Easy Peasy Pancake Recipe

Today is International Women's Day, Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, and Pancake day!
The tradition of making pancakes came around as it is the last day before lent, so it was a means to use up all the fat, sugar and eggs before traditional fasting.

We make these every year with the kids, so its tried and tested, will be doing more after school today!
So happy Pancake Day to you all.

Makes about 8.  Enjoy :)

Ingredients:
100g plain flour
Half pint of milk 250ml
1 egg
Pinch of salt
Lemon, sugar, syrup, or whatever you fancy serving with!

Method
Seive the flour and salt into a bowl, then make a hole in the middle.
Crack the egg and drop into the hole in the flour.
Begin to mix, adding about a quarter of the milk.
Gradually pour in the rest of the milk, if too thick add a little water.

You now have your batter mix.  It might be easier to pour into a jug for easy pouring?


Heat a little butter in the frying pan and spread around.  When very hot, stir and pour in some batter, about 2 tablespoons, dependent on the size of your frying pan, you are looking to get a thin layer across to the edges.

Cook until brown on the bottom, won't take long, and then for the fun bit!!!!!!

Toss/flip the pancake over, trying your best not to hit the ceiling.  (You could of course use other means to turn over, but that's no fun)!

Cook the other side till its also brown - not very long.

Pour onto a plate and serve with whatever you like!

Jaspers fantastic flipping efforts :)


Enjoy!

Annie x

Genuine Trustworthy Local General Maintenance Company

I don't know about you but there always seems to be little jobs needing to be done around the house, and you don't know who to call.

Apart from the worry that you may be ripped off, I worry about who I am inviting into the house with the children here (yes I'm a worrier), and also have no idea how much I should be paying for jobs.

My in-laws in Harpenden came up with the solution, and introduced me to Simply Jobs.  They are based in Harpenden, but will come out to surrounding areas.

I liked the idea of employing older staff, it somehow sits right with me, possibly because my dad was an electrician and this would probably have kept him busy if he were still around:

"Our staff are mostly aged 50 and above and this is something that we have found that most of our older customers prefer. All our staff are courteous, reliable and highly experienced and are often requested by name by our regular customers."

http://www.simplyjobsharpenden.co.uk/

There is no call out fee and they charge a standard rate per hour - £35 I believe.  They are also happy to come out and quote for free.  Once the job is done you simply sign a time sheet and the company will invoice you a few weeks later.

I have just said goodbye to a plumber who came round to fit some sink and bath taps.  Not only did he fit the taps, he also sorted out why the water took to drain, and cleaned up after himself. 

I would be more than happy to recommend this company, so if you have any electrical, plumbing, gardening, pretty much anything need doing, why not give them a call, and do let me know if this was helpful :)

Thanks for reading.

Annie x

QPR - Going Up, dare we believe.........

The R's are going up, there I said it, if we don't you can blame me and have me struck off.  However, having published this post I have to run up a ladder, turn around 3 times, then slide down fireman style as an anti-jinx process, as directed by @MatwhiteQPR

Dare we believe R's fans....................?

Annie x

Common Medical Condition: Molluscum Contagiosum in Children

My 3yo had what appeared to be little polyts on her body, mainly under 1 of her arms.  They weren't bothering her at all, and whilst I kept meaning to get it checked out, it didn't appear a priority.   A few days later however and they formed into little blisters.


I remembered a little girl at her nursery had chicken pox, but since Scarlett had it so bad when she was younger, didn't think it could be.

As it was nighttime, having spotted it during bathtime,  I couldn't contact the doctors.  I therefore decided to approach my learned friends on twitter, and posted this picture.

Complete with washing in the background - oops!

With the help of some kind RTing, I immediately got some diagnosis in, and confirmed by all the nurses who I am in contact with, that they believed it was Molluscum Contagiosum.  Sounds scary, but having been directed to a page about it, I was soon relieved, as I learnt the following facts:

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Molluscum-contagiosum/Pages/Introduction.aspx

1. Whilst it is contagious it is only via skin to skin contact.  As most people are immune to the disease its not a problem, and no need to refrain from going to school or swimming etc.

2. There is no real treatment and it will clear itself up within 12-18 months.

3. It is extremely common and not to worry about it.

The next morning I got an immediate appointment and went to see the doctor.   The conversation went something like this:

Me: I believe my daughter has Molluscum Contagiosum
Doctor: yes she does, how did you know that, have you had other children who've had it
Me: No, I was told by my friends on twitter
Doctor: no words, completely vacant look

I felt it necessary to take away her proffered leaflet, I was in and out in about 4 mins.  Hey ho.

Thanks for reading, have your children suffered the same, any tips, how long did they take to heal?

Annie x

Tap Water at McDonalds

We don't visit McDonalds very often, but when we do I try and work out the best value for money.  My son will only drink water, and I used to buy 2 Happy Meals so he could have water and my daughter her juice.   They didn't need all the food however and can quite happily share one happy meal and add to it.   They've even learnt to take turns at getting *the toy*.

Today we were sitting talking about it, and I told my husband it wouldn't occur to me to ask for tap water here, although I do everywhere else.  Being the man he is the challenge was taken up, and without blinking a cup of tap water was given complete with straw!

It came out of the same tap as the fanta does so Jasper did say it smelt a bit funny, but I can confirm it was indeed water.

Dilemma over, happy kids, happy purse :)

Thanks!

Annie x

Slow Cooker Chilli Recipe

I have long been in search of the perfect slow-cooker chilli recipe.  I have tried many, but I like my food fairly spicy and was fed up just adding extra chilli powder.  I have however now adapted a few recipes to come up with my own version, and with the addition of Jalapeno peppers, makes it feel more authentic.

I am using the word Chilli instead of Chilli con carne by the way, as I am reliably informed that the Mexicans find this hilarious as it translates literally as chillies with meat, and they read it as a bowl of chillies covered in meat :)

This recipe is for 4, and costs out at £5.28.   We tend to use half and freeze the other half, which always seems to taste even better!

Ingredients

1 tbsp groundnut (peanut) oil

500g minced beef (I use lean steak mince)

1 large onion, chopped

2 large garlic cloves, crushed

400g/1 large can of chopped tomatoes

1/2 x 200g jar of pickled jalapeno peppers, drained and chopped (I use Mexican Discovery)
1-2 tsp hot chilli powder to taste
1 beef stock cube
2 x 400g beans - only 1 drained!
I tend to make 1 Kidney and experiment with the other, have used Pinto and Cannellini
Salt and freshly ground pepper

To Serve
However you like, grated cheese on top, in tacos, with bread or rice, or corn tortilla chips, play around and enjoy :)

Method
Heat the oil in a saucepan, add the beef and onion and fry until the beef is no longer pink.

Add all the remaining ingredients and bring to the boil.  Tip into the crock pot, cover and cook on High for 2-3 hours or Low for 4-6 hours.

Taste and re-season if necessary.

Would love to hear how you got on with it, get cooking!

Thanks for reading!

Annie x

St Davids Day Baking :)

A very happy St David's Day to all my Welsh friends, and I hope you forgive us all for joining in your celebrations.

We have already made daffodils and coloured in Welsh Flags - the dragons being a big hit with my son, and we have just made some delicious Welsh cakes.  All the kids got stuck in and the smells around the house are evocative of days spent baking with my Grandmother - happy times.

Here is the recipe I used.  I found they didn't need 3 minutes each side more like 1-2, but adjust according to thickness of cakes and heat!

http://www.cookuk.co.uk/children/welsh-cakes.htm

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus - courtesy of Ray @lliswerryguy on twitter :)

Enjoy!

Annie x