A little love for Inside You.

Recipe of the week...
... Berry Banana Buns

Ingredients: 100g butter, 175g caster sugar, 2 large eggs, 2 ripe bananas, 225g self raising flour, 1 level teaspoon baking powder, 2 tablespoons milk, 2 couple of handfuls of frozen berries.

Time taken: around 20 mins to make and then 20 mins to bake.

Serves: 12 buns.

Hi readers,

How are things today? How’s the weekend ahead looking? I hope you have fun plans! And I hope your weekend’s so far off to a good start! I’m feeling quite cheerful about mine. Made it to yoga last night and then had a successful driving lesson this morning. I got out on a run and then baked some buns for a family do later on… for Saturday lunchtime I feel like I’m achieving quite a lot.

This is a sharp contrast with last weekend though. I spent what felt like the entire of last weekend trekking around Sheffield doing house viewings trying to find somewhere new to live – very stressful! All sorted now but, when I went into work on Monday, it didn’t really feel like I’d had a weekend. Do you get that sometimes, readers? When your chores take charge and you don’t have the time for the things you really wanted to do.

I did find a fun new place to live
but it was TOUGH GOING

Like sleep in. And a cook a proper recipe. Run a bath. Read your book in peace! These hopes aren’t often top of the To Do list… but they are important. Very important for the you on the inside. Imagine if the Inside You was a flower, and this flower either bloomed or wilted based on how you felt. And other people could see that flower.

I think, if people could see your flower drooping, they’d be encouraging you to bin the chores and do something to look after yourself. They’d make you want to really look after that flower, and you’d help each other to all have wonderfully blooming flowers. And, just because in real life it isn’t so clear to people around you how you’re feeling, that doesn’t mean that Inside You is any less important.

If you want to slurp a smoothie
in the garden... doooo it!

What I’m trying to say, readers, is that we should put our feelings first sometimes.. and probably more often. Stick up for Inside You, make their wellbeing a priority, and consider the people around you and what their flowers might look like this weekend. Are they blooming, or do they need a helping hand? A nudge in the right direction?

All it can take, readers, to boost yourself up, is something as simple as lighting a candle. Or catching a sunset. A spritz of perfume, or some mindful breathing. A smile from a stranger, or a burst of sunshine. Those things are very important. I hope you can make time for them over the weekend, readers, and I hope you feel good for it.

Here's a wonderful sunset on Thursday
where I live in Heeley, Sheffield

And why not – while we’re embracing a little love for Inside You – treat yourself to some time well spent baking in the kitchen? C’mon! When was the last time you had a proper bake?? It doesn’t matter whether there’s any occasion. If you haven’t eaten cake in the last hour then it’s probably time, and I’m sure there are friends and family of yours also crying out for cake right now.

See sense and get your bake on! If you can make the time this weekend, readers, like I did this morning, then I humbly encourage you to find your way to the kitchen and bake up a storm. Need a little recipe inspiration? Then why not follow in my footsteps and give some Berry Banana Buns a try. Here’s the recipe in just ten simple steps…

1.     Let some fresh air in, pour yourself a cool drink and stick Smooth Radio on for classic tunes to sing-a-long to while you bake. I insist.

2.     Heat your oven to 180C.

3.     Line the holes of a muffin tray with 12 paper cases.

4.     Peel your two bananas onto a plate and mash using a fork.

ChefBeHere Top Tip: The riper your bananas are then the more banana-y your buns will taste. Have your housemate’s bananas gone way past their best? Have said bananas been annoying you, for days, sitting there on the side turning brown? Why not buy your flatmate a couple of new bananas and trade them for their over-ripe ones? … then everybody wins!

5.     Measure all ingredients (minus the frozen berries) into a large mixing bowl.

6.     Beat together using a wooden spoon until your mix is maybe a little lumpy, but mostly mixed together.

7.     Spoon your mix evenly between the twelve bun cases, and then pop a few frozen berries on top of each.

8.     Safely transport into the oven and leave your buns to bake for around twenty minutes, until they’re risen, baked through and golden brown.

ChefBeHere Top Tip: Use this time wisely! While your buns are baking you could get some laundry in the machine, wash your dishes and have a wipe round. Or you could top up that drink and work on your tan in the garden?? Either way, remember to keep checking on your buns in the oven, so they don’t burn.

9.     When your buns smell good and look deliciously baked, then carefully remove from the oven and leave on the side to cool for half an hour or so.

10.  Once your buns are nicely cooled, remove from the bun tin and either serve up, gobble them yourself, or Tupperware for later on.

