I love this time of the year – anyone that knows me will tell you that I might have been one of Santa’s little helpers in a former life. I’ve been buying and wrapping presents since Halloween and the less said about my festive eating habits the better… I feel that having children makes this time even more special even more so now that my boys are beginning to understand all that Christmas is about (food and presents of course). Watching Carter in his first ever nativity and Christmas concerts are memories I will treasure forever. As much as the buying presents and eating are fun for me the most important part of Christmas is the time spent with family and friends; this time of the year reinforces just how grateful i am for my family. Until next time Merry Christmas and a happy New Year xx
Tag: food
Lemon and green olive chicken and lentil tagine by Dunja
With my favorite season setting in, I’ve been experimenting in the kitchen more than ever. So little time but so many delicious stews, casseroles and tagines to cook! Felt inspired to pass on a little recipe for a lemon and green olive chicken and lentil tagine. My twist on a classic, quick and easy, and no need for an actual tagine!
1 onion
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves of garlic
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cumin
300g chicken thighs
500ml chicken stock
a strand of saffron
2 x 240g tins of lentils
60g preserved lemon rinds
50g pitted green olives
a small handful of fresh coriander
2 tablespoons crème fraiche
sea salt and pepper
Peal and slice the onion and sauté in the oil in a large saucepan. Add chopped garlic cloves, ginger and cumin. Sauté for a few more minutes
Add the chicken thighs, stock, saffron and lentils simmer gently for 20 minutes
Add the olives and chopped lemon rind to the mix and simmer for another 10 minutes
Add the crème fraiche and coriander and turn up the heat up slightly for another 10 minutes to reduce the sauce.
Serve with giant or regular couscous!
It’s spicy enough, but not too spicy for kids. My two year old could literally live on this!
Ella’s Kitchen
Ella’s Kitchen is really a gift from above for any parent on the go. When I was pregnant with my first I had visions of hand making all his organic, ethically sourced meals in my Yves Saint Laurent dressing gown with my freshly blow dried hair and sipping a freshly squeezed juice.
Unfortunately, the reality is much different. I just did not have the time to do it all – even a bath was a rare luxury.
The question was how to balance it all, and Ella’s Kitchen played a part in helping. Ella’s Kitchen have a vast range of organic, healthy food from when your child starts weaning so you don’t feel guilty when you just don’t have the time to prepare meals. However when you do have a moment – even if it is just a few minutes, Ella’s Kitchen have a new cook book called the Red One. In it you can find over a 100 simple and nutritious yummy recipes to inspire big and little cooks alike. From bubble + squeak to Big Beef Ragu as well as delicious desserts (my personal favourite). Both Carter and I have had lots of fun making and more importantly eating the meals and puds. It is a joy to have a cook book that is fun and easy to use