Sunday, 15 December 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 51


Into the last week at work before the Christmas holidays. We get our special Christmas lunch at the school canteen this week which will hopefully be good. I need to wind down everything in the fridge before we head off to catch up with the family for Christmas. I'll be hitting the freezer for the last couple of days instead of going shopping. Here's what's on the menu plan this week.

Monday

lunch- something in town with Sophie

dinner - pork chops with creamy leeks and pasta

Tuesday

lunch- leftover roast chicken and rice stir fry

dinner- roast beef (from a too good to go bag) with roast potatoes, carrots and onions

Wednesday

lunch- leftover roast beef with baked potatoes

dinner- turkey casserole with mash and carrots

Thursday

lunch- school lunch 

dinner-  leftovers

Friday

lunch- school lunch

dinner - beefburgers with chips and baked beans

Saturday

lunch- leftovers and fridge diving

dinner- Deliveroo


***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Sunday, 8 December 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 50


Menu plans are very hit and miss lately as we've been enjoying lots of fabulous too good to go boxes from a local supermarket that provide various unexpected meals, especially at the end of the week. This week, we got loads of fresh beefburgers - proper ones like you get at the butcher's - so they've been stashed in the freezer, plus a giant box of taboulé (couscous with mint, peppers and olive oil) that we've been working our way through. Yesterday we headed off to Lille to see Juliette's new flat, give her boyfriend his birthday present and check out the Christmas market, where we had a delicious melted raclette cheese, smoked ham and potato baguette. Sounds weird but it was actually lovely. This week, I'll make a menu plan but Sophie will take over on cooking duties as I'll be going to after-school meetings all week. It will be a week of freezer diving and probably more too good to go bags, if I know Sophie !

Monday

lunch- school lunch or possibly something in town with Sophie

dinner - creamy pork with rice and salad

Tuesday

lunch- pasta carbonara

dinner- steak (from the freezer) with carrots and mash

Wednesday

lunch- just me and Sophie so we'll have a fridge fry-up, using up whatever we find and focusing on the veg box in the fridge - it always comes out delicious so it's a new tradition

dinner- beefburgers  (from the freezer)and pasta with salad

Thursday

lunch- school lunch or possibly something in town with Sophie

dinner-  blanquette de veau (veal stew in the slow cooker - from the freezer - with carrots, onions, mushrooms) and baked potatoes

Friday

lunch- school lunch

dinner - spaghetti bolognese

Saturday

lunch- beefburgers (from the freezer) with rice and carrots 

dinner- takeaway or deliveroo 

Sunday

lunch- roast dinner

dinner - leftovers

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Sunday, 1 December 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 49


I had a bit of a shock when I started writing this blog post. Week 49? How can that be possible ?! Only a few short weeks until the end of the year ?! It's the busiest time of the year (or at least each term) at school as we're busy filling in the pupils' reports and going to a conseil de classe class-meeting for each separate class. Luckily Sophie is home to help out with keeping everyone fed when I get in late and tired. We're still enjoying lots of too good to go bags from a local supermarket that offer interesting meal options for the end of the week. Last week we got a chicken kebab - slices of fresh chicken marinated in spices, with a cherry tomato, a slice of courgette and some onions on top, stuck on a stick with a square of wood on the bottom so you could stand it up to cook it. I couldn't work out how to cook it without the wood burning though so I stripped everything off, chopped it into chunks and cooked it in a frying pan. It was delicious ! Lots of other nibbly bits (cheese wrapped in smoked ham, olives, a steak and cheese sandwich, pear tarts ...) plus bits for main meals (curry-marinated chicken, gyros-marinated chicken, crab sandwich-filling, ...). Great for reducing landfill and improving tummy-fill so no complaints from me ! Here's what is on the cards for next week.

