Sunday 17 March 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 12


Back to work/school last week. It seems longer than a week since we were on holiday ! There are a couple of busy weeks coming up as we have the conseils de classe (end-of-term after-school meetings for each class to discuss the marks and behaviour of each pupil) then the next week, the parent-teacher evenings. At least it gets dark later now - in the winter time, this means coming home in the pitch black. I've changed my shopping habits this week and put in an order with a home delivery supermarket company. We'll see how it works out but it could turn into a regular thing as it didn't work out any more expensive than usual. Have a great week. Here's what we'll be eating this week.

Monday

lunch- spicy pork, onions and mushrooms with pasta

dinner - chicken curry, rice and naan bread

Tuesday

lunch- fricadelles (spicy sausages) with mash and peas/carrots

dinner-  spaghetti carbonara

Wednesday

lunch- spaghetti bolognese

dinner- pepperoni pizza

Thursday

lunch- canteen for me, leftovers for Pierre

dinner- General Tso's meatballs and noodles (requested to be made again by Pierre !)

Friday

lunch- chicken cordon bleu with baby potatoes and ratatouille

dinner - mince and onions puff with rice and peas/carrots

Saturday

lunch- meatballs in tomato sauce with pasta

dinner- pork chops with mushroom sauce and baked potatoes

Sunday

lunch-chicken, chickpeas, courgettes, onions in spicy tomato sauce with couscous

dinner - chicken soup

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Sunday 10 March 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 11


This week, I gave up on the to-do list and took on two different tasks - sorting out Pierre's braces and hassling the roofers to actually fix our roof. First off, I headed back to the orthodontist to get the prescription for an x-ray of his teeth. Then we headed to the medical centre, got an appointment and went back the next day for the x-rays. We now have an appointment at the orthodontist's in a couple of weeks (that I need to reschedule as I'll be at work) where we will discuss treatment options. After chasing up the roofers, they came back to measure the roof but still no idea when they will come and do the actual repairs. One step forward but we're still nowhere near the finishing line ! Next week, we're back to work/school which means setting the alarm for 6.15 again - boo ! In terms of food, I've been trying loads of new recipes throughout the holidays. Pierre loved the Philly-stuffed chicken and the General Tso's meatballs and has asked for them to be added to the regular run of recipes I make. A couple of meals didn't get made as Pierre was off watching football matches so I was eating alone and just used up stuff from the fridge.

Monday

lunch- battered fish, rice and sweetcorn

dinner Baked pasta Siciliana with meatballs

Tuesday

lunch- Provençal chicken with rice and green beans

dinner-   Bacon and potato bake 

Wednesday

lunch- chicken burgers with baby potatoes, peas and carrots

dinnerchicken supreme with pasta

Thursday

lunch- canteen for me, leftovers for Pierre

dinner- remaining chicken burgers with leftover bacon and potato bake

Friday

lunch- pasta carbonara

dinner - Turks and Caicos Islands Peas and Rice (minus the hot dog sausages)

Saturday

lunch- Spanish chicken with mash and sweetcorn

dinner- pork curry with rice and naan bread

Sunday

lunch- chicken in gravy with rice and carrots

dinner - baked potatoes (with cheese, bacon, mushrooms, onions)

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Wednesday 6 March 2024

Degustabox February 2024 review


I've been using the school holidays to undertake some much needed spring cleaning around the house, which mainly seems to involve dejunking things that have been kept for several years for no apparent reason ! This idea of spring cleaning seems to have given the weather a much needed jolt, moving from frigid wintry weather to a couple of lovely warm, sunny and decidedly springlike days. Wandering about on my different errands today, I've been enjoying spotting the daffodils, crocuses and tulips that have been springing up (or probably being planted in full bloom by the council) everywhere. It's enough to put a spring in your step (no pun intended). The weather is still very changeable though, so when this month's Degustabox arrived, I was intrigued to see what would be hiding inside.


The first product that I picked out of the box has Sophie's name written all over it : Boundless Gut Happy Snacking Sweet Chilli (RRP £2.50). Described as 100% activated, loaded with gut-friendly fibre, packed full of nutrients and mouth-watering flavours, these nuts and seeds can be sprinkled on soups and salads or nibbled straight from the pack. They are supposed to be good for your gut but even if they're not, they taste great and are perfect for snacking. Available at ASDA, Ocado or Amazon, as well as online at weareboundless.co.uk.

