Wednesday, June 22, 2011

This is what happens when you are unemployed!!!! ah well guess its not all that bad! x

I can think of far worse ways to spend a Tuesday afternoon!
Yesterday whilst mooching around the back streets of fabulous Soho i stumbled across a "little Gem" literally. 
The London Bead shop, absolutely full to the brim with every type of bead you can dream of, including all the bits to go with them to enable you to make some really super handmade jewelry and at a fraction of the high street cost. 
I had a little go and the small fruits of my labour are below. 

But i will be going back! 
Great for friends prezzies and every piece is 100% unique, and to your individual taste.
All in all fun, cheap and extremely satisfying. 
x



x


Tuesday, May 03, 2011

Quick and easy stretchy Ciabatta

  • 250g/9oz Italian type '00' bread flour (waitrose sells this flour, however if you cant find it a strong white bread flour will do)
  • 190ml/7fl oz water
  • 15g/½oz yeast

    Flour in bowl, make a small well add water gradually whilst mixing, add yeast and kneed well. 
    stretch into long sausage shape or small rolls, cover & place in a warm place for approx 20 mins.

    uncover 

    like most bread this is when you will kneed again to take out the bubbles of air formed from the yeast fermenting, however for ciabatta you want it full of light fluffy bubbles. 

    Bake for 20 mins (until golden brown) dust with flour, salt, pepper, drizzle with olive oil and add chopped chives to make it look all pretty!!!!! 

    serve with butter while warm! 
    x

Summer Delights

Carefully selected local Fillet of Beef, crunchy shallow fried olive oil and Rosemary Chips, topped off with home made Mayonnaise ...... Yum 





x

Monday, April 18, 2011

Prepare yourself for the summer sun.... x

Call it the latest trend, call it the recession and a desire for tradition, but retro beauty has hit the big time in London.
Salons with a vintage-inspired service menu and a décor to match are popping up all over the city, and getting the perfect “finger wave” has never been easier.
Exactly what my latest venture to be will be able to offer all.





Glam & Cham Chic boutique coming soon.
x

A Beauty is about to be born....! x x x

 www.wix.com/Amykindred/glamandcham


x

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Eazy Peazy Pasta……


Make your own………. Please try its so easy and so delicious all you need is Tippo “00” flour (pasta flour) or you can just use good quality plain white flour and for every mug of flour add 1 x large egg.
At this point add any additional ingredients, garlic, pepper, herbs, even food colouring Squid ink if you’re feeling very adventurous.
After that mix in a bowl with a spatula or hands to bind together then Knead for a good 20 mins ( I know cook books always over do timings but this really is important)
Batter, beat and knead the S*** out of it. You need to do this as this is what helps cause the chemical reaction which turns the starch into sugars taking away the rubbery-ness (not sure that’s a word!)

From there you can use a pasta machine if you have one (I do now Robert Dyas £14.99)   or good old-fashioned elbow grease if you don’t. To create your delightful pasta shapes!
Below I made a Tagliatelle, with Salted beef , Parmesan cream and Rocket to garnish.
&
Heart Shaped Ravioli stuffed with Spinach, Pine nuts and ricotta.
NB. Literally cook it in pre boiled water for about 3 minutes NO LONGER!
X



Oh My what big cheeks you've got!!........

Humans don't realize this, but we are the ones that choose which humans to live with, and which ones to avoid. I generally avoid humans who start sneezing when I get close. They are allergic to me. I also tend to avoid ones that try and kick me!
A good human will bend down and reach out to scratch an ear and start saying something stupid like "nice kitty kitty." The trick is to get inside the human's home and see if they have a suitable environment for ones superior self!

This may or may not be a suitable human!, she’s making a bee line for me in a rather unstable state and squealing in an almost inaudible pitch, however she seems to like me, quick stroke of the ear and a scratch of the head and I’m anyone’s…….
They obviously live round here so let’s see what they have to offer…………..

Meet Mr. Tom our unofficial new friend, who makes regular appearances in our flat now!
X


Apologies for the mess we hadnt planned to have a visitor!
x