tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60407855565062397612024-03-02T17:30:52.619+00:00A Little Bit More - Livi BlogsPassive income/making a bit of extra money/saving money, technology, and food, just a tad more moolahliviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-39063136702676121392021-07-30T21:06:00.008+01:002021-07-30T21:22:18.533+01:00Steak Diane and Two Ways Potatoes, with salad and quick pickled red onions <p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">I've had the pleasure recently of participating in an online cookoff, with the requirements as below. I really enjoyed having to challenge myself to try recipes I wouldn't normally and plating is definitely not something I excel at. I pulled inspiration from a bunch of great websites and blogs but because complexity and presentation were the only judging criteria I was sometimes looking for the more complex option, it turned out deliciously!</span></span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">I made a couple of other entrees and a dessert as well that I thought they all came out really well - reasonably easy for someone with some experience cooking at home but also delicious and quite presentable. Hope you enjoy!</span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"></span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">-Participants must prepare:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">1) an entree with chicken, beef, or vegetarian option as the main ingredient</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">2) any dessert of their choosing</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">-Submissions must include the following:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">1) Picture of pre-cooked ingredients with Discord username and date stamp</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">2) Picture of finished meal and dessert with with Discord username and date stamp</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">3) Recipe must be included so that we can duplicate these delicious entries in our homes</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Judging Criteria and Scoring</span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">-Submissions will be scored on the following criteria:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">1) Complexity - how difficult it was to prepare the meal (max 10 points)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">2) Presentation - how delicious it looks (max 10 points)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">-There will be 5 Judges and the maximum total points awarded is 100 for a submission</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FEZVrx_b1CY/YQRaqfK9CcI/AAAAAAAAEwE/rq-YMysq_3s3klxq6AYcsLsmwebrFNscwCLcBGAsYHQ/SquareRibeye.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1472" data-original-width="2048" height="288" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FEZVrx_b1CY/YQRaqfK9CcI/AAAAAAAAEwE/rq-YMysq_3s3klxq6AYcsLsmwebrFNscwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h288/SquareRibeye.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><i style="text-align: left;"><span face=""PT Sans", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Serves 2. </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/gordon-ramsays-steak-diane-50082064"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Epicurious</span></span></span></span></a><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"> and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/steak-diane"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Food and Wine</span></span></span></span></a><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"> inspo.</span></span></span></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #8cb212; letter-spacing: 1pt; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium; vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Steak Diane</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">2 <a href="https://amzn.to/3fdMRB4">Ribeye</a> steaks 227g/8oz each</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">150g/5oz <a href="https://amzn.to/3xbLhpf">mixed mushrooms</a>, sliced</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">3 echalion shallots, peeled and sliced </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">1 tablespoon salted butter</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">3 peeled and crushed garlic cloves</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">2 tablespoons <a href="https://amzn.to/2Wycaad">Worcestershire sauce</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">1 tablespoon <a href="https://amzn.to/3lmfwYa">Dijon mustard</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">80ml/1/3 cup <a href="https://amzn.to/3rHjoV3">brandy </a>or <a href="https://amzn.to/3xcGuEc">cognac</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">240ml/1 cup heavy/double cream</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Small handful of chopped parsley</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Olive oil</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #8cb212; letter-spacing: 1pt; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium; vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Garlic
Roasted Potatoes</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">250g/9oz baby/new potatoes, halved or
quartered</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">1 tablespoon good olive oil</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">½ teaspoon salt, freshly ground black
pepper</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">1 tablespoon crushed garlic</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p><i><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="EN-US"></span></span></i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">1
tablespoon finely chopped parsley, handful rocket/arugula</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #8cb212; letter-spacing: 1pt; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Cooking
Steps</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="NumberList"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">1.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Preheat the oven to 200C/400f
and take steaks out of the fridge. While preheating, if you are making the Cheesy Garlic Mash, this is a good time to
start boiling the broth. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="NumberList"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">2.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Toss baby potatoes with olive
oil, salt, pepper, garlic then spread on a baking tray in one layer. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="NumberList"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">3.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Roast for 45 mins or until
browned and crisp then toss with parsley and rocket/arugula to serve. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="NumberList"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">4.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Once the baby potatoes are in
the oven, start the Quick Pickled Red Onions</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="NumberList"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">5.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Season the steak on both sides
with salt and pepper, cook to your preferred doneness then set aside to rest, I
used a <a href="https://amzn.to/3fdEipR">cast iron pan</a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/3zPFR59">canola oil.</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="NumberList"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">6.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Diane Sauce: Heat some olive
oil in a separate pan, add the shallots, allow to soften briefly before adding
the mushrooms with a tablespoon of butter, then add the crushed garlic cloves, Worcestershire
sauce, mustard and heat through for a minute.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="NumberList"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">7.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Turn up the heat and tilt the
pan away from you, pour the brandy into the far end and allow to ignite or
carefully ignite with a long match. Once the alcohol has burned off, add the
cream and allow the sauce to thicken before turning down the heat.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="NumberList"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">8.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Add half the parsley to the
sauce in the pan. To serve, divide potatoes and salad between plates, arrange
steak alongside, pour sauce on top and sprinkle with remaining parsley.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="NumberList"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Note:
In the first step you could shorten the cooking time and add the steak/resting
juices to the Diane sauce to finish, this is a bit less presentable.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="NumberList"></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MainBodyTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; margin-left: -7.1pt; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 102%px;">
<tbody><tr style="height: 14.7pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="height: 14.7pt; padding: 0cm; width: 98.02%;" width="98%"><h2 style="margin-top: 3pt; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #8cb212; letter-spacing: 1pt; text-transform: uppercase;">Quick Pickled Red Onions</span></b></span></span></span></h2>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 10.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="height: 10.5pt; padding: 0cm; width: 98.02%;" width="98%">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0cm 4pt; text-align: left;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Modified the </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://cookieandkate.com/quick-pickled-onions-recipe/#tasty-recipes-28491-jump-target"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Cookie
and Kate</span></span></span></span></a><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"> refrigerator pickle</span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0cm 4pt; text-align: left;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 6pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #8cb212; letter-spacing: 1pt; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Ingredients</span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></b></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">1 thinly sliced medium red onion</span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">120ml/½ cup water</span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">60ml/¼ cup <a href="https://amzn.to/377TG2D">distilled vinegar</a></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">60ml/¼ cup <a href="https://amzn.to/3fenjUg">apple cider vinegar</a></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">2 tablespoons <a href="https://amzn.to/3zNPtNy">maple syrup</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">1½ teaspoons salt</span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0cm 4pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">1
teaspoon hot chilli flakes</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MainBodyTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; margin-left: -7.1pt; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 102%px;"><tbody><tr style="height: 10.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="height: 10.5pt; padding: 0cm; width: 98.02%;" width="98%"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #8cb212; letter-spacing: 1pt; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Cooking
Steps</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></b></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="NumberList"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">1</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">.</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Pack the onions into a 1 pint
jar. In a small saucepan, combine the water, both vinegars, maple syrup, salt,
and pepper flakes. </span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="NumberList"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">2.</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Bring to a gentle simmer over
medium heat then pour the mixture into the jar over the onions. </span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0cm 4pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">3. Press
the onions down into the vinegar, ensuring they are covered then let them cool
to room temperature (20-30 mins). </span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0cm 4pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></span></p><h2 style="margin-top: 3pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #8cb212; letter-spacing: 1pt; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Cheesy Garlic Mash</span></span><br /></span></b></span></span></span></h2><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pnKk9NVuR2c/YQRbsr2gLvI/AAAAAAAAEwM/mmikNt2J2W8873wzmwJvgJqSmqETxXcEwCLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_20210715_141534%2B%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="1372" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pnKk9NVuR2c/YQRbsr2gLvI/AAAAAAAAEwM/mmikNt2J2W8873wzmwJvgJqSmqETxXcEwCLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_20210715_141534%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span face=""PT Sans", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Steakhouse style based on </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://thestayathomechef.com/garlic-mashed-potatoes/#jump-to-recipe"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"></span>The Stay at Home Chef</span></span></span></span></a></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 6pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #8cb212; letter-spacing: 1pt; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Ingredients</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">250g/9oz potatoes cut into 1 inch cubes</span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">240ml/1cup <a href="https://amzn.to/3C0JyqD">chicken broth</a></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">30g/1oz salted butter</span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">2 cloves garlic</span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">30g/1oz <a href="https://amzn.to/3lf0JyI">cream cheese</a></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">30g/1oz <a href="https://amzn.to/3yfo5b4">buttermilk</a></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">30g/1oz grated cheese</span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 7.2pt; margin-right: 7.2pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.2pt 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US"></span></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MainBodyTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; margin-left: -7.1pt; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 102%px;">
<tbody><tr style="height: 113.25pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="height: 113.25pt; padding: 0cm; width: 56.36%;" valign="top" width="56%">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 3.0pt; margin: 3pt 0cm 6pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #8cb212; letter-spacing: 1pt; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Cooking Steps</span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="NumberList" style="margin-top: 3pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">1</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">.</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Bring chicken broth to boil
in a <a href="https://amzn.to/3C0JTta">pot</a> over high heat. </span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="NumberList" style="margin-top: 3pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">2.</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Add the cubed potatoes and
garlic cloves into the boiling broth until tender, around 15 mins.</span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="NumberList" style="margin-top: 3pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">3.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Strain the potatoes from the
broth, then mix with butter, cream cheese and buttermilk, then <a href="https://amzn.to/3rKB2HB">mash </a>until
your preferred consistency. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="NumberList" style="margin-top: 3pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">4.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Top with grated cheese and
add to the oven with the roasted potatoes for the last 5 mins of cooking
time.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="NumberList" style="margin-top: 3pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">5.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Garnish with finely chopped
parsley, chives, spring onion or other herbs.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="NumberList" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 3.0pt; margin: 3pt 0cm 8pt; mso-list: none; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Note:
Leftover broth can be used as the water for onepot pasta or other similar
dishes.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MainBodyTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; margin-left: -7.1pt; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 102%px;"><tbody><tr style="height: 10.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="height: 10.5pt; padding: 0cm; width: 98.02%;" width="98%">