Monday

lunch- school lunch

dinner - chilli con carrne and rice (which didn't get made last week)

Tuesday

lunch- beefburgers with pasta

dinner- vegetable stuffing (from too good to go - basically sausage meat with spices) with rice and veggies

Wednesday

lunch- curry-marinated chicken (another too good to go offering) with rice and veg

dinner- steak (from the freezer) with gratin dauphinois (creamy baked potatoes) and salad

Thursday

lunch- school lunch

dinner-  pork curry with rice

Friday

lunch- school lunch

dinner - pasta carbonara (using up a thick slice of pork belly from, you guessed it, too good to go)

Saturday

lunch- kids' choice - we need to check out a new hamburger restaurant (like a French version of McDonald's) opening just down the road from our house

dinner- probably another too good to go box to pick through by now

Sunday

lunch- roast dinner

dinner - soup

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Saturday, 30 November 2024

Degustabox November 2024 review

 

Temperatures have decreased dramatically in recent weeks so, when the postie dropped off this month's Degustabox, I was hoping for ingredients for winter warmers and cheeky snacks for nibbling under the duvet in front of the telly. Would my wishes come true? Let's have a look at the contents below and find out !


Mission Wholemeal Wraps (RRP £1.59) are perfect for rustling up a quick snack (our favourite filling is banana and Nutella) or for adapting into a tasty lunch (filled with ham or chicken, mayonnaise and salad) or dinner (anyone for fajitas?!) These wholemeal wraps have a stronger, nuttier flavour than our usual white wraps that we all enjoyed and they have a higher fibre content. They would be perfect for using up the leftover turkey after Christmas. Available in Morrisons.


Monty Bojangles Pretzel Parade (RRP £3.95) are a new chocolatey sweet treat that was a unanimous hit here at The Madhouse. The unique combination of cocoa dusted truffles, white chocolate chips and pretzel flavour offers an original and unexpectedly delicious flavour. They would be perfect as a Secret Santa gift. Available in Ocado.

  

Moo Free Jingle Chums (RRP 80p) would be a perfect stocking stuffer for anyone who is dairy intolerant. They are dairy-free and vegan friendly but they are perfectly acceptable even if you have no dietary issues. They taste great and we loved the cute festive character hiding under the wrapper. Altogether now, "we wish you a Moo Free Christmas" ! Available at Tesco, Asda and online at moofreechocolates.com.

Ocean Spray Cranberry Classic (RRP £1.85) is a perfectly festive drink to enjoy on its own, blended with orange juice on Christmas morning or jazzed up in one of the many cocktails over on the Ocean Spray website. It has a sharp, crisp taste that wakes you up and refreshes your palate. Don't save the cranberries for the sauce on the side of your Christmas dinner plate, get some in drink form too ! Available in all major supermarkets.

Eisberg Selection Pinot Noir 0.0% (RRP £8 - other subscribers got Eisberg Pinot Grigio 0.0%) is a soft and smooth alcohol-free wine with notes of redcurrant and sweet spice. It can be paired with roast pork and vegetable pasta dishes, but it is a perfect match with the Christmas turkey too. Ideal for pregnant or breastfeeding mums or anyone else who wants to avoid drinking, it comes in at just 18 calories per glass. Available at Morrisons, Club Soda and Amazon.


Knorr Hairy Bikers' Herby Stock Pots (RRP £1.90) are another handy product from the range that we've been enjoying in recent Degustaboxes. These Herby stock pots are a quick and simple way of adding tons of flavour, whether you're cooking a meaty, vegan or veggie meal. Whether making risotto, pasta, soup, stew or casseroles, just pop a stock pot into the dish and add water if necessary to add a rich depth of flavour. Perfect for knocking up a quick dinner with the festive leftovers. It is lovely to see the dearly departed Hairy Biker Dave Myers on the packaging too. Available at Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Ocado and Asda.

 

Double Dutch Ginger Ale (RRP £1) is described by the producers as "liquid velvet with a kick". Natural ginger is mixed with a touch of cardamom to offer aromatic notes that round out the flavour with a silky depth. It can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with aged spirits like whisky or dark rum. It has an earthy, full-bodied flavour that will give you a nice kick. Available at Ocado, Amazon and on the Double Dutch Drinks website.

Blanco Niño Lightly Salted Tortilla Chips (RRP £2.95 - other subscribers got Chilli & Lime or Smoky Chipotle) are traditionally made tortilla chips using an ancient method called nixtamalisation. They have a lovely flavour and are gluten-free, vegan friendly and free from artificial ingredients. They use slow-cooked, whole, regeneratively-farmed, non-GMO corn and taste reassuringly fresh and natural. Available at Sainsbury's, Co-op, Ocado and Wholefoods.


