Schwartz slow cooker mixes-Chicken in Red Wine(suitable for all the family)-review

With winter coming, Schwartz have developed a range of slow cooker mixes, so we can enjoy yummy winter warmer teas, without slaving away at the cooker all day. How about coming in from work, or the school run, and smelling the delicious aromas of your tea, all ready to be dished up.

The Schwartz slow cooker range consists of Beef and Tomato Casserole, Chicken Curry, Chicken in Red Wine, and Sausage and Bean Casserole.

We were lucky enough to sample these, and i can say, they are simply delicious, and make a yummy tea for all the family.
All you have to do it put all the ingredients into the your slow cooker in the morning(i prepare any veg the night before), turn it on, and leave it to work its magic.

All the sachets have a list of ingredients on the back, but i love the fact that you can add or change anything you don't like, or just fancy adding.

For the Chicken in Red Wine:

YOU WILL NEED

10 shallots, peeled

125g (5oz) button mushrooms

8 skinless chicken thighs or drumsticks, trimmed of fat

250g (9oz) bacon, sliced and cooked  

1 sachet Schwartz Slow Cookers Chicken in Red Wine Recipe Mix

300ml (½ pint) water

2 tbs tomato purée 

DIRECTIONS

1. Place the shallots, mushrooms, chicken and bacon into your slow cooker pot.

2. Blend the sachet contents with the water and tomato purée, and add to the slow cooker pot. Stir through. 

3. Cover and cook for 4 hours on HIGH or 8 hours on LOW, or until the meat is tender and cooked through.  (Keep covered during cooking.  Cooking times vary between slow cooker models.)

4. Remove the lid, stir through and stand for 5 minutes before serving. 

5. Delicious served with roast potatoes and fresh vegetables. 

I used chicken breast to make this, and as I don't like bacon or cooked mushrooms, I just cooked with shallots, and served with roast potatoes, broccoli and green beans.

Come tea time, all i had to do was pop some roast potatoes into the oven(i used frozen ones) and put the vegetables onto boil, leaving free the valuable after school time, to spend with Eva catching up on what she's done at school, and trying to keep her awake as shes always so tired in the evenings, as opposed to in the kitchen cooking.

A really easy tea, that was really flavoursome, and a hit with all the family. I am now wondering how i ever managed without a slow cooker until now. You could even serve with chips/ jacket potatoe/ new potatoes or anything that takes your fancy.

It is definately worth a try, you never know, it might become a firm family favourite.

Loren xx

Morphy Richards 3.5L Stainless Steel Slow Cooker-Review

My Mom's got a slow cooker, but her, along with many other people, don't know what to cook in them. My mom does a beef stew, sometimes substituting the beef for chicken, but that really is as far as it goes.
Schwartz research found that while 45 per cent of homes across the UK have a slow cooker*, only 14 per cent of use them**

*Based on Schwartz survey conducted by Ipsos Omnibus Online in January 2011.

**Schwartz research was conducted by 72 Point Research and surveyed 2,000 mums and 1,000 dads across the UK.

Morphy Richards is partnering with Schwartz, who have developed a range of slow cooker recipe mixes, and when i was asked to take part in a challenge to try out a Morphy Richards Slow Cooker along with the Schwartz recipe mixes I just had to say yes. I wanted to find out what other yummy food could be made other then stew, to be able to provide, healthy, tasty tea's, without having to be slaving away in the kitchen all day to acheive them. I wanted to prove we could have delicious dinners, at the same time as me spending the precious few hours after school with Eva(and Jack) finding out about her day at school, and playing, as opposed to cooking.

We have had the Slow cooker for nearly 2 weeks and already i have cooked Beef and Tomato Casserole, Chicken in Red Wine, Chicken Curry, and Chilli con carne. We will be trying out Sausage and Bean Casserole this week, aswel as finding more delicious slow cooker recipes.

I still can't get over how easy it is to use. I simply add all my raw ingrediants to the slow cooker in the morning, switch on, and leave until it's time to serve. Some slow cookers only have High and Low settings, but The Morphy Richards 3.5L Stainless steel Slow Cooker also has a medium setting too. Most dishes say the cooking times are 4 hours on high, 8 on low, so medium would take around 6 hours. I have used all 3 settings, and each time the same outstanding results are produced, succulent and tender meat, with really tasty sauce.

