Main course

Best Ever Family Recipes: Easy Chicken Curry

Best Ever Family Recipes

Years ago, pre-children, I remember a food stylist and mum telling me one of the most stressful things about being a parent is trying to get children to eat well.

Three children later and I can relate to this adage more than I ever imagined. Despite the best of intentions, home-cooked pureed Annabel Karmel recipes and several desperate calls to my health visitor, my little tykes – one in particular – are unbelievably fussy.

Never EVER did I think I would allow my child to eat ketchup sandwiches (albeit, reduced salt/sugar on wholemeal bread) and serve fruit instead of vegetables. But I have to confess, that sometimes I do. Life has got so busy that I make meals that meet with the least resistance.

But! It’s a new year and a new
start: time to introduce those
finicky creatures to new tastes.

I’m going to enlist their help with this challenge as they always seem more likely to try new foods when they have cooked it themselves.

So for mums, dads, aunties, uncles, grannies and grandads everywhere, here’s the first (of many) #BestEverFamilyRecipes. I hope you and your little lovelies enjoy it.

Please feel free to share your family favourites; the more the merrier (use #BestEverFamilyRecipes).

Recipes from the Dairy Diary

Easy Chicken Curry

This curry is mild and sweet enough for little ones, and even sneaks in some butternut squash (chop the veggies really small). A Dairy Diary recipe. For more delicious recipes visit the Dairy Diary Recipe Collection.

CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE

For more recipes that the little ones will love, check out our Children-Friendly recipe collection here.

Recipe of the Week | Crispy Duck Salad

Crispy Duck Salad

This week’s recipe in the Dairy Diary is absolutely gorgeous and super-speedy too.

Cripsy Duck Salad

Crispy Duck Salad

The perfect winter salad and something a bit different. A Dairy Diary recipe. For more delicious recipes visit the Dairy Diary Recipe Collection.

CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE

Thanks to http://www.makemoreofsalad.com for supplying this recipe.

#recipeoftheweek

#wintersalad

#dairydiary

National Handwriting Day and a confession!

 National Handwriting Day

I have a confession – this is a secret that no one knows!

For various reasons – maybe my 1980s pre-curriculum schooling or possibly my ignored childhood calligraphy set – I have no idea how to do joined-up handwriting!

I think the fact that I work on a diary makes it even more excruciating and why most of my work is done using a keyboard.

I have serious handwriting envy when I see beautifully
penned tags on gifts given by friends and wish I could
create such gorgeous script.

But all is not lost, you’re never too old to learn, and as today is National Handwriting Day I’m going to confess all to my three children and ask them to teach me how to write properly! I’m sure my five-year-old twins will find this quite hilarious.

With advances in digital technology it’s more important than ever that we cherish the handwritten word. As the Handwriting Association suggests – legible writing that can be produced comfortably, at speed and with little conscious effort is vitally important throughout school and beyond education, most employment situations will involve at least some handwriting. Long live handwriting!

There is something really special about a lovingly handwritten diary, and this can be my target for the end of 2017 – learning how to join-up my letters beautifully is a much more inspirational resolution than dieting!

Do you write a daily record in your diary or do you just jot down notes and appointments?

This week’s recipe in the Dairy Diary is absolutely gorgeous and super-speedy too. Why not give it a try?

Cripsy Duck Salad

Crispy Duck Salad

The perfect winter salad and something a bit different. A Dairy Diary recipe. For more delicious recipes visit the Dairy Diary Recipe Collection.

CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE

Thanks to http://www.makemoreofsalad.com for supplying this recipe.

#nationalhandwritingday

#write

#wintersalad

#dairydiary

Boxing Day – now it’s time to treat yourself!

Time to treat yourself!

I’m sure, like most people, the last month has been a whirlwind of planning, shopping, wrapping, cooking, and generally trying to make Christmas perfect for everyone.

Now’s the time to slow
down and treat yourself.

Do something you makes you feel happy. That may be a long walk, a phone call with a friend, a soak in the bath with your favourite music playing, reading a book, or even filling in your Dairy Diary.

Whatever it is, enjoy yourself and maybe even indulge in some simple comfort food like this. Just make sure someone else makes it for you!

 

Pasta Supper

Pasta Supper

  • Servings: 2 adults & 3 children
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Calories 529 per portion
Fat 31g (17g sat) per portion

Ingredients

  • Dried tagliatelle 250g pack
  • Butter 40g (1½oz)
  • Olive oil 1 tbsp
  • Onion 1 small, peeled and finely chopped
  • Ham 110g (4oz), cut into strips
  • Frozen peas 110g (4oz)
  • Single cream 150ml (¼ pint)
  • Cheddar cheese 110g (4oz), grated

Instructions

  1. Cook the tagliatelle according to the packet’s instructions.
  2. Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the oil and cook the onion for about 4 minutes until soft.
  3. Add the ham and frozen peas and cook for a further 4 minutes.
  4. Add the drained tagliatelle, cream and half of the cheese. Toss together and serve immediately sprinkled with the remaining cheese.

