Creamy Chicken, Pepper and Mushroom Skillet Dinner

Chickens, peppers, mushrooms, garlic and a creamy sauce - this dish needs very little introduction. It ticks the comfort food box for me and served with a heap of fresh vegetables it is almost virtuous. Almost.

I have reduced the calories significantly by using creme fraiche rather than the usual double cream and it is still delicious and creamy. I also refrained from serving over a bed of buttery mash potato - but I advise you do so if you’re not watching your calorie intake or diet.

I prepare the entire dish in one skillet too which means less washing up - win, win.

The below serves a family of four.

Creamy Chicken, Pepper and Mushroom Skillet Dinner

Here’s how;

• 3 shallots
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 red pepper
• 1 yellow pepper
• 150g mixed mushrooms
• 6-7 chicken thighs, skin on
• Xx Creme Fraiche
• 1/2 glass white wine. I used Vina Sol as it was knocking about in the fridge - any white wine is fine
• Handful Parsley
• Salt & black pepper
• Olive oil

Firstly coat the skillet in a little olive oil and place onto a medium heat on the hob. Also preheat the oven to 180 degrees.

Now season the skin of the chicken thighs generously and place each thigh, skin down into the skillet.

Allow them to really brown and crisp up well, for about 8-10 minutes, moving around gently to stop them sticking to the pan.

In the meantime prepare the vegetables: peel and dice the shallot, mince the garlic, chop the peppers and slice the mushrooms and set aside.

Turn over each chicken thigh when satisfied they are brown and crisp enough and simply sear on the other side for a few minutes.

Now remove each thigh, and place on a plate for the moment.

Add the shallots and garlic to the pan now and allow to gently cook for a couple of minutes. Then add the peppers for another couple of minutes to carefully soften.

At this point add the white wine and make sure the heat is between medium and high - you want the alcohol to cook out, but to flavour the dish lightly.

Once the wine is sizzling away and has reduced slightly, return the chicken to the skillet and add the mushrooms. Pour over the creme fraiche and stir well to combine - it will quickly thin down to a runny sauce.

At this point generously season the dish and place it onto the middle shelf in the oven and allow it to cook for ten minutes, or until the chicken thighs are cooked right through.

Remove from the oven.

Roughly chop the parsley and scatter over the skillet before serving. Enjoy!

Carrot Cake

This is a lovely carrot cake recipe that results in a moist, delicately spiced and delicious cake that is packed with nuts and fruit and is simply perfect with a cup of tea or coffee.

We made it for a little treat for my Mum on Sunday morning for Mother’s Day and we all enjoyed a slice after dinner. 

Carrot Cake

Here’s how:

• 240ml vegetable oil
• 2 heaped tbsp Greek natural yoghurt
• 3 large carrots (about 270-300g)
• 4 eggs
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 265g self-raising flour
• 350g light muscovado (brown) sugar
• 1/2 fresh nutmeg
• 2.5 tsp cinnamon
• 115g dried mixed fruit
• 115g chopped walnuts (plus a handful for decorating)

For the icing:
100g softened salted butter
100g soft cream cheese
300g icing sugar
Drop of vanilla

Firstly preheat the oven to 180 degrees and grease and line two 20cm baking tins.

Peel and grate the carrots and set aside for the moment.

Zest the lemon, roughly chop the walnuts and if there are any large pieces of fruit in your dried fruit mix, halve them.

Now in a small bowl or jug, whisk together the yoghurt, oil, eggs, vanilla and lemon zest until well combined and smooth.

In a large mixing bowl add the self raising flour, the sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon and mix together roughly. Try to smooth out any large bits of sugar.

Now add the oil, yoghurt and egg mixture to the flour and sugar with the carrots and mix well until it comes together as a lovely brown batter.

Now add the nuts and fruit and mix in and then divide between the two baking tins.

Place into the middle of the oven and bake for 25 minutes. Test with a skewer or cocktail stick when they come out of the oven and if they come out clean, they’e done, if not return for the oven for five more minutes.

Remove from the tin and place on a board or wire rack and allow to cool for at least thirty minutes.

For the icing simply combine all of the ingredients and whisk fairly hard until you have a smooth creamy texture.

