Last week we were lucky enough to experience a dinner party at home with the lovely chef Libby May from La Belle Assiette. 



The company are UK wide and source a chef to come and cook for you in your own home, or venue of your choosing. Think hen night weekend in a cottage or a surprise for your parents at their house. Menus start at £39 per person for 6 people for a temptation menu and go up to a Michelin star experience for £89 per person. Our menu would have been priced at £59 per person.



This was Libby's first "validation" meal for La Belle Assiette but she has a wealth of experience and was classically trained at Tante Marie Culinary academy. On booking, Libby called and we had a chat about the menu. When I say chat, I mainly said I haven't got a clue about this sort of thing. Libby was totally professional and suggested a couple of ideas and advised I should check with my guests about whether they liked seafood and if they had any allergies. I did this and then over e mail she came up with a delightful menu.



On the day of the dinner party, Libby arrived early with everything she needed to make our menu. Until a few days before, I hadn't really considered how it may be awkward having someone come into my house to cook. What if I didn't like them? Or my cooker wasn't good enough? I needn't have worried. Libby was friendly and professional and everything was like clockwork.



On the evening we had an issue with our friends babysitter not turning up. Libby took it in her stride and made the canapes for the rest of us whilst we were waiting and when our friend arrived later, another set on canapes arrived. They all tasted fantastic and the butternut squash soup shot was a favourite of mine.

Our starter was goats cheese and the roasted beetroot was delicious.



Before the party, big man joked that we were having duck two ways. He started reciting the Fawlty Towers duck surprise sketch. Luckily there was nothing Basil Fawlty like about this meal.



Finally to finish we had orange blossom posset. It was a perfect ending to a perfect meal.




Whilst we chatted and enjoyed dessert, Libby packed away and cleaned up. Amazing!

Libby was a fantastic chef and it was a delight to have her cook for us. I would certainly recommend La Belle Assiette to people who are looking for a special meal for a special occasion.


All photos are courtesy of La Belle Assiette.

I can't quite believe that we are entering February this week. However, I am being constantly reminded as middle man has an early birthday party this coming weekend. He is very excited to be having a gaming party like his brother with Pop Up Arcade. I am happy that this time there are some girls added to the mix as this usually calms things down a bit.

I have rather stupidly offered to make a Mario cake using an old Pez dispenser. If it all goes wrong then there is always Colin the caterpillar!

But what are we eating inbetween me making a cake?

Monday: Lasagne - I may also batch cook this and a shepherds pie.

Tuesday: Sausage and mash

Wednesday: Tacos

Thursday: Garlic Pork in Black Bean Sauce.


Friday: Pasta. It needs to be quick as I am likely to be spending most of the evening making middle mans birthday cake.

Saturday: Party food - pizzas etc

Sunday: I can't think that far ahead at the moment!


What do you have planned for this week?

Regular readers will know that since starting back at work part time, I am always looking out for some quick and easy mid week meals.  But with three boys who have a much better social life than me or my husband, weekends aren't any better.That is why I was keen to take part in the BritMums and Rustlers Burger Hacking Challenge. Quick are great when I am acting as a glorified taxi driver, taking my boys to their various weekend activities and friends Birthday parties.

I have to admit that I wouldn't have really considered buying microwave burgers for a quick meal for the family before. But when the children are eating at different times due to their hectic schedules, it does make sense. I have certainly had their pork rib sandwich for myself before when I am in a rush.

So how did I hack our Rustlers southern fried chicken burgers? Well I started my research by eating one just as it was. The lightly peppered mayo in the packet is really good so I didn't feel the need to change that. I decided that a cheese slice would always add something to a burger. I just love the melted texture. I also like some fresh lettuce and tomato. As for the bun, if you have those extra minutes, it really does make a difference if you toast the bun rather than microwave it.


As for what to serve with the burgers, well that needs to be quick too. I mean there is no point taking 90s to cook your southern fried chicken burger and then waiting 30 mins for some wedges to bake in the oven. Here I opted for a simple tomato salsa and sweetcorn with buttered paprika.

