Make your own Katsu Curry!

Hey guys its Alex!

Japanese Inspired Katsu Curry!

So I have a big obsession over Japanese food, but really fail at cooking it (especially sushi) so when I was really board the other day i thought; wouldn't it be nice to find a simple katsu curry recipe 

Katsu Curry can't be that hard? Can it??

I eventually found the perfect recipe that seemed simple enough that I could follow and adapt in my own little quirky way- Here's the link for the non quirky recipe :) 

To start I bought some chicken goujons and Uncle Bens microwavable rice, this cut time and cost!! and after getting all the basics of the dish I needed to concentrate on the sauce….

This is how I got on :) 

What you will need….

Ingredients:

3 tbsp sunflower oil 
2 medium onions, roughly chopped 
25g chunk of fresh root ginger, peeled and finely chopped- this was debatable and i didn't add in the end
4 garlic cloves, sliced 
3 tbsp medium curry powder 
1⁄2 tsp ground star anise- or I have Chinese 5 spice which did the trick 
1⁄2 tsp ground turmeric 
4 tsp of plain flour 
500ml chicken stock (made with 1 chicken stock cube) 
4 tsp tomato purée 
2tsp freshly ground black pepper
ohh and then i added a tad soy sauce when cooking the onions.

-My first move was to fry the onions with some sunflower oil for about 5 mins- but make sure not to burn them like I did, just let them go golden - I may have aded soy sauce- you don't need it though.

-Then add in 4 garlic cloves with the onions, sliced into iddy, biddy, diddy chunks 

-With them slowly frying, add and mix in all the turmeric, curry powder, black pepper, the star anise/five spice and sprinkle in the flour. 

-Once mixed up in the pan add the chicken stock slowly, then add in the purée, I suggest at this point taste the mixture and see if it needs more flavouring. 

-Let the sauce mix on a light flame to simmer. If its turned thick and paste like, add more water and slowly stir mixture. This is when I popped the rice in the microwave and the chicken was nearly finished being cooked in the oven.

-Once everything looks cooked put the rice and chicken on the plate with the sauce, you need to pour the sauce into a blender or use a stick blender to grind the mixture down to a smooth and creamy appearance and then its ready to serve

Daaadaaaa easy peasy lemon squeezy!!!

Tuck in and enjoy, let me know how you get on!

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Healthy New Start

Motivational Mondays....Oops Its Wednesday!

Hey Internet,

Hows everyone been recently? still keeping up your new years resolutions? or did you fail miserably like me?

 I said i would drink more water-FAIL. I said i would make more time to blog-FAIL. 

I've failed miserably, but not to worry, to be fair on myself, i did say i would try to be healthy (as a non resolution) and its worked! (this is the key, make things 'non resolutions')

 I have been super healthy, like more healthy then i have ever been in my life! 

well done me! The hard bit was trying to stay motivated and somehow i have managed it! I've been mostly influenced by +Sprinkleofglitter with her whole #glittergetsfitter reading through everyone's progress on instagram, its seriously been a massive help! and now I've got Dan and Phil bloody running, so i suppose Ive gotta start doing that now- since I'm so easily influenced!

Progress so far; I've lost about half a stone which is about 7lb, i have been eating salad everyday and having fruit smoothies for breakfast after recently purchasing a smoothie maker, i been like a master fruit mixologist making all kinds of fruity goodness! 

Ive made being healthy FUN

Just want to point out i know there is a ton of sugar in fruit smoothies, but because i don't eat vegetables its my only option on the smoothie front...

Not only am i eating healthily, I'm actually leaving my 'bed-cave' (as my dad like to call my bedroom) Ive got this app on my phone that counts the steps i do per day, I'm trying to achieve 10,000 steps a day! its a hard target and i hardly reach it but its nice when i get close. Ive also been using a 'slender tone' machine, its a belt that you use to tone up your muscles whilst exercising, i use it whilst doing squats and sit ups.. sometimes when I'm feeling lazy ahhemmm..most the time i just put it on max and just lie down, its very intense, but it does work and the toned feeling is more or less instant

+ Here a few of my favourite healthy smoothies;

1) strawberry smoothie;

strawberries, low fat yogurt, banana and almonds

2) baby spinach ginger and peach smoothie;

baby spinach, peeled grated ginger, peaches, honey and water

3) Mango Yogurt smoothie;

cinnamon, lime juice, mango and low fat yogurt 

4) mixed fruit smoothie

oranges, blueberries, banana, pineapple and strawberries

I hope i have motivated you to carry on with your diets? or start a healthy routine? what you have to remember is that the results won't be instant, much to my distress.

You might as well give it a go!

let me know how your new year diets are going and recommend me any tips and tricks! 

I need all the help i can grab! we all gotta help each other!

Toodlepip xx

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Healthy Cookies!

January is the month of diets and for everyone who has a sweet tooth, this can be a hard thing to deal with. To get you guys in the baking mood but to still keep healthy, I concocted my own "healthy cookies". 