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>liviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-45448603324416432952021-02-28T20:59:00.007+00:002021-03-02T15:06:01.977+00:00"Caribbean" curry meal prep, sub 700 calories per portion, high fibre, and a really tasty recipe to use up poudre de columbo/caribbean curry powder<p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdLGNCt9Uqc/YDv90YjLo1I/AAAAAAAAEow/1rgUiFbd1SUH97CuOY3v5faQGUVlfmp5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6ScO33V.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdLGNCt9Uqc/YDv90YjLo1I/AAAAAAAAEow/1rgUiFbd1SUH97CuOY3v5faQGUVlfmp5ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/6ScO33V.jpg" width="400" /></a>I made this with a <a href="https://www.hellofresh.co.uk/recipes/fragrant-caribbean-beef-59f30eafae702a69420930f2/">hellofresh</a> recipe originally and enjoyed it but did end up tweaking a bit for the ingredients I would have regularly at home, below is "my" version. You can easily make it mild omitting chilli powder from salsa.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Ingredients </h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>2 onions</li><li>1 small bunch Coriander/cilantro</li><li>1 Lime</li><li>2 tins Sweetcorn, 2 tins Black Beans</li><li>100 grams Dried Apricots, 100g Mango Chutney</li><li>4 <a href="https://amzn.to/3sEGzOY">chicken stock pots</a>/cubes or prepared stock</li><li>400ml tin <a href="https://amzn.to/3b6TEdW">Coconut Milk</a></li><li>300g <a href="https://amzn.to/2Psnj9d">Basmati Rice</a></li><li>400g Beef Mince</li><li>3 tsp <a href="https://amzn.to/3e2m2j9">Poudre de Columbo</a>/Columbo powder/<a href="https://amzn.to/2NWtTEv">caribbean curry powder</a> (Before I found caribbean curry powder I used <a href="https://amzn.to/307JP9g">Garam masala</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/3r9CbHf">coriander powder</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/3kBkwG2">cloves</a> to sub)</li><li>60g <a href="https://amzn.to/3uLmkkp">Tomato Puree</a></li><li>250ml water to stock, 300ml water to beef</li><li>salt, pepper, chilli powder, <a href="https://amzn.to/3sHJYwx">red wine vinegar</a> for salsa</li></ul><p>Made 6 portions with above, used 2 <a href="https://amzn.to/3sEGzOY">chicken stock pots</a> and 2 <a href="https://amzn.to/3b61HYA">cubes</a>, used fresh onion for salsa and frozen onion for rice (convenience), could maybe reduce rice by 50g. 6 portions of above in <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/view/98019528437485">MFP</a> gave <700 calories a portion. Keeps in the fridge and freezes/microwaves well. </p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Recipe:</h4><p>Chop onion into 1/2cm pieces. Heat glug oil in large saucepan on medium, add half the onion, cook until soft (5 mins). Add half chicken stock, water & coconut milk.</p><p>Bring to boil then add basmati rice & 2/3 of sweetcorn/black beans. Mix & bring to boil then heat to medium-low. Cook for 10 mins then remove from heat and set aside (still covered) for another 10 mins.</p><p>Heat drizzle oil in frying pan on medium high, once hot add beef mince, cook until browned (5-6 mins)</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>Drain & rinse remaining sweetcorn & black beans together in a colander</p><p>Cut apricot into quarters or smaller.</p><p>Add remaining onion to beef, cook til softened, stirring occasionally (5 mins).</p><p>Add apricots, columbo powder, tomato puree, stir together & cook 1 more minute.</p><p>Add mango chutney, stock pot & water to pan, simmer & gently bubble until sauce rich and thick (5-7 mins)<span></span></p><!--more--><p></p><p>Roughly chop coriander, mix with sweetcorn & black beans.</p><p>Zest the lime, cut in half, squeeze juice into salsa, stir in olive oil, add salt/black pepper.</p><p>After the 10 minute covered time for the rice (or can be longer), fluff with fork, stir through lime zest. Serve in bowls with beef on top and some salsa.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-chEw9_q_kcA/YDv90IXa6QI/AAAAAAAAEos/X5LmzU9DUqI9jc1BzfdKNi9VGkY0mh0UACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/KMuFNsb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-chEw9_q_kcA/YDv90IXa6QI/AAAAAAAAEos/X5LmzU9DUqI9jc1BzfdKNi9VGkY0mh0UACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/KMuFNsb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>liviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-37555488534649540142020-12-29T23:26:00.006+00:002020-12-29T23:26:58.527+00:00Volume Eating Meal Prep: Slow cooker Kalua (ish) pork, cabbage and rice/veg meals £1.23 per portion<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hdTooGZEpmY/X-uwyQNmV3I/AAAAAAAAEi8/NuL7PMQsl3QQNTxRHYi3C3CeeX0HGXF_QCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hdTooGZEpmY/X-uwyQNmV3I/AAAAAAAAEi8/NuL7PMQsl3QQNTxRHYi3C3CeeX0HGXF_QCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="180" /></a></div>I'll be the first one to admit this one isn't particularly authentic (I couldn't even find taro! Would have loved some poi) but it is delicious and I personally found that I wanted much more cabbage than meat or rice making it a pretty low calorie one as well.<p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Ingredients</b></h3><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><u>Pork:</u></span></h4><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>1 pack smoked bacon</b> (I used streaky) ~300g or 10-11oz </li><li><b>2.3kg/5lb pork shoulder or pork butt</b>, bone in or out </li><li><b>1-1.5 tablespoons <a href="https://amzn.to/3aTizlp">Alaea Red Hawaiian Coarse Sea Salt</a> </b>(UK link) alternate link for <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Viva-Doria-Hawaiian-Alaea-Grain/dp/B017GFKX0I/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=2ZXR34W1VL7GZ&dchild=1&keywords=red+alaea+hawaiian+sea+salt&qid=1609273171&sprefix=red+alaea,aps,235&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=liviblogs-20&linkId=ca3a531afa6490f2e38856387ae60e73">US/non-UK Amazon</a> </li><li><b>1 tablespoon <a href="https://www.amazon.com/WRIGHTS-HICKORY-LIQ-SMOKE-HCKRY/dp/B00CNR7G14/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=liquid+smoke&qid=1609282065&sr=8-25&linkCode=ll1&tag=liviblogs-20&linkId=5794cb65b9dcdcf2c4ff5412f5cb53dd&language=en_US">liquid smoke</a></b> or 1 teaspoon <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Paprika-Unpretentious-Flavorful-Peppers-Convenient/dp/B07QF122PR/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=smoked+paprika&qid=1609283031&sr=8-7&linkCode=ll1&tag=liviblogs-20&linkId=4bd4bd85c3e8c4952f66de5f702f7932&language=en_US">smoked paprika</a> </b>if you don't have liquid smoke</li><li><b>Half a bulb of garlic, peeled</b> optional</li></ul><p></p><p><u>Cabbage (don't have to do any cabbage prep til pork is already in the slow cooker):</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>1 head cabbage, chopped</b>. I used 1kg of frozen sliced green cabbage </li><li><b>1 tablespoon butter </b></li><li><b>Salt and pepper to taste</b></li></ul><p></p><p><u>Rice: </u></p><p>Your choice, I did 2 cups of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thai-Sticky-Rice-Sweet-Lbs/dp/B000F2VESU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=glutinous+rice&qid=1609283205&sr=8-6&linkCode=ll1&tag=liviblogs-20&linkId=1549319a2f2d2038367beeb157888455&language=en_US">glutinous rice</a>: 2.5 cups water and some frozen stir fry mixed vegetables in the rice cooker all together. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Instructions</h3><p><b>Pork:</b> <b>Line the slow cooker with the bacon,</b> if using garlic, use a <b>knife to poke slits</b> into the pork and put <b>a clove into each</b>, I distributed them evenly. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2eYQ6N9TWSg/X-uwOOJG2BI/AAAAAAAAEis/ztfcAbl4-EYeWVKmeTwFn60cns13gHBcwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2eYQ6N9TWSg/X-uwOOJG2BI/AAAAAAAAEis/ztfcAbl4-EYeWVKmeTwFn60cns13gHBcwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><b>Rub the pork with salt (and smoked paprika if you don't have liquid smoke)</b>. <b>Place the pork in the slow cooker on top of the bacon</b>, skin side up, <b>pour liquid smoke over the top if using.</b> I added 300g of fresh pineapple on top, no massively noticeable flavour difference for me. <p></p><p>Lid on and cook on <b>high for 6 hours, then low for 3 hours.</b> You can also cook on low for 12 hours ish but I found my results just as tender with high for the first part. <b>Do not open the lid to check it!</b> Every time you open the lid you're letting the heat out and it has to come back up to temperature. </p><p><b>After 9 hours you can open and give it a poke</b>, once it is at desired tenderness (I aim for fork shreddable) take the meat out of the slow cooker and shred with two forks. I added and shredded the bacon together with the rest. Taste and adjust with the cooking liquid from the pot/seasoning, I put it all into a tupperware box and then added around one ladle of liquid. </p><p><b>Cabbage - I prefer to cook this using the leftover liquid from the pork, so you would start it after the pork is done and out of the slow cooker:</b> Melt butter in a large skillet, I used non-stick. Stir in the cabbage, then pour over the remaining liquid from the pork and cook for 10-15 mins until tender, stirring occasionally. </p><p>Can start the rice just before or after the cabbage, I used a rice cooker but just any plain rice works here.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iZE96FOrcFs/X-uwfsOS1qI/AAAAAAAAEi0/Gfv61buvjdoVn70IlriiIUu-8xd30MeUQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iZE96FOrcFs/X-uwfsOS1qI/AAAAAAAAEi0/Gfv61buvjdoVn70IlriiIUu-8xd30MeUQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /><br /></a></div><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Tips</h3><p>If you have a different weight of pork, you can use 3/4 teaspoon of coarse salt for each 1lb of meat.</p><p>Both frozen sliced green cabbage and fresh chopped white cabbage worked really well for my tastes. Also goes really well the the veg from the stir fry mix and mangetout.</p><p>The fresh pineapple didn't make a massive flavour difference but did mean more cooking liquid for the cabbage.</p><p>If you can't wait for an order of the coarse Alaea Hawaiian Sea Salt, you can substitute 1 tablespoon <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Spice-Lab-Pink-Himalayan-Salt/dp/B004LKVRLG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=coarse+pink+himalayan+salt&qid=1609281958&sr=8-5&linkCode=ll1&tag=liviblogs-20&linkId=5e257d83c852f5181aade825ca12f80b">pink himalayan salt</a>/hawaiian sea salt/Alaea Red Hawaiian Fine sea salt. </p><p>Depending which type of liquid smoke you have, you may need to adjust the amount - if it is the super concentrated type without other ingredients, I would reduce by 1/2. </p><p>I ate this in ratios of about 4 cabbage:2 pork:1 rice, the picture at the top I ended up having to get a lot more cabbage - it was just too good!<br /><br />These meals microwaved really well for me, I ended up having one tupperware for pork, one for rice, one for cabbage and then I'd space out and microwave the rice with some added water for 2 minutes before adding the rest. I did have some boxes where I microwaved all together and it was fine enough.</p><p>You can add BBQ sauce etc. afterwards to some if it for cheaty pulled pork for a 2 in 1 😉</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><u><b>Cost: £1.23-£2 per portion</b></u></h3><div><h4><span style="font-weight: normal;"><u>Pork:</u></span></h4><p><b>1 pack smoked bacon</b> (I used streaky) ~300g or 10-11oz <i>£1.25, £4.17/kg</i></p><p><b>2.3kg/5lb pork shoulder or pork butt</b>, bone in or out <i>£9.2, £4/kg</i> (I got boneless pork shoulder)</p><p><b>1-1.5 tablespoons <a href="https://amzn.to/3aTizlp">Alaea Red Hawaiian Coarse Sea Salt</a> </b>(UK link) alternate link for <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Viva-Doria-Hawaiian-Alaea-Grain/dp/B017GFKX0I/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=2ZXR34W1VL7GZ&dchild=1&keywords=red+alaea+hawaiian+sea+salt&qid=1609273171&sprefix=red+alaea,aps,235&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=liviblogs-20&linkId=ca3a531afa6490f2e38856387ae60e73">US/non-UK Amazon</a> or 1 tablespoon pink himalayan salt/hawaiian sea salt/Alaea Red Hawaiian Fine sea salt. <i>£0.45, £4 for a 200g pouch of Alaea Red sea salt. </i></p><p><b>1 tablespoon liquid smoke</b> or 1 teaspoon <b>smoked paprika </b>if you don't have liquid smoke <i>£0.09 for smoked paprika £0.90 for 48g container</i></p><p><b>Half a bulb of garlic, peeled</b> optional <i>£0.13, £0.25 for a bulb</i></p><p><u>Cabbage (don't have to do any cabbage prep til pork is already in the slow cooker):</u></p><p><b>1 head cabbage, chopped</b>. I used 1kg of frozen sliced green cabbage <i>£0.99/kg</i></p><p><b>1 tablespoon butter </b><i>£0.10, £1.49 for a 250g block</i></p><p><b>Salt and pepper to taste</b></p><p><u>Rice: </u></p><p>Your choice, I did 2 cups of glutinous rice: 2.5 cups water and some frozen stir fry mixed vegetables in the rice cooker all together. <i>£0.20 - £2.34/kg for stir fry vegetable mix</i></p></div><p style="text-align: left;"><b>~£12.34 total or £1.23 per meal for the amounts of ingredients used</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">, or £19.48 for the total cost which is still <£2 per meal (as in the whole 200g bag of sea salt, a whole container of smoked paprika, a whole bag of stir fry vegetable mix, not including the entire bag of rice because I buy in 10kg bags). </span></p><p>This amount of meat came out as 10 good size portions of pork, I really enjoyed the cabbage so I did cook more up but it is not very costly. </p>liviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-86078912847219877922020-06-07T16:10:00.000+01:002020-06-07T17:07:24.053+01:00Volume Eating Chinese/Sichuan Hot and Sour White Cabbage - 141 calories and 12.6g dietary fiber per portion <br />
<div>
General recipe for hot and sour cabbage, I've included my adjustments/amounts in brackets. I used white cabbage as its a lot cheaper/more easily available and it still tastes great (to me)</div>
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<ul>
<li>1 tbsp oil (I used 13ml vegetable oil)</li>
<li>1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns (6 grams)</li>
<li>Some dried chilli peppers (10g) </li>
<li>Sliced fresh chilli (25g)</li>
<li>1 head of white cabbage, core/base removed and chopped (900-1350g for me, this requires a BIG pan)</li>
<li>3/4 teaspoon salt</li>
<li>1 tablespoon soy sauce (I used 43ml this time, was too much)</li>
</ul>
<div>
Heat a large skillet or wok over high heat (7/9 on my electric hob), add the oil and peppercorns. Stir frequently for approx 3 mins. Scoop the peppercorns out, I then crush them and readd but I really enjoy the "mala" flavour, if you don't readd them, put them in a jar and save for later, keeps for 2 weeks in the fridge. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Add the dried and fresh chillies and chopped cabbage, stir for a minute. Add the salt, keep stirring occasionally for around 5 minutes (this step tends to be much longer for me as I use a flat bottomed pan and put a lot of cabbage in). Once the edges are a little charred/browned and the cabbage is softened, turn the heat down to low (3/9 for me) and stir in the soy sauce, ensuring it is all mixed in. </div>
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<div>
Serve warm or keeps for 4 days in the fridge, it comes out quite well for me microwaved. MyFitnessPal recipe details below, I did 4x 250g portions, 1x 225g but just split it in 5 anyway. </div>
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liviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-36634738373693205732020-05-15T16:58:00.000+01:002020-05-15T16:58:00.588+01:00Raid Appropriate Gaming Snacks - Grown Up Cheese Dippers and Mini Pitta Pizzas<h2>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ubHY6adL34w/Xr14CAvWBTI/AAAAAAAAEGA/aCzghLCipNkpyX_s0Jn4_XPBQEreKMmiwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20190114_092655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ubHY6adL34w/Xr14CAvWBTI/AAAAAAAAEGA/aCzghLCipNkpyX_s0Jn4_XPBQEreKMmiwCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/IMG_20190114_092655.jpg" width="150" /></a>
Two Minute Break -<br />Grown Up Cheese Dippers</h2>
Sometimes you just need to throw together something snacky, breadsticks and cheese dip are a favourite of mine for this as they're not too messy/sticky, fairly well portioned out and really easy to customise.<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thai-Chili-Fresh-14-Oz/dp/B000MZ7OUW/ref=as_li_ss_il?dchild=1&keywords=birds+eye+chillies&qid=1589474754&sr=8-4&linkCode=li2&tag=liviblogs-20&linkId=2a1e91e386f9fd86564fd0f63e719d7f" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000MZ7OUW&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=liviblogs-20" /></a>For my all time favourite you will need:<br />
<ul>
<li>Breadsticks & dippy cheese (prepackaged or separate)</li>
<li>Chillies (Finger chillies or birds eye are my fave shape for this)</li>
<li>Spring Onion</li>
<li>Scissors</li>
</ul>
I literally sit at my desk in between pulls, thinly cut the chillies and spring onion into the cheese section and then try and get a bit of chilli and a bit of spring onion onto each breadstick bite. The other benefit of individual portions is you can double dip/won't ruin a whole batch of cheese if you're experimenting with what you're adding.<br />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=liviblogs-20&l=li2&o=1&a=B000MZ7OUW" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<h2>
15 minute break or make ahead - Mini Pitta Pizzas</h2>
<br />
<li>Pitta bread</li>
<li>Tomato passata, tomato puree, pizza sauce, crushed tomatoes, ketchup, whatever you have</li>
<li>Shredded cheese</li>
<li>Delicious pizza-appropriate toppings</li>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Preheat oven to 200C/180C fan or 390F (or use a toaster oven to speed this up)</li>
<li>Chuck the topped pitta bread for 8-12 mins or until cheese is melty (or to your preferred colour, depending on what toppings you used)</li>
</ul>
<br />
Some of my favourite toppings:<br />
Pesto, sliced cherry/grape tomatoes, olives, spinach<br />
BBQ sauce, chicken, spinach, red onions<br />
Tomatoes, basil, mozzarella<br />
Pepperoni, chorizo, chillies<br />
<br />
You can put together a few pittas in advance, freeze on top of a baking sheet, wrap pittas in cling film (I'd put 1-2 pittas in each cling film for easy separation) and then cook from frozen for maybe 2 mins longer than you would otherwise for a cheaper/easier itch on that pizza scratch.liviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-21235065986699758272020-05-14T17:40:00.000+01:002020-05-14T17:40:56.211+01:00Make Ahead Freezer Meal Prep- Customisable Egg Muffins and Oven Frittata<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h2>
