Tuesday 27 March 2012

Student Suppers: Courgette Fritters

For anyone that reads my ramblings regularly you’ll know that I am a student. It is a well known fact that students are generally poor, but I want to bust the myth that we just live on beans on toast and bowls of cereal so we can spend on money on beer and vodka (or rum, in my case). So, I’ve decided to run this series called ‘Student Suppers’: they are recipes that I’ve found, come up with or tweaked that are cheap, tasty and fulfilling (hopefully healthy too, but I can’t promise anything!).


Ahh the sun is shining and the temperature is creeping up here in Blighty. It's got me in a very summery mood and reaching for some more Mediterranean style food. Mediterranean foods are great for vegetarians as they revolve a lot around fresh vegetables, but can meatified with grilled chicken or fish. Oh, and did I mention its the most healthy diet in the world? These courgette fritters are very Greek inspired and can be eaten as a meal in itself (just make them omelette sized) or as part of a meal, perfectly served with cous cous, a Greek salad and grilled meat. The recipe below will make one large fritter or several small ones.

Ingredients:
1 courgette
1 medium egg
Dash of milk (I usually use a cap full or two of milk)
25g of plain flour
50g feta cheese
Oregano (to taste)
Black Pepper (to taste)
Olive Oil (for frying)

Method:
  1. Grate the courgette onto a clean tea towel and squeeze out the excess water
  2. Mix together the egg, the flour and the milk to make a smooth batter. This doesn't need to be too runny, it is just meant to bind all the ingredients together.
  3. Crumble in the feta, add the black pepper and oregano (you won't need salt as the feta will make it salty enough) and stir through the batter.
  4. Add the courgette to the mixture and stir until all of it is combined.
  5. If you are going to make one big fritter then pour it into frying pan (with the olive oil) and cook for five minutes on each side - or until or feels completely firm. Smaller fritters will only take 2-3 minutes on each side
Enjoy!!

Thursday 15 March 2012

Mahalo!

Well, haven't I been a busy bunny? Between balancing a mountain of uni work I have finally bagged myself a part-time job. Now, this isn't just any part-time job (nor is it an M&S job) this is a very exciting adventure. You may have read my little review on a vintage fair I went to a long time ago at Liverpool's only tiki bar, Aloha? Well, I only went and got myself a job there! You cannot understand my excitement when I got invited to an interview! Two chats later I got the call for me to jump aboard the crew, and three shifts in (with lots of training too) I am loving it. Apart from the obvious - the rum, the music, the people - one of the ultimate perks of the job is the uniform. This is the best excuse I've ever had to go a bit mad and buy a load of vintage-y tiki things! I have quite a bit in my wardrobe anyway but no time like the present to expand!

I probably won't wear dresses to work, but maybe one might creep it's way into my wardrobe for summer...

Red Sarong Dress - Collectif £55

Blue Tiki Sarong Dress - Collectif £25
I'm currently wearing my old, old, old pair of Freddies of Pinewood jeans but I am thinking this is the perfect time to invest in a new pair. Now, which to choose...?

Maybe a pair of pedal pushers? - £48

I think I prefer them in blue though - £45
Shirts can be picked up from most hightstreets, vintage stores and good ol' eBay for varying prices. I've found some for £5 (usually made of cheap nylon fabrics though, so I avoid them) and then I've also seen some for well over £100 - I've then put them down and walked away...quickly.

Shoes wise, heels are a definite no no. Being on your feet for ten hours and running the gauntlet between the bar and guests definitely requires some comfy shoes! For now I've got my biker boots and some cheapo Primarni pumps, and for summer I'll probably invest in deck shoes that will survive. But if I could wear any tiki shoes for work there is only one shop I would go to...

Ahhh I love them so much! 'Bluebird' Miss L Fire - £54.99
These look so comfy! - 'Capri' Miss L Fire - £54.99
'Monterrey' Miss L Fire - £59.99
These are from their S/S'11 collection but are still available in some sizes - 'Honolulu' Miss L Fire £59.99
Taking some inspiration from Miss Fleur de Guerre I have decided I need to invest in more bangles. I bought some from New Look and will keep my eye out on the high street for more, but these are definitely being added to my collection!

Bow & Crossbones - £3.50 (Also available in 2 packs - £6.50 - and 3 packs - £9)
I need these! Bow & Crossbones - £7.50

I can see where my first wage packet will be going...