Mustard Chicken and Vegetable Pie

Mustard Chicken and Vegetable Pie

When I look around my blog I think the last word I would use to describe my food is traditional. More often than not my recipes are a twist on a classic – a traditional idea that has been warped either to be healthier, more exciting, or to simply use up the ingredients I’ve got in the cupboards.

With that in mind, this is probably the closest I will ever get to a traditional recipe.

Chicken and veg pie has been around for hundreds of years. It’s a simple idea and is such a crowd pleaser. With the addition of English mustard, this pie has a bit more kick than some, but the filo pastry keeps it crisp and light. (It also helps to keep the calories down, which is always a plus!)

Cheese and Ham Muffins

Hands up. Who here enjoys a savoury muffin as much as a sweet one...no? Didn't think so.

Now I know that when it comes to food I'm a bit of an anomaly. Often the foods most people hate, I can't get enough off and my flavour and texture combinations can be a bit experimental. Now I'm not saying there's anything 'Heston-Blumenthal-crazy' about these muffins (quite the opposite, they make so much sense!) But, the first time I served up a savoury muffin as the token-carb allongside dinner, I did a few funny looks.

To most people - kids and adults alike - muffins are sweet treats. This recipe however breaks the mould combining doughy sustinance with oozing cheese and salty ham. Sounds good right?!

But what do you do with a savoury muffin I hear you ask. Well believe it not they are a great snack to nibble alongside your afternoon cup of tea. Go on, I dare you, swap the double-choc for the double cheese!

Just imagine biting into the satisfyingly crisp outside of the muffin, the soft centre with pockets of warm gooey cheese (I'm assuming you lack self control, and like me are eatingvthem straight from the oven). The little green flecks remind you that the courgette is one of your five a day! (Sort of.) And the hint of mustard powder balances perfectly with the salty ham making these an "adult" treat that doesn't involve alcohol for once...

But thats not where their versatility ends. They're also great to serve allongside soup, a really deep and creamy tomato soup!

And why not pop them into your kinds lunch boxes? Two small muffins to replace the boring old sandwhich will go down a treat! (Why not pop the rest in your handbag for lunch...)

So what are you waiting for?! Why aren't you cooking these bad boys right now!

Well I guess first things first you'll be needing the recipe...

Warm Salad Series: Fresh Fig Salad with Cured Ham and Mozarella

“Fresh figs 3 for £1,” how do you walk past a market stall with a sign like that? I certainly couldn’t!

The first day that I attended law school I noticed a fruit market just on the corner by the tube station. They sell allsorts from big fruit salads for just £1 which are perfect for lunch, to other fresh seasonal fruits – like figs!

Every morning the stall is already set up with lots of customers grabbing something to eat on their way to work, and it’s only taken me a week to be swept up by the stalls popularity. This may have been my first purchase, but I know it won’t be my last.

I’ve only eaten figs a few times (always in restaurants) and I have never cooked with them myself, so it was a pretty bold move to buy some. However, with my warm salad series underway I knew I could muddle something together.

Brie and Tomato Home-made Gourmet Paninis!

The University of Nottingham's Library Cafe sells hot panini's for just under £3...thats right £3!!! What student in their right mind has £3 to spend on lunch?! Thats's before even factoring in a drink!

That's why...I decided to invest in my own panini baguettes.

My boyfriend's sister's husband...(I may eventually be able to say brother in law?), as far as I am concerned is the panini king, and he inspired me to start making my own (Thanks Russ :D)

So, I nipped to the shops this weekend to stock up on ingredients so that I could eat gourmet sandwhiches allonsgide all the rich students in the library knowing that my panini cost half the price!

One of these delicious sandwhiches will set you back just 93p!