16 egg muffins</h2>
<ul>
<li>10 large eggs</li>
<li>16 slot Muffin Tray ideally non stick</li>
<li>200g grated cheese of your choice</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper to taste, spices to taste</li>
<li>2 cups of vegetables/fillings - grams depends on what you're using</li>
</ul>
<div>
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<ul>
<li>Preheat oven to 375F or 190C, beat the eggs, then chop the vegetables or fillings. Add those & seasonings to the egg mixture. </li>
<li>Spray the muffin tray with cooking spray, butter or use a cupcake case and fill each hole about 2/3 full with the egg mixture, I like to put the cheese on top afterwards but you can also mix the cheese throughout.</li>
<li>Bake for around 20 minutes or until egg is mostly solid. Take out of the oven & let cool for 10 mins. If you are planning to microwave, you could take them out two minutes earlier than normal to maintain the right texture after microwaving. You can individually wrap them and store in the freezer, they will stick together if in the same package so make sure your portions are planned out. They can be eaten cold or reheated via microwave or toaster oven.</li>
</ul>
Filling ideas: Onion, caramelised onion, spinach, cherry tomatoes, bacon, mushrooms, bell pepper, parsley, kale, spring onions, chorizo<br /><h2>
Oven Frittata</h2>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JnCaiRJltVg/Xr1zhl0EIMI/AAAAAAAAEFw/9QTcSP-HcIo6EWTBb_W1jTnw6Dh1vgI_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20190915_154457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JnCaiRJltVg/Xr1zhl0EIMI/AAAAAAAAEFw/9QTcSP-HcIo6EWTBb_W1jTnw6Dh1vgI_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20190915_154457.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li>10 eggs</li>
<li>Paprika, Oregano, Salt, Pepper as desired (approx 1/4-1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper should be decent).</li>
<li>Fresh herbs can be nice</li>
<li>125ml water</li>
<li>2-3 cups of chopped veggies/fillings</li>
<li>200g grated cheese</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>Preheat the oven to 360F or 180C. Whisk ingredients together, reserving half of the cheese (add more cheese to recipe as needed per your treat yo self levels). </li>
<li>Spray, butter or oil a 10inch diameter cast iron pan or ovenproof skillet (non stick is a bonus).</li>
<li>Pour the egg mixture into the skillet and bake for around 13 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, I change the oven onto fan/grill setting and leave in for another 5 minutes to get the top nice and browned. </li>
<li>If the middle of the frittata isn't fully solidified, you can turn off the oven and leave the pan inside with the door closed to let the residual heat go through it.</li>
</ul>
<br />
For fillings, you can use pretty similar fillings to the egg muffins, I really like mushrooms, spring onions and bell peppers.<br />
liviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-62970026942153444232020-04-24T16:44:00.000+01:002020-04-24T17:21:52.046+01:00UK Modified Slowcooker Cheesy Loaded Potato Soup ~£4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1l4cRjDqJFI/XqL4Vi0xEuI/AAAAAAAAEEY/EmyrZwovm6oXB6-CXtnD9i2S9REVHl6EACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20200423_215901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1l4cRjDqJFI/XqL4Vi0xEuI/AAAAAAAAEEY/EmyrZwovm6oXB6-CXtnD9i2S9REVHl6EACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_20200423_215901.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I cobbled this together mainly based on this <a href="https://www.food.com/recipe/crock-pot-style-loaded-baked-potato-soup-301754">recipe</a> on Food.com, below is my interpretation based on what I had in the house.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Soup ingredients £3.79:</b></div>
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8 peeled and sliced <span style="color: #741b47;"><b>red potatoes</b></span>/1.1kg pre peeling <b>£0.64</b></div>
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2 chopped <span style="color: #741b47;"><b>small onions</b></span>/250g pre chopping <b>£0.18</b></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1.2L <span style="color: #741b47;"><b>chicken</b> <b>stock</b></span><b> </b>-1.2L boiling water mixed with 2x Knorr Chicken Stock Pots <b>£0.50</b> </div>
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3 finely chopped/minced <span style="color: #741b47;"><b>garlic cloves</b></span><b> £0.10</b></div>
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40g <span style="color: #741b47;"><b>salted butter</b></span><b> £0.24</b></div>
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1 teaspoon <span style="color: #741b47;"><b>pepper </b></span><b>£0.03</b></div>
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150ml <span style="color: #741b47;"><b>double cream</b></span><b> £0.45</b></div>
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150g <b><span style="color: #741b47;">cheese,</span></b> ~50g of each - the original recipe called for sharp cheddar which I didn't have</div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><b>sliced gouda</b></span><b> £0.22, </b><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>grated</b> <b>cheddar</b></span><b> £0.25, </b><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>parmigiano reggiano</b></span><b> £0.68</b></div>
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optionally - <b><span style="color: #741b47;">ham</span> £0.50</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Toppings I used for one big bowl of soup £0.27:</b></div>
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1 tablespoon <span style="color: #741b47;">sour cream</span> <b>£0.11</b></div>
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1/2 of a chopped <span style="color: #741b47;">spring onion</span> <b>£0.06</b></div>
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1 tablespoon spoon of <span style="color: #741b47;">cooked bacon</span> <b>£0.10</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Method:</b></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Combine potatoes, onions, chicken stock/broth, garlic, butter, pepper in the slow cooker, cover and cook on high for 5 hours or low for 8 hours. <br />
<br />
Mash mixture until potatoes are your desired texture (my partner prefers smoother soups so I chopped the potatoes and onions quite small, I just used a silicone <a href="https://amzn.to/3ayN4JJ">spoonula</a> to stir/mash potatoes against the side of the slowcooker).<br />
<br />
Stir in double cream and cheese, I also had 5-10 slices of ham that had been opened a few days ago so I cut up & added them at this stage, I don't think they were very impactful on flavour but you can use this recipe to get rid of some leftover ingredients too!<br />
<br />
Dish up and top with sour cream/spring onion or chives/bacon/cheese, whatever you fancy.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Notes:</b></div>
<ul>
<li>This reheated really well for me in the microwave, I did 3 mins on 80% power, stirred and then 2 mins on 100%</li>
<li>Although the original recipe says serves 6-8, I found it makes around 4 bowls like I have in my pictures (very generous serving)</li>
<li>Broccoli, carrot, celery etc. can also be great additions, chopped and added in the first step</li>
<li>I didn't add any salt because I used salted butter/salty cheese/chicken stock, if it wasn't salty enough I would have probably added another stock pot rather than actual salt</li>
<li>You could reduce the price by using cheaper cheese (I would have if I had mature cheddar), skipping the ham and using leftover chicken carcass to make stock rather than buying stock pots</li>
<li>This is not a healthy meal</li>
</ul>
<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pr3h-WqUfR4/XqL4VqL2KOI/AAAAAAAAEEc/vNMmS2An9co55Yues2Ac5tcR2I9s00buwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20200424_121832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pr3h-WqUfR4/XqL4VqL2KOI/AAAAAAAAEEc/vNMmS2An9co55Yues2Ac5tcR2I9s00buwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20200424_121832.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Price Info:</b></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/297543409">Tesco Red Potatoes</a> £0.58/kg </div>
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<a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/onions-leeks/asda-growers-selection-brown-onions/37261395">Asda Brown Onions</a> £0.70/kg</div>
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<a href="https://amzn.to/350DL4h">Knorr Chicken Stock Pots</a> 8 for £2 on Amazon</div>
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<a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/garlic-ginger/asda-growers-selection-loose-garlic/910001811823">Asda Loose Garlic</a> £0.25 each</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/290920510">Tesco Salted Block Butter</a> £5.96/kg (250g for £1.49) </div>
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<a href="https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/301971870">Tesco Black Peppercorns</a> £0.14/10g (250g for £3.40) </div>
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<a href="https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/303116924">Tesco Creamfields Double Cream</a> £0.30/100ml (300ml for £0.89)</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/parmesan-hard-cheese/asda-extra-special-parmigiano-reggiano/910001801491">ASDA Parmigiano Reggiano</a> £13.53/kg (170g for £2.25) </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/300066676">Tesco Creamfields Grated Cheddar</a> £4.98/kg (450g for £2.24) </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.aldi.co.uk/gouda-cheese-slices/p/072597290267401">Aldi Gouda Cheese Slices</a> £4.48/kg (400g for £1.79) </div>
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<a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/celery-spring-onions/asda-growers-selection-spring-onions/43994118">Asda Spring Onions</a> £0.55 each</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/265166259">Tesco Sour Cream</a> £0.38/100ml (£1.10 for 300ml) </div>
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<a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/bacon/asda-farm-stores-cooking-bacon/1000223013487">ASDA Cooking Bacon</a> £2/kg (500g for £1) </div>
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<a href="https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/299955685">Tesco Cooked Ham</a> £0.40/100g (400g for £1.59)<br />
<br />
<b>Calories:</b><br />
Potatoes 80kcal/100g - 880 kcal</div>
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Onions (if fried in sunflower oil) 101kcal/100g, 250kcal - slight overestimate</div>
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Chicken Stock Pots (160kcal/100g unprepared) 90kcal </div>
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Garlic 1 large clove 4 calories accoridng to myfitnesspal? - 20kcal</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Butter - 74kcal per 10g- 300kcal</div>
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Pepper - 15kcal per 1/2 teaspoon- 30kcal</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Double Cream 100ml is 467kcal, 700kcal</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Parmigiano Reggiano 100g is 392kcal, 200kcal</div>
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Cheddar 100g is 416kcal, 208kcal</div>
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Gouda 91kcal/25g, 182kcal</div>
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Ham 2 slices 34kcal, 170kcal</div>
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=3030, 758 per bowl (4 large bowls)</div>
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_____</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Spring Onion 10kcal</div>
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Sour Cream 57kcal</div>
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Bacon 70kcal </div>
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= 137kcal, 758+137 = 895 calories per large topped bowl</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />liviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-76722795754855292802020-02-14T18:00:00.000+00:002020-02-14T18:00:06.803+00:00Cooking For Gamers: What to make in a 5 minute break? Microwave Chocolate Mug Cake <div>
<u>Ingredients:</u></div>
<ul><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y_arxYcZloI/XkFSEhOfpxI/AAAAAAAAEBc/wKoyJ9ZDgtsZWyPNML-6k3gPESKiOSvAACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/pexels-photo-675955.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Small pot of chocolate chips" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1099" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y_arxYcZloI/XkFSEhOfpxI/AAAAAAAAEBc/wKoyJ9ZDgtsZWyPNML-6k3gPESKiOSvAACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/pexels-photo-675955.jpeg" title="" width="233" /></a>
<li>1 tablespoon cocoa powder</li>
<li>3 tablespoons sugar (adjust, this makes for quite a sweet cake)</li>
<li>Pinch of salt</li>
<li>1 tablespoon of vegetable oil or similar</li>
<li>2 tablespoons milk, can replace with hazelnut or almond milk</li>
<li>2 tablespoons plain/all-purpose flour + 1/2 tablespoon baking powder OR 2 tablespoons self raising flour</li>
<li>1/2 tablespoon peanut butter</li>
<li>optional: 1 tablespoon nutella, fluff, chocolate chips etc.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>Instructions:</u></div>
<div>
In the mug, stir everything except the peanut butter/optional ingredients together until smooth. Drop the remaining ingredients into the middle of the mixture. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Microwave for 1 minute, then stick a knife or skewer into it, its done when the knife comes out cleanly (or acceptably sticky), if not done, continue microwaving 15 seconds at a time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>Less lazy option:</u> You could grease the inside of the mug with butter/oil, mix the ingredients in a different container and pour it into the mug - this would be easier to clean/less cake would be stuck to the sides of the mug</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FyoASARjMrs/XkFRAUOzJ_I/AAAAAAAAEBQ/vS6jFamoY7AjbqX5hqIrb0I3PWNfkprkACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/pexels-photo-2955818.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chocolate cake/brownie pieces" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FyoASARjMrs/XkFRAUOzJ_I/AAAAAAAAEBQ/vS6jFamoY7AjbqX5hqIrb0I3PWNfkprkACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/pexels-photo-2955818.jpeg" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
liviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-41513601490056688252020-02-10T12:20:00.000+00:002020-02-10T15:42:33.048+00:00Customisable 10 Minute Makes - Goat Cheese Grilled Bread Perfect for nerds like me - you can make this in a 10 minute raid break if you're speedy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NYj8s_l-9e4/XkFJSUAi9XI/AAAAAAAAEBE/prH1PLtljPUqm7onPGGDPCuVahWOybb0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Goat.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="grilled bread covered with goat cheese, honey, pistachios and herbs" border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="937" height="448" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NYj8s_l-9e4/XkFJSUAi9XI/AAAAAAAAEBE/prH1PLtljPUqm7onPGGDPCuVahWOybb0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Goat.png" title="" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snacky perfection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u>Ingredients:</u><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Goat cheese, <a href="https://amzn.to/37ehZJB">honey</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/39oTpY8">pistachios</a>, parsley, butter or oil</li>
<li>Bread of your choice - ciabatta, sourdough, boule, I'm a fan of crusty breads</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>To <a href="https://amzn.to/2ULIpA5">grill</a>:</u><br />
Cut bread into 3/4-inch to 1 inch thick slices<br />
Brush both sides with olive oil or melted butter<br />
Put them on a medium grill and cook until they are lightly toasted (2-3 mins), turn over and repeat<br />
<br />
<u>In a frying pan:</u><br />
Preheat the hob on medium (7 out of 9 for me)<br />
Add a knob of butter or olive oil, once hot drop the bread in and cook for 2-3 mins (until golden/brown)<br />
Flip, add more oil/butter if needed<br />
<br />
<u>To top:</u><br />
Slather goats cheese on top, drizzle honey on and chuck a couple of pistachios over the top of it (chopped if you're fancy), glorious.<br />
<br />
<u>Alternative topping inspo:</u><br />
Walnuts, pineapple, apple, cottage cheese/cream cheese/feta/cheddar/brie/blue - whatever you dream of, olives, figs, watercress, thyme, pine nuts, pesto, sun dried tomatoes, spinach, dates, jalapenos, spring onion, bacon, tomato<br />
<br />
<br />liviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-87808634050917989772018-12-24T07:23:00.001+00:002019-01-02T08:59:22.671+00:00Need a Last-Minute Party Recipe? 3 ingredient Piggy-Wrapped Piggies to the rescue! (Bacon wrapped sausages)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zdU1KkXy2uM/XCCDXAK92KI/AAAAAAAADrM/dRFXsKns2UIcb_xC9untd_2_hzev4HWnACLcBGAs/s1600/appetizer-bacon-bread-434283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1166" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zdU1KkXy2uM/XCCDXAK92KI/AAAAAAAADrM/dRFXsKns2UIcb_xC9untd_2_hzev4HWnACLcBGAs/s200/appetizer-bacon-bread-434283.jpg" width="145" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
Need an easy, last-minute appetizer recipe without the faff? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with this delectable and mouth-watering dish. It hits all the food experience necessities - salt, fat, acid, and heat! I'll freely admit that my food never looks as good as stock pictures but your guests will be begging for the recipe, presentable or not.</div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
Decide how many piggies you want available for each guest and adjust the main two ingredients (cocktail sausages and bacon) and the final ingredient you’ll have enough on hand for whatever amount you make.
