Jamming.

Okay.. I haven't posted in almost 2 weeks but it's finally nearing the end of the term and I'll get some more free time. It's that time of the year when end of year parties fill our weekends and everyday is jam packed. 

...and with this segue let me tell you about my first ever jam making experience. Since I'm currently endeavoring to be a jack of all trades, or in my case, jill, I thought I'd give homemade jam a go. My decision was also decided by the fact mum has buckets overflowing with apricots and gave me a whole lot more than I can possibly eat at once.  We all know I just love home grown food!

Being a newbie jam maker I sought the net for recipes and found this one which worked out fabulously. It's very detailed which is good for an amateur like me.

I wasn't sure how small to cut the apricots so I just cut them into quarters. Also I might have gotten a little excited about making the jam and forgot to check out how much sugar we had left so I ended up using raw, white and brown sugar to make the required amount... they're all on my shopping list now. However the jam still tastes mighty good so I really don't think it matters what kind of sugar you use. 

I had these cute little mason jars that mum gifted me for my birthday last year so I put them to use and half the recipe made enough jam for 3 containers and two slices of toast for husband and I. Jam is just the best when it's warm and straight from the stove to toast.

I am thinking of raiding mum's apricot tree again and making some more as gifts for people- since this batch turned out great and I think homemade any is just the best. Incase you're interested the label is from a sticker book found here, which is filled with beautiful labels that I use all the time.

Also in other exciting news...(well probably only for me) but my little vegie patch is finally bearing some produce. It's turned out a bit funny though the tomato bush is like the smallest bush ever and the tomato is getting the be almost the same size as the bush? I have no idea how this happened but I'm happy as long as I'm growing tomatoes!

Lisa x

Easy recipes for when you just don't feel like cooking.

Since my parents live a long drive away, I'm always delighted when they come up for a few nights. We had lots of great meals and I thought I'd share a few cheap and easy recipes that are tasty. When my parents are up I want to impress them with my cooking but still have plenty of time to just sit with them and enjoy their company.

Tasty simple potato salad

Ingredients:
6 potatoes ( peeled and cut into cubes).
100g of diced bacon
2 spring onions
Paul Newman's own ranch dressing- any will do but this is the best.
How to:
Steam potatoes until cooked (don't let them get too soft).
Drain potatoes and place in a bowl.
Cook diced bacon in a small fry pan and add to bowl.
Cut up spring onions and add to bowl.
Pour ranch dressing generously in the bowl and mix together.

Crumbed chicken tenderloins

Ingredients:

2 eggs

1 cup plain flour

1 cup breadcrumbs

1 tbsp lemon pepper

3 tbsp shaved parmesan cheese

How to:

Get three bowls out (flat bowls are best).

In bowl 1 place flour.

In bowl 2 place eggs and beat slightly.

In bowl 3 place lemon pepper, breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese.

Dip the tenderloins in flour and brush off. 

Then dip the tenderloins in egg and finally coat the chicken in the breadcrumb mixture. 

Fry the coated tenderloins in a large fry pan until cooked.

And for entree we did have my favourite Chicken noodle soup 

(significantly more appetising than the above picture).

Ingredients:

1 litre water

1 spring onion

1/4 roasted chicken from the supermarket

2 tbsp of sweet chilli sauce

1 packet of chicken noodle soup mix

1 can (400g) of creamed corn.

How to:

This is the easiest soup ever but very good.

Cut up the spring onion and break the roasted chicken into pieces.

Combine all the ingredients and cook on a stove top until warm.

Eat and enjoy!

Let me know if you try any of these very easy recipes. I'm a big fan of testing out tricky recipes but for inexpensive and easy meals you can't go past these three recipes.

Lisa x