Once satisfied with the consistency, add 2 tbsp of the mixture to the top of the bottom layer of the cake and use the back of a spoon or a palette knife to spread as evenly as possible.

Now place the second layer on top, and repeat the process with the remaining icing until the top is covered. Try to smooth it over so it is quite even.

Finally decorate with the remaining walnuts - I like to go around the edges with walnut halves, but any pattern is fine. Enjoy!

Quick Spicy Beef Fried Rice #MeatMatters

This is my second #MeatMatters cookery challenge entry to the BritMums and Simply Beef and Lamb competition and is so super quick and simple, but tastes great.

It's a go-to for me when time is short, but I'm craving some Asian flavours and lots and lots of heat.

I use beef mince in this recipe - although traditionally in fried rice, it's usually leftover cooked meats which are quick-fried, and you could just as easily use leftover cooked steak or beef from another recipe. Also you can use practically any vegetables in fried rice - so use whatever you have to hand.

Most people would love some egg in their fried rice - but being the egg-hater that I am, I usually dish mine up then quickly throw in an egg for Glen or the girls as it cooks so quick - just be sure to move it around loads in the dish as you do - it will enrich the rice for sure.

Beef mince, versatile as ever, and a really great carrier of flavour too - absorbs the 'holy trinity' of base flavours in the wok - ginger, garlic and chilli, as well as the Chinese five spice beautifully.

I always use leftover cooked rice or a packet of wholegrain microwave rice for any fried rice recipe and this can literally be from start to finish complete and on the table within ten minutes.

The below serves two for a main dish or 4 as a side dish.

Quick Spicy Beef Fried Rice #MeatMatters

Here's how:

• 250g steak or beef mince
• 250g cooked rice - I use wholegrain
• 3 spring onions
• 1 clove garlic
• Thumbnail piece of ginger
• 1 green chilli
• 1/2 red pepper
• 1/2 yellow pepper
• 2 handfuls peas
• 3 mushrooms
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tbsp sriracha
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp Chinese five spice
• 1 tbsp sesame oil

Firstly pop the sesame oil into a wok and place on a medium heat.

Finely slice the spring onion and chilli and add to the pan. Peel and mince the garlic and grate the ginger and add to the pan too to create the base flavours.

Now prepare the vegetables - chop the peppers into small squares, roughly chop the mushrooms and measure out the peas ready.

The peppers can go into the wok now and allow them to gently cook.

Once the base of the pan is sizzling away, add the mince, and season quickly. Add the Chinese five spice at this point and use a spatula to move the meat around and break up a little in the pan, and ensure it all takes on some of the lovely flavours in the pan.

Now add the rice, mushrooms and peas and stir well and at this point add the soy, fish sauce and honey and allow it cook through for a few minutes. For a final blast of flavour and heat add the sriracha - to your taste. We love it really spicy so I'd go in with a tablespoon, then taste and adjust accordingly; remember you can always add more but you can't take it away. Enjoy!

This post is an entry for the #MeatMatters Challenge, sponsored by Simply Beef and Lamb. Learn more about the benefits of cooking and eating beef and lamb along with recipe ideas and inspiration here! https://www.simplybeefandlamb.co.uk/

Soutzoukakia - Greek Meatball Bake #MeatMatters

If you regularly visit my blog you’ll know that I love Greek food so when fellow-blogger and long-time acquaintance and friend, Ruth from Rock N Roller Baby posted on Twitter about the BritMums and Simply Beef and Lamb #MeatMatters cookery challenge incorporating beef or lamb as an ingredient in a 30-minute meal, I knew instantly what I should share.

Soutzoukakia can be found all over Greece; and apparently the lightly spiced meatball bake was brought into Greece with the arrival of refugees from Asia Minor – or Smyrna, what is now known as Izmir. They are tender meatballs in a rich and intensely flavoured tomato sauce and they are delicious.

You can use pork, beef or lamb mince but I chose to use beef as it results in soft and tender, melt-in-the-mouth and really delicious meatballs. What’s more, beef is a rich source of protein and iron, so not only does it taste great, but it’s also good for you.

The soaking of a couple of slices of bread in red wine, seems a strange action, but please persevere, it really does make juicy and tender meatballs.

