Something out of nothing.

I was watching Nigel Slater's simple suppers last night, and it was about how we can make ingredients for a meal go much further for your family, making the meal much more economical. I have always done this without really thinking about it, I get a basic shop once a week, but nearly always have a full store cupboard, so the flexibility to make something out of very few fresh ingredients , is always a possibility, casseroles stews, and soups take minutes to prepare and give your family a wonderfully nutritious, filling and cheap meal, that is ultimately better than anything bought ready made, no matter how posh the label.

I took a pack of chicken legs out of the freezer yesterday, and this morning, looked through the fridge which was quite empty, and used up my last two onions, some celery, carrots, and a few spuds that had seen better days, and a tin of chick peas, and made a casserole.

To make:

Seal chicken legs in a little olive oil, until browned, set aside.
Fry roughly chopped onions, celery, and carrots, with a little garlic, until slightly browned and softened.

throw chicken back in, add 1 pint of chicken stock, I had some in freezer, or make up with couple stock cubes, and a small carton of vegetable soup also from the freezer, and 1 cup of left over gravy from sunday's roast, I NEVER never throw anything away that can be frozen ,and added to flavour a meal some other  time! I then added 2 sprigs fresh rosemary from garden, very handy herb, its really expensive in supermarkets, chop up a few small potatoes into small pieces,skin on, add a tin of chick peas, juice and all. A squirt of tomato puree, bring to boil and simmer for 1 1/2 hours, taste, then season well. leave to cool.



                                                                  
I served this with a little boiled rice, and some homemade soda bread from this recipe by Hugh Fearnley- Whittinstall here

Soda bread

                                                    
This is the first time I have made this bread, and I thought it was delicious, its very time consuming making bread with yeast, although it does have a better flavour. If you want to make a really quick loaf, or if you  you have an impromtu visit, this would be great to serve with some soup, or for mopping up juices from a stew or casserole, definitely fits the bill! I would say though, its taste and texture is more cake- scone like ,and I feel more suited to jam and butter, but nontheless my children all enjoyed it.

For pudding I made a really easy peasy, simple, but divine chocolate pudding taken from the very talented Sue, from Quince tree, she could easily give Nigella a run for her money, I am always inspired reading her blogs, and have tried lots of her wonderful recipes, so thanks for this Sue! Recipe here

                                   

The beauty of this pud is you don't need any fancy ingredients, just flour , cocoa, sugar, butter and milk, baking powder, salt.(All store cupboard stuff) but it tastes like you have slaved over it ,and loaded it with top quality chocolate, my boys didn't belive me that it din't have any in it, it must be served with cream though, and even the greediest person (namely eldest son) will only manage a small portion, he say's 'I will have the rest when I get back from rugby tonight, cos i'll be starving'!

                     As Sue say's its meant to look look like a cow pat!

              You can't help but dip your fingers in. Bon appetit bloggers!

Cup of tea and cake?

I make this cake every week, its very simple, and all the family love it, and its actually quite nutritious, as there isn't much fat in it, or sugar, compared to many sweet treats, and the big portion of dried fruit will count towards one of your 5 a day! Very filling, yummy and moist!


                                                              Fruitcake

                                                          You will need:

4oz  unsalted butter or Margarine ( I only use stork if I run out of butter)
6oz caster sugar
340g dried fruit mixed (raisins, sultanas, cherries, whatever you fancy or have in store cupboard)
1tsp bicarbonate soda
3 heaped tsp mixed spice (this is my preference-use less if you wish)
1 level tsp salt
4oz plain flour
4oz self raising flour
2 beaten eggs
8 floz water
100ml orange juice

Preheat oven to Gas 4/350f/180c

Place  butter, fruit, sugar, bicarb,mixed spice, and water into a pan and  bring to the  boil, and simmer, until bubbling and melted.                                           

Pour into a large mixing bowl, and allow to cool, I usually get my little daughter stirring it, to cool it quicker.

Once cooled, add the beaten eggs, and flours,and salt, stir well and finally add the orange juice, stir one more time, and pour into a deep greased and lined cake tin.

Cake needs to be on the centre shelf of  the oven, half way through cooking time  approx 45 mins, I cover the cake with a disc of foil to stop the top burning.  Test with a skewer after an 1hr and 15 mins, if it comes out clean your cake is done! allow to cool in tin for 5 mins and turn out onto a wired rack.

This cake will keep for a week to 10 days, in an airtight tin, if it's around long enough of course!

                                   Luverly with a cup of Rosie Lee, Enjoy! :)