No Waste Food Challenge - June Round-up

I was delighted to be host the No Waste Food Challenge in June on behalf of Elizabeth's Kitchen. I cannot stand food waste and we ensure we use the food we buy wisely and waste as little as possible. There were SO many delicious and inspiring recipes shared which use up ingredients that may have gone to waste.

English Girl made a Slow Cooker Vegetable Broth, a healthy and thrifty recipe, great for those chilly summer days or as a base for so many other dishes.

Madhouse Family Reviews used up some of the exotic spices in her spice rack when cooking these Turkish Kofte Meatballs, a fast and delicious family supper.

Searching for Spice used up some bunches of herbs when making her Tomato and Coriander Soup, such a vibrant colour, great for a light summer supper.

Fab Food 4 All baked a delicious Rhubarb and Marzipan Cake, perfect for a lunchbox or afternoon tea treat or equally lovely as a pudding with cream or custard.

The Taste Space baked these delectable healthy morsels, Maple Sesame Crackers, which would be perfect for snacking on any time of day.

Creator of this challenge, Elizabeth's Kitchen made this fab Spinach and Mozzarella Stuffed Meatloaf.  A great family dinner or dinner party main course and perfect for using up cheese and greens lurking in the fridge.

Chocolate Log Blog baked this delectable Eton Mess Chocolate Cake, oh my goodness it looks so good.  An impressive centre piece for an afternoon tea and a great way to use up some strawberry yoghurt.

Lancashire Food made some Rhubarb Anise Syrup and Jam, a delicious solution to a glut of rhubarb which most vegetable gardeners seem to experience. 

Spicy, Quirky and Serendipitous cooked a tasty Dal using Quinoa and Lentils, a healthy way to fill tums and use up pulses lurking in the cupboard.

Chris from Cooking around the world made Filé à Osvaldo Aranha from Brazil and Fritule from Croatia in honour of the Word Cup, great ways to use up pantry ingredients.

Elizabeth's Kitchen entered another delicious treat, Chocolate Strawberry Pavlova, oh my goodness it looks SO delicious.

My Little Italian Kitchen baked Cherry Clafoutis, a fab way to use up fruit and other ingredients from the fridge.

I'd Much Rather Bake Than . . . made a vintage fruit cake recipe, Vinegar Cake, perfect for using up packets of dried fruit lurking in store cupboards and better still the recipe is egg free so perfect for when there are no eggs about or for those allergic to eggs.

Green Gourmet Giraffe cooked a delicious and vibrant Greens, Beans and Potato Soup.  Perfect for using up vegetables and herbs past their best, and a healthy supper too.

Sarah from Maison Cupcake made a super healthy Spicy 'Kermit' Soup in 5 minutes using her Vitamix.  A fab way to use up greens lurking in the fridge.

 

Kavey made some White Cherry Rum Liqueur which sounds divine and would be fab for gifts or a delicious drink to unwind with.

Gluten Free Alchemist created a Chocolate Hazelnut Coconut Milk Ice Cream, a delicious way to use up some homemade Chocolate Hazelnut butter.

Leeks and Lemoni baked some fab Strawberry and Orange Muffins for an alfresco breakfast.  I'm sure they would be great with a cuppa or a very welcome lunchbox treat.

Eat Your Veg made a delicious and nutritious Easy Peasy Vegetable Noodle Stir Fry which is great for using up vegetables and a super quick family supper.

Spicy, Quirky and Serendipitous cooked Almond Meal French Toast which is a delicious breakfast treat and a fab way to use up bread past its best.

The Lass in the Apron baked Date Cashew Chocolate Drops, perfect for a lunchbox or afternoon tea treat and a great way to use up unusual flour which may be hiding in a cupboard.

The Lass in the Apron also baked these delicious and delicate Rose Almond Petit Fours, perfect for an afternoon tea or cake sale. 

The Baking Explorer made Gluten Free Cola Cupcakes which taste as good as they look and are a great way to use up soured cream lurking in the fridge.

Fab Food 4 All cooked this delicious Roasted Tomato, Red Pepper and Chorizo Soup, perfect for a chilly summer evening, freezable and a fab way to use up tomatoes and peppers.

Thank you so much to all those who entered No Waste Food Challenge this month, great recipe inspiration to help us all love our leftovers and use up food languishing in fridges and store cupboards.

