These cherry, chocolate and ginger scones aren't you usual type of scone. They are packed full with flavour. Whilst my husband insisted on putting butter on his, it really isn't required. I made them small in a hope that I wouldn't eat too many. Yeah that didn't work! They are very moreish!

They are really easy to make and I based the scone recipe on this one from Delia. The stem ginger gives them a really grown up taste, but I leave this out on the ones for the children.

Cherry, Chocolate And Ginger Scones

• 225g self raising flour
• a pinch of salt
• 40g Stork 
• 110ml milk
• 50g glace cherries
• 30g dark chocolate chopped
• 30g stem ginger chopped

1. Pre heat the oven to 220C.
2. Weigh out the flour, salt and Stork and rub together.
3. Slowly add the milk, forming a dough.
4. Mix in the.chocolate, ginger and cherries. Add a little more flour if it is sticky.
5. Flatten to about 3cm and use an inch diameter cookie cutter to press out the scones.
6. Bake for around 9 minutes when they look golden brown.

Are you a fan of flavoured scones or is it plain with jam and cream that you like best?

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Meal Planning Mondays

Well that week flashed by as usual. Last week was easy meals as my OH was working away and it is much of the same this week.I find that when I am by myself I can cook Monday and Tuesday and then exhaustion sets in and I need simple recipes for the rest of the week.

I have decided that I need to go though the cupboards as the cost of our weekly shop is ridiculous at the moment. Maybe a trip to Lidl and Costco is also on the cards.

Sunday: We are off to Skywalk Adventure which we won from Kids Days Out Reviews. I have found a batch cooked lasagne in the freezer which will be perfect to pop in the oven before my husband flies off to Ireland.

Monday: The boys have karate and we often have quesadillas. Having watched Tom Kerridge on TV the other night we will be making a tex mex chicken one.

Tuesday: Another Tom Kerridge idea of a sausage roll filled with veg too. If this works it will be a great way of getting the boys to eat their vegetables. Fingers crossed.

Wednesday: I am totally addicted to this chilli, avacado and smoked salmon dish. It is quick, easy and tastes fantastic. It was on last weeks meal plan and is going on this weeks again!

Thursday: Sausage and mash

Friday:Sweet and sour chicken and egg fried rice - it is my cheats style fakeaway using chicken nuggets. Little man loves it!

Saturday: I have a curry to make from my Spicery subscription. The boys can have the left overs from the slow cooked chicken korma I made recently.

So that is the plan for this week, with the meals getting gradually easier as I get more tired. What have you got planned?

Slow Cooked Chicken Korma Recipe. Perfect For Batch Cooking

This slow cooked chicken korma is simple to make and great for cooking large quantities so that you have a meal to put in the freezer.

For this recipe I have used skinless and boneless chicken thighs, however, chicken breast would work too. This is a mild curry so perfect for families whose little ones aren't keen on strong flavours.

Slow Cooked Chicken Korma

• 1Kg chicken thighs
• 1 onion diced
• 75g almonds
• 350ml water
• 5 desserts spoons of Korma spice
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 thumb ginger chopped finely
• 150- 300g natural yoghurt depending if you want to freeze any.

1. Put all of the above ingredients except the yogurt into a slow cooker. 
2. Cook on low for 5-6 hours.
3. If you want to freeze some of the chicken, separate the chicken mixture in half and allow to cool. Put half of the mixture in a large pan and stir through 150g of yoghurt. Warm through and serve.
4. You can freeze the remainder of the chicken and when you reheat it, stir through some more yoghurt.

What is your favourite slow cooker recipe?

Meal Planning Mondays

This week it is all about quick and easy meals. My husband is working away so it is just me and the boys. As they have hot dinners at school I am less worried if the meals are on the lighter side. This week it is about making the meals simple!

Monday: Scrambled egg and chorizo

Tuesday: Fish pie. I never got round to make this last week so have the ingredients in the freezer.

Wednesday: Pizza

Thursday: My new favorite meal: Chilli and lime avocado and poached eggs

Friday: Lamb dhansak

Saturday: Lasagne

Sunday: Roast beef

It is the new year and I have a new favourite weekend lunch. Don't get me wrong, I am still rather partial to scrambled egg and chorizo, but this chili and lime avacado with poached eggs and smoked salmon is simply devine.

I first had a version at this dish for brunch at Bill's restaurant. They sell it with the choice of smokey bacon or smoked salmon. My husband can also say that halloumi goes well too. Whilst they use some sour dough, I just used standard brown toast. 

I have to say I had forgotten how easy (and quick) it is to poach eggs. They always have a lovely runny middle and I think I will be doing these more often that boiled eggs as it is just easier to get them right. The recipe below is for one, just double, triple or quadruple up if necessary. I have used fresh avacado in this recipe, but it also works well with a frozen avocado. It just won't look as pretty.

Chili And Lime Avocado With Poached Eggs And Smoked Salmon

• 1 slice of toast
• 1/2 a ripe avacado
• 1tsp chilli flakes
• 1/2 a lime
• 2 eggs
• 1tbsp vinegar
• Smoked salmon

1. Cut up half an avacado into small chunks. 
2. Squeeze the juice of 1/4 of a lime over the avocado and sprinkle over the chili flakes. Toss the avocado so it is all covered in juice and chili flakes.
3. Using boiling water from the kettle add water and vinegar to a small saucepan.
4. Crack the eggs into the boiling water and leave to boil for just over two minutes.
5. Take a piece of toast and top with the avocado mixture.
6. Top with the two poached eggs, removing them from the water with a slotted spoon.
7. Serve with a slice of smoked salmon and a wedge of lime.

What is your favourite brunch or light lunch?

Meal Planning Mondays

Happy New Year lovely people! I have taken a break over the festive season which has been just what I needed. But now I’m back with a few ideas on some tasty dishes to share with you.

Meal planning really helped me last year. My main focus wasn’t on money saving (although just knowing what food you have in the house does help with that) it was more for organisation.

Working more hours, resulted in more organisation required and doing this once a week really helped. So what will we be having this week?

Sunday: Honey parsnip soup.

Roast beef and Yorkshire puddings.

Monday: Chicken fajitas

Tuesday: Fish pie

Wednesday: Chicken Korma

Thursday: Pizza and sweetcorn

Friday: Salmon

Saturday: Ham, egg and chips

What have you got planned this week?

Signing Off For Christmas

It’s that time of year again where I wish you all a Merry Christmas. This year has whizzed by so fast, I could do with a rewind button.

I have yet to get into the Christmas spirit, but I am hoping that will all change with a Christmas lunch today. My tree may be up, work may be finished but the magic isn't here just yet. A good friend reminded me that Christmas is about the people not the presents and he is right. I have been stressing what to get the boys and cursing the fact that they have just had their Birthdays. I have given all the presents they want (which are minimal anyway) to other family members to buy. Leaving me, their Mum, with pretty much nothing.

But do you know what? They don’t care. So why should I? I can safely say that we won’t be one of those families on Facebook with a pile of presents bigger than the tree. But that’s fine by me. Christmas will be making time for my boys. Board games, charades and some Christmas TV. Oh and they may be some bearded dragon cuddles thrown in too.

I am trying to let my control freak nature take a step to the side. Chilly the snowman adorns the tree this year, which fills little man with pride. (I just keep chanting "they will remember this for years to come and next year you can have your stylish angel back up - they are only little once.")

So for now, I am signing off. My phone can disappear for a while and the merriment commence. I wish you all a Happy Christmas and see you in the New Year. now where is my mulled gin?