Breaded Chicken Breasts in Orange Sauce

Ingredients

2 cups of gluten-free died bread crumbs

2 oranges

2 tsp of garlic powder

2 tsp dried mixed herbs

pinch of black pepper

1 egg, beaten

5 chicken breasts

oil for frying

2 Tsp lemon juice

1 Tsp gluten-free flour

Method

Pre-heat the oven to 180C.

Zest the orange into a flat dish with the breadcrumbs. Add the garlic powder, herbs, and pepper. Mix well.

In a separate dish, beat the egg.

Heat oil in an oven-safe skillet.

Dip each chicken breast in egg, and then in the breadcrumb mixture. Then add to the skillet. Fry on a medium high heat until golden brown. Then cook in the oven for 20 minutes, until the chicken has been cooked.

To make the orange sauce, juice, and strain the oranges. Add to a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Mix the lemon juice and flour into a slurry, and add to the orange juice. Stir until the sauce thicken. Adjust seasoning.

Notes

Serve the chicken with mashed potatoes, vegetables, and the orange sauce. Add lemon or orange slices, and fresh herbs to garnish.

Stilton and Walnut Scones

Ingredients

225g gluten-free SR flour (I used Dove Farm Gluten-Free)

50g butter

100g Stilton cheese

50g walnuts

1 egg

milk (the egg and milk together make 150ml)

1Tsp wholegrain mustard

Method

Pre-heat the oven to 220C.

Rub the butter into the flour. Cube the Stilton, and chop the walnuts. Add to the bowl. Break the egg into a jug, beat it and then top up to the 150ml mark with milk. Add the wholegrain mustard.

Mix the milk/egg mixture into the flour. Line a muffin tin with silicon or paper case. Evenly divide the mixture between 12 cases. Bake for about 10 -12 minutes.

Ava- Update

On Saturday, Ava was prescribed two forms of medication for pain. We were warned the gabapentin might make her sleepy.  And it most certainly made her sleepy. She did not want to get up for her night time walk. She wouldn't even get up to have a wee in the garden.

We've decided to only use one medication for a little while so she can get used to it. Then we can add in the other one when it becomes necessary. This will be less of a shock to her system.

A mattress has been moved down into the dining room. Ava and I are sleeping there now. She was delighted not to have to climb the stairs to get to her bed.

Chicken Piccata

This is an incredibly tasty recipe. We are not fond of capers, so leave them out. But the lemon, garlic and butter sauce packs such a punch it stands without the capers.

Ingredients

4 chicken fillets

1 tsp dried Italian seasoning

1 tsp garlic powder

½ tsp ground black pepper

2 Tsp olive oil 

3 Tsp butter

2 Tsp lemon juice

(3 Tsp capers)

1 lemon, sliced into wheels

chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Method
Preheat oven to 200C.

Season the chicken thighs generously on both sides with pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. 

Heat the olive oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes. Flip and cook for a further 5 minutes. Add the butter, lemon juice and sliced lemon.

Transfer to the oven, and cook for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, and scrape up and mix in any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.  Plate the chicken and pour the sauce over top. Garnish with fresh parsley. 

Notes

This is wonderful served with steamed veggies and rice.

Ava's Diagnosis

 

Ava has been with us for just over a five years. She is now 13 and a half years old, which is a good age for a large dog. However, she's been finding it harder and harder to stand up from lying down, and her ability to walk safely on laminate floors has plummeted.  'Bambi on ice' is a good description.

We've been to visit the vet today, and mentioned her problems. Whilst the vet was examining Ava she found a lump on an anal glad. The vet became serious, and explained she had found a tumour, and that it was most like cancer. This was most definitely not the news we were expecting to hear.

The vet has recommended palliative care for Ava. This is based on her age, and hip/spine problems. We agree. We don't want Ava to be put through CT scans, surgery, chemo therapy, etc. She is an old lady, and we want the rest of life is good, and with as little pain as possible.

Afterwards, we took a car trip to the beach. The humans had hot food (it is January!) and Ava had ice cream. She was delighted with this. We then had a walk along the promenade, said hello to puppies, and received cuddles from other humans. 

Large Gift Bags

 

A good few years ago, a faux silk duvet was placed in the dryer. It did not go well. The faux silk melted in a few places, and resulted in crunchy, brittle fabric. It was no longer suitable for use as a duvet cover.

However, I still loved the fabric. Instead of tossing it out, I chopped it up and made it into gift bags. These bags have been used again, and again. Birthdays, Christmases, other gift giving times, these bags have been use.

Over the years I have made more fabric gift bags. This Christmas, I was so very smug. I'd managed to make enough gift bags for all bar two Christmas gifts. And, today, I added to their number. These bags are big enough to contain a chunky sweater, a dressing gown, a large jigsaw.

Stilton and Broccoli Soup

Ingredients 

2 tbsp oil 

1 onion, finely chopped 

2 large potatoes, diced 

1 knob butter

2l stock

1kg frozen broccoli

450g Stilton

Method

Into  large soup pan, add the oil, and cook the onion until soft. Then add the potato. and  knob of butter. Cook for another 5 minutes.

Add the broccoli and stock. Bring to the boil. Then lower to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Cut the Stilton into chunks, and add to the soup pan.

Using a blender,  blitz until smooth. 

Notes

This soup freezes beautifully.

Carrot and Ginger Soup

Ingredients

4 Tsp olive oil

2 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp ground cumin

0.5 tsp ground turmeric

2 large onions, cut into chunks

8 large carrots, cut to chunks

4 parsnips, cut into chunks

1 Tsp chopped garlic

2 Tsp shredded ginger

2 litres vegetable stock

1 tsp dijon mustard

2 Tsp lemon juice

salt and pepper

Method

Heat the oven to 220C.

In a large bowl, mix together the oil, coriander, cumin, and turmeric  Add the onion, parsnips and carrots. Mix well. Spread over a heavy baking sheet, then roast for 30 mins. Add the garlic and ginger. Cook for 5 more minutes.

Put the veggies, stock, mustard and lemon juice into a blender and process until smooth. This will need to be done in batches. 

Bring the soup to a simmer, and check seasoning.

Notes

This soup freezes beautifully. 

It is wonderful with croutons, or a sprinkling of mixed seeds.

Soups

During the winter, we often have soup and a salad for lunch. These are some of my favourite soups:

Carrot and Ginger

Chicken and Veg

French-ish Onion 

Lentil and Bacon

Spiced Parsnip

Stilton and Broccoli

Tomato and Lentil

Vegetable