6 comments Biscuits, Breakfast, Budgeting Tips, Cakes, Dinners, Drink, Lunches, Muffins, Party, Puddings, Slow Cooker, Snacks, Soup, Vegetarian

Our Family Meal Plan for this week 30/06/2014 - £55

I've got a busy week this week, a couple of appointments, a couple of meetings and a long day in London.  Hubby will be on duty for me whilst I escape to London so an easy dinner is needed for that night as with many other nights this week.  We'll be eating plenty of salads, which our allotments and back garden are providing.  I have included the price of salad greens in the Meal Plan shopping list for those who are unable to have access to garden fresh produce.  I have also included the price of tortillas for the Burritos but I will be making our own as well as bread for breakfasts.

Breakfasts will be cereal and milk or toast with spread followed by a piece of fruit for afters. 

Lunches this week will be Wholemeal Savoury Swirls with crudites, a piece of fruit and a small baked treat.  My husband and I shall either have the same or leftovers from dinner the previous night.  Weekend lunches will be Frittata on Saturday, we are at friends for lunch on Sunday and I will be taking drinks and the puddings.

Dinners

Monday - Cheese and Vegetable Puffs with salads

Tuesday - Lentil Bolognese with wholewheat pasta and steamed greens

Wednesday - Sticky Chicken Drumsticks served with potato salad and green salad

Thursday - Homemade Pizzas as 7yo has a friend over and they want to cook their own dinner :)

Friday - Burritos with lots of salad

Saturday - Homemade Fish and Chips

Sunday - Honey Soy Chicken Vegetable Stir Fry to use up any vegetables lurking in the fridge.

Shopping List

36 items: £55.07

Packets and Cereals

1x   ASDA Chosen by You Wheat Bisks (48x18g)                                                      £2.48

1x   ASDA Strong White Bread Flour (1.5Kg)                                                             80p

1x   Great Scot Red Split Lentils (500g)                                                                    £1.28

1x   ASDA Home Baking Easy Bake Yeast (6 per pack - 42g)                                    65p

1x   ASDA Wholefoods Brown Bread Flour (1.5Kg)                                                    £1.28

1x   Cook Italian Wholewheat Fusilli (500g)                                                               £1.00

Tins, Jars and Cooking

2x   ASDA Smartprice Chopped Tomatoes (400g)                                                     62p

1x   ASDA Smartprice Red Kidney Beans in Water (400g)                                         23p

2x   ASDA Smartprice Mayonnaise (500ml)                                                               80p

Dairy and Eggs

4x   ASDA British Semi Skimmed Milk 4 Pints (2.27L)                                               £4.00

2x   ASDA Smartprice Low Fat Natural Yogurt (500g)                                                90p

1x   ASDA Reduced Fat Soured Cream (300ml)                                                         90p

1x   ASDA Chosen by You Mature Somerset Cheddar (300g)                                     £1.60

1x   ASDA Mixed Weight Free Range Eggs (6)                                                         97p

Frozen

1x   ASDA Chosen by You Cook from Frozen Whitefish Fillets (500g)                        £2.00

Fruit and Vegetables

4     ASDA Red Cabbage by Weight (100g)                                                               32p

1x   ASDA Spring Greens (500g)                                                                              75p

2x   ASDA Salad Tomatoes (750g)                                                                            £3.00

15   ASDA Bananas by Weight (170g)                                                                       £1.73

4     ASDA White Cabbage by Weight (100g)                                                             20p

4x   ASDA Whole Cucumber                                                                                     £1.96

3x   ASDA British Iceberg Lettuce Loose                                                                   £1.47

2x   ASDA Celery                                                                                                     £1.00

1x   ASDA Baking Potatoes (2.5Kg)                                                                          £2.00

1x   ASDA Garlic Loose                                                                                            25p

1x   ASDA Smartprice Peppers (700g)                                                                      £1.36

1x   ASDA Courgettes (3)                                                                                         £1.00

2x   ASDA Spring Onions                                                                                         98p

1x   ASDA Smartprice Brown Onions (2Kg)                                                               98p

2x   ASDA Carrots (1.2Kg)                                                                                       £1.66

2x   ASDA Apples (1.2Kg)                                                                                        £4.00

3x   ASDA Smartprice Pears (500g)                                                                          £2.37

Meat, Fish and Poultry

1x   ASDA Butcher's Selection British Beef Mince (500g)                                           £1.99

1x   Banham Poultry Chicken Drumsticks (1Kg)                                                        £3.25

1x   ASDA Butcher's Selection Chicken Breast Fillets (4 per pack - 613g)                  £4.29

Bakery

1x   ASDA Chosen by You Large Tortilla Wraps (8)                                                   £1.00

Prices and special offers reflect those of the online grocery websites, and are correct as of 29 June 2014.  Prices may vary in different in-store locations.