It’s not necessarily traditional to either bake or add the feta cheese to this dish, but it’s my twist and I think it is a great showcase of how versatile beef can be as an ingredient. Beef mince in particular is a great and adaptable ingredient – some other Greek dishes I make using beef mince include Moussaka, Pastitsio – The Greek Lasagne.

We had this with rice but if you had some fresh crusty bread, flatbreads or pitta these would be well appreciated to mop up the leftover juices which are so tasty. 

This is a great family meal to make with children too - it doesn't matter if the meatballs are oddly shaped, the children will love getting involved and be proud to serve up something they've made together too.

I made everything in the same skillet – first searing the meatballs on all sides and then removing them from the pan, as I think it adds a lovely flavour to the sauce and saves on washing up, but if you wanted to speed things up, prepare your sauce in a separate pan.

The below serves a family of with leftovers for lunch the next day and is ready in thirty minutes – if you don’t dawdle. 

Soutzoukakia - Greek Meatball Bake for BritMums #MeatMatters

Soutzoukakia - Greek Meatball Bake #MeatMatters

Here’s how:
The meatballs:

• 700g beef mince
• 2 large garlic cloves
• 2 slices bread (I use wholegrain) soaked in a couple of tablespoons of red wine
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp salt
• Lots of fresh black pepper
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 egg, already beaten
• 2 tbsp plain flour
• Salt and black pepper

For the sauce:

• 1 carton passata
• 1 white onion
• 1 garlic clove
• ½ glass red wine
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tbsp tomato puree
• 1 tsp honey
• Pinch salt
• Generous seasoning of black pepper
• 100g feta cheese

Begin by removing the crusts from the bread and popping into a shallow bowl with the couple of tablespoons of red wine. Ensure they both become immersed. At this point turn the oven onto the highest setting – about 250.

Now place the olive oil into a skillet or pan on a gentle heat and begin making the meatballs

Mince the garlic and add to a large bowl. Add the mince, the cinnamon, cumin, salt, pepper, oregano and egg. Now break up the winey bread and add to the mixture and bring it all together. Do not be tempted to knead it for too long as it will become overworked and you’ll end up with tough meatballs.

Once the mixture is simply combined, begin by rolling out 12-15 long meatballs – in a kofte shape and setting aside. 

The prepared meatballs ready for searing #MeatMatters

Put the flour into a small bowl or plate and season with salt and pepper. Roll each meatball into the flour and add to the skillet to brown all over. 

Frying the soutzoukakia meatballs #MeatMatters

Turn them after 30 seconds or so and ensure they are sealed on each side of the meatball, but cooked through. Another tip is to not overcook at this stage – they will finish cooking in the sauce, and if you overcook now, again, you’ll end up with tough and chewy meatballs instead of melt-in-the-mouth.

Whilst the meatballs are cooking, finely dice the white onion and mince the garlic for the sauce and get the other ingredients ready – measure out the wine, grab the cinnamon stick and get the honey out ready.

Once the meatballs are browned, remove them and place onto a plate.

Now throw the onions and garlic straight into the skillet – you shouldn’t need any extra olive oil at this stage – but gauge it by what is left in the pan and obviously if you are using a different pan add 1-2 tbsp.

Once the onions are soft turn the heat right up and pour over the wine. Cook for a minute or so and then add the passata, cinnamon stick, tomato puree and honey and season generously.

Allow the sauce to cook at a high temperature for five minutes. Then return the meatballs to the pan and gently turn them over a bit so they are fully immersed in the sauce. Cook for a further few minutes.

Now take the feta cheese and simply break off chunks or crumble over the top – you want a mixture of some bigger bits and some tiny crumbles.

Now place into the now piping-hot oven for a final blast. This will only take a few minutes for the feta to melt down.

Remove from the oven and carefully place onto a safe surface as the skillet will be very hot, and serve over rice, mashed potato or even with pasta. Enjoy! 

Family meal time Soutzoukakia #MeatMatters

This post is an entry for the #MeatMatters Challenge, sponsored by Simply Beef and Lamb. Learn more about the benefits of cooking and eating beef and lamb along with recipe ideas and inspiration here! https://www.simplybeefandlamb.co.uk/ 

One Pot Coconut Fish Curry

This is a lovely, simple and fresh curry that is ideal for those who prefer milder flavours - especially children.

