Pasta in a hurry

The other day it was just me for dinner. I don't mind this usually, but I looked in the fridge, already quite hungry, and with no idea what to cook. I had some mushrooms in there, and some soft cheese (Philadelphia style).  Nigella does a nice looking recipe for this here but it uses raw mushrooms. The thought of this didn't appeal, so I decided on using the soft cheese to make a sort of creamy sauce. This was the result:

It's so simple and easy to make:



Ingredients (for one hungry person)

100g dry lingune (or any other long pasta)

1/2 pack button mushrooms, sliced

2 small garlic cloves, crushed or finley diced.

handful of parsley, chopped

2 tablespoons of soft cheese

tablespoon of veg oil

method:

Put pasta on to boil for the time stated on the pack. Mean while heat the oil in a frying pan, when hot add the crushed garlic cloves and soften. Then add the mushrooms and cook till soft and golden. Add the soft cheese and allow it to melt down to a creamy consitency. Drain the pasta and add to the mushroom mix. stir thoroughly to make sure it's all mixed properly (you may need to add a bit of water to loosen). Add the parsley and season to taste. Serve.



Lentil Ragu

As you may or may not know, I am currently trying to reduce the amount of meat (especially red meat) in my diet. I have stopped short of going vegetarian, but am trying to have at least 4 totally meat free days a week.
Yesterday it was just me eating and I came across  this recipe in an old copy of Good Food Magazine. After reading some of the comments I was a bit apprehensive about trying it, but I though it was really nice. It's easy to prepare; once you have chopped all the ingredients they just go in a pan and are left for about an hour. One thing I did find (as stated in some of the comments) was that this recipe made loads. I halved it, thinking that it would do me yesterday and again today. I was wrong!! This made loads, I now have enough for my dinner today and probably enough for a few more in the freezer. Therefore I would recommend if you're going to make it that you either make sure you have a crowd to feed, or have space in your freezer for the excess. I speak as someone who likes slightly larger portions too.
Good Food recommend that you serve the ragu with pasta- specifically spaghetti. I had mine with linguine, but i think any sort of pasta would work. I'm not sure that I would try it with any other starch though, maybe rice might work. I've  got plenty in the freezer if I want to give it a go.
I topped mine with Parmesan cheese which isn't vegetarian, but any other strong cheese would probably do.

Chocolate Brownies

Those of you who are regular readers will know that I don't often do baking. This is mainly because I don't have the ingredients at home and the fact that I have difficulty following  a recipe to the letter. Indeed when I made these brownies I decided to add a bit of Vanessa. I decided to make these after finding a recipe in a supplement in the Telegraph, but an exact copy of the recipe can be found here. Instead of the white chocolate I added dried sour cherries as I love the combination of chocolate and cherries. I was slightly nervous as I would class myself as a baking novice, but these are incredibly easy if you follow the instructions carefully. The only difference I would make if I made them again is that I might use slightly less strong chocolate- I used one with 85% coco solids instead of the recommended 75%. This doesn't make then bad, it just makes them extremely rich, maybe too rich for some. But I will definitely make them again, probably around Christmas as they are perfect to offer to guests who have just popped in.
I would also add, in the reciepe it states to slice them into 16. I sliced mine into eight, a portion this size was just too big given how rich they are, also when it says leave to cool, as hard as this is to do, make sure that you do leave them to cool, they will taste so much nicer for it.

Elderflower cyder review

When I was in Sainsbury's the other day I noticed that they had elderflower cyder on offer. Loving all things elder flowery I decided that I had to give it a go. The fact that it was on offer too sealed the deal.
It was not like other cyders, which are often very dry or have a cheap, chemical taste. This had a pleasant flavour of elderflower along with a slightly sweet cyder. It was very refreshing (quite good as we recently have had record-breaking weather) and had a clean taste. I had it on its own, but I would think that it would also go well with barbecued foods, if we get the weather for it. I'm not one of these people who only drink cyder when the weather is nice- instead I tend to think of it as a good alternative to wine.  So if it's still on offer (or if I'm feeling flush) then I will definitely buy this again.

Bacon and sweetcorn chowder.

Continuing with my cheap meals theme, yesterday I decided to make a chowder. I don't really like clams so I was quite happy when I came across a clam-less version in an old copy of Sainsbury's magazine. A similar version can be found here. I didn't have any bacon but had half a pack of ready diced pancetta in the fridge so used that instead. Also I added 250g of fresh white fish (on offer in the supermarket) to add a bit of bul and flavour. Beacuse of this i didn't add any stock though. I was worried that it might taste a bit too milky but it was quite a savoury flavour. I used semi-skimmed milk; I think skimmed might be a bit too watery.
I felt that it was enough as a meal on its own but my boyfriend had a mini baguette with his. He also added a bit of Tabasco, but then he does like his food spicy!!!

