The Recipe Thread

As agreed with our esteemed landlady Andrea Walker Turpin, here is a recipe thread, and I will kick it off with

MONEY SAVERS CHEESE ENCHILADAS

0.5lb fresh plum tomatoes, freshly chopped*
0.5lb grated cheddar or other hard, strong cheese
0.5lb grated red leceister (or Velveeta if you can get it)
1 pkt taco seasoning mix
1 small can of unsalted, unsweetened corn
0.5 bunch chopped cilantro/coriander
1 tsp crushed chillies (although chopped habaneros are better)
8 corn tortillas
salt, pepper, jalapenos to taste

Mix all of the ingredients (apart from the tortillas) together in a bowl and leave in the fridge for at least 4 hours.

After four hours, put 2 tblspns of the mixture onto a corn tortilla, roll it (into a canelloni shape), repeat 7 times, bake at 220c for 15 mins. Allow to stand for 5 mins. Perfect with jacket potatoes, rice or salad.

*Tinned would do at a pinch

[Andrea]

OK. !As agreed with my esteemed pub chef Allan, here is my Spinach and Orange soup recipe (kindly provided by Tesco spinach packets). !I know swapping recipes in pubs is not a very regular pastime, but this one is relatively cheap to make and quite filling (and makes enough for at least four servings) so I reckoned its OK to post it.

250g raw Spinach
2 medium oranges, peeled
50g butter
25g plain flour
4 chicken stock cubes (to make stock - see side of stock cube packet)
1 medium onion
1 tsp nutmeg

Melt the butter, add onion and cook till soft
Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes
Add the stock a little at a time and bring to the boil
Stir in the spinach, oranges, nutmeg and seasoning. !
Bring to the boil and simmer for 10-15 minutes
Pour into liquidiser and blend till smooth
Add seasoning as needed.

I highly recommend eating this with a chunk of thick white or granary bread smothered in butter. !Really tasty !:)

BARCLAYCARD 0%* PASTA SAUCE

1lb fish (coley or mackerel would do)
0.5 prunes (without stones)
1lb chopped tomatoes
1lb raisins
1tsp chopped parsley
1tsp white pepper
4tsp orange juice

Mix ingredients. Boil for 2 hours.

*The reason this dish has been called BARCLAYCARD 0% PASTA SAUCE is because its so vile, nobody in their right minds would have any interest in it

DELAMERE FOREST POTATOES

4 jacket potatoes, uncooked
1 pkt back or streaky bacon (smoked preferably)
1 bunch of scallions
1 tblspn butter (salted or unsalted)
1 tblspn creme fraiche or soured cream
1tspn olive oil (for frying)
0.5lb grated cheshire cheese
salt, pepper, chives to taste

Bake potatoes for 1 hour at the highest temperature your oven can go. (MONEY SAVING TIP: 6 minutes in a 750w microwave will cut the oven bake time down to 35 mins)

Chop bacon and fry, together with scallions and place to one side.

After 1 hour, slice potatoes in half and scoop out the flesh. Put the empty skins, in their original shape, back in the oven

Quickly mix all ingredients plus potato flesh in a bowl. Refill the skins and rebake for another 20 mins. Serve, sprinked with chopped chives to taste.

Serious comfort food...

[Judi]

Fridge Cake

8oz digestive bisuits
3os marg
1 tblsp golden syrup
1 bar chocolate
2 desertsp sugar
1 desrtsp cocoa powder

1. Bash biscuits
2. Melt marg, sugar, cocoa and sugar in pan.
3. When melted spread in a small baking tin.
4. Melt chocolate and spread over mixture.
5. Chill in fridge for 1 hour, when set cut into squares.

See you wont get any long drawn out recipes from me, i cant cook to save me life and i hate the kitchen it scares me.

I love to cook.

That sounds like a variation of a cheesecake Judi. Yum.

[Andrea]

1. !Bash biscuits


You do sound like someone that hates the kitchen ;D. !I'm not too keen on cooking either because I'm always scared its going to taste horrible but if I didn't go in it we wouldn't eat ;D

I think practice makes perfect though. !I used to be a really bad cook but I've had a few years to get used to it now :).

