Stretching a chicken to last a family a week
I am rewriting the posts for stretching a roasted chicken to the max - making it last a 4 person family a whole week.
I've done the first post. I now need to update the 7 recipes. The posts from 2014 are there, but there are no pictures to speak of and they need completely rewriting.
After this marathon, I'm going to do a series, using different recipes, starting off with a whole poached chicken rather than roasted. Can't wait to get started on that! I already know what recipes I will be using.
I made a risotto as part of the roasted chicken series which came out lovely - need to write up the recipe now.
Dented tins
I like Azeera decaf coffee and usually buy it either when on offer, or online in packs of 6. I usually drink Red Bush tea as it is naturally caffeine free. But maybe once a day, I'll have a coffee. I was getting near the bottom of my last tin, so needed some more. There was no offer on, so I bought it online and when it arrived every single tin had a big bash in it. None of them were going through to the contents, but they were big dents! I've messaged the seller, so we'll see what happens. I don't necessarily expect them to do anything about it, the tins are all usable. But they definitely need to know how their products are arriving!
The weather
I'm enjoying this glorious weather and have been doing masses of gardening. Lots of watering too now it's so hot. The garden is looking gorgeous and the tomatoes have started. Picked a whole bowlful just now.
The runner beans are very slow this year. They are normally much more exuberant than this. The lettuce in the foreground are doing really well though and I've had loads off them.
These are some the flowers blooming now
New Recipes
The cookery group were at my house last week, and as usual we had fun making some recipes, 2 new to all of us, 2 that I'd done before.
This month we made Lemon & Mint Pesto - very strong garlic, lovely!
A quick pickle which is meant to be used within a few days. I've just tried some and it is gorgeous! I use white wine vinegar which I get in 5 litre containers. I use it for everything, from cleaning to cooking.
To make the pickle - very finely slice some fresh veg - radish, carrots, onions, cucumber etc. Fill a sterilised jar with the veg, leaving at least a centimetre at the top
Put 200 ml white vinegar in a saucepan with 200 ml water, 1 tblsp each of salt and sugar and bring to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar and salt
Add peppercorns, bay leaves, garlic or any herbs and spices (all optional)
Cover the veg with the brine and leave for at least 30 minutes and use within a week
I had some last week with chicken curry and it was so good I went back for seconds!
Then we tackled Kounoupidi tiganitó or Greek Fried Cauliflower. The batter is wonderful and can be used to enclose anything you fancy. I've tried it with carrot batons and pieces of cooked chicken. Lots of other things to try, but my husbands favourite vegetable is cauliflower and he's always buying the flipping things, so I usually do cauliflower.
The fourth thing was Cipolline in Agrodolce (Onions in Sweet and Sour Sauce). Something I haven't made for a while. Wonderful as a side, over a jacket potato or rice, or with a piece of chicken or white fish.
What I've been making in previous Julys
Peanut Oat Cakes with Roasted Onions & Green Pea Hummus
I love these oat cakes, they are filling and keep me going for ages. There are lots of vegetable purees that can be boosted with chick peas or beans of some kind. I've been having this pea one a few times lately which doesn't have any beans in as the meal plan it is featured in didn't have any available - you can always add some!
Easy Poached Pears in Apple Juice
A simple little pudding, contains no alcohol and is great for summer fruit, for a gathering or any time you like.
Savoury Baked Oats
Baked oats have become very popular, but have you ever thought of having savoury ones? I wondered one day if it would work, tried it and it was delicious!
An e-book or two
I published an ebook for meal plan 1 in August 2021 and am delighted that many people have thought it was worth getting. I've repriced it again in June 2022 and it's still holding on, even in these scary times.
I've managed to get my head around WooCommerce so I can feature it on the blog and you can find it here.
I was busy recooking, photographing and updating the recipes for Meal Plan 2 and putting them into an ebook as well. The meal plan was first written in 2013 and still prices up, which is fabulous and that is finally complete.
Do come and say hello on the Fantastically Frugal Food Facebook group, or the Sensational Slimming Sustenance group. I'd love to see you. Lots of useful tips, recipes and ideas. The over 17,000 membership are brilliant, brimming with talent.
And don't forget Thrifty Lesley, where there are 800+ recipes of fantastically frugal food and many weekly meal plans. And Cheap Family Recipes where you can find all kinds of delicious things that don't cost much, with two family monthly meal plans.
I've also got a few YouTube videos up, not many yet, but I'm planning to do more. I've done a couple more, need to edit them now. So much to do, so little time!
With all best wishes, until next time
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