Sunday 7 September 2014

Gravy

Iv been slagged by the better half and d daughter to post my gravy recipe so here goes

Ingredients
Half an onion thinly sliced
Teaspoon of cooking oil
Half teaspoon tomatoe puree
4 beef oxo cubes
1 chicken stock cube
Tablespoon of sugar
1 pint of water
3 teaspoons of cornflour

Method
Saute the onion in the oil and add the water. Now add the tomatoes puree,oxos,stock cube,and sugar. Leave to simmer for about 20 mins. Now add the sugar.
Mix the cornflour wit some water and add to the gravy stirring as it thickens.

You can also add some taco seasoning for some spice or honey instead of sugar.

Thursday 19 June 2014

Please Comment

If you have tried out any of my recipes please leave a comment and let me know what you thought of them  :-)

Wednesday 11 June 2014

Meatloaf

Ingredients

1lb of Mince
1 Egg
2 Onions
3 Slices of Bread
5 Smoked Rashers
4 Beef Oxo Cubes
3 Teaspoons of Taco Seasoning
2 Teaspoons of Ground Black Pepper
1 Teaspoon of Sage
1 Teaspoon of Basil
1 Teaspoon of Hot Chilli Powder (optional)
4 Teaspoons of Worcestershire Sauce
2 Teaspoons of Tomato Sauce


Instructions;

Put the onions,bread and rashers in a food processor and blend together using the blade attachment.

Place in a large bowl and add the mince.

Now add the oxos,sage,basil,chilli powder,ground black pepper,taco seasoning,tomato sauce and Worcestershire sauce.

Mix together with your hands until all the ingredients are blended together.You might like to wear gloves doing this step, Make a hollow in the mixture and add the beaten egg. Mix together.

On a non-stick baking tray shape the mixture into a loaf shape. Drizzle the top of the loaf with cooking oil and place in the oven at 180° for about an hour,or depending how well you like it done.

Cut the loaf to check if it is cooked and leave in the oven for another ten minutes if needed.Allow to cool for a few minutes this makes it easier to slice.

Serve with mashed potatoes and veg,enjoy:-)
American recipes use minced pork,I myself prefer minced beef.


Monday 2 June 2014

Quick Savory Rice

Ingredients

1/4 cup of Brown Rice
1/4 Red,Green and Yellow Pepper
1/2 an Onion
1/4 cup of Frozen Peas
1/2 Chicken Stock Cube
Teaspoon of Oil for cooking



Calorie Counter;

Tesco Easy Cook Brown Rice 75g =195g cooked 265 cal
Tesco Value Chicken Stock Cube 1/2 = 3 cal
Tesco Value Peppers 1/4 = 7 cal
Tesco Value Onion 50g = 20 cal
Tesco Value Frozen Peas 12.5g = 8 cal
Total Calories = 303 cal

Instructions;

Boil the rice for about 20 minutes.
Dice the onion and peppers. Add to the hot oil and fry until soft. Add the rice to the frying pan stir together. Now add the frozen peas. Break up the stock cube and add about 1/4 cup of water. Simmer until the water evaporates. Serve and enjoy :-) 

You can add any other vegetables you would like. This is a quick, easy and tasty lunch.

Cost of items in Tesco

http://m.tesco.ie/mt/www.tesco.ie/groceries/

Rice €1.84
Stock cubes 99c
Peppers €1.39
Onions 79c
Frozen peas 89c

Wednesday 28 May 2014

Basic Cupboard and Fridge Essentials

Every kitchen should have the basic cupboard and fridge essentials. These are some of mine, feel free to add yours in the comments and I will add them to the list.

If you are like me and work on a budget, most of the ingredients on the list can be bought in the Tesco everyday brand and are just as good as name branded products.


Fridge;

  • Eggs
  • Cooking Cream
  • Onions
  • Carrots
  • Frozen Peas
  • Frozen Brocolli
  • Frozen Spinach
  • Frozen Mixed Veg
  • Smoked Rashers
  • Chicken Breast
  • Mince
  • Irish Creamery Butter
Cupboard;
  • Tomato Puree
  • Beef Oxo Cubes
  • Chicken and Vegatable Stock Cubes
  • Taco Seasoning
  • Cornflour
  • Honey
  • Worchestershire Sauce
  • Chilli Powder
  • Basil
  • Ground Black Pepper
  • Sage
  • Turmeric
  • Kidney Beans
  • Beans
  • Oxtail Soup
  • Curry Powder
  • Olive Oil 
  • Brown Rice
  • Noodles
  • Plain Flour
  • Self Raising Flour

Wednesday 21 May 2014

Simple Shepherds Pie

Ingredients

 1lb of Mince
1 Onion
 2 Rashers (Optional)
1/4 Green Pepper (Optional)
1/4 Teaspoon of Hot Chilli Powder
1/4 Teaspoon of Turmeric
2 Beef Oxo Cubes
1/4 Chicken Stock Cube
1 Carrot
Dash of Worcestershire Sauce
1/4 Teaspoon of Basil
1/2 Teaspoon of Ground Black Pepper


Preparation;

 Dice the rashers, onion, carrot and pepper. Dissolve the oxos and chicken stock cube in 500mls of boiling water.

Instructions;

 Brown the mince removing and excess fat. Add the rashers, onion, pepper and carrot. Stir together.

Now add the hot chilli powder, turmeric, ground black pepper, basil and worcestershire sauce. Stir together. 

Add the stock, mix well and place in a casserole dish. Place in the oven on 180° for about 40 mins stirring half way through.

Serve with mashed potatoes and enjoy :-)

Cooking on a Budget


Cooking on a budget and healthy eating isn't easy these days but hopefully some of these tips will help you.

