Balsamic Chicken Thighs, Roasted Baby Potatoes & A Delicious Rocket Salad

This mid-week, yes, mid-week, I made a delicious dinner of balsamic and garlic chicken with roasted baby potatoes served with a tasty rocket and tomato salad. For a mid-week dinner, that's pretty snazzy. The original recipe, which inspired this dish can be found on the XhenetiX recipe website. Mine uses a little less ingredients as I am cooking for the whole family, all of whom have their own personal tastes and particular little buds.

It was altogether a very light and filling meal. The balsamic and garlic marinade worked a treat, not just because garlic is my favourite seasoning and flavour enhancer; it had more to do with the fact that the tangy taste of the vinegar was a little revival of a flavour which I rather quite enjoyed a few years back but had lost the taste for it during my last pregnancy with my son, Drayven.

I think there might be a few more potential dishes on the horizon intended for a balsamic celebration. I promise you, it's really great with salads! And as for the potatoes, I just love potatoes... Seriously one of my favourite starches, you can do so much to dress them up and they very readily add that finishing and complimentary touch to your table.

For these awesomely roasted baby potatoes, you will need:

• 1kg Baby New Potatoes, skin on
• Pinch of salt
• Sprinkle of black pepper
• Sprinkle of fresh and dried basil
• Olive oil

Baby Spuds: The best roast baby potatoes.

Add your spuds to a large pot and cover with water, bring to the boil and let them cook for roughly ten minutes or just so that they are cooked enough to be squeezed down under your thumb because that is precisely what you will need to do next. Once ready, drain the water and lay the spuds on a baking tray lined with parchment paper for baking. Now, get your thumbs (or the balls of your palm) ready and squash them down a little, just enough to gently open the skins. Drizzle them with a little olive oil, sprinkle with some sea salt, black pepper and dried basil (I'm using basil but please feel free to use any herb of choice, they are all fantastic, it really just depends on what takes my preference at the time). Bake in the oven for twenty minutes and then turn, baking for another ten. take them out of the oven and garnish with some fresh basil (delicious to nibble on with the rest of the meal).

Okay, so here's what you'll need for the balsamic glazed chicken:

• 1kg Chicken thighs, skin removed and any excess fat
• 6 cloves of garlic, crushed or minced
• 1 cup of balsamic vinegar
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• Olive oil

End Product: Balsamic chicken with a beautiful green salad.

To make the marinade simply mix together the balsamic vinegar, garlic and chicken thighs together in a seal-proof bag - really blend the ingredients together by rubbing the garlic and liquid into the creases of the meat and - for best results - leave overnight in the fridge (but an hour or two will also suffice).

In a pan or wok and on a medium heat, cook the chicken (in its marinade) in a little olive oil, cooking gently whilst adding some cayenne and sea salt. Cover the pan and simmer until cooked in the centre, making sure to turn the pieces regularly.

Serve your chicken alongside the baby potatoes with a side of rocket leaves. You can add chard leaves, spinach, various coloured plum tomatoes and whatever raw salad vegetables come to mind.

A Great Tip for Salad Dressing:

Mix together in a bowl some extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic, black pepper and a little salt! Reserve as a side dressing for salads of all kinds. To be honest, salads don't always need a dressing, I haven't used one in the image above as the tomatoes provided a wonderful sweetness all on its own.

Feast away.

Garlic Chicken & Green Peppers with Baked Red-Skin Potatoes & Steamed Broccoli Recipe

In the past, a few friends of mine have suggested that I publish my recipes on a blog and while I have often thought I should probably do it more than just once in a very blue moon, I simply never got around to doing what has been, somewhat, consistently recommended.

