Bubbly Scrumptious

Card - for Dad...

 

Making a more masculine card is always a bit of a challenge for me, so this one is very simple and made for my Dad for Fathers Day this Sunday!

I used a very old Basic Grey paper - the name of which I can't remember! - and some rub-ons which I rubbed down so they weren't so bold.

The circles were punched out with a Fiskars Squeeze Punch ( so useful), and I used my sewing machine to sew everything down.

I'm in the process of having a massive sort out and tidy up of all my craft stuff.  It always takes longer than you think and the mess seems to spread to other rooms in the house, somehow.  One day my house will be perfectly tidy.... :)

 

Recipe - Low Fat Cheese Scones

These scones are gorgeous.  The kids love them.  I love them.  And they are low fat!  Woohoo!!!

Ingredients (Makes 12 scones)

• 500g self-raising flour
• 2tsp powdered mustard
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 200g low fat soft cheese with added herbs (I used Light Phaladelphia with garlic and herbs)
• 200ml semi-skimmed milk
• 120g reduced-fat grated Cheddar cheese 

 

The scones are delicious served warm with low fat soft cheese...

 

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 200ºC/400ºF/Gas Mark 6.

Sift the flour, mustard, cayenne and salt into a mixing bowl.

Add the soft cheese to the mixture and mix together until well incorporated.

Make a well in the centre of the ingredients and gradually pour in 200ml milk, stirring as you pour, until the mixture forms a soft dough.

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead lightly.  Roll out until approx 2cm thick and use a 68mm  pastry cutter to cut out as many scones as you can.  Re-knead the dough trimmings and roll out again.  Cut out more scones from the dough.  Transfer to a greased baking tray.

Brush scones with a little milk and add the cheddar cheese.  Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until risen and golden.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly......they are rather delicious warm!  Serve with more of the soft cheese.

 

The recipe is adapted from the book 'Ultimate Low Fat' by Parragon.

 

 

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Recipe - Philly Lemon Chicken Pasta (Tried and Tested!)

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Buttermilk Scones

Simple Pleasures

 

It doesn't take much to please me, and I have to say that this recent addition to my kitchen has pleased me no end.

This little unit now has a place and a job to do.  Its on my kitchen wall and holds all my spices, herbs and essences.  For an absolute age it was shoved into a space for that time when I knew what to do with it and what I wanted it for.  I knew I had to have it when I saw it but wasn't sure what I wanted it for.  You know what I mean?  One of those must have items that I had no room for anywhere.  Until now that is.

I bought this at the New England store in Worcester.  One of my fave local shops.  I am sure I bought the 'simple pleasures' box from there too.

Its perfect for the job and looks fab.  I used to keep all these little spice jars in a basket and every time the very one I wanted was right at the bottom.  By that time whatever I was cooking was well on the way to being over cooked.  I need all the help I can get in the kitchen and this has made my cooking/baking experiences that little bit easier. :)

Have you got anything in your kitchen which creates a smile each time you see it and makes life a bit easier for you? 

 

Recipe - Philly Lemon Chicken Pasta

This is a recipe from the Philadelphia website and I am blogging it because its been tried and tested by me, and my kids absolutely loved it (and they are hard to please).  I must admit that even though I am not a great fan of this type of  pasta dish, it was very lovely and one I will do again.

The website gave half the amount of ingredients that I am giving here.  I usually have five adults to feed and they all have healthy appetites.  I'm one of the five and my portion is the one you see here.  Mine is the smallest and everyone else had more.  Doubling the ingredients was just right for my family but if you only want small portions then half everything.

I also did not follow the recipe exactly (but then I rarely do) - I did not have Philadelphia with garlic and Herbs only the plain Philly.  So I added two cloves of garlic and some dried herbs.  The recipe below is my version but if you want the original then go to the Philadelphia website :)

 

Ingredients

• 600g pasta
• 300g mange toute
• 800g chicken breast
• 4 tsp olive oil
• juice of two lemons
• 400g Philadelphia Light
• two cloves of garlic
• 200ml stock from one Oxo chicken stock cube

Instructions

Cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling water as directed on the packet.  Four minutes before the end of the cooking time add the mange toute to the pasta.  Drain when cooked.

Meanwhile, cut the chicken breast into chunks.  Heat the oil in a large frying pan and add the chicken.  Cook the chicken through and then stir in the lemon juice.  Add the stock and Philly.  Crush two cloves of garlic in and a sprinkling of mixed herbs.

Heat gently until the Philly has melted and formed a sauce but do not boil.

Add the pasta and beans to the lemony chicken and stir together.

Serve immediately.

 

It's been a while....

Its been a few months since this lovely blog saw any blogging :(

....but I am now back and raring to go!  sort of. :)

I adore this blog and all the wonderful projects, hints and tips that my talented design teams have added over the years.  I don't know anywhere else which gives such a crafty source of inspiration.

But now I am doing it solo, so to speak.

I closed the brick and mortar shop last September 2012.  Since then I have tried very hard (and succeeded actually!) to fit the remains of my shop into my home - thank goodness for Ikea Expedit storage lol, and a mahoosive loft.  I am once again back to working online only and spending more time at home with my gorgeous kiddies (not kiddies really as they are 20, 17 and 15!)  and trying desperately to be a wonderful Mum and homemaker.  Both of which I felt were lacking a little trying to run a brick and mortar shop as well.

I also have a wonderful partner who I can spend some dedicated time with.  Love him. :)

and my doggie Sam isn't on his lonesome all day as I am here at home again.

Sooooo, my plans for the website and this blog are quite simple.  I am actually very desperate to create a simple life with as few complications and fuss as possible.  The website will continue to have craft items for sale, and the original stock on there at the moment will shortly be going into a ridiculous sale.  I'll be sure to let you know when thats ready.

I will also be adding items for sale which I have created myself.  I am getting back to my grass roots if you like.  I originally started Bubbly Funk in 2005 out of my love for creating and crafts.  That hobby diminished as the website grew and then the brick and mortar shop came along and it became nigh on impossible for me to have any creative time at all.

My kids are more grown up now and I am finding I really do have more time to create and run the website more effectively.  I am loving being home again and its my love for this that makes me want to make the Bubbly Scrumptious blog a haven for handmade and homemade inspiration.  So I will be posting recipes which are tried and tested, any crafty item I create, hints and tips for simple living, and anything of general interest I think my readers might give a hoot about.

And, if you live local to Worcester you can see the start of my handmade items in a local shop - Kidz, in Charles Street.  Bespoke cushions and some handmade card for starters with plans to do much more.

I am quite excited.  New ideas and a revamp is always good for a business and I am always looking to be a little different.....watch this space!!