It’s a great introduction to curry flavours and whilst it doesn’t have a high heat, there is warmth and an almost tropical flavour from the coconut milk, dessicated coconut and the fruit.

I made this on Friday night with the girls and they both absolutely loved it; they enjoyed being in charge of what was going in, and we just added the fruit and vegetables we had to hand. But you could include any you have in stock or favourites of the kids for a family meal.

Beatrice is going through a really fussy phase at the moment and isn’t interested in eating vegetables unless they are well hidden or immersed in a sauce so this was a great way of helping her hit that five a day target too.

I used cod and prawns for the curry but it work just as well as a vegetable curry or with some chicken instead.

The below serves two to three children’s portions and I served it over wholegrain rice with some naan for the girls to dip into the sauce. Excuse the photograph - it's messy and has shade, but I was keen to share the recipe so had to work with what I had! You could garnish with a handful of coriander leaves before serving which will complement the flavour - my girls aren't keen on 'leaves' on their dinner so I haven't here, but if I were eating myself I definitely would be. 

One Pot Coconut Fish and Fruit Curry

Here’s how:

• 1 fillet of cod (about 150g)
• Fresh, raw prawns (150g)
• 1 level tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/2 tin tomatoes
• 1 tin coconut milk
• 2 tbsp dessicated coconut
• 1 tbsp ground almonds
• 1 banana
• 1 orange pepper
• 75g mushrooms
• 75g peas
• 2 tbsp raisins
• 1 onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• Thumbnail piece of ginger
• 1tsp coconut oil

Firstly add the coconut oil to a non-stick saucepan or wok and place on a gentle heat.

Now peel and roughly chop the onion, mince the garlic and peel and thinly dice the ginger and add to the pan.

Once it has begun to soften, add the curry powder, turmeric, paprika and stir into the onion mixture - the base, allow the spices to cook out for a few minutes.

Whilst this is cooking, slice the peppers and roughly chop the mushrooms - I dice up small as the girls eat them this way - also slice the banana into chunks.

Add the peppers to the pan and then add the chopped tomatoes and the coconut milk and cinnamon stick and stir well.

Add the mushrooms, peas, banana and raisins now and stir well.

Add the dessicated coconut which will add a lovely sweetness and the ground almonds for a nutty flavour. Stir again.

Allow to cook for ten minutes or so.

In the meantime you can cut the cod or other white, flaky fish into bite-sized chunks and set aside.

Now add the cod and the prawns and allow to cook for a just a few minutes more until the prawns have turned pink and are cooked, and the cod is cooked through.

Serve with your choice or accompaniments.

Family Days Out in Essex

Things to do with pre-school children and toddlers in Essex.

As the weekend approaches and yet another school holiday (Easter) will soon be upon us I wanted to share my round up of some of the best family days out in Essex. The below are a mixed bag - some will set you back a fair whack and some are completely free, so there should be something for everyone at all times.

Farms, Animals & Play

Lambing season is well underway and here in Essex, you're never far away from an absolute gem of a farm; where you might get to get involved with feeding the baby lambs or if you're incredibly lucky, witness them coming into the world.

Boydells Dairy Farm (£)

This farm out in Braintree is our absolute favourite purely for the interactive access to the animals such as cows, lamb and sheep, goats pigs and many more. As well as being invited to pet various animals and even walk amongst some, such as the goats, they have some incredibly well-informed farm staff on hand who share their knowledge and offer excellent demonstrations. Again these are participatory and the children are invited to feed, and hold some unusual small birds and animals. 

We visited at Easter last year and had a fabulous time. Boydells is very reasonably priced too - £6.00 per adult, and £5.00 per child with under 3's no charge. They have a lovely farm shop on site too so be prepared to buy something tasty to remember your trip.

Bridget feeding the sheep at Boydells Farm

Beatrice feeding the goats at Boydells Farm

Barleylands (££)

We love Barleylands and have visited quite frequently - it's situated in the middle of Billericay and Basildon and whilst it's a bit pricier than somewhere like Boydell's, it does have a lot to offer. They also have an interactive farm, with daily times for petting and watching feeding, which is great but there is quite a more included here. They have a designated reptile house, birds of prey and a walk-through aviary too. They also in summer time do funny activities such as goat-racing which is great fun.