Cook’s tips
Dried tagliatelle has been used here but it can be tricky for little ones to twiddle around a fork. For young diners you might like to use pasta twists or shells instead that can be scooped up with a spoon.

 

 

Dairy Diary Favourites CookbookThis recipe is taken from
Dairy Diary Favourites cookbook.

Click here to find out more.

 

Have a happy Boxing Day everyone.

 

#boxingday

#treatyourself

#comfortfood

 

5 simple steps to help you drink more water

 

5 tips to drink more water

5 simple steps to help you drink more water

Pretty much every morning I remind myself to drink more water and by the end of the day I’ve usually only managed to drink about 4 glasses.

We all know water is good for us. Amongst other things it’s great for your skin, helps ward off headaches caused by dehydration and even helps to counterbalance diuretic drinks such as tea and coffee, which make us need the loo more often.

I decided to be proactive and put a plan in place to make sure I do actually drink the recommended 1.5-2 litres water every day. This plan included drinking really cold filtered water, sometimes flavoured with fruit and setting my phone alarm to remind me to drink.

After following my plan of action
for a week, I can confirm that it
does really work.

I have had no headaches, my skin feels less tight and I do feel much better.

 

Here’s the plan:

  1. Buy a water filter jug for the fridge (and possibly one for your work fridge), so the water tastes fresh and cold.
  2. Use a tall glass or bottle to drink from to ensure you have access to more water even when you’re busy.
  3. Use the alarm on your mobile phone to remind you to drink and keep a tally chart of how many glasses you’ve had in your Dairy Diary.
  4. Add lemon or lime slices, or even some fresh mint to your water. It tastes delicious!
  5. Follow your tea or coffee with a glass of water.

 

 

Britain’s most-trusted diary

Dairy Diary 2017

Keep on track with everything you need to do daily with Britain’s most trusted and loved diary – the 2017 Dairy Diary.

It has the perfect layout for planning your week, useful reminder date stickers, a handy pocket for notes and of course, the famous triple-tested weekly recipes.

Dairy Diary 2017 is available to buy right now from your local milkman or direct from us online or by calling 01425 463390.

And it’s only £7.99!!

Available to buy now.

 

Don’t just take our word for it – here’s what others have to say:

“ Brilliant diary have had one since they started”.
*****
Mrs Tilbey

“ Best diary ever! Fantastic layout. Great pages of general information. Colourful. I always try the recipes. Value for money 10/10”.
*****
Amazon customer

 

 

Here’s a taster recipe….. perfect for serving with a bowl of hot soup.

Savoury Bacon & Herb Loaf recipe

Savoury Bacon & Herb Loaf

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Calories 327 per portion
Fat 11g (5.2g sat) per portion
Suitable for freezing

Ingredients

  • Streaky bacon 50g (2oz), chopped
  • Onion 1, peeled and finely chopped
  • Celery 2 sticks, chopped
  • Self-raising flour 225g (8oz)
  • Butter 25g (1oz), softened
  • Milk 150ml (¼ pint)
  • Egg 1, beaten
  • Chopped parsley 1 tbsp
  • Dried mixed herbs ½ tsp

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C/160°fan/Gas 4. Grease a 450g (1lb) loaf tin or 16cm (6in) cake tin.
  2. Dry fry bacon in a frying pan for 2 minutes, then add onion and celery and cook for 5 minutes until soft.
  3. Sift flour and ½ tsp salt into a bowl and rub in butter.
  4. In a jug mix milk with egg and herbs and season. Add to dry ingredients with bacon mixture and mix together. Spoon into tin and bake for 50-60 minutes until risen and golden. Cool on a rack.

 

#drinkwater

#getorganised

#recipe

#tripletested

 

Recipe of the Week | Spanish Tapas Platter

Spanish Tapas Platter

Enjoy a relaxed evening with friends with this simple Spanish-inspired recipe.

Spanish Tapas Platter

This Spanish Tapas Platter has something for everyone. A Dairy Diary recipe. For more delicious recipes visit the Dairy Diary Recipe Collection.

CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE

Dairy Diary 2017

This recipe is taken from the 2017 Dairy Diary, Britain’s best-loved and must trusted home diary, available to buy now.

Take a closer look.

“ Have been buying this for years. I use it to plan our menus and it has lots of useful information. This year is has a section on local folk lore. Good recipes too. Wouldn’t be without it.”
*****
Review by Eva, online.

Win a Tapas Maker Set

Win a VonShef Crepe & Tapas Maker Set

Dairy Diary is giving you the chance to win this fabulous Vonshef Crepe & Tapas Maker Set, bringing style and flavour to your next dinner party.

Whether you prefer Spanish or Greek-style dining, the joy of French pancakes, or fresh and fabulous teppanyaki, this compact appliance is designed for you to host with ease.

Good luck!

ENTER

#competition #win #tapas #getorganised

1 … 12 13 14 … 29
Blog at WordPress.com.