And just recently, another friend of mine suggested the very same thing over social media after I posted a snap of one of my meals; this very dish in fact! So I kind of feel like I am being nudged in the direction of food blogging and it kind of makes sense seeing as I am pretty much coming up with my own culinary creations on an almost daily basis. I should also mention I made a pact with another dear friend of mine, over a lunch date of all things, who has just started her own advise blog (which I hope to advertise on here once she is fully publishing online and of course with her approval), to update here on a more regular basis. I don't really advertise my blog socially as it has always just been a very random and occasional online record of little events in my life. So no promises of daily posts, instead I'll tentatively agree to pay a bit more care and attention to my neglected page: 'Chronicles of the Storm Matriarch.'

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I really do love to cook. It relaxes me and fulfils my inner rogue chef. Perhaps I should have gone into this professionally, although, as with my art, I fear it would probably take away some of the joy. It's easy to get lost in a hobby or past-time when you know that you are not obliged to produce your product on demand or at whim.

Being able to create your own new and self-inspired dishes off-hand is very therapeutic too. It is also very reassuring and rewarding to know that the time and effort that goes into the actual process and preparation of finalising a dish is well received and appreciated by those you are actively nourishing. I love those special, four little words, "Mummy, that was delicious!" They have such a resounding impact.

I wanted to share with you one of this weeks after-school meals. It does take a bit of time to cook, so I wouldn't say it's a time saver by any stretch. But given that the Storm House operates on a relatively strict schedule, it means that we can get all of these things done and still have some family time towards early evening just before bed. I get home with the girls a little before four o'clock and as soon as we are in it is literally 'get changed,' 'wash-up,' 'prepare uniforms and book/PE bags for the next day' and 'have a fruit snack, read/TV/play together with their little brother,' while I prepare dinner. This can take at most an hour. So, while the kids are busy with their designated tasks, I am busy cooking up a storm in the kitchen and dinner is usually served by five or five-thirty at the latest. Thank you, Storm Routine.

Garlic Chicken and Green Peppers with Baked Red-Skin Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli

Delicious & Simple: Got a four star rating from the Storm kids.

For the chicken you will need:

• 4 skinless chicken breast fillets
• 2 freshly diced green bell peppers (seeded and stemmed)
• 4 cloves of freshly crushed garlic
• 1tsp All Purpose seasoning
• 1 vegetable/chicken Knorr stock cube
• 1 large freshly diced red onion
• 2 sprigs of lemon thyme
• 1 cup of water

For the baked potatoes you will need:

• 4 large red-skin/Rudolph potatoes cut into chunks
• 3tsps of garlic powder (alternatively use four cloves of fresh garlic and bake with skins on)
• 1tbsp of olive oil
• 2 cups of water

Add salt and pepper to your preference.

For the sides you will need:

• 1-2 whole heads of broccoli steamed gently in a little salty water and as many deliciously sweet British baby plum tomatoes as you prefer.

How To

As a general rule of thumb, my cooking method is to keep things as quick and simple as possible, granted that sometimes this simply just cannot be the case. The chicken is a simple all in one dish, to be honest. Place all of the ingredients into a casserole dish and mix well (any oven proof dish will work, just cover with foil if you don't have a lid, or you can use one of those bake in the bag things). Cook on a high temperature (around 200 degrees Celsius) for forty minutes, or until done. Remember to check and stir along the way.

Same rule applies to the potatoes. Bake them as you normally would, just rub and mix the ingredients well and during the baking process, check to see if they need turning.

Once cooked, serve at the table! What I've given you here feeds this little family of five Storms; that's two adults, two children and a toddler. You may even have some to spare.

Enjoy.

The Maternal Apprehension of... Letting Go.

Today, I surrendered my second born, Lydia, to the British schooling system. I am sure like most parents out there; we experience a mixed concoction of emotions. I look at her and I think, all of a sudden, surely she can’t be ready for school so soon. I had the same cocktail tug-of-war feelings when Eden started school last year (September).

When you see them in their uniform looking all proud and excited, you can’t help but be happy for them; I know she’s ready! Being the most docile, polite and friendly little girl I know; she is bound to get on and make friends quickly, thus acclimatising to her new version of a daily routine, her new ‘norm,’ so to speak. And that, right there, is my problem... how can you entrust that precious life that you have nurtured and raised, up until this point, to another... to a stranger?

