Thursday 10 March 2011

Chicken Jambalaya

I'm all for trying new recipes, and this is one that will now be in my repertoire for years to come! It is so easy to do, and is so worth it at the end! I don't know how i managed for so long before finding this! 

One thing that is really nice about this recipe, is that you can adjust the heat to suit yourself. I like it really hot so i add quite a lot of chilli!! YUM!

Ingredients:
250g Chicken breasts/thighs cut into pieces
110g Chorizo peeled and cut into small pieces
1-2 tbsp Olive Oil
1 Onion cut into pieces
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 sticks celery, chopped
2 red chillies, finely chopped
1 yellow pepper sliced
175ml basmati rice
1 Pint Chicken stock
1 tin chopped tomatoes


First of all, heat the frying pan over a high heat and brown the pieces of chorizo sausage, 
without adding any fat, then remove them from the pan to a plate and set aside.


Then add a tablespoon of the oil and, when it's hot, brown the chicken and transfer that to the plate with the chorizo. Next, fry the onions for 2-3 minutes to brown them a little at the edges, then return the chorizo and chicken to the pan and add the garlic, celery, chilli and sliced pepper. 

Continue to fry for 4-5 minutes, till the celery and pepper are also softened and lightly tinged brown at the edges, adding a little more oil if you need to.

Now stir in the rice to get a good coating of oil, then add the Tabasco to the hot chicken stock. Next, add the chopped tomatoes and bay leaf to the pan, then pour in the stock. Season with salt and freshly milled black pepper, give it all one stir and push the rice down into the liquid. Now turn the heat to low, put a lid on and let it barely simmer for 20 minutes. 


Then, check that the rice is cooked and add a little more stock, if necessary. Cover with a lid for 5 more minutes, then serve, and enjoy!



Friday 28 January 2011

Congratulations!!!

I am absolutely over the moon!!!



Two of my closest friends have just announced their engagement!


I am truly so frickin happy for them, even if i am a little jealous! But maybe it will prompt my man into doing the same!


I knew it was going to happen for a little while, as the groom to be sent me a picture of the ring a few weeks ago.


It is the perfect ring for her, modern, but classic too. He managed to capture her personality in there, and the diamond loooked beautiful too.


I wish them all the very best, and a wonderful future together. 


Roll on the Hen do!! (and of course the Wedding!!)

Love to them both xxxxxxxxxxx

Friday 21 January 2011

Lush Love

I have fallen head over heals in love with Lush, well the Bath Bombs to be precise! 

Now i am not a big one for bath time, i much prefer to have a quick shower and get it over and done with, but since i discovered these little beauties, i have been tempted to bathe on average once to twice a week!! (obviously still showering in between baths!!)

The first ones i bought were from the christmas selection, and i have to say they were so good!!

The Böög

Gingerbread House

Bearded Lady

Winter Bath


So White

Li'l Lush Pud

Christmas Eve Bubble Bar 

Satsumo Santa

Candy Cane Bubble Bar 

I really enjoyed using these, and cant wait til next Christmas, so I can buy even more!! I feel another addiction coming on!!

I also bought some extra ones to give to friends at Christmas, and as far as i know, they went down pretty well!!


Take care and thanks for reading! xx

More Polishes....!!

So, you know I have a Nail Polish addiction, well... it got worse!! I found a website, that sells the China Glaze Polishes, at I think, reduced prices. So, i had to buy some obviously!!!

I managed to restrict myself to 11 of them!

I got:

Dorothy Who

Oxygen

Awaken

Pink Voltage(Neon)

Ingrid

Awakening

Platinum Silver

Platinum Pearl

Watermelon Rind

GR8

For Audrey

So far, my favorites have to be, For Audrey and probably Awakening, i really like the formulation of them, and the colours are so pretty!!

I have already picked out another 14 or so China Glaze Polishes i would like to buy in the near future, so look out for more of these hauls!!

I also, just before Christmas, bought some of the Konad imitation nail art plates, and have been playing with them quite a bit, i have such a love for nail polishes, that i would love to start doing looks and things on here. (just need a half decent camera to do so, as my iphone doesnt quite cut it!!)

Take care and thanks for reading! xx

Images courtesy of Google

Saturday 1 January 2011

Christmas Haul

I am not doing this to brag, at all, i just like to see what people get for christmas, and it shows different tastes etc...

From my parents i got a Dualit Compact Food Processor, i have wanted a food processor for a long time, especially living away from home, and now with working full time, it will help me to prepare suppers much more quickly, and allow us to eat more healthily as food is being made from scratch :)


They also gave me a sewing book, as from my Nonna i got a family Heirloom Singer Sewing Machine




My little sister knows i love to cook, so she gave me Jamie Oliver's new book, 30 Minute Meals, and an old classic, Delia's Complete Cookery Course. I have wanted Delia's book since i can remember, my Mum has a copy, and it has helped me in times of trouble, and taught me how to make a wonderful Béchamel sauce (the first thing i remember learning from this book!!) It really is a bible for cooking!



She also gave me a really super soft throw/blanket from Primark. I have snuggled under it every evening since, whilst watching tv/reading. And it co-ordinates nicely with our new Settees!

My Brother gave me a homemade tablecloth, which matches the Placemats my mum made me when i moved out, and some lovely flavoured oils. I hope to make some nice dressings with them in the months to come.

And from my Boyfriend I got Season 1 of Glee and a lovely pair of slipper socks, to keep my feet nice and toasty!