Dotted around Barleylands are a ton of little play houses and park equipment and they have a big undercover soft play area too, as well as a farm museum area. Peak prices are £12.00 for adults and £11.00 for children with no charge for under 2's.They do offer off-peak discounts.

Bridget at Barleylands

Marsh Farm (££)

Situated in South Woodham Ferrers, Marsh Farm, has been on our radar for a while, but we only recently visited for the first time on Beatrice's 2nd birthday on a freezing cold weekend in February.

We visited as they had a character day taking place; Peppa Pig; which was just a meet and greet with a fancy dress Peppa. If you are visiting purely for the character days - be warned it's a queue to meet them and have a photo but there is no other character-fun throughout the day.  However the rest of the farm was an absolute marvel and we'd return, no question. I've included more details here.

They have a wide variety of farm animals - including some newborn lamb and piglets, which was so nice the children (and us) to see. They also have some more unusual animals in alpacas and llamas - which apparently they offer live interactive experiences with in the warmer months. 

Their outdoor adventure playground is impressive and huge - if it hadn't been for bracing cold wind, it would have my girls entertained for hours. We instead indoors to the massive soft plat area, where i enjoyed a welcome and decent hot chocolate and the girls (and Glen) ran around and burnt off tons of energy as well as warming up.

There are loads more little added extras at Marsh Farm - they have a little digger and truck park which the girls love, a tractor ride, and a fun jewel hunting activity in a sandpit. They also have massive bouncy pillows, crazy golf, an aviary and a maze and a couple of children's fairground rides - cups and saucers and a carousel. 

All of these activities are included within entry price which I think offers excellent value for money with tickets priced at £13.75 and under two's going free.

Baby lamb at Marsh Farm

Meet and greet with Peppa Pig at Marsh Farm

Colchester Zoo (£££)

We absolutely love Colchester Zoo - it's one of our favourite treat days out with the children. As well as the fantastic array of animals for the children to view, which never fails to entertain, there are also several shows and animal demonstrations throughout the day.

One of the most exciting activities throughout the day, is the participatory giraffe and elephant feeding which the children are invited to take part in and absolutely love.

There's an impressive set of adventure playgrounds and soft play areas too, which are ideal if you get a spot of rain, or like us, have a bit of a drive home and want to wear the kids out to build up to a well-timed nap in the car journey home. 

Colchester Zoo is priced at £18.99 per adult and £14.99 per child with no charge for under three's, with an online discount if you book in advance. They frequently do special offers too and whilst it's one of the more expensive days out in this round-up it is competitively priced in relation to other zoos.

Essex Seaside Funfairs

Southend (£££)

Surely the undisputed king of the Essex seaside fair, Southend is infamous, far wider than just Essex folk. Adventure Island is one of my childhood favourites and my girls have to come to love it as much as me and my brothers did back in the 80's and 90's. 

It is slightly more expensive than others, granted, with wristbands priced between £15.00-£22.50 depending on height for unlimited rides, if purchased online prior to visiting, and slightly more if bought on the day.

What Adventure Island does well, is appeal to a multiple of ages - from pre-school tots like mine, right up to the more thrill-seeking teenagers, there really is something for everyone. Bridget loves the American Whip ride - which I also loved as a kid.

Southend has a ton of amusement arcades, if that is your thing, a stretch of beach for the children to play on, and boasts the longest pleasure pier in the world if you fancy a stroll. They have some great places to grab fish and chips including Fisherman's Wharf and Cafe Rebecca and if it's seaside donuts you're after, look no further than Pebbles One - which has been there for longer than I can remember.

The American Whip ride at Southend's Adventure Island

Ice cream on Southend seafront

Walton-on-the Naze(£)

Walton Pier was a regular haunt of ours, when I was a child, as we had a caravan for some time in nearby Dovercourt. I vividly remember our trips here and when I returned more recently with my own children, very little had changed, but that is part of the charm. 

The fun fair on the pier seems to have stood still in time - some of the rides there, I recall from 25 years ago, but it still ticks the boxes. Actually if you have pre-schoolers like mine, it offers great value for money at £10.00 for a wristband, with unlimited rides.

The beach at Walton is a sandy one and I can vouch is a great place to host a picnic. They also have a few places for fish and chips and the like, but it is a lot less commercial than the Southend seafront area.

