28th February 2015
Be like a sunflower, so that even on the darkest days you
can stand tall and find the sunlight.
Oh I did enjoy yesterday once I'd finished all my paperwork,
I went for a haircut, my hairdressers lovely, she's not one of those that asks
if I'm going on holiday this year, that kind of conversation kept me out of a
salon for years you know, I'm not good at idle chit chat, it's just not my
personality at all, I love to talk to people but not about the weather! Anyway I digress, I then drove to Lichfield
which I've never really walked round before and didn't realise there were as
many shops as there are, I may have to return another day! I was in Lichfield because my wonderful
friend had given me a voucher for my birthday to use at
www.bodybeautifuldayspa.co.uk/ and oh did I spend it well, I opted for an
aromatherapy body and Indian head massage, it was a lovely 90 minutes and I got
to chill out on their massage chair for half hour beforehand too as I was
early. I then had a walk round the
market and bought me some fruit, strawberries in February for £1 a tub and they
were sweet, HOW! I wasn't going to try
and work that one out, just enjoy. I
might have to find me a market to go to more often as the fruit and veg looked
much fresher.
Got home about four, cooked mom and me egg and actifry chips
then we chilled out for the rest of the day, giggling at silly stuff and having
quality time together, I've been so busy the last few weeks, I've suddenly
realised even though we're in the same house, I've missed my mom! When I do get to sit down, I've been too
tired to even concentrate on the tv screen, let alone hold a conversation.
Every now and again, I have that realisation that I need to
slow down and when I get it I do, so that's the plan, there are a few things
I've agreed to that I still have to do but that's my lot, I need me time, mom
time, my life time and it feels great to have realised that.
Having said that I'm so not ready for today (oops!), got my
meeting this morning, then I'm driving to Stoke, (must sort out the address of
where I'm going), for an area meeting, so I'll not be home till 6ish I
reckon! I need to sort myself this
morning, I've got to pack up all the obsolete stuff to take with me and return.
Got my Dinner planned though, thanks to massive garlic bulbs
I purchased from the market and some cheap chicken legs I had from Asda on
Thursday, I'm going to make 40 cloves of garlic chicken, one of my all time
favourite meals. I'm going to throw it
all in the slow cooker though, I've not done that before, so we shall see if it
works. At least I'll have a meal to come
home to later. Here's the recipe;
Chicken with 40 cloves of garlic Serves 4, 13pp each
2 tbsp regular olive oil 8
chicken thighs (skin on, bone in)
1 bunch (about 6) spring onions small
bunch fresh thyme
40 garlic cloves (approx 3-4 bulbs), unpeeled 2 tbsp dry white wine
1½ tsp sea salt flakes or ¾ tsp pouring salt Ground black pepper
Preheat the oven to
180C/350F/Gas 4. Heat the oil on the hob
over a high heat in a wide, shallow, ovenproof and flameproof casserole (that
will ultimately fit all the chicken in one layer, and that has a lid). Sear the
chicken, skin-side down. This may take two batches, so transfer the browned
pieces to a bowl as you go. Once the chicken pieces are seared, transfer them
all to the bowl.
Finely slice the spring
onions, put them into the casserole and quickly stir-fry them with the leaves
torn from a few sprigs of thyme. Put 20
of the unpeeled cloves of garlic (papery excess removed) into the casserole,
top with the chicken pieces, skin-side up, then cover with the remaining 20
cloves of garlic.
Add the vermouth (or
white wine) to any oily chicken juices left in the bowl. Swill it around and
pour this into the casserole. Sprinkle
with the salt, grind over the pepper, and add a few more sprigs of thyme. Put
on the lid and cook in the oven for 1½ hours.
If I decide to go with F&H, by removing the skin off the
legs, it'll be much better, I can omit the oil too if I don't bother with the
searing. I'll just add a chicken oxo
cube dissolved in some boiling water to give it a bit of juice. I'm gonna throw in a diced carrot too! I'm totally changing the recipe ain't I, the
only thing that's staying the same is the 40 cloves of garlic! Because I don't have fresh thyme either,
unless there's some on the bush outside still!
Hey ho, we're having slow cooker garlic chicken for Dinner
tonight, I'll let you know how it turns out.
But first I need to shower, pack boxes, load my car, get my slow cooker
dinner on and go weigh my super Saturday gang.
Ooo and a bit of breakfast too of course!
Whatever you're doing this weekend BeYOUtiful, remember to
slow down to the speed of life and take time doing those things that matter to
you and spending time with those people you love. xx
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