Yummy Christmas shopping breakfast

Hi Ladies

At the weekend I was flicking through all the channels looking for something to watch on a rainy Saturday afternoon & I found the Domestic Goddess herself, Nigella. Her TV cooking shows have always been our fave (we love her). Last year we went to Waterstones in Bluewater to her book signing & even took her one of our bags (the 'Nigella', see right). Yep, we really do love her!!

It got us thinking about our fave recipes & one of mine has to be her pancakes ~ perfect winter breakfast & supersonic, almost magical, hangover cure! Nigella's recipe has bacon but we miss the bacon & just smother in maple syrup instead. So, with the weather so so horrid out there, please make these, follow with a massive cup of tea & I promise you'll be happy & ready for all that Christmas shopping!

American Pancakes with wafer~bacon & maple syrup

(from 'Nigella Bites')

30g (2 tablespoons) unsalted butter

225g plain flour

2 heaped teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon sugar

pinch of salt

300ml full~fat milk

2 eggs

10 rashers streaky bacon or approx 100g wafer~thin~cut pancetta

1~2 teaspoons vegetable oil for frying bacon

butter for frying

best quality maple syrup

Nigella says:

"Melt the butter & set aside to cool slightly while you get on with the rest of the batter & the bacon.

In a wide~necked jug, measure out the flour & add the baking powder, sugar & salt. Stir to combine.

In another jug, measure out the milk, beat in the eggs & then the slightly cooled butter, & pour this jug of liquid ingredients into the jug of dry ingredients, whisking as you do so. Or just out everything in a blender & blitz.

In the vegetable oil, fry the bacon (cut into half crosswise) or the pancetta strips until crisp, remove to kitchen towels & cover with more kitchen towels (not because I'm a fat~phobic ~ as if! ~ but because this will help them keep their requisite crispness). Now, heat either a griddle or non~stick pan, smear with a small bit of butter & then start frying. I just pour small amounts straight from the jug (but you can use an American quarter~cup measure if you prefer) so that you have wiggly circumferenced discs of about 4cm in diameter. When you see bubbles erupting on the surface, turn the pancakes over & cook for a couple of minutes, if that, on the other side.

Or just use a blini pan &, as above, turn when the bubbles break through to the uncooked surface. There is a Russian saying to the effect that the first pancake is always botched, so be prepared to sacrifice the initial offering to unceremonious stove~side gobbling.

Pile the pancakes onto plates, wigwam with pieces of crispy bacon or pancetta & dribble or pour over, depending on greed & capacity, that clear, brown, woodily fragrant syrup.

Makes about 15 pancakes if cooked in a blini pan; or if not, about 25 pancakes the size of jam~jar lids."

Now, if that doesn't make your mouth water, there's something very wrong!!! Nigella's right about the first one never working & I've found the easiest way for mixing (after extensive trials)is to just dump it all in the blender.

Happy Christmas shopping with full tums!

More soon

Victoria xx

New Seasonal Lines

Hi Ladies

Today we're excited about our new lines for Christmas. We have new clutch bags ~ 'Beth', 'Jane' & 'Paulina', very chic eye masks for glamorous sleeping & very cute headbands decorated with sequins & beads. The headbands are the perfect way to glam up any outfit ~ who says we can't look fabulous at the supermarket??

Like all our lines they can be made in any colour to compliment or contrast your party outfit. We have so many beautiful colours of beads & sequins available to us, the choice is endless. Also, don't forget the flower brooches can be made into headbands or corsages :)

The new eyemasks are an idea I had while travelling home from California. We had a night flight & there were a few ladies with eyemasks that made me a bit sad :( I know that they are very often plain (especially when they are free) but wouldn't it be so much nicer to have one made with beautiful soft lining & some gorgeous decoration on the front. And, yes, I know that we are asleep when we wear them but isn't it the same principal as wearing a beautiful bra? You don't see it all day but you know it's there & it makes you feel fabulous! (The handbands & eyemasks will be available on the website in the next few days.)

The most exciting news about our new clutches is the customising options. We LOVE for all our bags to have options. All 3 clutches are available now on our website www.seasonalsisters.com/bags . They come in a range of fabulous fabrics as standard or the alternative is to send us 40cm of the fabric you love & we'll make it up for you. This way you can match an outfit, have it made to go with a theme, matching clutches for hen nights, the list is endless & gorgeous! Now for the most exciting option, how cute would it be to send us a photo or some of your child's artwork & have that made into a 'Beth'? There are photos on the website of other picture bags we have made in the past ~ they make fabulous presents for everyone! Have a look at how glamorous the 'Beth' looks, as modelled by my great friend Paulina (the real lady, not the beaded bag :).

So, we're watching fireworks out the window because it's so very rainy & windy. Well done to all the families that braved the weather to go to Jolesfield & watch them for real!

Have a great weekend & don't forget when you're Christmas shopping that at Seasonal Sisters everything can be made in any colour combination ~ go on treat yourself! (& we'll deliver in time for Christmas)

I'm off for a Friday night cocktail with my husband!

Victoria xx

P.S. Paulina, you look fabulous :)