Cook Something Different Challenge

ellemm

Loukoumathes

Well here they are, very easy to make, reminds me of making doughnuts as a child. honey gradually soaks in making them lovely and moist and sweet.

gerturdeanna

Right - this week I'm making Minestrone Soup OH doesn't really do blended soups and I'm trying to get both of us to lose weight so hence soups etc.

I'll be doing a main that I've never cooked before soon too - I work fulltime and have kids etc so makes it hard finding time and this week we're going out for dinner on Tuesday as we've been married for 9 years on Wednesday - its been hard - but 9 years is quite a thing nowadays!!

Anyway I waffle again!
Happy cooking guys!

Fitzio

Well, last week, I attempted a steak pie. It was edible and tasted quite nice, but looked a riot! I don't think I had enough filling for the size of the pie dish, and when I coated the pastry with beaten egg, it was a bit heavy and the pastry sort of collapsed into the pie!! Never mind, I like soggy pastry and DH thought it was good. I will do better next time.

This week, I am going to make a fish/seafood pie as I got some yellow stickered seafood mix at the supermarket. Not sure how as I need to find some sort of recipe. Anyone have any ideas? I think I just get put off as they all say certain quantities of particular fish, but as I bought a pack, it's not the same. Will be brave and just try 1 anyway I think.

Some of your pictures look lovely!

Nelski

Fitzio wrote: »

This week, I am going to make a fish/seafood pie as I got some yellow stickered seafood mix at the supermarket. Not sure how as I need to find some sort of recipe. Anyone have any ideas? I think I just get put off as they all say certain quantities of particular fish, but as I bought a pack, it's not the same. Will be brave and just try 1 anyway I think.

Some of your pictures look lovely!

mmmm i love fish pie I have done THIS one and its lovely you could just substitute the fish you have got available:j

Nothing to report new today - still eating the freezer contents from last weeks attempt

McpPsl

Here is my latest update and contribution to the challenge. My version of Apricot Almond Chicken from no less than three different resources.

1. Taste of Home
2. Group Recipes
3. Sally Bernstein

Ingredients:

• 2 Chicken Breasts
• 1 lemon (Juice & Zest)
• 1 tspn Mustard Powder
• 1 clove of Garlic, grated or chopped
• 40ml Olive OIl
• 10g Conrflour
• 500ml HM Stock
• 146g Apricot Preserve
• 20g Butter
• 100g Brown Rice
• 70g Green Beans
• 60g Mange Tout
• Sliced Almonds to decorate.

Method:

1. Mix together the lemon juice, zest, mustard, garlic and olive oil in a measuring jug.
2. Pour ½ of marinade into a re-sealable plastic bag along with the chicken breasts.
3. Seal the bag and turn to coat then refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Cover and refrigerate the remaining marinade.
4. Drain and discard marinade from chicken. Using a ridge pan or frying pan, cook the chicken breasts over medium heat for 8-10 minutes on each side or until juices run clear.
5. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, mix together the cornflour and HM stock until smooth. Stir in the Apricot conserve, butter and reserved marinade. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened. Spoon over chicken; sprinkle with almonds.
6. Serve with rice and green vegetables.

Makes two portions for about 600 kcals each including rice and vegetables.




Enjoy.

organic_wanabe

My new recipe for this week did not, unfortunately, come from a cookery book but the Telegraph. However, I had been thinking of making Focaccia bread for a while and, when I was reading yesterday's Telegraph with my breakfast this morning, I came across an easy-looking recipe that called for the use of a dough hook. I have had a dough hook for about 2 years but never used it as I use my breadmaker to make my bread dough. This was a chance not to be missed, so I started to make it as soon as my tea and toast were finished! Here's the recipe (in my own words):

Red Onion & Thyme Focaccia
(probably enough for 6-8 people)

450g strong white bread flour
1 tsp salt
7g sachet easy blend yeast
4 fl oz olive oil
5-6 sprigs thyme
4 small red onions, peeled and cut into small wedges

Combine flour, salt and yeast in big mixing bowl (I used the one from my KitchenAid). Add about half the oil and 300ml warm water along with the thyme leaves. Mix to a very soft dough (using a spoon). Then knead it for about 3 minutes with a dough hook. [It says that if you try it by hand it will take around 10 mins. It also said that the dough will be impossibly soft, but I didn't find that!]

Oil a baking tin (12"x7") and evenly spread the dough on it. Cover with a tea towel and leave to rise for 1 hour 30 mins until doubled in size. [No need to put it in a very warm place, room temperature is fine and gives a better flavour.]

Pre-heat the oven to 200C/Gas mark 6

Use your thumb to press down into the pillowy dough to make dimples all over it.

Toss the red onions in 1 Tbsp of olive oil and drizzle the rest over the dough so that it runs into the dimples. Arrange the red onions on top and sprinkle with sea salt flakes if desired. Bake for 25 minutes until golden and cooked through. [It took mine about 32 minutes!]

Cool the bread in the tin, covered with a tea towel to keep it soft.

It was very easy to make and tasted delicious. I served it for lunch with goats cheese.

I really must get DS to show me how to upload photos - surely It can't be too difficult, though I'm pretty sure he'll try to fob me off!

misskool

I made vegan breakfast bars

But I'm clearly terrible at following recipes. I used raw honey instead of processed, didn't have wheatgerm so added extra flour, used crunchy peanut butter. Added one cup of chopped mixed nuts, 2/3rd dark bitter chocolate, 1/3rd cup raisins. It was really stiff so I kept adding water and decided to add 1/3rd cup of sunflower oil.

ellemm

Did this Parsnip Soup recipe rather than the one listed above, very easy and delicious.
Several portions tucked away in the freezer for a later date.

angeltreats

Organic wanabe - I am most definitely going to try that focaccia recipe, it sounds absolutely delicious.

I've just watched Delia Through the Decades and she has made what looks like a lovely coffee and walnut cake, I really fancy having a go at that as coffee cake is something I have never made. The recipe is here. Only trouble is it calls for instant espresso powder and I'm not sure I've ever even seen such a thing. I wonder if I could use normal instant coffee or freshly brewed strong coffee.

oneeyedandgreen

Not a main meal but I've just made my first batch of twinks hobnobs and some banana bread. My housemate was about to put the bananas in the bin but I grabbed them off him! Just got them out the oven and everything smells delicious