Thursday 29 May 2014

Snowdonia Suprise!

I made this recipe one day in my kitchen in N Wales from odds and ends that were left in the cupboard and fridge. The family asked me what it was and I gave it the name of Snowdonia Suprise.. as it was invented in N Wales with surprise ingredients!

My ingredients are mostly sourced from my local Tesco but please use a supermarket convenient to you.

Ingredients to feed a Family of 6 (Alter the portion sizes to suit your family)

275 gr Tesco Everyday Value Streaky Bacon = £1.04
 2 Packs x 8  Tesco Everyday Value Pork Sausages = 66p for one, £1.32 for two.
2 onions = 50p
8 large Potatoes = £1.50
2 fresh leeks = 60p
Water as needed
1 tablespoon oil

Optional
Cupboard herbs like parsley, rosemary, thyme if you have them.
Bottle of beer like bitter or a stout like Guinness.

Method

Preheat oven to Gas Mark 5 190 degrees centigrade.

Cook the bacon in a large frying pan with the oil. When cooked slice into pieces and put into large casserole dish. Cook the sausages in the bacon fat in the frying pan and also add to the casserole dish.

Cook the onions in the frying pan and add sliced leeks and when both  soft add these to the dish too. Then peel and slice the potatoes, add them to the dish and pour water into the casserole enough to cover them. If you have a bottle of beer handy then use that instead of the water as it adds more flavour. Sprinkle with herbs if you have them too.

Put the dish in the oven for approximately 90 minutes until dish cooked through and potatoes softened.

Serve up Snowdonia Surprise with crusty bread if you have it.


Big Egg, Bacon and Potato Bake

This is an easy one pot recipe that again uses up items that may be lying around or leftovers from other meals. a simple recipe to feed a big family.

I have mixed ingredients from Iceland and Tesco here, but please use a supermarket convenient to you.

Ingredients to feed a Family of 6 ( Adjust portion sizes to suit your family)

1 bag of Iceland Frozen Sliced Potatoes = £1.00
6 Hard Boiled Everyday Value Eggs Tesco = 89p
2 onions sliced and peeled = 50p
500 gr Tesco Everyday Value Bacon =81p
8 oz grated cheddar cheese = £2.00 pk
 2 slices value bread to crumble to make breadcrumbs = Loaf =  47p
1 beef stock cube = Pack everyday value cubes @ 20p
1/4 pint semi skimmed milk = 1pint = 49p
25 gr marg/butter
25 gr plain flour
salt and pepper
 1 pint hot water


Method

Hardboil the 6 eggs in a saucepan. Then get a casserole dish and empty the frozen sliced potato, the diced onions, shredded bacon and the sliced hard boiled eggs into layers. Top with a layer of potato.

Melt the marg/butter in a saucepan. Add the flour and cook for one minute. Remove from heat and stir in the milk and beef stock cube which was previously dissolved in the 1 pint of hot water. Keep mixing throroughly, put back on heat and bring to boil. Add the salt and pepper and half the grated cheese and stir for another minute.

Pour the saucepan ingredients over the potato mixture in the casserole dish. Mix the remaining grated cheese with the breadcrumbs and sprinkle over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until golden and bubbling.

Corned Beef Hash n Beans

Sometimes the food budget just won't stretch and you are left with a few tins lurking in the cupboard and the odd potato or two. Turn it into a family meal with this filling Corned Beef Hash n Beans!

My ingredients are sourced from my local supermarket Tesco, but use a supermarket convenient to you.

Ingredients to serve a Family of 6 (Alter the amounts to suit your family size)

4 King Edwards Potatoes peeled and  cubed = £1.00
1 tin value baked beans = 24P
1 Tesco tin Corned Beef (sliced then cut in half) = £1.50
8 oz Cheddar Cheese = Buy a pre grated cheese pack for £2.00

Optional
Slug of Worcester Sauce
Dash of milk, butter, salt, pepper
Green Veg

Method

Preheat oven to Gas Mark 6 200 degrees centigrade.

Place potatoes in large saucepan of water and bring to boil. When softened, drain and mash as you would do usually perhaps using the optional dash of milk, knob of butter/marg salt and pepper.

Pour the can of baked beans into a large casserole dish. Put the corned beef slices on top of the beans perhaps adding a small dash of Worcester Sauce. Top with the mash.

Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. When the mash starts to turn slightly brown top with the cheese. Bake for another 10 minutes or until cheese is slightly brown and bubbling.

If you have any green veg you can add this to bulk out the meal to serve.





One Pot Spring Chicken

This is a filling one pot dish that uses vegetables that are a little bit more exciting than your usual run-of-the-mill everyday veg. Real food for feeding a hungry family.

My ingredients are sourced from my local Tesco supermarket. Use a supermarket convenient to you or market if you have one.

