3pickles: chickens

Showing posts with label chickens. Show all posts

Easy Chicken Pasta Bake (with hidden veggies)

08 February 2015

You're going to love how easy it is to make this pasta bake for the family.

Not only is this bake quick and easy to prepare, it has a bonus...hidden veggies!

My 3 little (not so little these days) pickles are pretty good with eating their vegetables but I strongly believe there is always room for more.

Growing kids need it.

Big kids too.

A little while back, the sweet peeps from Vetta sent me some of their healthy pastas to try. The Vetta Super Veg Pasta - with hidden vegetables was the biggest hit so it has been on the grocery list every week since we first tasted it.

One serve of pasta (50g) has approximately one serve of vegetables in it. Peas and corn to be to be precise. And they are in a toddler friendly elbow shape...perfect for this recipe.

Easy Chicken Pasta Bake (with hidden veggies)

I chopped up leftover roast chicken and vegetables from the night before but you could also use 1 chicken breast, sliced into bite sized pieces and pan fried.
1 pack of Vetta Super Veg Pasta
1 small brown onion, chopped
1 teaspoon of your favourite cooking oil (I like to use organic coconut oil
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 400g can crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon orgegano
salt and pepper to taste
grated tasty cheese

Cook pasta to packet directions, drain and set aside.
In a pan (or a casserole dish that can also be used on a cook top), heat oil and cook onions and garlic to soften.
Add chicken and leftover veggies (or cook raw chicken until browned and cooked through)
Add the tomatoes, oregano and seasonings.
At this stage you could also add a little water or stock if you like you pasta bake a little more saucy.
Mix drained pasta through the sauce and place in a baking dish (or you casserole dish)
Sprinkle with grated cheese and bake in a moderate oven for 20 minutes or until cheese is golden and bubbling.

I like to serve this straight for the casserole dish in the centre of the table with crusty bread and a green salad.

*Of course, you can use any old pasta for my easy chicken bake but you won't get those extra veggies in...not secretly anyway.

Tell me I'm not the only one who likes to announce to my kids at the dinner table what veggies they just ate without knowing?

mwahahaha....

Till next time.

Marnie x

Disclosure: This product was provided for editorial consideration. 3pickles has no affiliation with any companies mentioned and has received no remuneration for posting reviews. All opinions are my own.

How to have soft, supple skin this Winter...

26 May 2012

Every Winter I get dry, dehydrated skin. I don't look after it they way I should. Just like so many Mums who tend to put a lot of these things last...you know where I'm coming from, don't you?

But this year I decided to change that. Lots of things (like my weight loss journey) are on my ~~to do~~ am doing list. A better skincare/beauty regime is also there...high up on my list. So, over the next few weeks I want to share with you some of the products that have been "doing it" for me in the skin, hair and make-up departments.

Now, you might think I'm a little shallow and vain (good for you), but I believe that these little things are what can make the difference for me, especially when I'm having one of those fat, ugly crappy days (don't tell me you haven't had one of those...and if you haven't, please feel free to share your secrets in the comments).

When I buy products for me, I look at them as an "investment in myself". I want my kids to remember me as someone who tried to look after herself (in all areas of my life)...if I can't set an example for my kids, how the heck am I supposed to expect them to learn to do it?

OK...on to the good stuff.

I love the idea of skincare products containing 100% natural ingredients (they are far and few between), so when you find one that you love, grasp it with both hands and don't let go!! I also love to buy an Australian brand before other brands..

enter Black Chicken Remedies............ don't you just love the name??

Love Your Body Oil for Men and Women is a 100% natural, aromatherapy product made from a combination of twelve remedial oils. This silky smooth concoction is made from Avocado Oil, Rosehip Oil, Hazelnut Oil, Coconut Oil, Vitamin E Oil and the essential oils of Sandalwood, Geranium Bourbon, Patchouli, Lavender, Carrot, Ylang Ylang and Nutmeg.

I've been using this daily, especially concentrating it on the decolletage as this is where I show the signs of ageing and dryness the most.

Love Your Face Serum is a beautiful, deep penetrating, anti aging oil that hydrates my skin and keeps it hydrated all day. I use it at night too and wake with really soft skin...just what I wanted. I love the fact that I'm using a 100% natural product that contains certified organic ingredients, no parabens, no petrochemicals and no artificial fragrances (it smells heavenly). So my skin is re hydrated in a chemical free way...love that.

I also love the story of Black Chicken.

It is said that Black Chicken is an ancient crone, renowned for her healing powers and ability to transform her appearance at will.

For centuries they came, with their problems and ailments, to sit at her feet. Only those with good hearts were admitted. Those who had forgotten how to trust sought her door in vain.

So the story goes…

They came for comfort, for salves, for oils and herbs, for creams and cures.

They told their stories and for each she had a little magic to spare.

Black Chicken knows, they said, one to another, and so their children learned and their children’s children.
Black Chicken knows.

Black Chicken is the stuff of legend, but there’s no myth in the remedies afforded by practical and specific application of 100% essential oils.

This Aussie brand is already famous all over the world, where it is sold in Selfridges in London and boutique stores worldwide...Hong Kong, Singapore, Amsterdam, Ireland & Canada.

In Australia, these beautiful products are available from Black Chicken's Website (click here). And especially for my readers and friends, when you make any purchase from their website and enter the special code threepickles, you will receive a FREE Love Your Body Polish valued at $24.95!!!