What surprised me most is the fact, that even after cooking for 8 hours, without stirring, the food is not burning or sticking to the bottom of the cooking pot. The ceramic cooking pot is also removable, and is dishwasher safe, along with the clear glass lid, which has a cool touch handle. I wash mine by hand(as unfortunately i don't yet have a dishwasher) and it is really easy to wash, even if i have left it until the next morning to wash, what would usually be stubborn dried on food, comes off easily.

The Morphy Richards 3.5L Stainless Steel Slow Cooker can be purchased here for £29.99, and in my opinion is a fantastic buy, that will get used time and time again, especially with the help of Schwartz Slow Cooker Mixes, and me, finding recipes and putting them up here, so you don't have to search for them.

Loren x

Schwartz slow cooker mixes-Beef and Tomato Casserole-review

With winter coming, Schwartz have developed a range of slow cooker mixes, so we can enjoy yummy winter warmer teas, without slaving away at the cooker all day. How about coming in from work, or the school run, and smelling the delicious aromas of your tea, all ready to be dished up.

The Schwartz slow cooker range consists of Beef and Tomato Casserole, Chicken Curry, Chicken in Red Wine, and Sausage and Bean Casserole.

We were lucky enough to sample these, and i can say, they are simply delicious, and make a yummy tea for all the family.
All you have to do it put all the ingredients into the your slow cooker in the morning(i prepare any veg the night before), turn it on, and leave it to work its magic.

All the sachets have a list of ingredients on the back, but i love the fact that you can add or change anything you don't like, or just fancy adding.

First we tried the Beef and Tomato Casserole.

YOU WILL NEED

1 onion, cut into chunks

2 red peppers, cut into chunks

450g (1lb) lean beef, diced 

1 sachet Schwartz Slow Cookers Beef & Tomato Casserole Recipe Mix 

400g tin chopped tomatoes

2 tbs tomato purée

DIRECTIONS

1. Place the onion, peppers and beef into your slow cooker pot.

2. Blend the sachet contents with the chopped tomatoes and tomato purée, and add to the slow cooker pot. Stir through.

Ready to be turned on. I added leeks and cherry tomotoes as they needed using up.

3. Cover and cook for 4 hours on HIGH or 8 hours on LOW, or until the meat is tender and cooked through.  (Keep covered during cooking.  Cooking times vary between slow cooker models.)

4. Remove the lid, stir through and stand for 5 minutes before serving.

I served this with jacket potatoes, and it was truly delicious, something that not only me and Daz polished off, but that the little ones really enjoyed too.

Not only is it ideal for warming up in the cold winter months, it doesn't cost the earth to cook either.
This is based on what i pay for my ingredients from my local Morrison's.
I usually buy 3 onions for around £1, so about 35p for the onion,
Peppers again i think are around 3 for £1.50, so £1.00 for 2 peppers
Schwartz slow cookers mixes retail at around £1.00,
I use the basic range of chopped tomatoes which are 22p for a 400g tin,
Tomato puree i always have in the fridge, but if you don't it comes in at under £1 for a tube that will last ages.
I bought my beef on offer, as there was a selection of meats that were 3 for £10, so my beef cost around £3.50.
So for the beef casserole for 4 people (would feed 4 adults, as we had some left over from 2 adults and 2 children) it cost between £6 and £7. Add on another £1 for 4 large baking potatoes and that's a total of £2 per person. I think £2 each for a healthy, filling meal is a bit of a bargain.

Slow cookers are ideal for cooking tougher/less expensive cuts of meat, as the way it is cooked makes even the toughest of meats come out tender. If you don't own a slow cooker, they don't cost the earth these days, and i would say are a really good investment, especially as the weather is taking a turn for the worse, and it's getting really cold. I will be experimenting and trying plenty of slow cooker recipes in the next few weeks, so you won't be short on idea's. I have a Morphy Richards 3.5L Slow Cooker which can be bought here for £29.99.

So would i recommend the Beef and Tomato Casserole Slow Cooker Mix? I think you already know the answer to that is going to be a big yes. Why not try it.

Loren x

Dotty Bots Competition Winners

The winners were drawn through http://www.random.org/ and are as follows

Congratulations to mymummylife(Lucy Writer) who is the winner of the girls set.

And

Congratulations to Chery Halliwell who is the winner of the boys set.

If you could both go to Dotty Bots and email me on lorenslittlelovelys@hotmail.co.uk with your address and the nappy and wetbag that you would like, and we will get them sent out to you asap.

Loren xx

How do you hold your's?

 BIC® Soleil® Shavers help you get a grip on who you are

According to BIC® Soleil® Shavers and body language expert Dr Jane McCartney, the way you hold your shaver can reveal more about you than you think.

