Rocket, Watercress, Sweet Pear, Walnut and Lemon Juice Salad

In June I had the girls over for a small birthday dinner where I cooked a signature meal of mine: Roast Chicken.
I wanted a small starter for my guests to nibble on while I prepared the food in the kitchen and I came across this awesome recipe in my Jamie Oliver cookbook.

I can hear your sniggers. 

I don't cook, but I own a Jamie Oliver cookbook, a Nigella cookbook and I won a South African cookbook as a book prize in Matric (Grade 12) for Business Economics. (I know right?)

The recipe was for a Rocket, Watercress, Sweet Pear, Walnut and Lemon Juice Salad

Simple & Delicious

This is what Jamie has to say about making his delicious salad: 

For one person I normally use around half a pear 2 big handfuls of watercress and 2 big handfuls of rocket. If the skins are nice just give them a wash, if not remove with a peeler. Then cut them in half and de-seed. It doesn`t really matter how you cut them up. Sometimes in big rough chunks, maybe sliced up or even grated. 

Then place into the bowl with the watercress and rocket. The pepperiness of the leaves works so well with the sweetness of the pear. 

Drizzle with a good extra virgin olive oil just to coat, a small squeeze of lemon juice (because the pear juice is slightly acidic but very tasty), and season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper. 

Shave over some Parmesan or Pecorino, crumble your nuts over (I substituted the walnuts for pecan nuts.) and tuck in. Toss all this together and serve.  I love this salad with roasted meat or as a starter on its own.

Part of my Twenty Wishes was to cook more this year and while planning for the dinner I realised that I only have a handful of great meals I can cook. 

Everyone has eaten those meals, so what do I do after this? I can't invite friends over and expect them to eat the same food.

Thank goodness Claudz came up with this challenge when she did! (Even though I almost didn't take part, it's fortuitous that I did!)

Online Dating

What NOT to do when you are on an online dating site:

Profile Photos:

1. Your main picture is you wearing sunglasses
   That is just plain deceitful. People look about 60% hotter when wearing sunglasses
2. Snap a topless photo of yourself in your bathroom with a towel around your waist
   How about you leave something to our imagination? Keep that pic for later
3. Use a blurry photo with the resolution of a sandpit surface
   Thanks, now I know that you have low standards & a phone with a crap camera
4. Post a far away photo of 3 guys who all look the same
   No common sense either
5. Post a picture of you and the ex looking very much in love
   Already setting us up to feel inferior to the gorgeous blonde next to you
6. A photo taken from a low angle so that I can see right up your nose
   Not a flattering angle for anybody!
7. An unsmiling photo
   Do you want people to think you are a miserable shit?
8. Don't post a photo at all
   Just because you rated your looks as Very Attractive, doesn't mean I will necessarily agree with you. Let me see for myself

Conversations:

1. Try new phrases instead of "Down to earth", "Easy going" because every single one of you say you are just that.
2. Don't answer with 1 word answers
3. Read my profile before wasting your time and mine. If I say not older than 38, You Mr 51 separated man without a photo, are not going to be the exception.
4. Engage in conversation. Ask me about myself -  like I am doing with you.
5. If you live in another country - don't bother. That is why it says: South Africa, Non negotiable

Idiot Preliminary Test out of the way. If you can manage to not piss me off with any of the above, we are off to a great start!
I look forward to the adventure.

July Recipe a Week Cooking Challenge

Week 1:
Challenge: Cornflake Chicken
Level: Easy
Food Photography: Flippen Difficult
Result: 7/10

End Result

I chose this recipe because I love KFC's deep fried crispy skin and it is just sooo bad for my hips.

The food prep is really easy and even a novice like myself had no problems.

Buttermilk, some spices, cornflakes and you are ready to go.
("Use a rolling Pin to crush flakes" Don't own a rolling pin? Novice Cook Tip: Use a can of tomatoes instead)

Cornflake Coating

The smell of the paprika permeating the air had me waiting in anticipation to taste what I had created.



I had problems with my chicken taking much longer than 25 minutes (on 220) to cook, so I was somewhat disappointed because I had to keep returning it to the oven. (This being a new oven and with a few previous meals, I suspect that I have to add on extra time.)

The result looked amazing. A very crunchy, healthy alternative.

Next time I will attempt this recipe with chicken fillets as I think it may be alot easier to eat without cutting the chicken off the bone.

Side Dishes:

Coleslaw

Garden Salad

Dessert:

Friend's Homemade Chocolate Fudge Ripple Ice-cream 

To make this meal yourself, view it on Simply Delicious's blog

To join the challenge - click the button to Claudz's website on my homepage, or here: Purple Lips & Perfect Smiles

I've been framed

For years I have had a dream to be able to feature all my photos on a wall leading up a staircase, all in mismatched frames.
My dream has finally been realised.

Thanks to your advice, I chose this photo and the canvas now proudly hangs on my dining room wall:

Some of my photos are now in their white frames and I cannot wait to find more frames as I have so many photos I just cannot wait to display.

Every time I walk into a store I head straight to the frame section to find an new addition. My vision is to have my wall totally filled with frames.

Thailand

Mozambique

France

France

My little place is really starting to feel like home now.

Next project: Paint an accent wall in my upstairs loft.

Choice so far: Gen Teal

Daft Punk: Get Lucky (Evolution Edit)

Cleverly remixed to cover 1 song throughout the eras. 

Beginning at 1920 and working through to the future.

I love the 1950's (Doo Wop)

Whether you like the song or not, you can't not appreciate the remix.