Crabbin'

What a fine sunny Saturday we have had today! 

With such beautiful weather making a break through all that rain over the past week, we decided to make the most of it and try our hand at crabbing.

I personally had never done it before, so Grandma took the lead!

We picked up some cheap bacon and chopped it into bits. This is the bait!

Then we needed the net and line, along with a crab bucket, which are in abundance at the moment around here. Ours are from Morrisons, Newquay.

Off we went to Padstow Harbour, sadly the park and ride was closed, but we enjoyed the walk from the council car park on Link Road, with our picnic in hand.

We parked our bums along the harbour edge, dangling our feet over the side! The bacon bait went into the nets and we flung them over the side and into the Harbour. Grandpa scooped up some water in the crab bucket ready for our catches of the day!

It wasn't long before we were attempting to reel in a crab or two but the pesky things kept jumping back into the water. We enjoyed a good few hours before calling it a day with a happy crab in our bucket to show off our efforts!

A couple of passers by peeked in to say hello to our crab, which Summer named Noodle. We set Noodle free after giving him a buffet of bacon bait.

I for one had a fabulous day and can't wait to do it again. Summer enjoyed herself too and didn't want to leave.

Grand total spend: £13.50

Bucket £1

Bacon £1.50

Nets £6

Parking £5

Don't forget to keep your nets and bucket for the next crabbing adventure and cut down your costs even further!

Thank you for stopping by! 

Have a great day!

Pac-Man Biscuits

My boyfriend J, bought me these Pac-Man cookie cutters, so naturally I decided to make some.

Pac-Man cutters were purchased from: www.suck.uk.com

Ingredients:

200g Butter

150g Caster Sugar

2 Tsp Vanilla Extract

1 Egg

300g Plain Flour

Method:

Cream the Butter and Sugar into a bowl.

Beat in the Vanilla and the Egg.

Sift the Flour into the mix.

Beat the mix until a smooth dough.

Remove from the bowl and wrap in cling film.

Chill for 40 mins.

Heat oven to 180'C/ 350'F/ Gas 4.

Dust the worktop with flour and roll the dough to roughly 3mm.

Use the cutters and place onto a lined baking tray.

Bake for 15 mins and leave to cool.

Decorate as you wish!

Halloween Biscuits - Basic

Halloween Biscuits and Cupcakes are a family tradition...in October- obviously. 

I bought my new cutter in Asda - £1. 

I just love Halloween! 

Ingredients:

100g Butter

100g Caster Sugar

175g Plain Flour

1 Egg Yolk

Black writing Icing.

Method:

Oven- 160'C

Mix the butter, sugar and flour till like breadcrumbs, then add the egg.

Mix till a dough, then put it into the fridge for 15 minutes (may as well wash up while you wait).

On a floured surface, roll out the dough and cut out the Halloween shapes.

Place them carefully onto a floured baking sheet on your tray and bake for 20 mins.

Leave to cool.

Using the writing icing, go around the outline of your biscuits and add any detail you can think of.

Again, leave to set then enjoy!   :)

Beef Casserole with Dumplings

We had a few slices of thin steak left over along with some beef chunks, so I decided to mix them together and make a casserole! 

Also, this is my 1st attempt at making dumplings!

Serves 2-4

4-6 hrs (Slow Cooker)

Ingredients:

Beef

Beef Stock

2Carrots

1 Onion

1-2 Potatoes

Salt

Pepper

Parsley

250g Self Raising Flour

125g Cold Butter

Method:

Casserole:

Chop all of your veg, including the potatoes into small chunks and throw into your cooking pot.

Add your meat, also chopped into chunks.

Add the herbs and stock.

Leave to cook for 4-6 on low (slow cooker).

Dumplings:

Place your flour into a mixing bowl.

Grate your cold butter into the bowl.

Rub gently with your fingers till like breadcrumbs.

Gradually add splashes of water till mixture is a dough.

Roll into about 12 small balls.

Add to the casserole 30mins before the serving time.

Chicken with Philadelphia and Bacon.

This dish is marvelous! A family favourite. Please give it a try.

Serves 2

30 mins

Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts
1 tub of Philadelphia spread (we chose garlic & herb)
bacon (as much as you like)

Method:
Preheat your oven to 200'C
Slice the chicken breast almost in half.
Spread a healthy dollop of Philadelphia and sandwich the chicken together.
Wrap your chicken in bacon
Place on a baking tray
Cook for 20-30 minutes.

Delicious Bacon & Potato Gratin

This is such a delicious meal. Everyone that I have made this for has loved it! Its simple and easy and soooo yummy. You must try it!

Serves 2-4

1 Hour

Ingredients:

Bacon (as much as you like- we used 2 packs for 4 people)

3 or 4 Large potatoes

1 onion

Thyme

Pepper

Salt

Cream

Cheese (Grated)

Method:

Preheat oven to 200'C

Slice the potatoes into thin slices and part-boil.

Slice the bacon into chunks and fry with the chopped onion and herbs.

Once boiled, drain the water from the potato pan and use half, making an even bottom layer in your oven dish.

Add the bacon mixture, making a second layer.

On top, add the rest of the potatoes, creating a third layer.

Pour the cream over the top, making sure it seeps into the cracks and down all the layers. 

Cover the dish in tin foil and cook for 45 mins.

Take out and sprinkle the grated cheese.

Cook for a further 15 mins, without the tin foil.

Enjoy this deliciously unhealthy meal.

We served it with Green Beans!

Nanna's Flapjacks

Here is another of my Nanna's recipes. These flapjacks are something she has been baking for me for many years now. You will love them!

Makes around 20

20-30 mins

Ingredients
100g Butter
75g Golden Syrup
75g Brown Sugar
225g Oats


Method
Preheat the oven to 180'C/280'F
Put the Butter, Sugar and Syrup in a saucepan and stir on a low heat til melted.
Stir in the Oats and mix well.
Spread onto a greased/lined 8x12 inch tin and smooth with a knife.
Bake for 20-30 mins.
Leave to cool, then cut into finger slices.