Breakfast for Dinner

In my house caring for my Granny,my day starts early,breakfast is the usual toast, cereal. Weekends still means early breakfast for Granny, but its a more relaxed time. 

My dream day is lounging in pj's and a leisurely brunch.

When I was sent Breakfast for Dinner to review, I was instantly drooling! The photos are big whole page affairs, I like this in my recipe books, I  eat with my eyes first and the photographs make me hungry and want to cook them.

Now there are recipes I would instantly identify with breakfast, however some are  pretty unique.

How about ravioli, braised ribs, Steak and Eggs Benedict?

I am not sure I would eat some early in the morning, but I do know I would eat  a lot of them for a late lazy weekend lunch, I just need one of those now.

The recipe instructions are easy to follow for a book that has dishes that seem really unusual. I like that if a recipe does demand a little more, then its broken down. The Breakfast Sausage Ravioli as an example,  has a separate recipe overleaf for making the ravioli dough which can then be refrigerated or frozen.

All in all a fascinating book that takes breakfast right through the day!

Breakfast is meant to be the most important meal of the day, and this book proves just that. From the author of The Cookie-Dough Lovers Cookbook comes another inventive, delectable, indulgent cookbook – more than seventy-five breakfast recipes made with a twist.


If you’re not a morning person, planning a brunch, just fancy something different, or looking for easy party recipes this book has them for you, your family, and friends. Choose from hearty keep-you-going-all-morning dishes like Bacon Fried Rice, Breakfast Ravioli, food for any time of day like Pizza Over Easy, lush Cornmeal Pancakes with Beer-Braised Short Ribs for that relaxed evening meal, sweet treats such as Sunrise Margaritas and Maple Bacon Cupcakes to name only a few.


Easy to make, with available ingredients, full instructions, techniques, conversion charts, full-colour photographs, Breakfast for Dinner continues the range of Quirk’s cookery books that delight and inspire cooks with dishes and recipes for all times of day and night – from pungent Frittata Florentine with Goats Cheese to delicate Blood Orange Mimosa Sorbet, you will never be without breakfast again, morning, noon or night!

Recipes for Frittata Florentine, Huevos Rancheros, Sunny-Side Up Burgers, and More!

Lindsay Landis & Taylor Hackbarth • £12.99 • Hardback • Quirk • 9781594746130 •

Release Date: 19 March, 2013

Aldi Easter 2013 Review

Aldi just gets Easter right each year, I love seeing what they come up with and I am very happy to see they have stayed with some fab chocolate again. After all Easter to me says chocolate and of course bunnies!!

Easter is the time to indulge and those with a sweet tooth won’t be disappointed with Aldi’s cheerful chocolate temptations. Whether it’s something for the little ones or something a touch more decadent, Aldi has a chocolately treat for everyone this Easter.

I was sent a delightful Choceur Decorated Easter Bunny, which is really much bigger than I expected for the price of £1.99.  

I want to save them for Easter but for you to know how they taste, the bunny had to be nibbled.  He still looks happy even without the ears.

 The chocolate is quite thick, it has a good chocolate taste, smooth, sweet and creamy.

Moser Roth Egg & Chocolates – £3.99, 249g

The Moser Roth chocolates are already a favourite here, this milk chocolate egg has an assortment of chocolates inside. 

I think the Choceur Flame Egg at £2.99 is really worth the money, I tried one last year too and again its a good tasting chocolate 

Mini Eggs 59p

I think the prices are just so good for great quality and I will be popping into my store to stock upon  a favourite of mine, their great mini eggs.

If you haven't tried the Easter marshmallows I can recommend those too,really big and fluffy. Good if you need a break from all the chocolate this Easter.


http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/product_range/easter_29634.htm

Disclosure I was given  free products. I was under no obligation to receive the samples or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.

Galaxy Bubbles

I imagine many families out there love hot chocolate, my children especially love a mug of Galaxy. We have reviewed a lot of the range. I do like the tubs and large pouches but we tend to leave it languishing in the cupboard especially when the weather gets warm.

Galaxy Bubbles now come in a one mug serving, in chocolate and chocolate orange flavours. They are 40 calaries or 2 syns if you are a Slimming World member. They taste a lot more naughty than those figures.

I like buying single servings, its healthier for the family to have one every now and then, they are easily carried if you are out for the day.

Paige works late and so she will be able to pop one in her bag and have a sweet treat on her break. 

The Bubbles have that lovely Galaxy silky taste, light and indeed taste bubbly. The chocolate flavour was my favourite. I already had the Galaxy mug and a free moment to indulge. Lovely bubbly!

You can buy the drinks at Tescos and they are 32p a stick, not bad.

Disclosure I was given  free products. I was under no obligation to receive the samples or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.

BD Nails at Tesco Review

I have reviewed BD nail polishes before and love the array of shades they have, this time I was sent  a few of  the new  Spring/ Summer retro  shades .

I rather love the flower design on the lids, they will look great on a dressing table. Really pretty and  immediately makes me think of warmer weather, floral dresses and picnics. The colours when on my nails remind me of Tooty Frooties sweets in colour  and finish. That lovely hard square shell in pastel shades.  The shade names are all sweet sounding Lolly Bliss, Electric Space Dust, Candy Cane, Violet Cream, Fondant Fancy, Marshmallow, Cola Cube, Butterscotch

The cutesy candy and bold brights are available exclusively at Tesco for the new season. 

