Trainers, anyone?

Why on earth is it so difficult to find a pair of trainers you both like and can afford? Even online, they're so expensive for anything vaguely nice-looking. There are loads that I like but are out of my price-range by a long shot and I don't really want to spend that amount of money on shoes, even if I am going to wear them mostly every day. Saying that, for everyday wear, I should be able to justify spending that little bit extra on them... shouldn't I???

Ho hum, I suppose I'll find something eventually. On another note, a rather noisy one at that, next door are creating the most hellish sounds I've heard. The mother seems to be incapable of speaking and can only shout/scream at anyone who dares to ask her a question/doesn't do as their told/can't mind read. They also seem to be a family that lack the ability to shut doors quietly... or walk upstairs without having to make sure their feet nearly go through the steps... or stop tapping/knocking on doors/walls/surfaces. In truth, it's so frustrating that they just won't shut the heck up, but never mind. We still have a housewarming to plan and by golly, the neighbours will soon know we're here!

Now that the mother has had the hoover out and whizzed around the living room for a total of 1 minute, I think it's time I had a cup of tea. And then it's suppertime since I'm feeling a little more like eating. Eating's not really the problem, though. I had breakfast this morning even though I was feeling sick overnight. I've only felt progressively worse up until now and I'm feeling quite peckish. Let's see how this goes. Sausages and mash and sweetcorn is on the cards. Yummy :)

Off for now, may have found some footwear to suit my needs!

The Tattoo.

So I finally got a picture of it. Personally, I love it. A lot of people won't but to be quite honest, that's not what matters. What does matter is that I life it, it means a lot to me and it will always be with me.

So.... Tah-daaaaah!

Rumbly in my Tumbly!

Regular as clockwork, my stomach has decided to try and digest itself in a bid to be fed some breakfast. Well ok, belly, you win. What shall we have? I think some french toast may well be on the cards, but what sort of accompaniment would marry so well with your sweet, cinnamony flavour? I would love white chocolate sauce, but alas there is no chocolate in the house. There is Galaxy in the car, but since I'm currently unshowered and my hair has a mind of it's own, defying gravity to the very end, I daren't set food out the door for fear of being laughed at. I could always use a little of the new chocolate philly...? Although I'm not sure how to treat it...

Anyway, I'm sure I'll find something suitable after raiding the cupboards or the internet for ideas, or possibly both! Hopefully something tasty will hit me like a brick wall (although I'm not sure why that saying is so popular since I was totally unaware that a brick wall was capable of lashing out, or moving in the slightest!).

Time to move to the kitchen and find out what I have to work with. Not a lot, I suspect...

Gardeners World

I think I'm becoming domesticated...

As you might know, we just moved house before Christmas 2011. We aquired a garage, drive, layby parking space, gardens to the front, side and rear to the property and also... a greenhouse. So today, I thought I'd take a travel out into the garden and investigate this metal framed structure lurking in the corner of our garden. On first inspection, it's in pretty good nick, if a little green in places and has a few problems with a few of the windows and joints between them. However, on the inside, it was an Aladdin's cave of goodies left from the previous owner, including a flymo strimmer, a hedge trimmer and a rather suspicious looking hover mower. I think it will be disposed of, but the other electricals seem in good condition so will need to try them out to determine whether they stay or go. There was also an abundance of used (and reusable) flower pots, a watering can that not so much sprinkles but explodes, a selection of weedkillers and an anonymous bottle with fluid in it - I don't want to spray it in case it kills something! So all in all, I've found a heap of stuff which I now don't need to buy, and some things which need repaired like the hand tools and ground tools. My dad's going to help me out with some things, but he's a bit of an expert being a farmer and all, so that's ok.

 

Upon seeing the mess of dirt, old compost, spiders webs and dust, I concluded that it's time the greenhouse got a bit of a clear out. It took me a couple of hours, but I've been successful.

After making sure everything was cleared properly, I started to put back in the items to be kept and also new that I'd bought over the past few weeks. Several seed types are now sown and I've also repotted the clematis' that I bought yesterday because they looked a bit weak and in need of a bit more space.

Fingers crossed that I learn to grow flowers and veg sucessfully, but there are - of course - no promises! But I have the best chance now...

After finishing in the greenhouse, I also made some soup - 2 pots! The first is vegetable soup for both me and the man, and the second is broccoli which I'm going to freeze in single servings so that I have a stock of them for quick lunches and meals when I need them. And I put washing out after lunch to dry a little bit. Goodness me, I'm nearly a housewife! But this does beg the question - how long will it last?!

