Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Quick & Simple: Sweet & Sour Battered Chicken By Blue Dragon

There’s always something that catches you eye when you’re out shopping that you think, ‘Hmmm, fancy that’. And that was the case with Blue Dragon Sweet & Sour Battered Chicken. This wasn’t the first time I’ve tried something similar. They also do a crispy chilli beef version that, when we tried it, went horribly wrong (though we now know why!)
So what do you get: the batter mixture & a sauce.
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The batter is easy enough to make. Simply add water measured in the cap and mix until the consistency of double cream. The mixture is meant for 225g of chicken but we managed to cover 400g (just!) You’re suppose to cook the chicken in a pan but instead I used the deep fat fryer and it seemed to work. Cooked the chicken for a couple of minute before removing and drying the excess oil off.
The sauce is simply heated and served either separately or drizzled over the chicken. We served our with rice.
It’s the first time that they finished product actually looked like the the image on the front of the label
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It’s relatively quick & simple to make with minimum effort and perfect is you want to try something a little different. Having had success with this one, I think we’ll be having another bash with the crispy chilli beef one!

Friday, September 26, 2014

Sometimes…Crazy Works…

We've all been there, right? That moment someone suggests something really crazy and everybody laughs about it. Then someone says...'Well...why not?'

 

UAC Clyde Handover @ Yorkhill 21st September 2014

Well, I've bore witness to that over the last month or so. To let you understand, Glasgow 2014 were running auctions where you could either bid or buy directly items that were related to the Commonwealth Games. One such item that came up was the one of a kind statue of mascot Clyde that we affectionately dubbed UAC (Uniform & Accreditation Centre) Clyde. 

 

We decided we wanted to leave a legacy from the volunteers. Something special. During the Games there was trail of 25 statues around Glasgow, one being placed outside the Yorkhill Children's Hospital. No one knew what was happening with the 24 (one was stolen!) so we decided that since Clyde brought smiles to kids of all ages, why not try and get this special one? And if not, the money raised would still go to the charity. So it would be a win-win situation.

 

There was another from the Village but UAC Clyde meant something to the volunteers: we all had to come into contact with him at some point before the Games. Heck, even the Queen met him! So at first it was the Clyde-Siders raising money for him, then Host City Volunteers...before we knew it, we had volunteers from all areas of the Games wanting to pitch in. And boy did they! Not even an international e-money service blocking an account twice could stop us. We were ready to bid on him when...he vanished from the site.

 

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Worry not. The story goes that someone heard what we were trying to do, spoke to some others in Glasgow 2014 and they pulled him from the auction, and gave him to us! We were shocked. But this meant that the money that was raised to buy him would also be going to the hospital. Cue another furious round of selling personal items, some that couldn't be replaced.

 

UAC Clyde Handover @ Yorkhill 21st September 2014

On Sunday, it all came to a head. A large group of volunteers from all sections gathered in a car park nearby and then, piped in by some lovely musicians, we headed to the hospital to officially hand him over. And the money? We raised an astonishing £6060! It was such a lovely end to what was an amazing experience. And apparently the kids are already loving their 'Smile Generator'!

 

So there is something to make you smile given all the evil that we hear about these days. Hope that it restores a little faith in humanity!

 

Photos © Vhari Lannigan & Allan MacBain

Friday, August 08, 2014

Glasgow 2014 : A Clyde-Sider’s Review

Well...hasn't time flown? Doesn't seem like 2 weeks ago we were just getting the 20th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow underway and now it's all over. Had you asked me back on the 28th February 2013 whether I’d be picked for the Games I’d probably have said no, never mind being offered a position as photo team member in press operations. Then again, if you’d told me last year I would be in LA, I would have said the same!

To think that the real journey only started back in March at the Orientation event at the Emirates Arena.
Glasgow 2014 Orientation @ Emirates Arena, Glasgow 7th March 2014 Then it was all go! Seems it was no time at all until the opening ceremony… Or in my case, seeing the dress rehearsal!
Glasgow 2014 Opening Ceremony Dress Rehearsal @ Celtic Park, Glasgow 21st July 2014
Glasgow 2014 Opening Ceremony Dress Rehearsal @ Celtic Park, Glasgow 21st July 2014
Glasgow 2014 Opening Ceremony Dress Rehearsal @ Celtic Park, Glasgow 21st July 2014
Glasgow 2014 Opening Ceremony Dress Rehearsal @ Celtic Park, Glasgow 21st July 2014
Glasgow 2014 Opening Ceremony Dress Rehearsal @ Celtic Park, Glasgow 21st July 2014
Glasgow 2014 Opening Ceremony Dress Rehearsal @ Celtic Park, Glasgow 21st July 2014
Looking back, it’s all a little surreal with everything that’s gone on. Let’s start with the bizarreness of seeing athletes and officials getting on the trains, cycling in the streets. But after a few days of that, it seemed normal!

And now to the shifts. I'll admit that the first couple of shifts were a bit daunting but think that was because I didn’t really didn't know what to expect. But by the end it was all running smoothly. There wasn't really any difficulties, just learning how to balance what the photographers wanted but taking into consideration about those that had paid for tickets. Going to miss working with the lovely team mates :(


The medal ceremony music is now firmly ingrained into my mind having seen 7 medal ceremonies across the 11 days. I've been really surprised by how the spectators, no matter who the might have been there to support, got right behind every single athlete taking part and raised the roof several times (I'd hate to see roof repair bill lol) And it didn’t stop there. Even of the long journeys home people have been buzzing on packed trains. I don't think I've spoke to as many strangers in a while!

As for what else I got up to:

- I've taken photos for people (apparently being a photo team member means you can take pictures)

- Handed out free badges (thank you People Make Glasgow!)

- Been given a row by a kid for saying hello to other Clydesiders in passing on the train!

- Played tig in the SECC concourse (there's a phrase I never though I'd say.In my defence, the parent did involve me and we ensured we didn't cause a hazard! These were the Friendly Games after all)
- Been a walking information point
- Been Twitter support!

…and you guys thought all I was doing was looking after the photographers :)

 

My only regret is not being able to catch up with other Clydesiders outside of shifts. Feel I missed something there. But still, was a fantastic experience that I wish I could do it all again. Feels a little odd this week but think it’s got me wanting to volunteer more now.