FOOD: GREMOLATA PASTA W/ PRAWNS

Where do i start with this little gem?
Cheap? Check!
Easy? Check!
Fast? Check!
Bloody gorgeous? Yes, yes, YES!

This really doesn't need much chat.
It is so simple to make and equally easy to adapt. If you don't like prawns, then replace with chicken. If you're a veggie or if you just fancy a meat free supper, then leave that chicken the heck alone & marvel in the simplicity of the rocket, parsley, lemon & chilli. I've made this dish all three ways and they are all equally as good.
Yep, this is one of those Monday's are hard or I haven't got any pennies in my purse dinner that will not disappoint!

Go forth my friends, go make...

CHICKEN BANH MI

I do not even know where to start with this recipe.
Amazing? That's a total understatment.
Totes Amaze? Not even close.
Amazeballs? Possibly.
Best thing I have ever eaten in my whole life? FOR SURE!

Here's a little history...
Way back in Feb, the mister went on a little jolly holiday to Hawaii. Yes, you did read that right, i did say Hawaii.
Yes, yes, whilst I was here freezing my ass off juggling 3 kiddos for 12 days, he was drinking cocktails in a grass skirt, hula dancing under coconut trees slurring the word Aloha occasionally...
It's ok, i'm over it. No, I really am. *ahem*
So, whilst he was in the obligatory 3-day-each-way L.A limbo, staying with his bro at Venice Beach (Hi Dave! Hi Shan!) he was introduced to a little Vietnamese sandwich called a Banh Mi and he fell in love - BIG time!
To be fair, this thing did sound too good to be true; marinated & perfectly cooked pork, crunchy carrots & radishes, coriander, spicy mayonnaise, soft french baguette, sweet, hot - I could go on...
So, obviously when he got home & showed me the pic he'd taken (yes i do make him take photos of food for me if i'm not there, don't judge) I just had to make it for myself.
After what felt like 400 years of trying to find some sriracha hot sauce and some daikon (that's mooli for us UK peeps) i finally made (& slightly adapted) this chicken version last night and WOW WOW WOW it completley blew my mind. I've never been hit by a food buzz like this before - this sandwich is a legal high!
You simply must make this. Even if the recipe first looks a bit faffy at first, it really isn't & the end result is totally worth it. Go on, pour yourself a glass of something nice & go have some fun in your kitchen.
You can thank me later...

SPICY BIRD TACOS

A couple of weeks ago, i picked up this book which is full of recipes for authentic Mexican grub. The first thing i decided on cooking up was these Spicy Bird Taco's and oh my, they were so good! I adapted Thomasina's recipe slightly because i hadn't made my own chipotles en adobo and i happened to have a tin of these ready made ones in my cupboard which my sister-in-law sent over from the States. Luckily, i've seen this brand creeping in a few shops this side of the pond lately, which is good good news!

So, do you fancy something sweet, smokey and spicy? 

Yes?

Great - then these are for you!

We enjoyed ours with some home made pico de gallo and lashings of Cholula and the kiddos had the leftovers the following day in fajitas with some soured cream & grated cheese. Full smiles & full bellies all round. NOM.

A 'NOT BORING' CHICKEN SALAD

Whenever anyone ever suggested chicken salad for lunch, 'meh' used to be my reaction. In my head, chicken salad used to be filed alongside 'beans on toast' or 'a jacket with tuna'. Y'know what i mean right? They are OK-ish meals, but kind of dull, it's like i have to really really fancy beans on toast to actually make it. Well, it was exactly the same for chicken salad, I just couldn't get excited about it. But then i stumbled upon two neat little marinades, 1 for chicken & 1 for red onions & the most amazing chicken salad was born! It would be a sin to not share this with everyone...