My Genius New Plan!

Today I went to the cinema with Steve (have I mentioned him? I probably have, but if not, he's my Slightly Neater Half and Vienna's daddy) and i had.. An Epiphany. Well, I guess it was more of an LED nightlight than a full blown lightbulb moment but I still think it's a very good idea. I'm going to give food critic...ing...(?) a go!

It was kind of Steve's treat today so while we were killing time we went to Tapas Revolution and there were honestly a million and 24 babies in Bluewater today. Hordes of them. Baby queues. I was just wondering where all the mums and dads were going (because there didn't seem to be any in the nearby restaurants) when Steve said in between snaffles of chicken, "that must be the best job in the world... you know, food critics."

See where I'm going with this? I can't start with Tapas Revolution today because I forgot what we had to eat but every time we go out now I'm going to write a review of the restaurant from the perspective of someone who wants to actually eat in public with their children. It is, I think, a Very Good Idea. I'm going to call the food critic posts Empty Plates.

Think we may have to go back to Bluewater... several times...!

Freaky Friday Curry

I'll be honest, this one was a bit Oh Mama, hot hot. You can all blame Dinesh for that. He's my friend Hapi's friend and once made a comment on my deseeding a chilli for a recipe so I thought I'd try it with the seeds this time. Vienna didn't really appreciate it. I could see why.

I've since made it and adjusted the curry thermostat and she gave me a look as if to say "do you think I'm daft, mummy?" but she did eat it. I've kept the original pictures though because the updated one looked the same.

Ingredients

• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp coriander, ground
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tbsp tomato puree
• 1 chilli (seeds in if you're mad, deseeded otherwise)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 1 large potato (as in, a normal potato)
• 1 large sweet potato (as in, a knobbly mutant potato)
• half a suede
• 3 salad tomatoes, chopped
• 1 parsnip
• 1 carrot

Method

1. Parboil the parsnip, carrot, potatoes and suede (a posh technical term I learnt from my mum which means partly boil... or for about 10-15 mins).
2. While that's doing, fry the spices, then the onion, garlic, chilli and mix in the tomato puree.
3. Gradually stir in the coconut milk and simmer for a few minutes until the root veg is done parboiling away.
4. Add the parsnip, potatoes, suede, carrot and tomatoes, and leave to simmer for about 20 mins.

I gave Vienna an orange with hers and the juices did help ease the spice of the original version a bit (tip there!). Also, teaspoon of cheese spread. Works wonders.

Spiced Fruit Wedges

This recipe makes me wish I'd started my blog at Christmas! I've been saying for a while now I might branch into desserts and this is a really nice, quick recipe that would be really good with custard (not that I would advocate giving a baby normal custard!) and tastes really festive.

Ingredients

• 1 apple, sliced
• 1 spoon unsalted butter (about 50g)
• 1 handful sultanas/raisins (about 75g)
• 1tsp nutmeg
• 2 tsps vanilla essence

Method

1. Melt the butter in a pan and add the vanilla and nutmeg until it starts to smell lovely.
2. Add the dried fruit, stir, then add the apple.
3. Keep stirring until the apple is nice and soft. You don't have to stir constantly, but don't let it stick to the bottom of the pan.

I really like giving this to Vienna as a treat because she loves raisins/sultanas and it makes the apples nice and soft for her to chew through.

Mums of the World- Eat Cake!

I've taken a break voluntarily this time. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow because I've got a lot of updates and I'm going to spread them out over this week so it looks like I've been busier than I actually have (not that that is humanly possible...). First I want to say something that after 4 years of insecurity and having something the size of a cat force its way out of my previously solid innards (think about it, it's true) I have finally come to realise.


Dear Mums of the World (Or Indeed Any Other Person Who Needs It),

I'm not trying to sound like a cliche, and I know that no matter how much I tell you this, you need to realise it yourself.

There are people poorer than you.
Uglier than you.
Fatter than you.
With saggier boobs than you. And more cellulite.

They have worse jobs than you.
They have crappier houses than you.
And their cars always make irritating noises that cost far more than yours to fix.

But they still have husbands, wives, girlfriends, boyfriends, children and parents that love them, and something to look forward to at the end of the day. Why?

Because they are lovely, wonderful people. So are you. And don't you dare ever forget it. If you want that extra piece of cake have it. If you want to lose 4 stone and become a lingerie model do it. It's your life. And that's ok- you will be ok.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I am going to sit in my scruffs and eat my curry even though it is past my bedtime.
Care to join?

All my love,
Katherine.