As usual I compared the cost of my shopping using My Supermarket.  Our groceries cost £55.07 online with Asda on 29/06//2014.  Had I shopped elsewhere our groceries would've cost £54.12 from Aldi, £56.64 from Morrisons, £59.31 from Sainsbury's and £60.76 from Tesco.

Don't forget to check out all the other Meal Plans in the linky over on 

At Home With Mrs M.

4 comments Beef, Budgeting Tips, Chicken, Dinners, Meal Plan, Meatfree Monday, Pasta, Salad, Vegetarian

We Should Cocoa goes Gluten Free - June Round-up

I was delighted to host We Should Cocoa this month, thank you so much to all those who linked up delicious gluten free chocolate treats and to Choclette who asked me to host.

Kate from Happy Igloo baked this delectable Chocolate Orange Roll, perfect for an impressive dinner party dessert.

Catherine who blogs at Cate's Cates made some allergy friendly Two Ingredient Chocolate Tahini Shortbread, great for parties and lunchbox or afternoon tea treats.

Ros the More Than Occasional Baker adapted a recipe to bake Flourless Chocolate and Raspberry Brownies, great for baking with kids and deliciously gluten free.

The Gluten Free Alchemist baked a scrumptious Pear and Chocolate Cake using local produce and a perfect treat with a cuppa for afternoon tea.

BakeNQuilt made these fabulous Chocolate Marshmallows which would make great gifts for friends or an afternoon snack treat.

Another sweet treat was made by Green Gourmet Giraffe, Black Bean and Cacao Fudge.  A vegan, soy free and grain free recipe and the fudge looks so very tempting.

Cake Boi made these Top Hats, perfect for parties, cake sales or a fun afternoon tea/lunchbox treat.  My daughters have begged me to let them make some.

 

The creator of We Should Cocoa, Choclette, baked a Coconut Chickpea Chocolate Cake which is free from eggs, diary, wheat, gluten and refined sugars and looks absolutely scrumptious.

Mainly Baking made a dairy free and gluten free Pear, Almond and Chocolate Chip Cake which looks delicious and would also make a delicious pudding.

Lancashire Food baked this decadent and scrumptious Amaretto Chocolate Torte, great for afternoon tea or an impressive dinner party dessert.

Laura from I'd Much Rather Bake Than . . . . made some Five Ingredient Dark Chocolate Brownies which look very fudgy and delicious.  I'm sure I could eat at least a couple whilst enjoying a cuppa.

Alexandra, The Lass in the Apron, created a recipe for these Date Cashew Chocolate Drops which are a perfect lunchbox or afternoon tea treat.  

Nutty Tart baked a Chocolate Truffle Cake with Chocolate Truffle Frosting, great for a tea party treat, decadent dessert or bake to impress friends.  

Elizabeth's Kitchen Diary made Gluten Free Chocolate Mug Cake, a fab dessert treat which is super quick to make and delicious too.

Thie KitchenMaid baked Gluten Free Chocolate Cakes, perfect for kids lunchboxes or an afternoon tea treat.

There were SO many delicious, scrumptious and mouth watering entries this month!  I can't wait to see what the challenge will be next month.  Thanks again to all those who linked up.

8 comments Biscuits, Cakes, Gluten-free, Party, Puddings, Snacks, Vegetarian

Stone Fruit Mini Loaves or Muffins

I baked these mini loaves to use up some over-ripe peaches and nectarines that were in the fruit bowl.  You could use plums, apricots, pears or apples instead.  This recipe makes 8 mini loaves or 12 muffins.  These are great with a cuppa or in lunchboxes as a treat.

Stone Fruit Mini Loaves or Muffins

125g butter, softened
160g light soft brown sugar
2 free range eggs
125ml natural yoghurt
150g plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 peaches and 2 nectarines, stoned and sliced

Preheat your oven to 180C/160C Fan.  I used disposable mini loaf tins from the supermarket but you could use a 12 hole muffin tin lined with paper cases.

Cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy  Beat in the eggs, yoghurt and a couple of tablespoons of flour.  Add the baking powder to the remaining flour and fold through followed by the pieces of fruit.  You can keep back a few slices of fruit to decorate the top of the mini loaves or muffins.