Pain.

I got a new piercing the other day. I got my tragus done - I've waited for years to get it done, kept putting it off thinking I'd never handle it, but it was fine! Thank goodness as I'm getting my tattoo on Wednesday. Ooft. It's going to be a stingy one since it's going up the side of my right calf. I'll post a pic once it's stopped bleeding! Ok, I'm off for now, but I'll be back soon. I think....


Bye for now!

2012.1

Happy new year, and all that jazz. I'm starting to wish I'd made a new years resolution, so here it is: I want to lose 4 stone. I've just watched a 25 stone woman lose 9 stone in under a year, so surely I can do 4? Healthy eating is the way forward, and so is exercise on my days off. I need to start using weights, going for walks, doing housework and just genreally move more than I do right now. It's mainly the food though since all we eat is chinese takeaways, chippers and fry-ups, chips and fatty foods at home. This would be good for both of us, so let's go.

Any support would be fantastic, but I'm not really expecting any from people online since no-one really reads this, but I can hope. Oh, and if anyone in Inverurie/Port Elphinstone wants a gym/walking/exercise buddy, give me a shout as I've moved :)

Garlic Chicken and Baby Veg

Today, I was watching a cooking programme, and ended up getting some inspiration for what to make for my lunch. And it turned out so good, I'm going to give you a recipe.

P.S. There's no photo because I didn't think it would be worth posting up, but who knew it would turn out so yummy!

Roasted Garlic Chicken and Baby Veg

Serves 1

1 large chicken breast, no skin, split lengthways
8-10 baby carrots, washed
5 baby corn, sliced lengthways
Oil
Salt and pepper
Garlic puree - either shop bought, or make it yourself!

Preheat your oven to 170 degrees (160 fan).
Rub the chicken with the garlic, then place on a baking tray. I used a small one because I like the flavours to mingle. Scatter the veg around the chicken, season with a good grind of pepper and a shake of salt, then drizzle a little oil over everything, including the chicken. Give everything a good "shoogle" around - just move the veg around to make sure there's oil under it as well as on top.
Chuck the tray in the oven and bake for around 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked and the veg are as tender as you'd like.

Simple :)

Nostalgia.

I want to look back with fond memories. I want to be 11 again. I wish I could relive it all again. I wish I had taken every opportunity to learn as much as I could before it was too late. But I can't. Watching the tv, my memory wants to take me back to a time where an accent hurt, a picture could tear me apart and a smile could send me tumbling down into a deadly spiral. I don't want to let it, but the more I try, the more it pulls and tugs at my heart. I don't want to remember what he put me through. But that place. That place was made of fairytales. It could make your dreams appear like nightmares with it's magical charm and cause your imagination to run riot with the history and lore. The sheer beauty of the country is enough to bring tears to a glass eye and if I could go to one place, I'd go back there just to see the views from the causeway, the point and the hill behind the prison. It sounds sad, but I miss the scenery and wish I'd taken photographs of my favourite places. Maybe that's why I depend on my camera so much now. Maybe I've learnt. But I feel very nostalgic tonight for a place I'll never see again. Shame.

On a lighter note, I've decided that cookery will be my career choice. Food is an obsession for me. I love cooking it, eating it, serving it, experimenting with it, smelling it, and everything else you can imagine. Well, within reason. I just want to cook and cook and cook. I want to keep challenging myself to try making new things and I'm determined to do it. Firstly, I need to buy more ingredients, new pans and dishes and tins, then get going and cook stuff! The thought alone makes my tastebuds tingle!

So, I bid you adieu for a night. I'm hoping to make a nice roast tomorrow and maybe bake something as well.

Tally ho. x

Lonely

Today is going to be a very lonely day. I woke up at 6.30am, on my own, and now I have to wait until the man finishes work and goes to the gym before I get any sort of company. This means that I'm on my own until at least 4pm. Great stuff. I just didn't think he'd be away all that length of time since he keeps telling me the gym is only for him shoving in time while waiting for me to finish work, and since I'm not working today, I didn't think he'd be going. But I'm wrong and now I'm going to be bored all day. Oh well. It means that I might actually get some housework done and washing out of the way, since I have no-one to wake up or keep up when they should be in bed sleeping. Besides, my room BADLY needs a clear out. And I need breakfast. Now.

Breakfast had, it's now time for me to let it settle and plan out the rest of my day so that I'm not as likely to think of the man as I usually do. I'm going to write a to-do list.