BIC® Soleil® identified four different shaver grips which can be directly related to a woman’s individual characteristics, according to Dr McCartney: “Hands can signal inner secrets about ourselves more than any part of the body excluding the face, and studying the way we hold an object such as a shaver says a lot about who we are and our individual personalities.”

Below are the four most common types of grip BIC® Soleil® identified matched with personality traits described by Dr McCartney - which one are you?

‘Talk to the Palm Queen’ – you hold your shaver with four fingers on top and it acts as an extension of the hand with the tip of the shaver resting in the palm of your hand. This grip allows you to shave quickly and efficiently and reflects your direct, driven and pragmatic approach. You like to be on the go and enjoy being active and juggling lots of things at once. You don’t have time for high maintenance beauty regime but you always look well dressed and prepared for whatever life throws at you whether at work or at play.

Perfect BIC® Soleil® shaver: Bella

   

’The Pincer Princess’ – you normally hold your shaver between the top index finger, just like you would your tweezers and favour taking time over your beauty regime and being very precise reflecting your perfectionist approach to everything you do. You love nothing better than girlie nights in pampering you and your friends, whilst having a good gossip. You are known for your feminine style and your friends consider you as a great mate. 

Perfect BIC® Soleil® shaver: Miss Soleil

The Feather-Light Lady  – you tend to hold the shaver at the end of the handle with your fingertips, a bit like a make-up brush and use a sweeping, smooth action.  Your shaving stoke mimics your soft and gentle nature. You are happy to remain behind the scenes and are imaginative. You are a trustworthy and loyal friend and partner and have an air of sophistication.  You like to spend time on your beauty routine and you look like you take care in your appearance.

Perfect BIC® Soleil® shaver: Lady

 

The Pencil Painter – You hold your shaver with the thumb and middle finger and guide it with the index finger from the top, much like a pencil or paint brush.  You are independent, free-thinking and known for your creativity. Sensual and intuitive, you instinctively know what goes together and looks good – be it colour, texture or shape. Your sense of style is distinctive and unique, and you enjoy always looking your best.

Perfect BIC® Soleil® shaver: Scent

For more information about BIC® Soleil® and a range of great competitions please visit http://www.facebook.com/BICSoleilJustLive

When i was sent through this information i had to go and pick up my razor to see how i held my Bic Soleil Shaver.
I'm a The Pencil Painter.

Why not see what you are :-)
Feel free to comment and let me know.

Loren xx

Ross Beef Burgers-Review and Halloween Recipe

With Halloween coming up, Ross have come up with some ways to make a yummy burger treat into something fun or scary(depending on age of children).

To make the burgers devilishly good, you can make them ooze ketchup blood, cut scary shapes or faces into cheese, add red pepper horns, and swamp plant topping(or lettuce to you and me).

Ross burgers are available from Tesco, Sainsburys and Morrisons, so off i went to Morrisons, and picked up some burgers. The range consists of 4-6 packs of quarter pounders and 8-16 packs of 2oz burgers.

The burgers can be bbq'd grilled or oven cooked. I opted for oven cooking, simply popping into the oven for 20ish minutes, turning the burgers a couple of time to ensure they were cooked through.

When they were cooked I cut some buns in half, and put the burgers on. We then got squares of cheese, and using our small cookie cutter me and Eva cut out 2 heart shaped eyes, and a semi circle smiley mouth in each piece. As Eva and Jack are 1 and 3 I don't think they would of been too impressed with anything "scary" but I'm sure older children would have great fun seeing who could make the scariest, most gruesome burger.
We put lettuce on top of the burger, and put on the cheese. We then added tomato ketchup to make eyeballs, and into the mouth too.
With older children you could make scary devil faces in the cheese, and top with red pepper horns, or cut out scary ghost shapes in the cheese, the possibilites are endless.

Next came the taste test. I will openly admit i wasn't expecting much from these, as other brands of frozen burgers i've tried in the past have been quite greasy and tasteless. Well all it took was one bite to totally change my opinion. These burgers were delicious. Not at all greasy, and really tasty, and the fact that they contain no artificial colours, flavourings or preservatives made it even better. I will definately be buying these on a regular basis, as they are yummy, quick and handy to keep in the freezer. Even Eva, who is the fusspot in our family when it comes to food, enjoyed these burgers. I cut Jack's up into bite size pieces and he soon polished his off. They were a huge hit with all the family.

Why not buy some, and get practising some spooooky halloween burger treats.

