Cookies, curries and other stuff...

I had a busy day in the kitchen yesterday. Biscuits, bread rolls, apple galettes, 2 salads and hasselback potatoes - phew!

I tried a new biscuit recipe which I found here at a new to me blog. http://www.countrylifeexperiment.com/2014/01/recipe-our-favourite-chocolate-chip.html

These are County Boy's Sultana, Oats and Choc Chip Biscuits...

They are crunchy but chewy at the same time and quite delicious! Thank you, Jo for sharing your hubby's recipe.

I also made bread rolls using my new Kenwood mixer that I got for Christmas (I blew up my Breville mixer just before Christmas). These rolls have half plain white flour and half wholemeal flour and I added in sunflower seeds, pepitas and linseed. Delicious!

I made these lovely Apple Galettes - squares of puff pastry, brushed with apricot jam, topped with apple slices, brushed with more jam then sprinkled with brown sugar and cinnamon. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 190C, may vary a bit, just make sure underside is cooked and pastry has puffed.

Scrummy with a dollop of cream!

This is another salad we love - Rocket, pear, walnut and parmesan

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Rocket, 2 handfuls

2 pears, skin on, cored and sliced

1/2 cup shaved parmesan cheese

1/2 cup walnuts

~ the dressing (put all in a screw to jar and shake)~

100 mls of walnut oil (or I used good olive oil)

50 mls balsamic vinegar

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 tablespoon honey

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 teaspoons wholegrain mustard

~ to assemble~

Arrange washed, spun leaves on a nice plate, layer and mix parmesan, pear and walnuts through rocket then drizzle over some of the dressing. Keep refrigerated until serving. Best made just before eating so pears don't go brown.

We had a lovely dinner of steak, rocket salad, carrot salad and hasselback potatoes with my fresh crusty bread rolls and the apple galettes for dessert.

We made a nice Massaman beef curry last Thursday. I used this recipe from http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/182/massaman+beef+curry

Nice and fragrant with just a small kick of heat - I used a mild Massaman paste.

My sister-in-law gave me these lovely cotton pyjamas, my new lounge suit! I took this pic the other day but I am about to hop in them now!

This is my new baby, although I think it will get dubbed 'The Beast' ! It is a Kenwood Major Premier. It has a huge mixing bowl and many attachments. It also came with a glass blender jug which fits on top and a mincer which attaches to the front of it. I will also order the icecream bowl sometime later.

It mixed up the dough for the rolls with ease and I also mixed the biscuits in it too. I need to find a good ginger fluff sponge recipe to try.

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So, things happening tomorrow...

• Walking at 6.15 am (weather permitting)
• Juicing at 7.00 am (apple/orange/carrot/celery)
• Book into Tuesday yoga class if it has resumed
• Zero alcohol day
• Consume 2 pieces of fruit and one raw carrot during the day
• Breakfast - 1 slice wholemeal toast with spread, cup of coffee
• Drink at least 2 x 600mls of water

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I really want to be under what I weighed in at at Weight Watchers on 18th December when we resume on 22nd January. No more trifle/desserts, no chocolates (taking them all to work for the staff to eat!), no eating at all times of the day when I feel like it! Good food in moderation! I wonder how I'll go?

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We are empty nesters again as Kirby left to head back home today. It was lovely to have Bri home for her placement month up to Christmas and then Kirby for 2 weeks over Christmas and New Year. I must say, I am pooped!

Cheers - Joolz xx

Posted by Joolz with Blogsy