Blueberry Pancakes

I cannot believe we’re already in the second week of February. Where time is going I really don’t know. It must be a good thing though – it must mean I have plenty of things to do. This month started with a birthday get-together for one of my dearest friends, and I know that more good things will follow. There’s nothing better than to feel positive. It’s hard sometimes because life is not only about smelling the roses but it’s the little things that make a difference. Like pancakes, just to mention one example!

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Sugarless Apple and Banana Cake

Hold on, hold on, I hear you say. I know! Today I am giving you something which doesn’t normally appear much here at C&T HQ. When people ask me for alternative ingredients, or diet related recipes I usually give them links to some of my favourite blogs. I don’t do that out of laziness. Most of the time I go out of my way to look for good nutritious recipes that don’t take loads of time and faff to make. This doesn’t apply to food allergies or any other health issue. I do take issue with those who look down on others because they don’t eat “clean”. What? Are the rest eating dirty? And this is not one of those recipes, so there’s a sigh of relief! I can hear it from here.

But that is another story, or rather another blog post. Having said that I am waiting for some books on the subject to arrive through the post very soon, which I hope to be reviewing in the next few weeks. If they decide to get here, that is. I’ve been waiting for over a month now.

Chocolate Chip Bread and Butter Pudding

I just asked Facebook’s hive mind for some quick suggestions on what to listen to while doing some writing. I’m such a creature of habit and I can easily get stuck on the same playlist over and over again, until I get really sick of it. That’s all good though. When that finally happens I just like to try something new. And it’s not Christmas music; I only listened to some of that this morning while doing some early cooking prep. It didn’t help one bit to induce the Christmas spirit. So here I am listening to some soft pop and enjoying it. Don’t judge. If you’re curious Ed Sheeran just came up. Not bad. Not bad at all.

Sweetcorn Pudding

Let’s cut to the chase. Just because I can’t contain my excitement! Today sees the launch of one the most anticipated cookbooks of the year – Simply Nigella. I’m still waiting for my copy so this is not a review, unfortunately (I would have loved to have one right here for you). So until that day comes, in celebration of the book, I am revisiting a recipe which has been an old favourite of mine for ages. It was one of the first things I learnt to make while I was still teaching myself the kitchen basics. I didn’t have any of Nigella’s books at the time, and fifteen years ago the internet was not as it is today. So I watched all her shows on the Food Network. Now there’s YouTube which make things a lot easier!

Penne with Pancetta, Mushrooms and Bechamel (#PastaFriday)

I think the day has finally come. The day when I can dare to say that the air is crisp and fresh and autumn is here. Can this be true? I don’t know about you but to me this kind of weather makes me want to eat mushrooms. And pancetta. And pasta. Thank goodness these three stars go so well together. All they need is some kind of sauce. Now I’ve got a little confession to make. When I’m in a hurry I make a simple tomato one with a few other ingredients thrown here and there, but I’m not a huge fan. I will eat it because I like it. That’s all. What I really really like is a good cream sauce. Alas, that’s not the healthiest thing on Earth (what a huge disappointment) so instead, that is when I have the time I make bechamel.