Part of my role as Vice-Pres of Opsoc is to create the leavers year book! I went to the clinic with my friend Sid to have a run through my routine... and get some photo ideas! I figured what a cool way to be remembered, the way you used to ret, haha. It works best with a -1.00DS or a -2.00DS if you want to have a go. What do you guys think?
I love the smells of Moroccan spices and the way their scent is carried around the house. On a sunny Sunday afternoon what could be better? How cool would it be to stew one up in a tagine! You could sweat the vegetable juices into the couscous and let them soak over. This is a delicious warming dish, the light fluffy couscous with hints of paprika is moreish. This tomato sauce is so rich with flavour, while the chickpeas pop and burst giving it all an amazing texture!
Ingredients
- 4 Veggie Sausages
- 1 Bag of Kale
- 1 Tin Sweetcorn
- 1 Tin Chopped Tomatoes
- 1 Tin Chickpeas
- 1 Onion Diced
- 1 Clove Garlic Diced
- 1/2 Cup Couscous
- 1/2 Lime
- Handful Rocket & Spinach Leaves
- Salt
- Pepper
- Paprika
- Oregano
- Olive oil
- 1 Vegetable stock cube
Method
- Shallow fry the diced onion and garlic on a low heat with oil for a few minutes, until brown.
- Add chickpeas, sweet corn with a pinch of salt & pepper and seasonings.
- Mix in the tin tomatoes to form a sauce, let simmer for 4-8 minutes.
- Grill sausages as guided.
- Crack pepper and a sprinkle of paprika in a bowl of dry couscous.
- Boil the kettle, pour the water to cover the couscous with a 1-2mm layer. Although this to soak for 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl make the kale dressing. A pinch of each seasoning with a tbsp of olive oil.
- Wash and prepare the kale by removing the stems and using leaves only. Rub the kale dressing into the leaves and grill for 5 - 10 minutes on a medium heat. Watch them as they begin to brown they may burn!
- Heat a fry pan and gently break up the couscous and heat to fluff up. Stir in the rocket & spinach, serve.
A massive thank you to Essilor for sponsoring one of our Cheese & Wine evenings! Meaning only one thing... the 1st ever cheese & wine pre-drinks! Opsoc holds these events weekly for different optical companies to talk about new product launches, common problems or about their pre- registration courses. This is the final year of study before you are able to practice legally without supervision. It's almost like a paid internship with exams!
Of course, the evening was well in attendance. Smiles, pizza and .... shots all round!
What to show a Londoner in Cardiff? An intimidating thought initially, but hidden treasures are easily found. When you walk around the city, you feel the buzz of an upcoming Capital ready to burst. The enticing smells and excited chatter seep from all the new eateries that line the glittering walkways. There were many a temptation along the way, but we had set our destination. Grazing Shed for super tidy burgers. I got the Veggie Hell fire hippie £7.95. Stuffed with rich, creamy avocado mash and a tangy jalapeno infused sour cream. I loved the combination of Caribbean heat and spice with the cooling neutral avo. It wasn't quite a hell fire as much as a small garden fire, but we know this is a problem I commonly face. (Got hot sauce in my purse, kind of girl.) Give us an extra slice of lettuce and we've got smiles all round! Worth a visit, for a chilled evening.
tidy
- (Wales) Expression of positive agreement, usually in reply to a question.
The Grazing Shed,
37 St Mary St,
Cardiff,
South Glamorgan,
CF10 1AD
Back to Cardiff, the New year is well in swing and Emily and I got stuck straight in. There's no rest for the wicked, we grabbed the camera.. To Bute park! Built for the Royals, it's definitely fit for purpose. Our late afternoon stroll took it's own lead and meandered us through fields, into dogs walking their owners, stray children and a rugby game. You can always count on a happy ending eh!
It was a sad final farewell to my bessie mate as she sets off for the other side of the world! We met in a little cafe just outside of town for a bittersweet lunch. Our timing isn't great, 6 months apart and we would have gone together! Best wishes ma dear, I'll see you... when I see you! Send my love to Australia! You can follow Mogs' adventure here.
We love our adventures. We'll walk for miles and miles and forget our way home. Christmas holidays always mean one thing. Gorgeous brisks winter walks with amazing company and ripe round bellies. We played "Spot the Christmas presents!" as we wondered along the icy path. It was hilarious. There were so many big kids, nobody ever grows up! We saw a massive biker, on a gleaming new Harley, with his hands stretched up above his head to the handles. The cheekiest, smug grin shone from ear to ear. Ha! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Merry Christmas! Lots of love, Erica x
