Showing posts with label Trouble. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trouble. Show all posts

Friday, December 3, 2010

PASTA WITH TUNA, OLIVES, PEPPERS AND CAPERS

A quick and easy pasta dish that I usually make with whatever is left in my cupboard and fridge. This dish usually graces the table when the food shopping is overdue!

Ingredients:

1 lb pasta (I chose fusilli)
26 oz of marinara sauce
2 cloves fine diced garlic
1 tbsp olive oil
2 Roasted red peppers
2 cans of tuna fish (drained)
1 tbsp capers
Handful of olives (I used spanish green olives)
1 tbsp fresh chopped basil
1 tbsp of grated parmesan
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Red chili flakes to taste

Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a saucepan and sautee the garlic. Next add the red peppers, olives and capers and sautee for a minute. Then add the marinara sauce and the tuna. Using a fork, break the tuna into flakes. Simmer for about 7 minutes. Next add the chopped basil. Season with salt, pepper and red chili flakes to taste.

Drain the pasta. Add the pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and serve.


I used roasted red peppers because I like the chargrilled flavour. But you don't have to roast them if you haven't got time. You can also buy roasted peppers in a jar and keep them in the fridge.

You can add other ingredients to this dish like courgettes (zucchini), mushrooms or whatever veg is hanging about. We tend to have a jar of olives and capers in the fridge all the time and tins of tuna are always in stock too! Sometimes I add chopped anchovies or clams for extra fishy-ness! It's very versatile but always comforting and delicious!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

PIZZA TOAST

Pizza toast. Its obvious. It's simple. It's always a lush snack! Pizza toast reminds me of student life. It is a cheap, quick and easy bite! I believe my mate Charlotte even came up with a song for pizza toast to the tune of "Footloose!" I tend to sing it every time I make this dish!

Ingredients:
Bread
Tomato sauce
Oregano/basil
Grated cheese
Pizza toppings - olives, peppers, mushroom, pepperoni, etc...

Grab a few slices need is bread. Pop it in the toaster. When it is toasted spread marinara sauce or pesto or even some tomato puree if you haven't got anything else. Sprinkle some dried oregano or fresh basil if you have it. Next pile on your favourite toppings - anything you like! I happened to have bolognese sauce left over so I just added some olives and red chili flakes. Then a generous helping of grated cheese. I had mozzarella so it was perfecto! All you have to do then is put it in the under the grill/broiler and wait for it to heat up and the cheese sizzles! Should take about 7 minutes.


Pizza toast is the best! Especially for us gluten-free people who don't get enough chances to eat pizza! I just use gluten-free bread and its easy peasy!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

TIRE HIM OUT!

The weekends are a chance to spend some time with my darling husband and pup. The two of them have similar energy levels - they are pretty much hyper all of the time!

So we head into the woods together for a nice long walk, in the hope that it may tire at least one of them out!

The city is not far away

Playing fetch by throwing sticks up steep hills is a good way to spend some of Brixton's boundless energy!

Happy dog!

A sleepy head and a limp paw peek out from behind the sofa when we get home - mission accomplished!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

CHICKEN KATSU CURRY

My fondest childhood memories from living in Tokyo involve the unique flavours of the amazing Japanese cuisine. It isn't all raw fish and noodles, I'll have you know! Chicken Katsu (breaded chicken) with Japanese curry (fruity and spicy) is one of my top dishes of that time!

Ingredients:
Curry sauce:
3 cups chicken stock
1 tablespoon canola/sunflower oil
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
3 tbsp flour
2 tbsp curry powder
2 tbsp crushed tomatoes
1 bay leaf
1 carrot, diced
1 potato, diced
1 small fuji apple, grated
1 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon soy sauce


Chicken Katsu:
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - pounded to 1/2 inch thickness
2 tblsp flour
1 egg, beaten
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1 cup oil for frying, or as needed
salt and pepper to taste

2 cups steamed white rice
4 cups of water

Bring chicken stock to a simmer in a pot.

Then season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper. Place the flour, egg and panko crumbs into separate bowls and set a side.

Next melt the butter into the a new saucepan add ginger, garlic, and half the onion. Cook a for few minutes until done. Sprinkle in the flour and cook until browned (basically, make a roux.) Add curry powder and tomatoes, stir well. Mix in 1/2 cup hot stock, making sure to scrape the stuff off of the bottom of the skillet.

Pour the mixture into the simmering stock. Add the the rest of the onion, potato, and carrot. Simmer 30 minutes.

Put rice in rice cooker.

While the sauce is simmering, coat the chicken breasts in flour, shaking off any excess. Dip them into the egg, and then press into the panko crumbs until well coated on both sides.

Heat 1/4 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken in the hot oil, and cook 3 or 4 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Drain on newspaper.

