Goats Cheese, Caramelized Red Onion and Hazelnut Sweet Potato Bake.

That title is a little bit of a mouthful but honestly I made this up the other day and actually think it's the best dish I have ever made. It is so tasty. If you are a fan of Goats Cheese, you will love this!


Ingredients


2 Large Sweet Potato's

Goats Cheese (you want a good size wheel - see photos) 


1/3 Cup Hazelnuts (slightly crushed)


1 Red Onion
Balsamic Vinegar
Oil


1 Chopped Tomato's
2 Tablespoons of Tomato Paste
3 Cloves of Garlic
1 Teaspoon of Basil
2 Tablespoons of Cream Cheese




This is a little bit of a time consuming dish; 30 mins preparation time and about 15 - 20 mins to cook. 


Once you have all your ingredients laid out pre-heat your oven to 180 degrees celsius. Then, peel and cut the Sweet Potato in to discs (about 1/2 inch thick) and boil them until pretty much cooked.


While this is happening, cut your Red Onion into slices and place in a pan and cook together with a dash of oil and a good amount of Balsamic Vinegar. It is important to do this on a low heat and cook gradually until the onion is soft and sweet. Add more Balsamic if it seems dry. 


Next, open your can of Chopped Tomato's and place into a bowl. Add the Tomato Pure, Garlic, Basil and Cream Cheese. Mix together to create a tomato sauce. 


You can now cut your Goats Cheese into discs that will go on top of the bake. And, also, have your partly crushed Hazelnuts ready.

Place a layer of the sweet potato discs in the bottom of the tray to start. Then add some of the tomato mixture on top (above).

Then, put another layer of the potato discs (above) followed by another layer of the tomato mixture.

On top of the second tomato layer, add the goats cheese discs, caramelised red onions and hazelnuts (above).

...and place in oven for about 15 mins on 190 degrees celcius, or until ready (above).

Delicious.

Yellow Squash and Red Pepper soup + a successful charity shop shop.

Yellow Squash and Red Pepper Soup.

I spent a few days in Glasgow this week. Shopping for a dress. And practicing music for a wedding. I stayed at a friends who lives outside Glasgow a little in the beautiful hills. It is very peaceful there and I do enjoy visiting. My friend had acquired a large 'Yellow Squash' but were not to this day sure if thats what they're called, and even after googling it I'm still not sure. So lets call it a Yellow Squash. My friend suggested that we make soup with it so we did! 

We used;

1 Large Yellow Squash Roasted (make sure you take the skin off, we didn't and ended up having to sieve the soup as the skin didn't blend)

1 1/2 White Onion

1 1/2 Red Pepper Roasted

2 Carrots

Vegetable or Chicken Stock

4 Cloves of Garlic

Salt

Curry Powder

Butter

Olive Oil

This turned out sooooo delicious and I think a lot of that has to do with roasting the Squash and Red Pepper, so do that first while the carrot, onion and garlic are frying together in some butter. Pretty much just add everything together and it all cooks together nicely. You can add as much or as little stock as you like, we added quite a bit of stock as we both like it tasty! I can't remember how much exactly it was though! 

Blend it up when all the veg is soft, then as we did, have some oatcakes and cheese to compliment...oh and a dash of cream on the top!

I also went on a little trip today down the Ferry and found some really wonderful things. My favourite, a vintage pair of cartier heels. Unfortunately they are too big so I am going to try sell them on eBay along with these other things below. It was a good day for finding little bits and bobs.

Wedding #1. Nude?

There are a few weddings coming up in the next months which on a number of levels I am unprepared for. Most pressing of those matters is the outfit. So, lets start with the dress. I have been searching and I found a beautiful short smock dress with chiffon sleeves and really chic cuffs in a plum colour. But, I can not for the life of me remember where I saw it. But I want it. But if not then any of these below would be sufficient. Preferably the first one.

Topshop, £80

 

Miss Selfridge, £85

Modcloth.com, $89.99

 

 I am going shopping in Glasgow on Monday/Tuesday so I may find what I am looking for then. Oh, I love buying a nice dress or two.

So wedding number 1 is going to be a pastel green wedding. It is a funny thing when you have one thing in mind then end up with something completely different! 

Hats Hats Hats!

