My best night in ever

After a hard day or maybe even a hard week of lectures and study, the thing I like to do most is RELAX! I'm all up for a night out but sometimes pjs, a good dinner and some good TV is feels like the best night ever.

Here's my advice/experience of the best way to have the best night in:

Pjs

If you want cheap, cheerful & comfy, then Primark's your best bet. Pyjama bottoms start at £2 and you can pick up a t-shirt for the same amount. If Primark's not the place for you then Marks & Spencer would be my next stop, you can pick up bottoms for a tenner and last time I looked, they even did Eeyore ones!! If you're not a pyjama-lover then don't worry, a term at Uni will well and truly convert you... why get dressed when there's just no need? Slippers are also a must-have item as floors in halls tend to be rock hard (poorly feet) and wearing slippers will keep you warm and stop you putting the heating on!

A good dinner

I'm definitely a home-cooking kind of girl. I do like the odd takeaway and a "2-for-£1" pie from Sainsbury's is hard to beat but if I've got the time (or I'm procrastinating) I love to spend half an evening making dinner.

As well as your basic pasta, rice, tinned tomatoes and beans in the store cupboard, I recommend the following to make your food actually taste of something... OXO cubes (veg and beef), hot chilli powder, light soy sauce, coconut milk, a couple of spices (cumin & paprika are my favourites), black pepper, mixed herbs, sweet chilli sauce, ketchup, cheese, garlic and peanut butter.

Rather than planning out a menu for the week and then buying the relevant ingredients, I tend to buy a lot of fresh veg and meat and build my "menu" around what I have in the fridge/cupboard. This works because you can develop several meals that you like that use similar ingredients. For example spaghetti bolognaise, curry and stir fry can all be made using the same vegetables. As well as all your fresh vegetables and store cupboard ingredients, I'd advise to always keep your freezer relatively stocked since you're likely to want a quick or effortless dinner some nights. Most pies, sausages, quiches, pizzas etc can be frozen, as can all fresh meat. See end of blog for recipe ideas.

Good TV

Do give into the temptation to watch soaps, definitely Neighbours & Hollyoaks!! They're great because you don't have to pay much attention and can be cooking/working/chatting at the same time. I like to stay relatively up-to-date on current affairs and think this is important no matter what degree you do. Employers like to know that you are aware of world events. The national news on BBC/ITV is only half an hour long and even watching it twice a week will keep you relatively clued up. Satirical programs such as 'Mock the Week' and 'Have I got News for You' are a good way to keep up as well. Other "good TV" includes (in my opinion anyway) 'CSI' on Five/Five US, 'Fresh Prince' on Virgin 1, 'How to look good naked' on C4 and pretty much anything on the legendary channel Dave!

Recipes -

Satay chicken for one.

Ingredients: 1 chicken breast, � onion, 1 clove garlic, hot chilli powder, 1 spoonful soy sauce, 2 spoonfuls of peanut butter.

Method:

Chop onions. Crush garlic. Cut up chicken into slices/cubes. Fry onion, garlic & chicken until chicken is seared on all sides. Add hot chilli powder, soy sauce & peanut butter (maybe a little water as well). Fry until chicken is fully cooked. Serve with peas & rice.

Chicken curry for three. (Freeze two portions or share with a couple of friends)

Ingredients: 2 chicken breasts, 1 onion, � pepper, 5 or 6 mushrooms, 2 cloves garlic, spices, 1 tin coconut milk, 1 vegetable OXO cube.

Method:

Cut up chicken into slices/cubes. Sear chicken on all sides. Remove from frying pan & keep to one side in a bowl. Cut onions, peppers & mushrooms. Crush garlic. Fry onions & garlic. Add cumin & hot chilli powder (can also add other spices and/or a chilli). Add mushrooms & peppers (can also add carrots, finely sliced). Leave to fry off for a few minutes. Add coconut milk & vegetable OXO cube. Leave to cook for as long as you like really. Add chicken and leave until chicken is fully cooked. Serve with rice (and naan bread).