Letterbox April 2020

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IN THIS ISSUE Easy Crafts that will look stunning in your home How to prep for when the property market moves again.

Spruce up your conservatory for Spring Outdoor Rugs : Shop It DIY projects perfect for Lockdown

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IN THIS ISSUE OF

FEATURES Here's how to prep for when the property market starts moving again 3 Lockdown Craft sets to do & will look stunning in your home.

4 DIY projects to do during lock down Cute Outdoor playhouse designs Dear Letterbox - Your home Woes

TRENDS Eye Spy : The Painted Wood Work Trend Spruce up your conservatory for Spring Blush & Yellow - Shop the look

GARDEN

Make use of the longer evenings : 4 things to incorporate into your outdoor space

THE PERFECT FLOWERS TO PLANT THIS SPRING

23 Highstreet Buys

from the usual Spring bulbs to those you tend to forget.

Outdoor Rugs - Shop it A Heartwarming nursery theme

FOOD

Transform your kitchen counters for less than £50!

THE BEST BANANA BREAD RECIPE

OTHER

where can I still buy paint during covid-19?

Because it's not really lock down with out some homemade banana bread.

How to deep clean your mattress DIY Crafts that will look stunning in your home perfect storage for spring CHARLOTTE-NICHOLE@OUTLOOK.COM

to contact the editor

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FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOUR HOME As we look upon several more weeks in Lock down, it's important to remember how lucky we all are. Above all else, we are keeping safe and well in the comfort of our own home, with little more to do than relax, catch up on telly and even do those jobs we've always wanted to do.

Our April edition of Letterbox is here to remind you of all the things that can keep you busy whilst at home, and some helpful advice and tips to get you falling back in love with your home.

We are all facing a huge amount of time at home so spending some of it making it a better, more comfortable and desirable place to be should be top priority.

With advice on what to buy for better storage, to craft kits to get creative with and will look great in your home, we have lots for you to get excited about.

I urge you to keep safe and stay home.

charlotte

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SO YOU WANTED TO MOVE?

HERE'S HOW TO PREP FOR WHEN THE MARKET STARTS MOVING AGAIN BYÂ HARRY SOPER -MURRAY

Corona has certainly halted plans up and down the country from holidays, bank holiday getaways and of course moving home. There’s a lot to buying and selling a property and as much as we try to control, plan and prepare for the process, somethings like a deadly virus inevitably isn’t something any of us could have prepared for.

It’s certainly a tough time to be wanting to buy or sell. The property market is fairly stagnant as no one is able to put their property on the market or offer on ones they’ve seen.

Whilst everything is on pause, the great news is that there are still somethings that can be done to make progress, even whilst lockdown is commencing.

1

CHECK YOUR CREDIT SCORE

Hopefully you have already done this,

considering you’re probably borrowing more or making your first property purchase. But if not, the first step is checking that credit score. Thanks to GDPR, checking yours is not only easy but completely free too! Applying for a mortgage will require a credit check, so you really want to make sure it’s in tip top condition. Low credit scores can make it hard to borrow money and credit checks themselves can impact it too. Checking regularly and ironing out any negative points before you head to the bank will help make sure you have the best opportunity financially to borrow as much as possible.

2

GET YOUR HOME READY

These weeks certainly offer a great

3

RESEARCH AGENTS

Whilst you may not be able to instruct

opportunity to get your home in order,

any agents, doing your research and

especially if you want to sell. Touch up any

chatting to them beforehand will give you

rough edges, de-clutter and make your

a great shortlist as soon as everything is

home presentable. Getting your home in

lifted. Be sure to check what’s included in

order now will give you a jump start when

the fee, and whether they are currently

everything starts moving again.

selling or sold a property like yours.

4

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

It’s old fashioned but registering your interest with agents for what you are looking for can give you a head start on properties that are new to the market.

Whilst everyone is on Rightmove, when agents have a brand-new property, they will often call their clients that are looking for a property that fits the bill to get people through the door. Call local agents and new build sales teams and let them know what you’re looking for.

When a property matches you know you will be notified when something comes on.

5

SAVE

It’s obvious we know but now is a great time to save as much as you can.

We know it’s hard times and many will struggle, but saving will help you massively when buying and selling.

Every penny will help whether it be for moving costs of buying new furniture.

These times are hard and lots of us have had to cancel or postpone our plans. We will return to normality, whenever that be. Whilst we wait, why not prepare for when we can press play once again.

