I'm not sure if it is my own doing, or that of Nigella, but I am often inspired to create Italian dishes that are more than just ordinary.  So, I made normal penne pasta last night, but added a sauce that was more than just tomato...it contained fresh herbs and pepper...I also added some chicken strips and added this sauce to the pasta...really awesome.  :)

Just take ingredients you like, mix them and you will be amazed by how amazing the meal can be!

:)

Sad as this may sound, I have had a week of fast foods and sandwiches!  Sometimes life can really take you on a side road and your time to cook is not forthcoming...well, I have to say that I was unhappy not to be in the kitchen, but I am so looking forward to getting back in there and making something new!  :)

So, Michael and I are going on a picnic this weekend, and we are taking Nigella along (metaphorically speaking)  :)

We are having buttermilk chicken drumsticks, pecan nut coleslaw and rocky road, as talked about in one of Nigella Express episodes...:)

Going to be awesome!  Will take pics!

A curry in a hurry...

I have always been a fan of indian food, and I am happy to say (smug even), that I have found a way to make a curry in a hurry.  Strange as it may sound, one should always cook the spices before you add them to the meat that you are using.  So I made some chicken last night, fried in butter, and cooked the indian spices seperately in some water (feel free to use any spicage you like).  Then I combined the two, added some coconut milk and some spicey rice.  I served this with some home-made brown bread...

All praise again to the Queen of food...Nigella...what an inspiration she is in my kitchen!  :)

Long weekend...

We just enjoyed a long weekend here in South Africa for the Easter season, and I had this brilliant idea to make trifle according to Nigella's recipe which she shares on the Nigella Feasts DVD.  So, I bought some chocolate cake, canned cherries, custard and cream...layer upon layer of gorgeousness!  :)

Michael and I are STILL eating on the trifle, and it is a joy with every bite!

Rapid Ragu

One of my favorite Nigella recipes is for Rapid Ragu (a glorified meat sauce)...made some yesterday and Michael and I enjoyed it with some kitka bread.  Very nice indeed!  :)

I have to also mention that I added two teaspoons of curry spices (not in the recipe), and it made the meal have a more Indian flair, which was also nice.

Just a thought...

:)

Remember that chicken and mango curry I told you about?  Well, here is a pic...:)

Following the recipe?

People always think that they need to follow a recipe religiously in order to get the best out of the dish that they are making, but I tend to disagree.  Nigella has an awesome recipe for red mango curry with prawns, and I decided to change it up a little...instead of using prawns, I used chicken, and I also used chicken soup instead of stock.  The curry turned out so nice, and it has given me the confidence I need to follow a recipe, but also use whatever I have in the house!  :)

Nigella is making a chef of me yet...and she doesn't even know I exist!  :(