Bocaditos Tomato & Oregano (RRP £2.20) are oven-baked Mediterranean-style snacks that can be eaten as a side dish or on their own. The real bocaditos that inspired the name are Cuban bite-sized sandwiches and this snack version can be incorporated into tapas or topped with anything from fish, meat, cheese or vegetables to create pintxos (or pinchos). They are tasty on their own though too if you just want something to snack on. They are oven-baked not fried and made with natural ingredients. Available from all major supermarket chains.


Heinz Chicken Broth (RRP £1.70) is a combination of pearl barley, tender chicken pieces and a variety of vegetables in a rich and flavourful chicken broth. Lightly seasoned with black pepper, it delivers the warming hug of a proper home-made broth, just like the regular chicken soup. The only difference I can see is that it has a lighter consistency, making it good if you want a light lunch or maybe if you are catering for older people or someone with a delicate stomach. Available at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, ASDA & Ocado.

Tweek Foam Fever Fab & Fruity Flavoured Foam Sweets (RRP £1.99 - other subscribers got Fizzy Fusion or Smoothie Chews) give you a great excuse for eating sweets - the packaging promises sweets with benefits. The brand name is inspired by the word "tweak" as they have tweaked traditional candy to make it better for your health. These tasty chews contain 95% less sugar, are high in fibre, have 45% fewer calories, use natural colours and flavours and are free from gluten and palm oil. Their website is mainly in Swedish but the brand looks great and focuses on healthier choices. The sweets taste good too.

 

Jelly Belly Very Cherry Drink (RRP £1.29 - other subscribers got Berry Blu or Tutti Fruitti) offers the great taste of my favourite jelly bean sweets in drink form. I was expecting an overly sweet flavour but the drinks contain 20% fruit juice, less than 5g sugar per 100ml and no artificial flavours. They are also fortified with vitamins A, C and E and suitable for vegans. I have to admit, I do prefer the flavour of actual jelly beans but the drinks aren't bad for an occasional treat. 

Just Spices (RRP £1.90 for 2 sachets, £4.99 for a 60g tub) offer a range of no-nonsense natural spice mixes and seasonings that are perfect for adding some zing to your food. We got Mexican All-rounder, which is great for spicing up anything from guacamole and chilli to salsa and enchiladas, and Chips Seasoning, which can be sprinkled over cooked wedges, sweet potatoes or regular fries to add some extra flavour. Glancing through their website throws up all sorts of amazing sounding blends, including Avocado Topping, Sandwich Seasoning and Lemon Herb Chicken Mix. If you want to spice up your life, it's a great place to start !


Maggi Chow Mein Flavour Noodles (RRP £2) are great for adding to chicken or pork and vegetables then topped with soy sauce for a quick and simple stir fry meal that the whole family loves every time I make it. Just add boiling water and leave to stand while cooking the rest of the ingredients then you're good to go. They are low in saturated fat and suitable for vegetarians, as long as you leave out the meat in the added ingredients ! Available at Poundland and Iceland.


Maggi Air Fryer Seasonings ( RRP 2 x 99p) are a new range of seasoning sachets developed to guarantee you the perfect result every time when used in an air fryer. We don't have an air fryer so I thought these would be no good for us but no, Maggi don't want to cut us out of all the fun. You can use the seasoning in the oven, pan or grill too. Just add to your favourite meat and vegetable ingredients and you'll have dinner on the table in 15 minutes. The Piri Piri  seasoning was a bit on the hot side but we all loved the Fajita spice blend.


Kelloggs Krave Choco Brownie Flavour (RRP £3.29) is a new variety of breakfast cereal that the Madhouse kids loved. The crispy, crunchy cereal pillows are stuffed with a melty core that has an intense and delicious chocolate brownie flavour. They are lovely in a bowl with milk but if my kids are anything to go by, they make a great snack by the handful straight from the pack too ! Available exclusively at ASDA.

 

Sparklean Tropical Vegan Protein Drink (RRP £2.50) is a dual purpose product, offering the refreshment of a fizzy soft drink combined with the health perks of a nutritional supplement, with 15g of vegan protein in each 330ml can. Pierre, always keen on upping his protein levels, loved this and said it tasted as good as a regular fizzy drink. I also love the fact that it only contains 1g of sugar. Also available in strawberry & lime and orange flavours, it is available at Boots, Amazon and Direct.

