yum yum yum cooking with kids

I love getting goodies, and not so long ago I was the recipient of this wonderful bundle of goodies!

It was the Braun Multiquick 7 cordless hand processor and a some lovely fresh ingredients and place setting for dinner courtesy of Braun. I have had one of the older models of the Braun hand processor for a few years now but I was very keen to try the new cordless version, especially since I usually have a very keen three year old helper around. Not having the cord to get in the way was certainly a very appealing thought to me. And as it turned out it was brilliant for this. It was great not having to worry about it myself, I just picked it up off the charger and used it without having to plug in and make sure the cord wasn't caught around anything, and even for Josh, it was super easy for him to use without the hassle of the cord.

All in all I loved it. It lets you use the blender as is to mix things in a bowl, or you can attach it to the blender bit with the blade to chop/blend without making a mess. 

The afternoon our goodies arrived we got to work making some delicious burgers which we had all the fresh ingredients for. Josh was a great help with blending the veges and tomatoes and the kids were great with heating their healthy dinner that night! Here's the result of our efforts...

Here's the recipe if you'd like to give it a go. Super easy and quick to prepare, especially with the Braun cordless blender!

Grilled Beef Burgers with Tomato Salsa

Makes 8 x 150gm burgers

Ingredients
750g minced beef chuck steak, seasoned with salt and pepper
1 tbsp chopped rosemary
1 tbsp chopped thyme
1 whole egg
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp grated parmesan
10 g chopped parsley
30g fresh bread crumbs
100g chopped carrot
100g chopped onion
2 cloves garlic
50g chopped celery

Method
Chop the vegetables using the Braun Multiquick Cordless chopper
Combine all the ingredients for the burger together and gently slap together to form a
cohesive mixture. Shape into 200g discs and chill for at least 30 minutes for them to firm up
and cool down.
Preheat a heavy pan or BBQ and lightly oil the surface. Cook the patties for about 10
minutes turning twice and allow to rest for three minutes before serving.

Tomato sauce

Ingredients
750g fresh tomatoes, blanched and peeled
1 sprig of fresh thyme leaves removed from the stalk
1 clove of garlic, peeled and crushed
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Method
Chop the tomatoes using the Braun Multiquick Cordless chopper.
Warm the olive oil in a frypan and add the garlic and thyme. Now add the tomatoes and
cook gently until they have broken down and their excess water has evaporated.
Season with salt and pepper and add a little sugar to taste if required.
Blend to a smooth consistency using the Braun Multiquick Cordless hand attachment.

Recipe serves family of four

what's been going on around here?

We've been busy little bees around here. I've been busy with my two little munchkins, socialising, as well as running a little business. 

And then in between all that, we've had some lovely little moments at home just playing and imagining. Not too long ago I came across this racing track tape online and promptly ordered it! It's nothing short of brilliant!! If you have or know little boys and need a great little stocking filler for Christmas, then this is the thing for you.

Josh and Zoe have both been enjoying this, and it's a great little toy to take out with you when visiting, as it's so easy to set up, provides hours of entertainment if you have a little story teller on your hands, and super easy to pack up! 

My hot tip is to order now while they are in stock too. The store had just restocked recently and I had a short wait, but don't you miss out for Christmas.

boo!

hello!

how are you?

my sweet prints giveaway

Have you ever had your eye on the lovely prints at My Sweet Prints? I have for a while now, and still would love to get a customised bus roll for our kitchen. There are lots of lovely, simple designs for kids rooms too. Janette's blog has reached 200 followers and so she is having a giveaway to celebrate! Two prints of choice are on offer to win. Head over and be in it to win it.

drum roll please....

I have an announcement to make!

The winner of the Real Nappies competition is Monique! Please email me and let me know your postal address so I can pass it on and your newborn nappy kit can be on its way to you soon!

Thanks to everyone who entered. Hope you are having a happy day.

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just sayin'

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Review: Laugh & Learn Sing With Me CD Player

This post is sponsored by Nuffnang.

This week we've Zoe has been the lucky recipient of the Laugh & Learn Sing With Me CD Player to test out. Poor old Zoe doesn't get many new toys these days as we have so many already from Josh! So as soon as I took it out of the box and showed her the buttons to press and the disc compartment to open and close her eyes lit up! She really loves this toy. I was cooking dinner yesterday and she happily played away for half an hour, opening and closing the door and putting the discs in the top of the player. It plays songs as well, including her fave Row Row Row Your Boat and it also has lots of phrases it says such as 'open' and 'close' when you you use the door, and teaches ABCs and numbers, shapes and colours depending on which buttons you press. Thankfully it has two volume settings and the blessed off switch for when you've had enough of all the noise!

All in all this has been a great toy so far. Zoe is getting lots of fine motor skill practice with loading and unloading the discs as well as learning songs and lots of words. Thanks Nuffnang and Mattel!