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OUR G UIDE TO SHOP PING SAFE

3 LOCKDOWN CRAFT SETS TO DO & WILL LOOK STUNNING IN YOUR HOME. Get crafty and possibly learn a new skill, or get back in touch with an old hobby. Lock down creates lot of opportunity to be bored, but what if you could get crafty and create something unique for your home. Here’s 4 crafty sets to buy and get busy with to pass the time, and make something for your home too.

Cross Stitch Is a great starting point for anyone wanting to ease into crafts. With so many starter kits to buy online, you will certainly find something easy to create and beautiful for your home. Be sure to buy a kit that includes everything you will need Here's some kits for your to consider.

Hannah Hand Makes Cross Stitch Cactus Funny Cross Stitch kit from SewCross Handmade

Embroidery If you want something more intricate and detailed, embroidery is a great craft to pass the hours and enjoy. Once again there are plenty of sets to buy online that

WHERE CAN I STILL BUY PAINT DURING COVID-19?

With so many of us looking to spend time on our home whilst in

include everything you

lockdown, and major paint suppliers like Dulux suffering to keep up

will need to make a

with demand, you maybe wondering where on earth you can grab

stunning piece perfect for your home. If you’ve tried cross stitch and fancy a challenge embroidery is for you. Here's some kits for your to

your next home colour.

DIY stores are insatiably closed, but there are still plenty of places offering a great colour range and available to buy safely.

consider.

Giraffe Kit by Namaste Embroidery Doodle Embroidery Kit by OhSewBootiful

Here's where you can purchase your next interior colour today.

Wickes

Macrame

Ebay Is hugely popular as they

John Lewis & Partners

look gorgeous hanging in the home. Whilst they can

Argos

be expensive, creating your own carries its own

Farrow & Ball

fun, and can give you the look you desire for less

Graham Brown

money. Just like the others, macrame kits can

Homebase

be purchased online.

Here's some kits for you to consider.

DIY wall hanging by MacramagicShop Mini Macrame Plant Hanging Craft Making Kit

Wilko

4 DIY PROJECTS TO DO DURING LOCKDOWN Lockdown is certainly a trying time. With so much unexpected time on our hands, its common to feel like we should be making the most of it. Aside from those little touch ups and cleaning jobs, you might feel a little lost on what to do.  Whilst many DIY stores are closed to wander, many are still operating online for collection. So why not use this time to do some creative but space changing DIY projects?

With no experience needed, these simple DIY jobs can transform the look and appeal of your home, giving you a warmer, up to date home after lockdown!

Paint your kitchen cupboards Get the new coloured kitchen yourself this lock

Recolour your front door Perfect your first impression by giving your front door

down by painting your kitchen cupboards. DIY

a new lease of life. Whether you want to splurge on

wizards are loving this easy DIY, and with stores like

buying a new front door or not, having a new one is out

Wilko offering their own, gorgeous range of

of the question for the time being, so spend an

cupboard paint, it’s perfectly on budget too!

afternoon repainting to a modern colour, or just touch up on general wear and tear.

Install wood paneling Everyone on Instagram seems to have it

Overhaul your colour scheme We all have the desire to update our home, but how

somewhere in their home and for good reason. This

often do we find the time. Just redecorating in general

classic staple accent is a great focal point for your

is hard graft, so why not use this time wisely. Purchasing

walls and perfect for those bland, boring spaces. It’s

paint can only be done online with collection at local

never been easier to install it into your own room,

stores or home delivery.

often taking just a couple of hours to install!

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DEAR LETTERBOX, We take a look at some of your home problems and offer you the best advice.

IM STRUGGLING WITH STYLING MY SHELVES, ANY TIPS? Styling shelves certainly takes practice so firstly, don't stress and keep shuffling, it can take some time to be happy with it. You will want to have a bank of items to work with though, including small faux plants, decorative accessories, books and vases. Great places to shop unique pieces include Homesense and TK Max.

MY 10 YEAR OLD GIRL WANTS A NEW ROOM - WHAT CAN I DO TO MAKE IT LAST WHILST SHES A TEEN? I don't blame you wanting to make sure any changes you make now can last and the great news is, just choosing the right colour will help massively. Light, soft colours can be easily adapted to different styles, and pink can be styled to suit young and teen spaces. When it comes to furniture, keep it simple and one colour, preferably white, to suit any new colours that might be brought into the room.