I'm modifying this because I blatantly just lied and if my other half read this he'd be horrified. He cooks quite a lot (well, compared to a British husband from what I've heard) and he's a very good cook so I mustn't grumble. :)

[vanoonoo]

ok here's the cheapest most filling meal I know that doesn't involve pasta:

1 packet of value pitta bread (26p - six in a pack)
1 tin of value tomatoes (24p, yes andrea I have noticed the price increase too - is something to do with the bad weather in italy earlier in the year)
about 3oz grated cheese (probably about 50p)

toast the smooth side of the pitta bread whilst heating the tinned tomatoes

turn the pitta bread over so the rough side faces up, score through one "flap" on each pitta bread a couple of times and place a warmed through plum tomato on each pitta bread and mash it up with a fork

sprinkle with cheese

return under grill until cheese melts and bubbles

reduce tomato juice in saucepan and pour over the pizzas

six pizzas for about a pound. !you can use tom puree instead of tinned toms. !obviously you can also add whatever you want to the pizza like mushrooms, corn, ham or peppers but then the price goes up.

Two of the pitta bread pizzas are fine for a light meal or three to feed a glutton like me :)

[Andrea]

Yum, these recipes sound great. I'm going to try the pitta bread one next week. I'm not going to do the fridge cake yet because (yes PAL) I bought one of those Tesco chocolate trifles yesterday (it was reduced from 2.79 to 1.99 is my excuse).

At this rate we'll soon have our own money-saving recipe book ;D ;D

[Gem]

Hmm.. Yummmy!! Making me hungry... the chockies sound good... haven't made them since school... hmmm.. maybe its time for bed before I raid the fridge.. again!!

[PurpleGreen]

Regarding my 0% Barclaycard pasta sauce

While Im typing this, Brian Turner is on 'This Morning' and he's making a soup that could only be described as green slime.

I've sent him an email on all subspace frequencies to ask him to post the recipe here, because I guarantee you, his green sludge will also have a 0% interest rate

[Andrea]

Sukiyaki
(not necessarily cheap to make but tasty)

http://www.bathwindsorhotel.com/images/dining/sukiyaki.jpg

1 1/2 lb. sukiyaki meat or tender
sirloin beef, thinly sliced
1 oz. beef fat
1 block yakitofu (toasted tofu)
8 fresh shiitake mushrooms
8.5 oz. can bamboo shoots
1 pkg. shirataki or ito-konnyaku 1
bunch shungiku or hakusai nappa
4 green onions
1 gobo root
8 raw eggs

Sauce:
1/2 cup dashi stock (kobu dashi)
1/2 cup sake
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup soy sauce
4 tbsp. sugar

Cut meat into 4 inch lengths, set aside. Drain and cut yakitofu into 1
inch cubes, set aside. Soak shirataki in salted water for 15 minutes and
drain. Cut into 5 inch lengths, set aside. Wash shiitake and cut into
half, set aside. Wash and drain bamboo shoots and slice, set aside. Wash
shungiku and green onion and remove roots. Cut into 3 inch lengths, set
aside. Peel gobo root and cut in thin strips. Soak in salted water for 15
minutes and drain, set aside. Boil dashi stock and mix sauce ingredients.
Heat large skillet on high heat and add beef fat to grease skillet. Cook
gobo root well and add some beef slices. Pour enough sukiyaki sauce to
cover beef and gobo root. Add some of the vegetables and other ingredients
in the skillet, keeping them in separate groups. Add sukiyaki sauce to
cover
ingredients. Beat egg in each serving bowl for a dip. Each one takes
cooked beef and vegetables in bowl and eat.




*Recipe taken from Goodlookingcooking.com (http://www.goodlookingcooking.co.uk/)
Picture taken from Bath Windsor Hotel (http://bathwindsorhotel.com)

[Jolaaled]

'VERY CHEAP & THE KIDS LOVE IT' recipe!..
Works out at about 80p and will feed 4!

1 chopped onion
2 tbs veg oil
1 packet of dry soup mix/veggie stock cube
1/4 pt of evaporated milk
1 tin baked beans
couple of cooked, sliced carrots ( or other veg)

Fry onion for 5 mins ( lowish heat). Add 1/2 pt of stock ( i.e. made up soup/stock cube). Add evap milk. Season.

