Eating out of the freezer and cupboards challenge - part two

Older_But_Not_Wiser

Morning all

Yesterday I was out for the day (had a lovely cream tea which was very reasonably priced) and for dinner I had a yellow-stickered moussaka and reheated the veggies leftover from the day before, so a balance between luxury and frugal.

Rachel your Easter lunch sounds so good, am jealous. Anyone know how to make brisket? Really fancy some for Easter lunch but is v expensive pre-prepared in Markus & Spensicus so wondered if it would be possible to make it myself?

Hope you're having a good day

Kirri

Older_But_Not_Wiser wrote: »

Morning all

Yesterday I was out for the day (had a lovely cream tea which was very reasonably priced) and for dinner I had a yellow-stickered moussaka and reheated the veggies leftover from the day before, so a balance between luxury and frugal.

Rachel your Easter lunch sounds so good, am jealous. Anyone know how to make brisket? Really fancy some for Easter lunch but is v expensive pre-prepared in Markus & Spensicus so wondered if it would be possible to make it myself?

Hope you're having a good day

I thought brisket was just a particular cut of meat?

but then again I'm not a meat eater...

Older_But_Not_Wiser

Morning Kirri, hope all is well with you?

Pretty sure you're right re brisket, but I've no idea which cut it is (never seen anything labelled brisket on a supermarket shelf) and I've half an idea that it has to be slow-cooked, which is something I've never done before (and it won't surprise you to hear that I don't have a slow-cooker so would need to do it the old-fashioned way)

Oh well, back to the drawing-board for Easter lunch I think!

Mrs_Rachel_Trelfa

Older_But_Not_Wiser wrote: »

Morning Kirri, hope all is well with you?

Pretty sure you're right re brisket, but I've no idea which cut it is (never seen anything labelled brisket on a supermarket shelf) and I've half an idea that it has to be slow-cooked, which is something I've never done before (and it won't surprise you to hear that I don't have a slow-cooker so would need to do it the old-fashioned way)

Oh well, back to the drawing-board for Easter lunch I think!

Brisket is the cut that is taken from the chest/breast just below the shoulder. As its a muscle that was used a lot when the animal was alive it can be tough and therefore needs cooking long and slow (hence a slowe cooker is ideal) if its not labeled as brisket at the supermarket, it can sometimes be called stewing beef or say slow cooked on the packet. You want to look for beef that is well marbled (the white fat running through the meat) as this will stop it drying out when cooking. What you need to do is quickly fry the meat to seal it and intensify the flavor. Then put in a large saucepan as you do not have a slow cooker, with onions, stock (either dissolved cub or hm if you have it) and what ever veg you want in it, anything goes. Bring this to the simmer and then reduce the heat to the lowest and stir occasionally. About 30 mins before you serve add gravy granules to thicken.

Home grown gammon steaks to have with the croquet potatoes and eggs tonight.

Older_But_Not_Wiser

Ooh, brilliant Rachel, thank you - that's brisket back on the menu then if I can track it down at the supermarket on Saturday. Just need to check I've got a casserole big enough to put it in before I go shopping.

I'm not cooking tonight as I ate earlier but hope you all enjoy your dinners, they all sound delish to me

Kirri

I'm not bad, OBNW

Updated spreadsheet contents today, food cupboards almost up to date food turnover wise, just small amount of things to use up now and the rest is new. Freezer has space, am still using up the bits of HG frozen veg till the allotment gets going.

Small veg box order this week for mainly fresh salad stuff. Meals over the next week probably fajitas/burritos.

Made tortilla wraps and had quick fajitas for dinner - used portion of tofu and portion of cooked HG peppers from the freezer, added in half a courgette and the last few mushrooms from the veg box, with some relish (HG, made last summer) and cheese I bought for the tortillas with various spices.

MNR - I used the Abel & Cole tortilla wrap recipe tonight - dough was lovely and soft/pliable but I used all white flour as easier. I made half the amount, so 4 tortillas. I made it by hand last time but tried it in the food processor tonight and came out perfect, mixed in seconds! Had 2 tonight and have frozen the other 2, will make larger amount next time if the frozen dough works. Rolled out well and cooked in seconds. Well worth making, very quick, rolled well, really enjoyed dinner!

Florenceem

Here is the recipe. Suppose we do like pastry.

http://www.eversojuliet.com/2012/01/how-to-make-vegetable-pie.html

Florenceem

In to freezer - tubs of HM casserole/dumplings.
Out of freezer - HM fish pie.
I made a huge pot of casserole/dumplings yesterday. Also made GCJ's soda bread. We had a chunk each with dinner and the rest at lunchtime. It keeps fine until the next day - wrapped in cling film. Such an easy recipe.



Today we had HM pie + roast potatoes/parsnip + brocolli/carrots + gravy for dinner.

Older_But_Not_Wiser

Hi all,

Mrs F your meal looks fantastic as always, makes me crave some fresh vegetables and that bread looks great. Definitely going to cook a 'proper' meal on Sunday as I'm beginning to worry about getting scurvy or something similar :rotfl:

No cooking for me again today as I've been out at The World Food Market on the Southbank, and eaten my way around most of the stands. Came across a really beautiful stand of cupcakes and the diet went for a burton I'm afraid in the face of one called an 'Elvis' which was a banana cupcake with peanut butter and bacon frosting and little crispy bits of bacon on the top. Sounds disgusting I know, but actually it was gorgeous :rotfl:

So, at present fridge and cupboards are empty of pretty much everything except tuna and salad, and a jar of posh marmalade. So, tuna salad for supper then...

Florenceem

In to freezer - nothing.
Out of freezer - 2 muffins + HM stuffing balls + cooked turkey - lo from Christmas + HM TITH.
For dinner we had HM Fish Pie with roasted vegetables.