IM IN RENTED ACCOMMODATION AND MY WALLS ARE REALLY BARE, HOW CAN I ADD SOMETHING WITHOUT DAMAGING THEM? Being in rented accommodation can certainly have its limitations when it comes to decor.....but the great news is there are plenty of ways to add some personality without risking your deposit. Try command strip hooks to hang your own picture gallery - using wallpaper samples if wanting to add colour and interest on a budget.

HOW TO DEEP CLEAN YOUR MATTRESS AND WHY YOU WILL WANT TO DO IT PRONTO

CLEAN

ING TIPS

I am sure we would all love to be able to clean our homes top to bottom often, if we had the chance. But rightly so, in-between full-time work, caring for the family and taking some time for ourselves, we just don’t get the time.

With many of us now bouncing around our homes, we seem to have the time to crack on with those little DIY jobs and that cleaning that you had previously neglected. Including our mattress. Yes, when in the real world did we ever get time to do this properly.

The great news is, its pretty easy and once you’ve done it once, you might find the time to do it often too.

STRIP YOUR BED Of course, you need to strip your bed of sheets and duvets, including mattress protectors.

Follow their individual instructions to clean these.

VACUUM Using your upholstery extension, vacuum every aspect of your mattress. We spend on average 1/3 of our life in our bed, so they are a hot spot for bacteria and dust mites. Vacuum both sides if double sided.

LET IT AIR Most mattresses need just a little time to breathe. Having stripped and vacuumed, open your windows and let it breathe for several hours.

SPRINKLE SOME BAKING SODA Using baking soda on your mattress can help eliminate odours. It also draws out any moisture and dirt from your mattress. Let It sit for an hour to an hour and a half before vacuuming once again.

TREAT STAINS If you have any stains on your mattress, you will have to use other products to remove these.

Hydrogen Peroxide acts as a bleaching agent to help remove tough stains including blood. Mix with water and use sparingly, testing on a small patch first.

TOP TIPS IN KEEPING YOUR MATTRESS IN GOOD CONDITION AND CLEAN. 1: Strip your bedding often

3: Flip or turn your mattress 4: Purchase and use a mattress

changing all sheets and duvet

often. This helps even out wear, protector. These help protect the

covers.

prolong the life of your mattress surface of your mattress from

2: Vacuum and air your

and helps keep your spine in spills, dirt, stains and dust.

mattress once a month to stop

neutral alignment – crucial for

odours from building.

getting a good night's sleep.

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Eye Spy : The Painted Wood Work Trend Painting your skirting boards and doorframes is a task we all like to avoid. And yet there is nothing fresher than sparkling fresh, bright woodwork. But what if you painted it a colour, instead of the usual bright white. We have spyed the new trend of sometimes dark and moody or contrasting coloured woodwork, and well, we are in love! See for yourself!

SPRUCE UP YOUR CONSERVATORY FOR SPRING BECAUSE YOU'VE PROBABLY NEGLECTED THESE SPACES OVER WINTER

Spring is the perfect time to sit and enjoy your capture of the sun. Conservatories and sunrooms are the perfect spot during Spring and Summer to enjoy the lighter, brighter and warmer weather. They can be spaces we tend to forget during the colder months, so it’s pretty believable if you’ve neglected the space for the last 6 months or so.

But there are plenty of things you can do urgently to liven up the space and create the perfect environment to kick back and enjoy this Spring and Summer.

Liven up the windows Whilst conservatories are all about the light, sometimes you do need a little shade and privacy (vital when wanting to keep your space cool during the hotter days ). Update your blinds or curtains to a bold print or vibrant colour to add interest into your conservatory, whilst offering privacy and shade too. We highly recommend roller blinds – a cheap way to cover your windows and easy to pull open and shut whatever time of the day.

Choose new furniture wisely A huge mistake is using the incorrect furniture in your conservatory. Overloading the space with pieces that are usually meant for larger rooms or those with a different purpose can make your conservatory feel cluttered and confused. Choose pieces carefully, and use materials that cope well in the warm environment.

Incorporate Soft Furnishings In any room, a quick refresh and update easily be achieved with

Fresh Lick of Paint Whether you have a brick finish or plastered walls, a fresh colour can lift any space, including your conservatory. Painting your brick to a soft pastel or plain white can

a swap of your soft furnishings. Purchase some summer friendly cushion covers, throws and a small rug to easily re-vitalise your conservatory space.