Brain Blasterz Sour Wormz (RRP £1.29 - other Degustaboxers received Sour Boltz) offer the original dual flavourz - sorry, flavours ! - of blue raspberry-lemon-cherry cola and apple-strawberry. The vegan gummies have a pleasant chewy texture but I have to admit, I found them a bit too sour for my tastes. They are rated a level 3 out of 5 on the Sour Scale so I must be a wimp though ! Needless to say, the Madhouse kids loved them. 

 

Revolution Waves Raspberry (RRP £1) is a pleasant-tasting, fruity-flavoured, spring water drink that is free from artificial additives. It has an extra bonus - the range has added vitamins and minerals, so the raspberry variety includes vitamin D for boosting your immunity. Most importantly, it tastes great and is very refreshing. Available at Heron Foods and Wholesalers.

Ambrosia Plant Based Custard (RRP £1.95) is a great store cupboard staple, especially over the Christmas period. It is delicious served over Christmas pudding but my personal favourite pairing is with apple pie. It is Ambrosia's first ever plant based custard, made with natural flavours with added calcium and no preservatives or artificial colours. I personally couldn't taste the difference and we all gobbled it up. Available in Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco.

A subscription to Degustabox costs £12.99 per month including delivery, with each box having a value of much more than that, but the great news is, I have a discount coupon code for you which means you'll get the first box for just £9.99 - enter code PKUFE at the checkout. 


for more information :

Also now on Instagram @DegustaboxUK

Disclosure : We received the box in order to write an honest review. As a Degustabox blogger, I receive all of the products that go into the monthly boxes, but subscribers may not get exactly the same selection.

Sunday, 24 November 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 48


This week, I'll be working my way through all the end-of-term school reports then the week after it will be after-school class meetings to discuss the pupils' progress and problems, class by class. That is the sign that the holidays are on their way - bring them on, I say ! We've been gaily buying Christmas presents every time we see them in the shops or on Black Friday deals online and we're getting there, slowly but surely. I can't tell you what I've bought but there are some crackers in there that should hopefully appeal to their recipients. We will be putting the Christmas decorations up this afternoon if all goes to plan. We've been grabbing lots of Too Good To Go bags lately, with everything from muffins to family-sized trays of lasagne, which have been going down well. I have a fridge full of salad and random pieces of meat now ! Here's this week's plan for food.

Monday

lunch- school lunch

dinner - roasted cod with garlic and herbs (from a Too Good To Go bag) with rice and salad (Pierre can have a chicken burger or leftovers)

Tuesday

lunch- leftover fish for me/another chicken burger for Pierre with baked potatoes and grated carrots

dinner- Mongolian beef with rice

Wednesday

lunch- I'm home alone so I will knock something up with whatever is lingering in the fridge (there is some choucroute (sauerkraut) from Too Good To Go which could be good actually)

dinner- sausages, mash and beans

Thursday

lunch- school lunch

dinner-  chilli con carne and rice

Friday

lunch- school lunch

dinner - chicken burgers with pasta

Saturday

lunch-  creamy pork and mushrooms with baked potatoes

dinner- pizza

Sunday

lunch- roast chicken, roast potatoes, veg, gravy

dinner - soup

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Sunday, 17 November 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 47


After last week's hectic schedule, I'm happy to have a quieter week this week. I still have Pierre's parent-teacher evening on Monday and a trip to the bank on Tuesday but that's it. I think we might get the Christmas tree set up next weekend. I know it's early but we'll be visiting family over Christmas so it won't get appreciated otherwise. We did several Too Good To Go bags last week so the fridge is packed with random things to use up. Here's the plan for the coming week.

Monday

lunch- school lunch

dinner - Nadiya's smoky meatball stew with couscous

Tuesday

lunch- leftover meatball stew

dinner- fish, rice and carrots

Wednesday

lunch- leftovers

dinner- Pork, leek and rice stir-fry (minus the kale !)

