Recipes from your store-cupboard
SMOKED MACKEREL FISHCAKES WITH HOT BEETROOT SALAD
This is a BBC Good Food recipe which I made yesterday. It is really easy and tastes great!
For Fishcakes
2-3 large potatoes
Packet of smoked mackerel
3 spring onions, finely chopped
Salt, black pepper and ¼ tsp chilli
2 tbsp flour
Rapeseed or vegetable oil, for shallow frying
Boil potatoes and leave to cool, then mash. Cut spring onions finely and add salt, chilli and pepper to potatoes . Remove skin from mackerel and shred into the potatoes. Mix well then form into four fishcakes. Coat in flour and set aside for approx..30 mins before frying on both sides in oil.
For the hot beetroot salad
2 tbsp olive oil
1 small red onion, finely chopped
200g/7oz cooked beetroot, chopped into small pieces
salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp capers, drained
1 lemon, finely grated zest only
1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
soured cream, to serve (optional)
Fry onion , then add lemon zest, capers. And fry for a few mins. Season then add chopped up beetroot and when hot add chives before serving.
FETA & SWEET POTATO FRITTERS
1/3 block of Feta ie. 65 gr. 2 small sweet potato
3 spring onions chopped 1 egg beaten
1 tbs. flour salt & pepper
Rapeseed oil for frying
Peel and grate sweet potatoes into a bowl. Add crumbled feta, chopped spring onions, flour and beaten egg and seasoning. (You could add a bit of chilli powder if you like things spicy!)
Blend well / Put a little oil into frying pan and allow to get hot before dropping spoonfuls of your mixture into the pan. Turn and cook on both sides till golden brown. Serve hot!
COURGETTE GRATIN
2 Large Courgettes - grated
2 large onions finely chopped, oil to fry
3 slices brown bread, ground into breadcrumbs
3 rashers bacon or packet of lardons
3 medium eggs
1 pot Crème Fraiche
¼ pt. milk (preferably whole)
Strong cheese - Conte or Mature cheddar
Fry onions, season and put half in base of casserole dish. Fry lardons/bacon and cut into small pieces. Add half of the grated courgettes to onion layer then sprinkle half of bacon pieces/lardons on top of courgettes. Add a layer of breadcrumbs and grated cheese on top before adding the rest of onions, bacon and courgettes. Season.
Mix eggs in bowl with crème fraiche and milk. Season and pour over.
Add layer of breadcrumbs and finish with grated cheese on top.
Bake at 180 for 45 mins – 1 hour till risen, firm and cheese nicely melted on top. Best served from oven otherwise it sinks!
CHOCOLATE SELF-SAUCING PUDDING
Low cal. Cooking spray 1 egg
150g. plain flour 30g. low fat spread (melted and cooled)
100g. caster sugar ½ tsp vanilla essence
2 tsp baking powder 20g. lights soft brown sugar
150 ml skimmed milk 300ml boiling water
50g. cocoa (plus extra 2 tbs. for sauce Pinch salt
and 1/2 tsp. to serve)
Mist baking tin with spray. In bowl sift flour, caster sugar, baking powder, 50g. cocoa and salt.
In another bowl mix together egg, milk, melted low fat spread and pour into bowl with flour and cocoa etc. Pour mixture into baking tin.
In a jug, combine brown sugar with 2 tbs cocoa and sprinkle over the top. Pour over 300 ml. boiling water and bake for 25-30 mins till risen and firm to touch. Dust with remaining ½ tsp cocoa and serve with berries (forest fruits, raspberries or bilberries) and Greek yoghurt.
SPICY RICE, TOMATOES AND CHEESE
Brown/white rice – sufficient for 2 Tin of chopped tomatoes
½ tesp chilli powder Grated strong cheddar cheese
Salt and plenty of pepper
A real standby staple this one – cook rice, pour in tinned tomatoes. Add salt, pepper and chilli then grated cheese. When it is all melted and mixed, it is ready to serve and enjoy.