January and February felt like they passed by in slow motion and in contrast, March flew by in the blink of an eye. Please tell me that it’s not just me that wants time to slow down, just a little bit… As it’s the first of the month, I’m joining Sherry and friends for a look at what March looked like in my kitchen, grab a cuppa and join me!
Every year I say I’m going to get super organised for Pancake Day and every year it takes me by surprise. I didn’t create any new recipes but I did make some crepes in my mum’s crepe pan which has been making perfect crepes since the 1970’s.
I’m sure I’ve told you about this vintage pan ‘The Crepe Magician’ but I’ll tell you (again?) just to be sure. I remember having a day out with my mum at the Ideal Home Exhibition in London where she bought this pan. I still use the recipe book to this day the book is literally falling apart but the pan has never let me down!
I had some brown bananas to use up so I made some of Emily English’s Breakfast Banana Bread from her book So Good. Her recipe for Breakfast Oaty Banana Bread Loaf is almost identical. It’s the healthiest way to enjoy ‘cake’ for breakfast!
We got these potato dumplings from the Polish supermarket. These are a great gluten free option but we’re dumpling purists and pierogi will always be our favourite.
Talking of dumplings, my pot stickers game is still strong and we are enjoying them on the regular now. Dumpling cravings be gone!
I finally shared the recipe for my Raspberry and Coconut Pudding – it’s so easy to make and it always goes down a treat. I’ve been making it on the regular since I got back to the UK and I’m so pleased I got around to sharing it because this is a recipe that’s too good to keep to myself!
I went round to my neighbour Anthea’s for a shortbread masterclass – her shortbread biscuits are literally prize winning! I had a go at making my own as soon as I got home and they were soooo good! I can’t wait to share the recipe with you soon.
It’s Hot Cross Bun season in the shops and I’ve started my taste testing strong! We loved these mini milionaire’s hot cross buns from Marks and Spencer although the fudge, white and dark choc chips make them super sweet.
I’d been eyeing up the chocolate cavapoos in Marks and Spencer and thought I’d better get in quick in case they sell out. I don’t know why they called it Ralph because it is obviously Teddy Roosevelt in chocolate form!
Once a month, we have a take away curry with our friends, Sue and Nick, taking turns to host “curry night.” We always look forward to it, not least because we’ve got in the habit of kicking dinner off with some treats from Alvi’s Homemade who have a stall at the town market on Fridays. Their onion bhajis are as big as tennis balls! A couple of months back, the guy at the stall told us to try stuffing some cheese in the middle of the bhaji and then heating it up in the air fryer/oven. Honestly, it’s been a game changer, you haven’t lived until you’ve had a cheese stuffed onion bhaji!
Terrible pic, but you get the idea! My dear friends from school Sam and Leanne came to stay, it’s hard to believe we’ve been friends for 40 years when we feel about 12! Anyhoo, they always ply me with presents for hosting and this time they gave me a voucher for my favourite shop Country Traditionals. I took the opportunity to top up my crockery collection with some beautiful blue and white plates. It’s such a joy to eat off them!
In other news, our clocks went forward last weekend and I for one am looking forward to long, light evenings and finally being able to take well lit dinner photos again!
Now I’ve told you about my kitchen capers, I’d love to hear about yours!
