends for life, embrace it and enjoy!

Regarding football, it’s gonna get a whole lot worse but it will get a whole lot better – I’d say stick with it but then you have no choice!

Take it easy out there, forgive your father and remember negativity and anger rots you from the inside, it aint worth it!

All my love (God I’m actually crying)
Annie xxx

p.s.  When you go skiing, don’t wear any clothing that says No Fear, when you fall of the chair lift and cry like a girl, you’re going to look like a muppet!

Wednesday, 22 August 2012

Competition to win a trio of #anywayupcup

Competition Alert!

When Jasper was a baby - he's now 8 - I had one of the iconic, no spill, anywayup "Moo" Cups, as we called it.  I ended up getting several as I was mightily upset when the inlaw's let it be carelessly tossed from the pram - anyone find one in Rothamstead Park and it's mine by the way!  OK I was a new mama and am now over it but at the time *spitting*


So I was really interested in other products they had developed.  The little boy I look after is 19 months old (I have parental permissions for the pic), and he's been using the no spill cup, designed to help train children to begin to use any cup.  It's a great invention, but I would say if they hurl it with enough force they can still spill some *water, but not enough to get stressed about :)

* I only ever give water to the children, sounds mean, but I only serve liquid I don't want my carpet to wear!

And now we have the brand new Bird Cups, and I am running a competition for someone to win a Trio of them!   They are set to launch during September, so to get your hands on a shiny brand new set, just fill in the rafflecopter below, couldn't be simpler.   We'll pick a winner at random after the closing date!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway Good luck!
Annie
p.s. I am loving reading all your comments, unfortunately I can't answer all at the moment otherwise I would be in danger of winning them myself, and that would never do *sighs*



Slowcooker Lamb Rogan Josh and Pilau Rice

Last night we had this with *cheats* pilau rice, was delicious :)

Ingredients
Lamb neck fillet, I used 2, around 6/700g
a little butter
2 onions chopped
2cm ginger - I used the cheat version from the fridge
3 garlic cloves chopped
1 tsp ground turmeric
2 tsp garam masala
2 tsp ground coriander
2 tsp cumin seeds
2 tbs plain flour
1 tsp dried red chillies
400g can chopped tomatoes
300ml lamb stock
2 cinnamon sticks
4 tbs double cream and a handful of coriander leaf torn, to finish/garnish
Preheat the slow cooker to low before you start.
Melt the butter in a pan, brown the lamb, removed with a slotted spoon and put lamb in the slowcooker.
Put the onions and garlic into the same pan, and fry for a few minutes until onions soften.
Stir in the ginger, spices and chillies and cook for a minute.
Add the flour and mix.
Add the stock and tomatoes, stir until boiling.
Pour the tomato mixture over the lamb, add the cinnamon sticks, put lid on and leave for 7-9 hours.
When ready to serve, stir in the cream and garnish with the coriander leaves.



We served it with *cheats* pilau rice ----> stir a teaspoon per serving into normal rice before cooking!
Its delicious :)

Enjoy x

Tuesday, 21 August 2012

Slow Cooker "Roast" Chicken - Perfect :)

This was absolutely delicious, flavoursome and tender, and to go out for the day, then home to the aromas is gorgeous!  If you did want to crisp it up (as per the pic), you could always put it into a pre-heated oven to 230 for 45 minutes (the time it takes to roast the spuds)!



Ingredients
1 free range chicken - size to suit
Olive oil
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dry thyme
Salt and pepper

Brush chicken with olive oil
Combine the rest of the ingredients and sprinkle over chicken
Put the chicken in the slowcooker and turn to auto - this starts the slowcooking on high then reduces to low, I let it cook for around 7 hours - was perfect!


I also took the juices, of which there was a lot, and made it into a gravy, and have frozen it for use another time - these Pour and Store freezer bags designed for liquids are just genius!

You can also do the same with Roast Pork I discovered!

Enjoy x

Monday, 20 August 2012

About


I  was officially Christened/baptised (always forget which one) Elizabeth Anne, but my parents only every called me Anne, and when I worked for the lovely Captain McVain at Cunard, he called me Annie.  So basically I stuck an i in my name - fraud like, but hey!

I am old and whithered, but sometimes forget that bit!  I'm self-employed and love the freedom it gives me having my own business.  I have 2 wonderful children, Jasper and Scarlett, and like most parents am scared by the rate of knots that life seems to be whizzing by!

I've done stuff, had a gazillion different career changes, danced a bit in films and on TV and am currently a pushy mother with childen at StageSchool, it beats chimneys I reckon!

No idea what else to say, so I may have to come back to this, or go look at a few other blogs and nick some ideas :)

If you know me, feel free to add a comment :)