Food Glorious Food!

Valentine's Day was on Saturday.  I found myself wondering what I wanted this day to mean for me.  For starters Geoff was going to a meeting for most of the day Saturday, so really it was just another day at home for me with the kids.  It was a really rainy day, therefore that meant me and the kids inside.  That can always be a nightmare.  They were happy to play on the computer, we played Star Wars Monopoly for a bit.

Part of me thinks that it really is very commercialised, maybe important for those couples "courting" or when you are young and single, you can have a bit of fun.

So then I think I am just being miserable, and that maybe it is more important for married couples or people who feel like they have been together forever, to show your love and appreciation, because lets face it on every other day of the year there just isn't the time nor energy!

With our budget being the way it is in current circumstances, and due to the fact that everything my husband desires usually comes with a hefty price tag, I thought the best way to show my appreciation for him putting up with me, is in the kitchen.

His fav. thing of all time being roast potatoes, just like his grandmother used to make.  So I cooked an ovenload full of roast potatoes, veges and chicken filo.

Then for dessert I made a Choc Mint Self-Saucing Pudding (see pic below). 

I am forever ripping recipes out of magazines and shoving them in a drawer and very rarely actually follow them.  J and I checked out some of the recipe books and came up with this one.  It was pretty easy really and very very tasty.  The dish was virtually licked clean.  I nice bottle of wine and there you have it.  Geoff's way of showing his appreciation towards me was to sit through the DVD of Mamma Mia!  That shows true devotion.  He hates Abba.

So to all of you out there in cyberspace, I hope that you enjoyed your Valentine's Day with someone you love.

Now getting back to the cooking side of things.  I have a very good friend, Jenny, who has really inspired me to try new recipes.  I check out her blog all the time and print something off to try.   The Salsa Chicken has been a bit hit with the family.  I made the Chilli Con Carne last week and was present surprised at how my children gave it a go.  I discovered the chilli I had in my pantry was stronger than the one Jenny uses so I am glad I only used half the quantity.  Even then it was a bit hot.  To his credit my biggest boy really gave it a go ...  he just needed extra sour cream!  Friday night in our household is pizza night, and on Friday I made extra topping.  These days I tend to just chop it all up, put it in a big bowl and mix it all together, rather than layer each individual topping.  So on Saturday with the left overs I had some pastry, rolled em up and made pizza scrolls.  They were so simple and the kids just loved them.  J has told me that he would love it if I made some to take in his lunch box for school.  

Thank you so much Jenny for your inspiration and guidance in my kitchen.  It is so nice to have the desire to make new and exciting meals for my family, rather than the usual week to week meals.