The Welsh Grand National: Thank you Mountainous!

On Saturday 28th December, my parents along with JP and I set off to Chepstow racecourse for the Welsh Grand National. 

About ten years ago, I had worked at Chepstow races during my school holidays as a waitress in the restaurant and a few private boxes. Going back as a spectator brought it all back; the smells, the sounds and the amazing amount of drunks staggering about at only 11:15am!

There had been torrential downpour all morning, but as we walked through the gates the skies cleared and it was crisp, clear and the sunny.

Some people arrived in the most opulent of fashion, some even choosing a helicopter to make their grand entrance. There were tweeds, velvets, minks and other furs in abundance, it was quite the fashion parade watching them in the owners enclosure. 

We quickly got used to the betting lingo and went back and forth with our "each way's" and "to win's" holding tightly onto the betting slips. Fingers and toes were firmly crossed that we'd be going back up to collect our winnings.

It was hard to part with cash at the start, but no sooner had a couple of races passed, my £2.50 bets became £10 bets..... 
Over breakfast that morning, Mummy, JP and I had scoured the betting websites and had drawn up a list of those we wanted to put our hard earned money on- this list came in handy as the crowds gathered around the boards. Some of the horses that were meant to be racing were withdrawn at the last minute, leaving some races with a reduced field and a higher chance for us to win!  

Mummy was particularly successful with her bets from the start...... going back and forth to collect her winnings, I think the bookies were as shocked as we were! 

But then, at 14:35pm, the Grand National race itself, we all won big. The anticipation was palpable, excitement indescribable. My legs literally went to jelly as I saw my horse, Mountainous, come in first place at 20-1 odds. 

Before each race the horses were paraded around in front of an eagerly awaiting crowd.

After the Grand National prize-giving there were two more races. A lot of the crowd had dispersed to the warmer areas (bars!) and as the sun started to go down it became bitterly cold. However, one more win for all of us kept our spirits high and our pockets lined!

Having lived in Wales for the majority of my 26 years and being there for every Christmas I can remember this was surprisingly the first time we had ever been to the Welsh Grand National. 
It was such a brilliant day- not just because we'd all won some money- but with the jovial atmosphere, bright weather and spending such precious time with people I love most. 



With the sun setting, we headed home back to the welcoming warmth of a crackling wood burner and mulled wine. The perfect end to a very perfect day. 

Happy New Year everyone, thanks for reading.

Emi x 

A slice of health....

Courgette bread is one of my favourite things to make, not only because it tastes delicious but also because it's gluten and (virtually) carb free. 

As a Christmas treat and massive thank you for all my yelps of pain... (and abuse) over the last 6 months, I made this one especially for my wonderful personal trainer, Henri. 

What you need:

• 275g of almond flour 
• 1 TSP of baking powder
• 2 pinches of sea salt
• 1 pinch of dried rosemary
• 1 handful dried cranberries *
• 1 handful chopped almonds / pecans/ walnuts *
• 3 eggs (free-range if possible) 
• 1 TBSP of honey
• 2 courgettes

*Optional 

Directions:

• Set the oven to 180°C (fan assisted)
• In a bowl mix the almond flour, baking powder, rosemary, cranberries, nuts and salt together 
• Grate the two courgettes and leave to one side
• Beat the eggs with the a hand held electric beater for 2 minutes then add the grated courgette and honey in and beat for a few more seconds until the mixture is fully mixed
• Add the dry mix into the wet mix, stir with a spoon and mix well
• Poor the mixture into a medium loaf tin (make sure that you have lined it with greaseproof paper!)
• Bake for 30 minutes

Eat within 2/3 days and keep stored in a tin.

It's delicious when still warm from the oven or cold or even toasted. We like to have ours with houmous, beetroot and beef tomatoes, or even as an accompaniment to a hearty bowl of soup. 

Cooled down, packaged up and a big blue bow later, it was ready to give to Henri.

I am sure you could use many different vegetables as alternatives to courgette, I would like to try beetroot and maybe even butternut squash too.

Emi x

Homemade Christmas in a box.

This week was my final one before Christmas and I wanted to make the guys I work with a special treat to go with their Christmas cards. Last year I made homemade truffles which went down extremely well, so this year I wanted to do something that would hopefully be equally as popular but due to limited time something that was quick and easy too. 

I bought some bright red flat pack boxes from a local craft store to display them in and set to my chocolaty task. 

What you need:
300g Milk / Dark chocolate
100g shelled pistachios
70g dried cranberries
100g White chocolate
3 Crunchie bars

Equipment: 
A high sided baking tray about 13cm / 23cm. 
(So long as it's square / rectangular it doesn't really matter!)
Foil or greaseproof paper

The method:

• Break all the chocolate up and put to the side (milk and white in separate bowls)
• Place the milk/dark chocolate pieces in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of water. Heat the water to boiling, then remove from the heat and allow the chocolate to melt slowly- stirring from time to time

• While the chocolate's still melting line the tin with grease proof paper or tin foil
• When the chocolate has melted, stir in the pistachios, crunchie and cranberries
• Pour in to the lined tin and allow to cool in the fridge

Whilst my chocolate was cooling in the fridge I set up my flat pack gift boxes and lined them all with a square of foil.
 

• Melt the white chocolate in the same way in a separate bowl
• When the milk/dark chocolate has almost set (but be sure not to let it set completely, or the top layer of chocolate will not stick to the milk/dark chocolate)

• Pour the white chocolate over the top to make a second layer. Try to manoeuvre it by picking the tray up and tipping it from side to side rather than using a spatular to try and even it out as (my mistake) it can mix with any chocolate that hasn't quite cooled.

• Add to the top any last bits of crunchie. 
• Place in the fridge for a few hours until completely set 

• Cut into bite-size squares/ rectangles and enjoy! 

I placed a few chocolates each in to the individual boxes and then used some blue ribbon I found to complete the decoration. 

... and fortunately they went down extremely well, most boxes had been polished off before 9:30am!

Have you made any homemade treats for friends/ family this Christmas?

5 days to go! 

Emi x