Sunday, January 31, 2016

Crispy Cheesy Baked Omelette

Do you know what the best thing is about potatoes?  Leftovers.  Whether it's mash to make colcannon or potato cakes, roast for dousing in gravy or my favourite, steamed for practically everything else.  I always cook more than I need because next day's lunch or dinner is just as delicious.  Take my Crispy Cheesy Baked Omelette.  With leftover potatoes, it's ready in 20 minutes.  Starting from scratch, add an extra 15 minutes - I promise you that it's worth it.  Baked omelettes are great for using up anything that's sitting in the fridge but my firm favourite is ham, spring onion and parmesan.  I'm lucky to have an enormous chunk of Italian heaven in my fridge, so any excuse to grab a grater and add it to anything I can.


Friday, January 22, 2016

Single Syn Cottage Pie

I'll be honest with you, I am full of good intentions but sometimes lack the killer instinct to carry them to fruition.  Late last year, I was invited to speak at one of the Dream It, Do It events hosted by my friend Fiona Dillon and her friend Nicola Carolan.  Nicola is also known as The Naked Blondie and has basically changed her life by documenting her weight loss journey with Slimming World.  While I was waiting for my turn to talk (and you know how much I love to talk...) I was inspired by how Nic has revolutionised her life and since then we've kept in touch, particularly on Snapchat where there's lots of banter and fun in equal measure.


Friday, January 15, 2016

Speedy Sizzling Suppers at M&S

Yes it's Friday!!  Weekends are all about spending time doing things you love or just relaxing with friends and family (in our case, it's me, Ru and the fluffy dog too).  Sometimes you'll cook, sometimes you'll order a takeaway - it all depends on how much effort you want to put in.  I'm rather fond of the Marks and Spencer Asian stir fry meal deal which is on at the moment.  For just €10, you can create 650 stir fry combinations for two - and it's a great way to get part of your five a day.



Friday, January 8, 2016

Baked Brunch Frittata

We love brunch in our house at the weekend.  Anything that has bacon tends to qualify so hello Eggs Benedict, Pancakes with Maple Syrup and Bacon, a dirty fry and this delicious object.  Omelette or Frittata?  Technically this is a frittata as it's baked in the oven and there's no watching of pans or flipping of eggs required. Either way, it's incredibly easy and a great Sunday brunch with very little fuss. Use whatever's lying around your fridge - change the cheese, add peppers (shudder), leftover cold potatoes, peas - anything goes here.  It's ready in 20 minutes and you'll look like a culinary genius.



Saturday, January 2, 2016

Toffee Apple Crumble

Welcome to 2016 everybody.  I'm not one for long lists of resolutions, so I'm just going to try and follow the French advice to "manger, bouger" which basically means eat less and move more.  If I manage to achieve that, then I'll be a happier person. Anyway, enough of the fluffy stuff, back to the food.  On New Years Eve, I wanted to make us a nice warming storm-proof dessert because the weather outside was filthy.  Cooking apples were on special in the local supermarket so I bought a pack of 4 for 49c and decided to go back to basics with a comforting Apple Crumble...