Add voile to your roof Sometimes the roof is the worst part of a conservatory,

instantly refresh your space into a more

especially if you’re not lucky enough to have a glass one. It can

neutral and modern canvas for Spring and

get grubby and unattractive so anything to cover it up would be a

Summer.

great addition. Rooftop blinds are expensive, so finding a cheaper

Tip : Keep the paint work light and bring

alternative is high priority. Adding fabric, like voile, can help

darker shades through the furniture and

disguise the roof and bring some softness to the space. Choose a

soft furnishings.

light colour and be sure to wash regularly.

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interior glass walls

23

HIGHSTREET

SPRING BUYS 01 Teko Bedding Set 02 Hello Goodbye Mat 03 Brichford Throw 04 Wicker Baskets 05 Rattan Wall Mirror 06 Industrial Wall Light

02

01

07 Floral Blooms 08 Navy Deco & Palm Rug 09 London Skyline Print 10 Blue Glazed Dinnerwear 11 Banda Cushion 12 Rattan Fern 13 Industrial l Wire Unit 14 Tripod Lamp 15 Standing Planters 16 Yay Neon Sign 17 Blush Velvet Cushion 18 Macrame Hanging 19 2 Starfish 20 Seagrass Runner 21 Textured Vases 22 Macrame Pendant Shade 23 Natural Woven Pouffe

05

04

03 08

08

09

10

11

12

22

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13

21

07

06

14

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Transform your Kitchen Counters for less than £50

By Jenny Barker

Have you ever wanted to update your kitchen but couldn’t afford a complete renovation?

Well now is the perfect time to freshen up one the most used rooms in your home! I used to dread walking into my kitchen, it felt dark and dated even though it was a new build house!

But using DC Fix vinyl from @createyourworldltd I managed to change a black and beech style kitchen into a white and marble dream!

Here’s a quick and easy guide on how to create your perfect kitchen in ten easy steps for less than £50!

What you’ll need; Vinyl of your choice for cupboards and worktop Measuring tape Pencil Scissors Sharp craft knife Smoothing tool Hair dryer Silicone sealant

Step one.

Remove all doors and drawer fronts and clean with soapy water or sugar soap and leave to dry. Then wipe down all worktops, surrounds and any other surfaces you’re going to cover and leave to dry too.

Step two.

Starting with the cupboards and surrounds; measure and cut your vinyl piece to size for the surface you’re covering including a 1-2cm excess on each side. Then line it up at the side of the surface you’re going to cover and peel back the first couple of cm of the vinyl to stick into place.

Step three.

Using the smoothing tool, peel back the dc fix vinyl a few cm at a time and smooth the vinyl onto the surface you’re covering as you go. When getting to the edges, use your hair dryer to heat the glue up slightly. It should loosen the vinyl and allow you to fold it around edges easily.

*Top tip*If you get any air bubbles, push them out to the side where there’s a free edge. If it’s right in the middle and you can’t get it out, get a small needle - prick the bubble and smooth the air out.

Step four.

Once you’ve heated and smoothed around all the edges, using the sharp craft knife you can trim off any excess for a neat finish.

Step five.

When doing corners; you want to cut one edge straight, stick it down and cut the next edge at an angle to stick over the flat edge. You can then trim the excess for a neater corner.

Step six.

Re-attach door handles and put the doors back onto the cupboards.

Step seven.

The worktop vinyl is thicker than cupboard vinyl so ensure you’ve got your hair dryer at the ready to heat the glue and help it to stick. Cut to size again leaving a slight excess to enable you to neaten later.

*Quick hint*If you’ve got an up-stand on your kitchen worktop, start with this section and leave a slight lip onto the worktop below. This means when you cover the work surface below, overlapping it will make it more waterproof.

Step eight.

Going around the sink is the trickiest part, the easiest way to do this is to section off the middle part separately. The main section leading up the sink should go about 5cm past the edge of the sink then another block overlapping slightly across the front and back of the sink should be stuck into place.

Step nine.

When coming to corner joins on worktops, you should cut the vinyl into triangular pieces and overlap carefully in the middle to ensure a neat finish.

Step ten.

Silicone around all the edges, around the sink and the hob. This will give you a completely waterproof finish and fully neaten the edges.

£50, 10 steps and 2 days later, a great use of time

at home to keep you busy and transform your kitchen!For a full run through video and more ways to use DC Fix vinyl to transform your home.

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Blush & Yellow get the look

Blush pink and yellow are both super popular in the warmer months. And you wouldn't be alone in thinking they wouldn't go together. But honestly, they are perfect, especially for a vibrant home. Used in the correct space, combining blush and yellow decor can create a bold, uplifting environment to enjoy the warmer months. If you're not bold enough to use the colour on the walls, use Blush and Yellow in your furniture and finishes.

