Marie Cookpad

  I'm not sure about you, but one of our favourite meals in this house has to be a Roast Chicken Dinner with all the trimmings.  Succulent perfectly cooked chicken, crispy roast potatoes, fresh veg and plenty of gravy.  There is not much about a Roast Chicken Dinner I don't like!   I was recently contacted by the people at Hello Fresh and asked would I like to try out and cook one of their recipes in the comfort of my own home.  I think all of us can agree that cooking during this Pandemic has been somewhat of a challenge to say the least.  Its been really hard getting grocery slots and when you get one, you can't be guaranteed that you even get everything you have ordered.  Its been a bit like playing Russian Roulette at best.  There is nothing more annoying than planning on cooking something, and only having half the ingredients that you need to make it show up!  You then have to scramble and think of something else that you can make with w...

  One thing I really miss over here in the UK are Chinese Food Buffets.  I have not seen one yet that even comes close to what I was used to back home. My favourite one had probably about 25 different entrees to choose from, along with sides, etc. Plus a salad bar and a dessert bar.   There was Won Ton Soup, crispy fried won tons, egg rolls, spring rolls . . .  boiled rice, fried rice, chinese chicken wings, garlic spare ribs, sweet and sour chicken, beef and broccoli, ginger beef, chow meins, lemon chicken, prawns, chop suey, etc.  You think of a Chinese dish and they had it, plus stuff for those who were not overly fond of Chinese dishes, like chips, battered fish, onion rings,etc.   I suppose that was to appease people who can't eat a meal out without chips or who have to bring their children and want their children to have something they will eat as well.  I am not sure.   I miss Egg Rolls  . . .  there is no such thing here.  T...

  I have this small book by Donna Hay. It is entitled Small Essentials, Chicken.  Yep, it is filled with chicken recipes. 60 of them to be exact.  I love Donna Hay cookbooks and recipes.   Not that I have many of them. I don't.  She is like the Martha Stewart of Australia, except a lot younger.  She has an impeccable eye for flavours, and presentations, decorating, etc.   We are having a sunny hot day here in Chester as I write this. I didn't really feel like heating up the kitchen overly much, but I had taken out some chicken to cook.   I wanted something light and quick and fresh.  I have a lot of work on today for that other site I write for, but still wanted something new for here.   This was a recipe I had flagged for a long time now.  Tender chicken breast slices, coated with cashew nuts and fried in olive oil until golden brown on both sides  . . .   Served hot atop crisp baby gem leaves.  Baby Gem are like tin...