Thursday

lunch- school lunch

dinner-  chicken gyros with rice

Friday

lunch- school lunch

dinner sausage stew with mash

Saturday

lunch-  pasta carbonara

dinner- something created from too good to go (seems to be the new norm)

Sunday

lunch- roast dinner

dinner - soup

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Sunday, 10 November 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 46


Menu-planning at the Madhouse has got confusing lately. During the week, it's just me and Pierre. At the weekend, but often from Thursday night onwards, Sophie comes home for the weekend. On Friday, Juliette comes home for the weekend, accompanied by her boyfriend, but he works so only eats at home for about half of the meals. Shopping has become a logistical nightmare as I never know how many people I am buying for ! Menu plans still come in useful as a rough guide but we tend to veer off plan more frequently when someone requests something specific or we don't have enough ingredients for the number of people present. As an added complication, this week we have a bank holiday on Monday and parent-teacher evenings on Tuesday and Thursday. Here's what's on this week's menu plan.

Monday

lunch-  smoky bbq pork with pasta and sweetcorn

dinner - meatloaf with mash and carrots

Tuesday

lunch- breaded fish with rice and veg

dinner- fresh pasta (ravioli filled with ham)

Wednesday

lunch- leftovers

dinner- gnocchi with creamy chicken

Thursday

lunch- school lunch

dinner- chicken cordon bleu with rice and ratatouille

Friday

lunch- school lunch

dinner - chicken burgers with pasta

Saturday

lunch-  chicken fajitas

dinner- pasta carbonara

Sunday

lunch- spaghetti bolognese

dinner - bacon sandwiches

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Sunday, 3 November 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 45


We had a lovely autumn half term and now we're getting ready to go back to school. Having put the clocks back, it's going to be pitch black when my alarm goes off at 6.15 tomorrow morning, which I'm not looking forward to. Only a month and a half until the Christmas holidays though so I can't complain. During these holidays, we had a lovely trip back to see the family then came back in time for Pierre to celebrate Halloween with his friends. He dressed up as a blood-soaked zombie and they came home with loads of sweets so he was very happy. I've already started Christmas shopping but I'm not feeling at all festive yet though. I'm sure it won't be long until they turn on all the Christmas lights in the streets and that always brings on the festive cheer. Here's what's on this week's menu plan.

Monday

lunch- school lunch 

dinner - chilli con carne and rice

Tuesday

lunch- chicken cordon bleus, baked potatoes and beans

dinner- bacon and tomato pasta

Wednesday

lunch- fridge-diving for me - time to use up the leftovers

dinner- chicken burgers and chips

Thursday

lunch- school lunch

dinner- the remaining chicken burgers with spicy couscous

Friday

lunch- school lunch

dinner - pork curry with rice

Saturday

lunch-  Deliveroo or McDonald's (kids' choice)

dinner- chicken pita with salad

Sunday

lunch- sweet & sour chicken and rice

dinner - bacon sandwiches

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Wednesday, 16 October 2024

Degustabox October 2024 review


This week the postie dropped off this month's Degustabox. Temperatures have been dropping lately so I was hoping for some winter warmers and decadent sweet treats to eat while tucked up under a blanket on the settee. Did it deliver? Read on and find out !
 

Nestlé Carnation Condensed Milk (RRP £2.39) is made with just two ingredients : fresh whole milk and natural sugar. It can be used in a whole host of sweet recipes, including fudge, cupcakes, cheesecake bites, Millionaire's Shortbread, truffles, chocolate chip cookies (check out the Carnation website for more ideas), or you could follow my mum's example and just dollop a spoonful in a cup of tea ! It makes the most decadent sweet treats that you could wish for. Available in all major supermarket chains.

Chewits Fruity Jewels (RRP £1.30) are a new type of sweets from the popular chewy sweets manufacturer that we love. They are supposed to be low in sugar and high in taste but 4 sweets provides 77 calories, with 100g providing 306 calories, so you might want to watch how many you eat. They do taste lovely though and we love the fruity flavours. Available at Tesco, Morrisons, The Range and Aldi.


Knorr White Wine Stock Pots (RRP £1.90) are a great hack for adding a deep, rich flavour to your meals if you don't have a bottle of wine in your kitchen cupboard. Each pot is enriched with half a glass of full-bodied white wine, so they are perfect for perking up risottos, creamy chicken casseroles and stews. They're very handy to have in the cupboard if you don't regularly buy wine. Available in major supermarkets.