That’s right - no need to trawl every aisle, just 3 ingredients needed.</div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
Let’s get started!<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
Ingredients: </div>
<ul>
<li>2 Packages of Cocktail Sausages (or around 80), you can freestyle it here and use a sausage of your choice - what doesn't taste great with bacon?!</li>
<li>2 Packages of Bacon* </li>
<li>1 Box or Bag of Light Brown Sugar </li>
</ul>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
*Bacon notes: <b>Do NOT buy thick-cut bacon as it will not work for this recipe</b><br />
Honestly, the thinner the better, so I typically go with the basic Oscar Meyer original smoked bacon as it is easy to work with. <br />
Additionally, I buy an extra package of bacon (3 total) in case some of the bacon packages have less than 18 slices in them or sometimes portions of the slices are unusable (all fat, no meat). </div>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YYfrQ-J5_OA/XCB3FwtkP4I/AAAAAAAADrA/X9LZRO9kWjMi7F_omTQDFRJRnISxUbX8wCLcBGAs/s1600/appliance-cooking-housework-273850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YYfrQ-J5_OA/XCB3FwtkP4I/AAAAAAAADrA/X9LZRO9kWjMi7F_omTQDFRJRnISxUbX8wCLcBGAs/s320/appliance-cooking-housework-273850.jpg" width="320" /></a><b style="font-weight: normal;">
Tools:
</b><br />
<ul><b style="font-weight: normal;">
<li>Box of Toothpicks</li>
<li>2 Deep Baking Trays </li>
<li>Cutting Board</li>
<li>Sharp, sharp Knife </li>
<li>Medium-Sized Bowl</li>
</b></ul>
<b style="font-weight: normal;">
Instructions:
</b><br />
<ol><b style="font-weight: normal;">
<li>Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or about 200 degrees Celsius. </li>
<li>Open the packages of bacon and slice them into thirds. Do this while the bacon is all still stuck together for easier cutting.<br /><b>Bacon Cutting Hack:</b> Put in the freezer for an hour or two beforehand to make cutting easier, especially if you don’t have an incredibly sharp knife. </li>
<li>Open the packages of cocktail sausages and put them in the medium-sized bowl. This will make the next step easier. There are about 40 cocktail sausages in each package, but this will vary as they are packed by weight (just like the bacon). </li>
<li><b>Assembly</b> -you should have one baking dish available to drop in the piggy-wrapped piggies into. I recommend greasing it or spraying it with a misting of oil to prevent sticking. Typically the bacon grease itself will lift any premature sticking, but, I have run into issues with some stubborn ones and recommend always greasing. Now, this part is a great way to have fun with the family and get them involved in the process. In the past, I have sat the ingredients in the middle of the table and put my friends, family, and even the kids to work!<br /><b>Assembly process:</b> Take a cocktail sausage and wrap a slice (3rd) around the piggy. Stab a toothpick through and lay the piggy-wrapped piggy neatly in the baking dish. I recommend only doing a single layer for ease and simplicity. </li>
<li>Once all of the piggies are wrapped and stabbed, sprinkle brown sugar over the top. This is done by eye, not by measurement - so, you essentially want to cover the piggies generously in this step. Once the fat renders from the bacon, much of the brown sugar will be melting into that (and soaking into the piggies!), so being generous at this stage is perfect. </li>
<li>Place the baking tray in the oven. </li>
<li>After 10 minutes, take the piggies out and stir or flip individually so that the piggies can get a good soak of fat and sugar on each side. Return to the oven for another 10 minutes. </li>
<li>This next part can be a little tricky as cooking times vary based on different ovens and the amount of fat in the bacon, but after 20 minutes, the fat should completely finished rendering. At this point, you’ll want to get your other baking dish (greased) and transfer the piggies to the new dish. Sprinkle on a bit more brown sugar (think: a pinch on each) and return to the oven until the brown sugar has melted. This will help crisp up the bacon more and put a fresh brown sugar glaze. This could take 5 minutes or this could take 15 minutes, so you’ll want to keep a sharp eye on them during this step. </li>
<li>I have also been known to broil the top for a few minutes for a nice finish.<br /><b>Broiling note:</b> If you aren’t familiar with the intricacies of using a broiler, I recommend skipping the broil step. You won’t be missing out on anything, I promise. </li>
<li>Transfer the piggies to a serving dish and enjoy while warm! </li>
</b></ol>
<b style="font-weight: normal;">
</b>liviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-17638696150432825032018-11-02T18:31:00.000+00:002018-11-02T18:58:30.518+00:00Destiny 2 free to keep forever if you claim before Nov 18th, here's the actual link with no BSRather than reading through articles full of BS, here is the link to claim Destiny 2 for free<br />
<br />
<a href="https://eu.account.blizzard.com/gifts/">https://eu.account.blizzard.com/gifts/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://us.account.blizzard.com/gifts/">https://us.account.blizzard.com/gifts/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://kr.account.blizzard.com/gifts/">https://kr.account.blizzard.com/gifts/</a><br />
<br />
Change the 2 letters before account to the relevant ones for your region if needed. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
________________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
<b>What is Destiny 2?</b><br />
<br />
It's on online, multiplayer FPS game, with options between PvE and PvP, "strikes" which are three-player content, and six-player raids.<br />
<br />
You take on the role of a Guardian, a protector of the Last City on Earth from a variety of alien races.<br />
<br />
<b>What do I get?</b><br />
<br />
The <a href="https://amzn.to/2F02PPh">base game</a> of Destiny 2 is upwards of £20, higher when buying expansions. This offer means that you get the full base game of Destiny 2, not as a trial version.<br />
<br />
<b>Why should I bother?</b><br />
<br />
It takes you literally less than 30 seconds to claim Destiny 2 assuming you already have a battle.net account, you may as well just in case you ever feel like playing it.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image result for destiny 2" height="360" src="https://images-eds-ssl.xboxlive.com/image?url=8Oaj9Ryq1G1_p3lLnXlsaZgGzAie6Mnu24_PawYuDYIoH77pJ.X5Z.MqQPibUVTcclkrdz6sBkEt1Pvbjx1_WfWTY3hjcA3Fl1H_OUZPz3mbnIPZbAYavYMDRBM8keDsDXnV8XiK.Fksh8KYI6g3fmJhD29mjmnsRjJmXfafJYOHU0.Yog1JNMk5lCKasRflhvRrppRIcjFL_0Due0w3Z3NobiFEoiN4.kU5FHc2liU-&h=1080&w=1920&format=jpg" width="640" />liviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-53135475998089162342018-10-31T10:34:00.001+00:002021-02-23T18:42:37.776+00:00A lazy person's weekend - 10 meals and 2 snacks for less than £12<div>
I used to have a half day on Fridays so I'd start this off as soon as I got home, you'll get at least 2 meals of chicken breast in wraps, 2 "roast dinner" type meals of chicken leg, potatoes, parsnips and veggies of your choice, 2 unhealthy snacks and around 6 meals from the congee depending how thick you make it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<b>Ingredients :</b><br />
<div>
<ul>
<li>1 large whole fresh raw chicken approx 2kg £5.50 </li>
<li>1 tbsp salt £0.10</li>
<li>1 pack of tortillas £1</li>
<li>Sauce of choice e.g. BBQ, sweet chilli, <a href="https://amzn.to/3bw3ipE">hot sauce</a> £0.10</li>
<li>1/2 tbsp olive/vegetable/other oil £0.20</li>
<li>200g grated cheese £1</li>
<li>1kg potatoes £1</li>
<li>500g parsnips or other veg (I like onions) to roast £1</li>
<li>1 inch fresh ginger £0.30</li>
<li>2 cups uncooked <a href="http://geni.us/rice">rice</a> £0.50</li>
<li>A few lines of <a href="https://amzn.to/3aLPKH8">sriracha </a>£0.30</li>
<li>Soy sauce to taste £0.20</li>
<li>Optional - cucumber, <a href="https://amzn.to/3qMdUXG">lao gan ma</a>, fresh garlic, sugar, salt £1 to make cucumber salad, recipe <a href="https://liviblogs.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/easy-congee-recipes.html">at the bottom here</a>, or salted duck eggs/century eggs </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
First off the <b>roasted spatchcocked chicken:</b></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eiFZPtVsbMM/W9mEUVKV_gI/AAAAAAAADpw/qqxwZHV53vQ3htvZSVeBvV0F1pA8U-mswCLcBGAs/s1600/chicken-close-up-dinner-265393.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eiFZPtVsbMM/W9mEUVKV_gI/AAAAAAAADpw/qqxwZHV53vQ3htvZSVeBvV0F1pA8U-mswCLcBGAs/s320/chicken-close-up-dinner-265393.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><b>Preheat the oven to around 220 degrees C</b>, then lay the chicken on the cutting board, breast side down, and in theory use <b><a href="https://amzn.to/2ZHdXbB">kitchen shears</a> to cut out the backbone</b> (I use normal scissors and pull it apart as well). </li>
<li>Optional: Parboil the potatoes for a few minutes if you'd like, I don't bother, you can peel the potatoes and put the scraps into the stock pot too but I leave the skin on. </li>
<li><b>Put the backbone into a large stock pot</b> - this will be for the congee. Open the chicken like a book then flip it over, and press down in the middle of the breasts with your hands to crack the bone and flatten it out. I don't care too much about this bit as long as the legs/wings are facing outwards. </li>
<li>Wash then chop up the potatoes and parsnips, as many as will fit in the oven tray, arrange them on the tray. Place the spatchcocked chicken on top of the potatoes etc. in the middle of the tray, then with a pinch of salt at a time, rub salt over the skin, and also between the skin and the breasts. </li>
<li>Sprinkle a little more salt over the potatoes and then toss the potatoes that aren't covered by chicken with the olive oil. </li>
<li>Roast for about 45 mins, in theory you should turn over the potatoes and pour some of the juices back over the chicken but I don't bother. </li>
</ul>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Roast dinner (2 meals): </b></div>
<div>
Peel the skin off the chicken and eat it, or don't. I have 1 chicken leg, 1 wing and some potatoes and stuff for a meal, </div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Wraps (2 meals):</b></div>
<div>
The chicken breasts should come off easily with your fingers/a knife or fork once the chicken has cooled a bit, chop up the breasts and eat with a sauce of your choice + some cheese or veggies etc. in tortillas. I pull off all the meat from the carcass with my fingers, put the good meat into a box for more wraps or something else, and the less nice things with veins or whatever into a box to go in my congee later. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Congee (6 meals): </b></div>
<div>
Once the meat is all off the carcass, put all the bones into your stock pot. I usually put this into the fridge and make the congee the next day instead. Full congee recipe can be found <a href="http://liviblogs.blogspot.com/2016/08/easy-congee-recipes.html"><b>here</b></a>. </div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Put a load of water into the pot with the scraps/bones - this is more than 1 litre for me, Bring to the boil at high heat, then simmer for 2 hours.</li>
<li>Use a sieve or something to separate the bones from the stock.</li>
<li>Wash rice then add the rice to the stock, bring to the boil on high heat then leave on a low simmer (2-3 on my 1-9 hob). Add peeled and finely chopped ginger. </li>
<li>Simmer for 2+ hours, then leave to cool. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days. </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
liviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-8788367406775406652017-02-23T13:08:00.000+00:002020-02-10T10:52:28.597+00:00Prezzo inspired Pane Con Cipolla recipe - caramelised balsamic onion and mozzarella garlic bread pizza<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PrgL9zExW3w/WK7YSQe_cYI/AAAAAAAABS4/UpeJA2I_2rcXfR1IDooonl7KdHbDeqocQCLcB/s1600/gbread.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pane con Cipolla" border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PrgL9zExW3w/WK7YSQe_cYI/AAAAAAAABS4/UpeJA2I_2rcXfR1IDooonl7KdHbDeqocQCLcB/s400/gbread.png" title="" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I had a tastecard I went to Prezzo quite a few times just to make use of the 2 for 1 starters and mains, the price was a little hard to justify for me though especially as the ingredients are so simple - pizza dough, caramelized onions, garlic butter, mozzarella, but it was a little daunting due to not being able to find a recipe online.<br />
<br />
<b>First 4 ingredients bullet points are for garlic butter</b>, which was surprisingly low stress and tasty but feel free to just buy premade. <b>The next 6 bullet points are for the caramelized balsamic onions, then there are 2 ingredients for pizza dough and cheese to top the pizza.</b><br />
<br />
You can use any pizza dough for this, I have an extended recipe at the bottom, don't just buy a premade pizza base though, the <b>dough is pretty important</b> for a delicious pizza.<br />
<br />
If you want to make a gorgeous plain garlic bread pizza, leave out the onions and just spread garlic butter onto the dough, then cover it in mozzarella, bake for around 8-10 minutes at 220C/430F.<br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>2-4 cloves of fresh garlic </li>
<li>100g or 1/2 cup of butter (salted or unsalted)</li>
<li>Salt to taste (I used about 1/2tsp), black pepper</li>
<li>1/2
tsp oregano<a name='more'></a></li>
</ul>
<hr />
<ul>
<li>2-3 medium sweet onions, I just used frozen presliced red onions to save time, it still tasted great</li>
<li>1 tsp salt</li>
<li>1 tbsp olive oil</li>
<li>Black pepper to taste</li>
<li>60-100ml balsamic vinegar (0.25-0.5 cups)</li>
<li>2.5 tablespoons sugar (you can use less, I like it quite sweet) </li>
</ul>
<hr />
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>1.5 cups self raising flour (Substitute 1.5cups of plain/all-purpose flour, 1.5 teaspoons baking powder, 3/4 teaspoon salt)</li>
<li>1 cup plain Greek yogurt</li>
<li>125g mozzarella, 50-150g grated mild cheese (I used cheddar)</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Pane Con Cipolla (instructions for each section below):</b></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i.imgur.com/U7T7AyT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://i.imgur.com/U7T7AyT.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<ol>
<li><b>Start by making the caramelized onions</b> unless you are making the inconvenient pizza dough (do the dough first in that case), once the onions have been reduced to low heat you can chop/mince the garlic then go relax for 15 mins. </li>
<li>After that do the dough/garlic butter in any order, then <b>divide the dough into small fist sized</b> pieces, and <b>roll it out into a pizza shape</b> via rolling pin or press with your fingers (I do around 10 inch pizzas, quite thinly). </li>
<li>When the onions are almost ready, you can start <b>preheating the oven, I do 220 C/428F</b> with a fan assisted oven. </li>
<li>You then <b>spread the garlic butter evenly</b> on the pizza base, <b>distribute the onions</b> (you don't actually need a lot to get the amazing flavour), then put <b>blobs of mozzarella evenly</b> around on top of the onions, and the grated cheese as well, depending how cheesy you want it.</li>
<li><b>Bake in the middle of the oven for 9-10 mins</b>, use your good judgement on how brown you want the crust. </li>
<li>I kept the bowl I made the garlic butter in and then used that as a dip which was good but quite sharp.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Caramelized Balsamic Onions:</b></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.42857em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none;"><b>Heat the oil in a large frying pan</b>/skillet on medium heat (I used 6 on my 1-9 hob). put the onions in the frying pan and season with approx 1/2tsp salt and pepper.</li>
<li>Once the <b>onions are a little softer</b> and can be stirred easily, <b>mix the sugar in</b>, then the <b>balsamic vinegar, stir again.</b></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.42857em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none;">Reduce heat to low (<b>2-3</b> on my hob) and let the <b>onions cook slowly, stir every so often </b>(I did it about every 10-15 mins) for <b>about an hour,</b> or until the vinegar has all reduced and is sticking to the onions. This can just be left on a low heat past the hour mark, or can be set aside/refrigerated. </li>
</ol>
</div>
<div>
<b>2 Ingredient Pizza Dough </b><br />
<ul>
<li>Mix <b>1.5 cups of self raising flour</b> with <b>1 cup of plain Greek yogurt</b> (cheap stuff will work fine, just not Greek imitation), if you have one you can use an electric stand mixer. </li>
<li>Once they're combined, knead dough for 5-8 minutes depending on whether you're using a mixer or by hand, add flour as needed. It should be smooth and slightly elastic. This can then be rolled out into a pizza shape and cooked straight away, it doesn't need to rise which is fab!</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<b></b><br />
<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/50/aa/b0/50aab01a9c2e828bda24a2af0290ab8b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/50/aa/b0/50aab01a9c2e828bda24a2af0290ab8b.jpg" width="111" /></a><b>Garlic Butter:</b></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><b>Finely chop or mince the garlic</b>, I used 2 cloves for about 75g of butter but it wasn't as strong as I would have liked. You could also use a pestle+mortar to mush it up.</li>
<li><b>Soften the butter</b> slightly, I just put a bowl with the butter in next to the onions.</li>
<li>Add the <b>chopped garlic, salt, pepper and oregano to the butter</b>, use a fork to mix it well.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Pizza dough with a lot more hassle:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>1 cup warm water (35-40 degrees C, around 100 F)</li>
<li>1 package active dry or instant yeast</li>
<li>3 cups strong bread flour (you can use plain flour too tbh)</li>
<li>1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon sugar</li>
<li>1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder</li>
</ul>
<div>
<ol>
<li>I use a stand mixer, mix the <b>yeast, warm water, honey and sugar </b>in a bowl, leave it alone for around 10 minutes with a cloth on top until it gets foamy. At this point you can </li>
<li>Add the <b>flour, salt, garlic powder and onion powder</b>, I put the mixer to the lowest setting with dough hooks in.</li>
<li>Once it starts climbing the dough hook, turn the dough onto a clean slightly floured work surface and <b>knead by hand for 2-3 mins</b> until it is smooth and elastic. </li>
<li>Lightly oil a large bowl, put the dough in and cover with a clean, damp towel, let rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours.</li>
</ol>
</div>
liviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-39980011958572418682017-01-26T11:36:00.000+00:002017-01-26T11:36:10.357+00:00Giving away a water resistant shower digital radio/bluetooth speakerI'm a pretty big fan of listening to music in the shower (though I usually just leave my speaker outside on full blast), so here's a giveaway for a shower speaker.<br />
<a class="e-widget" href="https://gleam.io/ch6xm/water-resistant-shower-digital-radio-bluetooth-speaker-giveaway" rel="nofollow">Water resistant shower digital radio & bluetooth speaker giveaway!</a>
<script async="true" src="https://js.gleam.io/e.js" type="text/javascript"></script>liviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-73229084563394404822017-01-11T17:09:00.001+00:002017-01-12T15:19:28.130+00:00The best cashback and reward cards in the UK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xOnr0DoUaHY/WHZl_mKDwoI/AAAAAAAAAxA/8lEQhZpP0vYaQekv8MKOAZm6nw9YqES2gCLcB/s1600/cashback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xOnr0DoUaHY/WHZl_mKDwoI/AAAAAAAAAxA/8lEQhZpP0vYaQekv8MKOAZm6nw9YqES2gCLcB/s200/cashback.jpg" width="148" /></a></div>
These cards are great for you if you are happy to use a credit card like a debit card (fully repaying the card each month to avoid interest), this allows you to reap the cashback/rewards without the punishingly high interest rates. To make the most of the cashback you should try to use the credit card for all of your normal purchases, but don't justify spending more for the cashback - even with 3% cashback on a £40 sweater you're still spending almost £39 more than you might have otherwise.<br />
<br />
Keep in mind there are fees if you use the card for cash withdrawals, and there are often better cards out there for balance transfers - I'll cover that in another post.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b><div style="display: inline !important;">
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<b>Amex Platinum Everyday</b> - <b>5% cashback on up to £2000 (£100 max) in first 3 months</b></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</b></h3>
0.5% on £0-5000, spending above £5001 gets 1% cashback, paid out a year after you got your card, 22.9% representative APR but you shouldn't be incurring any interest. <b>If you spend £500 on Amazon and £1500 elsewhere in the first 3 months, you'll earn £115</b> and the £2000 counts towards the 5k requirement for 1% cashback, so if you spend more than 3k over the rest of the year you will earn 1% cashback on that (think of it as a 1% discount on your purchases, not that high!) for approx £145 for your £5001 or so.<br />
<br />
<b>Advantages</b><br />
<ul>
<li>If you apply before 31st January 2017, you'll also get <b>3% cashback on Amazon spending</b> for the first three months up to a maximum of £15 (£500 maximum spending), </li>
<li><b>No annual fee</b></li>
<li>More interest than the Amex Platinum until £9500 (the Platinum has a £25 fee)<a name='more'></a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Disadvantages</b><br />
<ul>
<li>You need to <b>spend at least £3000 a year</b> to get any cash back.</li>
<li>American Express isn't accepted everywhere so you may miss out on some cashback if you have to use other cards. </li>
<li><b>After your first year, you will only get £25 cashback if you spent £5000</b> or £75 on 10k, £175 on 20k so it is lower value. </li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
<b>Asda Cashback Plus Credit Card - up to £100 cashback from £5000 spent at Asda stores, petrol</b></h3>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-owCkcRIrrWs/V4a9KgeWGdI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/V-1PNT3p4Zswf2EOsUHutiadzdyQHGaXACPcB/s1600/money-iii-1254139-639x516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-owCkcRIrrWs/V4a9KgeWGdI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/V-1PNT3p4Zswf2EOsUHutiadzdyQHGaXACPcB/s200/money-iii-1254139-639x516.jpg" width="200" /></a>The Asda Cashback cards are great, especially if you do your weekly shopping at Asda. If you spend £5000 in the year with the split £50/week 2% on Asda Shopping, £20/week 2% Fuel from Asda and £26/week 1% all other spending (realistically probably a bit higher), you will earn around £86 cashback, you can also get 10% Cashback on some Asda Money insurance products.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Advantages</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>2% cashback on all Asda spendings</b> (Asda stores, Living, Grocery Home Shopping, petrol, George.com), not just an introductory rate. 1% on all other purchases</li>
<li>£50-100 cashback from £5000 spent (£50 if you only get the 1% from other spending, £100 from only 2% cashback)</li>
<li><a href="https://credit-cardapply.asda.com/microsites/ASEDM2/">£10 Cashback</a> in ASDA vouchers on your first $40 Asda spend if you activate your card before the end of February 2017</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Disadvantages</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>£3 monthly fee (£36/year)</b>, the regular cashback credit card earns £25-50 from £5000 spent, so unless you are at the higher end of the cashback the fee will negate your cashback e.g. £80 cashback would become £44 whereas the regular card would have paid out £40. </li>
<li>Cashback is given in vouchers that can be spent in the Asda store</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
<b>Aqua Reward - up to £100 from 20k spend/year, good for those with poor credit history</b></h3>
</div>
<div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tAU5SP9x10c/V4a9pNvpbPI/AAAAAAAAARE/w8d5tTLBbQsKb9PsAmCorV-xEwlD4dcbQCPcB/s1600/red-piggy-bank-1425399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tAU5SP9x10c/V4a9pNvpbPI/AAAAAAAAARE/w8d5tTLBbQsKb9PsAmCorV-xEwlD4dcbQCPcB/s200/red-piggy-bank-1425399.jpg" width="121" /></a>0.5% cashback on all purchases up to a maximum of £100/year (£20000 spent)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Advantages</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>No annual fee</li>
<li>Can be approved with a bad.limited credit history.</li>
<li><a href="http://welcome.aquacard.co.uk/USAQRE347?utm_source=uswitch&utm_medium=Aggregator&utm_content=9110150AA370DAG01700&utm_campaign=AQUA_REWARD">£20 Amazon gift certificate </a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Disadvantages</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Comparatively low cashback</li>
<li>High interest rate if you do miss payments (<b>35%</b>)</li>
</ul>
<h3>
<br /><b>Amex Rewards Credit Card - £50 in vouchers with £1000 spent in first 3 months</b></h3>
<div>
If you spend £1000 in the first 3 months you get a bonus 10,000 points (£50 in vouchers)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Advantages</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>You also earn <b>1 point per £1 spent</b>, points can also be used to pay off purchases (but 1000 poins is £4.50 in "cashback" vs £5 in vouchers)</li>
<li>High earnings taking advantage of the introductory offer (5%)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<b>Disadvantages</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Aside from the initial bonus, the money earned is not very impressive - £1000 pounds earns £5 vouchers (<b>0.5%</b>), no real point continuing to use this card.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />liviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-40356515399995101592016-11-22T12:27:00.001+00:002016-11-22T13:20:57.026+00:00Handmade Burger Co. @ The Gate Newcastle, yummy burgers + massive sundaes = happy students<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i.imgur.com/beXekFQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://i.imgur.com/beXekFQ.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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o:title="IMG_20161017_174629"/>
<w:wrap type="tight" anchorx="margin"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->We were invited to Handmade
Burger Co. in the Gate for the first time as a treat for a dreary Monday evening.