Put all this in a casserole dish, with the baked beans, and carrots.

Place crumble topping over this ( 6 oz flour + 3 oz marg rubbed in... add cheese if you're feeling rich!)

Bake 30 mins in moderate oven and serve with something green!

[vanoonoo]

money savers arms tea

go to money savers arms thread
ask politely for a cup of tea
wait several posts
ask again for a cup of tea
wait several more posts
peel tongue from roof of mouth
stew whilst trying to ascertain where all the bar staff are
borrow martins dancing shoes to limbo* under serving hatch
dispense tea to self

*if you have back problems do not perform this part yourself, replace with propping hatch open

Pasta Bake using leftovers:
If you have left over vegetables (from a Sunday lunch for example) and/or chicken, here's how to use them up quickly and cheaply:
You will need
Pasta, leftovers, tin of drained tomatoes, milk, flour, butter and cheese.
[quantities will be dependant on number to feed and size of dish being used]

Cook the pasta.
Make up about a pint or so of cheese sauce (using the butter, flour, milk and cheese).
Mix the cooked pasta with the leftover vegetables and chicken, and drained tomatoes.
Place mixture into an ovenproof dish.
Pour over the cheese sauce, gently stirring it into the mixture.
Top with grated cheese and place into a pre-heated oven - as everything is already cooked, it just needs to heat through thoroughly.
Serve - delicious! ::) ;)

Vegetable Soup
You will need:
Potatoes, carrots, an onion, and parsnips (if your budget allows), vegetable stock cube.

Peel and chop the veg into small chunks (the smaller the chunks, the quicker they will cook).
Boil in a saucepan with enough water to cover.
Add the stock cube.
Once veg has cooked, remove with a slotted spoon - do not throw away stock.
Blitz the veg in a blender or similar, adding stock to give you the consistancy you require.
Serve with some warm bread. :-*

[Judi]

Quick Creamy Curry Sauce

1 tblsp oil
1 onion
2 tsp curry powder
1 tblsp mango chutney
142mls carton double cream

1. Fry onion in oil till soft
2. Mix the other ingredients and add to pan
3. Stir to thicken

[Erin]

Hi all money-savers, Asda has a "redued to clear" spot and I have not paid £1 for "meat"for a meal for 2 for years. All meats are available at one time or another. We don't eat beef but I get turkey, chicken, pork and ham. They put out other goods than meat, mostly on the sell by date but if you've got a freezer that's not a prob. Quiches and veggie dishes are also good value. Good hunting and watch your ankles. other peoples trolley wheels can inflict a lot of damage
Erin

[Judi]

Erin,
thanks for the tip. I noticed this a few weeks ago at my local Asda. Mind you there wasnt much, but what i had reduced i was grateful of. (Kids had pizza and quiche every day for a week ;D) Then i went to visit a friend down south, and popped in the local Asda down there. I found they had reduced heaps more than i have ever seen in my own local Asda.
I questioned my friend, and he said, there was always heaps of reduced stuff every day of the week.

[PurpleGreen]

Pasta al' Andrea*

This is an inexpensive, satisfying meal that can easily feed 10 people for a dinner party (or frozen for use at a later date). The secret is in the carrots and garlic.

1lb minced beef (should be minced steak, ideally)
2lb plum tomatoes (or canned equivalent)
750ml red wine x 2
1 can tomato puree or 1 jar passata
0.5tsp of the following herbs** - oregano, parsley, basil
1lb carrots
1 bulb of garlic
salt, pepper to taste

1. In a large saucepan, fry beef until almost brown and immediately reduce heat.
2. Add tomatoes, chopped roughly (or blitzed)
3. Add tomato puree/passata
4. Add wine
5. Add herbs**

Cook on low heat for 40 mins. Allow to cool, and place in fridge overnight.

1. Next day, grate 1lb carrots (or blitz), and chop/crush the garlic. You need to use an entire bulb of garlic, not just one clove.

2. Add carrots/garlic to sauce made previous day, and simmer on extremely low heat (or cook in a cool oven) for 2 hours.

When cooked in a tomato base, carrots tend to use their sweetness and in this recipe, they 'bulk up' the meat, in essence using a 'meat substitute' in order to allow you to serve this to a much larger number of people, or to freeze and serve again for yourself.

