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.

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

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

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 :-)

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:-) 

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.