The atmosphere was chilled out, casual and friendly and we were received
promptly at the door. The décor is clean and modern, and it is set on two floors,
with a view into the kitchen as well. This may not be the most romantic place
for your 10<sup>th</sup> anniversary celebration dinner as burgers are not that
easy to eat elegantly but the ambiance was pleasant and the music volume was
perfect – having to strain to hear each other is one of the most annoying
little things I come across when eating out.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;margin-left:378.3pt;margin-top:.55pt;
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<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><a href="http://i.imgur.com/bhnY9Vm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://i.imgur.com/bhnY9Vm.jpg" width="150" /></a>With over 40 burgers
to choose from, I was torn between a few of them, I ended up trying to decide
on either the “Hot Chilli” and the “Mexican”, both featured handmade salsa and
jalapenos but the promise of avocado and fresh tortilla chips in the Mexican
made it an easy decision in the end – nachos and burgers are some of my
favourite foodstuffs so why not combine the two?! My burger was delicious and the
tortilla chips added a nice texture. It wasn’t that spicy so I poured a bunch
of their chilli sauce on which tasted great (you can buy a bottle to take home
as well). </div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The “American BBQ Bacon Stuffed” came highly recommended and
Chris opted to try it as it ticked his boxes for something delicious – bacon,
cheese, and BBQ sauce. The prices were reasonable considering the burger
patties and most of the other yummy offerings are handmade, ours were £9.75 and
£9.95 respectively and it gets better - students can get a whopping 25% off
Monday to Friday with a valid student ID. They also offer 20<span style="background: black; border: 1pt none black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 0pt; line-height: 107%; padding: 0cm;"> </span>% off your total bill for NHS, military &
emergency services so don’t forget your ID!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><a href="http://i.imgur.com/xOH6PG6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://i.imgur.com/xOH6PG6.jpg" width="150" /></a>I set a timer after
we ordered to see how long the food took to arrive and I was pleasantly
surprised when all our food arrived in sub 13 minutes, I swear time slows down
when you’re hungry waiting for your meal. Our server had some sort of
superpowers – when he came over to ask how the meal was, I didn’t have the
suffer the awkward 5 seconds of chewing before I could reply. He was warm,
personable and was honestly a pleasure to talk to. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chris decided not to have a side but I was starting to get fairly
hungry by the time it came to ordering (apparently, I can’t survive from lunch
to dinner without getting peckish) so I also opted for some Denver chips, they
came topped with a generous serving of pulled pork, melted cheese and HBC’s BBQ
pit sauce. For £4.95 I was happy to see that there were enough chips for both
of us to enjoy, and by the time I finished my burger the mound of chips looked
a little intimidating. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i.imgur.com/oQ348qG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://i.imgur.com/oQ348qG.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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o:title="IMG_20161017_181753"/>
<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->From the second he
laid eyes on the menu, Chris was hankering after a Sundae, particularly the
brownie and waffle one. I couldn’t make up my mind but unfortunately they
didn’t have the ingredients in so we had “The Oreo” in a sharer size which had
layers of vanilla ice cream, crumbled Oreos, chocolate and butterscotch sauces
and topped with whipped cream (or not in our case, I don’t think I could have
managed a mound of whipped cream anyway!). The sundae was delicious and the
Oreo bits made for an interesting texture and kept the flavour balanced –
usually with desserts I find them a bit too rich as I’m more of fan of savoury
food. I can’t wait to go back to try the brownie and waffle sundae, we may make
a trip into town just for dessert some time. <o:p></o:p></div>
liviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-84499199207695497272016-10-03T11:17:00.001+01:002016-10-03T11:17:51.631+01:00Pokemon Go Plus Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kxEix0k6JuQ/V90kbbBGQWI/AAAAAAAAAfA/4GTSahexcAAPfjebk92x8QTkHVWZJIp6ACPcB/s1600/718uubVzyNL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kxEix0k6JuQ/V90kbbBGQWI/AAAAAAAAAfA/4GTSahexcAAPfjebk92x8QTkHVWZJIp6ACPcB/s320/718uubVzyNL._SL1500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
If you don't have a Pokemon Go Plus yet, be sure to enter this giveaway for a chance to win one for free! They are incredibly useful for tracking your steps, saving your phone battery and looting PokeStops. New giveaways all the time check back here regularly or like the <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/liviblogs/">Facebook page</a> </b>to see when the next giveaway is.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://liviblogs.blogspot.com/2016/09/pokemon-go-plus.html"><b>Click here</b></a> to see why the Pokemon Go Plus is so awesome.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a class="e-widget" href="https://gleam.io/iDslm/pokemon-go-plus-giveaway" rel="nofollow">Pokemon Go Plus Giveaway</a>
<script async="true" src="https://js.gleam.io/e.js" type="text/javascript"></script>liviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-79608035438799839052016-09-17T13:14:00.002+01:002016-09-18T02:35:32.996+01:00Pokemon Go Plus and other wearables and accessories - why the hype? <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kxEix0k6JuQ/V90kbbBGQWI/AAAAAAAAAe4/oerIiPRoOlg72sSjELdeyNRx2CaHxIXvwCLcB/s1600/718uubVzyNL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kxEix0k6JuQ/V90kbbBGQWI/AAAAAAAAAe4/oerIiPRoOlg72sSjELdeyNRx2CaHxIXvwCLcB/s200/718uubVzyNL._SL1500_.jpg" width="200" /></a>You may be wondering why the <a href="http://geni.us/PokemonGOPlusUS"><b>Pokemon Go Plus</b></a> is so popular when the RRP is a bit high at $35, but it offers a lot of benefits, if you're an avid player you'll often find that your battery life suffers when playing Pokemon Go which is a bit inconvenient even with a battery pack, this device allows you to track distance walked, collect items from PokeStops and catch wild Pokemon without having to look at your phone screen.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Why is the <a href="http://geni.us/PokemonGOPlusUS">Pokem</a></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://geni.us/PokemonGOPlusUS">on Go Plus</a> worth it?</span></h3>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>You only need to have the app open</b>, you can run it in the background and flick through your Facebook timeline or browse Twitter, as long as it is open you can catch Pokemon, the phone screen can even be locked. </li>
<li><b>It will continue to track distance when using other apps or having your screen locked </b>meaning you don't have to burn battery just walking around.</li>
<li><b>You get a normal amount of XP, candy and stardust</b> when using the Pokemon Go Plus. </li>
<li><b>It will allow you to play when riding a bike, walking in a crowd of people, or even in a class. </b></li>
<li><b>Significantly decreased battery consumption.</b> <a name='more'></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">How to use it</span></h3>
<b>Wearing it/carrying it</b><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H482N6E/ref=as_li_ss_il?_encoding=UTF8&me=&linkCode=li2&tag=liviblogs-20&linkId=cb5b08f0091a3b82cb08c4a53fe50f0d" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B01H482N6E&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=liviblogs-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=liviblogs-20&l=li2&o=1&a=B01H482N6E" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />The Pokemon Go Plus includes a cloth wristband so you can wear it on your wrist, but it can also be used from your pocket or attached to your belt or backpack with the plastic clip. There are so many ways to use it as there is even a small hole to attach a strap if you want to wear it around your neck or hold it in your hand more securely.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=liviblogs-20&l=li2&o=1&a=B01IDMHKIQ" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><b>PokeStops</b><br />
At a PokeStop the device vibrates twice and the LED flashes blue, when you click the device you will collect all the items at the stop, it will buzz for each item you have collected and the screen will tell you how many items you received.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Catching Pokemon</b><br />
When you pass a Pokemon the device will vibrate 6 times and the light will flash green if you have seen the Pokemon before, or yellow if you haven't (in which case maybe get your phone out and check!), on the screen there will be a message saying "Pokemon is in range!" and there will be a thin yellow line from the Go Plus icon to the Pokemon which tells you which Pokemon it is targeting. If you press the button on the device during the 6 long vibrations, it will throw a single regular ball.<br />
<br />
There will be 3 short vibrations, then if you catch something it will vibrate 5 medium length times, or if not it will vibrate twice and flash a red light.<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Buying a Pokemon Go Plus</span></h3>
<div>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/POKEWARES%C2%AE-Pokemon-Instinct-Nintendo-Accessory/dp/B01IDMHKIQ/ref=as_li_ss_il?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1474113471&sr=1-2&keywords=pokemon+go+plus&linkCode=li2&tag=liviblogs-20&linkId=cab0176111a5b7a1f04a711bf68ad0c0" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B01IDMHKIQ&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=liviblogs-20" /></a>If you can resist, don't buy yours from one of the people buying and reselling them as they will come back in stock with <a href="http://geni.us/PokemonGOPlusUS"><b>Amazon</b> </a>before they ship from the profiteers anyway. If you add the Pokemon Go Plus to your <a href="http://geni.us/wishlist">wishlist</a>, you can get a notification as soon as it becomes available again and snap one up for cheap!<br />
<br />
You can also get wood covers for the Pokemon Go Plus which protect it and you can use to display your team affiliation!<br />
<br />
If you do want to buy it now just to know it has been bought and will be a happy surprise when you do receive it, UK sellers have it for around <b><a href="http://geni.us/pokemongouk">£60 delivering around September 29</a>, </b>or for players in the<b> <a href="http://geni.us/USlink">US you're looking at around $80 arriving between Sept 23-Oct 11</a></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<h3>
<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Briday-Silicone-Pokemon-Catcher-Monsters/dp/B01KXGNFIO/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&qid=1474113696&sr=8-2&keywords=pokemon+go+case&linkCode=li2&tag=alibimo-21&linkId=aabacda1bd05d60dc70e8e9b37f0c35d" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B01KXGNFIO&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=GB&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=alibimo-21" /></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">Other useful accessories</span></h3>
If you would prefer to swipe the screen to catch your Pokemon still, try </div>
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=alibimo-21&l=li2&o=2&a=B01KXGNFIO" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">a case with <a href="http://geni.us/aimassistuk"><b>Aim Assist</b></a>, these cases protect against scratches, dirt, grease etc., and it has precise openings to give you access to all the controls.<a href="http://geni.us/USaimassist"> <b>You can get these for just $8 on US Amazon.</b></a></span><br />
<br /></div>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01II0CVHS/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&linkCode=li2&tag=liviblogs-20&linkId=4f7aad4acac97db0e24f7f49b9999acc" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B01II0CVHS&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=liviblogs-20" /></a><a href="http://geni.us/handstrap"><b><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=liviblogs-20&l=li2&o=1&a=B01II0CVHS" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> Augmented Reality Hand Strap</b></a>, if you're anything like me I'm sure you will have noticed that it is ridiculously hard to play Pokemon Go one handed if you have small hands or a big phone, this universal clip on hand strap allows you to use your thumb to swipe, it is also useful for texting/general operation one handed!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006JPBY/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&linkCode=li2&tag=liviblogs-20&linkId=929e68d542f8bde07bb227cbc2f46093" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00006JPBY&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=liviblogs-20" /></a><b><a href="http://geni.us/beltclip">A belt clip holder for your phone. </a> </b>These can be really handy to allow you to have your phone readily accessible without taking up your hands, if you've got the Pokemon Go Plus you can have it ready to check if the Plus is showing a previously unseen Pokemon. These will only set you back around $5, although some phones have custom cases with a belt clip attachment as well.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://geni.us/bikemount"> <b>Car Phone Holder or Bike Mount</b></a><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Zilu-CM001-Universal-Accessories-Samsung/dp/B00WU721JE/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&qid=1468583276&sr=8-5&keywords=car+phone+holder&linkCode=li2&tag=liviblogs-20&linkId=7986d40c07e4ec8e63058a2d73cc58df" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00WU721JE&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=liviblogs-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=liviblogs-20&l=li2&o=1&a=B00WU721JE" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<br />
I really can't recommend you play Pokemon Go in the car while driving but with the introduction of the Pokemon Go Plus it is at least safer to do, as you'll only be pressing a button when you feel a vibration (resist looking at your phone to see what it is!)<br />
<br />
A bike mount is going to be really useful if you're cycling around between PokeStops and gyms - <b><a href="http://amzn.to/29MKm8D" target="_blank">this</a> </b>is the US best selling Bicycle Handlebar holder, it fits many different phones and it uses 2 butterfly bands to keep your phone secure. A similar <a href="http://amzn.to/29A4HOL" target="_blank"><b>thing</b></a> is available in the UK.liviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-24346041126559903852016-09-12T13:52:00.000+01:002016-09-12T14:55:58.902+01:00Boiled dumplings and pot sticker recipes, great for school/work lunches or as a snack<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9k-TUHPxALU/V9aXa51ViDI/AAAAAAAAAdw/Ozs3AmXbhZAZ_m-qn5Qkhtkm-JEAvXUHACLcB/s1600/11426220_866879903394023_104267311_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9k-TUHPxALU/V9aXa51ViDI/AAAAAAAAAdw/Ozs3AmXbhZAZ_m-qn5Qkhtkm-JEAvXUHACLcB/s200/11426220_866879903394023_104267311_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>First thing is to make or buy the dumpling skin this recipe makes at least 40 skins, buying them is easier but especially if you have a few people to help, its more fun and more tasty to make them yourself!<br />
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The steps where the number is bold/underlined can be done as a production line with one person doing each step then passing on to the next person, this is how it is commonly done at Chinese dinner parties.<br />
<h3>
<b>For the dumpling skins</b></h3>
<ul>
<li>3 cups plain flour </li>
<li>1 cup boiling water</li>
</ul>
<div>
1. <b>Place the flour in a bowl, then stir the flour while adding water steadily,</b> pausing in between if the water has not been fully absorbed yet, continue until the flour is nice and moist (fairly lumpy), knead until the water comes together, if it is too sticky, add more flour, if it is not coming together, add slightly more water until it does.<br />
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2. <b>Continue kneading until dough is smooth and elastic,</b> put it in a covered bowl or ziplock bag and let it rest for 30 mins or so.</div>
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<div>
<b><u>3.</u></b> Cut up the dough into 5 sections, roll each section out into a 1 inch diameter snake, then cut it up with <b>each piece being about 1 inch thick as well.</b> Roll the pieces between your palms to make them into balls, then bash your palm onto it to flatten each ball.</div>
<div>
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<div>
<b><u>4.</u></b> Using a floured rolling pin on a lightly floured surface, <b>roll each piece until it is fairly thin, </b>it should be maybe 3 inches diameter, and a couple of mm thick, they need to be able to hold the filling so use your judgement.</div>
<div>
<h3>
<b>For the actual dumplings</b></h3>
</div>
<ul>
<li>Around 400g minced pork</li>
<li>1.5 inches of finely chopped fresh ginger</li>
<li>5 spring onions, chopped</li>
<li>2 cups chopped chinese leaf, can be substituted for other veg like celery</li>
<li>Black or <a href="http://geni.us/whitepepper">white pepper</a>, a pinch or 1/4 teaspoon approx</li>
<li>3 tbsp soy sauce</li>
<li>3 tbsp <a href="http://geni.us/ricewine">Shaoxing rice wine</a></li>
<li>1.5 tbsp <a href="http://geni.us/sesameoil">sesame oil</a></li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon salt</li>
<li>50 or so <a href="http://geni.us/dumplingskin">dumpling skins</a></li>
<li>Small bowl or dish with lightly floured water in</li>
<li>Pot of boiling water (not needed until most of the dumplings have been made)</li>
</ul>
<div>
1. Make sure your chinese leaf isn't too damp, you can use kitchen towel or squeeze it after chopping it up to get the moisture out. <b>Combine </b>pork, chinese leaf, soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, ginger, spring onions, salt and pepper, stir until mixed.</div>
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<div>
<b><u>2. </u></b>Take one dumpling skin, and put a <b>heaped teaspoon of the pork mixture in the center</b>, making sure there is at least 1cm space around it, ideally a little more. If there is not enough space put less filling on the next one. </div>
<div>
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<div>
<b><u>3. </u>Dip a finger into the water/flour dish and run it around the edge of the skin</b> so that half of the edge is wet, fold the wrapper over itself without pressing it closed, then from one end make a pleat in the side closer to you, then press it into the other side, continue until the dumpling is completely sealed and <b>pinch together firmly.</b> Continue until you run out of skins, filling or hopefully both at the same time.</div>
<div>
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<div>
<b><u>4.</u></b> Put about 10-15 dumplings into the pot of boiling water, or as many such that there is still room for them to move around. When the water boils again add a mug of cold water to the pot, add 2-3 cups of cold water in total each time the water boils and the dumplings will be cooked. Remove with a slotted spoon.</div>
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<div>
5. Serve with a dip of 1/2 <a href="http://geni.us/chinesevinegar">chinese vinegar</a>, 1/2 <a href="http://geni.us/soysauce">soy sauce</a>, a little sesame oil and <a href="http://geni.us/laoganma"><b>Lao Gan Ma</b></a>.<b></b></div>
<h3>
<b>Guo tie or <a href="http://geni.us/potsticker"><span id="goog_1423888947"></span>pot stickers<span id="goog_1423888948"></span></a></b></h3>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DlVbtU8jgLg/V9aXYd2ATaI/AAAAAAAAAds/KGpopBtQBI0UOYXedyJ2x5V0b05bvgf6ACLcB/s1600/929333_449193285215917_379003839_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DlVbtU8jgLg/V9aXYd2ATaI/AAAAAAAAAds/KGpopBtQBI0UOYXedyJ2x5V0b05bvgf6ACLcB/s200/929333_449193285215917_379003839_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>
Follow the same recipe as above but when it comes time to put the dumplings in the boiling water instead...<br />
