I'm here ... ready
I have taken in some of the sights and sounds of Newcastle.
Newcastle for me debunks any previous myths I held about it.
Saturday saw me meeting Gino D'Acampo as part of Zanussi #easyteam at Fenwicks Newcastle.
Before being unleashed upon the gathering crowds of mainly women. With Gino I found what you see is what you get. Boundless energy and a joie de vie ( sorry I don't know the Italian for that!)
Along with fellow team member and soon to be friend Richard I found Gino sitting in a little room. Black smart no doubt Italian boots were visible , I plonked my stuff besides some comfy sofas.
You hear of famous people and their demand for hand peeled grapes and penchant for bottled water chilled in Icelandic glaciers.
Gino had a bucket full of Italian soft drinks and waters and a glass bowl of wotsits crisps. Yes you read that right Gino loves Wotsits infact he offered me a packet of Wotsits and a drink , a soft drink.
He ignored offers of champagne.
So this edition of meal planning plays in some part an homage to Gino who said when I questioned him "I don't understand why people don't meal plan"
"There's always time somewhere "
And he's right meal planning is key to a frugal living but frugal living doesn't mean you can't have luxury entwined within the meals.
Cupboard staples are the backbone of a cooks cupboard , you may have got to the stage where you feel it's a bit Mother Hubbard but take heart. Here's some easy ideas to get you going.
Monday
Lunch Wosit sandwich.
Dinner Carrot and Parsnip soup.
Dessert Eggless Apple crumble cake.
And I glad I'm not alone in making a mess in the kitchen Gino does as well. He believes more kids should be cooking and it's our fear as parents as parents of them making a mess that stops us.
Tuesday Cornbeef Hash
Wednesday Something from this.
Thursday
Slow cooked pork chops with seasonal veg
Friday Freezer rumble
Saturday Eat out
Sunday Chicken Roast
Thanks to Gino and Zanussi for making the magic happen.
If I get distracted this week you know why.