This month's Product of the Month, Tilda Tasty Sides (RRP £1.99) offer combinations of vegetables and pulses in a rich sauce that can be served with rice. We got Chinese Black Bean, which combines black beans, red peppers and onions with a tasty sauce. Other subscribers got Indian Black Dhal. They are high in fibre and protein, suitable for vegetarians and count as one of your five a day portions. They make a satisfying meal for anyone but are perfect as a quick option if you need a vegetarian dish for an unexpected guest.

A subscription to Degustabox costs £12.99 per month including delivery, with each box having a value of much more than that, but the great news is, I have a discount coupon code for you which means you'll get the first box for just £9.99 - enter code PKUFE at the checkout. 


for more information :

Also now on Instagram @DegustaboxUK

Disclosure : We received the box in order to write an honest review. As a Degustabox blogger, I receive all of the products that go into the monthly boxes, but subscribers may not get exactly the same selection.

Sunday 3 March 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 10


Last week was a lovely quiet week at home. I managed to scratch two things off the to-do list - I went to the doctor's to renew my prescription and I also dejunked the big understairs cupboard which was overflowing and is now much tidier. I also managed to fit in a day trip to Lille to visit Sophie which was fun and dejunked the kitchen which wasn't even on the list ! Another quiet week planned before we go back to school. I have some marking to do (teachers are never really on holiday sadly !) and I need to take Pierre clothes shopping, plus the patio and Pierre's bedroom are still on the to-do list. I'm planning on trying out some bookmarked recipes this week so here's what's on the menu.

Monday

lunch- spare ribs with baked potatoes and sweetcorn

dinner - one pan chicken and sun-dried tomatoes gnocchi

Tuesday

lunch- McDonald's or similar in town with Pierre

dinner- Philadelphia cream cheese chicken with baby potatoes and peas

Wednesday

lunch- smoked sausages with lentils and rice


Thursday


dinner- Coddle (basically sausages, carrots, potatoes, broth)

Friday


dinner - General Tso meatballs and rice

Saturday

lunch- leftovers

dinner- pizza or Deliveroo

Sunday

lunch- creamy chicken piccata with baked potatoes

dinner - spaghetti bolognese

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Sunday 25 February 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 9


We made it to the holidays - woohoo ! For once, I have zero plans. Well, that's not quite true, I have loads of things that I want to sort out around the house but nothing set in stone so it can all change at a minute's notice. The kids are all happy setting up dates with their boyfriends and girlfriends and I have lots of lovely things on the cards like dejunking the understairs cupboard, cleaning and dejunking the patio, getting the roofers in at last and heading to the doctor's to renew my prescription. All sounds great fun - not !! But it'll be good when it's all done. Sophie has invited us over to her place in Lille for dinner midweek so that could be a nice day out. I bet I end up going on my own as everyone else will have stuff planned with their other halves !

Monday

lunchsticky chicken with rice

dinner - cottage pie with carrots

Tuesday

lunch- pork and chickpeas couscous

dinner-Provençal chicken with pasta

Wednesday

lunch- lunch with Sophie, leftovers for anyone who stays at home

dinner- Deliveroo with or without me, depending on when I get home (and I can use up leftovers or have a tin of French Onion Soup from a recent Degustabox)

Thursday

lunch- Hawaiian pork chops with rice and green beans

dinner- chicken stir fry with noodles (+ onions, mushrooms, carrots, peppers, leftover pineapple if there is any)

Friday

lunch- Spanish chicken with pasta and ratatouille


Saturday

lunch- chicken burgers with baked potatoes and sweetcorn

dinner- pasta carbonara

Sunday

lunch- roast dinner

dinner - smoked sausages with lentils and rice

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Sunday 18 February 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 8


Last week was complicated at work as they were working on the IT system so I had no access to my online textbooks that we use. I had to plan ahead with wordsearches and worksheets which the kids enjoyed so it wasn't all bad. Next week we have the end of term meetings for each class (4.45 - 7.45pm as all the parents come in one at a time with the pupils) so it'll be a long week with two late nights, but at least it's the holidays afterwards. Lots of plans for things to do around the house during the holidays, hopefully starting with the roof. Here's the plan for this week's meals.