Best served with a thicker/heavier pasta such as taglietelle or fusilli, or gnocchi.

*Originally called 'Ragu Monclassico' in Italy
** If using fresh herbs, triple the quantities

[Andrea]

Bl**dy Hell :o :o :o !That is really spooky.

That is virtually identical to something I cook quite regularly. !In fact so regularly my husband is probably getting sick of it. !:)

Are you sure you're not someone I know in disguise? !Or a work colleague my husband may have been moaning too?

And why have you called it pasta al'Andrea?

[PurpleGreen]

Nope, but its an authentic northern Italian recipe, and as I studied catering in Trentino, its no wonder I've added an authentic recipe. Its tastier than the Barclaycard 0% sauce ;)

[PurpleGreen]

p.s. Pasta al' Andrea in honour of our esteemed landlady

[PurpleGreen]

"EGG" omelette (Uovo pancetta con prezzemolo)

(recipe based on a 2 person serving)

3 Large eggs
1 bunch spring onions/scallions
4 cherry tomatoes
0.5lb pancetta or streaky bacon
1 cup chopped parsley
1 Bermuda onion, chopped
1 small can sweetcorn
1 green pepper
0.25lb fresh, grated parmesan cheese
salt, pepper to taste
2tbsp olive oil

In a large (preferably cast iron) frying pan, fry all ingredients (except for eggs and cheese) for about 10 mins on an extremely low heat.

Add eggs. Fry on a higher heat for 2 minutes until the outer edges of the eggs are cooked, but the middle is still runny.

Sprinkle with parmesan cheese to taste, and place in oven (highest possible temperature) for 15 minutes until the eggs turn into a kind of 'cake'

Can be served cold with salad leaves, or hot with any garnish of choice.

[PurpleGreen]

Sorry. Its a red onion. The purple looking ones.

[PurpleGreen]

I must add that I've never eaten an egg in my life so I have no idea what this recipe tastes like, but whenever I've cooked it, it gets rave reviews.

[PurpleGreen]

Chicken "Marbles" - for children

1lb minced chicken
750ml ketchup or sugar free savoury salad dressing
750ml (equiv) corn flakes*
salt, pepper

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper and separate into 12 equal sized 'meatballs'

2. Coat each meatball in ketchup or other dressing

3. Coat in crushed corn flakes

Bake at 190 or equiv for 10 mins. Serve with french fries, rice, or salad.

*sounds revolting, but take my word for it, kids love it. (If they like chicken. And corn flakes. And ketchup for that matter...)

[Judi]

TUNA FISH PASTA

1 185gm tin tuna,drained.
1 440gm tin plum tomatos
1-2 tsps mixed herbs
1 small onion (finely chopped)
1 500gm packet of spaghetti

Mix tuna,tomatos,herbs and onions in a pan and bring to the boil then let simmer for 15-20 mins.
Serve with spaghetti.

[Judi]

CORNED BEEF PIE

1 tin of corned beef
Left-over mashed potato
8oz of shortcrust pastry

Line a pie dish with 1/2 the pastry.
Mash the corned beef and potato together and put on the pastry.
Cover with other half of pastry.
Cook in medium oven for 30-35 mins

[Judi]

VEGETABLE CHILLI AND RICE

1 packet of frozen mixed veg
1 440gm tin plum tomatos
1-2 tsps chilli powder
1 tin kidney beans

Mix all indgredients and bring to boil in pan.
Simmer for 20 mins
Serve with rice

[PurpleGreen]

Just a note on the veg chilli - kidney beans can be poisonous if not thoroughly cooked. 20 mins would kill any poison, but a few extra mins wouldnt hurt. Raw kidney beans have the same poison in them as raw rhubarb, which should also be very well cooked.

[PurpleGreen]

yes because they are pre-boiled but its still best to overcook rather than undercook. When you open a can of red kidney beans, there's a fairly metallic smell. Thats the poison, which is completely destroyed by heat.

non-canned kidney beans need to be soaked for about 12,000 hours before they can be cooked. Its easier to use canned.