Age old rides at Walton Pier

Canvey Island (£)

I had to include Canvey Island as a great, inexpensive option for a family day out. 

Leisure Island fun fair has tons to offer small children and the wrist bands for unlimited rides are a extremely economical at only £5.00 per child. They have a great selection of suitable fairground rides for pre-schoolers, as well as trampolines all included in that price, and it's ideal for the under 5's. 

Canvey does have a small beach to explore, with a crabbing pool included and there are a couple of amusement arcades on the seafront too.

The girls enjoying Leisure Island, Canvey Island

Bridget at Canvey Island Leisure Island

Nature Trails & Forests

Peter Rabbit Woodland Trail (£)

The Peter Rabbit Woodland Trail in Langdon, close to Basildon, is a stunning nature reserve set over 460 acres of Essex countryside. With meadows, a huge fishing lake packed with fish, birds and various wildlife alongside picturesque and well-kept gardens, it's an appealing prospect for the grown ups. 

The Peter Rabbit Woodland Trail is the star attraction for the little ones though. It features special clues along the woodland route in order to help you find the wooden figures of Beatrix Potter's most famous characters.

You can purchase a map with additional clues and activities for only £1, but you could easily do it without, especially if you only have tiny tots that wouldn't be able to complete the activities.

There is also an enclosed picnic area, so you could pack a few sandwiches and treats and make a day of it. I can also vouch for the decent lemon drizzle cake which is served in their sweet little tea room. 

There's a wooden play area with climbing apparatus too.

The trail and entire reserve is free entry and there is no charge for parking - but they do run on donations, so you are invited to make a donation, should you wish.

Bridget and Beatrice at The Peter Rabbit Woodland Trail finding Benjamin Bunny

The Gruffalo Trail (£)

Thorndon Country Park, in Brentwood is a fabulous and sprawling park set over 500 acres and known for it's wildlife - particularly some unusual birds, such as siskins and bramblings. 

It is also home to The Gruffalo Trail - which is very similar in notion to The Peter Rabbit Woodland Trail in that you are given clues and walk a path with a map (available for 50p) to find the characters from Julia Donaldson's Gruffalo series of books. We are huge Gruffalo fans in our household so the girls really enjoyed it when we visited recently.

It takes around 45 minutes and there is plenty to explore along the way aside from finding Fox, Owl and of course, the Gruffalo himself.

There is a lovely little cafe in Thorndon Country Park too - their homemade parsnip soup is delicious.

Bridget and Beatrice finding the Gruffalo's Child at The Gruffalo Trail

Hainault Forest (£)

Situated close to our home, and one of both mine and Glen's childhood haunts, Hainault Forest, in Redbridge is a great place for family fun.

It's an excellent place for children to explore, climb on logs and trees, run around freely and undertake a nature trail finding various natural treasures - anything from spotting wild mushrooms, finding a feather, pine cone or shiny pebble to various bugs and insects. Within the forest itself, some more dexterous adventurers have even created some dens and wigwam-type creations, which the kids love to explore too.

There are masses of grassland too - for just running around, kicking a ball or throwing a frisbee. You could even set up a family game of rounders or cricket.

The huge fishing lake is home to tons of wildlife, which makes for interesting viewing too, but the big attraction at Hainault, at least for my children is the farm area. It's changed loads over the years, but is currently home to some pigs, alpacas, pony and a load of meerkat as well as a variety of poultry and birds. 

Aside from paying a small charge to park there are no additional costs so this is a cheap option for a family day out.

Farm area at Hainualt Forest Country Park

Other Options

There are some great options for family activities in Essex that won't make a full day out but might inspire a few hours of fun and I've listed these out below. 

Moby Golf - a whale and aquatic themed crazy golf course in the Chadwell Heath/Romford area.

Soft Play - spoilt for choice there are tons dotted all over Essex - our favourites for pre-schoolers are Owl's Play Centre in Fairlop and Partyman World, at Lakeside Shopping Centre.

Trampoline Parks - again there are tons of these now and with pre-schoolers in tow, it's best to check for specific times that won't be hectic with older and likely more boisterous children, but going during school time seems to be a winner. Some of the places we've tried out and enjoyed are Jump Street in Chelmsford and Jump Evolution in Romford which has a designated under 5 area.