<br />
1. <b>Preheat a flat bottomed non stick frying pan</b> or skillet on a medium heat, add oil so the whole of the bottom is covered, maybe 1.5mm deep.<br />
<br />
2. Arrange the dumplings close together with the sealed edge pointing upwards, <b>cover and cook for 4 minutes.</b> About 2 mins in check how brown they are, they should not be burned, if they are browning very quickly proceed to the next step.<br />
<br />
3. <b>Add about 3mm of water</b> while using the lid as a shield as this will spit at you and it is terrifying, cover again and turn the heat down to low (or so the water is simmering) for another 4 minutes, then uncover and cook for another 3 mins to evaporate any remaining water, if the water is gone then you can stir/turn the dumplings so not just the browned area is on the pan.<br />
<br />
4. Serve with dip or on its own, these are amazing plain and even cold.<br />
<h3>
Other dumpling filling ideas</h3>
Try adding some chopped shrimp at a ratio of 1:3 shrimp to pork, which adds a nice additional flavour.<br />
<br />
<b>Dumplings with chicken</b>. Cut chicken breast into very small pieces then stir fry in a little oil and about 2 tablespoons soy sauce, let it cool down a bit then combine with the same ingredients as the pork dumplings except the rice wine, add a little oyster sauce (1 teaspoon), then wrap them and cook the same as pork.<br />
<br />
This is good with Chinese leaf but even tastier with chopped up shiitake mushroom, soak the mushrooms in hot water for 30 mins, drain and mince them and combine with all the other ingredients as usual, shiitake mushrooms can be added to any dumpling recipe in this fashion.<br />
<br />
<b>Pulled pork dumplings.</b> This is a little untraditional but still good, make some pulled pork in the slow cooker, I add more Chinese flavourings rather than the usual BBQ sauce so I put in some <a href="http://geni.us/laoganma">Lao Gan Ma</a>, some soy sauce and other similar ingredients from the normal dumpling recipe. I throw in some coriander then wrap and cook as usual.<br />
<br />
You can substitute other meats pretty freely, just chop them up quite small and I typically cook them a little first as they don't cook as well in the dumpling form as pork mince does. Some other combinations to try:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Lamb and carrot </li>
<li>Pork and coriander/dill</li>
<li>Pork and kimchi or preserved vegetable, I'd advise you fry this one</li>
<li>Kimchi and tofu</li>
<li>Pork, prawn, chive and egg</li>
<li>Pork and chive</li>
<li>Pork and sauerkraut coriander/dill/preserved vegetable</li>
<li>Shiitake mushroom, vermicelli, wood ear, spicy things</li>
<li>Crab (like the cheap crabstick things)</li>
<li>Beef and shrimp</li>
<li>Beef and onion</li>
<li>Spicy minced pork (fry pork with soy sauce, Lao Gan Ma, sugar, salt, chilli powder)</li>
<li>Tofu, chinese leaf, edamame, rice noodle</li>
</ul>
liviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-84348928108252616392016-08-11T13:17:00.000+01:002016-08-15T10:50:50.073+01:00Interview preparation questions, questions for the employer and examples/key phrases<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U2A6knaJXCY/V4a2QYikmBI/AAAAAAAAAQo/kP7dAA_uVbs1O26Ogte0_tVdu6SlzHcSQCPcB/s1600/book%2B%252857%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U2A6knaJXCY/V4a2QYikmBI/AAAAAAAAAQo/kP7dAA_uVbs1O26Ogte0_tVdu6SlzHcSQCPcB/s200/book%2B%252857%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Here are some of the questions that you should look at writing out answers for in advance so that you are better prepared, I included the joining words for my answers, you can essentially just fill in the gaps with information relevant to you. At the bottom you can find some good questions for the employer, <b><a href="http://geni.us/interviewprep">interview prep books</a> </b>will cover this more thoroughly. If you're in computing, <b><a href="http://geni.us/programmingquestions">cracking the coding interview and other books</a> </b>will be really helpful, work through them well in advance. </span></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">What
my experiences/aspirations are</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">My career aspirations are </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">I would like to find a </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What are your salary expectations?</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">I understand these internship opportunities have a
large range of salaries… I would be happy to accept anything in the region of </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Will you travel? What % of overnight
travel would you be willing to do on a monthly basis?</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am willing
to travel, I’d be willing to have up to 20% overnight travel a month..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Microsoft Office</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am very
proficient with all of the Microsoft office packages, recently I have been
learning … <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have
studied … <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Why X? Why do you want to work here/What interests you
about this job? What are your interests
and goals, how does interning at X accomplish that?</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">I want to work for X
because you’re a ... The many opportunities to ... </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I really want to be part of a <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>The success of <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">What do you know about X and the position you applied for?
Which X businesses would I prefer </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">IT is exciting
to me because it is a constantly changing environment that provides for a great
career. It is really interesting to me that <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> I also like the staying power <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">The quality of my work
is ... and I think this internship would ... I’m very interested in learning
and excelling at ...</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
aspects of <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-highlight: white;">Why </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">X</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">This internship seems well structured and I feel it
would support me very well in learning <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> I am a <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Why my background
and experience would be a good fit. </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have been
involved in several work experience placements that I have <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> The responsibilities
given to me, particularly in the <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> as I was in a <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> role for a few days and
this gave me a good understanding of how to <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> My strong <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> lend themselves well to this role<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">I believe my skills and
experience are a ... As you’re looking for an ... I meet all of those
requirements. </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Leadership experience, extra
responsibilities, left in charge</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Within the
first year we had a <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>
I encouraged them to collaborate <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>the
other group members were shy, and so I delegated work to each person. Next time
<span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>having the group <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> allowing us to <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> I used this experience
of working as a group to improve <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">What
motivates you?</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">I like ... - that point you reach in a project ...
you have to ...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">What
will I contribute to the company/</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Why should we hire you</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m a <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> with a <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> I’m motivated, <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Which
tasks do you get the most satisfaction from?</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">I get the most satisfaction when I have ... or I
have ...</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Greatest strengths/<span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">How would you describe yourself?</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>, and I have a <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>, when I’m working <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>, I don’t just <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>, instead I’d prefer to <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>I enjoy <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Greatest accomplishment/<span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Challenge</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">I’ve always had an interest in ... and I have had
the opportunity to ..., later returning to the ... we completed the ... and it was a wonderful experience. </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Where do you see yourself in 3-5
years? </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After I’ve
completed my bachelors, I’d like to do a <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> After I have joined a company and <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>I can see myself in a
supervisory or management role as I’m a <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> enjoy <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">I’m ... with
others and enjoy the challenges of leadership. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Drive
and motivation to meet your ambition </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A time where
I had to be extremely motivated and driven was during training for the <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>where I represented <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> Before the selection I
was <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> this led to
my <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> This was a
great learning opportunity and allowed me to <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> I have stretched myself while at university by
representing the University <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>
and a local club <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>,
this represents a commitment of more than 20 hours a week which <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> to ensure I also get my
university work done <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>
I have done this in addition to being a member of the <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> where I represent my <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Time
you set high standards</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">During a
group project we were <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>
and some group members had <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>
I encouraged everyone to just <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>
and then did <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What are your career goals?</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My short
term goal is to <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>,
my long term goal is to have a <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How do you handle stress</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Although I
don’t <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> pressure is
very <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> good pressure
like <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> helps me to <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>There are times that too
<span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>, but I’m quite
good at balancing <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>I
prefer to react <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>,
as focusing <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Friends consider as your best
qualities</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">/<b><span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">How would your friends describe you?</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">People who have worked with me can tell that I’m ...
I’m always willing to ...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">In my personal life I'm always ...People look to me ...</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What are your weaknesses?</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Being ... wasn’t my ... but I’ve found that ... I
have had to ... which has really ...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">I also used to prefer ...but I’ve learned to ...</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-highlight: white;">What
can technology be used for? </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-highlight: white;">Technology can be used for ... it makes ...
and ... as we are demonstrating now. It has been used in ..., and simplifies ...</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-highlight: white;">If
you could pick any piece of technology to work with/work on, what would that
be? </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-highlight: white;">I am always interested in ... there are a
lot of ...</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-highlight: white;">Teach
someone of an older generation how to use a piece of new technology </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-highlight: white;">I actually have experience with this from
my time ... I had a ... I evaluated ... I showed ... and outlined where ...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-highlight: white;">Tell
me why you like IT/interested in technology, and tell me how you keep up with
the latest in the IT world/new technologies.
</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-highlight: white;">I keep track of the ... which is where ...
for this I ... I follow a ... which helps me ...and stay ...</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-highlight: white;">How
did I solve a problem without asking a professor or student.</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">When programming an ...I was having trouble ... I
spent some time ... and then ... which I feel has given me a ...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Favourite
class you've taken and why? </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Last year I
did <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>and this year
I have been doing <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>
and will be starting <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I have most enjoyed the <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> where we have been
creating <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> next
semester we will be creating the actual system. I have found it very <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Technical
leader.</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;"> I feel that a
technical leader should have ..., with the ability to ...about how ...They
should be ...</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Failed
technology </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Honestly it has never really happened thus far, the
largest extent has been while using the ... </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">How
do you separate yourself from the group?</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">I ensure we ... When all group members are together
we ... using our ...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Deal
with a member that was an issue. Conflict/disagreed with a co-worker or
teammate. Tell me about a time you had
to deal with a team member who wasn't carrying their weight; </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">During a <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> I attempted to <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> one of the <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> was unhappy as they
felt <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span> As the
deadline <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span>I asked
each <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">...</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Bad
news or made an unpopular choice </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">While working in the ... On one of his visits, after
a problem with the supplier ... I was able to make an alternative recommendation
...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Describe
a time you didn't agree with a manager. How did you handle it/overcome?</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Middle
of a project and it was decided to move in a completely different direction.
How did you react? </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Within ..., we had been settled on ...then one of
the members ... this was then brought to the ... and they decided they wanted
to ...I wasn’t ...however it didn’t ...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Tell
me of a time where someone changed your mind
</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15.0pt;">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">How have you ever went away from a process to perform a
task differently than expected. </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15.0pt;">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Give me an example of when you implemented a new process
for a business.</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15.0pt;">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Tell me about a time you had to innovate (while you were
in an organisation)</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Tell
me about a time you did something that made you uncomfortable </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">The first time ...and as they had not ...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Tell
me about a time you had to do a challenging project. </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">My approach when ... and then try to ...I make sure
I ...which I do by ... I aim to use ...After writing ... I immediately ...by ...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Can
you think of any improvements to our products/services?</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Your products are ... However... Some of your ...</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">What
makes a good team?</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">A good team needs ...and also ... Each person has to
be ... There has to ...</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Had
to learn something, and there was shortage of time. What was the outcome of
this/what did you learn? </span></b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">For my ... I had to learn ... although I had ... I
ordered ... then ...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Good
team member?</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-highlight: white;">Being ...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15pt;">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-highlight: white;">Good team leader?</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-highlight: white;">Being able to ...and
being ...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15pt;">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-highlight: white;">How many TV's do you think were sold in the UK last
year? </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-highlight: white;">Perhaps around ...
