Cook Something Different Challenge

hex2

skaps - it looks great minus the icing. Not very good at icing! First time I had been on that site but the words round the recipes are really interesting especially if you like experimenting.

Earlier this week I finally had a go at chilli jam - a tomato and chilli one as it didn't need jam sugar. It is absolutely glorious. I regret just going for the half mix. I still want to have a go at red onion marmalade but having made a foul one before I am reluctant to waste materials.

skaps

3 new things cooked today

1) cranberry yoghurt muffins from the internet - http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1956,141163-225200,00.html


2) honey and raisin cereal bars from Weezl's thread http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=29990059&postcount=1040


For number 1 and 2 i used wholemeal flour as i have lots of it plus its healthier.

3) sweetcorn soup from Weezl's thread http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=29937909&postcount=931
The picture was too dark so I didnt post it. This was very quick, cheap and easy to make. I added some plain yoghurt to add a creamier taste.

W/C 14th Feb
- chocolate chip cookies from Bake

W/C 21st Feb
- cottage pie
- parsnip and ginger soup from Ministry of Food
- finger licking chicken wings

W/C 28th Feb
- sweetcorn soup
- yoghurt muffins
- honey and raisin cereal bars

wogglemaker

I've managed to make a dozen 1/4 lb beef burgers with raisins & walnuts (from a Readers Digest recipe book) shaped using a burger press and wax dix bought at a car boot sale for 50p. Have not tried them yet but they are in the freezer all ready to go.

motherhen2234

Made shin of beef yesterday. It was a pre packed one from sainsbury's (shin, swede, carrot and some stock/puree tablets) but I added extra veg to the casserole. I don't normal by these cook yourself type things but it was reduced. Was good enough to encourage me to make shin again.

freakyogre

Here's my 'reviews' of the recipes I tried in February. I've commented on some before, but helps me keep a note of them all together, so ignore my rambling!

• Sesame chicken 'kebabs' - yummy, but very filling. Made 6 small burgers from one chicken breast
• Chicken and broad bean tagliatelle - nice, but I tried to substitute creme fraiche with yogurt which split. It tasted nice though
• Lemony prawn and pea pasta - ok, but a bit bland, I added lots of black pepper which helped
• Pesto pasta (not very challenging, but i've never tried pesto before!) - I am a new pesto lover. Might have to try the red one next
• Sticky lemon chicken - this was lovely, not very lemony though, so will add more next time
• Sweetcorn and spinach tortilla - yummy (as pictured before!)
• Garlic prawns in coconut cream - ok, but a bit rich for me with the coconut cream
• Mexican bean burgers - a bit dry, but tasted lovely
• Thai chicken cakes with sweet chilli sauce - I made these last night, thought they wouldn't work as were quite gooey, but they turned out really well.

I'd make all but the garlic prawns again as the sauce was too rich, but it did taste really nice. I'd try the lemony prawn pasta again, but would need to perk it up somehow.

This months will be...

• Pea pakora pockets
• Red pepper, mozzarella and spinach melts (going to use a bagel)
• Pasta with spicy sausage and cream
• Fragrant pork and rice one-pot
• Chicken laksa - recipe from a book I can't remember the name of
• Maple & pepper-glazed chicken with roasted carrots

BLUis

I'm off work ill with tonsillitis at the moment, but although I feel like cr*p, I am going stir crazy!! Today I have made:

Roasted Onion Soup with Goats (I've used another cheese as I dont like goats cheese) Cheese Toasts http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/335607/roasted-onion-soup-with-goats-cheese-toasts

Hot Citrus Pudding http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/cuisine/european/english/hot-citrus-pudding.html

I had a quick dip in the bowl, this tasted divine before I cooked it! Its got about another 20 mins to go in the oven. Cant wait to try it later.

I also made some of Nigellas cupcakes, but they seem to be a bit hard on the top, dont know why?

I am looking for other things to do, but as its the beginning of the month, I dont have a lot in the house because oI havent been shopping yet. My poor OH keeps getting texs with shopping lists in!

miss_cupcake_2

freakyogre wrote: »

Here's my 'reviews' of the recipes I tried in February. I've commented on some before, but helps me keep a note of them all together, so ignore my rambling!

• Sesame chicken 'kebabs' - yummy, but very filling. Made 6 small burgers from one chicken breast
• Chicken and broad bean tagliatelle - nice, but I tried to substitute creme fraiche with yogurt which split. It tasted nice though
• Lemony prawn and pea pasta - ok, but a bit bland, I added lots of black pepper which helped
• Pesto pasta (not very challenging, but i've never tried pesto before!) - I am a new pesto lover. Might have to try the red one next
• Sticky lemon chicken - this was lovely, not very lemony though, so will add more next time
• Sweetcorn and spinach tortilla - yummy (as pictured before!)
• Garlic prawns in coconut cream - ok, but a bit rich for me with the coconut cream
• Mexican bean burgers - a bit dry, but tasted lovely
• Thai chicken cakes with sweet chilli sauce - I made these last night, thought they wouldn't work as were quite gooey, but they turned out really well.

I'd make all but the garlic prawns again as the sauce was too rich, but it did taste really nice. I'd try the lemony prawn pasta again, but would need to perk it up somehow.

This months will be...

• Pea pakora pockets
• Red pepper, mozzarella and spinach melts (going to use a bagel)
• Pasta with spicy sausage and cream
• Fragrant pork and rice one-pot
• Chicken laksa - recipe from a book I can't remember the name of
• Maple & pepper-glazed chicken with roasted carrots

Just de-lurking quickly to say hello I'm also a massive Good Food fan and could spend hours on the website looking at recipes! It's really interesting to read your comments on the recipes you've tried and I've already added some to my online 'binder' to try

With the lemony prawn and pea pasta I too found it a little bland so added some actual lemon zest (don't think the recipe calls for this, though i may be wrong) and it really improved the lemon flavour. I also used shed loads of black pepper. It's def a regular on my meal planner now :T

Anyhoo, I'm looking forward to reading your experiences with all the other GF recipes you're planning to try so please keep posting your experiences

EDIT: I see the recipe does call for lemon zest, but i used double the amount for extra flavour oomph! Maybe try that next time you make it

skaps

W/C 14th Feb
- chocolate chip cookies from Bake

W/C 21st Feb
- cottage pie
- parsnip and ginger soup from Ministry of Food
- finger licking chicken wings

W/C 28th Feb
- sweetcorn soup
- yoghurt muffins
- honey and raisin cereal bars

W/C 7th March
- egg fried rice
- sticky ribs

whats everyone else cooking this week?

becky170

Can I join in? I've got into a rut with what I cook (or should I say what I pull out the freezer ) and as I'm only cooking for one I find it hard to motivate myself to cook something exciting for myself. This weekend my new recipe was Spanish Chicken out of my '101 best ever chicken recipes' recipe book from GoodFood. I couldn't find it on the website to post a link, sorry! Think I'm going to do my experimenting at the weekend when I've got time to go to the supermarket and cook properly. I've currently got a subscription to Olive Magazine (Tesco Vouchers trade in) so going to hopefully try to do some recipes out of it.

misscousinitt

Hi All

Haven't posted for a bit on this thread, but have been trying out my new recipes.

This weeks is Smoked Haddock and Leek Rissotto from this months good food magazine.

Think I might do half smoked, half plain fish so its not too strong.

Specifically looking for low fat, tasty chicken and fish recipes to add to my normal list. Diet doesn't seem to be helping OH's small tummy - I think its more exercise he needs.

A
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