So, the washing is being done as we speak. Albeit slowly since it's raining and I have to tumble the loads, but it's getting there. And the dishes have been done, so that's a bonus. I've now had a decent mid morning feed,  but there is no enthusiasm to get off my arse and get more done. Grr.

Oh well, I suppose I better go and do something. Turns out the man is coming home after work and we're taking my car to get a new tyre on the wheel. And then we're going to play the wii. Awesome.

Bye.

F*ck it.

That is all.

Grr.

Ok, so at 2.45am, some things are starting to annoy me. Like, my nose. It's running and blocked up for no reason. And my left mouse button makes a really loud clicking sound when I put my finger on it, without pressing. It just feels a bit loose and it's bugging me since the thing's only a few days old. Maybe it'll settle down in a few weeks after it gets worn in. Thing is, it wasn't doing it earlier, or not that I noticed, so why it's started it, I'll never know. Maybe it's just getting to me because I'm so tired. And I can't sleep. That's another annoying thing. Ach, maybe I should just go to sleep as I have a driving lesson in the morning. Right, I am going to bed. Hopefully I'll feel happier about everything in the morning.

Night night x

Good :)

My mood, the weather, my life. Good covers it all, right now :) I have the best boyfriend I could ask for, the best dad (even though I slag him off, he's still my da) and I couldn't ask for any more. I'm truly blessed with everyone in my life, even the ones who I don't get to speak to all the time. You all know I still care :) 'Specially you, Dumpling! But honestly, this weekend has to be one of the highest ranked in quite a while. I'm exhausted, aching and feel like crying, but I'm happier than ever. The house is pretty much tidy, I had my supper made for me, my breakfast and then banana loaf. I told you I was spoiled! I don't really know what I'd do without my honey there for me, but I'll tell you one thing: I'd be completely lost. He's been so caring this weekend and he's had plenty sleep so I think he's feeling better for it as well. Now to get him to bed early every night this week and get my menu sorted for what I'm taking to work for lunch. Made chicken pasta earlier so the left overs will do me for a couple of days. Woo :) Also, I must get on with the washing once I'm home. We can then make dinner, I can put him to bed then get on with more cleaning and washing. Keep on top of things :) Oh, and teamwork! If I'm at work and he's off, he's going to do a load or two of washing for me and keep on top of the place, and vice versa. That way, we'll be able to spend our time together on our own and not having to tidy the house or anything. Hooray!

I'm in such a good mood! Although I'm really tired too. I just want to go to sleep and in fact, I might! I will also take an ibuprofen to try and keep my muscles at bay overnight and it might help me in the morning too. I'm just going to have to keep myself stocked for a while until I get used to the work. However, I'm hoping my gym stuff arrives tomorrow! That way, I can go into town on Wednesday and get going at the gym along with the man. It'll be good! It might also help me to get into shape a bit quicker as I have no doubt that my job will do the same. Together, along with a healthy, controlled diet, I'll be able to shed the pounds a bit easier. Hopefully.

And I just realised that I haven't posted my workout plan. But, I'm not going to do that until I've actually tried it out. I mean, it looks good on paper, but I don't know if it'll be any good once I'm actually there, so I'll let you know.

Anyway, I'm going to bed now. I'll be back sometime soon :)

Night x

Plan of Action

Right. Plan of action has been thought of and (almost) finalised. However, any help/information/words of wisdom would be greaty appreciated! I'll detail my plan in the next post, and honestly, feel free to give me any hints on how to adapt it, or even to let me know if you think it's a fairly well thought-out plan. Any feedback will be considered helpful!

So... The woman who did my fitness test said I have to get my bmi down to a certain level and I have to get my weight down to a certain level, according to a chart. A chart is a generalisation and a generalisation only. We are not all built the same, we do not have the same mass of bones in our bodies and we are not all the same build. In my eyes, she was wrong in telling me that I MUST be a certain way or else I'm not healthy. Well, I'm sorry but I don't believe a word of it. Someone of my stature has no business being a size 10. If I could get down to a 14, I'd be thrilled. Any further and people will start asking if I'm unwell... again. I say again because I've been down past a 14 before and everyone was asking if I was feeling alright. I was, but I was also pale (paler than normal) and looking tired and drawn. This was not my idea of looking good, and if I'm honest, I wasn't feeling good either. So I'm going to ignore what that woman said - mostly. I know I need to lose weight and my bmi (bullsh*t mass index, as I like to call it) is far too high, but I do not need to slim down enough to be able to look like a model in a bikini. Let's face it, it's just not going to happen!