Here is the final result , I know  it doesn't look that appetising but trust me it is lovely.

Pasta bake

So, recently I have been trying to come up with cheaper meals as I have noticed that my weekly shopping bill is creeping up and up. Yesterday I decided to cook the student favourite pasta bake. Admittedly I also love it and think it's easy and can be jazzed up if needs be. This served the two of us pretty generously and there is a bit leftover for my lunch today.

Pasta Bake
(serves 2-4 depending upon how hungry you are)
Ingredients:
250gr dry pasta shapes
1/2 pack pancetta or 4 rashers smoked, streaky bacon
100gr strong Cheddar cheese
1 large leek
1 pack of white sauce mix
1 tsp wholegrain mustard.
1 tbs veg oil


Method

Pre- heat the oven to 200C
Heat the oil in a large frying pan.
Slice the leek finely and add tho the frying pan, add the pancetta or sliced streaky bacon. Fry gently until cooked but not coloured.
Meanwhile boil some water in a large pan and cook the pasta according to pack instructions. (usually around 10 mins)
Make up the white sauce as well.
Drain the pasta and add to the leeks and bacon, add the white sauce and mustard and mix thoroughly.
Tip the whole mixture into an oven proof dish and top with the grated cheddar. Bake in the oven for 20 mins or until bubbling and golden on top.
Serve with green salad.

Any leftovers should be refrigerated when cooled and reheated until piping hot the next day.

Nigella's Chocolate Orange Loaf Cake

I don't bake that often (well actually hardly ever). The last time I remember was a Christmas cake a couple of years ago. There are two reasons for this; firstly I live with just my boyfriend and as we are both trying to lose those extra pounds, baking a cake just for the two of us doesn't seem like a very good idea. Secondly I never follow a recipe, and I know with baking you have to be exact otherwise you won't get the desired results. So on that basis I more often than not just don't bother.

However last weekend my boyfriend decided to buy some jaffa cakes, I suddenly stated to crave the mixture of chocolate and orange and decided to bake this cake. The recipe is from her 'Kitchen' book, which I think is her most recent. It's actually really easy to make and very light and moist. Apparently it should keep for up to five days which means I have no excuse for wolfing it down in one day!!!!!!! I think I will give it another go, maybe when I've got more people around to help me finish it!!!!!!

Potato and egg salad

Hello , today I was eating alone and had some potatoes to use from the garden. I decided to make potato salad as the weather has been kind I am in the mood for something a bit lighter than usual.
This potato salad isn't like the mayonnaise based ones in the supermarket, the dressing is lighter and I have also added some herbs from the garden for good measure:
This is enough for one; if you're feeding more simply multiply the ingredients.
Ingredients:
Handful of new potatoes- scrubbed but not peeled
1 large egg
Chives and mustard cress- couple of teaspoons of each
Mustard -English or Dijon
olive oil
Quarter onion-sliced
Vinegar
Salt


Method:
Drop the potatoes in to a pan of boiling water, cook until tender. Meanwhile cook the egg in boiling water until hard boiled (about 8-10 mins).
To make the dressing mix the mustard and vinegar, then whisk in about 100ml of olive oil. set the dressing aside.
When they are cooked roughly chop the potatoes and egg and add to a large bowl. add the onion, herbs and pour over the dressing whist everything is still warm. This will allow all the flavours to penetrate the salad. Serve warm.
I served this with fish-cod, but I think it would also go nicely with salmon, tuna or even grilled chicken.
Bon appetit!!!

River Cottage Flapjacks

HI all,
Made these yesterday after my boyfriend saw them on River Cottage on Sunday night. I wasn't that keen on the look of them but decided that as I had nothing better to do, I may as well give it a go.
Well they were quite easy to make (I have the River Cottage Everyday Book), just a case of melting the wet ingredients, adding the dry ones then baking for half an hour. The smell whilst they were cooking was lovely so I couldn't wait to get them out and try them. When I took them out of the oven they were still quite soft, so I thought that I had done something wrong, but they do harden as they cool. (The instructions recommend that you don't try to cut them until they have cooled down completely). When they finally did cool down, I couldn't resist having a quick taste. They were really nice, quite sweet so could only manage one, but boyfriend has taken quite a few away on his trip. Will probably make these again at a later date.
9.5/10
p.s. unfortunately no photos as boyfriend has already gone with his. Take my word for it that they were extremely nice!!!!!!

carbonnade a la Flammade

(Or beef in beer)
Made this today- it's a Nigella Lawson recipe. Thought that it wouldn't be that good as I don't really like real ale, but it was really nice. Cooked in the oven for about 2 and a half hours and have some left for tomorrow!!!

