Leek and pepper curry

LOW IN SATURATED FAT AND READY IN 30 MINUTES, THIS VEGAN CURRY MAKES A GREAT MIDWEEK DINNER

FEEDS 4 READY IN 30 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS

• 1tsbp vegetable oil • 1 red onion, thinly sliced • 3cm ginger, finely grated • 2 British leeks, thinly sliced diagonally • 1 tsp missed peppers, thinly sliced • 1tsp each ground cumin and garam masala • ½ tsp ground turmeric • 400g can Italian chopped tomatoes • 1tsp fair trade caster sugar • 2 x 250g pack microwave basmati rice • 30g flaked almonds, toasted • 2 tbsp roughly chopped coriander leaves • 4 tbsp coconut dairy free yogurt alternative

METHOD

1. Heat the oil in a pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and fry for 8 – 10 mins, until softened and starting to turn golden. Add the ginger, leek, peppers and spices. Fry for 1-2 min until fragrant, then stir in the chopped tomatoes, along with the sugar 2. Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 mins, until thickened, then season to taste 3. Cook the rice according to the pack instructions, then mix in the flaked almonds. Scatter the coriander over the curry, then serve with the rice and yogurt alternative

Banana breakfast sandwiches

THEY’RE CARAMELISED AND MADE INTO AN INDULGENT TOATIES WITH DARK CHOCOLATE

FEEDS 4 READY IN 25 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS

• 75g Fairtrade caster sugar • 5 small bananas, cut into 1cm slices • ½ tsp ground cinnamon or grated nutmeg (optional) • 75g cashew nuts, roughly chopped and toasted • 75g Fairtrade 80% cocoa dark cooking chocolate, roughly, chopped • 8 slices bread (we used a farmhouse white loaf) • 3 tbsp vegetable oil

METHOD

1. Put the caster sugar in a nonstick frying pan with 1 tbsp cold water 2. Heat gently until the sugar has dissolved, then increase the heat until it bubbles and turns amber 3. Carefully add the bananas and spices, if using, and cook over a high heat for 1-2 mins, tossing to coat all over. Leave to call for 5 mins 4. Divide the bananas, nuts and chocolate between 4 bread slices 5. Top with the other slices, then brush the tops with half the oil 6. In a large, dry nonstick frying pan, cook the sandwiches oil-side down for 1-2 mins until golden 7. Brush the tops with remaining oil, flip, then cook for 1-2 mins 8. Halve the toasties to serve

Hello all. Here’s an update of what I have been doing as Councillor for Brislington East recently including a report back on the action the council has taken recently in regard to homeless people during the lockdown.

ST ANNES’S STATION

Last Friday, Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy and I submitted our second stage bid in relation to the re-opening of St Anne’s Park station. The bid, which runs to 21 pages, sets out why we think there is a strong case to re-open the station and, if successful, will bring with it almost £50,000 of government funding to carry out a full scale feasibility study.

We have had excellent support from Bristol City Council’s transport department and I am confident we have put forward a very strong case. The bid will now be reviewed by a panel including representatives from the Government, Network Rail and others who will decide whether or not to allocate the next stage funding. You can read more about Restoring Your Railways fund here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reopening-beeching-era-lines-and-stations/re-opening-beeching-era-lines-and-stations#ideas-fund

It is now out of our hands, but fingers crossed!

HOMELESSNESS IN BRISTOL

Here’s something we should celebrate about our city: during the entire lockdown period to date, not a single homeless person has died from Covid-19 as far as we know.

In March 2020, before the pandemic hit, Bristol had roughly 120 people rough sleeping and another 140 in shelters such as the one at St Annes House. When lockdown was introduced, the Council received a call from government asking them to get all homeless people off the street within 24 hours. Whilst this target proved somewhat ambitious, within a very short time the vast majority of people were housed off the streets and out of shelters.

In order to achieve this the council contracted with three hotels as well as the YMCA and the YHA to provide safer accommodation for a large number of people, with the current numbers being around 280 people in hotels. The contracts with these hotels currently last until the end of July.

The Council is very keen not to go back to the way things were before the pandemic. The city has introduced a 24-month Move On project with the aims of:

* Dealing with the systemic bottle neck in supported housing – people ready to move on but not enough affordable accommodation

* Securing an ongoing supply of accommodation from various sectors to meet the long term need

* Moving people out of temporary accommodation and supported housing.

* Creating wrap-around support services focussed on the needs of each individual.

One of the key changes which the government has made during the crisis is the increase in the Local Housing Allowance to ensure that it covers the full rent for a larger number of houses in the Private Sector. It is hoped that this will be maintained after the lockdown, as it will greatly improve the chances of getting more people off the streets and eventually into their own housing in the private rented sector.

DON’T MOVE IMPROVE

Call In The Experts To Get Your Home

Improvments Under Way Today !

Plastering Extensions Decorating Carpentry Kitchens & Bathroom Fittings Small Jobs Undertaken Too!

Tel: 01173 257790 or 01275 595790 Advertising Tel: 07500 017236

A L & BUILDING SERVICES I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

E: Ron@alsbuildingservices.co.uk W: www.alsconstructionservices.co.uk 10b High St Shirehampton Bristol, BS11 0DP