Monday

lunch-  pulled chicken with rice and sweetcorn

dinner - pasta carbonara

Tuesday

lunch- oregano and tomato breaded chicken fillets with mash and green beans

dinner- chicken curry and rice

Wednesday

lunch- spaghetti bolognese

dinner- Moroccan chicken and chickpea tagine with couscous

Thursday

lunch- school canteen for me, fridge-diving for Pierre

dinner- sausages and pasta

Friday

lunch- fricadelles (spicy sausages) with mash and beans

dinner - fishfingers, rice and green beans

Saturday

lunch- Deliveroo

dinner- pizza

Sunday

lunch- roast dinner

dinner - bacon sandwiches

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Sunday 11 February 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 7


Last week, I told you that we'd be booking our summer holiday - a Northern European cruise. Well, we did but when she tried to book it, it turned out that there was no room left on the boat. She therefore came up with another similar cruise, leaving from Hamburg, stopping off for a day in Scotland (where we can squeeze in a day trip which includes Loch Ness, which sounds cool), then moving up to and around Iceland, before heading back for another day in Scotland, in the Orkneys, then back to Hamburg. The only problem is, the Icelandic volcano has been erupting ever since we booked and one of the excursions on offer from the cruise company is to the mud baths that have been evacuated and cut off by the lava flow. Hopefully it will all have calmed down by the time we leave ! Here's the plan for this week's meals.


Monday

lunch-  chicken burgers, rice and green beans

dinner - Cajun style dirty rice

Tuesday

lunch- spicy pork and leftover dirty rice


Wednesday

lunch- Provençal chicken with couscous and ratatouille


Thursday

lunch- school canteen for me, fridge-diving for Pierre

dinner- Philadelphia chicken with cherry tomatoes and pasta

Friday

lunch- spaghetti bolognese

dinner - Hunter's chicken with baked potatoes

Saturday

lunch- Bacon cheeseburger pie with chips

dinner- Deliveroo

Sunday

lunch- pork filet mignon with dauphinois potatoes

dinner - leftovers or bacon sandwiches

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Sunday 4 February 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 6


Last week was a normal week at work with no hidden extras which was good (and made a change after the last few weeks), but I ended up laden down with marking. It's all worked out randomly whenever we get to the end of the chapter we're studying but all of my classes ended up with an exam within a few days. Total nightmare but at least that's out of the way for a while now. This week should be a fairly quiet week, although I need to dash to the travel agent's to book our summer holiday. I think we're all set on a Northern Europe cruise this year, which will be something completely different. We get to see lots of different countries in a week - Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Lithuania, Latvia, then back to Copenhagen, where we can probably fit in another day. Sounds busy but at least we'll get to scratch off lots of countries on our map of places we've visited ! Here's what's on the menu for this week.


Monday

lunch-  pulled pork, rice and sweetcorn (with leftover wraps for those who want them)

dinner - steak, boiled potatoes and carrots

Tuesday

lunch- sausages, pasta and peas

dinner- Spanish chicken, mash and green beans

Wednesday

lunch- spicy pork, couscous and ratatouille

dinner- Provençal chicken, baked potatoes & leftover ratatouille

Thursday

lunch- school canteen for me, fridge-diving for Pierre

dinner- chicken stir fry with noodles

Friday

lunch- pork chops, rice & apple sauce

dinner - pasta carbonara

Saturday

lunch- Deliveroo

dinner- fricadelles (spicy sausages), chips and beans

Sunday

lunch- roast chicken dinner

dinner - leftovers or pasta bolognese

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Sunday 28 January 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 5


Big news for this week is I finally got to talk to the insurance expert on the phone and he agreed to pay two thirds of the roof repairs. He thought the quote was too high but I can't be bothered with going through all the rigmarole of finding another roofer and getting another quote so I'll pay the extra. Hopefully it won't take too long to get the actual work done now. Pierre had all his exams at school last week - at least they are out of the way now. On to a normal week this week, with no extra meetings or school open days, which is good news. Here's what is on the menu this week.

Monday

lunch- spare ribs, rice and sweetcorn

dinner - Spanish chicken, mash and ratatouille

Tuesday

lunch- fish, couscous and green beans

dinner- chicken burgers, pasta and leftover green beans

Wednesday

lunch- leftover chicken burgers, rice and peas

dinner- pork chops, baked potatoes & carrots

Thursday

lunch- school canteen for me, fridge-diving for Pierre

dinner- sweet & sour chicken (with onions, peppers, carrots) and rice

Friday

lunch- chicken cordon bleu with pasta

dinner ham and cheese pies with mash and beans

Saturday

lunch- sausages, ebly and mixed veg

dinner- Deliveroo

Sunday

lunch- fajitas

dinner - pasta carbonara

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Thursday 25 January 2024

Degustabox January 2024 review


We're into the New Year so I was expecting to be slightly disappointed by the January Degustabox as it is usually full of healthy, low fat and alcohol-free options to help people stick to their New Year's resolutions. This year's New Year Degustabox came as a complete surprise though, as it was full of things, including sweets and chocolate, that our family will love sampling. Here's what was in this month's box.

