New Money Saver that is not very good at cooking ! Help

Daisymac_2

Hello, I am trying very hard to be good and use all the tips and hints on this thread, so I am going to try and make dinners for the rest of the week with what we have left in the house and not go shopping again which is what I would normally do.

We have left:

Some Chicken from a roast last night (so should use that today)
Pack of Sausages (sell by 18th Sept)
Some Burgers (sell by 18th Sept),
Two Slices of Gammon (Frozen)
Potatoes
Pasta
Eggs
Corgettes
Frozen Peas/Carrotts/Chips/Ice Cream
All the normal store cupboard and fridge stuff, butter, cheese, Milk, Flour, Sugar, tinned tomatoes etc etc

I fancy making a chicken Pie tonight but would not know where to start, I dont even know how to make shortcrust pastry, can anyone help me ??

Thanks ever so much x

Pink.

Hi Daisymac,

To make shortcrust pastry I mix 8oz plain flour, 4oz stork (some people prefer half lard and half margarine) and a pinch of salt in a food processor. Then add 2-3 tablespoons of cold water until it comes to a soft consistency. Then roll out.

These threads may help:

Making pastry

Chicken pie?

Pink

Chloe5

Easy Chicken Pie

30g margarine/butter[/font]
30g lard[/font]
120g plain flour[/font]
3tbsp water[/font]

3 oz bacon chopped [/font]
1-2 leeks/onions[/font]
Salt and pepper[/font]
4 oz mushrooms chopped[/font]
8 oz cooked chicken[/font]
3 carrots sliced [/font]
2 level tbsp cornflour[/font]
Cold water[/font]
1 pint chicken stock[/font]


Pastry[/font]

Rub in fats and flour to make breadcrumbs. Add the water and mix with a knife. Then use cold hands to form a ball. Wrap pastry in cling film and put in fridge for 30 mins to rest.[/font]

2. Fry bacon, carrot and leek. Add mushrooms.[/font]

3. Add chicken,and stock. [/font]

4. Mix cornflour with a little of the stock and add it to the pan. Bring to the boil, stir until thickened. Season. Put in a dish.[/font]

5. Remove pastry from fridge, flatten slightly then roll out. Wet edges of pastry so that stick to the dish. Cut slits in pastry to let steam escape.[/font]

6. Bake 15-20 mins at 200C[/font]

This pastry is really good but you could also buy JusRol. I personally hate the stuff but for the first couple of times it might make things easier for you. Not every one uses lard either some just use twice the amount of butter.[/font]

Good luck.[/font]

Chicken rissotto isn't a bad idea for left overs or if you have enough chicken just pots, veg and chicken is just as good. [/font]

Chloe5

Sorry about above, can't get it off - copied it from my recipe file and don't know how to get rid of the bits but the main recipe is good.

r.mac_2

If you don't make a pie with the chicken, here are a few other ideas:

1. chicken pasta - chop onion fry for a min or two, add a tin of tomatoes and any other chopped veg you fancy. simmer for about 10 mins, then add chicken and cook until hot all way through. stir through cooked pasta and serve with cheese is desired.

2. chicken and brocoli bake - mix the leftover chicken with some cooked brocoli, mix thorugh tin of campbells condensed soup, tsp of curry powder and couple tablespoons mayonaise. Top with breadcrumbs and bake until bubbling.

3. chicken pilaf - left over roast chicken in a pan with some veggies of choice, a handful of raisins and pine nuts are great in this if you have any. Add some longgrain rice and a teaspoon of tumeric and using the absorbtion method (1 cup rice to 2 cups water or veggy/chicken stock) cook in a pan with the lid on until all cooked thorugh and no liquid is left. Yummy x

Hope this helps a bit x