FRIDAY: Takeaway Night

After my late night out on Thursday, I was just a wee bit tired, which made my day at work drag on and on. So when Shaun suggested his favourite, Chinese Takeaways for dinner, I jumped at the idea of just relaxing and not having to cook.




Our favourites for chinese are always Sweet & Sour Pork, Combination Fried Rice and Wontons. Especially Wontons!

The only place we buy our chinese from is Golden Key Takeaways in Maungaraki. Its a 20 minute drive from home but well worth it, and luckily our in-laws live in Maungaraki, so we just chow down at their house.

Tamara xx

THURSDAY: A night at the Ballet

I had a lovely night last night, going to see the Ballet (Cinderella) with my Mum who has just got back from Europe. Beforehand we went out for Dinner to Zico, and italian restaurant in Wellington. I had the Quail on Truffled Tagliatelle while Mum had Lamb Cutlets on Parmesan Risotto. Our meals were nice, but nothing to wow about. Maybe we've both just become to fussy after dining with the real Italians in Rome. And also service in NZ in general is shocking compared to what you recieve in Europe, it can really ruin a good night out.

Anyway, apologies are due as I forgot to take my camera with me last night, so alas, no photos.

However to keep you going, here was my simple, yet delish lunch:



Toastie Sandwhich of Semi-dried tomato, courgette, baby spinach, mushroom, pesto & cheese.

And thats it for me,
Tamara xx

WEDNESDAY: More Mexican

Believe it or not, we don't actually eat mexican that often. Its just that lately i've come to recognise how useful it is for quick nutritious meals, and with life being somewhat hectic recently, i've really needed those quick meals.


Tonight was Vegetarian Nachoes





Chilli beans, nacho chips, sour cream and cheese.

Hopefully no more mexican for a while though, i'm kinda mexed out!
Tamara xx

TUESDAY: It Makes Me Human

Yes it is kind of embarrassing for a food blogger to admit that they had KFC for dinner last night. But I felt yucky, Tuesday night for me is renowned to be lack of cooking inspiration night, and to be honest, sometimes I really, really love good ol' Kentucky Fried.




My meal of choice, an Extreme Burger meal: Zinger Burger, Chips to dip in my Potato and Gravy, a piece of finger lickin good chicken and a pepsi!

While on the topic of KFC, being an international takeaway chain, you would think it would taste the same everywhere, Right? Well, wrong! When in Britain we had KFC and there were a few complaints: a, the chicken was lacking quite a few of the essential "11 secret herbs and spices" and b, there was no potato and gravy, instead it was baked beans. Who eats baked beans with KFC?

Back in the kitchen tonight, I promise.
Tamara xx

MONDAY: At your request, Honey

Crumbed Schnitzel would probably be my fiancees most favouritest meal in the whole wide world. I quite enjoy it too, though it certainly wouldn't be my choice if it was my last meal ever. But because I love him, and because I haven't made it for months, last night I promised him schnitzel. And thats what I delivered!




In our house schnitzel is only eaten 1 way, smothered in lemon juice and served with a pile of mash taties and peas. I've found the best schnitzel is that you make yourself, i.e buy steak, smash it out into thin schnitzels and crumb it yourself. That way theres no grissle and the like as in those plastic pre-crumbed pieces you buy. And flavour your crumbs too, last night it was lemon pepper crumbs and cooked in chilli oil. Mmm.

Tamara xx

SUNDAY: Quick and Easy, the Mexican Way

Until recently I never realised how great Mexican was for quick, tasty and nutritious meals. With a tin of kidney beans, some tortillas, sour cream, cheese, lettuce and some tasty herbs and spices, you've got a meal that can be whipped up in 10 minutes flat. Whats better, is that I ALWAYS have all those ingredients in my cupboard (and fridge).


So after a Brunch with the in-laws and the rest of the day at the beach, there wasn't much energy left for whipping up a culinary storm. And thats where the Bean Fajitas come in:




Before the wrap:







And there you have it. Have a relaxing Sunday night everyone.
Tamara xx

SATURDAY: A Meaty Meal

All week my carnivorous fiancee has been asking for a "normal" meal. In colonial NZ, a normal meal is considered to be red meat, potato and 2 vege. Not my idea of the perfect meal, but since I love him, this is what I indulged him in last night...

Lamb Racks with Roast Potatoes accompanied by sauteed ruby chard and borlotti beans.

The chard and beans were dressed with garlic oil and lemon juice.

A red wine jus was supposed to accompany our meal, but I accidently turned my back while it was reducing and the jus was no more :(

And that was Saturday dinner.

Tamara xx