The salsa is so simple to make. For each person, chop up one tomato finely. Add a slice of red onion finely chopped and a couple of basil leaves. Add a teaspoon of balsamic vinegar and a drizzle of olive oil. Hey presto one really easy and tasty salsa.

The sweetcorn is even easier. Here I used tinned sweetcorn, that I heated in the microwave. Once warm I added a knob of butter and a sprinkle of smoked paprika.

The boys thought that the chicken burgers were great and the only thing that little man changed was swopping the mayo for some ketchup.

Rustler's Southern Fried Chicken Burgers can be bought in a single or twin pack from Tesco. How would you hack yours?

Chicken Chow Mein

• 500g chicken breast
• 1tbsp sesame oil
• 1tbsp dark soy sauce
• 1tbsp rice wine (or sherry)
• 1tbsp cornflour
• 1 bag of stir fry vegetables
• 2 packets of straight to wok noodles
• 1 packet of chow mein sauce
• cashew nuts to top.

I am pleased to say that last weeks meal plan worked well. Apart from the fact that the lasagne I had planned turned into a spaghetti bolognase as little man piped up that he didn't like lasagne!

On Friday we were treated to a private chef from La Belle Asiette, which was amazing. I will be writing a review in more detail soon, but it really was something special. Our main course was duck with cherries - my photo does not do it justice.



In other news, my husband had his bag taken from a train this week and has spent the weekend trying to re-buy the essentials. It is amazing how much fits in one small suitcase! We are hoping that it was taken by mistake, but whether we getting back again is another matter. He is away a couple of nights this week so there will be some quick and easy meals for me and the boys.

Monday: Salmon and vegetables

Tuesday: Chicken burgers

Wednesday:  Pizza and baked beans
Thursday: Scampi and chips

Friday: Probably pasta for the boys and curry from the freezer for my and my husband.

Saturday: Sweet and sour chicken and egg fried rice

Sunday: Pasta and dough balls

Cauliflower And Stilton Soup

• 1/2 a large cauliflower
• 1 leek
• 1 vegetable oxo cube
• 50g Stilton plus extra to crumble on top
• 500 ml semi skimmed milk
• creme fraiche to finish

I can safely say that meal planning is helping me keep sane at the moment. I am trying to juggle so many balls, that it is so helpful to know what I am making for dinner. One less stress. Last week, I amazed myself with how good my chicken stir fry was, that I am going to make it again at the end of this week and write it up for you. I have been trying more recipes from my Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients book, all of which have been amazing. Little man even had a go himself, making the apple crumble cookies. I think we may have made them a little bigger than Jamie intended as there were nowhere near 24, but they tasted good and were gobbled up in a day.




This week we have something rather exciting happening. A private chef is coming to our house to cook for us and a few of our friends. Then menu sounds fantastic. Our menu is: roasted beetroot and carrots wit warm goats cheese cakes followed by duck two ways with cherries and sautéed Savoy cabbage. And to end with orange blossom posset with pistachio biscotti and an orange and pomegranate salad. I am excited just thinking about it! In preparation, we have moved around our dining table and the cooker will be getting a good old clean. I think it has made my husband realise that our kitchen would look better with a slightly smaller table. (I have been harping on about this since we moved in, in last April.)

So whilst Friday may be sorted, what about the rest of the week?

Monday: A left overs pie made from left over ham and roast chicken from last week.

Tuesday: Tacos. Mainly using up some bits I found in my cupboard clear out this week.

Wednesday: Hot dogs. We seem to have a freezer full of rolls!

Thursday: Chicken with cheese and ham.

Friday: The boys will have a quick and easy pasta and sauce whilst we enjoy a meal courtesy of La Belle Assiette.

Saturday: Stir fry chicken chow mein

Sunday: Lasagne - batch cook an extra one.

Little man is also keen to make some chocolate orange shortbread that he has seen in my recipe book. We have agreed he can use some of his chocolate orange to top it with.