This is an act I wouldn't consciously commit on my worst day. But the world says you cannot shelter them forever, you can’t protect your progeny from a world of hurt, nor can you expect to be the only exalted figure in their lives.

The truth is I knew all along that she would be fine. She did absolutely perfect, even made (or rather maintained) new friends, which she had met during her settling period. The problem was never hers but rather my own. It is hard to let go and I still cannot help but think, please let me keep her for just a little while longer.

 

Nursery & Preschool: Lydia's graduation ceremony.

So, off you go now, my sweet Lydia... into the great wide world, all a-smile, confident and full of hopes and dreams.

Cancer Awareness Month 2014

It's Cancer Awareness Month

I know far too many people, loved ones included, who are fighting cancer or are in remission from the disease. In lieu of the sudden and recent craze over the #nomakeupselfie taking Twitter and Facebook by storm these past couple of days, I felt that it should be mentioned that, while it is not the campaign of Cancer Research UK, I do believe that any form of awareness of living with cancer and just knowing about the different types of the disease that are out there is a positive idea, also the sentiment behind this craze will, in some small way, work to promote Cancer Awareness (despite the obvious overtones of promoting one’s own self importance). Did you know that the no make-up selfie meme started out as a simple gesture with no apparent substance behind it other than a hashtag of 'beat cancer.'

Full Support: The #nomakeupselfie #cancerawareness trend has taken social media by storm but it is not campaigned by Cancer Research UK.

A Missed Point?

Are we missing the point? I think the big message behind this social media movement is that many people end up posting their selfies and are failing to donate, which let’s face it is the important factor in aiding and furthering the development of scientific research behind finding the best kinds of treatment and hopefully one day a cure for cancer.

Selfie Support: Cancer Research UK supports the gestures but urge you to donate just £3.

Some might argue that any form of awareness counts and it’s the taking part that matters. True, I say with an achingly reluctant nod. And while these things help, we still have to keep moving forward and make these little overtures actually matter - every donation helps, big or small and yes, it really is all about raising awareness. So, while posting your selfies are great and all, let us not miss the point and please donate what you can. Remember, there are so many ways we can help, such as fundraising with your local charity, sponsored charity runs or even by simply donating unwanted clothes or household items to participating organisations. It doesn't always have to be about the money.

Check out your local TK Maxx outlets who are now the biggest corporate funder of research into children’s cancer since they established a partnership with Cancer Research UK in 2004. Pick up your donation bags and fill them with all your items and just drop it off at the store. Give up your clothes for good and proceeds will help beat children’s cancer and help those living with the disease.

It's Not Always About Money: But you do have to part with some things for a good cause. We've already donated three massive bags.

If there was ever anything truly worthwhile to come from social media outlets, then let this be one of those causes that garner attention for all the right reasons. So, post your selfies proudly but make them count for something other than a self serving agenda and put substance behind what has the potential to be an incredibly noble gesture.

What types of cancer do you know of that people have died from, or are battling and have survived (in remission)?

Here’s my Cancer Circle:

• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma +1
• Eye Cancer +2
• Prostate Cancer +1
• Lung Cancer +1

• Bowel Cancer +1
• Breast Cancer +2
• Leukaemia +1

What’s yours?

Do your part, whatever it may be and help support, promote and share in Cancer Awareness Month. Donate a mere £3 to Cancer Research UK by texting BEAT to 70099

Cancer Research UK: https://twitter.com/CR_UK

Trending: To help beat cancer sooner, donate to worthwhile research. #nomakeupselfie

What's in a Change Bag?

As a mum of three, I find myself rather well equipped in the realm of what to take where and when I might need this-or-that; it is an occasional thing for me to come unstuck. After all, I've had a lot of practice.