[Judi]

Veggie Cottage Pie


Preheat oven to Gas mark 5


1. Crush 1 clove of garlic, chop 1 leek and 2 carrots in small cubes (soup size).
2. Heat 1tbsp of oil in a pan and add the garlic leek and carrot and saute for a couple of minutes. Add 1 tbsp flour to the pan and cook for 1 minute.
3. Stir in 1/2 pint of veg stock. Bring to the boil and then simmer til the liquid has thickened.
4. Stir in 4 oz red lentils, 1 can baked beans, 1 can choped tomatoes and season.
5. Transfer to a casserole dish and put in the oven for about an hour.
6. Peel chop and boil potatoes and mash with milk and butter when cooked.
7. Remove casserole and spoon potato over the top, and back into the oven for 10 mins or until browned.


Serve with crusty bread.

[Judi]

Potato Bake

Ingredients:

6 or 7 medium sized potatoes, peeled

1 large can of baked beans in tomato sauce (approx 800g - you could use 2 standard size tins instead)

1 large onion, thinly sliced

2 or 3 sliced tomatoes

1 tablespoon of margarine for dotting over the top

1 tablespoon of sesame seeds for sprinkling on the top

other optional layers:

1 or 2 cups of left-over rice mixed with some soya milk and herbs

sliced mushrooms mixed with a little veg. oil and 2 cloves of crushed garlic

1 can of sweetcorn

1 can of spinach

Part-boil the potatoes for 5 or 6 minutes until starting to soften. Thinly slice them. In a large casserole or lasagne dish place a layer of potatoes then a layer of beans, then onion and repeat until all used up. That is the basic dish but you can add any other layers you like (experiment! Any tins lurking in the cupboard?), such as the garlic mushrooms, sweetcorn, spinach or rice ones above, making the last layer potatoes. Spread the sliced tomatoes over the top, dot with the marg. and sprinkle on the sesame seeds. Bake for about an hour or until the potatoes are soft at 190C/380F

[vanoonoo]

Cheapish Sausage Casserole serves 5-6

1 pack frozen value sausages (they are fine honestly!) 87p for 20 (usually 21 in the pack)
1 pack of colmans sausage casserole mix (3 packs for £1.50 in tesco at the moment) or any other sausage casserole mix, I happen to like the colmans one best
2 medium onions about 10p
2 carrots about 10p
2 leeks about 30p
2 green peppers about 50p
2 pints of water
1/2 lb mushrooms about 50p

Heat oven to about 200C dunno what that is in real money - hot, basically
Brown sausages first to get rid of most of the fat and to prevent skins slipping off during casserole (thats gross when that happens)
chop all the veggies removing skins and seeds as appropriate
throw everything into the biggest casserole dish you can find
cook until you can't wait any longer making sure everything is totally hot before serving (at least an hour)
serve with mash or jacket spuds or crusty bread or other things

yum

for a thicker sauce add tom puree or another packet mix or a little cornflour slated with water. Don't reduce the amount of water or you'll end up with dried out mushies and chewy sausages.

obviously you can use "better" sausages but the value ones taste absolutely fine in casserole.

it's about 50p a serving I reckon

[Judi]

Following NooNoos yummy tasting Sausage Casserole, i have just found this :

Sausage and Rice Casserole

Ingredients


1 pound pork sausage, sliced
1/2 onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup uncooked long grain white rice
1 (4.5 ounce) package chicken noodle soup mix
2 cups hot water



1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2 In a large skillet over medium high heat, combine the sausage, onion, celery and green bell pepper and saute for 5 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
3 Stir the dry rice in with the sausage and vegetables, then add the water and the soup mix. Transfer this mixture to a lightly greased casserole dish.
4 Bake, covered, at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 90 minutes.

[Andrea]

Here's an excellent link. Not especially a money-saving recipe site but I'm sure if you search for recipes with the right ingredients you can make something cheaply.

http://www.recipezaar.com/

Andrea :)

[tiddles]

Andrea-
this link is brilliant - I could spend hours looking through all the recipes - thanks!

Tiddles. :)

[Galstonian]

It used to be SOAR (searchable online archve of recipes) but is now here: http://www.recipesource.com/

Fantastic assortment of recipes from all over the world.

