I’ve suddenly reached that age. Meals out with friends are becoming rarer, babysitters are hard to find and instead we have started going to each other’s houses for tea. Now I don’t have kids yet but each year another one of my friend’s announces they are pregnant and the dynamic of our social get-togethers changes.

A prime example of this was a few weeks ago. Myself and Mr T were supposed to go out with some good friends of ours but at the last minute they couldn’t get a babysitter so they invited us round to theirs for tea instead. I offered to make some pulled pork while they provided the chips, nachos, dips and other bits and pieces. As always a request was put in for me to provide dessert. People don’t beat about the bush any more, they come straight out and ask me to bring dessert which I am always pleased to do.

I was undecided on what to make then I remembered the Crème Brulee kit that Sainsburys had sent me out to review. It serves 4 and I had been debating when to make it knowing myself and Mr T would end up scoffing two portions each if we didn’t have someone to share it with.

As always I wanted to add a bit more flavour to it so decided to jazz it up a bit with some orange zest and a side of chocolate sauce, cos let’s face it – who doesn’t like proper chocolate sauce? I’m not talking about that squeezy stuff in the tube, I mean the mixing of chocolate and cream to create something you just want to stick your face in!

Anyway – crème brulee! This kit is ace! Just like the marshmallow and panna cotta kits that I have reviewed in the past this is a great little set up for those of us who want to create a dessert that impresses but involves very little effort. The addition of orange zest gave it a lovely kick and everyone said it was really good considering it came from a box kit. All four bowls were empty so I’m taking it as a good sign!

Orange Crème Brulee with Chocolate Sauce

1 x box Sainsbury’s Crème Brulee Kit

250ml milk

250ml double cream

Zest of 2 oranges

100ml double cream

50g milk chocolate

50g dark chocolate

Enjoy! 

Thanks again Sainsburys for sending me out another fab kit. They are ace!

***Products sent for review, all thoughts are my own.***

How on earth are we half way through February already? I’ve been so busy these past few weeks between work trips away, flying home for a dress fitting, trips down to Oxford and Leicester to see friends, gym and wedding stuff. It’s all been non stop. I actually can’t wait for this Saturday when I can have a lie in and have a lazy day with Mr T before we head to York in the evening to see a show.

A few weeks back (ok, a month but forgive me I’m seriously lacking in free time at the moment) Sainsburys asked me to take part in their freezer challenge whereby I had to make a meal using their frozen products. Initially my first thought was chicken nuggets and ready meals as to be honest the only freezer food I tend to buy is veg and pizza. I really wasn’t expecting a lot so I bobbed in one day after work to see what was available and to give me inspiration on what to make. Straight away I was drawn to the frozen seafood; it’s so good and so cheap!

I really liked the look of the frozen seafood mix and the pots of ready chopped garlic. I never get through a bulb in time and always end up chucking some which really bothers me. I also got some frozen blueberries which I used to try out Sainsbury’s new Panna Cotta kit.

The frozen seafood pack came into it’s own during these past few weeks where dinner has needed to be quick, easy and healthy. In fact I’ve actually been back and bought a second pack of the frozen seafood to make this dish again – Gok Wan’s Seafood Vermicelli which I’ve tweaked a bit to suit our tastes. Mr T liked it so much on both occasions that he went back for seconds and said it actually tasted like a Chinese takeaway. It’s now become a staple item in our freezer and as for the frozen garlic – it’s ace and saves on waste too. Double win!

Seafood Vermicelli

2 nest of dried noodles

2 tsp Sainsburys frozen garlic

2 red peppers

100g frozen peas

1 carrot thinly sliced

3 eggs

1 bag of Sainsburys frozen seafood mix (defrosted)

Light soy sauce

My only wish now is for a bigger kitchen so I could have a chest freezer and stock up on more of the yummy stuff available.

*Review but all thoughts are my own*