Whilst most recipes call for white sugar, I substituted it with maple syrup, a healthier aulturnative. Maple syrup contains antioxidants which benefits your your immune system and even though it is sweeter than sugar, is has fewer calories. Another healthy substitute is adding seeds in replacement for chocolate chips. If you don't want to add seeds you could add anything from nuts to dried fruit.

Quick little tip for you guys, make sure you do not over mix the cookie dough otherwise you will end up with a tough cookie! (pun not intended haha) 

Ingredients:

• 115g butter
• 1/4 cup maple syrup 
• 1/2 cup brown sugar 
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 
• 1 1/2 cup flour 
• 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 
• 1 tsp hot water
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 cup seeds/raisins/chocolate chips

1) Pre heat the oven to 180 degrees. In a bowl add the brown sugar, maple syrup and butter, cream together until mixed. 

2) Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix together.

3) In a separate bowl add the bicarbonate of soda and hot water. Mix together and add into mixture along with the salt. Next gradually mix in the flour until fully mixed. 

4) Add the oats and mix well. 

5) Add the seeds or a mixture of anything you want to add. Mix until everything is fully combined and evenly spread through.

6)Using a tablespoon as a measurement scoop out the mixture and place onto the tray. Make sure the cookies are equally sized. Place in the oven for 10-11 minutes 

7) Once done, let the cookies cool on a cooling rack or you can eat them instantly!

If you enjoy these cookies make sure to bake them and tweet me picture! 

How are your January diets going so far?

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"January-spiration"

Afternoon my Lovely's,

Its a tad chilly here in the UK, we've had a very "white" beginning to January, with all this snow and below zero temperatures, its time to get the heating cracked up and snuggle into the sofa with a warm hot coco.

The best thing about January is the fact basically everyone is on detox or in "diet mode"  I am just saving money, actually thats a lie...i'm just spending all my money it in the sales. 

As you all know I have a obsession with Vintage Clothing and I've have just moved to the Big city, London, and i kid you not, just across the street from me is a magnificent vintage shop called Mint.  This is seriously going to break my bank balance

Anyway, i went for a mooch this morning and realised January is THE month to be wearing cable knit jumpers! they are everywhere! I am literally stocking up as we speak! There is so much verity I am slightly obsessed especially with styles like;  novelty 80s prints or plain cream and grey colours.

So for your eyes only here are some photos I have found to create my January Cable Knit inspiration!!

Look of the week;

I love the simple cream cable knit partnered with a busy flowery dress, to make it more wintery add some tights and boots, maybe a scarf and beanie too.

Another accessory for January is a vintage coat 

whether they are oversized jackets or dainty coats, they all look amazing for this time of the year!

Anyway i hope you have had a wonderful new year and have a fantastic January.

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Hello January

Hey internet! New Year New Us! 

(Nothing like a cheesy message to start off the year!)

Happy New year everyone!
Over the christmas period we have been working our butts off to give you this new brand new super 'sexy' layout (which we hope you love as much as we do!)

Within the coming year we want to be active bloggers and create even more exciting and inspiring posts to allow you all to have a more fun and enjoyable read
(what do you guys what to see?)

To kick start the new year we are here today to share some of our new years resolution. 

April
1- Eat healthy & drink more water
2- Make more time to blog

Alex
1- Every month I want to try do 3 things I have never done before
2- Have a quirkier sense of fashion style

Amreeta
1- Read more books
2- Stop procrastinating and start doing!

Group resolution
- When having group skype meetings we must not go off topic
(we are literally awful when trying to have a meetings, once we were chatting for 3 hours and within that time we accomplished nothing for the blog... whoops)
- Do more group posts (consistence is key!)
- Introduce Guest Blogging

Anyway we will leave you to have a little snoop around our new blog, let us know what you think about our new look

April, Amreeta, Alex 

~ Simple 'PARRTAAY' Cocktails ~

Hey guys, its April :)

Whos up for some really super easy cocktails for your new years eve party? looking for simple cocktails that please all? You have come to the right place, My uni drinking experiences has come in handy! YAY DEGREE!

~Pimm's~

AKA- Pimm's and ginger ale. 
A summer fave, you most likely have bottle spare in you drinks cupboard. 

Mix with either ginger ale, or lemonade with assorted fruit, try mixed berries for the colder months with cinnamon sticks = YUM

~Paloma~ 

AKA- Tequila with grapefruit juice. 

Perfection in a cup, this is the only way i love to drink tequila, super tasty and uber refreshing, although be aware of the headache caused by this drink! 

so drink lots of water alongside this drink 

(all alcoholic drinks for that matter)

~Cuba Libre~

AKA- rum and coke, this drink is even better if you have  cherry coke!

if you would rather a mocktail (non alcoholic cocktail) ask for a 'virgin cuba libre' sheldons drink from big bang theory!

