Choccywoccydoodah

 Holidays with my family

I`m not a great lover of holidays, the sort where you sit about sunbathing or feel duty bound to continually scran as you`ve paid an extortionate amount of dosh to go all inclusive.

Nah my idea of a holiday is to go "all exclusive" and see about four other people max, provided I gave birth to you or you`ve been my bestie for 35 years you`re invited!!  I think I`m an undiagnosed hyperactive borderline sociopath/antisocial old git!

 I cannot concentrate long enough to binge watch any dirge on TV. I spend my working life amongst loads of little and interesting people. What I yearn for is rare solitude. If you really want to be in my gang , make me a fire, make me a crab sandwich and pour me a rum and coke. I`m low maintenance really.

Easter is a lovely holiday. I adore blossom, the blossomier the better. All my children come home to see me (see my well stocked fridge really!!) There`s no presents to worry about , everything revolves around chocolate really. I`m a good Catholic girl at heart and Lent has been more about Lenten promises rather than deprivation. More not less always gets my vote. I haven`t given up anything...to be honest I gave up smoking when I had the twins and there`s no way I could sacrifice, coffee, alcohol or chocolate for anyone. Jesus, I sound like a right princess. In my defence I`ve tried to be more giving and have more compassion for people who drive me round the bend. I`ve made lots of lovely grub for homeless people and run a market stall to make money for my learning kitchen.

All I want for Easter is a rest. A chocolate covered peaceful time punctuated with a few swims and a shedload of roast potatoes(key to happiness)!!

I hope you do exactly what makes you happy too...

Chocolate nests

Big bowl cornflakes

Big bar Cadburys Dairy milk

Mini eggs

Bun cases

Pina colada

Melt the chocolate in the microwave and pour over the cornflakes , anyone who prefers Shreddies is a sadist and not in my Easter bunny gang. Spoon into bun cases and top with 3 mini eggs per nest. Refrigerate until set and then enjoy all Easter time accompanied by your favourite tipple , mine is pina coladas at the moment but I`m lairy Clarey, so feel free to have it with a nice cup of tea like normal people would enjoy. xxx

If you don`t love Lasagne I`m afraid we cant be friends!

 Lasagne for my loves

I live to eat...not the other way round. I`m always dreaming and scheming about how I can magic up some love on a plate for my loves. "My loves" are many in number. They say your greatest strength is also your greatest weakness.  I know I have a heart that is roomy enough to accommodate just about anyone in need of a hug, a smile , my time or a delicious dinner. I would give most people my last chipolata and if this reckless generosity is seen as a weakness then so be it. I am a dafty and proud of it, there`s always a pan of soup on the go in my kitchen and tiffin in the tin in case of emergencies. My Grandma left me a map of love to follow and all roads of a life well lived, however uphill the journey , usually begin with the sweetness of mother love.

Mother love does not have to come from your Mum. It can be dished up by anyone who loves you enough to remind you, you are the greatest, it comes from someone who may be stronger than you but they still let you win, always. It is a privilege to be able to make someone feel loved. To be someone who cares and provides health and a sense of stability. To be loved brings peace to the most unruly and untamed hearts. I demonstrate my love through feeding people and fabulous food, family, friends, music and wine are what I live for...this lasagne tastes like Home.

If I could I would have it for every celebration, Christmas, Valentines, anniversaries, birthdays, births, deaths and marriages. You can make it the day before you see and then actually be part of the party, not have your head stuck in the oven and missing out on all the fun. Serve it with homemade coleslaw and garlic bread and a massive glass of red wine. When my bestie comes to visit this is what I`m cooking for her and I love her with my whole heart...

Lasagne 💗

Meat sauce

3 onions sliced

4 cloves garlic

350g minced beef

350g minced pork

2 tins tomato

2 sticks celery

2 bay leaves

1 carrot diced

2 glasses red wine

1/2 pint chicken stock

2 rashers bacon chopped

mixed herbs

splash milk

butter/olive oil

parmesan

1tbs cream

splash sherry

 salt/pepper

tomato puree

Fry the onions, garlic, carrot, celery and bacon in oil and butter until golden, then add mince and cook for a further 10 mins til browned. Then add a whole tube of tomato puree and cook for another ten minutes until it has caramelised. Season with plenty of salt and pepper and mixed herbs then add red wine, tomatoes and a pinch of sugar. Add chicken stock , bay leaves and a splash of milk, let it simmer until it has a golden haze to it, then at the end add a dash of cream and sherry and a blob of butter, season again adding a tbs of fresh parmesan and lots of freshly ground black pepper. Set aside to cool slightly.

Bechamel sauce

1 litre full milk, 100g butter, 100g plain flour, seasalt, pepper, 5tbs grated cheese, 2tsp English mustard, 

melt the butter, add the flour and cook it out, add the milk, whisk it continuously until silky and thickened, add the cheese and mustard and season well.

To construct the lasagne you`ll need more cheese! 2 balls of Mozarella and grated mozeralla and parmesan to finish. In a deep dish layer meat sauce, followed by lasagne sheets, a handful of ripped mozzarella and ladle full of bechamel sauce. The last layer should be bechamel sauce topped with grated mozzerella and parmesan , so when it cooks you have a chewy finish and crusty top. Bake for 1hr in a 200 degree oven , covered with foil for 40 mins and uncovered for the last 20 minutes.

Leave it to settle for 30 mins when it comes out, tastes even better the next day for breakfast!!

Lasagne might sound ordinary but when made with love as with most things in life it can make any ordinary day extraordinary!

😋❤👀💋 xx