Saving Samson!

We were delighted when The Museum of Norwich approached us and asked whether we would help to spread the word about the ‘Saving Samson’ crowdfunding campaign which the Museum of Norwich is currently running. 

They need to raise £15,000 by 22 March to put this wonderful 17^th century statue of Samson on display at the Museum. 

He’s a much-loved Norwich and Norfolk icon – a familiar site to generations of revellers who visited the Samson and Hercules on Tombland when it was a ballroom and later Ritzy’s Nightclub in the 80s. Samson was moved in the early 90s for safekeeping, which is when he entered their collections – the figures outside the building now are fibreglass replicas. 

Samson has already gone through conservation processes and now The Museum of Norwich want to pay for a special environmentally-controlled display case to put him back on permanent display and ensure the public get to see their favourite doorman!

The campaign is being run via the Art Fund’s Art Happens platform which also has a film about the project:

https://www.artfund.org/get-involved/art-happens/help-bring-samson-home-to-norwich

It would also give people the chance to see the famous character in a new light thanks to specialist conservation work undertaken by London-based Plowden and Smith. The restoration experts have removed all paint from the figure to reveal the intricate woodcarving beneath which would have been on display when Samson was first installed outside the Tombland home of Norwich mayor Christopher Jay in 1657.

The Saving Samson campaign wants to ensure the figure is now preserved for future generations in a special display case that would both protect him and allow him to remain on public display.

Norfolk Museums Service also has Samson’s counterpart Hercules in its collections, although this is a replica installed in Victorian times rather than the original from 1657.

To donate funds to the Saving Samson campaign, visit www.artfund.org/saving-samson

Hassleback Chicken

This has now become a firm family favourite in the Speed house. Its fresh, tasty, very low fat and super simple to make. With very little prep time and then you just chuck it in the oven its great for a healthy dinner after work.

Ingredients:

Skinless chicken breast (one per person)

Courgette

Red/orange/yellow peper

Beef tomato

Grated Mozzarella 

Salt and pepper to season

You could also add any veggies you fancy; red onion, aubergine, mushrooms, the choice is yours.

Step 1:

Pre heat the oven to 180C/350F/ Gas Mark 4

Then prep your veggies. These need to be sliced approx 5mm thick, much thicker than that and it will be difficult to stuff the chicken! Pop these to one side.

Step 2:

Place a wooden spoon either side of the chicken breast, so the meat is wedged between the two handles, these will help to stop you slicing all the way through. Cut a slice at regular spaces along the chicken breast (as seen in the photo.)

Step 3:

Place the chicken into an oven proof dish and fill each slice with the vegetables. You should be able to get a couple of slice in each cut.

Any spare veggies can be placed around the chicken breast in the dish. Waste not want not!

Step 4:

Sprinkle the meat and vegetables with mozzarella and season. Cover with tin foil.

Step 5:

Bake in the oven for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and return to the oven.

Step 6:

Continue to bake until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and the the cheese is nicely golden.

Step 7:

Serve and enjoy!

Delicious Tapas at Champagne Charlies!

We absolutely love a good tapas but do find that when it's just the two of us a regular tapas restaurant can soon become pricey, so when we discovered that Champagne Charlies in Great Yarmouth offered a fixed price all you can eat tapas we were keen to try it.

Champagne Charlies is situated just down Regent Road so is really easy to get to if travelling by bus, or there is road side parking close by. Recently Champagne Charlies has changed ownership, it had a good reputation previously so we were keen to see if it still lived up to expectations.

The restaurant was moderately busy considering it was a cold January evening. Inside has a lovely modern decor. We were greeted and shown to our seat. i had pre booked via the restaurants Facebook page, where the response and communication was quick and very helpful.

Prices for the all you can eat are £12.95 wkday/£15.95wkend per person, They also offer a small selection of pizza options (this would suit Emily down to the ground!)

The waitress explained the menu and ran through the specials. We were told how ordering would work, this isn't an all you can eat buffet where you walk over to the counters, here you order the dishes you wish to have from a menu and these are table service. 

Whilst we looked at the menu to choose our main dishes we were brought a bread tray, with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping and a dish of olives.

We each got to choose 3-4 dishes each time, until we were full. 

And what a delicious selection there was!
Everything was freshly cooked and quaintly presented in small rustic dishes - terracotta bowls, individual pans, etc. 

 

All in all we enjoyed 19 various dishes and were still offered more! Some of which we duplicated as they were so good. Each dish offered a small sample per person to enjoy, this way you can try a larger variety of foods.

Champagne Charlies also offers a large drinks menu, including cocktails! I had to sample one of these just to see what they were like!

The staff in Champagne Charlies were very attentive and polite. Nothing seemed to be too much hassle for them. When we first ordered they checked for any food allergies so they could prep the food accordingly, as each dish is freshly prepared. 

We thoroughly enjoyed our meal at Champagne Charlies and will be planning a return visit soon, along with the girls. It'll be a great way to get them to try samples of new foods, Emily is still a very fussy eater but even she has shown eagerness to try some of the Tapas.

So if you are fancying some fresh tapas then give Champagne Charlies a try, to find out more information then checkout their Facebook page.

Healthy Fish Pie - low fat recipe

This recipe serves 4 and is simple to prep and bake. With the ingredients used it is super low in fat and has great benefits from the fish, which makes it a fantastic meal when you are following a healthy lifestyle. Not only is it healthy but its a very filling and satisfying dish.

Ingredients

250g Salmon Fillet

360g Cod Fillet

150g King Prawns

450ml Semi Skimmed Milk

I Fish Stock Cube

1 tsp Cornflour

Salt and Pepper

Potatos

Veggies to serve, we choose:

Broccolli

Spinach

Step One:

Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas mark 4

Peel and chop the potatoes, then boil these until tender. Then mash, I don't add anything extra to the potato other than a sprinkle of salt and pepper. If you prefer then feel free to add a splash of milk or a knob of butter, bare in mind that this adds fat to the recipe.

Step Two:

Chop the cod and salmon into large chunks, you can use your preferred fish for this dish, its entirely up to you.

Step Three:

Pour the semi skimmed milk into a pan and add the fish stock cube and seasoning. Bring to the boil.

Step Four:

Add the fish to the milk mixture and simmer until the fish is cooked through. Now add the cornflour and stir until the mixture thickens.

Step Five:

Pour the mixture into an oven proof dish and makes sure the fish is distributed evenly.

Step Six:

Cover the dish with the mashed potato and place into the preheated oven.

Step Seven:

Cook for 30 minutes or until the sauce bubbles and the mash has browned on the edges.

Step Eight:

Serve and enjoy!

This was such a delicious and satisfying meal and will definitely be on the Speed's menu again!