What my main goal is, is to be a size 14, maybe a tad under to be a very comfortable 14, and to look and feel good and healthy. As soon as I start to look thin, I'm stopping the workout and just going to try and maintain the weight I reach. I'd like to be 90kg again, and as I'm sitting at 116kg just now, I have a bit to go! But I shall struggle on and make my goal weight. Apparently, I should make it by mid July, but we'll see. Woo!

Good :)

Today has been an amazing day so far. I've been up and out of bed since 7.30am and I've done so many things already. I've planted seeds for cabbage, carrots, spring onions and spinach since we eat a lot of veg and I just happen to have a miniature gardening set that I won in a competition. It was to celebrate the release of Gnomeo and Juliet in cinema's and I was a runner up and received the set. It's awesome :) So I bought tubs and a propagation thing and planted my little seeds in the company of my little babies (the lambs kept in the shed). I also came in and sorted out washing, with 2 loads washed and dried, a third waiting to dry while my jeans are in, and just one more load to go. I've also made fairy cakes for taking up to my aunts and tied down the basket in the boot of the car. All I need to do now is take out the rubbish and extra stuff that we don't need. I'm just going to have a wee break though because I've not sat down all day! I also need to have a shower, but that can wait for a wee while. What I really want to do right now is trawl through some food blogs and find a good recipe for fish cakes. It's been a challenge I've wanted to undertake for some time now, and today's the day for getting a recipe or two. Wish me luck :)

21st March 2011

Because I can't think of another title. Because I can't be bothered thinking of another title. Because I can't be bothered with anything, including food. This is bad. I have felt completely useless all day, as if I'm in the way, as if I'm normally holding people up and today is the day they decide to show me. Today I've learnt that I'm the one that stops others from doing their work, and that really depresses me. If people really think this about me, then why don't they tell me before? Because they're scared I might go mental? No fear of that. I'm all talk, no walk, as it were. I don't like confrontation and if it does happen, then I'm silent. I go into defensive mode, and defensive mode = cry. Or maybe that's why people don't tell me things. They're scared I might cry. God, I sound like a sissy. Purely because I am. Really.

For example, if I have to change job, I'll have to cancel my membership to a 24hr gym. Yes, you read that right. I won't have time for the bloomin' thing. What I mean is, I don't want to go on my own. I'm nervous entering a tiny room on my own and a huge gym full of strangers is my idea of hell, especially since there will no doubt be a lot of skinny women there who are trying to achieve size zero. I'm maybe being over-reactive, but I do not want to go on my own. Although, it seems that my partner has been thinking too and doesn't actually want me to go. Booking things behind my back, then telling me when they are, knowing full well that a) I can't make it and b) I'll never go on my own, thus stopping me going at all. Then again, it could be my brain that's telling me to believe all this, but none the less, I've not been told otherwise, so I'll trust my mushy brain. For now.

All in all, today has been completely crap and I feel totally deflated. To make things worse, I really can't be bothered doing anything so I won't even get up to cook myself happy. Maybe this is a good thing since I'd only end up making something sinfully fattening and gluttonous! So in the end, it's probably better I don't move off my fat arse. (Which is only growing fatter by the day, may I add! Stress isn't really good for me!)

So if you can think of a way I can re-inflate myself (get your mind out of the gutter!) then do get in touch. And maybe also if you have a recipe guaranteed to make me happy but won't pile on the pounds, since I don't need any help with that, apparently.

New Blog

Yes, I'm afraid you read that right. But. Do not worry, people. I'll still be using this one for all my memories, thoughts and other random stuff. Like this:

I went to a cookery demonstration last night. Well, that's what it was called but it was anything BUT a cookery demonstration. Firstly, they had a group of kids who were going to sing songs, without a piano, and without starting notes. Brave. Then they proceeded to perform the most random songs, finishing off with "Don't Stop Believin'" by Glee Journey. I'm sorry for all you "Gleeks" out there, but I REALLY can't stand the people or the sounds they pump out of their arses. They really annoy me, they ruin perfectly good songs, and they think they're the coolest people in the world. I think I'm actually going to have to make a post detailing the people I dislike/hate/want to kill if I could get away with it. I'm pretty sure Glee and Justin Bieber would have a pretty hefty fight trying to fight for the top spot on my list. Honestly, I really don't want to hear of Glee ever again in my life. But anyway. I digress.

