Resume Transmission: Frugal Winter Eats 1

So, I finally have internet in the house - it really is so hard for me to function without broadband these days.

There is a storm on the horizon at the minute, but I managed to get a load of washing out and dried, so I am snug in the house with the dinner on. Tonight I am cooking a favourite of mine: Spicy Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Rosemary Sweet Potatoes, Roast Salted Kale and steamed veggies.
I love chicken thighs, they are the cheapest cut of chicken and yet very versatile. I roast them with the skin still on, but you can use them in many different ways.

Spicy Chicken Thighs:

• 2 teaspoons garlic powder or 1 teaspoon of garlic purée 
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper
• 8 boneless chicken thighs 
• Oil (rapeseed) 
• 6 tablespoons honey
• 2 teaspoons cider vinegar (My father is a cider producer, nothing quite like REAL cider vinegar - I cannot get enough of the stuff)

Everyone has their own method for cook chicken thighs, for this recipe I don't like too much chicken fat. I start cooking the chicken with all the spices, mid way through spoon the fat run off over the chicken again. When the chicken is almost cooked through take it out, drain most of the fat and then add the honey and vinegar mix, coating the chicken. Put back into the oven until the honey and vinegar has reduced to a glaze and the skins are crispy.

I served this up with sweet potatoes that has been roasted (when the oven is going stick everything in) in a little oil, rosemary, salt, garlic powder and a pinch of cinnamon. I roasted the kale (5-8 minutes, I like my veg with a bit of bite) with a little oil and salt, and steamed some veg in the microwave. 

In other news I managed to buy a bar of Carbolic Soap for 50c in a bric-a-brac shop in town. All in all I have has a great weekend (I haven't quite done enough school work, but the night is young! And the countdown is most definitely on for the midterm break!)  

Frugal housework: Cleaning & maintenance of a leather sofa

My mother has a cream leather suite of furniture, maintenance can be quite a chore. Below is the cleaning routine I devised to make it a little easier.

Every few months (6 if you live in a careful household - in this house I recommend every three months) clean the furniture with a mild face soap and some water.Once this is done buff with a clean dry cloth.

For a more intense clean use 1 part vinegar 2 parts linseed oil - it is best to rub in and leave to sit overnight. This will clean the leather and help keep it supple.

Leather cleaning kit - complete with an untidy sitting room

***For stain removal - As soon as possible spray some hairspray on the effected area and leave for a few seconds. The alcohol in the hairspray will lift the stain, but also the outer coating. Treat the area with the linseed oil mixture to protect the leather