Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Round-up

For some reason (possibly distracted by the brilliant weather) we have been neglecting the blog. So as I write this quick round up of Wednesday to Friday, Jo is busying herself with our fun-packed Saturday which includes Deli Markets, Vindaloos and beer.

In continuation of our healthy eating, Wednesday's dinner was pan fried turkey breast with a zingy carrot and sultana salad that went perfectly with the balmy evening that we had in Leeds.

Carrot and Sultana Salad

My plate including turkey and brown rice

On Thursday Jo made our first ever non meat stew - a non meat stew you say!? CRAZY! It was really good and I didn't miss the meat at all as the mushrooms gave a hearty meaty punch! We will definitely be having this again.

Mushroom Stew and Cous Cous

I am running a marathon in 2 months and I am scared! I am desperately trying to get my mileage up so I took an afternoon half days annual leave on Friday and jumped on the train to Crossflatts, which is the station past Bingley. The run I attempted was 17 miles down the canal back to Leeds which was okay for the first 13 or so and then I began to struggle as my recurring injuries of a stiff left knee and sore left groin kicked in....unfortunately I had to walk the last 2 miles as I was in disappointing agony! If I make it round 26.2 miles in my target time of under 4 hours then it will be a miracle (well not quite but it will be bloody hard work!)

If you want to support my marathon attempt and Breast Cancer Care, then you can sponsor me here. Trust me, the more motivation I can get the better!!

A marker along the canal

PS. I am in a mutual sponsorship deal with James Macsween of Macsween Haggis fame - the guardians of Scotland's national dish! So if you are feeling generous and would like to sponsor him too then his page is here.

My reward for the aborted run was a spit roast chicken from M&S with chips and garlic bread - Jo was out on the sauce, so there was not a vegetable in sight - Boom! Jo came home a little worse for wear and she was delighted that there was still half a chicken left which she demolished! Good work (she also added some green stuff and didn't have chips - fanny).

My plate

Jo's plate

Wednesday - Turkey Burgers and Corn on the Cob

I spend a significant amount of time trying to come up with food that will satisfy Joe's normal boy desires for dirty food (fried chicken, pizza, chips etc.) with my need for healthy food.  This week I slightly conned him by telling him he was getting burgers...and he was, its just they were made with turkey rather beef!  They were actually really tasty, flavoured with some chilli and a little bit of cheese, served on brown pitta with salad and corn on the cob.  Although, as you'll see, they were also enormous, so maybe not so healthy after all!

Corn on the cob

Turkey burgers on salad and pitta

The huge burger...

Tuesday - Pepper Turkey and Sir-Fried Stuff

Those who know me know I love meat in breadcrumbs, and when Jo and I had our customary dinner conversation on the way home she explained she was going to pan fry turkey but not use the panko breadcrumbs that we have in the cupboard...WHAT?!?!?!?! I said.....no breadcrumbs!!

Luckily for Jo, the food was delicious and I didn't miss the breadcrumbs - she can cook for me again.

Peppered Turkey and Stir-Fry Vegetables

Turkey Tuesdays!

So Joe had a rather busy evening on Tuesday with a meeting with Leeds City Council (more on this to come) followed by a run home.  I'll be honest, I have no idea how he can be so dedicated to the marathon training at the moment.  It's utterly Siberian outside, dark, and all I want to do is cosy up with a glass of red wine and a hot water bottle.  I'm 27 going on 67.............

So while he was out being all dedicated, I went home and made a kind of Spanish/Eastern fusion turkey dish with tomatoes, broccoli, onion seeds, cumin, paprika  and cinnamon.  This was done accompanied with couscous spiced with cardamon, cinnamon and cloves.  All good and very tasty, until the point when Joe crunched down on a clove - bless - what a way to ruin a meal!  I did warn him though so I'm taking none of the blame............!

Turkey stew with couscous

Monday - Turkey Stir-Fry

Stir-fry is one of our staple dinners - isn't it everyone's??! As we are on a bit of a health kick (let's not talk about the biscuits) so this one was with turkey, a few noodles and load of vegetables. It looked like alot for us to get through but we managed it! - great success.

The big bowl

My little bowl with my first serving

Tuesday - Back to Work!....Boo

After having such a hefty time off work, for some reason Tuesday and being back to work rolled round very quickly!  We both had a proper back-to-school feeling on Tuesday morning - struggling to get out of bed, do anything at any sort of speed, or feel remotely enthusiastic about the day ahead!  It probably didn't help that it was blowing a gale, pouring with rain, and bloody dark.  God, I hate January!

Anyways, much like the first day back at school, being back at work wasn't actually so bad!  It felt like everyone was still waking up from hibernation, but I'm sure that won't last!  Joe and I are both now struggling with disgusting illnesses too, but hey ho...  I do at least know how to make myself feel better - spicy stir fried turkey with cashews and green peppers and stir fried noodles with pak choi and broccoli.  Lots of leafy greens, ginger and chilli - the perfect way to blast out a cold!  Still no booze too....how very virtuous!

Turkey with cashews and green peppers

Stir fried noodles, broccoli and pak choi

New Years Day 2012

It's now Tuesday and we have been neglecting the blog. I suggested to Jo that we make it a weekly round-up of our meals but she was adamant that wasn't going to happen.....foodandbiscuits is a daily blog and that is what it will continue to be! The boss has spoken so it's time to get us up to date!

On New Years Day we woke up with no hangovers after our very tame but very enjoyable New Years Eve. We pottered about and watched movies....I Love You Man followed by the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo at the flicks followed by The Beginners; all good movies!!!

It was my turn in the kitchen, and after all the food over the festive period I wanted to keep it simple with turkey kebabs, cous cous and a simple salad....just the ticket!