Spitfires and fire spitting cocktails

So for a brief spell it got hot, very hot over here in Good old England.. As usual I was the height of classiness and sat by my out door pool - well my son's paddling pool.

But hey I'm poor, but I've got imagination so you might see my very untanned legs in 2 inches of water - but in my head my feet are hanging off the side of my yacht in the Med lol

With the sun coming out in force, thank goodness for fruit ciders - this really refreshing Old Mout Cider very fruity and delicious.. The only down side it takes just like juice so you could end up drinking a bit more than initially planned - I only had two bottles so I was okay.  

Quick food update, I know right, most of my post lately have been drink, drink and more drink!! I using the excuse it for the blog and probably not facing up to my problems lol.

In all seriousness I found this fab, brilliant, amazing and lots of other words that describe it's epic-ness, the Med Bar Restaurant down Berwick Street in London Soho.

It has a full restaurant and then this great open window area where you can pick up a fab takeaway lunch. 

The food is great and such good value I got the Chicken and Halloumi Salad - there is so much, I was totally satisfied and stuff after wolfing it all down. For all that food the only a £5 brilliant.

When I wasn't working and eating lovely lunches I took a visit to Imperial War Museum Duxford it is a working airfield with hangers upon hangers full of plans from the start of aviation up to today (They even have a hanger full of tanks).

They were flying my favourite plane, the iconic Spitfire, the sound of it is amazing.

Every time I hear one I am full of emotion, as I think about the  brave men and Women (who had to deliver them between airfield at great risk) who at really wieghed against them odds, got into this little bits of metal and took off to protect all that they hold dear..

Winston Churchill put it best - "Never was so much owed by so many to so few" - oh getting teary when I write this. So a moment of silence for their Amazing sacrifice. 

The Museum itself is such an amazing space, albeit a very big space there is quite a walk between the hangers and on a hot day it was very hard work but so worth it.

You can even walk through a concord, it was  a bit small. It was also one of the few planes you could go on which was a shame but I understand why they don't want people all over the planes lots of expensive kit about.

It good also for the little ones as there is lots of space to run about in and there is an amazing play area for them to explore.

The food offering is also very good, they had lovely treats - my Husband has a healthy lunch of a cookie and a scone.

I opted for a sandwich instead and it was huge, it would fill up an elephant but I struggled through (lol) and good value at only £5.

So a fun day out for every one, ending, like with all great attraction, with a exit through the gift shop.

 I picked up a great ration cook book that I am going to try a few recipes from (although have no idea where to get powdered egg from). I also saw this great poster I wanted to get it and pin it on my wardrobe but it was a bit too big - if only they had it in postcard size.

So after a hard day looking at planes I decided to treat my self to a Pimms.

Now if your unsure of how to make Pimms on my You Tube Channel (Please subscribe) I have put up a video of how I like to make it - Pimms Vlog

(Disclaimer:  I know others make it differently and add cucumber, but I don't want cucumber in my drink so I didn't add it.  Well I'm sorry if you wanted it in there, next time you pop over I'll add it in for you, happy? yes, thank you)

So the drinking was slight exasperated this week, as I  went out two nights - two night and you with a toddler I hear through gasps and exclamations.

I went out with work to a great cocktail bar in Soho call The Escapologist  they do have a happy hour but we got a great offer through Time out for 4 cocktails for £16 total and utter bargain especially for London.

The bar has an interesting history, it use to be an old Mason meeting house and they have kept the decor very mystic and spook but added a couple of modern twist which make it a fun place to visit.  

I started off the night with a classic Long Island Ice tea, very nice and they even made it with diet coke for me which was nice as I find normal cola far to sweet.

It was served in a lovely mason jar.

One of the group had a fun coffee style Martini not 100% sure what the drink was called as I was told but my memory is like a sieve.

The cocktail highlight of the night was definitely the Flaming Zombie - great cocktail and brilliant presentation and worked so well with the slightly Gothic interior. 