Sophie la Girafe: Dray's go-to comforter.

I'm one of those mums who pack everything. Right down to what some might consider 'the useless rag toy,' which is religiously stuffed into the baby’s change-bag right at that last opportune moment. I am sure my husband has looked at me many a time with that 'do we really need to take that with us' look etched upon his face. But I just smile and tuck it in a little deeper; knowing he is probably right on the money. But who knows when you’ll need that useless toy, right?

However, this hasn't always been the case. I used to be a first time mum too, once upon a time, and that was not so long ago. Although, I will admit, it does seem like a lifetime since I last left the house for a casual shopping trip and forgot my house keys, or those all important pack of wipes and sometimes even diapers.

Now that Dray is just a couple of months shy of turning two years old, I don’t need to carry nearly as much ‘useless’ stuff around in my bag. The infamous diaper bag has gone through an evolution of sorts throughout the last (almost) two years. Now, I only carry enough for a quick change or two, a snack, water and if we are going to be out longer then a small meal. The transition into toddlerhood has meant no more formula or associated accessories (although I still carry around his giraffe print muslin), less changes of clothing and fewer diapers as he now has good bladder control. Now, I carry more by way of food, definitely. And there is always some sort of activity on hand to distract the little tyke. Drayven truly is a little storm by nature. Destroys all in his path; a right Berserker.

So, here's what you might find in my mamma bag. and this is not including my personal essentials like purse, keys, cell phone, scarf, lip gloss and shades if it's a sunny day. I like to accessorize!

Mum's Essentials: What I tend to carry day-to-day.

 Some of The Basics

Koto Brimful: Incredibly spacious bag.

• Diapers
• Wipes and bags
• Sudocreme and vaseline
• Antibacterial gel
• Water bottle
• A home-cooked meal and some snacks
• Bib and Dray’s Tommee Tippee cutlery

Faye&Lou: Breastfeeding Butterfly.

Whilst breastfeeding I didn't have to carry around bottles of sterile water and containers of measured out formula, instead I just had a breastfeeding scarf or shawl. My husband bought me the Faye & Lou Breastfeeding Butterfly, which came in so handy when feeding in public. It was easy to use and fit over and around a baby perfectly but as Dray got bigger and more agile and independent with his feeding at the breast, he didn’t enjoy being cradled so much by the material. However, I definitely recommend this as it hugs around the hips and really does create this secure feeling of comfort for baby and give a good amount of protection from booby-exposure, if you worry about that kind of thing. The Breastfeeding Butterfly comes in its own little bag and can be folded so that it fits into your change bag, nice and compact.

Little Necessities: I carry these by default.

I've always used the Koto Leatherette Baby Changing Bag because it’s large and roomy with lots of little compartments to store your purse, keys, creams, lip gloss and all manner of things. The two outer pockets clip together via a simple magnetized fastening and gives you quick and easy access to your possessions. There is also a zip fastening compartment just above the pockets, which you can store your purse or phone in for added security.

Having reacquainted myself with the whole bottle and formula routine when Dray was about fourteen months old (he was only on formula for about seven months as we were unable to transition him onto milk at the time, I found there was more than enough space in my Koto to hold all of my gear as wells as two bottles and formula along with his baby blanket. A great investment and a wonderfully stylish little design, which comes in a dark chocolate brown faux leather material. It is also supplied with its own insulated bottle bag and foldable change mat; both are covered in a nice cream and mustard-yellow floral print and are fully detachable. Accompanying the two sturdy carry handles it also has a fully detachable large strap for attaching to you pushchair or pram. Given the price tag of £50 it was worth the money for me, although, I am sure that any large, sturdy tote style bag could do the trick.

Koto: Lots of pockets and storage space for diapers, muslins, wipes and other bits and bobs.

So in general, regarding the contents of your trusted, couldn't-do-without diaper/changing bag, what do you carry in your bag and how has its contents changed during the transition from baby into toddlerhood?