Márdel Alfajor de Dulce de Leche (RRP 2 x £1.50) are a sweet treat that are an iconic product of Argentina, now available worldwide. They are made of two soft cookies filled with Márdel dulce de leche (milk caramel) and covered with either a white or dark chocolate coating. They are very tasty and the kids loved the fact that these are described as a breakfast option, as well as a snack or a dessert. Available in international Latin shops.

 

Barilla Pesto Genovese (RRP £3.35) is this month's Product of the Month. It is made with 100% Italian fresh basil leaves from sustainable agriculture and Parmigiano Reggiano PDO. To best preserve the aroma, colour and original taste, all the ingredients are mixed cold and put in the jar in less than three hours. All you need to do is dollop some on freshly cooked pasta and stir it through for a tasty, creamy dinner that is as quick as it is simple to prepare. It's more expensive than supermarket own brands but the difference is in the flavour and the richness of the sauce. Available on Ocado, Amazon, Co-op and Morrisons (selected stores).

Brioche Pasquier Pancakes (RRP £2.20) are great as an indulgent snack, breakfast, brunch or lunch option. They can be eaten cold but we love them gently heated in the microwave. They can be topped with jam, cream, chocolate spread, marshmallow fluff or maple syrup and fresh fruit, if you fancy going American. They are wrapped up in packets of two which makes them ideal as a snack on the go or breakfast on the way to school when you are running late ! Available at Morrisons and Co-op.

 

Proper Corn Smoky & Sweet Paprika Popcorn (RRP £1.90) is one of a new range of savoury Propercorn flavours (other Degustaboxers got Tangy Chilli or Cracked Black Pepper flavours). The bold flavour comes from natural seasoning and we found it very satisfying. The butterfly popcorn is naturally high in fibre and, as a wholegrain, a source of magnesium and zinc. That all makes it a pretty healthy snack option. Available at Waitrose, Ocado and Sainsbury's.

Three Robins Little Smoothie (RRP £1.89) are a new range of smoothies, made with oat milk, real fruit and hidden veg in a handy resealable pouch. They are low in sugar and fortified with extra vitamins and minerals, so they are perfect as a healthy dessert or snack on the go. They are available in two flavours, Super Berry or Truly Tropical. Available to order on the Three Robins website.


SlooOW Rustic Multigrain Baguette (RRP £1.60) is an organic and 100% natural bread, rolled in grains, seeds and kernels. Baked to a traditional recipe and prepared with sourdough, it is perfect for a sandwich, with soup or alongside a BBQ. We smothered ours in garlic butter and grilled it to create a delicious, chewy garlic bread. Yum ! Available at Tesco and Hello Fresh.


Leaving the hardest to spell for last, Tarczynski Kabanos Extreme Piri-Piri (RRP £2.30) is a Polish dry sausage that is great as a savoury snack. As a high-protein option, I kindly passed this over to Pierre and he loved the spicy flavour. He wants to look out for these again, maybe in a slightly milder flavour option. Available in the world food aisle of most major supermarkets.

A subscription to Degustabox costs £12.99 per month including delivery, with each box having a value of much more than that, but the great news is, I have a discount coupon code for you which means you'll get the first box for just £9.99 - enter code PKUFE at the checkout. 


for more information :

Also now on Instagram @DegustaboxUK

Disclosure : We received the box in order to write an honest review. As a Degustabox blogger, I receive all of the products that go into the monthly boxes, but subscribers may not get exactly the same selection.

Sunday, 13 October 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 42


Into the final week before the holidays. I can't believe how quickly it's come around ! On Monday, Pierre has his little ceremony at his old school to receive his exam certificate so we're both invited to that. Nothing else major on the cards. We went and picked up some Too Good To Go bags last night from a baker's, a coffee shop and a supermarket, so we're overrun now with baguettes, pains au chocolat and cooking chorizo ! The girls are home for the weekend so they can take some back with them when they go back to their student flat. Here's what's on this week's menu plan.

Monday

lunch- school lunch 

dinner - chorizo and bean stew

Tuesday

lunch- fish, rice and ratatouille

dinner- beef bourguignon with potatoes  (time to break out the slow cooker !)