[arkonite_babe]

If anyone wants a recipe for potato soup let me know and I'll post it. Very cheap and easy to make, filling too.

[vanoonoo]

of course we want it a_b!!!

[Judi]

If anyone wants a recipe for potato soup let me know and I'll post it. Very cheap and easy to make, filling too.
Post it please.

[Fran]

I had no interest in potato soup till you witheld this recipe. You say it's cheap, easy to make and filling - but does it taste good?! ;)

[arkonite_babe]

It's absolutely scrummy! Especially if you have melba toast with it!

[arkonite_babe]

Potato Soup

Ingredients

6 to 8 fist sized potatoes
1 to 1.5 pints stock ( chicken or vegetable is fine)
1 Large onion
large knob of butter and teaspoon of oil
small tub of fresh cream or elmlea
handfull of fine chopped parsley

Method

Melt butter and oil in a large pot (oil stops the butter burning, but keeps the nice taste)
Finely chop onion and sweat gently in oil mix
Peel and chunk potatoes into rough pieces
Toss these in hot oil mix
Pour on 1 pint of stock
Cook until potatoes are tender
Whizz in a blender until smooth
You may need to add more stock at this stage as the soup tends to thicken
Gently heat through again before serving
Serve with a drizzle of cream and some parsley sprinkled on top and melba toast on the side.

Enjoy ;D

Ps This soup tastes even better the next day, just add more stock or water as you heat it through, it thickens as it cools.

[Judi]

Ive got all the ingredients bar the cream. Going to buy some tomorrow, i must say it sounds yummy.

[cathy]

chicken breast sliced longways like youd slice a bun in half

open out place on top of each piece, a fish finger sized slice of motzarella cheese
sprinkle lightly with dried sage
on top of that place a slice of smoked ham wafer thin is ok but use a couple slices if your using wafer thin

fry in butter both sides for about 10 mins a side

remove from pan add half chicken oxo to juices and then double cream to make sauce
serve with green beans and a salad

you wont be sorry


this is an exellent low carb meal if your not on low carb have baby new potatoes with it

[Lewis_Gerolemou]

Lars Bars

About 6 Mars bars
About half a packet of Rice Crispies
A bit of margarine

Chop up and place Mars bars in a bowl, melt in microwave, stir in crispies and marge, pour into a shallow tray (greased) and cook in fridge, mark out with a knife before it goes too hard. Great for kids, sailors and private dentists.
Lewis Gerolemou,

[Judi]

I think we need a special recipe section. ::)

[arkonite_babe]

I would agree with you on this one Judi ;D

[arkonite_babe]

Has anyone now got a good recipe for a beef casserole or a beef pie?

[nh]

Got one for Spaghetti Bolognese

2 onion
2 carrot
1 red pepper, 1 yellow pepper (or put 2 more carrots in to bring the cost down further)
1 tsp chilli powder
pound of mince (beef, pork, turkey - whatever is on special offer!)
Beef stock cube
2 cloves garlic
1 tin tomatoes
oregano

Chop carrots, onions, garlic and peppers up and put them in a pan with the chilli powder and stock cube and a dash of water (or use oil but this is also a low-cal recipe).

The key to this is to chop all the ingredients really small (use a whizz/food processor) so the flavours really blend in with one another.

Boil for five minutes then put the mince in, with the tomatoes and oregano and a bit of salt and pepper. Boil for 20-30 minutes. lovely!

Top tip - put some tomato ketchup in. It makes it delicious. Sin free on original day on slimming world! (except for the tomato ketchup!)

[Judi]

Great tip about adding the tomato sauce nh. Am going to try your recipe, it sounds nicer than my usual cook in sauce.

[VickyA]

Have only just found this thread. Absolutely fantastic! Thanks so much for the tips, this'll keep us going for a good while, and give a bit of variety to our diet!

[Juicy_Tube]

Do you have some dinner party ideas?

Starter, main course, dessert.

Something that looks impressive, but easy to assemble and cook-want something that can be prepared in advance, don't want to spend time in the kitchen when guests are here!

Thanks.

J

[r.mac]

why not try stuffed peppers as a starter.

