By Viviana
Our lives have gotten even busier with this recession. We are paying off debts, working on making extra money, trying not to be made redundant all while looking cool, calm and collected. How on earth do we find the time to cook? The slow cooker to the rescue! There has been a huge resurgence in [...]
By Viviana
Last week, I barely cooked at all, my very annoying sinus infection totally sidelined me, I went to work came home and crawled into my bed. This week, I am thankfully on the mend so I will be cooking between naps. Monday – Slow cooker red wine short ribs Tuesday -Mushroom ravioli with fresh tomato sauce [...]
By Viviana
As I have probably mentioned before I live pretty much alone, my beloved comes over a few nights a week but is not asked to help me in running my flat. That would be unfair. A few years ago I had a wonderful flatmate and we used to cook for one another. It was such [...]
By Viviana
I guess it is officially winter; hats, gloves and no locally grown green beans. The beans we got in the market on Saturday were the last of the season and not very nice. Time for more hearty fare. Last weeks Slow cooker red wine short ribs was a huge hit with no need to serve with anything [...]
By Viviana
This week I am joining the fabulous Penny Golightly for Tenner Week. Which means I will be using the Living Social deal, I bought for my beloved’s birthday in August, clearing out the freezer and using up what we have so we don’t need to buy much. The slow cooker will be working a lot [...]
By Viviana
Most people when they think of slow cookers and slow cooker recipes, they think about hardy stews with chunks of meat to warm you up on a cold winter’s night. Not so I say, I use my slow cooker year round. It is actually is even more economical to use in the hot, summer [...]
By Viviana
I woke up feeling great this morning. You ask why? I did pretty much nothing over the weekend except my usual market shopping and inforced rest. I made myself take a break because the past two weeks have been super busy and very stressful. It is amazing how much better you feel if you take [...]
By Viviana
This is a super exciting week for us at Lean Times HQ – the new ebook, The Stylish Frugalista is almost finished, just in time for when the new season’s shopping yearn hits. In other news, it is my birthday this week and I am getting two cute as anything kittens from my beloved. I [...]
By Viviana
Things are getting back to normal at Lean Times HQ, thank goodness. Unfortunately, money is quite tight so we will be eating what’s in the freezer and the pantry. The only topping up will be from the bread and vegetable stalls in the market. The photo is my Portobello market shop at the weekend. We [...]
By Viviana
It is gorgeous here at the moment, the sun is shining and there is amazing food in the market. I am so ready to take advantage of the summer vegetables. Fingers crossed it holds out for a while. Monday – Pan fried duck breast with Israeli couscous salad Tuesday – Chunky gazpacho served with bread and [...]
By Viviana
I am sorry that I have not been posting regularly but I have been working on a new ebook, The Stylish Frugalista. Yes you can have style, look great without spending a fortune and you will not have to go to Primark. Now on to the food – the weather this morning has gone back [...]
By Viviana
Sorry dear readers that I did not get a second post up last week but it was a tough one for me. I had black dogs chasing me for a few days and just could not get another post up. My weekly menu was also thrown off so the lovely pumpkin tagine got bounced to [...]