Then add the apple, soy sauce, and honey top the sauce. Allow to cook for 5 more minutes. Serve white steamed white rice.


Monday, November 29, 2010

THANKSGIVING SANDWICH

The Hubby and I constructed our Thanksgiving sandwiches after our long hike. Our tummy's started to rumbling when I was baking the pumpkin and cranberry bread...the smell of spices filled the house!

The husband likes to pile up the roast turkey, with horseradish, potato crisps, cranberry sauce and gravy on his roll.

I combined turkey with cranberry sauce, sweet potato crisps and smothered the bread in gravy. I served the sandwiches with halloumi, cherry tomato, red onion and green bean salad. The Hubby doesn't like the traditional green bean casserole and this salad is definitely more welcome at our table! The pumpkin bread was perfect to finish off the meal . All the tastes of Thanksgiving with a little bit of a twist! (I wish there was still some left!)

Saturday, November 27, 2010

SANRIO 50TH ANNIVERSARY

I also headed down to Sanrio Small Gifts. But I chose to go on their last day at Barker Hangar with Katie and Delilah. We got there just before the queues started to get long!

This Eric Joyner painting was pretty cool! Of course it included a donut and a robot!

Gary Baseman

I <3 Junko Mizuno

Sugar skull Twin Stars

I want this Sanrio characters scarf!

I wonder how the husband would look in this Hello Kitty mobile?!


Choose a character

Get your face painted and a headband!

Meow!!! Hello Delilah Kitty!


OMG! I want 3D Hello Kitty glitter nails!

SANRIO 50TH ANNIVERSARY

I also headed down to Sanrio Small Gifts. But I chose to go on their last day at Barker Hangar with Katie and Delilah. We got there just before the queues started to get long!

This Eric Joyner painting was pretty cool! Of course it included a donut and a robot!

Gary Baseman

I <3 Junko Mizuno

Sugar skull Twin Stars

I want this Sanrio characters scarf!

I wonder how the husband would look in this Hello Kitty mobile?!


Choose a character

Get your face painted and a headband!

Meow!!! Hello Delilah Kitty!


OMG! I want 3D Hello Kitty glitter nails!

Friday, November 26, 2010

COMING SOON...CARNIVAL OF CUTE!

Trouble and Trifle have been busy plotting the big reveal of our newly designed site! To celebrate it's launch and the hard work of Suzanne and Quan Nguyen we are putting on the "Carnival of Cute" at L.A's Mountain Bar!


Come one, Come ALL! Join us on Saturday 11th December from 9:00pm until 2:00am. Take a step into a page of our blog for a night of wild, weird and wonderful surprises! Put on your disco shoes and whirl around the dance floor to some of our favourite tunes! Bring your pocket money to purchase the cutest clothes, hats, candles, art and of course cocktails! Marvel at gorgeous hair art and paintings inspired by T&T's Carnival of Cute! The Cutest Show on Earth!

Upstairs @ the Mountain Bar
473 Gin Ling Way
Chinatown
Los Angeles, CA 90012

(click on flyer to enlarge image)

COMING SOON...CARNIVAL OF CUTE!

Trouble and Trifle have been busy plotting the big reveal of our newly designed site! To celebrate it's launch and the hard work of Suzanne and Quan Nguyen we are putting on the "Carnival of Cute" at L.A's Mountain Bar!


Come one, Come ALL! Join us on Saturday 11th December from 9:00pm until 2:00am. Take a step into a page of our blog for a night of wild, weird and wonderful surprises! Put on your disco shoes and whirl around the dance floor to some of our favourite tunes! Bring your pocket money to purchase the cutest clothes, hats, candles, art and of course cocktails! Marvel at gorgeous hair art and paintings inspired by T&T's Carnival of Cute! The Cutest Show on Earth!

Upstairs @ the Mountain Bar
473 Gin Ling Way
Chinatown
Los Angeles, CA 90012

(click on flyer to enlarge image)

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

YATTA TRUCK

A sushi truck is just want I was hankering for last week and I was glad to see the Yatta truck parked round the corner!


The Yatta food trucks offers delicious sushi maki and hand rolls as well as, crazy fusion sushi rolls like the cheesebruger roll and the cream cheese explosion!! We tried the cheeseburger roll and were surprised that it actually tasted like a cheeseburger and was complete with a tiny slice of pickle and served with mustard!


However, if you are looking to sushi as healthy option for your lunch, than you'd better skip the cheeseburger roll as it is deep fried!


My favourite thing about this truck is the "Creation Station". You pick different four coloured sticks which each represent a different ingredient and make your own roll! I made a spicy tuna, salmon gobo and cucumber roll. Oishii ne!

Follow them on twitter to see where they are today.....

YATTA TRUCK

A sushi truck is just want I was hankering for last week and I was glad to see the Yatta truck parked round the corner!