One red peper per person, slice off the top (neatly) and reserve. Scoop out the seeds and make a mixture to fill the space left.

fillings to try;
mince/lentils/rice/chilli powder
cheese/breadcrumbs/cottage cheese/herbs
rics/nuts/sultanas/herbs/paprika

Basically anything goes, but cook the filling first if it contains 'raw ingredients', then fill the pepper, pop the top back on and place in an ovenproof dish. Cook in the oven for 30 mins or so, until the peppers are soft and starting to brown. Everything can be assembled in advance and the fillings can be adapted to be as cheap or as expensive as you feel. If the peppers are large, serve them with salad and garlic bread as a main course.

[r.mac]

For dessert, why not try something retro and go for jelly. You can spice it up to make it more exciting here are some ideas.

Orange jelly, made up with very cheap sparkling wine, makes great bucksfizz jelly. :P
Raspberry jelly with a few berries at the bottom adds a luxurious feel.

jelly is really cheap and if you let it set in individual glasses it can look really posh - drizzle a little cream on the top, et voila!
;)

[alison6692]

Thanks for these yummy recipes - am trying to be healthy and stop all those microwave meals. :)

[Munkee]

I bought some lamb the other day and stuck it in the freezer until I came up with an idea of what to do with it.

The problem is, every time I cook beef or lamb it ends up very chewy (even the expensive stuff!) and I know that lamb shou;ld be cooked on a low heat in the oven.

Does anybody know how to avoid this, and also, how can I add a bit of flavour to the lamb? I'm particularly keen on mint so any ideas would be very much appreciated.

Munkee

[alison6692]

Hello :). I made a lovely sausage casserole - feel very domesticated, but I then went on to make gross chocolate cookies! Does anyone have a good recipe?

Also I spent £100 this week at Tesco (for 2 of us) as I am trying to make our food from fresh and not keep buying microwave meals - but I think it was cheaper being unhealthy :o. What do you think?

[Judi]

The problem is, every time I cook beef or lamb it ends up very chewy (even the expensive stuff!) and I know that lamb shou;ld be cooked on a low heat in the oven.

Does anybody know how to avoid this, and also, how can I add a bit of flavour to the lamb? I'm particularly keen on mint so any ideas would be very much appreciated.

My mother used to add a drop of vinegar to the meat to tenderise it when she was cooking it. It worked as she only bought the cheapest cuts of meat and it was always tender. You couldnt taste the vinegar by the way.

[Judi]

Also I spent £100 this week at Tesco (for 2 of us) as I am trying to make our food from fresh and not keep buying microwave meals - but I think it was cheaper being unhealthy !:o. What do you think?

I think thats an awful lot of money for two of you. I hope it will last more than a week!! My average food bill i have slashed from £100 to £60 - £70 a week for 5 of us which i am dead chuffed about. (especially as Mr Judi gives me £100 to shop with ;)) The rest goes in a high interest saving account which will benefit us all.

[savvy]

WOW after reading this entire thread I have decided that.................................I want to marry purplegreen! Bella! ;) ;) ;) :P :-*

[Judi]

WOW after reading this entire thread I have decided that.................................I want to marry purplegreen! !Bella! ! ;) ;) ;) :P :-*

I will tell him hes got an admirer. ;)

[PurpleGreen]

Savvy, as flattered as I am (in spite of receiving many marriage proposals weekly), I have to tell you that there's only one girl for me. She's a diamond in a world that is otherwise made of coal. A true gem in a world full of cubic zirconia. A star in her own right, her picture has graced magazine covers from Aberystwyth to Antibes. A woman equally at home in a back street chip shop or dining on the finest cheese enchiladas at The Ritz. A woman so kind and compassionate, she donates Lidl carrier bags to the needy. My heart has been taken, my emotions ride on the waves of her beauty like ships that drift gently on the ebb and flow of passion. How could anyone resist the Aphrodite of the modern world? For it is she - my Aphrodite. Yes, she is my goddess of love, my rock, my precious gemstone...

http://www.amarsh.us/judi.jpg

Oh yes, she is my Judi

;D

[Caro75]

I am looking for a very good cheesecake recipe? Does anyone have one?