And that’s all there is to it, readers! What do you think? I know this recipe isn’t anything revelatory, it’s just my old favourite for Banana Loaf, from ‘Mary Berry’s 100 Cakes and Bakes’, divided into bun cases and with some berries thrown on top. But, isn’t it lovely? I think so! I like that little extra fruity taste the berries bring to each bun, and they add a pretty pink and purple splash of colour.

Aren't they lovely to look at!

What do you think, readers? Would you give this recipe a go? And, if you have, how did you get on in the kitchen? Did your buns come out well? Were their compliments to the chef, from adoring friends and family?? I hope there were! This is a simple recipe, with few ingredients and easy-to-follow steps (you’re just chucking everything together in a bowl, really!), to bake a pretty batch of buns for everyone to enjoy over the weekend. What’s not to like??

I’m hoping my family will like the buns, readers, when I see them later this afternoon. And I hope there are some left to take along by then! I’m certainly enjoying the buns, readers, just trying not to eat them all before they make it out the door. Remember: don’t be too hard on yourself this weekend. I say, if there’s one thing not to forget, it should be to look after Inside You. If she wants to eat multiple buns?? Then.. feed her! Quickly!

Take care this weekend, readers, and take the time to enjoy it.

Bake safely,

Hayley

Also, I gave blood again this week!
if you don't already... go along and save a life

Put on a Europe themed spread.

Recipe of the week...
... Tortilla de Española

Ingredients: 1 white onion, 4 tablespoons olive oil, small knob of butter, 500g potatoes, 3 garlic cloves, 8 eggs, and a sprinkle of dried chopped parsley.

Serves: 8 portions.

Time taken: Around 45 mins.

Hi readers,

How’s it going today? Is the sun setting on a wonderful weekend? As I write, it’s a Sunday evening in May, and here in northern England we’ve been treated to a day of splendid sunshine. Aside from the odd spot of rain, and maybe a gust or two of wind, today’s been a good one.

As it’s been such a lovely day out, I’ve been parading round in a vest stop with my pasty arms on display. Soaking up some Vitamin D and hoping to turn a lighter shade of blue. Can’t see that I’ve picked up any colour but it’s been nice all the same to feel the sun on my arms. How about you, readers? Have you managed to get out and enjoy the weather?

Nothing like a bit of British sunshine
especially the unexpected kind

I hope you have, readers, and I hope all is well with you. Things have been a little turbulent this week in the ChefBeHere household and, if your week’s been anything like mine, then I hope you’re getting to enjoy a peaceful Sunday evening to yourself. Well deserved, I don’t doubt, if you’ve been battling the world this week. It certainly feels as though I’ve been battling the world.

But, readers, I’m healthy. Which is the greatest wealth of them all. And if there’s one thing that I come to appreciate, in a time of crisis, it’s my friends and family. The phrase “there when you need them most” couldn’t be more true. If ever I stumble, or if something trips me up, there will be a friend or a family member there to help me back up again. Or there’ll be a whole crowd of them – collectively helping to get me back on my feet and steady me.

They're a good bunch

I’m grateful for my friends and my family. To have strong people there standing by you (from wherever it is they are in the world), and to be reminded how much they care about you and will rally when the chips are down, it’s a wonderful thing. If my greatest achievement in life is to support these people right back, and help them when they need me most, then that will be a great thing to have achieved.

I hope you have people like these, readers. Ones who fight a hangover to call you with legal advice. Ones who tag you in a cute Instagram post at just the right moment. Ones who listen to you and let you talk on with the most boring problem, and they continue listening. The kind who would read a post like this and not even know I’m talking about them, because they don’t think they’ve done anything, in particular, to be there for me. But they have.

They queue for the buffet
and will drink from a Nutella jar

Anyways, readers. Appreciate your people. And invite them over! Why not? When was the last time you had the rabble round? Far too long ago, I bet. Send out an invite and have them all for tea sometime soon, I say. Catch up and see their lovely faces, for a change, instead of just texting them. Go on.

I did just this last night, readers. I had a modest shipment of friends over to celebrate and watch the Eurovision Song Contest together, which proved to be the perfect antidote for my blues. Do you watch the Eurovision, readers? I know it divides opinion! With its shimmer and the shimmying and the terrible, wonderful entries each year… but I love it! Really, I do.

The girl group we all wanted to be in
... YOU GO GIRLS

I love the energy and cheer, the crazy people in the crowd, and the big mix of acts coming from all over the world, with their outfits and their routines. It’s a bit mental, is the Eurovision, but the kind of mental that wins people’s affection. I think it has a certain charm, in its own special eccentric sort of way. And if it that was how people described me, I’d be happy… so I love the Eurovision!

