I’m pleased to report I’ve almost finished my Christmas shopping! I nipped into town yesterday to get my wrapping paper from Paperchase. I just love their stuff, I always have their wrapping paper and Christmas cards. I know they’re expensive, but I don’t care they are so worth it!
I got my grandparents and cousins presents then came home to order everyone else’s online. So now I’ll be waiting in for a hundred million parcels, but it’s better than going to a town packed full of people ambling round like I have all day when really I want to whizz round town as I have a thousand other things to do.
Last night I wrote all of my Christmas cards too so I’m feeling mighty organized. I think it’s partly because we only get 2 weeks off of Uni at Christmas and the first week back we have all of our deadlines, so I’m going to be super busy and not have time in the run up to Christmas.
I always find men are so hard to buy for, am I the only one? I mean they never know when you ask them and when I look at things I never know if they’ll like them. Or, like my Dad and boyfriend, if ever they want something they just go and buy it anyway so they don’t want anything for Christmas.
My Dad is almost impossible to buy for, he refuses to even talk about Christmas until December, by which time I want to have all my presents bought and wrapped and then he says “I’ll think about it” and never gets back to you. I normally end up buying him CD’s as he has about 1500 and often listens to the radio and likes a song then says “I must buy that” and forgets, but I don’t want to just buy him CD’s all the time, seems a bit like I don’t put any thought in.
I definitely put a lot of thought into presents! I’ve been researching and writing lists for weeks, but it’s still so much easier to buy for girls. I know I’m easy to buy for. A cookbook, some makeup, jewellery or clothes and I’m happy.
I think I’ve finally decided what I’m buying my boyfriend, but I won’t say because he’ll probably read this and since he won’t tell me what he’s got me, I’m not going to tell him.
It doesn’t help that my Student Finance still hasn’t come through, so for a lot of people I’ll just be making chocolates and fudge, but it is the thought that counts so hopefully they’ll like them. I’ve kept who I’m buying for to really close family members and my boyfriend, but it still costs a small fortune as the quirky things I find and think are perfect for people are always expensive. I know, I have expensive taste.
Anyway, a few weeks ago I wanted to try this recipe for roasted cod as I love it and we usually only have it if we’re making fish and chips. I wanted a healthier version with some vegetables and came across this. It was delicious, the roasted veg were juicy and the fish tender. I’ll definitely be making this again!
Serves 2
Recipe adapted from Eating Well
Ingredients:
> 1 onion, sliced finely
> 1 pepper, cut thinly
> 200g cherry tomatoes, cut in half
> 1tbsp olive oil
> Salt and pepper to taste
> Two 200g boneless, skinless cod
Method:
> Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C.
> Place the onion, pepper, tomatoes and olive oil in an oven proof dish and coat the vegetables with the oil.
> Place in the oven for about 45 minutes, turning the vegetables occasionally, until soft and golden brown on the edges.
> Turn the oven up to 225 degrees C.
> Push the vegetables to one side and place the fish in the dish. Place the vegetables on top of the cod.
> Place in the oven for about 15-20 minutes, until the cod is cooked through.
> Serve immediately with a jacket potato like us or a pasta salad.
Enjoy 🙂
Entered into What I Ate Wednesday at Peas and Crayons and Thursday’s Treasures at Recipes For My Boys
Annie is a self-taught baker, recipe developer and food photographer, who has an obsession with dessert and beauty! 