~Gin and Tonic~

A personal fave of mine, this was my go to drink at university, low in calories- (compared to other cocktails) especially if you choose the slimline tonic, you can also drink gin with fanta lemon- (my holiday drink) as i like to call it, it's super refreshing, especially with ice and a wedge of lime and orange

~Seven & Seven~

AKA- whiskey lemonade, me and amreeta would pre drink on this many a time at uni! 
super delish and super drunk scale 100%

whiskey is also nicely mixes with coke or cherry coke, slice of lime and a cocktail umbrella :)

And there we have it 5 simple yet pleasing cocktails to serve at your NYE event! 
NOW obviously i'm not promoting abusive drinking behaviours, just merely guiding/showing you ways to create simple yet tasty alcoholic beverages, also, on a side note to this, please drink responsibly, have lots of water, before, during and after drinking, and act safely over this holiday and we will see you in the new year with a fresh new look to the blog!
Hope you guys have an amazing new year filled with family and friends!

PS) sorry its been so long since my last post, i've been working! thats right, i've actually become a normal functioning human that works and has money for stuff...with zero time to actually spend the money! ~Booo~

But yes, new year new me, and all that shizzle that makes me want to be sick, next week i start my new job, something that's actually relevant to my degree, i'm super excited but also super duper terrified! My job title will be  "Social Media and Marketing Assistant"  how fancy... really, it means i sit on social media all night for a certain business. I'm very very excited for this, however my blog posts may be a bit sparse whilst i settle into my new grown up life.. Bare with me please? :) 

Toodlepip xx

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Mulled Wine

A firm favourite christmas drink has to be mulled wine. Its Infused with the christmasy winter spices and it ensures to keep you warm during this winter period. Today I will sharing my recipe. For me this was the first time I made it and I think it turned out very well. If you do not drink alcohol you can substitute the wine with equal amounts of cranberry and apple juice. Right then, on to the recipe!  

Ingredients :

• One bottle of wine
• 150g brown sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 5 cloves
• 4 cardamon pods
• 2 star anise
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 orange - peel and juice 
• 1 lemon - peel
• 1 lime - peel
• small piece of ginger  

1) In a pan add the sugar, lemon, lime and orange peels along with the orange juice. Warm mixture on a medium heat until the sugar has dissolved.

2) Add the cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamon, star anise and nutmeg, along with quarter of the wine. Also add the ginger but be sure to cut into it so the flavours can be released. Bring this to a boil to form and syrup.

3) Turn down the heat add the remaining wine and bring to a simmer. Do not boil because all the alcohol content will disappear and we don't want that! Simmer for 2 minutes, turn off and cover with a lid. Let it sit for a hour, so everything infuses.

4) After the hour you can sieve the bits out and warm up without boiling and serve!

Hope you guys have a great christmas, be sure to check out all our other christmas posts :)

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D.I.Y Christmas Decor

Hey Guys, its Alex!

I apologise the lateness of this post, been busy helping Santa in his workshop ;)

As you can see by the title this week i will be showing you quick and easy D.I.Y Christmas Decorations!!
As am slightly bankrupt with buying so many presents, the thought of having to buy christmas decorations on top of all the gift buying too was too much, hence the inspiration for this post, improvised christmas decor

Obviously Pinterest helped me along the way :)

Super glittery string baubles!
My inspiration;

Method

- In a bowl, plop out as much PVA glue as you desired, mix well with some water so it is slightly runny and then add glitter, the more glitter the better!!

- Use as much string as you like/ I used about 50cm-1m worth- colour is up to opinion :)

- Now mix the string in the glittery glue to make the string an explosion of glitter

- nows the tricky bit, (using a print out stencil) place your pins in its desired places, (like the above image of the star)

-fill in the entire area of the pin/stencil area and leave to dry, for fast results, dry via the freezer

My end result; a bit more of a rustic feel and the image doesn't show as much sparkle but trust me it is

The next D.I.Y is Cardboard stars!

These are great for name place tags, hang on the tree or even place around the house. This was pretty simple and uses up wasted cardboard from gift packaging or cereal boxes!! 

Once a star template is printed and cut out, place the star on cardboard and trace around. You also need to find the centre point but don't worry I'll show you.

Cut out 2 stars in cardboard and both need the centre marked. The first star you need to cut down the centre of one spike to the censer point and then the other war you need to cut up the centre point form between the middle of two spikes. Like this Image...

Then slot together

It should look like this…

You can then spray paint or decorate to your hearts content! for the girly girls out there, you could coat the whole thing in pva glue and cover entirely in glitter

Lastly~Lid decoration!


Inspiration;


So mine was much more "crafty" looking than above.


The best thing is to paint the Lid- mason jar lids are usually good starters. 

To start, paint the lid on the outside- hiding logos etc, then I covered the lid in glitter glue and confetti stars- very messy! I left it to dry with it resting on baking paper protecting the surface.

I then found a really cute santa sticker and placed it on top- I think it was from 99p store :) Then I used a dynamo embosser- as I didn't paint my lid the logo was appearing through the glitter so I made a label saying merry christmas one and all. So quick and really effective would be a cute xmas gift!

Here is the end Result!!

Please send in your crafty images via our twitter we'd love to see them!!

We hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year! from all Three of us! 

Have a few drinks on us! you deserve it!

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Ps here's a little Christmas treat to you!