Ingredients for a Family of 6 (Adjust portion sizes to suit your family)

1 kg Tesco Frozen Chicken Thighs (Thoroughly defrost prior to cooking) = £2.50
2 onions = 50p
2 courgettes = 68p
1 tin value chopped tomatoes = 34p
1 400gr tin butterbeans = 55p
1 clove garlic = 30p
1 Tablespoon oil
salt
pepper

Method

Preheat oven to Gas MArk 5 190 degrees centigrade.

Add the oil to a large frying pan. Add the chicken thighs and cook until browned for approximately 3 minutes each. Set to one side.

Add the diced onions, courgettes and diced garlic clove for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the can of chopped tomatoes and add a touch of salt and pepper. Then add the can of butterbeans.

Get a large casserole dish and place the chicken thighs in. Then add the frying pan mixture and mix in well.

Transfer to the oven and bake for 25 minutes approximately.

Tip: Serve with crusty bread to make a filling meal for all the family.


Tuesday 13 May 2014

Guinness Chicken Casserole

My family love this one pot dish that is full of flavour and keeps hunger at bay! Great for all family sizes too.

My ingredients are sourced from my local Tesco. Please use a supermarket or market that is convenient for you.

Ingredients (For a Family of 6 - Adjust portion sizes to suit your family)

1 kg Tesco Everyday Value Chicken Drumsticks = £2.65
 1 can Guinness = £1.00
4 large potatoes peeled and diced = 70p
2 large carrots = 25p
50 grams plain flour = 45p
1 white cabbage finely chopped = 84p
1 pint beef stock - Everyday Value Stock cubes = 20p
1 Tbsp oil
1 Tbsp Cornflour if needed to thicken.
salt/pepper


Method

Heat the oil in a large casserole/saucepan over medium high heat. Preheat oven to 180 C / Gas mark 4.

Mix the flour and salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Coat the chicken in the flour. Brown the chicken in the casserole for 5 to 8 minutes, turning once, until  brown on both sides

Place the potatoes, carrots and cabbage in the casserole. Pour the stock and Guinness over the vegetables and chicken. Add the cornflour and mix well. Cover and cook in preheated oven for 45 minutes. Uncover and cook for a further 30 minutes. Serve  on its own as a one pot meal!

Mushroom Pork Chops

My family love this tasty meat treat for its sheer simplicity and ability to fill up the hungriest of children whether as a Sunday supper or mid week meal.

My ingredients are sourced from my local Tesco but please use your local supermarket or market that is most convenient.

Ingredients to suit a Family of 6 (Adjust your portion size to suit your family)

6 Tesco Value Everyday Pork Chops - £2.64
 2 onions = 50p
350 grams Tesco Everyday Value Mushrooms = 79p
1 can condensed mushroom soup = 95p
salt/pepper
1 Tbsp oil

Optional

Mashed Potato
Green Veg - Runner/Broad Beans or Carrots


Method

Season the pork chops with salt and pepper to taste.

In a large frying pan, brown the chops over medium heat. Add the peeled diced onion,and mushrooms, and fry and toss for one minute. Pour cream of mushroom soup over chops. Cover frying pan, and reduce temperature to low. Simmer 20 to 30 minutes, or until chops are cooked through.

Serve with mashed potato and green veg or carrots.

Big Bangers and Mash Bake

This filling all in one pot bake is a heart meal in itself and will fill up the hungriest of children. Easy to make for a Sunday Supper or mid week tea.

All my ingredients are sourced from Tesco but please use a local supermarket or market that is convenient to you.

Ingredients for a Family of 6 (Adjust portion size to suit your family)

10 large white Maris Piper Potatoes peeled and quartered = 2.5kg Tesco - £2.00
 1 x 8 pk of Tesco Everyday Value Sausages =  66p
2 onions peeled and diced = 50p
1/4 pint semi skilled milk = 49p
1 tablespoon butter
salt/pepper to taste
Gravy Granules or a Gravy mix = Everyday Value Tesco Granules = 20p

Method

Preheat the oven to 180 C / gas 4. Place potatoes in a saucepan with enough water to cover. Bring to the boil, and cook until tender, about 20 minutes.

Drain and mash with half the butter and enough milk , until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

In a large frying pan over medium heat, cook the sausages until heated through. Remove from pan, and set aside.

Add remaining butter to the pan and fry the onions over medium heat until softened

In a jug, mix the gravy mix and water as directed on the packet Add to the pan with the onions. Simmer, stirring constantly, to form a thick gravy.

Pour half of the gravy into a square baking dish so that it coats the base. Place sausages in a layer over the gravy. Pour the remaining gravy over them, then top with the mashed potatoes.

Bake in preheated oven uncovered for 20 minutes or until potatoes are evenly brown.