THE LOCAL DIARIES: THE DOCKYARD

I love food. It's no secret that it's my soul mate and it's an up and down relationship. We are getting to a good place though, don't you worry. Because of this relationship, I love going out for food and finding new places to try - so when I was invited to the new kid in town, The Dockyard, I knew I had to give it a go.

THE BRUNCH DIARIES: Josie's in Bishop's Waltham

 

 

I've been debating about reviewing Josie's in my little brunch diaries series. Mainly because it's already popular, and I don't want other people to know about it because I always want a seat. It is my favourite brunch place, mainly for the pancakes. It's usually our stop on the way to a day at Marwell Zoo and it's amazing.

THE LIFE DIARIES: A New Southsea Hangout

I always feel like I'm finding new gems in Southsea. I live outside of Portsmouth, so don't usually find myself wondering around and exploring - however, when I try somewhere new down there I'm generally in for a good surprise. So when I asked to head down the Scarlet Tap, a new bar in Palmerston Road, to try their menu, I picked up my bag and went exploring. I also took some of the fam with me.

THE LIFE DIARIES: A Weekend in Port Solent

 

 

Port Solent is many things to me. It's where we go for a last minute date night, it's where we go to see the latest film, where we pop for a relaxed lunch in the sun, and generally where my best friend and I go for our annual Christmas Eve lunch. However, not many people realise that amongst all the tasty restaurants and cute shops, there's an afternoon tea gem hiding.

The Brunch Diaries: The Salt Cafe

If you live in the area, I'm sure The Salt Cafe isn't exactly new to you. It's blown up in popularity since it's launch, and has continued to grow and grow. However, I had to include it as part of the Brunch Diaries as it is one of my favourite places to go.

 

The Brunch Diaries: Bread Addiction

Brunch is one of those meals I feel like people love to love, but always feels a little bit like a luxury. Do you have it for breakfast, or lunch, or both? I love a good brunch. It's quite possibly one of my favourite meals, so I'm very excited to set out on a mission to find some of the best brunch spots in my area - or wherever I am on the weekend!

THE PCOS Diaries: Friendly Breakfast Smoothie Bowls

I've never really been a morning person. Which generally means I usually sacrifice getting up in time to have breakfast by having those extra few previous moments snuggled in my duvet cocoon. However, when I do get around to having breakfast - I always feel better for the day, more set up and ready to go. Plus, with PCOS it's so important to have all three meals of the day and eat regularly to maintain a steady metabolism and help your insulin than skip pieces. So I thought it was about time I grow up, and get my breakfast hat on.

 

Blogmas #4: Some Baked Christmas Treats

You guys know me, you know I love to do a little bit of baking - especially for an occasion. And Christmas is such an occasion! I love baking at Christmas, and there's so much to do and there's so much stress around this time, that it's good to take some time to do something stress relieving and relaxing as baking. So here are a couple of really simple snack type bakes, quick to do and also both vegan-friendly!

Mozzarella meatball mash up

I’d never been much of a meatball fan, but then I tried this recipe and I was officially converted. I’m not a huge fan of meatballs, I don’t really like tomatoes, and I’m a bit iffy on pure mozzarella. Put them together though and oh, my, god. This recipe was originally taken from one on The Londoner’s, but I’ve modified it a little bit to make it more us, and a bit of an easier after work meal. This is actually my husband’s favourite meal, so when I decided I needed to eat a little bit healthier he was a bit worried this would disappear. However, while he gets his meatballs with tagliatelli, I throw mine over a bed of spinach. I mean yeah, there’s a lot of cheese, but surely it’s balanced out with the spinach. Right?

Anywho, enough rambling, let’s get onto the yumminess.

Fridge Fillers

• Ready-made fresh meatballs (I used 12 10% fat ones from Sainsbury’s)

• 1 pot of arriabatta sauce

• Cubed chorizo

• Sprinkle of mild chilli powder

• Sprinkle of garlic flakes

• Oregano

• Fresh mozzarella

• Grated mozzarella

• Tagliatelli/spinach

Throw it all together

Well, kinda. If you’re putting it with pasta, start to boil a pot of water on the hob, keep an eye as one it’s boiled throw your pasta in. Also, preheat your grill.

While the water is boiling, take a frying pan (without a metal handle – you’ll trust me later), put a dash of oil and then start frying off your meatballs until they’re all coloured and cooked through. 

Once this is done, take them out of the frying pan and set aside.

Sprinkle your chilli powder and garlic in the pan, still on a medium heat, and also put in your cubed chorizo and cook together. Once this is all done, pour in your sauce. You can add a dash of red wine if you wish as well at this point.

Once it’s all warmed through, put your meatballs back in and coat in the sauce, try and separate them our evenly. Then take your mozzarella ball and start tearing it into pieces and put in into your frying pan in between the meatballs. Turn the heat off, and sprinkle the whole mix with grated mozzarella. I then dust with oregano, and then put under the grill for around 10 minutes.

Once it’s all cooked, dish out your pasta, or spinach into pasta bowls. Then take your frying pan out of the oven – this is where you thank me it’s not a metal handle, but please still wear oven gloves. 

Then dish out into the bowls!

You then have your incredibly yummy, quick and easy, supremely stringy meatball dish. It’s a total winner, the perfect balance of spice with pasta and the mildness of mozzarella. I dare you to try it out, go on. And don’t forget to send me a pic!

Much love, Lisa May

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Healthy Chilli Chicken and Avocado Wrap

Staying healthy isn't always easy, especially when the weather is so cold and dreary. I know all I want to do is curl up with a big portion of french stick with gooey cheese - not the healthiest of options. The last thing I want for lunch is a large bowl of salad. So I've been looking for alternatives for weekend lunches that I'll actually look forward to eating. And I accidentally stumbled upon a super tasty healthy lunch that is warming on a cold dreary day.