What have you got planned for this week?

After the excesses of Christmas, this parsnip soup was a welcome light lunch. It was a great way of using up the leftover parsnips and my Mum's cheese straws. I often forget how easy it is to make soup, and this tasted so good, I really should make them more often.


I used leek in this recipe as I had one in my fridge, but I would usually use a chopped onion. My sister left behind some chopped ginger and garlic and I used these instead of fresh.

This recipe serves 2.

Honey Parsnip Soup

• 5 parsnips peeled and cored
• 1 leek
• 1tsp chopped garlic
• 1tsp chopped ginger
• 1/2 tsp chopped red chili
• 1 vegetable oxo cube
• 1tbsp honey
• 500 ml semi skimmed milk
• creme fraiche to finish

Whilst it may only have been a week ago that I was raising a glass to see in the new year, this week has been back to work and back to normality. The Christmas holiday went by in the blink of an eye and as per usual we over indulged and have been trying to eat better this week.


One of my Christmas presents was the Jamie Oliver 5 ingredient meals and I have enjoyed making some of his quick and easy recipes this week. Rose and Pesto prawn pasta was a hit as was pancetta wrapped cod. We are continuing with more fish this week as I think we really need to eat less red meat.

So what is in our meal plan for this week?

Monday: The boys are off to karate so it is fish fingers for them and salmon fishcakes for us. I have some frozen salmon in the freezer which I am not keen on, so will use it up in some homemade fishcakes.

Tuesday: Chicken stir fry

Wednesday: The boys are off to karate again so they can have scrambled egg and chorizo bagels and my husband and I will have Salmon and chorizo.

Thursday: Another Jamie recipe - this time pork escalopes

Friday: My OH and I will have frozen curry that my sister made on Xmas eve and the boys will have a chicken korma.

Sat: Not sure yet.....

Sun: Roast chicken

Little man has also been looking through my cookery book and has chosen the apple crumble cookies to make with me :-)

Are you trying to eat differently this new year?

Happy New Year! I can't quite believe that 2017 went by in a flash. It was a strange old year, where I learnt a lot about myself. I found that I work best under pressure, like to be surrounded by people and really need to make more lists. They really do have a calming effect on me. My boys are growing bigger by the day and I am loving the little people they are turning into. (Well most of the time.)


As we move into 2018, I think it is good to set some goals.

First off, I am going to think of myself more. As a mother, it is really easy to put yourself last. Or at least that is what I have been doing. As my boys are getting more independent, I really need to start thinking about myself more. Starting dance lessons last year made me really happy and whilst I will never be on Strictly simple things like this can make a world of difference to me. So on a Sunday you will find me doing a Cha-cha-cha at the gym.

I need to blog smarter. Having a part time job means I have less free time. It hope that it doesn't mean that I will stop blogging. I love that unlike many 40 somethings, I have kept up to date with social media, can use twitter and even code a little. I need to get better at scheduling posts and remember to share evergreen content. I am going for a quality versus quantity approach, but as I am finding meal planning really helpful, you can expect to see me joining in with Meal Planning Mondays and Cook Blog Share most weeks. Whilst I am going to attempt some more healthy recipes in the New Year, I love baking so will be joining in with Bake of the week as much as I can.

I need to continue my decluttering journey. I say journey as it seems never ending! I have a whole room (well cupboard room) to go through. I need to sort through the baby toys and take some younger toys out of little man's room to see if he misses them. Things are slowly getting better and it is a case of keeping on top of everything.

Lastly, I want to improve my photography further. On my current to do list is to purchase some back drops from Capture by Lucy and a new tripod. When I look back at how far my photography has come on in the last year or so I am pretty pleased....

This was taken in October 2016:


And this was last month:


I still have some way to go, but I feel like I am making progress. Practice makes perfect I guess (and a few new gadgets will help me on my way!) Maybe one day I will get some good photos of the 5 of us together. Do you know how hard it is to get everyone looking in the same direction at once?

So what goals have you set for 2018?