How To Make The PERFECT Brtish Roast Potato

One thing I've learned living here in England is that on Sundays, you have proper English Sunday dinners!  It usually consists of either roast beef, chicken, pork or gammon (ham) with roast potatoes, roasted veggies, Yorkshire pudding and most importantly a huge heaping ladle full of gravy! 

You can't go out on a Sunday for a leisurely walk around town without smelling Sunday dinners being cooked in every household.  Mmmmmmmmmmm, it leaves you feeling hungry every time! 

While I have yet to perfect a home made Yorkshire pudding (I cheat and buy frozen ones), I am confident that I have perfected the art of making really great roast potatoes! 

Here's how!

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F or 200 degrees C.  Get yourself a Pyrex rectangular glass dish and pour in just enough oil to cover the bottom of the dish.  I used Sunflower oil.  Then put the dish into the oven to heat up.

Step 2: Get yourself (depending on how many people you are feeding - family of four) 4 potatoes (washed) and ready to peel.  Chop into good size chunks.  You don't want them cut too small.

Step 3: This is key - you are going to want to par-broil the potatoes to get them a little tender before roasting them.  This is and reheating your oil will give them the crunchy texture on the outside, but the tenderness you want in the inside.  I would say par-broil them for at least 5 to 7 minutes.

 

Step 4:  After heating your glass dish with oil for around 15 to 20 minutes, take it out of the oven.  Once you have par-broiled your potatoes for 5 to 7 minutes, drain and add to dish.  Because the oil is so hot, step back, you are definitely going to get a little crackle and pop! :)  Stir the potatoes around in the oil, coating each one.  Then pop into the oven for 45 to 55 minutes.  I would say keep an eye on them around the 45 minute mark and take them out when they are brown and crispy on top!

 

 

And that's it!!!!!!!  Just sprinkle with a little salt and pepper when they come out of the oven!  Super easy and so perfect with any dish, especially with the holidays right around the corner!!!  

 

The perfect Sunday British dinner! 

 

Roast chicken with stuffing, roast potatoes, roasted veggies (carrots / broccoli) and Yorkshire puddings with lots and lots of gravy!!! 

 

Can't beat it!  I promise you won't be disappointed in trying these roast potatoes.  The key again is to make sure your oil is hot and your potatoes are par-broiled!

 

Enjoy!!!!  xxx

Weekly Picnics

Who would have ever thought that I could be enjoying weekly picnics with my minis each week?  While I do miss my career and the adult brain stimulation that came along with it, I have to say that I've found so much happiness in enjoying the days in and days out spent with my girls.  Sometimes you just don't realize how quick the time goes and how you will never get that time back. 

I plan on soaking up every minute until my next career move! 

With that said, England has some lovely parks and places to take the kids.  While you can't always count on the weather here, one thing you can count on is that if it is sunny, everyone is outdoors!!!!!  :)

Loughborough park is the perfect spot for a picnic.  They have lots of green grass, a playground, a bird museum, an ice cream man, etc.  On that particular day, there were loads of Christian youth groups around providing free face painting and balloon animals.  It couldn't have worked out better!

Here's a few pics from our day out! 

Stella's Last Day of Preschool!

Stella wrapped up her last day of preschool on July 13th.  What a year it has been for my two little ones.  As you will recall, when we first moved to England, we lived with my in laws for three months in a semi, two bedroom house.  Steve and I slept in a double bed while the kids slept in a single bed at the end of our bed.  Each slept with one head on opposite ends of the bed.  We were living out of the suitcases we packed and brought over while all of our worldly possessions were sailing across the Atlantic.  While it wasn't ideal, it was what had to be done while Steve and I diligently searched for homes each day. 

Steve began working 2 weeks after we landed full time.  I had no car at that point and to be honest was hesitant about driving anyways.  The roads are so narrow, they drive on the left and use roundabouts vs. traffic lights.  It wasn't until September of last year that I finally got brave enough to buy a car and start driving.  With that said, I went about a month and a half walking everywhere.  Unlike the States where everything is so spread out, everything you need here is within walking distance.

Lottie started school around the first of September last year so with her getting settled in her new school, I thought it would be an ideal time to get Stella used to going back as well.  After looking online, I found a preschool that I thought would be a good fit for her.  We walked to check it out and it just felt like you would be dropping her off at grandma or granddad's house.  They were very welcoming and kind.  Stella started off going 2 days a week for 3 hours at a time.  I swear those 6 hours a week are what kept me somewhat sane during those 3 months living with my in laws.  Don't get me wrong, I love my in laws and realize that it couldn't have been easy on them either. 

By the end of the school year, Stella was going 3 days a week for 3 hours each time.  I can't say enough about the staff.  They put on Christmas productions, picnics, sports day, end of year celebrations, etc.  They also visited a nursing home every couple of weeks where the children would sing to all the elderly folks.  I can't imagine what joy that must have brought to them.  :)

It's hard to believe that at just 3, my baby will be entering into her last year of preschool before joining her sister at big school.  

Here's a few photos of Stella's last week at preschool!

Teddy Bear Picnic (that is Stella's BFF - Imogen)

 

End of Year Celebrations

 

Last Day of Preschool!

Lottie's 5th Birthday Party

A couple of weeks ago, we celebrated my big 5 year old!!  We threw her a party at Conkers.  Conkers is a wonderful place to visit with kids.  I can't wait to go back this summer to try out all of their outdoor activities, ropes courses, etc.  It is in the heart of the National Forest. 

Conkers has an indoor soft play / jungle gym area where Lottie's party took place.  She had the entire place to herself to play with all of her mates from school.  You have no idea how wonderful it is to see her making so many new friends and adapting so incredibly well to her surroundings.  She has truly exceeded my expectations in her ability to adapt in school, home life, socially, etc. since moving to England.  I am so PROUD of the little lady she is becoming.  She is such a special little girl! 

Here are a few photos of Lottie and her mates celebrating her 5th birthday!

Lottie & Evie (her BFF)

(Girls are so sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Lottie, Evie & Lily (she is my neighbor's daughter and a trip, so funny)

Matthew and Stella

Stella was under the weather that day (we almost had to leave her with my in laws b/c she was ill, but I felt bad thinking about her missing her sister's party) She basically said that she wanted to go home the entire time we were there.  Poor babe!

 



 

My big girl!!!  She's so beautiful!!

Vickie, Owen, Me, Stella

Please look at Stella "twirling" her hair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The kids had a spread of sandwiches, chicken nuggets, sausage rolls, veggies, breadsticks and cake

Here is a little fun fact for you.........................

In the states, the kids are served cake and is eaten right after the birthday girl or boy blows out the candles.  In England, the kids don't eat cake right after the candles are blown.  Each child gets a piece wrapped up in a napkin and put in their party bag to take home.  I suppose the reason for that is because they all get sweets and little cakes served with their sandwiches, etc.



The kids also do not open any presents at the party.  I suppose it would take too much time away from the actual party itself, so it's done when you get home. 

 

Lottie received lots of nice gifts from her friends.  We are very lucky that we are surrounded by so many wonderful friends in England, both old and new.

 

A big thank you to those that came out and celebrated our big girl! 

 

xxxxxx