The UK population is ...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Questions for the employer</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What
training opportunities are there during the 12 month placement? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What is a
typical day or week in the job? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How many in
the team<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When should
I expect to hear back from you? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Could you
give me an example of the type of project I would be likely to work on</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Is there anything about my skills which you’re
unsure of? As I’d rather reassure you of my capabilities now</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ask if that
what you needed to know/do you want me to go into more detail<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Make sure
have interviewer’s email details so after the interview ends you can write them
a thank you note and reiterate interest in role + outline key points discussed
+ what you think you bring to the table. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
liviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-30228065813459474042016-08-08T16:17:00.000+01:002016-08-08T16:17:48.159+01:00Pokemon Go Battery Pack GiveawayIf you still need a power bank then check out the Pokemon Go battery pack giveaway at the bottom of this post.<b></b><br />
I'll be giving away other cool stuff periodically so check back here or on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/liviblogs/"><b>Facebook page </b></a><script async="true" src="https://js.gleam.io/e.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br />
<br />
For those poor souls that aren't winners, have a look at the <a href="http://geni.us/batterypack"><b>battery packs</b></a> and see if there is one that fits your specifications, otherwise check out <a href="http://liviblogs.blogspot.com/2016/07/5-best-external-battery.html"><b>best battery packs for US Go players</b></a> and <a href="http://liviblogs.blogspot.com/2016/07/7-best-external-battery-packs-for.html"><b>best power banks for Pokemon Go players in the UK</b></a>.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
Look out for my childhood inspired Chinese recipes, I've got simplified recipes so you don't need to slave for hours and they are delicious and super easy to make.<br />
<br />
<b><a class="e-widget" href="https://gleam.io/MQGxN/pokemon-go-power-bank-giveaway" rel="nofollow">Pokemon Go Power Bank Giveaway</a></b>liviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-16645578672153854762016-08-05T11:01:00.002+01:002021-02-23T18:57:20.082+00:00Yang Rou Pao Mo recipe, Xi'an Chinese lamb noodle stew with torn bread<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uo2JpsKdYAY/YBG_YrxoJ7I/AAAAAAAAEnI/KrFnwe-8cu4FvoxAqKgHNu4Zuwikd2U2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/516f6aa7897100e4a03d5223684f0b67.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uo2JpsKdYAY/YBG_YrxoJ7I/AAAAAAAAEnI/KrFnwe-8cu4FvoxAqKgHNu4Zuwikd2U2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/516f6aa7897100e4a03d5223684f0b67.jpg" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;">Yang means sheep, rou is meat, mo is the unleavened bread and pao is like to steep or soak. This is a delicious soupy noodle/mutton stew with broken up bread bits and rich meat, usually eaten with <a href="https://amzn.to/3dGw7lF">sweet/salty pickled garlic</a> which is actually divine. In a restaurant you get given the bread (or you can have it crumbled for you) and then you break it up then when you are ready they will take it away with your number chip or whatever then bring it back filled with soupy goodness. The smaller you break the mo up the tastier it will be.</span></div>
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<b>Start the lamb boiling in water first then start making the mo</b> as the lamb needs a lot of time. This recipe isn't that labour intensive but it does take time.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>For the mo or flat bread, you'll need:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>500-600g of plain flour</li>
<li>1 teaspoon baking powder</li>
<li>250ml of water (use your judgement and add more if needed)</li>
</ul>
<div>
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<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
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<a href="http://i.imgur.com/RDd6c34.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://i.imgur.com/RDd6c34.jpg" width="150" /></a><b>Mix the baking powder and flour in a big bowl, add the water and mix</b>, I kneaded a bit then let it rest but you can leave it as a pile of dough if you want. <b>Let it rest covered with a wet cloth, cling film or I used an upside down frying pan</b>, ideally it wants to get about 25% bigger but I didn't notice any difference with mine, oh well. <b>Start heating up a wok or frying pan</b>, on an electric hob I used 6 out of a possible 9. </div>
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<a href="http://i.imgur.com/Qu9W0iI.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://i.imgur.com/Qu9W0iI.jpg" width="150" /></a>Knead again then roll the dough into a log or just pull off pieces, I don't care about if my mo are even sizes so I just pull bits off. <b>Roll each bit into a ball then flatten into a disc less than 1cm thick</b>. I prefer to make them as thin as possible using my hands so they are easier to cook and break apart so mine are maybe 5mm thick in the middle. <b>Place each one in the wok or pan without any oil, turn over when it has lightly browned similar to my picture above. Remove and leave to cool. </b>My mo are a bit overly black because I constantly forget I have put them into the pan after turning them over once.</div>
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<b>For the soup:</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>1 <a href="http://geni.us/lamb"><b>big ol' lamb piece</b></a> preferably on the bone, I couldn't get a shoulder so I got a leg, 1.9kg for £14, you probably just want about 1kg or a little less, some lamb bones would be ideal if you have any</li>
<li>Some spring onion, they were sold out so I didn't use any, 0-4 stalks is fine if you're using up the pantry</li>
<li>3L water, or however much will fit in your pot, I didn't measure it just filled up the pot</li>
<li>2.5 inches of ginger, sliced (don't need to cut it very small, I didn't bother fully peeling it)</li>
<li>2-5 <a href="http://geni.us/star">star anise</a></li>
<li>Optional 1 tsp <a href="http://geni.us/mMVABG8">sichuan peppercorns</a>, 1 Chinese cardamom 1 tsp <a href="http://geni.us/dW1aeAR">fennel seeds</a>, 4cm cassia bark, I don't bother with any of these its just more hassle. </li>
<li>5 tablespoons chinese cooking wine</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://i.imgur.com/IccvS4J.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://i.imgur.com/IccvS4J.jpg" width="150" /></a><b>Put your lamb/bones into the pot, add water to maybe 1 inch below the lip</b>, turn the heat up to high and start boiling, once the water is boiling turn the heat down and continue simmering, for me this was from 9 down to 6-7. <b>While this is getting warm start making the dough for the mo, then leave it to rest. </b>I had to cut the lamb up and use two pans as I don't have a deep soup/stock pan.</div>
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<a href="http://i.imgur.com/Rd5tXzE.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://i.imgur.com/Rd5tXzE.jpg" width="150" /></a>Through the first half hour or more there will be loads of <b>scum produced, skim it off</b> whenever there is enough and <b>when no more scum is forming (or at least not as quickly), add the spices/spring onion</b>, so for me this was just adding ginger and star anise (and mine tasted awesome). <b>Turn the heat down a little more and cover with a lid, simmer for around 2 hours</b>. I left the dough for around 45 mins to go do other stuff then made the mo and pottered around the kitchen cutting bits off the lamb til it was done. </div>
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After this you can <b>remove the lamb, and slice it up</b>, I just used a fork and tore at it like an animal until it was in roughly bitesize pieces. I then transferred the stock from the big pan into another one, sieving it to remove the spices and bits of bone etc. </div>
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<b>Noodles, seasoning and garnish:</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://geni.us/ricenoodles"><b>Rice noodles</b></a>, I bought a 4 pack and then just made 1 at a time in a small pot to serve a bowl at a time since just feeding 2 people.</li>
<li>Some of the lamb meat you've already made</li>
<li>Handful of coriander, I didn't bother chopping just threw it on, if you use it regularly I'd recommend you just buy a <a href="http://geni.us/cilantro"><b>cilantro plant</b></a> to save money as a pack of fresh coriander is around 80p for me whereas a plant is £2 and has 3+ packs worth.</li>
<li><a href="http://geni.us/Z2bH6B"><b>Doubanjiang</b></a> or similar</li>
<li>Some <b><a href="http://geni.us/garlic">sweet pickled garlic</a>,</b> not sure if the American stuff is the same if you buy things that aren't labelled as chinese</li>
<li>Soy sauce, chicken bouillon cube, salt, chinese cooking wine</li>
</ul>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/staCbI7.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://i.imgur.com/staCbI7.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bowl of lamb and crumbled mo</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/3jGE5LX.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://i.imgur.com/3jGE5LX.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for soup to be poured</td></tr>
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Bring your clean stock (no bones etc.) to the boil, <b>add the rice noodles</b>, add some soy sauce to taste, I put in 1 chicken bouillon cube because tasty. Add a bit of cooking wine. Once the rice noodles have softened and will swirl around your spoon happily, you are ready to serve. </div>
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Serve with a few mo on the side for them to break apart by themselves, or you can cut them up in advance, <b>pour the soup noodles over broken up mo and some lamb. Sprinkle with coriander, spring onion and add a dollop of doubanjiang </b>(if they eat it), serve the pickled garlic on the side if you have any.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/oTen2QK.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://i.imgur.com/oTen2QK.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished product for lunch at work</td></tr>
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<br />liviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-10995472150422692422016-08-01T16:59:00.002+01:002021-02-23T18:59:27.872+00:007 simple and delicious basic congee recipes, what to eat congee with and slow cooker congee recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Basic congee </b>Congee is just rice cooked in an excess of water in its purest form, it can be quite thick and hearty or more thin which can be more suited if you're looking to lose weight by eating more congee. You can cook it in either water or stock, I typically just use water but congee made with real chicken stock is amazing. You'll need:<br />
<ul>
<li>1 cup raw long-grain <a href="http://geni.us/rice">white rice</a></li>
<li>A load of stock or water</li>
<li>Optional salt, I don't use a spoon to judge just shake my salt thingy a good few times, you can also salt at the end doesn't matter too much</li>
</ul>
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I was taught by my mother to <b>rinse the rice first</b>, basically in the sink you fill a pot with water + add the cup of rice, then sort of knead it and the water will go cloudy, my mum preached that 1 rinse is good but I like keeping doing it until the water barely clouds at all, I don't know why - its satisfying but time consuming. If you're wanting to diet, you can feel free to eat quite a lot of plain congee, I make it quite thin, fill up a big bowl and have salt/soy sauce - if you think about the calories in a cup of rice, spreading that over your whole day isn't so bad.<br />
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<a href="http://i.imgur.com/SawLfnE.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://i.imgur.com/SawLfnE.jpg" width="150" /></a><b>Add the rice, salt and stock or water to a pot or large saucepan,</b> put this on the hob on a <b>high heat until it boils</b>, then <b>reduce to a simmer</b>, stir it every so often to keep the rice from sticking to the bottom. <b>Simmer it for at least an hour so that the congee thickens</b> - the water will be a lot thicker and the rice will be broken down. This is then often served with sliced spring onion, and some crunchy stuff (you tiao), but you can eat it with so many things. </div>
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<b>Pi dan shou rou zhou or preserved egg pork congee </b>For this delicious variation you'll need:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://geni.us/JibM6UK"><b>Preserved duck eggs</b></a> (century eggs)</li>
<li>200g lean pork</li>
<li>1 tbsp chopped ginger</li>
<li>Chopped spring onion</li>
<li>Optional <a href="https://amzn.to/3khZSuy">you tiao</a> (fried dough)</li>
</ul>
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This is made pretty similarly to the plain congee except <b>before cooking, slice up the lean pork into strips </b>and <b>marinate it in some salt</b> (or soy sauce), chuck this into the congee about 30 mins into the simmering time. When you're going to be eating soon, crack open the century eggs (as many as you want, bearing in mind they're expensive!), and either chop into pieces and put in the congee, or you can serve them on the side in eighths in a bowl with a little soy sauce. Throw the ginger in and put the chopped spring onion on top of the zhou, and chop up the you tiao and put that on top too if you'd like. </div>
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<b>Gorgeous rich chicken congee</b> I can't get enough of this variant but it is so much hassle IMO. I boil a whole chicken in a pot with a ton of water, then take the glorious oily chicken stock that is created after an hour or so and use this for the base of my congee, <b>8 cups of chicken stock and 1 cup of <a href="http://geni.us/rice">white rice</a></b> and it is just this divine tasting, rich and filling version of congee. With salt added I literally eat this on its own. It is a nice take on chicken soup for sick people, easy to swallow if you have a painful throat, and its lovely and warming. It isn't the most healthy but I just shake salt onto it until it is delicious. </div>
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<b>Scallop congee</b> When I was younger I didn't think I was a big fan of this adaptation to the usual congee, but since leaving home a few times I have really had a craving for some of this but I haven't been able to find dried scallops thus far at the chinese supermarket! Anyhow, you'll need:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://geni.us/jqOGH">Dried scallops </a>(maybe 20 small ones, less if you have big kahunas)</li>
<li>1 cup rice</li>
<li>Spring onions</li>
</ul>
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<b>Rinse and then soak the dried scallops in water for around 40 mins</b>. Rinse the rice, you know the drill by now. Cook the rice in a large pot with around <b>9 cups of water + the water the dried scallops were in</b>. Bring to the boil, stirring occasionally to make sure nothing sticks, add the scallops and reduce to a low simmer, cover with half the lid if you can and make sure it doesn't boil over. Keep simmering until the rice breaks down and add some more water when it is getting too thick. Garnish with chopped spring onions and season with salt and white pepper.<br />
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<b>Chicken and shiitake mushroom congee </b>This one is gorgeous, you'll need a few more ingredients:<br />
<ul>
<li>1 cup <a href="http://geni.us/rice">rice</a></li>
<li>2-5 <a href="http://geni.us/Acrvci">Shiitake mushrooms</a>, your call</li>
<li>1-2 cloves of garlic</li>
<li>1.5" ginger</li>
<li>Chicken thighs on or off the bone, maybe 5 drumsticks but up to you</li>
<li>Salt, white pepper, maybe a bit of five spice powder</li>
<li>Spring onions</li>
<li>A little bit of coriander (cilantro)</li>
<li>50g <a href="http://geni.us/TE56">peanuts</a></li>
<li>1 tbsp soy sauce</li>
<li>1 teaspoon sesame oil</li>
</ul>
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Wash the rice and start cooking on high in a pot with around 10 cups of water, cook until boiling, while you're waiting for that, d<b>ice the garlic, peel and chop up the ginger,</b> slice the mushrooms into strips, then just <b>throw them into the pot as well as you're done with each bit</b>. Add the chicken after the veggies are in, the water shouldn't be boiled yet unless you're a really slow chopper.<br />
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Once the water has boiled, turn the heat down to a simmer, cover partially and let it bubble away merrily for an hour or so, stir it often, I leave it somewhat thin so I can eat like 5 big bowls. Chop up a few spring onions tear up a bit of coriander and once it is a nice thick consistency, divide into bowls and put a few pinches of the spring onions, coriander and peanuts on top, then add salt, white pepper, soy sauce to taste, and a bit of sesame oil.<br />
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<b>Seafood congee</b> This one just irritates me as I like minimal prep with my food and this has a couple of minutes of effort, oh well it is delicious anyway and I'm sure someone will want to try it.<br />
<ul>
<li>1 cup <a href="http://geni.us/rice">rice</a> (do you see a theme here?)</li>
<li>10-15 scallops</li>
<li>1-2 inches of ginger, chopped</li>
<li>100g shrimp or prawn or whatever you like (substitute other fishy things if you want)</li>
<li>Chopped white fish of your choice (or whatever, I like cod/plaice sort of thing) </li>
<li>2 cups cooking wine</li>
<li>Salt</li>
</ul>
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Wash rice, put in pot with 10 cups or so of water on high as per usual, add 1/3 of the ginger. Mix all the other ingredients together in a bowl except the salt. Once the water has boiled turn the heat down and let it simmer for around an hour or until the rice has broken down, then turn the heat to the lowest possible simmer and add the mixed other ingredients. You can use dried scallops and follow some aspects of the scallop congee recipe, I'm sure you've got that. </div>
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<b>Congee with pumpkin or sweet potato </b>Pick something orange, chop it up and add it to your plain congee, it sweetens it a little and makes it even more delicious, nice if you've got more of a sweet tooth, you can add a sweetener but I like it sitting on the line between savoury and sweet.<br />
