Soup and Salad

So how many of you tuned into the Coronation yesterday? I had the TV on whilst doing things in the kitchen for the main part and found the information about all the historical objects used interesting especially St Augustine’s Gospels, this is 1,400 years old and is in such an amazing condition.

There are so many fields around me at the moment completely covered with dandelions and so I decided to try making dandelion shortbread. Dandelions petals produce a honey floral flavour and are just part of the plant that can be eaten. The leaves (salads) and the root (roasted for tea) can also be consumed, so whilst most people see a weed this is actually a very valuable plant and has many health benefits.

Dandelion Shortbread
Recipe:
125g softened butter (I used salted)
45g caster sugar
180g plain flour
Big handful of dandelion petals (half cup)
Mix together until it forms a dough, roll & cut into shapes, place on baking paper on tray,
30 mins on 150°C.

It is getting into salad time and I love trying to combine different veg and fruit into my diet. This week I made beetroot, carrot, apple and cranberry salad with an orange juice dressing. Such a pretty salad with a fresh citrusy zing. With my new magimix this took no time at all to grate all the elements.

3 cooked beetroot
2 lg carrots peeled
2 apples
30g dried cranberries

Grate the beetroot, carrots and apples and then add the cranberries.

Make dressing
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 tsp orange juice
1 tsp olive oil
1/2 tsp ground coriander
Salt and pepper

Combine and add to the salad and combine.

We are not quite out of comfort food time so we did have an Italian inspired soup using pre packaged tortellini

Sausage and Tortellini Soup

1 onion chopped
3 cloves garlic minced
2/3 carrot’s chopped
Olive oil

Cook till onions translucent

6 sausages remove casing and break up meat into chunks and add to vegetables and brown.

Add tsp of Italian herbs, stock cube, tin of chopped tomatoes and then fill the tin with water and add to pan.  Bring to boil and then turn to simmer and add a packet of tortellini (I used four cheese). Cover and simmer for around 20 mins.

Life was not all spent in the kitchen this week and I have done a spot of crafting. I had seen a really pretty bracelet on Pinterest and really fancied trying to make something similar. I had some thin paracord and some pretty beads with a large enough hole to thread the cord through. The hardest part was making the first knot, once I worked it out the rest, as they say, was child’s play.

I have offered to show my friends at one of our craft nights how to make one for themselves as it does not take that long to make.

These would make a super gift for friends. I may try to make a how to video to post on my blog in the coming weeks. I wore this bracelet last night as I was out for dinner with friends and got complimented on it 😊

We are definitely having warmer days and fingers crossed we will not get any more frosts as I really need to get plants out of my house and into the garden. Next week I hope to show you what I have been planting and planning outside.

Until next week enjoy whatever the weather.

Chris x