Loren xx

Unicef and Dulux-Own a colour for £1

Dulux has teamed up with children’s charity UNICEF to give people the chance to ‘own’ a colour for £1.

The paint brand is offering people the opportunity to buy from a selection of 16.7 million colours – the number the average computer, smartphone and tablet can display – in an effort to raise £16.7million.

People who purchase a colour are able to rename it and have it displayed on a dedicated Dulux microsite. All money raised will go directly to the children’s charity UNICEF.

Matt Pullen, UK Marketing Director, from Dulux comments:

“Dulux has a mission of 'adding Colour to People's Lives' and is closely aligned to the vision of Own a Colour, which will harness the power of colour to have a positive impact on saving lives of children.”

Celebrities who already Own A Colour include Jemima Khan (CFC Blue), Duncan Bannatyne (Scottish Saltire Blue) and Sir Roger Moore (Swedish Blue).

To Own A Colour visit: http://www.ownacolour.com

This is a fantastic and fun way to raisie money for an amazing charity, and by donating just £1, as you can see, it will all add up to a huge amount, that will make such a difference to Unicef, their charity work, and the children they help.

Eva chose a pink, called "Eva's Pretty in Pink" and Jack's colour is a blue, called "Jackopotumus Blue".

Why not have some fun and "own your colour" now, aswel as raising money for charity.

Loren xx

Soreen Toastie Loaf-review

As you may remember not so long ago i was sent some yummy soreen products to review(which you can read here). Well Soreen have now released a new toastie loaf. Pre cut and ready to pop into the toaster.

It costs around £1.39, and available in Asda.

If you love your soreen malt loaf toasted, but find it too sticky putting it in and getting it out of the toaster, here if your answer. It has been created especially for toasting, the malt toastie loaf is still packed with deliciously squidgy energy, and the same unique malt loaf taste as the original malt loaf.

I actually love this, and as i'm trying to lose a few pounds it made a yummy breakfast, or lunch and satified my sweet tooth, so i'm not feeling the need to be snacking on sweet things in between meals.
When taking it out the packet, it isn't at all sticky, making it simple to pop into the toaster. Whilst cooking i was wondering, if its not as sticky as original malt loaf, is it going to taste the same. Well i added the butter, and as if by magic i had a yummy toasted, sticky treat.
Jack now, will eat his breakfast cereal, and then a slice of toastie malt loaf, which is his way of giving it a big thumbs up.

Each slice contains just 116 calories and 0.3 per cent saturated fat, making it a low fat, high energy way to start the day, and making it perfect for children and adults alike.

You can top with whatever you wish, from simply butter/marg, or top with jam or honey, or even cream cheese. You really can add whatever you want to make this your perfect breakfast, lunch or snack.

The toastie loaf is available to buy now, in an Asda store near you.

Loren xx

Home made pasta sauce-Schwartz Perfect Shake Garlic Italian

When i was sent a batch of Schwartz products a while back i was thrilled, Schwartz is a brand i know well and use regularly. One of the products was the Perfect Shake Garlic and Italian.

On the back of the tub is a recipe suggestion, which is a pasta sauce.
Today Eva wanted pasta and cheese for lunch, but i fancied pasta in sauce, so immediately i thought of making the Perfect Shake Pasta Sauce.

Ingredients:
1 small chopped onion
400g tin of chopped tomatoes
3 table spoons of tomato puree
150ml water
2 table spoons Perfect Shake Garlic and Italian

Finely chop and fry a small onion in a little oil. Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, water and perfect shake seasoning. Leave to simmer for 10 minutes and serve with pasta or spagetti. This will serve 2 as a main.

The first time i made this, i followed the recipe exactly, which was really yummy, but the second time i made it i used only 1 table spoon of tomato puree, and also added cheese. So you can add, or takeaway ingredients to find a pasta sauce that is perfect for you. If you wanted a smoother sauce, you could blend the sauce to get rid of the lumps(onion and tomatoes).

This is a really tasty snack or meal, that takes under 15 minutes to make. You could also add chicken or any other meat if you wished. Why not try making it the night before, and having it cold for lunch the next day, as yummy alternative to a sandwich.

Making this is a much cheaper and tastier alternative to buying ready made pasta sauces, and i am going to try doing a pasta bake using it.
The flavours in the seasoning are really yummy, and compliment the tomato flavour perfectly. If you prefer a little kick to your food, then you could also try adding some chilli. This pasta sauce is a huge hit with all the family, and a yummy snack me and Jack often share whilst Eva is at nursery. Definately a family friendly food, that we would give a resounding 5 out of 5.

Loren xx