Bean there, done that.

Having been to the supermarket and scored myself some Green Beans, Brussel Sprouts and Bananas that were all reduced I was a bit confuzzled as to what to do with them. Obviously Bananas are not a problem because I happily ate one whilst walking round the shop and I had another when I got back home too, but I did think that making some Banana Bread was definitely in order. I looked through all the recipes that I had at home but I was always missing one ingredient (Apple Sauce - anyone know of a suitable replacement??) so I did a quick Google and Lo and Behold - didn't the recipe from the PPK pop up. I had all the ingredients, only I was a bit lost as to whether to use Baking Powder OR Bicarbonate of Soda seeing as Isa's recipe called for Baking Soda!! Is there a difference between Baking Powder and Bicarb? Is Baking Soda something else entirely?? Anyhooo, I settled on Bicarb and whilst the Bread didn't rise as much as I'd have liked, it tasted blinking yum and comes highly recommended by yours truly.

The Brussels Sprouts are sitting in the fridge and will get used up tomorrow but with the Green Beans I made Green Bean Casserole for the first time ever and

OH.MY. GOD!! I can't believe I've never tried this before - it was freaking AWESOME. OK so it's really a US (and Canadian??) thing and really, before blogging, there was no reason how I could ever have known about this dish. But I'm so happy I have discovered it's joy and deliciousness ness ness. I did read a few recipes but at the end of the day I just winged it. Cooking without recipes is definitely by far my favourite way to cook. A pinch of this here, a drop of that there, a taste of that....what else does it need? You all know the score I'm sure. So this is how I did it.

Heathen Green Bean Casserole serves 2 Ingredients Green Beans, cut into bite sized pieces and steamed for 10 mins Olive Oil 1 Onion, cut in half then sliced 3 Mushrooms, sliced 1 Clove of Garlic, diced More Olive Oil Flour Soya Milk Salt Pepper Oregano Marigold Vegetable Bouillon Method Heat about a tablespoon of Olive Oil in a pan and add the Onion. Saute on medium heat for 10-12 mins. When most of the Onions are caramelised and some edges are turning black, add the Mushrooms and Garlic. Stir constantly for 2 or 3 mins then empty onto a plate for later. In the same pan, add some more Olive Oil (2 Tablespoons - ish) and heat up. Add about 2 tablespoon of Flour and whisk briskly. Take off the heat then whilst whisking, slowly pour in some Soya Milk (about a cup). Return to heat and carry on whisking so as there are no lumps. Even if there are lumps it doesn't matter as a quick blitz with the blender will soon sort them out! Add the Onions, Mushrooms and Garlic to the Sauce add quite a lot of Salt (1 teaspoon) some Black Pepper, Oregano and 2 teaspoons of the Vegetable Bouillon and give everything a really good stir. Place in a dish and cover with Breadcrumbs, drizzle with Olive Oil and grill for 10 mins. Make sure the Breadcrumbs don't burn!! Totally Yummy!

shamelessly stolen photo of Green Beans because my blog looks so sad without photos

Ooooh oohh oooooooh. I got my P.I.F today from the luvverly Shelly and everything she sent me was simply GORGEOUS!!!

WARNING!! DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED YOUR P.I.F FROM SHELLY YET!!!!

I am now the proud and happy owner of one of these adorable Felty Heart Pins and a Pin Cushion not to mention two Bath Bombs AND (she really has spoilt us) some absolutely STUNNING Doughnuts all stashed away in a gorgeous little bag. Keep an eye out for Shelly posting her tutorial on making the Doughnuts because these are just adorable.

I'm gutted I can't take a picture to show you all the wonderful things.

A BIG BIG BIG thank you to Shellyfish for making this so fun.

Pay it Forward and Cornish Pasties

GAH!