So for The Escapologist - I would definitely give it two thumbs up. The atmosphere was great, the decor was fun and interesting, the drinks were amazing and the service was superb. If you in an around SOHO at anytime go there.

I then went out again the next night - what, what, WHAT!!!

I know right, this was a last minute thing as my crazy friend from Amsterdam was over for a couple of days so we grab a quick (4) drink. 

As the hubby wasn't working, meaning  the little one was covered, I venture out for another night in a row.. Gosh it like I'm in my twenties again - although more weighed down with life and responsibilities - yay adulthood. 

This time I went to Black and Blues on Mortimer Street .

So for our first drink, I decided to pair, good friends I haven't seen in a while with an glass of fizz which always works well lol.

After the Fizz we moved on to cocktails as they have a great happy hour of cocktails at £5 each.

My first cocktail was Bubble Trouble -I  am a sucker for a layered cocktail. (My Friend had a Lychill Out) it was a mix of Vodka, Melon, Lychee, Mango and Fizz.

We also thought it was prudent to get some food.

They do amazing food platters we got the Hummus one. 

and a cheese one - (Also we got a portion of chips each but shhh I was trying to pretend I was sophisticated)

For my second cocktail I had a Black and Blue punch (Friend had a Classic Champange Cocktail).

It was a mix of Vodka, Pomegranate Liquor, Lychee and Lime and Fizz, very refreshing

My last cocktail was a Frozen Lava - Fruit Vodka mixed with Forest fruits, creme de mure, hazelnut liquor, cranberry juice and cream.

OMG it was fan-bleeding-tastic.

It tasted exactly like Raspberry ripple ice cream in a glass - so creamy and nommy

And I also think it kinda looks like the planet Jupiter.

To end off the night had some more fizz, but I also found out the flower they had on the table were called, Flaming Katys - Right that is now my favourite flower going to definitely get some for my garden.

Although I do kill every plant I've ever owned so I don't know how long they'll last lol                                              

Last thing as I missed it on the in the Cinema, I got Zootropolis, didn't get much Buzz in the UK so didn't really know what to expect.

Verdict - very good and is worth a watch and another watch, as it's got a lot of in jokes which can be missed on the first viewing.

The Peri peri pork problems and Suspended Cocktails

So I decided to make the Slimming World Peri Peri Pork recipe.

so I tootled off to my local supermarket to get the ingredients and I'm not sure what locust got there before me but there was hardly anything on the shelves.

So instead of Pork I got Turkey and i picked up some winter veg and they were out of Onions, Nightmare

So my list of ingredients was:

Peri Peri seasoning

Chilli Flakes

Passata 500g

Chopped tomatoes 500g

Veg 

Turkey 

So I cooked of the turkey

and placed it in a big dish along with the veg. 

in another bowl I mixed the chopped tomatoes with the Passata adding in some Peri Peri season and Chili flakes (This part is up to you to make it as spice as you want so for me extra spicy lol). 

I also added a Veg Oxo (stock) Cube and 50 ml of boiling water.

Although I need to learn not to cook and look for a Holiday at the same time as the results can be a bit messy. 

I threw the tomato mix over the turkey and the veg and through in a 200 degree oven for 35 minutes.

Pulling it out all bubbly and hot.

I tried to be healthy and team it with Veg.

It was okay, but not amazing. The vegetables weren't as soft as they could have been. So it tasted a lot better the next day when I microwaved it for left overs lunch.

But not to be dissuaded as it was such a simple recipe with, I think, a lot of potential, I made it again.

This time I got pork  yay, I got Onion and I swapped the Vegetables for Sweet Potato and Courgettes (Zucchini).

OMG what a difference this was; now turn from Hmmm to Marvelous, I really liked it and as it was slimming world low in fat but honestly high in flavour. It's only really the prep as I par boiled the potatoes but it is one of those recipes where you can throw it all in and then stick it in the over. Quick, easy, tasty, Job Done lol.

