Weezl's phase 1- recipe testing and frugalisation- come one, come all!

ceridwen

On the countdown now - I've got that chickpea crumble in the oven.

Initial reactions - easy recipe....ummm...not a weekday one though (not with that 20 minutes simmering and then time in the oven). Could be a winner for weekend recipe....timer has just gone off....time to test it out....

ceridwen

Sitting here eating it now.

Basic reaction - I would do it again by choice...but amend the amount of flour in the crumble topping. I couldnt say the exact amount of extra flour I threw in - I just grabbed a handful - as it was all clidgy with the exact quantities given and I didnt feel there would be enough topping otherwise.

With my extra handful of flour thrown in - 'twas about right.

I did the version with seeds - rather than cheese and peanuts topping. I think either would be fine. Personally - I threw the sesame seeds into my electric grinder to blitz them to smithereens - as I'm not sure whether seeds that small would head "straight through" otherwise:o:D.

Enough quantity-wise for 3-4 - depending on what one has with it - ie I'm having potato wedges with it (hadnt thought - again...:o).

Its nice - but needs summat filling with it on the one hand and some green/wet type vegetable/s of some description with it on the other hand. Thinks....for future reference serve with spicy potato wedges or French Fries AND peas + tomatoes + mushrooms here at chez ceridwen anyway and a bit of nice (French?) bread. Appreciate Bob & Shirley couldnt have those refinements - but summat filling is needed on top and something of a green colour too.

canidothis

weezl74 wrote: »

The cottage pie and chilli divided into 4 portions

Forgive me its been a busy day-but is that 300g mince made into 4 portions or 300g made into cottage pie and chilli then divided into 4 each - I will probably regret asking that question but Im guessing other people have busy days and cant think come the evening

HowlinWolf

Thoughts for the day:

1) can Shirley use pancakes instead of lasagne sheets? I've often used pancakes for lasagne type dishes and also for canneloni types. Shirley could make them on her batch cooking day and freeze for ease.
2) A teaspoon of marmite is really good for boosting meaty flavours in both meat and veggie dishes. I put it in my veggie stews and in my shep pie, I also put it in meat stews if I'm making them for DP. Marmite has lots of good things in like B12 which would benefit Shirl and her DD.
3) Weezl, all the best of luck with the OB appointment tomorrow. I will keep my fingers crossed for you and my strongest of best wishes which come truly from the heart and soul.
4) Fergie looks great. Isn't it funny when they have looks on their faces that are a lot older than their years.
5) Will happily test some of the new recipes when they are posted but don't rush with them as there is no way I will be testing anything (except the apple curd) this week

phizzimum

aww! Fergus is soooo cute! He knows how to work the camera too . might have to get the photo albums down to remind myself of when my girls were that little and squidgy...hope it goes well at the hospital tomorrow and that you're able to have the birth you would like

just been doing my online shopping order (trying Mr S for a change as I've come to realise that it's not as expensive as I always thought, esp if I stick mainly to the Basics range) I've ordered marrowfat peas and dried milk - two things I've never bought before :rotfl:and lots of chick peas (can't remember if they're on the planner any more but I'm cooking falafels again this week)

so I will experiment with powdered milk to see if my aversion to it is warranted. will also have a go at the apple cereal bars and the apple and pea soup.

artybear

Good luck with your appointment tomorrow Weezl-hope its happy news and you can have a lovely water birth at home!

XXXXXXX

weezl74

canidothis wrote: »

weezl74 wrote: »

The cottage pie and chilli divided into 4 portions

Forgive me its been a busy day-but is that 300g mince made into 4 portions or 300g made into cottage pie and chilli then divided into 4 each - I will probably regret asking that question but Im guessing other people have busy days and cant think come the evening

sorry cani! there are 300g mince in each of the chilli recipe and the cottage pie recipe. Cottage pie recipe amounts are ****** and chilli was posted earlier today at 3.40 ish by me

canidothis

weezl74 wrote: »

canidothis wrote: »

sorry cani! there are 300g mince in each of the chilli recipe and the cottage pie recipe. Cottage pie recipe amounts are on my blog and chilli was poted earlier today at 3.40 ish by me

do you know what? I knew that ....well it was a busy day. Right I will have a go at making 4 portions out of 300g of mince - I do have a greedy crew tho so not sure it will be successfull.

I tried the cauliflower cheese the other night and got the old raised eyebrow that means 'there's no meat in here':( But I did think about putting it into a pastry case and see if that would be more man friendly.

My DD1 keeps ringing for 'cooking on a budget' advice and said why not put bacon in with the cauliflower cheese, and her OH said 'why spoil a good cauliflower cheese' just goes to show that not all men are meat eating frenzies (Is that a word ?)

shanks77

weezl74 wrote: »

Good morning all

I'm hoping people aren't scared off our recipe testing, I do so appreciate anyone's help.

I wonder if I have given out too many tasks and people are struggling.

Do please say, and I'm sorry if I put any pressure on.

Perhaps lets take it steady.


I fear I have lost us some of our best soldiers by running too fast. (because I know I need to pause soon) where others are rightly having a more moderate pace

others I feel I have lost by having some controversial views.

If these apply to anyone reading, please understand that I am only asking for recipe testing and frugalisation help! No-one has to think like me! (be better if you didn't )

Very much love from Weezl xxx

Not scared, offended, pressurised at all Weezl and not one of your best soldiers just back to work after 2 weeks off and the tranisition is killing me (how soft am i). Still more than happy to test for you it just seemed like you had a lot of willing helpers some of whom were doubly useful especially likes of Lesley, Arty etc (smarty pants:)). Please let me know what you would like tested and will try to do some sorry if you felt abandoned was not intentional i promise:o
Edit just seen list oops will try some this week

HowlinWolf

Cauliflower cheese and other thoughts:

There is a recipe for cauliflower cheese in this months good food magazine with sliced potatoes and bacon in. Now I loathe and detest cauliflower and so does dp so we are going to try that this month to see if I can make some inroads as a meal which is mostly veg with a sprinkle of bacon would be quite frugal for us. I think at this stage Weezl's cauli cheese might be pushing dp a step too far.

Shockingly though, he did buy a tin of sardines in Mr S yesterday having admitted that he had a hankering for them. I am afraid that I won't be caught in the same room as the things so he can eat them with ds or on his own.

There was also a delicious looking St David's day recipe on the good food website today - a welsh onion cake which was just butter, onions, tatties and rosemary. I wondered if we could do something with this idea for the veggie frugal plan?

I made two of Shaz's coconut loaves yesterday using evap milk. I was thinking on the way home that a slice of coconut loaf smeared with some jam or apple curd and covered in custard might make a decent pudding. Going to give it a go tomorrow as this might make a frugal pudding for one of the planners. It could provide some calories and dessicated coconut appears to contain some Iron, folate and Omega 6 going by some of the websites I've just looked at.