I have been waiting for last night for a long time now. If you follow this blog, you may be aware that I have been yearning for winter. I put on my first hat for the 8 degree walk to my gig last night...and then again this morning for the walk to work. Here are some hats I might buy. But no Navy Blue ones. I have like 3 Navy Blue hats. Which is too many.

Top Shop. 

Where The Wild Things Are much!? Yes Please!

Modcloth. 

Happy almost winter.

Satay Vegetable Stirfry.

The more I think about it, the more I think I am a culinary genius. I made this Satay tonight and there are no words to describe how satisfied my tastebuds are.


So get right on it. 


First get all the veg or Chicken or whatever meat you want. Or just veg. I stick to veg cause I'm a vegetarian but you could put anything with it.


Ingredients


1/2 Head brocoli
1 large carrot
1 Red pepper
1 Green Pepper
1 Red Onion
2 Spring Onions
1 Corgette


3 Cloves of Garlic
1/3 tin of chopped tomatos
1 Tablespoon tomato puree
4 Tablespoons crunchy peanut butter
2 Tablespoons oil
150ml coconut milk
Chili Flakes to taste
Salt/Pepper


Rice or Noodles


Method


Basically, chop up the garlic, onions and fry together in the oil. Add the rest of the veg and stirfry until mostly done. 


In a jug, mix the chopped tomatos, tomato puree, peanut butter, coconut milk chili flakes, salt and pepper. Once mixed add to the stirfry and let cook for about 10 mins. 


Add water (or milk or cream....but were being moderatly healthy here so lets go for water) to make the sauce thinner if you desire. 


Thats pretty much it. Pretty easy hey!? Add rice or noodles and eat. Yummmmm.


Yum.

Thai Green Curry with Cashew Nuts.

So, since I got a new job and I know there is more then just enough money to pay my bills coming in at the end of the month I decided to dip into the old bank account and do a MASSIVE Tesco shop. Yeah, thats right, massive.

Last night I made the most delicious meal I have made in a long time, Thai Green Curry. This recipe is probably enough for 2 but I ended up eating most of it. I just couldn't help myself.

You will need;

For the sauce

2 Cloves of Garlic

1 teaspoon of Ginger

1/2 teaspoon of Coriander

2 big teaspoons of Thai Green Curry Paste

1 100g packet of Coconut milk (I use the packets you melt down into the paste)

A good splash of Light Soy Sauce

A good splash of Lime Juice (add lime zest if you have fresh limes)

Chili Flakes to taste

200ml (rough) of water (or if you are feeling indulgent use single cream)

Vegetables

3 Spring Onions

1/2 Red Onion

1 Large Carrot

1 Large Corgette 

1 Large Red Pepper

Cashew Nuts

*If you want meat in it, I would suggest halving the veg listed and adding chicken.

Ok, so first cut up the onions and in a wok fry them and the garlic in some oil. While this is frying on a low heat cut the rest of the veg and add that to the wok and stir fry until almost done. Once veg is almost done add all the spices listed above and let fry for a minute or so. Then, add the Thai paste, Coconut milk, Light Soy Sauce, Lime Juice and stir all together. Once this is all coking away nicely gradually add your water or cream. You can chose the consistency you want, I made this sauce quite thick last night but if you want it runnier then just add more water to the mix. 

I think everyone should make this, It is actually SO incredibly delicious. Just add it to rice or noodles and you are set.

Knits and Lace and Buttons.

http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/valerienesbitt777

It is the 1st September and there was a distinct bitterness in the air today that suggested Autumn was well and truly upon us. How exciting. I am extremely excited for winter and with that excitement has come an obsession with knits. Oversize knits. Oversize knits which have now turned into an outlet for creativity. I have taken it upon myself to make some fine chic additions to some of these knits. Which I am finding it hard to part with. But never-the-less I have student loans and bank overdrafts to start paying off, so I am parting ways with these lovely unique items to try and make a few pennies. A huge part of me wants them to not sell so I can keep them. But all the ones I love the most have gone. To good homes I am sure however, so this lets me rest easy.

Is it sad to get so attached to clothing!? I'm not sure it is. I think it's wonderful.

So, please take time to have a little look at my garments :)

Hello Autumn.