17/03/2018. Day 18 of the build

Today this is going in

And these are being used

On this

Happy St Patricks day x

Creamy Garlic Mushroom & Herb Gnocchi

Just made this. And its so simple to make and it was really tasty.

Dinner for one

Ingredients

Vegetarian

∙ Makes 3

Produce

• 500 g Chestnut mushrooms
• 1 handful Flat leaf parsley, fresh
• 2 cloves Garlic

Canned goods

• 50 g Vegetable stock

Pasta & grains

• 500 g Gnocchi

Baking & spices

• 1 good grinding Salt and pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cook the gnocchi according to the packet instructions, drain and pat dry in a clean tea towel, then fry the gnocchi in a frying pan in one tablespoon of olive oil
   until crisp and golden.
2. While the gnocchi is frying saute the mushrooms and garlic in a large frying pan with one tablespoon of olive oil until the mushrooms are tender, seasoning well with salt and pepper.  
3. Add some of the herbs (reserve some for decoration), the wine and stock and continue cooking gently until most of the liquid is almost gone.
4. Add the yogurt and cream and stir well, until the sauce is warmed through. Taste for seasoning and add more if it needs it.
5. Mix the gnocchi through the sauce and serve topped with a sprinkle of herbs. Serve with a side salad and garlic bread. It might not seem like a big portion, but it’s very filling.
6. Enjoy

Oils & vinegars

• 2 tbsp Olive oil

Dairy

• 250 ml Single cream
• 3 tbsp Yogurt, plain

Beer, wine & spirits

• 1 Slosh of white wine

Vegetarian Tagine

We have made this in work and have to say it was lovely 

Ingredients

Vegetarian

∙ Makes 6

Produce

• 1 Aubergine, medium
• 1 Butternut squash, small large
• 2 Carrots, large
• 1 400 g (14 oz) tin Chickpeas
• 2 tsp Coriander, ground
• 1 Courgette
• 10 Dried apricots
• 5 cloves Garlic
• 1 Lemon, juice of
• 1 small handful Mint, fresh
• 1 Red bell pepper, large
• 1 Red onion
• 1 400 g (14oz) tin Tomatoes
• 1 Yellow bell pepper, large

Canned goods

• 2 tbsp Tomato puree
• 400 ml Vegetable stock
• 480 ml Vegetable stock, hot

Condiments

• 4 tbsp Harissa spread
• 1 tbsp Honey/agave nectar

Pasta & grains

• 300 g Couscous, dried

Baking & spices

• 1 tsp Cinnamon, ground
• 2 Salt and pepper
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric

Oils & vinegars

• 2 tbsp Olive oil

Nuts & seeds

• 1 large handful Almonds, toasted flaked
• 2 tsp Cumin, ground

• Instructions

  1. To make the tagine, heat the olive oil in a large, wide pan over a medium heat; add the onion, aubergine, carrots, peppers, butternut squash and courgette. Cook, stirring regularly, for 10-15 minutes until the vegetables have started to soften and are lightly browned.
  2. Add the garlic, tomato purée, coriander, cumin, cinnamon and turmeric and cook for 2 more minutes whilst stirring.
  3. Add the harissa, honey, chopped tomatoes, vegetable stock and apricots. Give it a good stir then put the lid on the pan, turn the heat down to low and leave to cook gently for about 45 minutes to 1 hour until all of the vegetables have softened.
  4. Season to taste with salt and pepper and stir in a handful of chopped mint.
  5. To make the couscous, place the dry couscous in a large bowl; add the vegetable stock, chickpeas and harissa and give it a stir. Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel and leave for 15 minutes.
  6. Add the lemon juice to taste, some toasted flaked almonds and salt and pepper to taste.

Day 15 15.03.2018

Well its day 15 today. I finished my night shift and got home to find the builders sat outside.

They said they were laying the concrete so wouldn't be noisy.Well they woke me up I have been awake since 11:30 tossing and turning.

Yesterday they did this.

And this damage

They say they will fix it when the plasterer comes. :-(
They are having a day off tomorrow because the steel isn't ready until Saturday.

I can get on with the ironing then. 

More bad news

Day 15 of the build. The building officer called yesterday and everything is on track. And they are happy with the work. 

She just said the outside needs of the garden room needs some membrane applying. We were going to do that anyway with all the trouble we have had with the drains.

They should be OK now they have all been renewed and diverted but you never know. 

The insurance company phoned and offered me £1000.00 to repair and replace everything. The quote for the kitchen floor alone is £3,500.00. I told him I wasn't arguing with him. And  it was actually  32 weeks yesterday when this situation started. I told him it was time to get the ombudsman involved 

So that's the next step. 

Yesterdays progress 

The foundations are dug in the dining room ready for the steels to go in. The kitchen/dining room wall is coming down today. Half the kitchen was removed. 

The rug is still in situ because the cats use it to scratch on. 

13.03.2018 Bad News

Day 14 of the build.

We were moving things down the cellar last night ready for the kitchen wall to come down and we discovered this.

The builder had said it's because of all the bad weather we've had while they were digging the foundations.
I really hope that's all it is. I really thought it was fixed. I have had a heater on all night and it seems to be drying out.

The floor joists went in yesterday for the garden room.

I will really be sorry to see these go but the building officer has said I cant put them into the new room :-(

I hope I get some good news today. The building inspectors coming out this morning. 

12.03.2018 Week two of the big build

The foor bricks went in yesterday and they cut holes in the wall for the floor joist.
I have a busy day today packing up the kitchen, ready for the kitchen wall coming down on Wednesday.EEEKKK

Sunday March 11th Mothers Day.

It's Mother's day.

I have received lovely cards and presents off Natasha and my fur babies. I hven't seen Jade yet as she's working.

We are having a takeaway tonight So no cooking.

And we took my mother out for breakfast.