Birthday Bits ...!

Bonjour!

So you may or may not know that it was my birthday recently - actually it was a while ago now!   The day consisted of some shopping, some family and some food! My musician brother was home so he cooked a 'birthday' curry and my other brother was over in France (where he lives), so he sat within the confines of the laptop (on Skype) situated on the piano to be exact, watching over us and chatting whilst we had dinner - it was like having all the family in the same room! Here are some of my lovely pressies ...!

The Body Shop Bath and Shower Gels from my friend, L'Occitane and Gatineau goodies from my lovely mum. Mac lippie in Lady Danger from a friend and the hubby treated me to the Liz Earle Botanical Essence No15 (love it!), Real Techniques Core Collection and Philip Kingsley Scalp Mask - good to know he has my scalp's best interests at heart!

Bought myself the No7 Illuminated Make-Up Mirror (half price) with money from a good friend (now I'll be able to see all my wrinkles and open pores illuminated and magnified!) and couldn't resist this long-line 'Run DMC' distressed T from New Look - go me! The lovely bright scarf came all the way from my Aunt in sunny Melbourne, Australia - thanks Auntie J! x

My brother's tasty Sinhalese style chicken curry with aubergine, red pepper and fresh coriander and mum's wonderful triple layer milk choc birthday cake - once you start eating it you can't stop!

So yes - I can't complain - it was good! The only spanner in the works was caused by the boiler packing up at the end of the day - luckily after we had cooked and eaten but there was no long hot pampering soak in the bath that night!  Thankfully we managed to get it sorted pretty sharpish (I nearly hugged the plumber!) - washing hands in cold water was painful after a while! NEVER underestimate the power of a good boiler or a good plumber for that matter chaps!

What do you think of my birthday bits then?  Have you ever hugged your plumber?

Jen x

Summer Grub Special!!

Bonjour!

Ok so this is the last time I'll be 'going on' about my holiday but I had some gentle criticism from a male friend at work who complained that there was 'too much beauty and not enough biryani' on my blog, sorry about that Lenno - don't seem to have had much time for 'proper cooking' lately! So without further ado, I've compiled a 'Beauty and the Biryani and Gourmet Gorman Summer Special'!

On holiday all the 'proper' cooking was done by my muso brother Gourmet Gorman, he seems to be able to apply himself to culinary matters in anyone's kitchen and improvise with whatever tools/ingredients he's presented with (giving my mum a well earned break!).  All the eating was done by the rest of the family as well as copious amounts of boozing by my hubby and two brothers, once they all get together, that's it!!

Some of the delicious meals we were treated to ...

1st night!

 Gourmet Gorman says - '...an improvised part baked chicken fricasee/casserole type thing with a Dijon/cream sauce and a braised (in butter, chicken stock and wine) mushroom and shallot garniture.'

Dads birthday dinner!

Mince curry with aubergine, red pepper and potato, buttered tomato and vege pilau and masala fried aubergine.

Fishy night! 

Oven poached fish on a bed of cherry tomatoes in stock, wine, paprika and herbs.

Omelette night!

Massive omelette with potato and mushroom. Ratatouille vege with red wine, creme fraiche and Dijon mustard.

Little Bro's birthday dinner!

Chicken curry, lemon vegetable pilau and masala fried aubergine.

Pasta night!

Sausage and haricot bean pasta bake with a tomato, red wine, and creme fraiche sauce with paprika and nutmeg served with homemade garlic bread.

A couple of the lads' holiday tipples!

Little bro and myself watching Gourmet Gorman slaving over a hot stove!

We also had a barbeque night which speaks for itself! and a few 'shove in the oven/open a can' nights while Gourmet Gorman was elsewhere in France gigging with Kid Creole and the Coconuts! Bet many of you don't remember them!

Gourmet Gorman has given a brief description of each dish but if anyone wants any specific recipes in more detail you can always email me and I'll do my best to sort it out for you!

What's your fave holiday fodder?

Jen x