When the cats away the mice will play

My boyfriend has went home for the weekend, and as he doesn't eat beef I very rarely buy it, but seen as he isn't here I thought I would treat my self to a steak.

I made my self a peppered steak, with a beetroot and feta salad. It was great. I've missed beef. I feel liked I've cheated on him. Oh well. What he doesn't know won't hurt him. But I have got two more steaks in the freezer just in case I need a good dose of beef anytime soon.

Clare
     xx

I've never made bread before..

And for my first attempt I am quite proud. Although I have to confess that it came from a packet (James Martin Garlic & Rosemary Focaccia Bread Mix 98p ASDA) which I admit is slightly cheating, but for 98p i could not resist. All you need to add is water and olive oil, I used garlic infused olive oil. It's really easy to make even for a complete bread novice like me. Mine came out a bit oddly shaped but nevertheless it tasted great. I had a slice for my tea tonight with some tomato and basil soup, I would defiantly recommend it.

Clare

   xx

Banoffee Cupcakes

Ingredients:

100g self raising flour

100g softened butter 

100g caster sugar

2 eggs

1 finely chopped/ diced banana 

4 tbs carnation caramel 

Topping:

Carnation caramel

1 or 2 sliced bananas 

butter icing

grated milk or dark chocolate

Makes 12.

Method:

1. Pre-heat oven to 160 fan/ gas mark 4. Prepare paper cases in a bun tray.

2. Put the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl and cream it together. sift in the flour.
3. Add the eggs to the bowl and mix it all together. Mix in the finely chopped bananas, then stir in the carnation caramel to give the mix a marble looking effect.
5. Divide the mixture between the bun cases. Put the tray in the oven and leave for around 20 minutes or until golden.
6. Let the cakes cool on a cooling rack. Spoon a tea spoon of caramel on top of a cake and spread it around , add a layer of sliced banana, top with piped butter icing and sprinkle with grated chocolate.

Variance's:

- why not add a handful of small chucks of fudge to the cake mix. 

- use whipped cream to top instead of butter icing and drizzle with toffee sauce. 

Clare  xx 

The Best Bacon Sandwich Ever..

 In an ideal world a bacon sandwich to be healthy. I'm sure it is possible to make a rather healthy version, but why scrimp on some thing we Brits love so much. Anyway, its not every day you eat one. So here is my super tasty, extra greasy bacon sandwich.

Ingredients:

24 unsmoked thick cut bacon
several button mushrooms halved
1 small red onion sliced
spring onion thickly chopped
1 crushed garlic clove
small handfull of chopped flat leaf parsley
tbs olive oil

2 think slices of tiger loaf or any other thick sliced bread.

Method: 

1. Turn the grill on to medium heat. Line the bacon pieces on a baking tray and place under the grill. Check regularly, and turn when needed.

2. put oil in a wok/ frying pan on a medium heat and add the mushrooms, after 2 minutes add the red onion, keep stirring.
3. Once the onions seem to be softening add the spring onion and garlic and keep on the heat for another minute. Once cooked turn off heat and add parsley.
4. once the bacon is browned, remove from grill. add the bacon on top of one of the slices of bread and  with the other dip in the bacon fat, trust me it makes it taste even better. Top with the mixture from the pan, and place the other slice of bread on top. Viola.

Clare
          xx