Also in my travel over the past week visited a wonderful Cocktail bar, I only managed to go for one as we were heading on to another event.

But I went to the The Artesian Bar  located in the Langham Hotel in London.

My Cocktail was called Suspended in Time - Star of Bombay, Lime, Niaouli, Yarrow, Palmarosa

This wonderful cocktail came in a mesh bag which you can suspend over the table while wearing this fetching ring. So drink with a bit of Bling truly Amazing. 

It was more of a spectacle rather than drink in a bar, although a bit pricey definitely worth a visit. I for one will be saving up my pennies to give it another go and try some more of their works of art, sorry I mean cocktails lol...

A Tale of Two Buns

Or Scone (as in Cone) Vs Scone (as in Gone)

Personally I prefer scone as in gone.. As when you put them in front of me they tend to be gone lol.. 

So not much going on in the dyslexic cooking household this week. Well considering the madness of last weekend it's nice to take it a bit easy.

I'm glad for the quiet weeks as it help me keep up, as even though I write this blog weekly, being Dyslexic and a mum I find sometimes hard to keep up. Other Dyslexic will know what I mean, organisation and writing are two thing we find difficult so to combine the 2 in a blog is no mean feat. So feeling proud that I managed 46 post so far. When I hit a year I'm going to be super proud so let hope I keep it up.

Any way so the weekend was filled with baby cold, I had a slight sniffle and the husband was knocked down by the dreaded man flu dun dun dar.. Aw bless as he did have to do a couple of late night with the little lad. As I've said before the struggle of having a young child is not being able to get to rest when you want or in case of being ill need. When they're up you are up and you need to be on it you can't just plop them in an corner and ignore.

Although we did manage to have some fun, as the folks were away at the Country Landowners Association (CLA) Game Fair  we used there house for a impromptu BBQ. Just the usual fare of burgers and Sausages nothing earth shattering. Although I did manage to break out my new Drinks Holder.

It held my Gordon Gin and Schweppes tonic very well :)

Not sure if I've mention this before but I am a huge fan of Flamingos they remind me of the sun and holidays a bit like my favorite flower the Bird of Paradise.  I sure the main reason I like them is that they are not Native to the UK so have always had a air of the exotic.

When my folk did arrive back my mum brought back a tasty treat a Yorkshire Fat Rascal from Bettys a famous Tea Room in Harrogate.

I loved the little face it had on the front and as the Husband is allergic to nuts it was left to me and my mum tucked in.

It was so yum, filled to bursting with currants and mixed peel. It traveled really well considering it been in the car for the 3 hour trip back. So now Bettys is definitely on my list of places I need to visit.

so that was the first Scone of the week.

The second one came again courtesy of my folks. As for their 40th Wedding anniversary my brother and I bought them a Fortnum and Mason Picnic at the top of The Shard. They gushed about having an amazing time which was great. Also from the photos it did look lovely.

They were lucky in having it on a really clear day which helped; as London is such a beautiful city a perfect eclectic mix of the Really Old and the Really new and all the other building in between.

Not to prattle on too much, but London is a fantastic city and if you've never been you should visit. Yes it is expensive I won't lie, although you can have a fab time and see so much just having a walk about discovering all the treats this sprawling city has to offer.

So after their great day I picked them up from the station to hear about their good time. They brought me back a mini treat a couple of Fortnum and Mason scones with jar of Strawberry Jam.

This was nommy too, it was so light and fluffy and in the same bite rich and creamy.


Not sure which one I liked best though??!?!? hmm I've decided as one was a fruit Scone and was was a plain scone it was unfair to rate one above the other. I have come to a conclusion they were both the best scone I've had in a long time.

Only problem is the diet has gone right out the window as I also managed to slip in a Starbucks Chocolate Cream Frappuccino so I think my trip to Slimming World will be a disaster this week.