Spoon the mixture into the mini loaf tins or muffin cases.  Put a slice of nectarine or peach on the top of each and bake in the preheated oven for 25 - 30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of a mini loaf or muffin comes out clean.  Cool muffins in the tin for a few minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.  Dust with icing sugar then serve.

3 comments Basics, Cakes, Muffins, Snacks, Vegetarian

Our Family Meal Plan for week of 16/06/2014 - £56

It's a slightly less busy week for us this week but I am in London one day/evening so my husband will be working from home and on child wrangling and cooking duty that day.  Our Meal Plan last week went down well so I'm hoping this week will be the same, devoured without complaint - other than there not being seconds.

Breakfasts will be cereal and milk or toast and spread with a piece of fruit for afters and probably pancakes or crumpets on the weekend.  Lunches will be falafel and salad wraps with cudites and herbed yoghurt dip along with a piece of fruit and a small baked treat.

We'll be using greens such as kale and chard, salad greens, lettuces and herbs from the allotment and our back garden this week as well as fresh berries harvested from there as well.  I've made all the tortilla wraps and bread for toast and will make the pastry for the mini chicken pies from scratch.

Dinners

Roast Chicken with Roast Vegetables, Steamed Greens and Yorkshire Puddings

Satay Chicken and Noodle Lettuce Cups

1 iceberg lettuce
300g pack rice noodles
2 carrots, peeled and cut into thin strips
1 cucumber, cut into thin strips
3 spring onions, finely sliced
300g mangetout, whole or thinly sliced
300g leftover chicken, shredded

Dressing:
2 Tblsp peanut butter
1 Tblsp reduced salt soy sauce
1 - 2 Tblsp sweet chilli sauce
100ml stock, either chicken or vegetable
Juice of 1 lime or 1/2 a lemon

Line a bowl for each person with a couple of lettuce leaves, prepare the noodles according to packet instructions.  Divide the noodles equally between the lettuce lined bowls  Divide the prepared vegetables and shredded chicken between the bowls.  Pour dressing over then serve immediately.

Mini Chicken Lattice Pies with steamed greens and mash or salad and potato salad if it's a warm day.

Mini Frittatas with Coleslaw and Sweet Potato Wedges

6 large free range eggs
2 courgettes, trimmed and grated
1 pepper, finely diced
1 Tblsp finely chopped fresh chives or 1 spring onion, finely sliced
75g grated cheddar
120ml milk
6 cherry tomatoes

Preheat your oven to 200C/180C Fan.  Line a 12 hole muffin tray with squares of baking paper or just grease it well.  Metal muffin tins tend to work better than silicone ones with this recipe.  Beat the eggs then add the courgettes, pepper, chives, cheese and milk and mix well.

Divide the mixture evenly between the prepared muffin tin holes, put half a cherry tomato on the top of each one then bake in your preheated oven for 20 minutes until golden and cooked through.

Homemade Pizzas

Beef Burritos with Salads

Homemade Fish and Chips

Shopping List

37 items: £55.89

Packets and Cereals

1x   Mornflake Superfast Oats (2Kg)                                                          £1.75

1x   ASDA Smartprice Cornflakes (750g)                                                    46p

1x   ASDA Smartprice Plain White Flour (1.5Kg)                                         45p

1x   Amoy Straight to Wok Rice Noodles (2 per pack - 300g)                      £1.50

1x   ASDA Home Baking Easy Bake Yeast (6 per pack - 42g)                     65p

2x   ASDA Wholefoods Brown Bread Flour (1.5Kg)                                      £2.56

Dairy and Eggs

4x   ASDA British Semi Skimmed Milk 4 Pints (2.27L)                                 £4.00

1x   ASDA Free Range Large Eggs (6)                                                       £1.65

1x   ASDA Smartprice Salted Butter (250g)                                                 98p

2x   ASDA Smartprice Low Fat Natural Yogurt (500g)                                 90p

1x   ASDA Smartprice Mature White Cheddar (830g)                                  £4.00

Tins, Jars and Cooking

4x   ASDA Chick Peas in Water (400g)                                                       £2.16

1x   ASDA Smartprice Mayonnaise (500ml)                                                40p

Fruit and Vegetables

3     ASDA Red Cabbage by Weight (100g)                                                 24p

1x   ASDA Salad Tomatoes (750g)                                                             £1.50

15   ASDA Bananas by Weight (170g)                                                        £1.73

3     ASDA White Cabbage by Weight (100g)                                              15p

5     ASDA Red Onions by Weight (130g)                                                    48.8p

1x   ASDA White Potatoes (2.5Kg)                                                             £1.75

