Tapas night in 45 minutes

I had a "what shall we have for tea" night last night. The kids were at mums and The Man at football so I had a tinker about and came up with this, made entirely of storecupboard things and fridge staples (ok the chorizo was a lucky find!)

Chorizo and Red Pepper casserole

Fry 1 sliced onion in olive oil, add 2 crushed garlic cloves and a sliced chorizo sausage (about 6-inch piece). Then add 2 small red peppers, cut into chunks, and 1/2 teaspoon of chilli powder. Then addd a splash of port (red wine would be fine) and bubble for a minute or two before stirring in a tin of chopped tomatoes (reserve about a fifth for the potato dish) and season, adding chopped fresh parsley if you have it. Empty into a lidded casserole dish and cook at 175 for 30 minutes.

Patatas Bravas

Wipe the pan and fry a quarter of an onion in olive oil. Stir in 1/2 tsp chilli powder and the rest of the tin of chopped tomatoes plus salt and pepper. Set aside for reheating later. Wipe out pan and add a little olive oil and a couple of potatoes which have been cubed into 1cm pieces, skins on. Sautee on a low heat for around 15 minutes then stir in some garlic butter (butter, crushed garlic, chopped parsley, s&p). Serve with the chilli tomato spooned over.

Saffron rice

While the potatoes are cooking add a teaspoon of unflavoured oil to a lidded pan. Add some chopped green beans or frozen peas, a quarter of an onion finely chopped and a teeny pinch of saffron, and 100ml (by volume) of rice. Toss in the oil then add 200ml of boiling water and a pinch of salt. Stir once and cover, cook on a very low simmer for 15 minutes.

Fragrant veg

Chop half and onion, slice a courgette and some mushrooms. Cook in a little oil until softened then add a splash of white wine and some thyme, plus s&p. Cook for a few minutes until most of the liquid has gone then pop a lid on the pan while you are serving everything up.

Put everything into little dishes and serve with crusty bread or garlic bread.

I was going to take a photo but we ate it all! (The leftover chorizo dish went on baked potatoes for a filling lunch!)

Green shoes

Thought I would share a pic, which ties in with my shoe "fetish"! I bought these a couple of years ago for a wedding and haven't really worn them since, but tried them once or twice for work recently as we have had some mild september days. I think they are keepers not flingers! They are surprisingly comfy too as they are very soft leather.

New Sling!!

This is my brand shiny new Zidee Podaegi, created by the very lovely and talented Jeanette at Tiddlybums

This is the fabric close up, and is has gorgeous pink silk on the reverse!

I'm heading into Manchester tomorrow so look out for me there, i'll be walking with a swish I reckon!