These kids sang Glee, and I knew my evening was ruined. It only got worse. This "cookery" demonstration was nothing more than posh English idiots* throwing the most random things in a bowl, trying to look like they're trying to be serious but really trying to make the audience - more posh English idiots - laugh. They succeeded, which was no surprise. I was offended by how stupid they were being and it the evening was so far from what I expected that it would be easier for me to walk to Australia. And I can't walk on water. I'm not that good.

*The people who move to "Bonnie Scotland" for the scenery, to live in a little country village, run their 4x4's as if they were lorries and think they're better than REAL Scots. Can you tell I'm not a fan of the English? Sorry, that doesn't sound like I wanted it to. I like SOME of the English, because some are quite nice and really down to earth. But the ones who act as though I'm just a sore on their arse don't deserve any respect. I've done nothing wrong, I don't give you any hassle because of your stupid accent. You don't change the way you speak when you come up here, but you expect us to do that when we come down to your country.


Ohhh dear. Maybe I should just stop there? Yes, perhaps it's better. England, I'm sorry, but you just have to accept that we're just as good as you lot.

Cinnamon French Toast with Creamy Topping and Fruit Compot

Thick bread - I used medium in the recipe but that's all we had in the house
1 egg
Milk
Cinnamon powder
3tbsp frozen berries
Cream cheese
A little water
Icing sugar


Now, this is one of those recipes where you just have to judge the quantities by eye. There are no real measurements and that's what makes this breakfast divine!

Start by placing your berries in a small saucepan over a low-medium heat with 2 tbsp water and 1 tbsp icing sugar. Allow to come to a medium simmer and cook away while you do everything else. 

Beat some cream cheese with a tiny tiny tiny splash of milk and some icing sugar. Taste until it's your desired sweetness. It should be fairly thick but it doesn't have to be. The consistency of softly whipped cream is what I went for and it was so good!

Beat the egg, some milk and 2 tsp cinnamon together in a jug. Pour a third of the mixture onto a large flat plate and dip the bread on both sides until it's totally drenched. Heat a frying pan over a medium heat. Fry the bread until it's golden on both sides. Set aside and keep warm. Repeat the process until you have as much bread as you like.

To serve, layer as follows: bread, creamy stuff, berries, bread, creamy stuff and finally some berry mix on top. Trust me, it's yummy!

Onion and White Stilton Sauce

This recipe is a weird one. No, that didn't sound as I meant it to sound. It's one with mixed reviews in this house. As in, my partner liked it, and I wasn't so keen. It was a bit bitter for me, but I have an incredibly sweet tooth and a neverending love of garlic in steak sauces containing onions. I think I'm going to stop cooking the onions until fully caramelised as suggested by the original recipe. They turn bitter after a while and it sort of spoils the sauce for me. I'm going to give you the recipe though as I'm sure others will enjoy it, and I'll also let you know how I prefer my steak... I expect you to be shocked, really...

This recipe serves two hungry hippo's (the man and me) but multiply as required or reduce the quantities you need if you want to have some self indulgence!

2 thick rump steaks
1 large onion, sliced fairly thinly (cut in half then slice)
1/2 pt double (heavy) cream
As much white stilton as you like - keep tasting as you add a small bit at a time
1/2 pt beef stock in case the sauce becomes too thick and you want it a bit thinner
Seasoning
Olive oil or any other that can stand a high heat


First, heat a griddle pan. Full whack from the word go. You want this to be smoking hot before you put the steak on, so open the windows and doors and be ready to fan the smoke alarm with a towel. I use the helicopter method but whatever works for you.


Place a wide bottomed frying pan over a low-medium heat, add a couple of tablespoons of oil and allow to heat a little. Add the onion and stir until coated with the oil. Allow to caramelise. This could take up to 20 minutes depending on the thickness of the slices. I'd also suggest not letting them get as dark as the picture. When you think they need another few minutes and the thinnest ones are pretty brown, stop.

Once you're ready, add pretty much all the cream and a little stock, stir well and allow to simmer away until the sauce is reduced by roughly half. You can keep adding a little stock now and then if it's looking too thick.


Now that the sauce is a perfect consistency, taste it. If it needs some seasoning, add it. Take a knob of cheese and allow it to melt in the sauce. Taste again. If you're happy with the flavour, stop there. If not, keep going until you're happy. You can ideally use any kind of cheese, including cream cheese or blue cheese. Anything you fancy. Just be sure you're happy with the taste. Add a little more stock than you should and turn the heat right down. This will make sure your sauce isn't too think by the time your steak is done.