Wooo hooo...get on that shiz. xx

Disclaimer: This product was provided for editorial consideration. 3pickles has no affiliation with any companies mentioned and has received no remuneration for posting this review. All opinions are those of the author.

Our newest addition {a dog's tale}

26 November 2011

Hi there, how have you been?

We've had a few ups and downs this week.

Firstly, the plumber dug the trenches for the stormwater drains and sewage.

They start at the front of the house, go through the courtyard and around to the backyard right next to the clothes line.

Then it rained

a lot

We're on clay here in this part of Melbourne.

So you can imagine the mud, mud, mud!!!

Mr 3P spent half the day in the pouring rain and the slop, trying to fill the trenches back in.

This is the only way from the car to the "current" front door, so when it was dug up and raining, it was insane. I came home from a cake decorating class with my friend Mrs Aunty Stage Mother and had to cross with cake in hand and I'd just straightened my hair, so I didn't know which one to "save" from the rain....the cake won. I felt like Bear Grylis in Man V's Wild.

Here's the cake. The CWA do the best cake classes.If you're in Melbourne and want to do a class you can find out more here.

I don't have a photo of my hair...

but if I did, I wouldn't show you anyway...lol

Speaking of scary, we had some creep break into our car the other night, while it was parked in our garage and stole my GPS!!! Not happy.

Freaked me out a bit.

This was the decision maker for us about getting another dog.

We lost our beautiful border collie last year (from old age) and within weeks a fox took our chooks. It was just waiting...I'm sure.

Now, for me a dog is a family member that you commit to caring for and loving for it's life. We had been thinking about it for a long time and decided a large dog that was good with children would be best and be a deterrent for creeps.

So, with no further adieu, I'd like to introduce you to Pickle #4

Isn't he beautiful?

He's only 7 months old and weighs 27.5 kgs already!!

He had never worn a collar or lead until yesterday, so walks have been challenging, but he's getting the hang of it.

He has the most beautiful nature and we're about to start obedience training next week.

Wish us luck..will fill you in on his progress.

See you soon.

{recipe} Low Fat, Hot Chips (and truckloads of taters from the garden)

23 May 2011

Guilt-free, hot chippies! Yum!
Peel your potatoes and slice into thick chips. Dry on absorbent paper and place in a large mixing bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of oil (I use either Canola or Olive). Sprinkle with sea salt and toss to combine. Place on baking sheet that has been lined with baking paper. Cook in a hot oven (turning once) for about 30-45 mins or until golden (depending on your oven...just check them from time to time).

A few years ago, pickle #2 planted potatoes in our garden. Now every year we get a bumper crop...truckloads in fact!!!!

Home grown potatoes taste SO MUCH BETTER than from the shops. Especially if you mash them. But then, doesn't everything taste better when you grow it yourself? We don't use pesticides or chemicals (except for our garlic and chili spray to get rid of pests). We also compost, have a worm farm and use our chooks' poo on the garden.

Pickle #1 and #2 replanting the smallest potatoes for next year.

Dirty work....and they love it!

Linking up to these parties:

http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/
http://www.allthingsheartandhome.com/
http://www.abeachcottage.com/
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/
http://itsablogparty.com/
http://paisleypassions.blogspot.com/
http://www.thefrugalgirls.com/
http://mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/
http://www.whipperberry.com/

Spring Onion & Friends

15 February 2011

Just few photos of bits of our garden and some friendly visitors.
Our garden makes me happy.
I'm linking this post to Sarah's Good Life Wednesday
at A Beach Cottage.

This rose smells like lollies.

Plum blossoms.

Playing with RAW and hue sliders.

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree.

Merry merry king of the bush is he.......................

The girls having a roam with Pickle #3

Farmer Pickle.

Have a great Wednesday

x Marnie

linking to
A Southern Daydreamer

{recipe} Spanakopita - the 3 Pickles way

20 January 2011


This is my "skippy" twist on the traditional Greek Spanakopita (Spinach and Cheese Pie).


Traditionally made with filo pastry (lots of butter) feta and spinach. In my version I use silverbeet (I'm told by my American friends that this is also known as Swiss Chard) as it grows in abundance in our garden. I sometimes use the filo, but today, I used regular, ready rolled puff pastry. For the cheese I used an Australia feta and fresh ricotta, but you can use any type you like. It's very quick and easy to make. My measurements are general guides, as I see this recipe as "a bit of this and a bit of that".

3 Pickles Spanakopita

1 Bunch of silverbeet (Swiss Chard), washed, chopped and steamed

200g (about 7oz) Australia feta

150g(about 5oz)fresh ricotta

3 eggs

1/2 brown onion, finely chopped

1/4 cup olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

3 sheets ready rolled puff pastry, partially thawed (I used Woolworths Homebrand)

Method

Pre-heat oven to hot (about 200 C) or (400 F) After steaming silverbeet, allow to cool. Drain off any excess liquid.

Mix all ingredients (except puff pastry) together in a large bowl, making sure to breakup big lumps of cheese.

Divide mixture and spoon down the centre of pastry sheets.

Fold over long sides

Spray with olive oil or brush with a little milk.

Place on baking sheets that have been lined with baking paper. And bake for about 20 - 30 mins till golden and puffy. Times will vary with different ovens, but you can see when they're ready by the golden colour.