SHOP IT

£85.00

£8.00

£299.99

£85.00

£19.00

SPRING CLEANING

THE PERFECT STORAGE SOLUTIONS TO DECLUTTER THIS SPRING

DVD'S Once upon a time, having a huge expanse of DVD cases was a indication of nights in well spent. And then Netflix arrived, and well, what do you really need them for?

Of course its wasteful to chuck and we do want our own library, just not one that dominates a whole wall. Swap the clunky cases for streamline wallets and store in a box or two. Store in categories or alphabetical order, it's completely up to you. But you will save bags of space!

BOOKS Bookworms, listen up, books are great but they can be a pain to store, especially if you want to keep the aesthetic of the space. Simply turn your books page side into your space for a neutral look.

If storage is your struggle, consider purchasing a conceal shelf, that showcases your books in a creative way.

CLOTHES If you haven't taken the plunge with vacuum packs just yet, now is the time to.

Easy to use and can save bags of space, they are perfect to minimize any item from clothes, bedding, soft toys and more.

mountain

style

paint wor k

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teen spac es

CUTE OUTDOOR PLAY HOUSE DESIGNS YOUR KIDS WILL ADORE THIS SUMMER Get your DIY on with some of these gorgeous, cute and imagination triggering playhouse designs, perfect for your little lad or lass this summer.

A HEARTWARMING NURSERY THEME FOR YOUR NEW BUNDLE We've fallen in love with the contemporary rainbow nursery theme, here's why.

PERFECT GENDER NEUTRAL THEME A gender neutral space is always a great way to go, whether you decide to find out the gender or not. They tend to be more subtle and serine spaces, perfect for a new bundle of joy. The rainbow nursery theme is the perfect contemporary neutral option. WIth soft hues and pastel shades, it can easily be turned more feminine or masculine at a later date, or stay subtle with a mix of all beautiful shades.

EASY TO STYLE AND SHOP With this theme there really is no matching and much rather a combination of different materials and colours. Soft natural woods, painted furniture and soft tones are staple pieces, along with unique handmade items too. This is a theme that can be adapted to your style and budget. A perfect theme for a first nursery.

IT CAN GROW WITH THEM Whenever it comes to decorating, making sure it will last for the amount of effort and cost is part of the objective.And with a baby, the last thing you want to do is having to update their room. The muted rainbow palette will certainly grow as they do.

ITS SO WHOLESOME The rainbow in general brings so much joy so where better to put it than in a baby nursery. The wholesome theme will certainly create a gorgeous, creative room for your new addition.

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Outdoor Rugs Rugs Outdoor get the look

When it comes to decorating your outdoor space, many of what applies inside the home, applies outside. Many of us tend to forget we can apply those favorite soft furnishings to our outdoors too. Outdoor rugs have become a staple piece to nail your outdoor decor and for good reason. They are a great addition to your deck or patio space and can help divide space and add softness and warmth to your outdoor areas.

Invest in a versatile outdoor rug to update your outdoor area. Whether its a subtle colour or bold pattern, there are lots on the highstreet.

SHOP IT

£131.00

£51.00

£66.00

£125.00

£65.00

THE BEST FLOWERS TO PLANT THIS SPRING THAT WILL TRULY BRING COLOUR TO YOUR GARDEN. Spring has sprung ( as we keep saying ), and it 's literally the

perfect time to plant some

bulbs and let your garden shine with gorgeous Spring time colours and flowers.

Not sure what's the best to plant this time of the year?

Don't worry, we've got your back!

CROCUS Truly stunning and look perfect in planters to create colourful boarder. These are low lying and are the perfect flower for your border garden.

MUSCARI Make great flower bed fillers, best suited with your other bulbs like tulips and daffodils.

HYACINTH You may have one as a houseplant, but they look just as good in the garden too. Plus, they have the most heavenly scent, perfect for a fragrant garden.

TULIPS They are the staple of spring gardens and are ideal for injections of colour through your border garden. Arrange in large groups for a great impact.

LILY OF THE VALLEY This late spring bloomer is a gorgeous, delicate, bell shaped flower, which smells as sweet as it looks. A beautiful addition to any flower bed.

CAMELLIA This gorgeous shrub is best suited in the shade, but offers truly stunning flowers throughout the spring. They can even be trained against a wall or fence to create a perfect spring backdrop.

