Baked eggs & sourdough bread - recipe

 

Sometimes you just want a simple snack, well I know idea but that is no reason for it to be boring. Last Christmas Joe bought me this mini ceramic Le Creuset pot. I really like to have mini things so that  I can pretend I am a giant - small pleasures. I have spent months since Christmas not using it, that is about to change. I want to challenge myself to making lots of mini recipes for my pot for this giant girl to eat!

you will need;

2 free range eggs 

salt and pepper

3 dessertspoons of crème fraîche

2 tsp freshly chopped chives

wholemeal sourdough bread

any mini dish or large ramekin

method;

1. Heat the oven to 180C and grease your dish with butter so that your eggs don't stick.
2. Crack one of the eggs into the dish sprinkle with salt, pepper and half of the chives. Add one of  the dessertspoons of crème fraîche.
3. Then add the second egg, the rest of the chives and crème fraîche.
4. Bake until the whites of the egg is set enough for you.
5. Meanwhile make sourdough fingers, sprinkle with oil and crisp in the oven when you bake the eggs.

See quick, simple and really tasty.

Take Care

Nicolette xo

In my window - outfit post

 

Getting to visit my husband in Paris is fun, there I said it talk about the silver lining of him working away all the time. This time he is somewhere absolutely awesome. That in no way is a negative comment about Hartlepool, Lancaster, Bristol, Warrington or Gloucester but they are no Paris baby!

I love the big windows in our apartment I decided to use them as a backdrop to my outfit post.

Outfit Details

Dress - Closet

Cardigan  - Vintage

Tights - Tesco

How to style a messy side bun

 

I have never suited really precise groomed looks. I think a sleek slicked back style can look amazing on some girls but I am not... you know controlled and groomed. I much prefer a hairstyle that mirrors my often chaotic nature/personality so this 'up do' suited me down to the ground and it is really quick and easy to create. Here is how you can style your own messy style bun.

1. Start by adding some volume to your hair by backcombing it. Don't be afraid to go too big you can always push it down later.
2. Gently pull your hair over to one side and twist at the nape of your neck. Push our hair up slightly at towards your head to add a little volume and pin.
3. Split your side ponytail into 3 sections, (more if you have really thick hair)
4. Take each section one by one and pin the end of it back on itself at the nape of your neck where you secured your first pin.
5. Give your style a looser look by pulling some bits of your hair out to frame your face.

Enjoy your look!

Take Care

Nicolette xo

These shoes were made for walking

I was very lucky when I opened the post and these were inside. I have to say I was a little unsure that these shoes would be comfortable when I saw the size of the heel. I stood corrected, in fact I stood and walked all that day, (hunting for a new house), and all day long it felt like I was wearing slippers. Who said you can't have style and comfort. Thank you Bertie! If you look to the right you can see they are one of Archie and the Rugs partners.

Take Care
Nicolette xo

Griddled Vegetable Pasta

I know that I am a vegetarian but even I sometimes feel the need to have big vegetable dinner. No not giant vegetables of the county fair variety, huge carrots and leeks. No, I mean a meal with lots of vegetables in - you know big veg dinner. I really wanted to create a new pasta sauce so I combined that wish and my need or vegetables and here is what I came up with. As a disclaimer this recipe has a whole roasted bulb of garlic in it. Fear not roasted garlic has a very different flavour than when you simply add raw garlic to a dish. It has a much sweeter taste and the smell issue i no longer a problem. Personally I have never had a problem with the smell of garlic or garlic breath for that matter, but raw onions, well don't get me started.

This recipe is such a healthy tasty treat to enjoy whilst sipping wine and imagining you are in your garden in Italy looking out over a stunning vista at olive groves and the sunset - what can I say I love food and have a very active imagination.

 

you will need;

1 garlic bulb
5 tomatoes
2 courgettes
1 large onion
1 aubergine
fresh oregano
salt and pepper
wholemeal spaghetti
parmesan shavings to serve

method;

1. Take the top off your garlic and roast until soft in a garlic roaster or a covered ramekin.
2. Meanwhile cook all of your vegetables apart from the aubergine in the griddle pan until cooked.
3. Place the aubergine whole in a dry frying pan turning occasionally so that the outsides are blackened and the insides soft an smoked.
4. When all of the veg is cooked blitz whole in a liquidiser or food processor. Do the same with the insides of the aubergine, the squeezed out garlic cloves and fresh oregano.
5. Warm the sauce through in a pan an season to taste.
6. Serve with wholemeal spaghetti and parmesan shavings.
7. Eat enjoy and imagine Italy!

Take Care

Nicolette xo