I knew there was something I'd forgotten. My apologies to everyone who entered and who have been waiting patiently with baited breath for the results and thanks to Guava for reminding me. Now...drum roll please....... The lucky three people who will be receiving a gorgeous home made gift from yours truly are: Georgia DJ Ginger YAY! Congratulations guys. Email me your addresses and I'll make sure to pop a little something in the post for you all within the next 365 days and go Pay it Forward yourselves. Now onto food...... I had a load of casserole/stew leftover that we had for dinner last night, and whilst eating it Mr treehugger declared how it would make nice Pasties. Not being one to disapoint, Pasties is exactly what the man got for dinner tonight. This a GREAT way to use up leftovers and they are so versatile and easy. Shortcrust Pastry Makes enough for 3 Pasties. You could make them smaller, but why would you want too!!!?? Ingredients 8 ounces Flour 4 ounces Marg pinch of Salt 6 Tablespoons ice cold Water Method Sift the Flour into a big mixing bowl, add a pinch of Salt and the Margarine. Using your fingers and thumb, rub the Margarine into the Flour until it resembles Bread Crumbs. Add the ice cold Water and gather the dough into a ball. Roll round a clean surface for a few minutes (DO NOT KNEAD) until it is all smooth. Set aside until ready. When ready, lightly Flour a clean surface and roll out the Pastry. Take a small plate, place on top of the Pastry and score round the edge with a knife. Gently lift up the cut out piece of Pastry and place on a lightly oiled baking tray. Gather up the remaining Pastry and repeat until you have as many cut outs as you can get. To make the Pasty Spoon filling of choice on one half of your cut out Pastry and lightly water round the edges. Fold over one half of the Pastry and press along the edge with your thumb, crimping the edges tightly together. Brush with Olive Oil and bake in a hot oven (200 degrees) for 50 mins. YUM!

(sorry about the poor quality of the photo - I am having issues with my lovely new camera and I'm not sure on the exact settings I need to take good pictures in my darkened kitchen at night - which is when we always eat)

Pay it Forward

My GOD! I can't believe it's a week into December already!! I am still alive and haven't fallen down a mine shaft or anything but I have been incredibly busy and hopefully I will be able to enlighten you all next week as to what has been taking up all my time these past two weeks. One thing I love more than anything is spreading some love and happiness across the world. I like nice things and I like everything to be lovely and nice, if it's sprinkled with glitter and sparkles then even better! So today folks - I have something lovely and nice and glittery and sparkly for you. A few days ago the lovely shellyfish participated in Paying it Forward and I was lucky enough to be chosen to Pay it Forward too. "But what's it all about?" I hear you cry Well, we all know there are some wonderful give aways and prizes to be had in blog land and that is what this is but with a difference. The beauty of Paying it Forward means that not only do I win a wonderful handmade goody but I also get to reciprocate the gesture by giving away hand made goodies to three equally lucky bloggers too. Cool huh! I'm not sure where it all started but it is a GENIUS idea if you ask me. I LOVE to craft but unfortunately I don't do as much as I'd like so this is a GREAT opportunity for me to get my crafty head on and pass on some freebie give away blogging love. The rules are simple:

• You must have a blog
• If you want to participate you must be willing to post a handmade gift to three different bloggers within the next 365 days (A WHOLE YEAR!!WoooHoooo!).
• If you want to participate then include "Jeni is FAB" when you leave me a comment to this post.

Three lucky winners will be chosen at random and I am willing to post my gift anywhere in the universe and beyond. I have some wonderful ideas on what to make you all so don't let this opportunity pass you by - I promise I won't wait 365 days for you to receive your gift. Knowing me it'll be around February - which by then you will have forgotten all about it and so you'll get another surprise ! YAY! This is open until the morning of the 21st December CET as after then I'll be jet setting home to Bournemouth to spend crimbo with my family and to see how many tubs of Toffutti and squirty Soy Cream I can consume before passing out! I will announce before I pass out who the lucky people are. Todays song is Outta Time - the new Oasis song. I FREAKING LOVE IT!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx