Oven Chicken Pilaf

The nights are most definitely  drawing in and I want my family to be able to come home to a dish that is both healthy and satisfying. And as my son is always popping out in the evening for sport I want to ensure that he gets the nutrition he needs as he is at a high sporting level. It is important to eat the same as a family , it drives me crackers if I have to cook separate dishes for everyone and when i had a rare cooking failure over a fish pie the other day I was most put out !



Ingredients

4 chicken breasts or 8 chicken thighs
1 small onion chopped
4 tsp curry paste
1 mug of basmati rice
1 mug of chicken stock
1 mug of frozen mixed veg ( I had carrots , broccoli and cauliflower in mine)
or indeed use fresh
optional if you wish to put in a quarter of a mug of frozen leaf spinach


Method

Heat the oven to 200c

Soften the small chopped onion with a small amount oil 

Brown the chicken in the same pan adding a little more oil

Transfer to an oven proof dish with a lid

To the chicken and onion mixture add the mug of basmati rice

Add the curry paste to your taste

Next the mug of chicken stock

Then add the mugs of frozen veg and if you desire the frozen/fresh flat spinach

Cook in the oven for around 40 minutes

Disclosure: I was send Co op vouchers in order to develop this recipe

Cat Treat Tin From Presents For Men

"Le cat chic has hit my kitchen , but as ever the maverick my human bean doesn't use it for the intended purpose , I say caviar or ice cubes so then I can chill my Bollinger"


"I give you the treat tin from Menkind ... plays excitement music "

"The human bean stores the food pouches in there , as I am precious so much SO that you can judge the weather by me if I am in then don't go out , if I am in out then fine go out"

The enamel treat tin is priced at £14.99 an ideal gift for a cat lover or some where crafty to hide your sweets !

"In fact my human being is going to have to cordinate their new kitchen with me , can you imagine anything not matching with me "

"I have been asked to point out in way of disclosure  * contractual shaking of paw agreement that other gifts for men are available ( said in a masterful voice)"

PurrBoxes A Review

With PurrBoxes, every month you will receive a box in the mail with four or more carefully selected products and presents for your cat – specially selected toys and treats along with a month’s supply of cat grass and catnip!

Whether you’ve been living with your pet for years or have a new special feline in your life, PurrBoxes are the unique new way to keep your cat or kitten entertained, happy and feeling loved.

The cost now this is £9.95 a month but you can do a one of payment .

Useful as an alternative to the cat Christmas stocking or an occasional treat .

I think owner s of indoor cats would find this find this beneficial.

The boxes are made up in accordance with the details you provided ie their age so if you've got a kitten again, this would be ideal for a one off or how ever long you wish.

So for a happy puss cat give them a treat of a PurrBox

Rolllie say "I very much enjoyed the surprise of the this arriving , sadly Jack got to the catnip first and was rather spaced out for the rest of the day , I give this 9 paws out of 10"

Review Of Degustabox September

I do enjoy a monthly surprise  from Degustabox this September was a right corker as the nights turn darker there is plenty with the box to keep the cool Autumn nights at bay. Each month Degustabox with send around 9-14 different products to you for £12.99 the price of this is much less than you would pay in the shops. It is a great way to try some new bespoke products in fact at this very moment I am baking a Gin and Marmalade cake which I hope will be ready by the time I have finished writing this blog post.

Jordans Simply Granola £2.69
Ideal for my husband he loves granola you can enjoy this not just with milk but why not try it with almond milk or yogurt. I topped mine last week with bananas and blueberries to make a really healthy start to my week, the size of the bag was good as well at 750g. My T though the granola could have been more clustered , he said a granola should be clustered!

La Viveja Fabrica £1.59

I SO enjoyed the marmalade and it wasn't the sort of marmalade that sets your teeth or edge either by being too bitter. I found the marmalade particularly scrumptious on toast and I am using the last of it as previously mentioned in a Gin and Marmalade cake, which still has about 10 minutes left to cook, though by the time you have read this I will have eaten it all ~sorry

Righteous recommended price 75p

There are 3 Righteous dressings: Lemon and Mustard Seed, Raspberry and Sweet Basil, & Mild English Blue Cheese & Cider - My husband took 2 of them with his salads , he like only the Lemon and Mustard seed and I was left with the raspberry and sweet basil which I didn't enjoy.

Elizabeth Shaw RRP £2.50

This is a brand new Dark chocolate mint thin from Elizabeth Shaw coupled with delicate layers of quality dark chocolate with mint, luxuriously decayed with crunchy mint sprinkles. Ideal to share with friends over a coffee ,this is what myself and Mr T did . This would ideal I think at Christmas and is a break form the norm from the bog standard mints you can get.

Burts RRP 69p a packet

Burts Lentil Waves are available from Waitrose in three tantalising flavours; Sour Cream & Chive, Thai Sweet Chilli and Lightly Salted. We all enjoyed these as a family and were gently surprised by their lightness.

Little Miracles RRP £1.39 per bottle

I was really looking forward to trying these energy drinks , I rarely drink energy drinks but these piqued my interest as they are sweetened with agave. They were a nice pick up on an hot day when Autumn was getting confused ! and I was sweltering in the heat. They are less than 90 calories and are free from colure,flavours and sweeteners.

Crabbies Zesty Lemon RRP £1.50

Well it was lemony not in such a way that your lips form an "O my goodness that is a tart lemon taste" , but more of a "O how refreshing". I would gladly buy these all year round * adds them to this weeks shopping.

Pick Me Up RRP £1.69

Who doesn't love a chocolate biscuits that is individually wrapped ~ not that these made it out of the house I have to tell you, they are a very luxurious biscuit which is fair on the price you pay for it.

Carnation Cook With It £1.65

We were unsure on this ~ it might have been down to the fact that I had a rare cooking fail and my fish pie looked liked prison slops. I am willing to give it another go and try it in another recipe with the remaining one I have left, the price seems a little on the high side in comparison to the milk you buy for your family.

If you want to find Degustabox then you can find them on Twitter 

You Got The Look ~ Indignant Cat

The look that says " you want to go upstairs you go past me "

For 2 weeks I've been trying to brush my silver tabby , it is like to trying to groom a hedgehog. Rollie is a medium to long hair cat, his fur is dense, he never stops fluffing.

Aloof and strong willed is Rollie , where ever he lays his paw he sleeps. A wise person will wear slippers in this household whilst vacuuming just in case there is a lurky beastie.