Oh well it just means I will be spending the weekend cooking lots of healthy recipes so my post will be filled with lots of nice home cooked things next week...

Meats, Fishes and Disney Shoes

Wow it's been a mad week...

I started off the week with all go intentions of being health and sensible.

I started by making a fab fish pie:

Ingredients:
Cod, Pollock and Salmon (as much as you want depending on the Size of the pie)
Carrots and Green Beans. (For the filling)
Quark and Low Fat Yogurt ( for the white sauce)
New Potatoes and Courgettes (Zucchini) (for the topping).

In one pan par boil for 6 minutes some New Potatoes.

Then in a shallow pan add the fish on a low heat in a pan and cook off for a few minutes.

Then add the carrots and green beans and stir in.

Then turn the hob right down and stir in the Quark and the low fat Yogurt. At this point I added some Chili powder to liven it up a bit as I am a big fan of the spice.

Transfer into a dish then cover the top with the new potatoes sliced and some sliced Courgettes. cook in a hot over around 200 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Then you should have a lovely healthy fish pie that server 4 people.

serve it with some salad and Voila something yummy but not calorific. Also if your on Slimming World it Syn Free.

So after that lovely healthy start to the week it went a bit awry.

It started with me, traveling between offices for a meeting deciding on Having Ice-cream for Lunch.

It was from Snowflake Gelato from their concession stand at Selfridges. I  had two scoops, one of Stracciatella and one of banana. It was so cream and so lovely just the thing on a hot day in London. I was definitely enjoying it, although probably a bit too much judging by some of the looks I got walking down Wigmore Street whilst devouring it lol :)

As the weather has finally turned sunny I  managed to get a little BBQ on the go first one of the year yay.

We had the standard eats of Burgers and Sausages with a yummy salad and olives

The highlight was an amazing new dip from Tesco's a Beetroot Tzatziki. Really fresh tasting with a little bite of sweetness from the beetroot, hands down my new favorite dip.

We also took a trip to visit some friends in the lovely town of Whitney near Oxford. It is a lovely little town and we were treated to a show of Morris Dancers. I used the Periscope app to film it all. I am loving this new App only wished I did more interesting things to film.

The App lets you broadcast live from wherever you are (well as long as you have Wifi or 4G). It is my new guilty pleasure as if I'm on it, I'm normally watching people filming from Disney World, especially the Parade as, because of the time difference, it on just after I get in from work. Although with the little man it normally just a quick fix before the bedtime story.

Back to Whitney, we were visiting to ask our friend to be godparents to our little boy, they said yes which was fantastic, we have to wait so it co-insides with the In-laws leave year as they need to be back for a weekend - probably end up a logistical nightmare but I'm sure I can sort it.

After lots of hugs and happiness at them saying yes, we went for a fabulous lunch at Chequers-Smoke-House My husband and I had their meat platter to share which was comprised of chicken, brisket, Pork Ribs, Beef Ribs, Pulled Pork, Burnt Ends, Corn Bread, Sweet corn, Coleslaw and Chips.

My friends had huge mouthwatering burgers they even did a naked "Pig" burger for the Gluten free member of the party.

the food was great, really tasty and a bit of a bargain for the 4 of us to eat and with drinks it worked out to £25 per head. Definitely be giving it another try even if it just to have a taste of their Mac N Cheese which a person on the table next to us was having as that looked yummy too.

Oh and this week I finally got my son some Disney Vans woo hoo...

Only taken me best part of 3 weeks going to different stores and tweeting the company (Which they didn't respond to, not great customer service boo).

They are so cute but as they are limited edition I'm undecided whether I should let him wear them or just squirrel them away for a later date when they could be worth a few more bob...

Although knowing me as he'll look so cute in them I'd rather just let him have the fun in them.. Which will probably be wreaking them in the first puddle we come across, oh well :)