The Yatta food trucks offers delicious sushi maki and hand rolls as well as, crazy fusion sushi rolls like the cheesebruger roll and the cream cheese explosion!! We tried the cheeseburger roll and were surprised that it actually tasted like a cheeseburger and was complete with a tiny slice of pickle and served with mustard!


However, if you are looking to sushi as healthy option for your lunch, than you'd better skip the cheeseburger roll as it is deep fried!


My favourite thing about this truck is the "Creation Station". You pick different four coloured sticks which each represent a different ingredient and make your own roll! I made a spicy tuna, salmon gobo and cucumber roll. Oishii ne!

Follow them on twitter to see where they are today.....

Friday, November 19, 2010

HELLO KITTY CUPCAKES

The Sanrio 50th Anniversary celebrations are still alive this weekend in Los Angeles!

Check out these fantastic Hello Kitty cupcakes that Aya made using marshamallow fondant for Hello Kitty's heads!



Who votes that Aya should open a cupcake shop??? She's got my vote!

HELLO KITTY CUPCAKES

The Sanrio 50th Anniversary celebrations are still alive this weekend in Los Angeles!

Check out these fantastic Hello Kitty cupcakes that Aya made using marshamallow fondant for Hello Kitty's heads!



Who votes that Aya should open a cupcake shop??? She's got my vote!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

POP UP PIE SHOP

Who doesn't like pie? As I thought, silence and tumbleweed...

A one night only pop up pie shop is taking place tomorrow night! What?! Oh yes! I simply had to re-post this for you!

"​Artists' center Machine Project in Echo Park will host a pop-up pie shop on Thursday, November 18th from 7 to 10 p.m. to benefit the Los Angeles Food Bank. The one-night-only event will transform Machine Project into a stylish pie shop where you can pick up a do-it-yourself holiday treat. "Pie kits" will include a pie crust and a jar of homemade seasonal filling (Maple Pumpkin, Classic Apple or Lovely Lemon) for $20 to assemble and bake at home.

Complimentary pie tasting of the three featured flavors and festive refreshments will be offered while visitors mingle amid atmosphere designed by Julia Luke. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Los Angeles Food Bank."



"Echo Park-based baker Sarah Williams is providing the baked pies and pie kits. This month she launched her new pie and tart delivery service, Fruit and Flour. The pies normally retail for $30 including delivery within the general Los Angeles area. Other fall flavors offered are "ugly" pie (oatmeal cookie crust, custard center and chocolate ganache top), chocolate with a hazelnut crust and cardamom-spiced pear." - Samantha Bonar


Machine Project
1200-D N. Alvarado St.
Echo Park, CA
(213) 483-8761.

POP UP PIE SHOP

Who doesn't like pie? As I thought, silence and tumbleweed...

A one night only pop up pie shop is taking place tomorrow night! What?! Oh yes! I simply had to re-post this for you!

"​Artists' center Machine Project in Echo Park will host a pop-up pie shop on Thursday, November 18th from 7 to 10 p.m. to benefit the Los Angeles Food Bank. The one-night-only event will transform Machine Project into a stylish pie shop where you can pick up a do-it-yourself holiday treat. "Pie kits" will include a pie crust and a jar of homemade seasonal filling (Maple Pumpkin, Classic Apple or Lovely Lemon) for $20 to assemble and bake at home.

Complimentary pie tasting of the three featured flavors and festive refreshments will be offered while visitors mingle amid atmosphere designed by Julia Luke. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Los Angeles Food Bank."



"Echo Park-based baker Sarah Williams is providing the baked pies and pie kits. This month she launched her new pie and tart delivery service, Fruit and Flour. The pies normally retail for $30 including delivery within the general Los Angeles area. Other fall flavors offered are "ugly" pie (oatmeal cookie crust, custard center and chocolate ganache top), chocolate with a hazelnut crust and cardamom-spiced pear." - Samantha Bonar


Machine Project
1200-D N. Alvarado St.
Echo Park, CA
(213) 483-8761.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

GRAI SAMPLE SALE

Grab your wallets and prepare to expand your closets - Grai are having another sample sale and all the togs are NEW!!!!


Where:
834 S. Broadway, #1004
Los Angeles, CA 90014

Be there then:
Thursday 18 November - 11am - 5:30pm
Friday 19 November 10:30am - 5:30pm
Saturday 20 November 10:00am - 2:00pm
Monday 22 November 10:30 - 4:00pm

GRAI SAMPLE SALE

Grab your wallets and prepare to expand your closets - Grai are having another sample sale and all the togs are NEW!!!!


Where:
834 S. Broadway, #1004
Los Angeles, CA 90014

Be there then:
Thursday 18 November - 11am - 5:30pm
Friday 19 November 10:30am - 5:30pm
Saturday 20 November 10:00am - 2:00pm
Monday 22 November 10:30 - 4:00pm

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