Friday, 21 May 2010

Happenings...


Aren't these the prettiest cook books ever?? I've been wanting these for ages.


Lovely tins from Tesco to keep stationary in.


This was a recipe on This Morning. It can be a starter or a main and is so yummy!!


Baked goat’s cheese with honey glazed shallots
  • Preparation time: 15 minutes
  • Cooking time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
8 sheets good quality filo pastry
2 tbsp vegetable oil
4 thick slices goats cheese, about 1.5cm (3/4”) thick
finely grated zest of half a lemon
sea salt, optional
10 shallots, thinly sliced
1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
1 tbsp runny honey
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
150g (5½oz) watercress
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method
1. Lay two sheets of filo pastry on a chopping board, brush a little oil over the top sheet then place a piece of goats cheese in the centre. Season well and sprinkle with a little lemon zest. Trim the pastry around the cheese so you have an extra 5cm (2") all around it then fold over the edges to make a neat parcel. Turn the parcel upside down and place on a plate then brush over a little more oil and sprinkle with sea salt if you like. Repeat to make another three parcels then chill well in a fridge.
2. Pour the remaining vegetable oil into a thick bottomed pan and heat. Add the shallots and thyme, cover the pan and cook over a low heat until the shallots are softened - this will take about 10 minutes. Remove the lid, add the honey and vinegar and increase the heat slightly then cook until the shallots start to colour. Season well and keep warm.
3. Preheat the oven to 240°C/475°F/Gas 9. Place the goats’ cheese parcels on a baking sheet and cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until the pastry is crisp on both sides - make sure the bottom is thoroughly cooked, there’s nothing worse than undercooked pastry.
4. Place a couple of spoonfuls of the shallot mixture on a plate and top with a little watercress, then add a goats cheese parcel. Serve with a very large glass of Chardonnay.



Hmmmmm not sure about Lavender chocolate...the first taste is a bit weird.....it really does taste like lavender...its quite moreish after a while though.




I love my new picture from Shabby polka dots.



Great read....well so far anyway...i'm about half way through.




Isn't this tin lovely? not sure how old it is, but it was given to me by my Mums friend. It is storing little bits for my blogshop.



Mmmmmm the yummiest healthy flapjacks there are??




I'm dreaming that one day i may have a house like these:



So, what happening with you?

xx

17 comments:

Coco Rose Diaries said...

Wow what lovely treats! I adore that cookbook too! That recipe from this morning looks very yummy...thanks for the recipe...will definitely give that a try! The UJ tins are great, they don't have them at my local Tescos....boo hoo! Those house pics are great...could happily settle in that bedroom for the night and enjoy a relaxing cuppa at the kitchen table! Have a lovely weekend! xxx

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

Ooooh I love goats cheese!!

Have a great weekend, I'm off to my SIL's tomorrow and she's sourced a boot sale for us!

Victoria xx

Amanda Makes said...

Hello! Thank you so much for popping in and entering my give away! I'm off to Tesco's right now to look for those tins! Lots of love, Amanda xxx

Jen Walshaw said...

I too have apples for Jam on my wishlist, oh and I love those tins, but my tesco doesnt have them in

VintageVicki said...

Not fair - our Tescos doesn't have those tins :( Heyho perhaps its natures way of curbing my tin obsession ;)

Viv Wild said...

I've read that book too and really enjoyed it. Have lent it to a girl in my form - must 'nag' next week to return it as they all leave at the end of next week.
Have a great weekend
Viv
xxx

Thecraftytrundler said...

Hi : ) Glad you like the heart pic, and love your other goodies!
Now that tin you were given by your friend's mum, well my Gran had one like that, I remember it well. It could be from 60's - 70's, and I think it may have originally had biscuits in it.
Have a lovely weekend!

Sharon xx

Lisa said...

I do like those tins.
I was lucky enough to be sent some of that lavender chocolate recently. I really enjoyed it.
Have a great weekend.
Lisa x

Country Cottage Chic said...

Lovely books! I received Perfect English Cottage for my birthday & it's lovely.

Jayne

Summer by the sea said...

Wow - Im off to Tesco's in the morning in search of those tins! and the recipe looks mouthwatering - I will definitely be giving it a go - Thank you - Natalie x

Elaine said...

Goat cheese and shallots sounds heavenly! I will have to make this.

Love those union jack tins.

This weekend, i hope to spend the afternoon by the ocean. It's supposed to be warm and sunny. Yay!!

Pixiedust said...

Lovely pics and treats that lavender choccy looks scrummy where can you get it? xxx Pixie xxx

Kissed by an Angel said...

I love goats cheese!!! That looks gorgeous!!
xxxx

salty pebble said...

your recipe for goats cheese salad looks yum yum yum! i will be trying that in the week ;0)x
i hope your enjoying the heavenly sunshine?...makes life that little bit sweeter!...love those cottage style homes from your new book and the recipe books look so pretty ;0)
lavender choc i have tried and your right its a strange choice at first but your mouth soon excepts it as normal hehe ;0)anything dipped in choc is a must have!! hehe...wowza i have sooo fallen in love with those tins from tesco!
tho i havent yet seen them in my local one- i'll have to find a bigger branch ;0)xx

best wishes xxxx Enjoy the sunshine

Andi's English Attic said...

What's happening with me? Well, I'm drooling over those last few pics, that's what. The bedroom especially. And the sofa. And the kitchen... xx

Unknown said...

The goat's cheese & shallots recipe sounds rather yummy!

Shabby Chick said...

Hi Lissylou!

Loving the new acquisitions! The hearts pic from Sharon is similar to mine, bet it makes you smile every time you see it :)

Haven't tried lavender choc but I found rose the same, kind of weird but moreish!

At the moment I am trying to sort out the eldest's birthday party stuff (with a mix of excitement and terror) and wishing she would go to sleep or she will never get this birthday cushion that she wants made!!!

Mel xxx