making it up as I go.

That's what I've been doing around these parts lately. Got my cooking mojo back. This was last night's dinner, made on the fly, a joy to cook for S who digs tasty stuff. There's enough of this baby left for lunch today and possibly dinner tonight. YUMMM.

Free range chicken cous cous salad with the "sink"

• Poach the chicken breasts with lemongrass and lemon.
• Whilst they're poaching, cut up a couple of handfuls of sugar peas, throw in some dried cranberries a julienned carrot, toast a handful of cashews chop them up and throw them in too together with a bunch of chopped celery and flat leaf parsley. Stir this up.
• When your chicken's almost done, throw in a cup of frozen peas into the water with the chicken. After a couple of minutes pull out the breasts and drain the peas.
• Grab a cup of uncooked cous cous and pour over a cup of boiling water, cover with a tea towel and leave for 5 mins. Then fluff with a fork and add a little seasoning, butter and olive oil.
• Slice the breasts which will be nice and juicy as you've poached them and throw them in the bowl with the other ingredients. Rinse the peas under cold water and throw them in too.
• Whilst all the above is happening make a dressing, using this which you bought months ago but haven't used. Put a clove of garlic, salt and some dried herbs, lemon juice and whole egg mayonnaise in the shaker and shake the bejesus out of it then pour over the salad and toss, toss, toss. Sit down with your favourite person and enjoy.

The blog meet up is only days away (well it's Saturday 17th) and I had a plan and then stuff wasn't working but I think I've resurrected and sorted it. Trying to put aside performance anxiety "will they like it" thoughts and just making and enjoying. LOVE this fabric which I bought from Superbuzzy last year.

For you Aussies did you know Toni Collette and the Finish are touring in March? I've just started listening to "Look Up" and "Beautiful Awkward Pictures", gorgeous songs.

Thanks for all your sweet comments. We take our eyebrow grooming very seriously ;)

Comments

[Violet & Rose]

I had no idea that Toni Collette could sing! And she is good. Thanks for the tip off. Can I come over for dinner next time you are cooking the couscous? And as for the wee gift - love that fabric. My wrist is in need of some adornment too. Brilliant. Man, we are all going to clean up!

[Miss Dot]

yum! I will have to try that one. I make a similar salad. In mine I zap the cranberries in orange juice in the micro for 30 secs, it softens them. I can't imagine YOU having performance anxiety with your craft! your stuff is always fabulous! have a great time.

[di]

So funny... someone else told me they had performance anxiety because YOU were going to be there!!
Love the fabric you're using. and perfectly coordinated with trim and beads.
Love the salad recipe- I've been experimenting with cous cous salads and this sounds like a nice one. Ta

[Dacia]

the bookmark is very pretty. i just love that fabric. I make a dish similar to this with roasted vegetables, nuts, dried cranberries, and couscous. It's very tasty and easy. I think I adapted it from Giada or some other cooking show. We great minds all think alike, you know. ;)

[louise]

Have a great time on the 17th with the big catch up!
cheers, LJ

[suse]

I think it's hilarious that we're all blogging about our performance anxiety.

YOURS however, looks stunning.

[sarah]

i got a flavour-shaker for christmas, going to try the salad this week :) adore the new banner (you know i love yo-yo's) have a fantastic time in melbourne xxx

[plongstocking]

Hi, fell into your blog through Yarnstorm's site while window shopping through everyone's blog's. Your dinner looked so good I had to stop and say YUM. Is that a fabric bookmark with beads - I love the idea of that since I love books and beading! I'll be back to visit!

[em]

Thank you for the couscous recipe. It was very inspiring and I made something very similar for lunch today. delish!

[em]

Thank you for the recipe. It was very inspiring and I made something very similar for lunch today. Delish!