Pizza Chicken Melts

I had this recipe, a photocopy taken from one of those small BBC Good Food, 101 Recipes, that my mother had.  This was really nice and will make again soon.  A nice alternative to plain chicken.  

 

Ingredients

2 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 tbsp olive oil

50g cheddar cheese, grated

4 cherry tomatoes, quartered

2 tsp pesto sauce

green salad, to serve

Method

Preheat the grill to high.  Sandwich the chicken between cling film or 2 plastic food bags and beat firmly with a rolling pin or the bottom of a saucepan to flatten.  Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan, add the chicken and cook for 2 minutes on each side until golden.

While the chicken cooks, mix the cheese and tomatoes together.  Take the chicken out of the pan and wipe out the with with kitchen paper.  Return the chicken to the pan, spread each breast with a teaspoon of pesto, then pile the cheese and tomatoes on top.

Put under the hot grill for a minute or so (protect the handle with foil if you think it is likely to burn), until the cheese has melted.  Serve with a green salad.

Serves 2 (easily doubled or halved)

Curried Lamb Casserole

My blog friend, Kikimiss, passed on this recipe for me which we did enjoy.  Next time I would opt for four-quarter lamb chops instead of the neck chops.  I served mine with simple steamed rice.

*Taken from Family Circle's 'Casseroles and Pies, Step-By-Step', page 34*

Ingredients

1 kg lamb neck chops

1/4 cup oil

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 tbs grated fresh ginger

1 large onion, chopped

1 tsp garam masala

1 tsp ground chilli powder

2 tbs Madras curry powder

2 cups chicken or lamb stock

1 tbs soft brown sugar

1 tbs tomato paste

3 whole cloves

1 large apples, peeled and chopped

1/4 cup sultanas

Method

Heat 2 tbs oil in heavy based pan.  Cook meat quickly in small batches over medium heat until well browned.  Drain on paper towels.

heat remaining oil in pan.  Add garlic, ginger and onion, stir over medium heat for 3 minutes or until soft.  Add garam masala, chilli and curry powder.  Cook, stirring, over medium heat for 2 minutes.

Return meat to pan, add stock, sugar, tomato paste, and cloves.  Bring to boil, reduce heat, simmer.  Cook covered for 1 1/2 hours or until meat is tender, stirring occasionally.  Add sultanas and apple.  Cook covered for a further 30 minutes.  Serve with pilaf rice.

(Can add 400ml coconut cream to make a rich creamy curry.) 

Serves 4

One Day You're In. The Next, You're Out.

I'm not ashamed to admit it, but we're big Project Runway fans in this household.  Love.  It.  

First we were addicted to the US version with host Heidi Klum, with her gorgeous American/German accent which always made us smile, and now we're addicted to the local Aussie version, which is surprisingly, really good!  

It took me a while to warm to the host Kristy Hinze but I think she does a cracking job.  I so prefer US 'mentor', Tim Gunn, over the Aussie Henry Roth, but we can't have everything can we? *heehee*

And I'm not the only one in this household who likes this show.  Lyndon is a fan along with Miss Monet.  (Typical!)  

Imagine the surprise/horror Monet and I got when we visited the Cairns' Spotlight store this morning and saw this stand... (Double click to enlarge)

I'm not sure if you can figure it out (I snuck the photos with my mobile) but it is 'Project Runway' merchandise, aimed at the youngungs to design and create fashion for Models (like paper dolls).   For a fleeting moment I wondered if I was too old to be playing with that merchandise (I didn't buy any) because it looks like a hell of a lot of fun - especially for aspiring Fashion Designers.  

And if you feel like a giggle and know the US Version well, then check out this spoof - it is a classic.  Well, I think so anyway.

I wonder if they'll release any merchandise when 'Celebrity Rehab' hits our screens next month?  (We actually watched that when in the UK and Lyndon and I became glued to the telly when it was on! Oh the shame!!)

The Weather Makes A Difference To One's Thoughts...

Far Northern Queensland was at its spectacular best today.  It seems like ages when there hasn't been a breath of wind, pure blue skies and sapphire coloured water up here.  

July the 27th to me, always meant cold, blustery, wintery days, dinner at the local Chinese restaurant in the country town I grew up in, EJ (Teddy) Whitten's birthday (don't ask) and my sister's birthday.  Yeah, it is my big sister's birthday today.  Happy birthday Kimbofo!

But today, we woke to this glorious day and needed to do something.  We needed to get out and soak up this lovely weather and so we did.  We drove the 45-odd minutes up to Port Douglas.

It was just what we needed to gather our thoughts and appreciate where we live and the track we've driven to get to where we are today...(Can you tell we are in the middle of a dilemma?)  

And then you see the unexpected to make you rethink things again.

Happy Birthday Kimbofo once again.  Enjoy your day.  (I know our gift arrived but did our card?)

Playing...

I'm suffering here from Blogger's Block.  

However, today I have been fooling around with this program.  With thanks to H&B.  And to quote her,  "Addictive.  Don't stay up all night." 

In other news here, Monet hasn't been too good over the past few weeks, with a nagging night cough.  We've been to the doctor a few times now trying to cure it.  She's currently on antibiotics and not her usual self.  I'm thankful she's asleep in bed, but I'm expecting the usual midnight coughing attack.  

*sigh*

Baby Don't Cry

...I still miss him.



Here is one of my favourite INXS tunes and filmclips for your enjoyment. Baby Don't Cry.  (But sometimes it feels better when you do!)

Blue Skies, Nothin' But Blue Skies...

Because I know it has been cool in parts of this great country of ours, I thought I would show off with the Far North Queensland, gorgeous weather we had over the weekend.  

Saturday was a pearler of a day.

Monet and I spent a while at our local park.  She was desperate to ride her bike after a week of rainy weather...

Nothing like keeping your child happy.  (And letting her wear what she wants from her wardrobe.  I hope you like what she was wearing as she wears similar clothing each day.  As soon as she gets up she's in her wardrobe choosing clothes and dressing herself.  Sometimes I just have to smile at her - she says she likes being colourful.  You're telling me!)

We spent a good while feeding the fish in the pond in the park.  There are some huge suckers in that water and hundreds of tiny little fish who enjoy the bread we break up and throw in the water.  Obviously this was to the displeasure of the group of four teenagers (two couples) who were probably wishing we'd disappear so they could snuggle up to each other!  *snigger snigger*  They left the pond before we did, after being rather destructive by throwing loose cobblestones into the water.  *Urgh*

With the clear blue skies and sun shining it made me grateful that the day was like it was.  Sometimes you tend to forget that the weather up here in Cairns CAN be gorgeous as you tend to forget when all you can see is grey.

Scrambled Thanks.

Oh how we enjoy a good breakfast here on a Sunday.  Bacon and eggs is usually always on the menu and I am hoping that tomorrow's breakfast looks (and tastes like) the meal I made last Sunday...

How would you like your eggs??