Ice Skating - again check for the designated pre-school times, to avoid being on the ice with tons of older children and adults. Saphire Ice and Leisure in Romford offers a few of these times. 

I'm sure I've probably left out a few places - please do comment with any must-do family days out in Essex that you know. 

Chicken a La Milanese with Spaghetti

With two children under five in my household it’s hardly surprising that what is essentially a giant chicken nugget and a tomato pasta dinner is an absolute winner.

Actually it’s a delicious and comforting family meal and Glen and I are quite partial to it too. It’s a great weekend meal for when you have a little extra time.

The preparation of the chicken is also a great way of getting the children involved in cooking as there are a few stages which they will enjoy, from the bashing of the chicken with a rolling pin to the actual breading of it.

I used four chicken breasts here for a family of four, with two under fives but 2-3 breasts should be sufficient - we just love the leftover chicken.

You can use any tomato sauce based recipe for the pasta - I use a really basic one here with tinned tomatoes. Also we have recently converted to just eating brown rice and pasta where possible, and this was one of my first attempts. I have to say if you’re not used to cooking with brown, go heavier on the oil in the pasta sauce or add more water, as it seems to be a little drier in consistency.

Chicken a la Milanese with Spaghetti

Here’s how;

• 3-4 chicken breasts
• 2 slices wholemeal bread
• 10g Grana Padana
• Salt (pinch)
• Black pepper (pinch)
• 2 tbsp plain flour
• 1 egg

The pasta:

• 300g wholemeal spaghetti
• Kettle full of boiled water
• 1 white onion
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes
• 1 tbsp tomato puree
• Handful of basil
• 1 tsp oregano
• Drizzle olive oil

Firstly prepare the tomato sauce. Begin by adding the olive oil to a saucepan and placing on a gentle low heat.

Peel and dice the onion and mince the garlic and add to the pan to gently soften.

Once soft, add the tin of tomatoes and the tomato puree and about 50ml water.

Remove the leaves from the basil, and finely chop up the stalks and add to the sauce - they give a great flavour to the sauce. Add the oregano and season and allow to cook for 20 minutes.

In the meantime, prepare the chicken. Begin by placing a sheet of grease proof paper on your kitchen worktop or table.

Place the chicken breasts onto the paper and season on both sides. Now pull the paper over the top so there is plenty of space around it and press down onto the chicken. Now take a rolling pin or meat mallet if you have one (we don’t) and bash the chicken well all over. This is to make it a little thinner and speed up the cooking process, but also to try and get it to the same thickness throughout, so you don't have one side overcooked.

Once you are happy with the chicken grab three bowls. Into one crack the egg and whisk it.

Into the second bowl add the flour and season generously then stir.

Make breadcrumbs with the two slices of bread - I use a Nutribullet but have done this by hand before on occasion. Throw them into the third bowl. Grate in the Grana Padana cheese and mix up a little bit.

At this point place a large frying pan on a low heat and drizzle in some more oil - you can use vegetable, rapeseed or olive oil here.

Also fill a saucepan with the boiling water and cook the spaghetti for about ten minutes (check the packet instructions).

Now with each chicken breast, first coat it into the seasoned flour, making sure all of the surface is well coated.

Now take the breast and lay it into the beaten egg, again ensuring an even coating.

Finally, you guessed it, coat in the breadcrumbs and again, ensure the cheesy breadcrumbs completely coat the chicken. From there, add the chicken breast straight to the pan to begin cooking. And repeat the entire process until all of the breasts are complete.

Each chicken breast should need about 4 minutes on each side, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and the chicken is cooked through. It may need a little longer depending on the thickness of the chicken.

Once cooked, check the largest or thickest chicken breast by cutting it in the centre to ensure it is cooked through, then allow to rest for four minutes, before cutting the rest in half, or smaller if you prefer.

For the pasta, before draining the pasta, add about 2-3 tablespoons of the pasta cooking water to the sauce to loosen it up and help it to stick to the pasta. Once you’re happy with the consistency, drain the spaghetti and add directly to the pasta sauce pan. Mix well to ensure a good coating of sauce.

Now add the pasta to a large serving bowl and scatter over the remaining basil leaves. I like to grate over a little Grana Padana too at this point. Serve with the chicken on the side. Enjoy!