Well, yet again, the weather has changed drastically! So I'm now back on the lunchtime soups again and thinking about hot dishes for dinner rather than salads
Leftover chicken and vegetable crumble
Used up some chicken leftover from a roast. I fried a big onion and a few mushrooms, mixed in some diced carrot and half a tin of chopped tomatoes and about 180g of chicken, then topped it with a crumble mix made up of 100g each of flour and oats, 120g veg oil and a big handful of pumpkin seeds, and there was the last of a pk of spring greens to go with it.
Melanzane parmigiana
A classic Italian dish, aubergines layered with tomatoes, cheeses and breadcrumbs. Simple and very delicious !
Doesn't look like much, but its really good :)
Spring green pasta sauce with parmesan
I was cruising round the Abel & Cole recipe pages one evening and came across a recipe using dark greens in a pasta sauce. I had a head of spring greens I wanted to use, so that was my lunch sorted. Abel & Cole are a great source for inspiration. A word of caution mind, they change their recipes and what is there today, may not be tomorrow. So cut and paste it or print it out if you find something you like.
Sardine and Tomato Fish Cakes, and Tuna Fish Cakes
I did two versions of fish cakes, one version using a tin of sardines in tomato sauce, and another using a tin of tuna canned in oil.
Both were wonderful and there are loads of variations you can use.
- A bit of lemon zest would work
- Maybe a few fine chopped olives
- a bit of chilli sauce in the mix, or over the top
- maybe some garlic and ginger
- or some curry paste or powder.
- some flavoured oil leftover from a jar of sun dried tomatoes or artichokes would add lovely flavour, either mixed in or used to fry with.
- If you have chives in the garden, they would work well, maybe a little very fine chopped rosemary, or flakes of mint.
- If you want to, you could coat the outside in flour, breadcrumbs, polenta, or anything else that would give a crispier finish.
What's been happening
I recently read Table for Two by Amor Towles, a collection of short stories. In the last half of the book, the stories are all interlinked which was interesting. I don't generally read short stories but I really enjoyed this collection.
I've just started The Dream Hotel which is my choice for our book group this month. I've read about half so far and the control element reminds me of The Handmaids Tale in a way.
Sara is returning home from a conference abroad when agents from the Risk Assessment Administration pull her aside at the airport. Using data from her dreams, their algorithm has determined that she is at imminent risk of harming her husband. For his safety, she must be transferred to a retention centre, and kept under observation for twenty-one days.
I had my lashes topped up on Monday, I'd feel naked without them now! I really need to colour my hair again though, it's SO overdue. Strangely the grey isn't showing through, but the colour has lightened so much it's almost blond!
It's my daughter and son-in-laws 11th anniversary this week and I was racking my brains what to get them for their Steel anniversary. I finally managed to think of something I hope they'll like and posted it off, but I can't tell you what it is as she gets this newsletter! Had to post it early as they are off for the weekend to celebrate. My daughter made me laugh by saying oh don't worry, I just have to come to your house and steal something! Haha - clever!
There's an Artisan market on in Heathfield this Saturday and I think I'll pop in and have a little browse. They usually have some beautiful things there. Edit - I went today and there was a local farmer there with some absolutely beautiful meat direct from her farm. I do so love supporting local businesses if I can.
I went with my grand daughter and we picked up a coffee for my husband from the coffee shop in the same church hall. He does love a coffee ship coffee. They have this really lovely thing in this particular one where you can give them any amount of money that you want to under Pay It Forward and they will use it to pay for coffee and cake for someone who really needs it, for whatever reason. Such a lovely thing to contribute to my local community.
That's it for now, have a great week and I'll see you soon!
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 nearly 19,000 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.
With all best wishes, until next time
0 comments