Easy Recipes

[smee.tracey]

I'm creating an idiot guide to cooking for my best friend. She is a good cook but only if she can use a packet mix, even for shepherd pie and casserole.

Does anyone have any simple recipes they think I should include? There are 2 adults 1 toddler and a baby in the house so please no 'feeds 8' proportions!

Incidentally, I know it would be easier to get something like Delia's How To Cook, but I want this to be more personal.

Thanks

[dmsjps]

There are so many quick and easy recipes for the main meals, but here are a few for potatoes to accompany them:

 

CHEESE & ONION MASH:

Cook potatoes as normal and in another pan do the same with finely diced onion, but only for half the time of the potatoes. When they are both cooked, mash the potatoes as normal, adding butter, cream and seasoning to taste, then stir in the cooked onion. Stir in grated cheese (as much/little as required), then spoon the mixture into a casserole dish. Sprinkle grated cheese on top and brown either in the oven or under the grill. You can do the same with cooked vegetables too, although not mashing them of course!

 

POTATOES ANNA (with onions):

Another simple potato recipe is to finely slice equal amounts of potato and onion and layer them in a casserole dish, sprinkling seasoning and dotting butter between each layer, then cover and cook in the oven for about 50 minutes while you prepare and cook your main dish, removing the cover after 40 minutes and turning the oven up to brown the top.

[sunflower68]

Chicken and vegetable pasta.

Cook the pasta; drain.  'Stir fry' in 2tbsps  of oil the chicken breast pieces, add any veggies you like.   Stir in, whilst cooking, 1 large tablespoon flour (plain or self-raising) and let it cook whilst stirring, to get everything hot. THIS WILL LOOK LUMPY AND DRY. Instantly add about half pint of milk and keep stirring until sauce thickens.  Add chicken stock or just salt and pepper.  Stir in the  cooked pasta.You may like to add grated cheese at the end, and even substitute meat for cheese.  Yum.

[sunflower68]

Soz smee.  I should add that the chicken and veg must be cooked fully before adding any flour and milk.

[sunflower68]

Blimey I need to learn to re- read.  For chicken stock I just mean  a stock cube, which if for a baby should be avoided.  But then you know that.  I'll get me coat.

[funkychicken]

Honey and soy glazed chicken

1. mix 3tbsp dark soy sauce, 3 tsp honey, 1tsp lemon juice and a pinch of black pepper
2. pour half the marinade over chicken breasts (it says 2 but however many you want really)
3. grill chicken on medium heat for 15 mins, while grilling pour the remaining marinade over the chicken

I think that would be nice with some noodles and stir fried veg

pasta with tomato and basil

1. dice 6 juicy tomatoes and put into a bowl with all the juices, add a bunch of torn basil leaves and cover with olive oil, leave for 30 mins
2. cook pasta bows in salted water as per instructions on pack, drain and return to the pan. using a slotted spoon add tomatoes and basil and toss with pasta, tip in as much of the olive oil as you like
3. serve with crusty bread

chicken satay

1. slice chicken breasts into strips and thread onto skewers, put to one side
2. put a 400ml can of coconut milk into a pan and bring it to the boil, then simmer gently for 5 mins
3. stir 2tbsp crunchy peanut butter into the milk and cook for a few more mins while stirring so its smooth and combined, season with sea salt and remove from the heat
4. put the sauce into 2 dishes, using one of them smother the chicken skewers and put under a pre-heated grill, cook until chicken is done
5. serve with the other bowl of sauce

spagetti with tuna

1. cook spagetti as per instructions on pack, while its cooking chop a handful of parsley
2. when the spagetti is cooked stir in a tin of tuna, the chopped parsley and a good glug of olive oil
3. season with salt and pepper

simple but very yummy!

thats your lot for now, but i may be back!

[ames]

Shepheards pie is always good and so simple:

 

Cook some peeled potatoes

Once soft mash well them with an egg and some milk - leave aside - season if desire

Brown some beef or lamb mince in large dish,once browned add some chopped onion and garlic, then add some chopped veg of your choice (if children are fussy then blend all in processor first so they can't see the "bits") I normally use some pepper, carrots, courgette. Mix together and add spalsh of worcestershire sauce, mixed herbs, 4/5/6 tablespoons tomatoe paste or passata, salt and pepper and maybe some paprika. Pour into casserole dish. Spread mash on top and use back of a fork to make rivvetts in potatoe. Sprinkle on some grated cheese. Cook in oven until potatoe looks browned and crispy!!

[ames]

For spag bol - basically cook mince the same way but omit carrots, add a whole tin of tomatoes and add extra oregano and basil to the sauce. Serve with pasta and grated cheese.

[smee.tracey]

these are great folks, thanks. Keep them coming!