Make use of the longer evenings : 4things to incorporate into your outdoor space Because we could all do with spending as much time as possible in our own gardens

EASY HOME DIYS

Spring is here and summer is well on its way. An low and behold we have had some glorious weather to kick start the new season.

I won’t deny that most of us are

With the lighter evenings, longer days, the warmer weather and beautiful sunshine, we undoubtedly want to make the most of the outdoors and our exterior space. It’s never been a better

confined to our own homes and back

time to make the most of any outdoor

gardens, but there are some ways to

space and create somewhere different

add a little fun and variety to your days

to relax, unwind and enjoy the weather

being stuck in.

– aside from our indoor couch of course.

But what is there to do in your outdoor space to really make the most of it? Well rather a lot. Here’s 5 things you could be doing on those longer evenings to really make the most of the space outside.

Fire Pits and Roasting

Pizza ovens

Marshmallows Great gardens have some outdoor Even in the height of summer it can get a cooking space too and what better than a little chilly as the sun goes down. Plus, we all specially designed Pizza Oven! An only get a little peckish even after a good old alternative to cooking indoors that will get BBQ. Having a roaring fire pit as you garden all the family involved. Buy a Pizza oven or centrepiece not only makes a great focal have one designed and built for your space. point, It’s a great social element to keep you outside longer (even when it does get chilly), and is a perfect spot to toast some marshmallows too!

Outdoor Cinema Have your own personal drive thru in your

Summer House A summer house can often be found in

own back garden. Its never been easier to

many gardens. They are great outhouses to

have your own make-shift outdoor cinema

store garden furniture and offer some more

for you to kick back and enjoy a classic

space when Summer hits and the weather is

movie. Whether you go boho with lots of

great. If you haven’t already got one, it’s

blankets, cushions and even bean bags, or

certainly a great addition and can help you

high end with lounge chairs and mood

keep you outdoors for longer if decorated

lighting. Creating your own outdoor cinema

correctly.

is great for those nights in during lock down, and the perfect addition to get your friends together when social distancing ceases.

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letterbox THE

RECIPE STATION MONTHLY, EASY RECIPES TO ADD TO YOUR RECIPE COLLECTION

oks letterbox co PREPARATION TIME : LESS THAN 30 MINS COOKING TIME : 30 MINS TO 1 HOUR SERVES 3

INGREDIENTS 1 tbsp vegetable oil

250g/9oz chicken breast, cut into thin strips

1 tbsp runny honey

1 garlic clove, crushed

1 tbsp chopped fresh ginger

½ red chilli, finely chopped 3 spring onions, chopped

1 small carrot, sliced

1 red pepper, cut into strips

1 head of pak choi, chopped

½oz straight-to-wok fine egg noodles

300g/10

small bunch fresh coriander, roughly chopped

1 tbsp dark soy sauce

1 tbsp toasted sesame oil

1 lime, finely grated zest and juice

25g/1oz unsalted, toasted cashew nuts

CHICKEN AND CASHEW NOODLE STIR-FRY

DIRECTIONS Heat a large wok over a high heat.

Add half the oil and the chicken.

Stir fry for 1 minute, then add the honey and fry until the chicken is fully cooked and a rich golden-brown.

Remove from the wok and set aside.

Add the remaining oil to the wok and fry the garlic, ginger and chilli for 20 seconds over a medium heat.

Add the vegetables and stir-fry until they are just tender but retain some bite.

Add the pre-cooked noodles and sauté for a minute or so before returning the chicken to the pan.

Add the coriander, soy sauce, sesame oil and lime zest and juice and toss well.

Serve with a scattering of cashews over the top.

BANANA

BREAD

PREP TIME: LESS THAN 30 MINS COOK TIME: LESS THAN 10 MINS MAKES 2

akes letterbox b

DIRECTIONS INGREDIENTS 285g/10oz plain flour

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

½ tsp salt110g/4oz butter, plus extra for greasing 225g/8oz caster sugar

2 free-range eggs

4 ripe bananas, mashed

½ tsp

85ml/3fl oz buttermilk (or normal milk mixed with 1

lemon juice or vinegar)

1 tsp vanilla extract

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

Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt into a large mixing bowl.

In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.

Add the eggs, mashed bananas, buttermilk and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture and mix well.

Fold in the flour mixture.

Grease a 20cm x 12.5cm/8in x 5in loaf tin (2lb) and pour the cake mixture into the tin.Transfer to the oven and bake for about an hour, or until well-risen and golden-brown.Remove from the oven and cool in the tin for a few minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

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