Nanas' Quiche Recipe

Hello! Yes this is a food blog. Because I looooooooved food.
First off this is my nanas quiche recipe. Now my nana has dementia so I have asked my mum if its ok to blog this recipe and she has given her consent. I don't think I needed to but it felt more respectful to get permission in the case.
I have always loved my nanas quiche its not too eggy or cheesy its just right. Yuuuuummy. I'm sure the recipe isn't too different from others but my nana was always making it so its hers.

So first off
Ingredients!

 Note: You can change some of the ingredients to less fat versions if you want, it doesn't take away from the taste at all.
You will need:
2 x medium eggs
1/2 onion or 1 x small onion (white or red its your choice)
1 x leek
1/2 pot of double cream (can use single)
4 x rashers of bacon
1/2 a block of cheese (like the Cathedral cheese blocks.. Half of that.. My nana never measured anything properly. Also you can use mature or extra mature)
Short crust pastry (you can make your own but I buy mine pre-made
1 x Tomato (optional)
Quiche dish
Large mixing bowl
Spoon or Fork
Microwavable dish or two

First preheat your oven to 200c or gas mark 6 (I'm not sure about fan assisted ovens but adjust for that)
Next get your pastry ready, make sure fits nicely inside quiche dish. You can precook slightly but I don't. If any tears in the pastry patch up with more pastry. It is a good idea to let the pastry reach room temperature first but I didn't... Learn from my mistake (lots of tears)
Now that's ready put to one side.

Next add the cream and 2 eggs to mixing bowl and mix together slightly. Everything will eventually end up in this bowl.

Chop onion and leek up and put into a microwavable dish (I used a plastic one) add some boiling water until covered and microwave for 5-10 minutes (or until softened)

Grate all the cheese and add to the bowl.

Once leeks and onions are softened, drain water and add to the bowl.
Cook 4 rashers of bacon in the microwave for 2-3 minutes then (carefully) cut into small bits into bowl or on a chopping board then add to bowl (I used clean scissors but can cut with knife) try and keep any fat out of the bowl.

Mix everything together and let it sit for a couple of minutes before pouring into your pastry (that is in the quiche dish)

If you want you can add some slices of tomato to the top. I always take it off my slice but my family loved it so you might as well.

Now place on centre shelf in the oven and allow to cook for 35 to 45 minutes. It may take a little longer but keep an eye on it, it should go a slightly brown (it won't around the tomatoes but that's ok). Also it will rise up but doesn't worry about this either. Once you have removed it let it sit for 5-10 minutes and it will settle.

Either eat straight away or allow to cool further before placing some clingfilm over and putting into the fridge. Nice hot or cold (always heat it well before eating it) but I prefer it hot. You can have anything with it really (within reason/ common sense) I've had it with mash or chips. My sister liked it with chips and beans.

So there you have it. Nanas quiche. I hope you enjoy it if you do try it! Also if you do please comment below or follow the little doctor who figure to the right of this post to twitter and tell me there! Would love to hear what you think and of you make any variations let me know that as well!

Take it easy and Bon appetite!

Ellie x

It's always tea time...

Hello lovely people.

One of my Christmas presents from my dads wife Marlane was a voucher for a themed tea for two at a lovely restaurant called The Essex. I could take anyone I wanted so I chose my mum as I felt she deserved a break from everything she does plus she helps me in so many ways so it felt right to give back to her! 

I, of course, opted for the Alice in Wonderland themed tea party and have been so excited for it. I'm not the girliest person but I do love a good afternoon tea. Now I will mention now that it was the first time I've been away from my little Jack for longer then an hour since I've had him and it felt weird leaving him but I'm a sense I'm glad I decided to let Scott have some father son time without me. He would have been bored and would have wanted to smash it all to smithereens'. It was still weird though.

I had considered dressing up but my wardrobe consists of tshirts and jeans. Plus it was suppose to be relaxing so obviously I wore my Hogwarts jumper. The only things I own that have Alice in Wonderland on it is a tshirt but its a twisted version of it (Alice is holding a knife as a demonic looking white rabbit approaches her.. Awesome) and a Cheshire cat onsey. So of course I didn't think either were appropriate for comfort or a bit of sophistication (hahaha me... Sophisticated.. Good one). So Hogwarts jumper and jeans it was! I don't know why I didn't think of it to begin with.

I have to say it was lovely! Very simply designed table with themed items on it (including a small top hat with rabbit ears attached to it) and it was fine china tea cups! Loved it! My mum loves cups that feel like they're going to break or that are made from thin air... so we had to swap cups as mine was apparently a bit too thick.. almost paper thin!! Disgraceful. The sandwiches were half brown and half white which gave it a nice little effect, the scones, jam and clotted cream were ammmaaaazing! and the little cakes, all themed I might add, were so yummy. Though we didn't eat the cakes there and then as we were stuffed after sandwiches and scones but they gave us a bag to take them home in (Scott ate them).

It was such a lovely relaxed atmosphere, the staff were attentive but not too over bearing (I hate it when they hover, waiting for you to shove a mouthful of food in your mouth before asking if everything is ok... they did not do this, I was very happy). We actually got talking to them after we had finished and found out that a lot of the teacups and saucers had been donated by people all over the place, plus some of the props they use for the different themes! I thought this was such a lovely idea and it just added to the experience really. They were open and friendly. We even found out that some of the props had been stolen by some people which I thought was disgraceful, not only is it wrong but it takes away from the next people to enjoy it! Any way.

All in all I definitely recommend this to anyone, she said they do hen parties and are always going the themed tea for two! The themes include Alice In Wonderland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and The Wizard of Oz! I'd love to experience them all. Plus you can either have the classic traditional tea or you can have a cocktail option, the cocktails and named with each theme in mind as well. As we were finishing ours they had started setting up a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and a Snow White one on other tables (So of course we took a few shots so I could show you!). I definitely recommend for a Christmas/ Birthday/ Hen Party or even just a small treat for yourself. It is £35 for the traditional tea or £45 for the cocktail option (obviously if you opt for the cocktail make sure you have some one come pick you up after so you can enjoy it, otherwise be good and have tea!).

'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'

'Snow White'

 They have people come from all over to enjoy their restaurant and particularly their themed tea for twos! Just click "The Essex" and check out what they have to offer. Hope you give them a go, it is completely worth it :)

Take it easy. Have a tea on me (Not literally on me... not even figuratively.. just drink some tea.)

Ellie x