28 June 2014

Dinner, 28/6/14: Chinese


I had a trip to the big Chinese supermarket today, as a byproduct of having to drop Olivia in Croydon this morning for a Guide weekend.... so there were fresh noodles, which I stir fried with some vegetables, and some little dumplings and some steamed buns.  And a freezer full of goodies... (Of course, my freezer isn't that big, so there's not as much as I'd like!)

27 June 2014

Dinner, 27/6/14: Tortilla & Bean Hotpot with American Biscuits and Salad


This was a fantastically simple supper, which we totally scoffed. In like seconds flat. We'll be eating it again - so easy with just a few tins of beans, some cheese, a fried onion, and some tortilla chips. 



25 June 2014

Dinner, 25/6/14: Spicy Salmon; Ginger and Garlic Carrots


Both recipes were from Ken Hom's 100 Great Stir Fries, though the salmon was done in a griddle pan not a wok. Yum!  Loved the way the carrots were prepared.  You can find that recipe here, in a peek at the book (which is a great one to have in your collection - I highly recommend it). 

24 June 2014

Dinner, 24/6/14: Pork Schnitzels with potato and apple salad


This is a Hairy Bikers' recipe, from their second diet cookbook, and is made without frying the schnitzels (and without eggs). The salad is a lower calorie version as well, and was very tasty. Definitely liked the schnitzels, even without frying - and they were just as easy, if not easier....  We'll be having these again.

22 June 2014

Dinner, 22/6/14: Chicken Salad with a lot of other stuff we like in it


Like artichokes and avocado and olives and feta cheese and tomatoes...

21 June 2014

Prom!


Prom night!  A bit different here than in the US - it's only for Year 11s, and everyone who wants to can go (with some exceptions - e.g. if your attendance was too low, you weren't invited) - you don't need a date, and I don't think many people went as couples (Year 11 here is a little younger than high school seniors in the US - most of the Year 11 kids are 16, with just those whose birthdays fall between now and end of August still being 15) - it's just a formal dance/fun evening; theirs was being  held in the reception rooms of a local(ish) golf course (Silvermere in Cobham). Sarah thinks somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 the Year 11s planned to go...


Here she is with a cadre of her best pals - a few of their core group didn't attend (one was already away for the summer, for instance) - and some of them didn't meet up at Becky's beforehand (in case anyone who has been to our house thinks "this doesn't look like your house" - it's not. It's Becky's house (on the right). 



Olivia did her hair and used all the bobby pins in the known universe.


Here's what happens when we get tired of having our picture taken by our little sister...

Dinner, 21/6/14: Bacon and Caramelised Onion Quiche


20 June 2014

Dinner, 20/6/14: Penne alla Amatriciana


Pancetta, red wine, shallots, tomatoes, garlic, basil - what's not to like? [And a very quick meal to make, well suited to dashing off after an early supper to see King Lear at the National...]

19 June 2014

Dinner, 19/6/14: Morrocan chicken with lemony couscous (Sarah)


This was ok, but we all agreed not very exciting. Which probably means it won't get cooked again!

18 June 2014

Alex's room - update


We've got furniture in the room (the bed being finished now) - and no, there's not much space, but it will do - luckily, Alex is a boy and doesn't have a lot of stuff.  There is a dresser and a tall bookcase - we've just sort of put everything on the shelves (as he's away at PGL with school this week), so he may want to rearrange when he gets back!


Here's a view of under the bed - there's a desk space


-  a bit crowded at the moment, as he'll need to sort stuff and put some away in places when he returns.


Under the bed, looking the other direction, is a wardrobe - bigger than it looks, as it's quite deep - we stuck some storage drawers at the back of it, as he only needs about half the hanging space, even with hanging his school shirts...


There's a little bookcase, etc, to the right of and behind the ladder up to the bed. Not luxury, but it works.

17 June 2014

Dinner, 17/6/14: Thai Beef Salad


Geoff had gone out for lunch and was stuffed, so he suggested we save this meal for a night he could eat it - or at least, only use part of the steak. Um...no. (Though there was a bit leftover for lunch the next day...)

16 June 2014

Dinner, 16/6/14: Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, Pierogi


A convenience food meal (for us) - this time I cooked the pierogi by boiling, then frying. Very nice.



15 June 2014

Strawberry Tart Season Begins!


