Thursday Treats

Tonight I am going to try these:  we got a big bag from our local costco and not tried them yet!

INGREDIENTS:


4 boneless, skinless chicken fillets

3 tbsp plain flour

1 tbsp chicken seasoning (we used Schwartz)

3 slices oatmeal white bread, crusts removed and whizzed in a processor to make crumbs

2 eggs, lightly beaten

6 tbsp olive oil

200g mix of veg, such as 1 large carrot, 1 large parsnip, 1 large potato and 1 large sweet potato, peeled

1 tsp sea salt

PREPARATION:

1 PREPARE THE CHICKEN

Cut the chicken fillets in half lengthways, then cut each piece into 4. Mix together the flour and chicken seasoning, then put into a shallow bowl.

Put the breadcrumbs into another bowl and the eggs into another. Dip each piece of chicken into the flour so both sides are coated, then dip in to the egg to coat and finally cover in breadcrumbs. Line a baking tray with baking parchment. Arrange the nuggets on the prepared trays, making sure they?re well spaced apart. Chill until needed.


3 ROAST THE NUGGETS
Meanwhile, drizzle the chicken nuggets with the remaining olive oil and cook for 20 minutes until golden.

Divine Dinners

I made this for our dinner last night, although didn't use pancetta, celery or Milk in mine. And I used Spaghetti.

Ingredients


200g/7oz pancetta, chopped

1kg/2lb 2oz beef mince

3 tbsp olive oil

25g/1oz butter

1 onion, roughly chopped

2 carrots, peeled, finely chopped

2 celery sticks, finely chopped

150ml/5fl oz milk

4 tbsp tomato purée

175ml/6fl oz red wine

750ml/1pint 7fl oz beef stock

salt and freshly ground black pepper

500g/1lb 2oz tagliatelle, cooked according to packet instructions, drained

150g/5oz parmesan, freshly grated



Method

1. Heat a large non-reactive casserole pan until hot, add the pancetta and fry for 3-4 minutes, or until the pancetta softens and the fat starts to melt. Add the mince in small batches and fry over a high heat until browned. Remove each batch of mince from the pan with a slotted spoon, set aside and keep warm while you fry the remaining batches.

2. Add the olive oil and butter to the pan in which you cooked the beef, then add the onion and fry gently for 1-2 minutes, or until softened. Add the carrots and celery to the pan and cook for another minute.

3. Stir in the browned mince, then add the milk and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

4. Stir in the tomato purée and cook for a further minute. Add the red wine and simmer until the volume of the liquid has reduced by one quarter.

5. Add the beef stock and return the ragu to the boil. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Reduce the heat and simmer for 1½-2 hours, or until the ragù has thickened and the mince is tender.

6. Mix the tagliatelle with a little of the ragù.

7. To serve, pile the tagliatelle onto each of four plates then top each serving with another generous spoonful of ragù. Sprinkle with some freshly grated parmesan.

Wednesday Wants!

This weeks wants are minor really...well maybe not so much the last one!!!!

I need my music updating, so rather than search through Kev's mountain of Discs, one these should see me through.

I need this application to work on my iphone as it wont at the moment and it's really annoying me!

This is the VW Polo Bluemotion. I want a Golf Bluemotion as my poor ickle Pug 106 is nearing the end of the road now.

Thats pretty much it for this week.

Twenty Questions 19 Jan 2010

20 Questions: January 17, 2010


1. What drink are you usually found sipping with dinner?

Water, fruit Juice or tea. But if I'm eating out soda.

2. If you were to publish your autobiography, what would the first sentence be?

That's a tough one. Not really sure. Have to let me think about that.

3. If you could own any building in existence, which one would you want?

The "Theatre of Dreams" - Home to my beloved United. Or "The Turf".

4. My parents are:

Both Amazing.

5. Do you get excited when the season begins to change? Which season do you most look forward to?

No. Because I hate being cold. I look forward to Spring going into Summer mostly.

6. What's on your to-do list?

Check my email. Run the pug down to the garage to check which part of the exhaust needs repairing. fax licences to insurance. finish the cheque run. Wash the rest of my stuff in the laudry. Put the drier on. Iron bedding.

7. How many glasses of water do you drink a day?

Usually two bottles at work. Sometimes three. Half a bottle whilst i'm working out at home. half a bottle with dinner, one bottle at suppertime and have a bottle beside my bed.

8. What do you get the most compliments about?

Nothing really at the moment. Although hopefully soon about my weight loss.