<h3>
Slow cooker congee</h3>
Congee in a slow cooker is much the same although it is a little harder to control the consistency until you've made it a time or two and know exactly how long it wants to be perfect for you.<br />
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It needs:<br />
<ul>
<li>1 cup of <a href="http://geni.us/rice">rice</a>, washed/rinsed well</li>
<li>10 cups of water, or chicken broth (or veggie works too)</li>
<li>Or 10 cups of water and 3-4 stock cubes, which isn't as delicious as stuff fresh from the chicken but hey it works. </li>
<li>Or 5 cups water, 5 cups broth which is a little lighter and a little less calorific, the full broth version is gorgeous and rich</li>
</ul>
You can either stir some sesame oil in (around 1 teaspoon) with your rice until it is coated, or just combine rice and water type thing in the slow cooker and take the nice lazy route. I have never put oil in and haven't had particularly sticky problems. After you have (or haven't) stirred the oil in, combine the rice/water stuff and about a teaspoon of salt in the slow cooker bowl (you may not need salt if using stock cubes), put the lid of the slow cooker on and cook on low for around 8 hours, the mixture should be creamy and the rice should be broken down.<br />
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If you want to make any of the variations involving chicken you can put it in from the start to let the flavour really diffuse into the congee, the recipes remain similar just the cooking time is around 8-10 hours rather than 1-2 hours and you can blame the slow cooker if there is an issue. For the seafood one, I would probably add the seafood ingredients to the congee at around the 7 hour 40 minute mark, then turn the slow cooker up to high for the last 20 minutes (or until the seafood is cooked, please don't eat it raw) </div>
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<h3>
<b>What to eat your congee with </b></h3>
There are so many delicious things you can eat with congee, many of them are somewhat healthy and they help to keep the congee nutritious anyway! It is so hard to screw up unless you burn it to a crisp - if it is too clumpy/dry just add more water and cook more. </div>
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<b>Chinese spicy cucumber salad </b>This is one of my favourites, it is spicy and salty and low calorie and just heavenly. Ingredients:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_s--n1TR94Vs/SLsmJvi4DQI/AAAAAAAAFvM/gDTWNmCCpyc/s400/cucumbers-peeled-kalynskitchen.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_s--n1TR94Vs/SLsmJvi4DQI/AAAAAAAAFvM/gDTWNmCCpyc/s400/cucumbers-peeled-kalynskitchen.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<ul>
<li>1-2 cucumbers, I usually just make 2 batches as I eat too many of the slices as snacks as well</li>
<li>Soy sauce</li>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/2MgVkIc">Chinese vinegar</a>/rice wine vinegar</li>
<li>1 teaspoon sugar (not too crucial what type)</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon sesame oil</li>
<li>Chilli oil, I use <b><a href="http://amzn.to/2aGmKmE">Lao Gan Ma</a> (<a href="http://amzn.to/2apbma8">US link</a>)</b></li>
<li>1 clove garlic optional</li>
</ul>
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<b>Wash the cucumber</b>, then using a peeler or a knife, peel long strings down the cucumber so that it looks something like the above picture, then thinly slice the cucumber, I sometimes cut it in half first, not quite all the way down then cut slices but its up to you. I try to keep each slice only a few mm thick so they absorb more of the flavour. If you want, bash the cucumber up a bit with a rolling pin, I don't know why but its tastier this way.<br />
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<b>Chuck the sliced cucumber </b>into a bowl or a tupperware box for me, then pour on soy sauce fairly liberally, for me this is around 5 tbsp or more, but I also basically drink soy sauce. Add 1 tbsp of Lao Gan Ma, heaped for me. Chop up the garlic fairly finely and add to the mix, put in the sugar and a few tablespoons of vinegar, and anything that you haven't put in yet for some reason. Mix this well so that the sauce covers every surface of cucumber.<br />
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<b>Eat, or refrigerate </b>I like to leave it in the fridge overnight to let the flavours sink in, but it can be eaten immediately. You can also saute some bok choy or chinese leaf in soy sauce and maybe some chilli sauce and eat with that.<br />
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<b>Roasted peanuts or toasted pine nuts, zha cai </b>These can be great as well in congee although I like stronger flavoured things, I LOVE <b><a href="http://amzn.to/2auqwyB">zha cai</a> </b>which I can't seem to find on UK amazon but any Chinese supermarket will have it, it is like a preserved salty (slightly spicy sometimes?) vegetable and its amazing eaten with congee.<br />
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<b>Salted or preserved duck eggs</b> Any type of congee can be eaten with salted or preserved duck eggs, if you buy salted duck eggs from the chinese supermarket please be aware you actually have to cook them, through my childhood I was used to being presented with the duck eggs to peel and so I thought the supermarket sold them cooked, then I was really sad when I bought 6 salted eggs for £4 and then cracked one straight onto the counter, raw. The salted eggs will often be taken straight out of the shell with a spoon, and placed into the congee, or they can be chopped/served on a plate for aesthetics You can get salted or <a href="http://amzn.to/2askQVC"><b>preserved</b></a> duck eggs from Amazon.<br />
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<b>Boiled eggs and soy sauce</b> I like to steam some eggs in advance then chop them up and mix with soy sauce/chilli sauce and eat that with my congee, this is pretty quick and gets some protein in.<br />
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I'll add some more things you can eat with congee if I can remember them, or comment some suggestions below! I'll soon be posting some recipes on youtube, whenever I can clean up the kitchen enough anyway! There are so many other congee recipes, shrimp, crab, beef, pork it all works and you can almost just cook stuff in a pot with rice and it'll work out. If you found this useful enough to read all the way to the bottom, <b>please consider disabling adblock just on this site</b> - I have no popup ads just sidebar ads (well I'm not even adsense approved yet), but just having an ad showing on the page helps to support my food devouring lifestyle. Last month I had 30,000 visitors and only 1500 people saw the one ad that I had. </div>
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liviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-47794213836225871362016-08-01T11:34:00.000+01:002016-08-05T11:07:17.817+01:00Festival, camping and other not home frugal cooking ideas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These are basically for if you potentially have access to a hob, or some sort of camping burner, but don't have full preparation things and may not have access to a proper fridge, its ideal but not mandatory to have a cooler unless.<br />
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<b>1. Soup and bread rolls </b>Buy some tins of soup (in the UK you can get 1 tin for maybe £0.30, so 1 tin each for maybe £2), and some bread rolls or a loaf of bread, I can get <a href="http://www.tesco.com/groceries/product/details/?id=261326837">4 batons</a> of tiger, cheese topped, seeded or plain soft rolls (400g each) for £1, for most people a tin of soup and a baton (maybe some cheese/pepper too?) is enough for a meal, so thats one meal sorted for 4 people for £3ish. I get basic tomato soup and add some chilli powder and its amazing. If your budget isn't super strict you could consider buying something like <b><a href="http://amzn.to/2aoanNr">this</a> </b>and taking the ingredients to go with it but this is more expensive.<br />
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<b>2. Hard boiled eggs are good for anything</b> Before you leave, hard boil/steam some eggs (I do it like number 6 <a href="https://liviblogs.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/quick-portable-work-lunches.html">here</a>, they go for £0.07 each in the UK, so you can take 20 eggs for <£1.5, these will be happy enough in your cooler, take some cheese/salad cream/mayo/wraps and that's a few easy meals.<br />
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<b>3. Instant noodles/ramen variations</b> You could also do ramen, I buy whatever the cheapest instant noodle is (£0.20), bring lots of water to the boil, add soy sauce, chilli sauce, mustard, garlic powder then chuck the instant noodle and flavour packet in, sometimes add an extra chicken stock cube (I know, salty), and then add a few eggs, or use ready boiled ones, so that's around £0.030 per person, if they're happy eating that.<br />
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<a href="http://i.imgur.com/SawLfnE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://i.imgur.com/SawLfnE.jpg" width="150" /></a><b>4. Zhou or congee</b> This is really cheap and incredibly easy to make, make up a big pot at home (1 cup of rice boiled in an excess of water until it breaks down, maybe 1-2 hours), put this in a big tupperware box that seals well, then reheat with the pan when you're out there, this can be made with chicken/ribs or whatever in to give it flavour, or you can put 1-2 boiled eggs (peeled) in a bowl, add soy sauce/chilli sauce, cut the eggs up and mix with the sauce then eat with congee. <b><a href="http://liviblogs.blogspot.com/2016/08/easy-congee-recipes.html">See more congee recipes here.</a> </b>You can also marinate some cucumber which is delicious with congee.<br />
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<b>5. Bacon cheddar and spinach swirls</b> Make some <a href="https://liviblogs.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/bacon-cheese-swirl.html">delicious pastry things</a> in advance and eat them cold as snacks, a tray of around 18 costs me maybe £2 to make.<br />
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<b>6. Sandwiches</b> They are boring but easy, I'd do PB&J just for ease, you can take salami/hard cheese as they are happy enough out of the fridge.<br />
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<b>7. Various types of pasta</b>. Make a batch of pasta at home, you could put it in pesto or sauce of your choice then reheat when you're out there. Make sure it is in a well sealed container so it doesn't go dry, cold pasta on its own can be refreshed by rinsing in cold water or chucking in a pan with boiling water for a little while.<br />
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For some quick lunch ideas, check out <a href="https://liviblogs.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/7-no-bs-simple-and-quick-lunch-ideas.html"><b>this</b></a> and<b> <a href="https://liviblogs.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/quick-portable-work-lunches.html">this</a></b><br />
<br />liviblogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957462877520147220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6040785556506239761.post-84504648354633111132016-07-29T10:10:00.001+01:002016-07-29T10:14:23.049+01:00Filling your house with furniture the frugal way<a href="http://i.imgur.com/YkjwR5W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://i.imgur.com/YkjwR5W.jpg" width="150" /></a>I've just moved into my new home this weekend and everything is a bit chaotic, mostly because the living room is completely full of furniture. In the fortnight leading up to the move I was really active trawling Gumtree, Freegle, the local Buy and Sell on Facebook and Freecycle (in the Newcastle area I didn't find Freegle very useful), and when it came to moving we hired a big Luton with tail lift and picked up/moved our things over. You don't need to look for couches for sale as so many people give away their perfectly good couches for free, or attempt to sell them and have no luck.<br />
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<b>You can also get some really amazing deals on affordable furniture </b>from <b><a href="https://www.groupon.co.uk/visitor_referral/h/e1d9cc7f-0c04-4d79-b2cf-a8a0bc601192">Groupon</a> (<a href="https://www.groupon.com/visitor_referral/h/bdfa7c08-725b-4931-9231-abc234911a32">Groupon USA)</a></b> if there are any items that you don't want to get second hand, for us we didn't really want mattresses/duvets/pillows etc. second hand as since we had saved the money on other items we felt that it would just be nicer to buy a new mattress.<br />
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<b>Here is my haul:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>2 seater and 4 seater brown (faux?) leather sofa, free </li>
<li>2 seater and chair, wooden frame and worn cushions, planning to use it in the garden, keeping the cushions inside so they don't get icky, free</li>
<li>Large rectangular office desk + pedestal, free</li>
<li>Corner office desk and pedestal, free<a name='more'></a></li>
<li>1 great office chair, 1 office chair with broken hydraulics, 1 cheap swivel chair that works, free</li>
<li>19th century (or at least 100+ years old) extendable dining table and balloon back chairs, free</li>
<li>Large cotton rug, free</li>
<li>32 inch Technika TV, £25, have since swapped it for a 50 inch LG.</li>
<li>Black trimmed full length mirror, £5</li>
<li>2 very damaged IKEA Kallax 4x2 white shelving units, £5, since sold for £40 as too damaged for my house</li>
<li>Beech 4x1 Kallax unit perfect condition, free, dented while moving :( </li>
<li>Tall black metal/wood shelving unit, free</li>
<li>Wardrobe, small coffee table, medium thin bookshelf, tiny bedside table £15</li>
<li>Small square beech coffee table, large white coffee table, free</li>
<li>Small coffee table type thing on wheels, free</li>
<li>Small wood TV unit, initially wanting £5, I waited until they were moving and they said to just come pick it up.</li>
<li>Black shoe rack/TV unit,/thin coffee table, £5</li>
<li>Black king size leather sleigh bed, free. </li>
<li>Black dining table, clothes horse, set of knives, mixing bowls, free</li>
<li>Lots of crockery, glasses, cutlery etc., free</li>
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<b>What have I learned from this and how you can do it</b><br />
<a href="http://i.imgur.com/vTHrwfc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://i.imgur.com/vTHrwfc.jpg" width="150" /></a>I'm sure there is more that I have missed but basically <b>we fully furnished our new house for £50</b> (we also bought a 2nd hand xbox 360 with some games for £20, but that's a luxury, I suppose a TV is too). If you're really on a budget this would be entirely realistic to do without actually paying for anything, as many people give away beds/mattresses/sofas/desks, you just need to be able to haul it. Van rental is a bit pricey but paying £60 for a day or £80 for 1.5 days is great if you can save on a few big pieces of furniture.<br />
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<b>If you are moving into a new house, make an <a href="http://amzn.to/2atgD4N">Amazon Wishlist</a> (<a href="http://amzn.to/2aOQ7jQ">UK link</a>) </b>for the things that aren't necessarily essential but that you would like to have at some point, for me that means a <b><a href="http://amzn.to/2atgdvk">cast iron pan</a> </b>which is something I have been waiting for for ages but I've been struggling to justify as we have a few different frying pans etc., I'd probably also put welcome mat, nice fluffy new towels and a rug on the list for non-urgent things to buy. There is also a sitewide coupon <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=5M*1ze911io&offerid=290539.10000610&type=3&subid=0" style="font-weight: bold;">FAMSAV10</a> for Smarthome (Home, garden, pool, pet automation and security products), these aren't the cheapest but they can be helpful for keeping your newly found stuff safe.<b><img border="0" height="1" src="https://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=5M*1ze911io&bids=290539.10000610&type=3&subid=0" width="1" /></b><br />
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What I learned from collecting these free/cheap items is that you really need to <b>start early</b>, it doesn't matter whether you are buying or selling. From a buyer's point of view, you want to be getting the best possible deals which means s<b>tarting planning early, contacting people and finding out when they need things gone by</b>, and whether that will work for you. Many people find Craigslist useful for free furniture but I haven't listed it as in my area and many parts of the UK there isn't much there bar underwear.<br />
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You'll get the <b>best deals from people that are also moving</b> and just need things to be gone, especially if they have a deadline. Some people will still be trying to sell their items right down to the wire, you'll get mostly big items from people moving, or those that have bought new furniture. Many people are happy to wait to try and sell their items if they are smaller and more portable. Depending on the season, if you're in a university/college city, <b>take advantage of the people finishing their degrees</b>, or even just ending their tenancy, <b>between May-early Jul</b>y there will be students giving away or selling their items for cheap, this is where you will likely find more of the small items, allowing you to build up a cheap living room set,<br />
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If you are going to be moving house or buying new furniture soon, <b>list your items early</b> as someone will want to buy it at some point, most things will go especially if you live in a more populous area. I'd advise you offer your items as <b>collection only</b> unless people are convenient and on a route you travel often, this reduces the amount of interest you'll get but it also prevents you getting your time wasted, people are more likely to buy something if they have travelled for it, whereas if you cart it to their door and they don't want it, whats to stop them just closing the door in your face? Then you have wasted your time, travel and effort.<br />
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If you've got kids with birthdays coming, or just like cute decorations, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=5M*1ze911io&offerid=333079.10000545&type=3&subid=0%22%20%3E15%%20off%20$65%20at%20Magic%20Cabin!%20Use%20code:%20LSSUM15%3C/a%3E%3CIMG%20border=0%20width=1%20height=1%20src=%22http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=5M*1ze911io&bids=333079.10000545&type=3&subid=0%22%20%3E"><b>Magic Cabin</b></a> has a 15% off $65 deal until the end of August with the code LSSUM15, they have lots of different toys and games for kids with some of them at fairly reasonable prices, make sure you shop around for the best deals.<br />
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