Dinner, 15/6/14: Butternut Squash and Mushroom Lasagne


I enjoyed this, but the rest of the family was less keen. So we probably won't have it again. If I'd absolutely adored it, I might over rule them, but for a regular, low-key, "I enjoyed this", not so much.


14 June 2014

Dinner, 14/6/14: Chicken Korma with courgettes


This is the Hairy Bikers' Lower Fat version again - great taste. Yum.

Banana Cake...with Rolos


Bananas going over means one of two things - smoothies, or banana cake. Olivia made this pretty much herself, and it was her idea to add the chocolate - not having any chocolate chips to hand (or a bar) she chopped up some Rolos to chuck in. Personally, I don't need the chocolate in my banana cake, but whatever.

13 June 2014

Dinner, 13/6/14: Asparagus tarts and cucumber salad


We only get a few months of asparagus season - far be it for me to waste the opportunity!


12 June 2014

Can you tell what it is yet?


Still a ways to go. Luckily for me, my lovely builder friend is putting it together for me. Hopefully, I'll be able to show a finished picture tomorrow!


Dinner, 12/6/14: Chicken and Olive Salad


Sarah cooked, as it's Thursday. I had some when I got back from yoga (ate it outside on the patio - still warm, hurrah!). 

11 June 2014

Dinner, 11/6/14: Thai Style Pork Mince with Green Beans


A commonly (for us) repeated dish - quick, easy, fairly healthy...

10 June 2014

Dinner, 10/6/14: Mustardy Sausage Pasta


One of those "what's in the fridge/freezer" meals - sausage, pasta, a little creme fraiche, mustard - the green is a chopped up lettuce, which added some texture and flavour...

08 June 2014

07 June 2014

Dinner, 7/6/14: Hot dogs, caesar salad, beetroot salad


After a busy day with a lot of time spent on my feet at the school Summer Fair, we needed a simple, summery dinner...  Geoff's away this week, and there have been lots of evenings where one or more of us is out, so we are having some very low effort meals.  Nice to have a bit of a break from cooking (even though I enjoy it most of the time). 

05 June 2014

Marvel-ous


A bit of a change of plans for Alex's room - the orange walls went right out the window (so to speak) when our builder friend brought over a sample of this wallpaper he found at B&Q - it's Marvel comics paper. And it's very cool.  But orange didn't go with it - we've picked out the blue instead (the wallpaper only being on one wall, as an accent).  Personally, I think it looks great (though it would be nice if this room weren't so hard to photograph!)



01 June 2014

May Round up

WHAT WAS FOR DINNER, MAY 2014

  • 31st: Asparagus and Smoked Salmon Tart
  • 30th: Pork Mince with Kimchi
  • 29th: Broccoli and Cauliflower Canneloni
  • 28th: Homemade pizzas
  • 27th: out for lunch
  • 26th: Mexican salmon with potatoes and asparagus
  • 25th: Pork Chops, etc with Potatoes, Carrots, Courgettes
  • 24th: Sausages, Potatoes, Greens (Geoff)
  • 23rd: Sweet & Sour Chicken Thighs
  • 22nd: Jacket Potatoes with Toppings (Sarah)
  • 21st: Prawns with Ginger
  • 20th: Spaghetti with Courgettes
  • 19th: Garden Fritatta
  • 18th: Lunch Feast with Friends
  • 17th: Green Beans with Chicken and Roast Tomatoes
  • 16th: Rigatoni with Asparagus, Mushrooms and Peas
  • 15th: Pork Chops, Greens, Mashed Potato (Geoff)
  • 14th: Courgette, Feta and Mint Soup
  • 13th: Salmon Teriyaki with Stir Fry Veg and Noodles
  • 12th: Spaghetti Bolognese (Geoff)
  • 11th: Herb and Lemon Chicken with Orzo (and green beans)
  • 10th: Cauliflower, Lentil and Potato Stew, with Sausages
  • 9th: Leek, Broccoli and Bacon Bake
  • 8th: Jacket potatoes with toppings (Sarah)
  • 7th: and find your dinner again (renovations!)
  • 6th: find your own dinner
  • 5th: Leftover Picnic Foods
  • 4th: Picnic on Juniper Top
  • 3rd: Ghobeli
  • 2nd: Meatballs with Tomato Sauce
  • 1st: Find your own dinner

Dinner, 1/6/14: Roast Chicken, Roast Potatoes, Greens