~Comfort Food~

It's already half-way through (Dry) January, with it's healthy eating and exercise attempts.  This week Kettlercise was enjoyable and not as painful post-session! Today, I was one of 5 people at work who bought the Hairy Dieters book from The Book People for £5...

I really enjoyed the series which was on TV just after Christmas, where both Si and Dave lost loads of weight.  Now I know what I should and shouldn't eat (and drink) to lose weight; but I've found these recipes really interesting with their normal meal ideas with a fair chunk of the calories knocked off. Tonight I made their Southern-style Jambalaya...

...without the prawns *bleurrrgh* and I would like to report it was delicious - real comfort food for a sub-zero evening!

~50s Night - some photos~

A good night was had by all! No wonder I'm tired when we walked the 2 miles home, getting in (ahem) when the birdies were tweeting! We were let down by our Hair & Beauty students, and after an unsuccessful Twitter appeal I asked my lovely Mum if she would step into the hairdresser breach!
As you know, I don't 'do' personal photos, but hopefully I am unidentifiable in this...
How unattractive is this shot of me in my rollers (Babyliss £17 from Argos)

New heated rollers aren't a patch on old ones...here are my friend C's 1970s Carmens which had better grip...

Mum was thorough with the authentic (painful) rollering and backcombing - thankyou Mum, sterling job!
This is friend B's hair from the back...

C's hair - finished (below) looked really lovely.

My hair from the back...

and the side...

My main course went really well  - I cooked Beef (skirt) in 2 bottles of Theakson's Old Peculier Ale with thyme, parsnip, swede and mushrooms, served with glazed carrots, piped duchess potatoes (Smash) and baked leek and spring greens. All washed down with Brandy & Babycham (a delicious revelation) and Crabbies ginger beer.

~Time for Tea - Feb event~

Yesterday's afternoon tea theme was Berries, Cherries and love, in honour of Valentine's Day. 6 ladies (and one baby nephew) sat down to tea at 2pm, following a welcome drink of homemade pink lemonade.

The table theme was red, with gingham and roses cloths, matching vintage china and table gifts of mini-heart candles. Have used a photo of the table setting for my new header - I used L's swanky camera and did a bit of editing with special effects. Her camera is tons better than mine!

I was ably assisted by daughter L and best friend J in the tea-making and serving of the cakey delights...

I made some mini-bunting for the cherry and almond cake.  The double choc brownies with macadamia nuts were lovely.  My favourites were the homemade jammie dodgers, which turned out really well and were yummy. I added some custard powder to the mix, which made them a lovely yellow colour.  I sieved homemade raspberry jam for the filling.

Next event is in March, with a Spring themed menu (yet to be decided on!).
Some of my guests brought me a thoughtful gift of rhubarb from the Rhubarb Festival in Wakefield, which Anne at Marmalade and Catmint posted about yesterday. A bunch of Oldroyd's rhubarb tied with green ribbon - more attractive and delicious than flowers I think!

I'll be making a crumble with it on Monday morning. Thankfully I've got a day off on Monday to catch up with domestic stuff that has accumulated over the last busy week.

~South Yorkshire food explorations~

Friday night was spent in South Yorkshire - a cheap birthday treat for me - a Groupon deal on a 4* B&B mini-spa break near Rotherham.  Not the romance capital of the world perhaps, but a night away nonetheless! The hotel was fine, not 4 * in my opinion but then I do have 5* taste with a budget that doesn't match.  I just think it's pointless paying to stay in something inferior to what you've got at home.  I like my home comforts and cleanliness, so I'm an over-critical guest, according to my OH.
We feel a bit guilty we didn't have the "spa-break" experience, as it would have involved a walk in minus 4 degrees to a separate building with a pool and gym.  A warmer prospect was to have a drive out nearby to eat lots of nice food instead.
In nearby Wickersley we had lunch at JR's @ The Courtyard see here , a wine bar/bistro which has an outdoor seating area for better weather.   The food was impressive, fresh, locally-sourced and good quality, plus speedy service and a reasonable price we thought.  I had Home-Made Fishcakes with chilli dip and salad for £4.95 and we shared a side order of huge chunky chips for £2. OH had a huge Greek Salad for £5.25. 
JR’S @ The Courtyard
155 Bawtry Road,
Wickersley,
Rotherham,
S66 2BW
Tel: 01709 549122

In the evening we intended to eat at Vasco in Wickersley, a popular restaurant serving modern British food, and where Jamie Oliver chose to eat when he was filming his Ministry of Food series in Rotherham. Unfortunately it was fully booked, so we opted to drive to the picturesque rural village of Wentworth to the George and Dragon (again apparently Jamie ate there).


 Lovely Real Ale pub in picturesque Wentworth

I had a pint of this....



yummy Cornish Black Pearl, brewed in Truro, which looked like grown-up dandelion and burdock and tasted divine. OH had a Crayfish and Prawn salad at £4.95 to start...

...and as it was Fish Friday we both had the Pan-fried Sea Bream with chorizo, black pudding, new potatoes and cherry tomatoes at £12.95.   I loved the roaring fire and the antlers above the hearth...

Delicious food in a traditional real ale pub with a great atmosphere.  What more can you ask for? We'd definitely visit again.
George and Dragon
85 Main Street
Wentworth
S62 7TN
Tel: 01226 742440