Wednesday

lunch- fridge-diving for me - time to use up the leftovers

dinner- sausages, mash and beans

Thursday

lunch- school lunch

dinner- pasta with chilli mince sauce

Friday

lunch- school lunch

dinner - cheese and ham pies with mash and green beans

Saturday

lunch-  pork chops, pasta, peas and carrots


Sunday

lunch- pasta carbonara

dinner - chicken burgers, couscous and tomato sauce

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Wednesday, 9 October 2024

BerryWorld partners with CoppaFeel! to raise awareness of breast cancer

I wanted to share the news of this fun and informative charity campaign. I love the fact that it focuses on the younger generation as, as a parent of two kids in this age group, I know it's not one of the things I've focused on when talking to my daughters. This should make it easier to get the message out there !

********************************************


BerryWorld have partnered with CoppaFeel! for Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) this October to launch a limited-edition BOOBERRIES™ blueberry pack, where 10p per pack goes to support CoppaFeel! CoppaFeel! is the UK’s only youth focused breast cancer awareness charity, and they’re on a mission to get every 18-24 year old checking their chest. 

 1 in 7 women in the UK develop breast cancer during their lifetime. In the UK there are around 56,400 women and 390 men diagnosed with breast cancer each year.

 If breast cancer is diagnosed early, it can be treated successfully. That is why we want to tell you about breast cancer, and encourage you to check your chest every month. 

 BerryWorld Group’s Marketing and Communications Director, Charlotte Knowles first came across CoppaFeel! back in Summer 2023; initial enquiries quickly turned into exciting concept conversations and in 2024, a partnership was signed ready for BCAM. 


 The bold, winter marketing campaign has been brought to life in-house through the creation of a limited-edition BOOBERRIES™ pack; the packaging is 100% recyclable using FSC accredited paper and had been successfully trialled over the summer. 

 Exclusively available at Ocado Retail, the delicious BOOBERRIES™ limited-edition blueberry packs will be stocked throughout October and November. 

 BerryWorld and Ocado will donate a total of 10p per pack to support CoppaFeel!’s mission to ensure all breast cancers in young people are diagnosed early and accurately. A broader digital, print and out-of-home advertising campaign encouraging shoppers to “Check Out Your BOOBERRIES™” will also help bring the message to life over the next two months. Whilst the BerryWorld and Ocado Retail teams will be hosting internal ‘Brek & Check’ sessions to introduce the partnership to employees and educate their teams on the importance of self-checking, all whilst enjoying a healthy, blueberry-themed breakfast. 



 Charlotte Knowles, Marketing & Communications Director at BerryWorld said: "We're thrilled to team up with CoppaFeel! this October. BerryWorld BOOBERRIES™ and CoppaFeel!'s mission go hand in hand. This bold and bright campaign with Ocado Retail has given us the opportunity to use our brand for good, raising awareness of self-checking and breast cancer more widely. Together with CoppaFeel! we’re bursting with berry goodness®, all whilst bringing a splash of colour and British humour to UK shoppers." 

 Amber Hodge, Head of Partnerships at CoppaFeel! continued: "We're so grateful to be supported by BerryWorld this Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with their delicious BOOBERRIES™! Not only does BerryWorld's campaign raise vital awareness of our chest checking message, but the funds raised from each blueberry pack mean that we can reach even more young people to educate, encourage and empower them to check their chest monthly - which we know can save lives." 

 Martha Springham, Produce Trading Manager for Ocado Retail said that: “We are delighted to have partnered with BerryWorld and CoppaFeel! to raise awareness of breast cancer among the youngest generations. The paper topped limited edition BOOBERRIES™ pack, available at Ocado Retail, not only supports CoppaFeel!’s mission with an on-pack donation but is also a kinder packaging solution to the planet, with a 100% recyclable punnet which maximises fruit quality and product protection, whilst maintaining a low carbon footprint.”