For the steak, rub with oil on the "up" side, then season liberally with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place oil side down in the griddle pan and stand back. DO NOT TOUCH THAT STEAK AGAIN UNTIL YOU'RE READY TO TURN IT! I give mine roughly 2 minutes on each side as my partner likes his somewhere between blue and rare. It's the same for me but mine are more on the blue side of life. This means 1 1/2 minutes on each side. Also, I don't rest my steak as they always get cold. It works for me though because once they're on our hot plates, covered with sauce and accompanied by stir-fried veg and chips, they rest a bit. We leave the best bit of the meal for last, which just happens to be the steaks.


To plate up, have your steak on first after you've heated up the plate. Then add whatever accompaniments you wish to add. Be it new potatoes, chips, veg or anything else. Finally, add your sauce and dig in. Yummy :)

Ohhhh dear...

Well this week has, so far, been a complete disaster. If it wasn't for my wonderful partner, I'd have gone totally crazy. Seriously. It's been hell since Sunday night! After working overtime on the checkouts, I didn't get any sleep. Then on Monday, nothing was done by my manager to try and help me get back to work. By Tuesday, I asked again about checkouts and was told that if I didn't fit in with their vacancies, I'd be looking for a job outside of Tesco. It took me talking to my manager after hours to get him to sort something out. Which he never did. I got so angry that when I saw my partner, I was in tears. The manager also hid as soon as he saw him. Wimp. On Wednesday, my back was gradually getting worse and I was pushing myself too hard. When I told my manager about it, he told me again - for the THIRD time - that I might have to look for a job outside of Tesco. But, after me asking a lot of good questions about whether there was any communication between members of staff and him trying to lie his way out of everything, he then accused ME of lying about the changeover being temporary and went to check my notes. By this time, I was fuming and in tears. Other members of staff in my department were very helpful and supportive and I really want to thank them for that. I was then called up to the interview room where my manager was waiting. He never apologised, or said anything else for that matter, but expected me to follow into the room and we both sat down. I was then informed that I was to be put on checkouts as of today. All in all, it takes a lot of work for them to start to help you. And also a lot of clever wording and research beforehand.

Let's just hope that my week gets better from now on. Oh well, I'll just have to cheer myself up by cooking, looking up recipes and thinking about what to make next for dinner. It always cheers me up, so it's worth a shot. Enough ranting. Time for a new post to clear the air.

Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Ok so I'm going to post my first proper recipe, and what better than chocolate chip pancakes? Well, I'll tell you how I ended up making them... My partner and I were a little peckish after we had lunch, so we decided to make dessert. I fancied pancakes and he wanted something with chocolate, and that's when I suggested chocolate chip pancakes. And I must say, they were bloomin' good! In fact, I'll issue a warning with them: When you make them, eat them straight out of the pan. I know, it sounds silly, but do it. You can thank me later :)

10 tbsp self raising flour
5 tbsp caster sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp golden syrup
1 very large egg (or two small ones)
Milk - enough to keep the batter thick
1 bag chocolate chips - around 200g


In a large bowl, sift in the dry ingredients and gently stir together. Gradually whisk in the milk, then crack the egg into a seperate bowl and add to the large bowl. Whisk until fully blended with the flour mix and no lumps remain in the mix. Finally, add the choc chips and give the batter a quick stir.

Heat a non-stick frying pan on a medium heat - on my cooker, it was setting 8 since mine goes up to 12! Put a tiny bit of oil in the pan and wipe it round with a bit of kitchen roll so just a thin coating remains. Once your pan is up to heat, use a ladel and spoon two small pancakes into the pan. Now, I say small but really, they're going to stretch out quite a lot, so half a ladelful per pancake is more than enough. Trust me. 

Leave your pancakes until bubbles appear on the surface. Don't be tempted to keep checking up on the underside because it won't be ready and you just get stressed out and don't want to wait any longer. So, just leave them, put the kettle on, then go back and look for bubbles - this could take up to 3 minutes. I suggest you only do one pancake for a start to check for temperature and timings according to your own cooker, then carry on making more.

Once the bubbles start to appear (there won't be many) then you can turn them over. DON'T FLIP THEM!!! You only end up with a massive mess on the floor if you're anything like me. Turn them with a spatula/fish slice thing and leave them for a couple of minutes.


Once they're done, either store them on a plate wrapped in a clean dish towel or you can just eat them right away. Try one right away and try not to smile as the chocolate seeps out of the sweet batter... I'm drooling again!

This mix makes between 8 and 12 pancakes, depending on the size they turn out to be. Enjoy :)