Fruit and Veg;

When buying fruit and veg Lidl I find are probably the cheapest although Tesco do have special offers also. If you want to eat healthy on a budget buy frozen veg, it lasts longer and can be used in most dishes.Tesco everyday frozen veg is great price wise. Tesco also do their own brand of frozen fruit, great for smoothies.

Meat;

I use the Tesco mince €3•28 per pk. If you are a student you can get up to three dinners out of this. The only thing I find with it is that you need to drain off any excess fat before adding other ingredients other than that it is great value for money.

Chilli Con Carne


Ingredients

1lb of Mince
1 Onion
3 Tablespoons Hot Chilli Powder
1 Teaspoon of Tumeric
1 Teaspoon of Ground Black Pepper
2 Tablespoons of Tomato Puree
1/2 a Chicken Stock Cube
1 Beef Oxo Cube
1 Cup of Kidney Beans
1/4 Cup of Brown Rice per person

Preparation;

Dice the onion. Dissolve the chicken stock cube and oxo in a cup of boiling water. Drain and rinse the kidney beans.

Instructions;

Brown the mince and drain any excess fat.Add the onion and stir.
Now add the chilli powder,tomato puree,ground black pepper and the tumeric.
Stir and simmer for a few minutes,add the dissolved stock cubes. Stir and simmer for about ten minutes.
Cook the brown rice. When the rice is nearly cooked add the kidney beans to your chilli sauce. Drain the rice and enjoy:-) 

Tuesday 20 May 2014

Beef Stroganoff


Ingredients
1 Slice of Round Steak
1 Onion Sliced
10 Button Mushrooms Sliced
1 Teaspoon of Tomato Puree
1 Chicken Stock Cube
1/2 Cup of Cooking Cream
2 Tablespoons of Ground Black Pepper
2 Tablespoons of White Flour
1/4 cup of Brown or White Rice
 Cooking Oil for Frying

Preparation;


Slice the round steak in thin strips.Slice the onion and mushrooms. Dissolve the chicken stock cube in 500mls of boiling water.


Instructions;


Fry the steak on a high heat until brown adding half the ground black pepper. Remove from the frying pan. Fry the onions and mushrooms. Remove from the pan.


With the frying pan on a high heat add the rest of the pepper, tomato puree and flour to the pan stirring until the flour starts turning brown. Slowly add the stock stirring so it doesn't get lumpy.


Return the steak,onions and mushrooms to the pan and simmer on low for about half hour. Alternatively place in an oven proof dish on 180° for half an hour.


Cook your rice for about 20 mins. I add half a chicken stock cube when cooking the rice for flavour.

Once cooked stir in the cream. Serve with rice or noodles and enjoy :-) 




Spicy Pasta



Ingredients

1lb of Mince
2 Smoked Rashers
1 Onion
1/4 Red, Green and Yellow Pepper
1/2 cup of Frozen Peas
1 Beef Oxo Cube
1/2 Chicken Stock Cube
2 tablespoons of Worcestershire Sauce
2 teaspoons of Taco Seasoning
2 tablespoons of Tomatoes Puree
1 teaspoon of sugar
1 tablespoon of Basil
 Ground Pepper to taste
1/3 of a cup of Penne or your chosen pasta per person
You will also need about a cup of water



Preperation;

Slice the rashers into strips. Dice the onion and peppers.



Cooking instructions;


Brown the mince in a saucepan removing any fat left after frying. Add the rasher,onion and peppers and gently cook for a few minutes.


Add the worcestshire sauce,basil, tomatoes puree,oxo, stock cube,frozen peas and taco seasoning, At this stage add 1/4 cup of water and stir.


Next add the tomatoe puree and sugar. Add the remaining water and simmer on a low heat while you cook your pasta. Season with ground pepper and Enjoy :-)


P.S If you would like your sauce a little bit spicier add taco seasoning to your own taste.







Monday 19 May 2014

Honey Glazed Stuffed Chicken Breast wrapped in Bacon

Ingredients

1 Chicken Breast
2 Smoked Rashers
3 Slices of Bread
1/2 an Onion
2 Teaspoons of Sage
2 Tablespoons of Honey
1oz of Butter
1/4 cup of Water


You will also need tinfoil to wrap the chicken, cut to about an inch wider than the chicken breast at each side.


Preperation:


Stuffing...
Melt the butter and add the onion and sage,simmer until the onion is soft. I prefer using real butter as I find it better for melting. Add to the breadcrumbs and mix together.

Dice the onion. With the bread make breadcrumbs,either by hand or I use a food processor with the blade attachment (much quicker). 



Chicken...


Place the chicken on the chopping board and make an incision at the side not fully cutting through.


Take the bread crumbs and stuff chicken,pressing together to close.


Place the two rashers lengthways on the tinfoil and put the chicken across about an inch from the top of the rashers. Wrap the rashers around the chicken and roll with the tinfoil to make a cylinder shape. Turn both ends of the tinfoil in so the chicken is sealed.


Place the chicken in an oven proof dish and add quarter cup of water. Place in the oven on 180° for half an hour,turning it after about fifteen minutes.


Unwrap the tinfoil and leave the chicken cook for another fifteen minutes. Remove any water left in the dish,it can be used for gravy. Cover the chicken with the honey and bake for another twenty minutes turning and basting as it cooks. Turn the oven up to 200° for the last few minutes to crisp the rasher. Once cooked leave to stand for a few minutes then slice and enjoy :-).


P.S When your slicing the chicken it may look pink around the edges.,..don't panic its only the dye off the rashers,..