Many thanks

Caro

[PurpleGreen]

http://www.pastrywiz.com/archive/category/cheesecake.htm

x

[Judi]

Oh yes, she is my Judi
;D

Flattery dear PurpleGreen will get you everywhere (nearly!!).

[PurpleGreen]

:o

I'll be right over.

;D

[hilstep2000]

This is one my children love:

1 tin Campbells Condensed Mushroom soup
1 tin mushrooms (or some fresh ones)
Couple of rashers of bacon.

Chop the bacon up and put in a microwave dish and cook for a few minutes till crisp. Add the soup (do not dilute) and the mushrooms. Heat on full power for three minutes. Serve on spaghetti, with parmesan cheese.

Delicious!
:)

[mink35]

Quick strawberry jam - not exactly cheap but fresh, homemade and yummy!!

1 lb strawberries
juice one lemon
7 oz sugar

Lightly cook strawberries and lemon juice, add sugar, put in a deep bowl and cook for approx 20 mins in the microwave on full power, stirring after about 6-7 minutes and again every 2 mins or so. To test it put a bit on a plate and see if it 'wrinkles' and stays that way when you push a spoon through it. Makes one jar.

Don't leave as it will boil over without stirring.

This is reduced sugar version so you may wish to add more sugar.

Also works well with gooseberries. For other fruit you need to add a bit of water as well.

[blue-kat]

this might be suitable for a dinner party Juicy
if too late for your party, have a nother ;)

Kuku - or big posh quiche thing without the pastry Serves lots in little squares

good for presenting proudly at a buffet as it sounds posh, is delicious, and it dead easy. Some olives would go very nicely. feel free to vary ingredients

9 eggs
2 large courgettes
1 block feta cheese chopped in to little cubes
3 red peppers large bunch of flat leaf parsley or other herbs Bunch of spring onions salt & pepper

Grate the courgettes into a sieve and mash out as much water as possible with a wooden spoon. Put in a bowl with finely chopped spring onions, roughly chopped parsley, and shredded peppers. Beat the eggs and mix into the veg.

Butter a large baking dish (a lasagne type one) and pour in half the egg/veg mixture. Scatter the cubes of feta over (minus the ones you have snaffled) and pour the rest of the egg mix over. Suddenly remember the salt and pepper. Whoops!

Cover with foil and bake for about 40 minutes at 200C or gas mark 5
(ish). After 40 mins take off the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until it is set in the middle and a lovely golden brown
(roughly the colour of a Brazilian beach babe)

Leave to cool and cut into bit size squares. Bask in the warm glow of approval from all your friends.

[lakelady]

Soften an onion in some oil, then add a tablespoon (or to taste) of curry powder. Cook for a minute or two to bring out flavour of curry. Add 2 tins of creamed sweetcorn, and 3/4 pint of milk. Heat through, stirring now and again.

Blend with a stick blender or in a processor.

Add a tin of sweetcorn (optional, as is the blending - whether you do these things just alters the texture), and add chopped fresh coriander, or paprika (cheaper).

Healthy, cheap and delicious :).

[vanoonoo]

this might be suitable for a dinner party Juicy
if too late for your party, have a nother !;)
Scatter the cubes of feta over (minus the ones you have snaffled) and pour the rest of the egg mix over. Suddenly remember the salt and pepper. Whoops!
(roughly the colour of a Brazilian beach babe)
Bask in the warm glow of approval from all your friends.

this is the kind of recipe I understand :D

welcome home everyone - the eagle has landed ::)
blue_kat i think I love but I don't know for sure ...

[Sarahsaver]

Pasta bake - cheaper than chips!!!
I tried this and im hooked

you need
1 tin of tuna
1 tin of sweetcorn
1 tin of tomato soup
enough pasta for the amount of people who are eating - i measure by sight but about 2 handfuls of the dry stuff for each person.
a bit of cheese to grate on top

cook the pasta
mix in an oven proof dish with the tuna, sweetcorn and soup, top with cheese
bake for about 20 mins on gas 5, or microwave for 2 minutes then grill it.

YUM ;D

[trafalgar]

I crumble plain/cheese&onion crisps,just one bag.

Sprinkle on the top before the cheese.............makes it yum and crunchy ;D ;D