Valentine’s Day

Not long now until the day.  Although most of us celebrate this day of love, there are some among us that don’t for whatever reason.  Because of this, I thought I would give you a simple recipe that you can easily adjust the quantities for; so whether you want to cook this for a loved one, or just for yourself, enjoy!

But first, some useless facts about Valentine’s Day:

This recipe is quick and easy to make, so there will be plenty of time to show your loved one how much they mean to you.

Stuffed chicken breast, wrapped in pancetta, with green bean salad:
(serves 2)
2 chicken breasts, skinless and boneless
2 tbsp full fat cream cheese
12 slices of pancetta
Extra virgin olive oil
Freshly ground salt and pepper

For the green bean salad:
2 handfuls green beans
¼ lemon, juice only
2 tbsp olive oil

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
2. Place each chicken breast between two pieces of cling film and, using a meat mallet, bash out the pieces until about 0.5cm/0.25in thick. Remove the cling film.
3. Spread one tablespoon of cream cheese over each chicken breast. Season and roll up the chicken to enclose the cheese.
4. Place six slices of pancetta, side by side, on a chopping board. Place one chicken breast on the pancetta slices and tightly wrap pancetta around the chicken. Repeat with the remaining chicken and pancetta slices.
5. Place the chicken breasts on a baking tray, drizzle with a little olive oil and cook in the oven for about 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted.
6. Meanwhile, blanch the green beans for a few minutes in boiling water and then refresh in iced water.
7. Toss the beans with the lemon juice, olive oil, salt and freshly ground black pepper.
8. Divide the bean salad between two plates.
9. Top with the cooked chicken and serve at once.

This is an easy meal to make, but if you want to make it easier, get in touch and we can take the hassle away for you.

Check out our Valentines day menu for more inspiration

“Ye Pow’rs, wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware
That jaups in luggies:
But, if ye wish her gratefu prayer,
Gie her a Haggis”

Excerpt taken from  “address to a Haggis” by Robert Burns.  It is, of course, Burns night again on 25th January when we celebrate the famous Scottish poet’s birthday.  It seems to be the one time of year that the whole nation eats Haggis (there is even a vegetarian alternative)

Although I love the traditional Haggis, neeps and tatties, I have taken to eat something different over the last few years; the flying Scotsman.  Still served with neeps and tatties, it is a chicken breast, stuffed with haggis and wrapped in streaky bacon served with a creamy mushroom and whiskey sauce.  But why have haggis at all?  There are some people out there that don’t like haggis, so below is a recipe for a lamb casserole:

Lamb Stew and dumplings

Ingredients
Serves 6
2 sticks of celery, diced
2 medium onions, diced
2 carrots, diced
1 Swede, diced
3 sprigs of fresh rosemary
olive oil
500g diced stewing lamb, approximately 2cm cubes
1 heaped tablespoon plain flour
500ml lamb stock or red wine
1 x 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Dumplings
2oz Beef Suet
4oz Self raising flour

Method

1. Heat the oil in a large pan, and sweat the onion, celery, carrots, and swede.
2. Add the lamb and continue cooking until browned all over. Add the flour and cook out.
3. Add the stock or wine and the chopped tomatoes and bring to the boil, stirring well.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for about an hour until the lamb is tender. Transfer to an ovenproof dish and make the dumplings.  Top the stew with the dumplings and cook in a moderate oven (180˚C/ gas 4) for 20 mins until the dumplings are cooked.

If you like, you can also add some crumbled black pudding to the mix to add a bit more flavour

If you have any ideas you would like to share, get in touch in the usual ways

Christmas.  Are we all looking forward to it?  Yes, I just used the ‘C’ word.  For some people, Christmas can be a dirty word; the stress and worry can be too much for some people, leaving them too tired to enjoy the festive period.  Below are a few of my tips for reducing stress during this time:

1. Plan ahead – I know this sounds obvious, but plan everything; even the smallest things.  Write a list for all of your jobs and tick them off once you have done them.
2. Make ahead and freeze – If you like to make your own mince pies, sausage rolls etc, there is no shame in making them in October and freezing them.  Just make sure everything is fully defrosted before you cook them.
3. Prep ahead – Prep all your veg and potatoes a few days ahead of the big day.  I even stuff the chicken (we don’t have turkey) and make the pigs in blankets the day before.  This way, all you have to do is cook it.
4. Use ready prepared – There is no shame in this.  If cooking stresses you out, then why not use ready prepared veg, stuffing balls, pigs in blankets, even sauces.  Don’t add to the stress any more than you have to.  You could even hire your own Personal Chef to help with all the prep work!

However you cope with the festive time, try not to stress too much.  Just remember that you also have to enjoy the fruits of your loabour as well as everyone else.  If you can’t handle the stress because of the food prep, just remember that there is always some else that can lend a helping hand.

If you have any handy tips that you would like to share, please add them in the comments below