Let me introduce, my chilli chicken and avocado wrap. 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 chicken breast
• Half an avocado
• Mild chilli powder
• Wraps - ideally wholemeal if you can get them as they're healthier
• Cubed chorizo

METHOD

In terms of prep, slice the chicken breast up into fine strips. Take a wok, or frying pan, and put in some oil, garlic and mild chilli powder. Then throw in the chicken, and try until cooked, coating it in the chilli and garlic. Then add your chorizo. I used about a tablespoon of chilli powder, but it's up to you as to how hot you'd want it. 

While this is cooking, warm the wraps in the microwave for a minute, and cut up your avocado. The spread it into the wrap. Then add your chicken, wrap and voila! Super simple, super tasty, and even healthier than other alternatives. Like french bread and cheese... The chilli gives it a warm kick that helps with the cold. Perfection.

Much love, Lisa May

Don’t forget to follow me on twitter, Instagram, facebook and bloglovin. 

Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake

So yes, I'm supposed to be healthy at the moment, however when I ran a dinner party for both sets of parents I had to come up with a dessert that'd please everyone. Cheesecake is always a winner, and I took my recipe inspiration from Tanya Bakes. In her book she has a recipe for a Terry's Chocolate Orange Cheesecake, which is super easy to make and a real crowd pleaser. I've since adapted the recipe for a few different versions, such as a Maltesar Cheesecake. But for this dinner party, I ran with a Chocolate Caramel version, and it was divine. 

INGREDIENTS

300g Maryland Chocolate Chip Cookies

100g melted butter

250g full-fat cream cheese

150g icing sugar

250g Dairy Milk Caramel, melted

150g double cream

Salted caramel sauce

Splash of milk

METHOD

First of all, crush all of your cookies together until they're pretty much crumbs and chocolate chips - a good way to get out any frustrations. If you have a big enough bag, throw them in there and whack with a rolling pin, or put them all in a bowl and get to work with your rolling pin. Melt together in a bowl the butter and one tablespoon of salted caramel sauce, then pour in the crumbs and mix it all together. Once combined, put in the base of your tin and pack it all in. 

Then whisk together your icing sugar and cream cheese until it's all combined and smooth. Now you can work on your chocolate. Break up your Dairy Milk Caramel into segments, and melt down. Now the caramel may resist, and it won't melt as nicey as chocolate normally does, it'll look a touch drier, so I just added a splash of milk. Once you're happy it's all melted, put your cream in a bowl and whisk up until it creates soft peaks. Then put the melted chocolate, and cream cheese mixture in with the cream, and whisk together until all nicely combined. You'll find you get little chunks of caramel throughout, which is absolutely fine and adds to the flavour. Once you're happy with it, pour over the biscuit base and stick in the fridge to set.

It will need to stay in the fridge for at least four hours to set, but it's gorgeous. It's so good, the mother in law asked for seconds. As I said, the original recipe came from Tanya Bakes so definitely check it out. Let me know if you try this version out as well, trust me, you won't regret it.

Much love, Lisa May

Don’t forget to follow me on twitter, Instagram, facebook and bloglovin.

Quick & Easy Beef Stroganoff with Noodles

This is easily one of my favourite meals. I love a bit of beef (no puns please) and stroganoff is something I always go towards in a restaurant. So when I moved out I wanted to learn how to make this pronto!

One Pot Spicy Pork

I love cooking, when I get home from work it's the perfect way to switch off and go into home mode. But the last thing you want to do is spend forever slaving away and cooking. This dish is one of my favourites, it's quick and easy to make and super tasty. It also only gets made in one dish so very little clearing up. 

Blogmas | At Home Christmas Drinks

I absolutely love this time of year with all of the Christmas themed drinks that come out. However, buying them over and over again can get a little pricey! So while I was at home I had a play around and came up with some flavoured hot chocolate drinks that were super easy to put together.

Blogmas | Cinnamon Shortbread Men

Oh hello more men. Have you noticed that I'm really enjoying my new gingerbread men cookie cutter? Well, I am. I had a massive craving for shortbread, and I thought what better was to make them Christmassy then add a truck load of cinnamon.

Blogmas | Chocolate Christmas Pudding Cakes

Christmas pudding is one of my favourite things to have at Christmas, it's just tradition for me. But I know it's a love or hate product, so how about making it everyones favourite by turning it into chocolate cupcakes.

Blogmas | Sticky Toffee Christmas Men

I'm having so much fun baking to a Christmas theme, I never want it to end. One recipe I tried a year or so ago was sticky toffee cupcakes, and they were a huge hit. And for me, sticky toffee is definitely better in the winter. So what better flavour to try out in a Christmas themed way.

Blogmas | Chocolate Christmas Tree Cakes

It's that time of the year where everything starts to feel a little more festive and excitement in the air becomes infectious. So with that in mind I've decided to give 'blogmas' a go. So for the whole of December I'll post something every single day, Christmas themed. And what better to start off with then a Christmas baking post. Introducing, my Chocolate Christmas Tree Cakes.

Creamy Chicken & Pancetta Alfredo

Sometimes I feel like I'm a rut when it comes to cooking meals after work. When I get back from work I just want to put together something super quick, easy and tasy, so I tend to just do the same meals. One day when I decided ti needed something new, I googled easy meals and found this. I've adapted it slightly, but it is super easy to do. And quite possibly one of my favourite ever meals to cook.

Food | Raspberry & White Chocolate Cupcakes

Cupcakes for me are my baking go to, and they're a slight addiction. They're easy to make, so for me that means they chill  me out and relax me. It also allows me to experiment and play around with the recipes. And these little beauties were the result of a little experiment of mine.