 Look out for BerryWorld’s special limited-edition paper topped pink packs on Ocado Retail: https://www.ocado.com/products/berryworld-blueberries-298699011 

 Meet the BerryWorld team who’ve ‘gone pink’ for BCAM at Fruit Attraction, Hall 9, Stand 9F04

 Find out more about the campaign at: https://www.berryworld.com/en-gb/news/booberries 

 To find out more about CoppaFeel! check out: CoppaFeel! | Check Your Chest | Breast Cancer Awareness Charity

Book review : Too Close For Comfort - Mike Martin

 

With the temperatures dropping outside, along with bone-chilling winds and constant drizzly rain leaving you feeling damp and dejected all day long, it was the perfect time to get my hands on the latest Sgt. Windflower mystery. Reading the stories of the permanently good-natured Mountie and his friends and family, it feels like the literary version of a soft blanket around the shoulders and a decadent mug of hot chocolate, topped with gooey marshmallows and cinnamon, to warm the cockles of your heart. His wife, Sheila, keeps busy looking after their home and providing Winston with delectable food, his fun-loving daughters Stella and Amelia Louise enjoy their new hobbies in their figure skating and dance classes, Dr Sanjay invites the family over for whisky tasting and an Indian feast, Eddie Tizzard is wrapped up in a bubble of domestic bliss with his wife Carrie and young children, ...


Despite the happy times and well-adjusted households, all is not well in Grand Bank though. A string of  unexplained fires have been damaging some of the local properties and the finger of suspicion points in an unexpected direction. Worse still, a dead body is discovered in one of the ruined houses. Windflower cannot resist digging into every nook and cranny and ends up making a surprising discovery : traces of gold, presumably linked to a major gold heist on the mainland. With major criminals suddenly thrown into the mix, things take a turn for the worse, especially when Windflower receives a message from beyond, warning him that his friend and colleague Eddie Tizzard may find himself in danger. If only Eddie would believe the warnings from his good-hearted friend.


As always, the novel offers the perfect balance of dangerous and exciting work business and a happy and carefree home life. Windflower knows how to maintain the perfect equilibrium, working hard to keep everyone happy at home ad beyond.


star rating : 4.5/5


RRP : $24.95 CAD


Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ottawa Press and Publishing Mystery (1 Oct. 2024) 

Language ‏ : ‎ English 

Paperback ‏ : ‎ 430 pages 

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1990896227 

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1990896224 

Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.24 x 2.74 x 22.86 cm


Available on amazon


Disclosure : I received a review copy in order to share my honest opinion.

Sunday, 6 October 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 41


Another week done and dusted. We've all settled into our routine now and are gaily counting down the weeks to the next holiday. Only a few weeks to go. It doesn't seem more rhan five minutes since we went back to school after the summer ! One of the biggest perks of being a teacher. Here's what we're planning to eat this week. I have lots of simple bookmarked recipes to try this week so it's a week of globecooking on the cards.

Monday

lunch- school lunch 

dinner - Tavuk sote (Turkish chicken sauté) with couscous

Tuesday

lunch- sausages, mash and beans


Wednesday

lunch- fridge-diving for me

dinner- Greek pastitsio (like lasagne)

Thursday

lunch- school lunch

dinner- crispy shredded chicken with noodles

Friday

lunch- school lunch

dinner chicken burgers, pasta and ratatouille

Saturday

lunch-  fish, rice and green beans

dinner- pasta carbonara

Sunday

lunch- roast chicken, roast potatoes, carrots, gravy

dinner - cheese on toast or soup

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Sunday, 29 September 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 40


Last week wasn't too bad weather wise in the end. It poured hard on Friday when I was on the way to work but we didn't get the full week of rain that they were predicting. It's got decidedly colder though and the heating has come on which is nice in the mornings. Pierre has just bought a new coat for the winter so it must be cooling down as I've been nagging him about it for months ! Last week was a busy week at work with the school cross country competition taking up my Wednesday morning off and a school open day after work on Friday. This week will seem calmer by comparison. Here's what we're eating this week. Pierre loved the steak so I think I'll defrost another pack of that.

Monday

lunch- school lunch 

dinner - creamy pork with rice and green beans

Tuesday

lunch- beef tacos (to use up the leftover taco shells from last week)

dinner- tomatoey meatball & chickpea couscous

Wednesday

lunch- leftovers

dinner- battered fish, rice, carrots and peas

Thursday

lunch- school lunch

dinner- steak, baked potatoes and carrots

Friday

lunch- school lunch

dinner spicy chicken pasta

Saturday

lunch- the rest of the meatballs with pasta and tomato sauce

dinner- marry me chicken with mash

Sunday


dinner - leftovers or soup

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

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