I went over the top and off into space planning an ‘international buffet’, much to everyone’s amusement. But why not? Life is far too short. If you want to put on a Europe themed spread then just do it… PUT ON A EUROPE THEMED SPREAD. I only managed 8 countries in the end, readers, as opposed to the full 26 that were competing. But I think we can safely say it’s the thought that counts. At least, that's what I tell myself.

Sure this guy would agree...
the most chilled out winner in the world

Here’s what I went for:

UK – Crisps, scotch eggs and pork pie

France – Baguette and brie

Australia – Vegemite (disgusting stuff, as it turns out)

Germany – Cocktail sausages and potato salad

Belgium – Sugar waffles, served with strawberries and chocolate sauce

Greece – Olives and feta cheese

Italy – Pizza and tomato pasta salad

Spain – Tortilla de Española

Not bad, right? I was quite proud I pulled this off! The majority was shop bought, I’ll admit, but every buffet needs an impressive centrepiece to draw the eye so I did make one thing myself. In the spirit of cheffing, I decided to take on the Tortilla de Española (Spanish Omelette) and make this from scratch. I used a recipe that I found on BBC Good Food, which you can read here.

This was the aim of the game

And it went well! Aside from the incredible amount of garlic which the recipe called for (I’ve halved it in my version below – you should have smelled us all), the dish was pretty much a success. It got lots of compliments on the night! And I thought it came off really well and tasting good, in the end. Intrigued, readers? Here’s the recipe in just 12 simple steps…

1. Pour yourself a chilled drink, crack open a window and set some mellow music playing, to guide you through the recipe.
2. First, peel your onion and finely slice using a large sharp knife.
3. Then, peel your potatoes, cut into quarters and finely slice each quarter.
4. Peel your cloves of garlic and then either crush or – if, like me, you lack a garlic crusher – cut up into tiny pieces.
5. Ready to go! Now heat a large non-stick frying pan over a low heat, with the oil and butter inside.

ChefBeHere Top Tip: When I say ‘a low heat’ I mean literally the lowest heat you can possibly have while sustaining a flame on the hob. Then lower. Go loooow.

6. Add the onion and gently fry in the oil and butter until soft but not brown – this should take about 5-10 mins.
7. Add the potatoes, cover the pan and cook for a further 15 mins, stirring occasionally to make sure they fry evenly.
8. Meanwhile, turn on your grill to warm and crack 8 eggs into a bowl, then them beat together using a fork.
9. When the potatoes are soft and the onion is shiny, stir in your garlic and beaten eggs.

ChefBeHere Top Tip: Give everything a proper stir together, to be sure that no potato or onion is stuck to the bottom of the pan. Get everything moving until its well mixed together.

10. Sprinkle chopped parsley over the tortilla, then put the lid back on the pan and leave to cook gently for about 10 mins.
11. Once the edges and base of your tortilla are golden, and the top is beginning to set but the middle’s still a little wobbly, then take your pan off the heat and turn the heat off.

ChefBeHere Top Tip: Remember to do this – the flame is really small but it could still burn someone or singe their sleeve if you leave it on!

12. Pop the pan under the grill for 5-10 mins to finish cooking. Once golden brown and cooked through (no wobble!), then turn off the grill and transfer your tortilla to a plate. Serve warm or leave to cool and then refrigerate to eat cold later on.

And that’s all there is to it, readers. What do you think? Because – to me – this recipe calls for very basic, cheap ingredients. And not many ingredients! You only have commit under an hour of your time in the kitchen. And the steps are pretty straightforward and easy to follow. Then you end up with a dish that, really, looks quite impressive and as though you’ve spent lots of time and effort on it! This – to me – makes for a winner of a recipe.

On to a winner!

 Have you tried to make Tortilla de Española before, readers? Or perhaps you’ve eaten it out at a tapas restaurant? Or when you’ve been on holiday in Spain? If you’ve tried this recipe before, readers, then I hope it went well for you in the kitchen. Maybe it’s time to give this a try again?? If this recipe isn’t one you’ve tried before, readers, would you be tempted to give it a go? Have I convinced you that it’s do-able? Because, it certainly is!

I hope you have a go at this, readers. Maybe save the recipe for next time you have friends over? Or next time you’re putting on a buffet? There’s your centrepiece for the table sorted! Whatever the occasion, readers, I hope you get to share this with friends and wow them with your culinary skills in the kitchen (talk it up… you were slaving for hours!).

Until next time, I’m wishing you all a wonderful week ahead. Take care, readers.

And chef safely,

Hayley

Buffet leftovers enjoyed for lunch today
out in the garden in the sun