1     ASDA Butternut Squash by Weight (850g)                                           84.2p

2     ASDA Sweet Potatoes by Weight (460g)                                              £1.18

3x   ASDA Whole Cucumber                                                                      £1.47

2x   ASDA British Iceberg Lettuce Loose                                                    98p

2x   ASDA Round Lettuce                                                                           £1.00

2x   ASDA Celery                                                                                      £1.60

1x   ASDA Garlic Loose                                                                             25p

1x   ASDA Smartprice Peppers (700g)                                                        £1.36

2x   ASDA Courgettes (3)                                                                          £2.00

1x   ASDA Spring Onions                                                                           49p

2x   ASDA Carrots (1.2Kg)                                                                         £1.66

1x   ASDA Cherry Tomatoes (350g)                                                           £1.00

3x   ASDA Smartprice Pears (500g)                                                           £2.37

3x   ASDA Braeburn Apples (600g)                                                             £3.00

Meat, Fish and Poultry

1x   ASDA Butcher's Selection British Beef Mince (500g)                            £1.99

1     ASDA Butcher's Selection Free Range Whole Chicken (1.2Kg)             £5.38

Frozen

1x   ASDA Chosen by You Cook from Frozen Whitefish Fillets (500g)          £2.00

Prices and special offers reflect those of the online grocery websites, and are correct as of 15 June 2014.  Prices may vary in different in-store locations.

Our groceries cost £55.89 from Asda on 15th June 2014. Had I shopped elsewhere my shopping would've cost £58.88 from Tesco, £60.28 from Morrisons and £62.23 from Sainsburys.

Don't forget to check out all the other Meal Plans on the linky hosted by At Home With Mrs M.

9 comments Beef, Chicken, Lunches, Meal Plan, Salad, Vegetarian

World Cup Football Snacks with Warburtons

I was asked my the lovelies at Warburtons to come up with some tasty half time treats to devour whilst watching the World Cup.  They sent me a fab hamper of goodies to use:

After pondering for a while I came up with the following delicious morsels, all of which can be prepared during half time if you do the preparation before the match starts.

There are Sausage Balls and Crispy Marmite and Cheddar Thins with a Chutney Dip, A Roasted Vegetable and Watercress Salad with Croutons and Creamy Mustard Dressing and Hotdogs with Watercress and Chutney.

Sausage Balls

Squeeze out the sausage meat from the skins, add some freshly made breadcrumbs (I used a Warburtons Hot Dog Roll to make the fresh breadcrumbs) and form into small balls.  Fry in a little oil in a frying pan over a moderate heat until cooked through.  Serve with a spicy chutney dip.  

Crispy Marmite and Cheddar Thins

Spread the Warburtons Sandwich Thins with a thin layer of Marmite then sprinkle with grated Strong Cheddar Cheese.  Bake in an oven preheated to 200C/180C Fan for about 10 minutes or until crisp.  Serve with chutney as a dip.

Roast Vegetable and Watercress Salad with Croutons

 and Creamy Mustard Dressing

Trim the asparagus and cut into 2 inch long pieces.  Cut the mushrooms into chunks.  Put both into an oven proof dish and drizzle with a little oil.  Bake in an oven preheated to 200C/180C Fan until cooked through.  To make the croutons, Cut a Warburtons Hot Dog Roll into chunks, toss in a little oil and place on a lined oven tray.  Bake in an oven preheated to 200C/180C Fan for about 10 minutes or until crisp.  To make the creamy mustard dressing add some wholegrain mustard to some natural yoghurt, mix well and season to taste then serve with the salad.

Hot Dogs with Watercress and Chutney

Cook the sausages either in the oven or in a frying pan on the hob until cooked through.  Put some watercress, followed by a sausage into a Warburtons Hot Dog Roll and spoon over some spicy chutney.

Warburtons want your snack ideas too!  They are running a fab campaign called "Cook Off Before Kick Off" on their Facebook page where you can share your delicious Match Day snacks to enjoy during key games in the World Cup and win prizes.

There are so many great Warburtons products you could use to create your ultimate half time snack, here are but a few:

Remember to head over to the Warburtons Facebook Page and share your delicious World Cup snacks, there are prizes to be won!

Disclosure: I am taking part in this campaign with Warburtons and Foodies100, in order to do so I was sent a hamper of ingredients to create recipes with and was compensated for my time doing so.

5 comments Bread, Lunches, Party, Salad, Snacks, Vegetarian