Served it with pasta as Nigella suggests but might have it with mashed potatoes instead tomorrow. Pictured above.

Some photos of the food I have cooked

 Thai Pork Soup and Rice

 White Bread

Chicken drumsticks in ginger and soy marinade.

Thai Green Curry

I'm always thinking that I like Thai flavours, but never buy or make a Thai green curry. well after seeing it in my magazine, I decided to buy a pack of Thai curry paste, coconut milk and dried Thai herbs and make one. I thought chicken would be best, but added mini sweetcorn and mangetout to get some veggies. I served it with Thai Jasmine rice. I considered making it with fish, but I think that something like monkfish would work best and I couldn't see any in the supermarket, maybe next time.
Any way the instructions on the pack were easy to use, firstly make sure you have everything ready- the chicken is chopped, veggies washed and rice is cooking as the whole process only takes about 15 mins. put some oil to heat in a pan, then add a bit of the coconut milk and the spice paste, then the chicken (I would recommend cutting the chicken quite small so that it cooks quickly) and veggies, then the rest of the coconut milk. boil it for a few mins then once the chicken is cooked through add the dried herbs and its ready to go!!!.
well it was nice, but not as spicy as I had hoped, I don't really like it too spicy, which might suggest that it wasn't spicy at all. It did suggest that you could add sliced chili but i didn't- might do next time. There will be a next time!!

what a day!!

well today was a disastrous day. I won't bore you with the details but needless to say, I probably won't forget it in a long while. Anyway I went on a course during the day, I wasn't doing the course, just observing. Wasn't too bad. Anyway as to what I cooked today I really fancied fish and chips so I went to Sainsbury's on my way back and got some veg oil. the after a bit of Pilate's and some gardening, i set about making our dinner. (the bf is back from his work trip, I probably wouldn't have bothered making it for one). As a mark of healthy eating I decided to oven cook the chips- I find it easier this way and obviously less oily. Then I set about frying my battered fish. the fish had its skin on and although I don't eat the skin (I know that there is nothing wrong with it, I'm just funny like that) I left it on because i couldn't be bothered to remove it. I had forgotten how dangerous deep frying can be, I had to grab something to cover my arms because they kept on getting spat with oil. anyway the end result wasn't brilliant, edible yes but it wasn't going to win any Michelin stars, the batter was a little too soggy and the chips were a bit raw. i hate it when that happens- you're looking forward to something then when you have it it's disappointing. xx

Beef Stew

hello,
well tomorrow I am going to start this new job thingy, so I have decided rather than resorting to ready meals (which tend to be rather expensive IMO) I am going to cook a few bits and bobs today and have them as homemade ;ready meals' during the week. So at the moment I have a shoulder of lamb and a beef stew in the oven at the moment. The lamb will be eaten today and then made into a salad for tomorrow's lunch and if there's enough tomorrow's dinner as well. The beef stew (Italian style) will most likely go into the freezer in meal sized portions and will just need heating up with some pasta, rice or a jacket potato.
here's how I made the stew:
500g stewing beef
1 red onion sliced
2 garlic cloves sliced
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 bay leaves
oil
2 tablespoon plain flour
250ml beef stock
175ml red wine (I used Shiraz)
1 tin/carton of chopped tomatoes.

1) Preheat the oven to 150c
2) Heat the oil in a wide frying pan. Toss the beef through the seasoned flour and fry -in batches if necessary- until it is browned. Remove from the pan and place in a casserole dish.
3) Add a bit more oil to the pan, then add the onions and garlic and fry until softened.
4) Add the beef stock, red wine and tomatoes and bring to the boil, return the beef and then add the herbs, return to the boil for a few minutes.
5) Pour the entire contents of the frying pan back into the casserole, cover and place in the oven for at least 2 1/2 hours. You can leave it for longer as the meat will not dry out in the sauce.
6) Serve with freshly boiled pasta or boiled potatoes or any thing else you wish.
7)Alternatively you can freeze in individual portions for a later date; to cook, fully defrost the portion, add to a sauce pan and cook until heated through then serve as suggested above.