9. Where have you been on the Internet today?

Blogger. igoogle. Facebook. Evernote. Vodafone. Iphone Blogs. Yahoo. Aol.
10. When you travel, what kinds of souvenirs do you like to bring home for yourself?

Probably Photos or Keyrings.

11. What would be one thing that would embarrass you a great deal?

For me to fall flat on my face in front of a whole bunch of Kev's friends.

12. What non-blog-or-email-related website do you visit regularly?

The vodafone website or Iphone help.

13. There's this girl I know who:

I sometimes think fancies my fiance.

14. If you were wishing on a star right now what would you wish for?

The chance to be able to talk to my grandad Hawil in person one last time.

15. Where do you usually get your hair cut?

Last time is was at "Paul Smith" at my mum's gym.

16. What other windows do you have open?

Oh Mishka's site. My Work accounts.


17. So many people use Twitter now and many of the people we follow on Twitter are those whose blogs we already read, but some new friends join the circle through Twitter. Who are some of your favorite e-buddies discovered specifically through Twitter?

Salou Uncovered.


18. What were your school colors?

Kindergarten Green, cream and yellow. Primary, Royal Blue, Grey and White. High School. Navy Blue, White, Grey/Black.


19. Where did you get the shirt you are currently wearing?

From my Grandma in australia.


20. What shows/movies are currently saved on your DVR?

Nothing coz I don't have a DVR Yet :-(

Books I've got lined up

Here are just two of the books that I plan to read this month.

Ok. Nick and Steven got me this one for Christmas, I've started reading it and it seems so far so good. It covers every aspect of his life from early childhood stardom, through the Thriller and Bad albums, through to his marriges and kids, the blanket scene in Paris. Through to his early Demise. I am hoping that it will get better.

Next up is Saturday Night Peter. I've already read his "Sound of  Laughter", which was fantastic. Covering Peter's childhood and his Bolton upbringing. Hopefully this will be even better!

Things I am thankful for.15/1/10

Here's my list of things I am thankful for this week.

1 My lovely fiance - Kevin. If you weren't in my life baby, I'd be lost. I love you more with each passing day!

2 My iphone. When you want to work. I have found so many cool apps and there's more to come.

3 My health.

4 My car. I will be so happy to get back in you and drive to work rather than having to come to work with my old man because of this snow we've had since the beginning of December 2009!

Cool new app

Here's a few pictures that have been edited using an app on my iPhone - framed. It's well worth it's £0.59p!


Kevin on tv.


Me on the big screen!


Bro johnny chalked.


New breakfast cereal.


Random.



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20 questions

20 Questions: January 11, 2010


1. What was the best meal of the past seven days?

The Chicken Jalfrezi with rice on friday night.


2. What color(s) do you associate with Autumn?

deep red. warm brown. pumpkin orange.


3. What will most likely be the next book you read?

Saturday Night Peter - Peter Kay

4. Describe your usual disposition in meteorological terms (partly cloudy, sunny, stormy, etc.).

This last month...Snow snow and more snow!

5. What specific subject do you feel you know better than any other subjects?

Don't know really. Phones.

6. What do you like to order from your favorite fast food place?

popcorn chicken and boneless strips.

7. What time of day do you usually feel most energized?

Usually just after 430pm when i have done my daily workout.

8. What was the last television show you watched, and was it good?

Friends

9. Describe the last week in 3 words.

chilly. long. aggravating.



10. Describe your favorite movie scene. You know, the one that just gets to you every time you watch it.

the scene from "marley and me" where it's snowing just after john and jen have got married.


11. If you had to live in a large city, which one would you want it to be?

Melbourne. or Sydney at least it will be warm and i wouldn't have to put up with all this snow.



12. By this time next year:

I hope i'll be living with Kevin.



13. Whose intelligence do you find intimidating?

Anyone who's clever than me.



14. Name something you've done that surprised you.

lost 2 stones in the last 3 months. Though it's not showing!


15. List 3 people whom you have only "met" online, but consider good friends.

I have to admit that i haven't met any of my "Online" friends yet. Only those i have on my fb.



16. What's your favorite flavor of birthday cake?

I don't like cake.



17. What comes to mind when you hear the word bizarre?

This years big freeze

18. What was the last object (not person) you took a picture of?

The icicles on next doors trough.


19. If you visit my hometown:

I wouldn't want to tell anyone to visit my hometown.

20. What is your current computer desktop image?

Home: Windows xp.
Work: Brazil by night.