 

Bio & Me Nice & Nutty Gluten Free Porridge (RRP £1.50) is a convenient breakfast or snack option that is good for your gut. It is 100% plant-based, prebiotic and contains no added sugar. The taste comes from a bend of up to thirteen different plant foods, including nuts, seeds, fruit and veg (chicory root fibre and dried carrot, in case you were wondering). The flavour is rich and better than I expected, but I still think I'd prefer the Spiced Apple variety that other subscribers got in the box. Just fill the pot with boiling water up to the line, leave for three minutes and it's ready to eat. Bonus points for the recyclable pot. Available in Tesco's, Sainsbury's and on the Bio & Me website.

Caffé Borbone Crema Classica Ground Coffee (RRP £6.50) is a full-bodied and balanced coffee from Naples, Italy. It is perfect for Expresso and Latte and it has an aroma-saving valve to keep its "just roasted" touch. With an intensity of 8/10, this is a great choice for coffee-lovers. Unfortunately, I'm not one, so I passed this on to Sophie.


Galaxy Smooth Mint (RRP £1.25) is a new take on the indulgent, creamy chocolate that I already love in its original form. The extra mintiness of this bar works very well with the rich, smooth chocolate. I love the taste and I love the low price. A special mention for the responsibly sourced cocoa too. Available in Ocado.


Cirio Baked Beans (RRP £1.40) offer an Italian twist on a British classic, coming from a brand I associate with tinned tomatoes. The beans come in a rich tomato sauce made with premium Italian tomatoes and the taste does work very well. These can be enjoyed on toast, with eggs or meat or added to a casserole to bulk it out. Available in all major supermarket chains.

Mutti Vegan Bolognese (RRP £3.50) is this month's Product of the Month. The rich texture of yellow pea proteins and the fresh flavour of Mutti tomatoes are enriched with sauteed carrots and onions to provide a rich, enjoyable pasta sauce. I didn't mention to the Madhouse kids that this was a vegan product and not one of them noticed until they'd cleared their plates and I told them ! It has a very similar taste and texture to our classic pasta sauce so if you're looking for a simple meat-free meal, you could do a lot worse. Available in Sainsbury's.


Knorr Beef Stock Pots (RRP £1.90) are great for tossing into casseroles, gravy, soups or any other dishes that need a quick hit of beefiness. Made with slow cooked beef and gluten-free ingredients, they are a fuss-free way of ramping up the richness and flavour of your dishes. They're a timesaver for busy cooks and so simple to use. Available in all major supermarket chains.

 

Rubies in the Rubble Vegan Garlic Mayo (RRP £3) is another product from the range from which we discovered the ketchup a few boxes ago. Continuing in the idea of reducing food waste, the vegan-friendly product is made using aquafaba, a plant-based alternative to eggs that is usually thrown away. It is creamy with a great taste and texture, perfect for slapping in a sandwich, in potato salad or on the side of the plate. It is the well-deserved winner of a Great Taste award. Available at Ocado, Waitrose and Co Op.

Swizzels Curious Chews (RRP £1.25) is a fabulous pack that contains many Swizzels favourites such as Original Drumstick, Lemon Refresher, Sour Apple Refresher, PUDS and Fudg-eee. What's not to like? You get 18 chews in a bag which is a decent number for the price. They're all vegan-friendly and contain no artificial colours. Perfect for the kids to spend their pocket money on. Available in all major supermarkets.


Finally, Hip Pop Living Soda Tropical Peach (RRP £1.70) is an award-winning soda that surprised me on a number of levels. It is low in both sugar and calories. It contains 100% natural ingredients, including a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and live cultures to help support gut health. It is prebiotic and has won a Great Taste award. I was slightly dubious when reading about the vinegar but it tastes great with a delicious peach flavour. Available in selected M&S stores and at drinkhippop.com.

A subscription to Degustabox costs £12.99 per month including delivery, with each box having a value of much more than that, but the great news is, I have a discount coupon code for you which means you'll get the first box for just £9.99 - enter code PKUFE at the checkout. 


for more information :

Also now on Instagram @DegustaboxUK

Disclosure : We received the box in order to write an honest review. As a Degustabox blogger, I receive all of the products that go into the monthly boxes, but subscribers may not get exactly the same selection.
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