They are very easy to apply especially for me, I am pretty cack handed, though I am getting better due to needing to for these reviews. 

I found that two coats are great for the violet and cola cube pink,the butterscotch and fondant fancy really cam alive with three coats. I love the almost gel effect and the super shine. At £5 each they are affordable too.

www.tesco.com/beauty.

Disclosure I was given  free products. I was under no obligation to receive the samples or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.

Philadelphia Mini Carrot Cakes

Philadelphia have put together some delicious cake recipes for Mothers Day and sent me the ingredients to try one for myself.

As a Mum I like to bake for the family and as its not yet Mothers day, I am not putting my feet up, so made the Mini Carrot Cakes.

First glance over the recipe, despite there being a lot of ingredients, the method is a lovely all in one bowl and bake.

Its incredibly easy to make, especially if you grate the carrots in a processor or get one of the family to do it for you!!

I omitted the pecans from the  mix as Paige and I are not overly keen, I just made up the difference with more sultanas.

I decorated one  cake with chopped pecans so you can see how they look and to treat Chris. But the rest were decorated with silver balls. Well it is the Mums day and they are one of my favourites!

Happy Mothers Day from Philly and I!

xx

Mini Carrot Cakes

Makes 14 -18

Ingredients

200g self raising flour

1 tsp cinnamon

225 g grated carrots

200 ml oil (sunflower or groundnut oil)

100 g brown sugar

85 g chopped pecans

50 g sultanas

4 eggs, lightly beaten

Topping

200 g Philadelphia Original, softened

100 g icing sugar

2 tsp lemon juice

1 tbsp lemon rind

2 tbsp pecans, roughly chopped

Method

Sift together the flour and the cinnamon into a large bowl. Add the remaining cake ingredients and mix until well combined.

Spoon the mixture into muffin cases and bake for 20 -25 minutes Gas 4, 180C (Fan 160)

Cool on a wire rack.

Beat the  Philly, icing sugar, rind and lemon juice until smooth.

Top the muffins with the icing mix and decorate.

http://www.philadelphia.co.uk

Disclosure I was given  free products. I was under no obligation to receive the samples or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.

Facebook Giveaway

I decided to run a little Given To Distracting Facebook giveaway, the prize is from me and its a book named as 'Thriller of the Year' by The Observer.

Its a fun giveaway, no need to share or like the post or praise me to the heavens ( well you can if you want) it runs until midnight on Sunday, by then I will be filled with roast dinners, swamped with flowers and choccies for Mothers day and will be able to pick a winner.

If you love a good read then pop over and tell me something thrilling or just say hi. 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Given-To-Distracting-Others/169017283146597?fref=ts

Country Living Magazine Spring Fair Giveaway

Country Living Magazine are giving my readers the opportunity to visit the Fair and save 25% if they book their tickets in advance (£11.50 instead of paying £16 on the door). 

Even better for three of you they are also giving away a pair of tickets (a pair of tickets is worth £32) each. 

Spring and fresh ideas are in the air at the Country Living Magazine Spring Fair

With the prospect of sunny days; gardens bursting into bloom; new ideas for the home; outdoor activities and summer picnics, the Country Living Magazine Spring Fair is perfect for planning ahead.  From the 20th – 24h March at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London N1, the Fair is a brilliant day out.  Reveal your inner artist at the craft and art workshops. 

Sip and savour delicious English wines in the guided tasting sessions – alongside lots of other tasty treats from regional producers. There are 400 artisan enterprises presenting a wealth of ideas for the home and country lifestyle vying for your attention.  Come and meet Philippa Forrester in the Outdoor and Nature theatre and find out how to attract wildlife into your garden.  This year there’s so much more to discover at the Country Living Magazine Spring Fair so book your tickets now and take advantage of the special advance price.

Special readers’ ticket offer – special price of £11.50 by quoting CLS3

(As opposed to the ticket price on the door which is £16.00) Tickets must be booked no later than 1pm on the day before the due visit.  TELEPHONE: 0844 848 0160; or book online at 

www.countrylivingfair.com/spring

COUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE SPRING FAIR (20-24 March 2013)

Address Business Design Centre, Upper Street, Islington, London N1 0QH

Nearest tube: Angel – Northern Line (Bank branch)

Opening Hours: Wednesday 20 March, Thursday 21 March - 10.00am to 6.00pm

Wednesday Gala Evening - 6.30pm to 9.00pm in aid of the Addington Fund

Friday 22nd – Sunday 24th March - 9.30am to 6.00pm

All ticket bookings are subject to a 0.95p booking fee per booking (not per ticket).

Web: www.countrylivingfair.com

Tickets: 0844 848 0160  

The VIP ticket is a chance to treat yourself or a friend to a special day at the Spring Fair. Here's what included in the ticket package:

- Ticket to the Fair in advance is £49.50 or £59.50 on the door

- Fast-track entrance

- Free show guide

- Access to the Country Living VIP lounge where you can relax away from the crowds and enjoy the complimentary refreshments

- A goody-bag full of delightful surprises

- Plus more!

To win a pair of tickets just fill in the easy peasy rafflecopter.

I will be drawing this immediately on the 12th March, I will need a reply within 48 hours,to enable Country Living Magazine to get the tickets to you in time for the show. I am only allowing 48 hours for replies and will redraw if I have not heard from any winners! So keep your eyes peeled next week!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway