Time to be Cheap and Chutney

Making chutney is one of those things considered the domain of elderly women, who make it for the church fete and sold to raised much needed funds. The recipients put it at the back of, or in the door of the fridge and there it lingers.

Hot Tomato Chutney
A good second use of glass jars too!

But chutney making is fun and a great way to use allotment overstocks, or giveaway bargains in the reduce to clear counters at the supermarket.

You can almost guarantee that every chutney you make will be different – vegetables, fruit, sugars, vinegars, spices all add to the mix of a successful chutney and some you find will work better than other. This article by Hugh Roadkill Whittingstall, is really quite good –

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/oct/25/pickle-recipes

Basically stick to 2kg of vegetables and fruit, to 250g sugar and 400ml vinegar.

If I use less fruit I use more sugar…………. Continue reading “Time to be Cheap and Chutney”

Chicken Kebab with Rice and Vermicelli Pilaf

I popped into my only local Asian food store yesterday as I was passing to stock up on a couple of items that I had run out of. Ready made mixes such as Tandoori Masala, and whole spices like Coriander Seeds in 100g bags at great value prices. And so much more interesting than the supermarket, I feel that I would love Chicken Kebab for dinner!

Find out more about TRS products here: https://www.trs.co.uk/

Chicken Kebab with Rice and Vermicelli Pilaf
Chicken Kebab with Rice and Vermicelli Pilaf

A chicken breast cut into six pieces and threaded onto a metal skewer for each kebab. I prefer to go through each piece of meat twice  (like a stitch) to create a tighter kebab. Make accompanying vegetable kebabs with mushroom, onions, red pepper, tomatoes – keep things sizable or they will shrivel to nothing when cooking.

Continue reading “Chicken Kebab with Rice and Vermicelli Pilaf”

Fish Pie as easy as Pie

Fish Pie is serious comfort food.

By weight I think fresh fish or chilled pack fish really is quite expensive. But frozen fish can be good quality and you’ll get twice as much for your money.

Frozen fish from @Lidl

Choose a selection of fish that you like. I am using salmon, smoked haddock, cod and prawns. Cut the fish into pieces but not too small or it will disintegrate.  Into a pan and almost cover with milk and drop in a little butter. Continue reading “Fish Pie as easy as Pie”

Warm Duck Salad

Here’s my take on a Warm Duck Salad, and this really isn’t difficult and looks amazing on a large white plate or bowl.

In this version your bulk is made up of new potatoes, cut to bite size and par boiled.  Drain and tip into a heated baking tray with some olive oil and start to bake off in a hot oven.

What comes next is up to you. Continue reading “Warm Duck Salad”

Warm Hands and Caterpillars

I am completely rubbish at sugar paste and found the only things I can make are caterpillars and bugs.  However, with weird eyes and a big smile they are the most awesome cake toppers ever! My bugs and bees have featured on many cakes at work, to celebrate anniversary years in the Test Team (Bugs, get it?) as well as Macmillan Coffee Mornings, and special birthday cakes too.

https://coffeeregister.macmillan.org.uk/Home/RegisterNew

A smile on your face!