Sunday night inspiration

One step/one step/I stop/I take one breath/one breath/warm sun/below I breathe/I take/one step/one step- rosemary wahtola trommer "climbing the ridge"



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Memories from 2009.

Just a Few of the Memories of 2009. Thanks for all of them.

2009 in Review

2009 In Review


1. What did you do in 2009 that you have never done before?

Didn't do anything that I have never done before.

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions and will you make more for 2010?

I kept some of them..like vowing to lose weight. I'm still getting there.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth in 2009?

A few of my brother's friend's gave birth to kids.

4. Did anyone close to you die in 2009?

Nope.


5. What countries did you visit this year?

Wales (if you class it as another country.) Spain.


6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

More confidence and job satisfaction.


7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

5 August - Kevin and I became officially engaged!!!

8. What was your biggest struggle in 2009?

Finding a job and not being able to see Kevin on Thursday's.

9. Did you suffer any illness or injury in 2009?

Nothing serious. Just a couple of common colds.

10. What was the best thing you bought this year?

My Nintendo Wii - Never looked back. Oh and My Iphone!

11. Whose behavior merited celebration?

No-one's really.


12. Whose behavior disappointed you?

No-one's.

13. Where did most of your money go?

On socialising.

14. What did you get really really excited about this year?

Kevin's Birthday, Summer Holiday.


15. What song will always remind you of 2009?

Not sure yet, I'll have to have a think about this one.


16. Compared to this time last year, are you: much happier, much nicer or richer?

Neither of the above really.


17. What do you wish you had done more of?

Travelled more.

18. What do you wish you had done less of?

Work.

19. Did you fall in love in 2009?

I have no desire to fall in love. I've been in love for the last three years. Why fall in love again?


20. What was your favorite TV Program in 2009?

FlashForward. Heroes. Gavin and Stacey.

21. What was the best book you read this year?

Not sure as i've not done too much reading this year.

22. What was your greatest musical discovery this past year?

I haven't gotten into my music as much as I'd have like to this year.

23. What did you want and get?

An engagement ring!!!!

24. What was the best movie you saw this year?

Orphan.

25. What did you do on your birthday and how old did you turn?

31 and went shopping with my mum and then out for a bite to eat with two of my close friends.

26. What one thing would have made your year more satisfying?

having my own house and space.

27. How would you describe your personal fashion statement this year?

I've spruced my wardrobe up slowly.

28. What kept you sane this year?

having Kevin around.

29. What celebrity did you fancy the most?

James Franco..there's just something about him that reminds me of a younger Kevin.


30. Who did you miss this past year?

I miss him always and last year was no exception - Grandad Hawil.


31. Who were the best new people you met this year?

I didn't really meet anyone new...just reaquainted myself with loads of old school friends, thanks to the joy's of Facebook.


32. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned this year:

Take each day as it comes and don't be afraid to stick at something.

Stuck at home again?

The snow has been out in force again last night. It's just ridiculous. I am determined to get out and go to work today. It has snowed everyday now for the last three weeks and people on our street have had enough. I hope this snow stops sooner rather than later!


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Snow

This one makes me think it's going to snow again tomorrow! I hope not!


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More snow today

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Happy New Year Everyone!!!!!

I know I've neglected my blog over the festive period, I've just been so busy meeting up  with old college friends, drinking too much and having fun.
I've made a couple of realistic New Years Resolutions.

1) To eat more healthily and cook more. My mum's originally from the middle east and has always been a wonderful cook, I've learnt a few of her fantastic dishes that she's picked up from her mum and would like to cook more of these dishes myself.
2) To do something fun with Kevin every month. We don't get much time together as we still live with our parents and although Kevin is going to start looking for his own place, it would just be nice to do something fun every month, whether it be going to the pictures or just going somewhere different for a drink.
3) To do more with my camera. I have always been a big fan of photography and the last few years haven't done much with it so this year i am determined to get out and make the most of my camera.
4) Buy a DSLR. See resolution #4.
5) Find a job I want to stick with and that I know I am going to enjoy.
6) To develop a fitness regime and workout everyday or every other day with Wii Your Shape.
7) To lose another stone before my birthday in April.
8) Start planning for mine and Kevin's wedding.
9) Drink A LOT more water. Drink less soda and more Juices. Drink less alcohol.
10) Have a night in/out with the girls once a month.
11) Go out for lunch once a month with mother.

More snow pics

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Snow

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kev's birthday cake

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Cold

Today is cold my hands are blue lol


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Wordless wednesday

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