OUR FAMILY MEAL PLAN FOR WEEK OF 15/10/18 - £68

We've a busy week this week, with a birthday on Monday and a couple of evening activities.  This means we'll need lots of easy meals, as we're all knackered leading up to Half Term.  I've once again decided to use tasty recipes I found on the Internet for our Meal Plan.  We're really enjoying looking for new recipes to try.  I'm sure I'll blog more family dinners for our Meal Plans soon, but in the meantime it's great to be able to try out recipes from elsewhere. 

Breakfasts will be porridge, it's finally going to be cold enough for it after an unseasonably warm spell of weather.  I've made a couple of batches of Healthy Berry Breakfast Muffins for particularly busy mornings.  Weekend breakfasts will be pancakes and bacon butties.

Packed lunches will be Wholemeal Savoury Swirls, accompanied by crudites, a piece of fruit and a baked treat.  Weekend lunches will be Veggie Bread Parcels and Mini Fritattas 

Dinners

Baked Not Fried Chicken with oven baked potato wedges and steamed vegetables (Birthday dinner)

Banana Peel Dhal a delicious way to use up our banana peels

Tasty Tuna Rice Croquettes with sweet potato wedges and steamed greens

One Pot Chorizo and Pepper Pasta

Traditional Boil Up using free bones from our local butcher

Cowboy Beans and Potato Bake

Cauliflower and Potato Bake with Spinach

Shopping List

42 items: £67.95

Packets and Cereals

1x   ASDA Wholewheat Spaghetti (500g)                                  45p

1x   Silver Spoon Granulated Sugar (1Kg)                                 65p

1x   Allinson Wholemeal Plain Flour (1Kg)                                 £1.00

1x   ASDA Smartprice Long Grain Rice (1Kg)                           45p

1x   ASDA Dried Red Lentils (500g)                                           £1.15

1x   Tropical Sun Popcorn (500g)                                              79p

2x   ASDA Scottish Porridge Oats (1Kg)                                    £1.78

Frozen

3x   ASDA Frozen for Freshness Mixed Vegetables (1Kg)        £2.85

1x   ASDA Scratch Cook Whole Leaf Spinach (1.3Kg)              £1.69

2x   ASDA Frozen for Freshness Berry Medley (1Kg)               £5.50

Tins, Jars and Cooking

3x   ASDA Smartprice Chopped Tomatoes in Tomato Juice (400g)    84p

1x   ASDA Smartprice Red Kidney Beans in Water (400g)        30p

1x   ASDA Sunflower Oil (1L)                                                     £1.09

1x   ASDA Pure Honey (454g)                                                   £1.25

1x   ASDA Double Concentrated Tomato Puree (200g)            37p

1x   Princes Sandwich Tuna in Spring Water (3x160g)              £2.50

1x   ASDA Cannellini Beans in Water (400g)                             42p

Dairy and Eggs

3x   ASDA British Whole Milk 6 Pints (3.41L)                             £4.44

1x   ASDA Best for Baking Cakes Spread (500g)                      81p

1x   ASDA Smartprice Low Fat Natural Yogurt (500g)               45p

1x   ASDA Free Range Mixed Weight Eggs (15)                       £2.00

1x   ASDA Smartprice Mature White Cheddar (830g)                £3.68

Fruit and Vegetables

1x   ASDA Grower's Selection British Spring Greens (500g)     62p

2x   ASDA Grower's Selection Salad Tomatoes (750g)             £2.30

20   ASDA Grower's Selection Bananas by Weight (200g)        £3.00

1x   ASDA Grower's Selection Carrots (1Kg)                             65p

1x   ASDA Grower's Selection Cauliflower Loose                      £1.00

1     ASDA Grower's Selection Butternut Squash by Weight (1.3Kg)   97.3p

4x   ASDA Grower's Selection Whole Cucumber                       £2.20

1x   ASDA Grower's Selection Sweet Potatoes (1Kg)                £1.00

2x   ASDA Grower's Selection Satsumas (600g)                       £2.00

2x   ASDA Grower's Selection Apples (1.2Kg)                           £3.30

4x   ASDA Farm Stores Pears (500g)                                        £2.36

2x   ASDA Grower's Selection Plums (750g)                             £2.98

1x   ASDA Farm Stores Lemons (4)                                           84p

1x   ASDA Farm Stores Brown Onions (1Kg)                            65p

1x   ASDA Farm Stores White Potatoes (2.5Kg)                        £1.30

1x   ASDA Grower's Selection Cooking Peppers (700g)            £1.45

Meat, Fish and Poultry

1x   ASDA Farm Stores Cooking Bacon (500g)                         57p

1x   ASDA Extra Special Chorizo Casero Sausage (225g)        £1.85

1x   ASDA Butcher's Selection Chicken Thighs (1.1Kg)            £2.20

1x   ASDA Extra Special Pork Sausages (6 per pack - 400g)    £2.25

We purchased our shopping online from Asda, via My Supermarket and the cost of our groceries was £67.95. Had we shopped elsewhere our shopping list would've cost:

£71.68 from Tesco

£80.71 from Sainsburys

£91.53 from Waitrose

£95.41 from Ocado

My lovely blogging buddy Ciara from My Fussy Eater has created a fab Meal Planning Facebook Group so we can inspire each other. She also has a book out which you can order here. 

And Katykicker has a Meal Planning Linky full of fabulous Meal Planning posts with lots of tasty ideas.

3 comments Breakfast, Chicken, Dairy free, Dinners, Fish, Kiwi Recipes, Lunches, Meal Plan, Muffins, Vegan, Vegetarian

OUR FAMILY MEAL PLAN FOR WEEK OF 06/08/18 - £72

It's the third week of the holidays and I'm looking forward to a couple of hours by myself this week.  It's been 15 days since I had any 'me time' apart from time spent working.  My husband is working a half day from home so he can spend time with 3yo in the morning and I'll be taking our middle two to a pottery taster class, which will give me 2 hours to myself whilst they have fun.  Our eldest will be helping in a local coffee shop as she does most mornings, and some afternoons.

We'll probably go to the local park a few times this week, especially as there's cooler weather forecast, and also visit the library and perhaps a free museum workshop.  We're very lucky that there are so many fab museums in town, many offering free holiday workshops.

Our garden is still providing us with salad greens, chard, spinach, fresh herbs, strawberries, raspberries and apples.  I'm going to have to use up lots of apples in baking and we'll be eating plenty as snacks because the tree is fully laden at the moment.  I'll also be giving apples to any friends and neighbours who fancy some. 

I'll of course be baking.  There will probably be a batch or two of scones, some flapjacks, muffins, and perhaps some biscuits/cookies.  Snacks will be homemade vegetable chips, popcorn, fresh fruit, and baking.

Breakfasts will be cereal or granola with fruit and milk, or toast and spread with a piece of fruit for afters.  Weekend breakfasts will be pancakes and crumpets.

Lunches will be accompanied by crudites and dip (hummus, herbed yoghurt, salsa).  We'll be having Cheese and Vegetable Puffs, Super Quick Couscous and Chickpea Salad, Versatile and Thrifty Flatbreads, Salmon and Couscous Salad, Chickpea Patties on homemade rolls with salad.  We'll have the flatbreads and couscous and chickpea salad twice.

Salmon and Couscous Salad

350ml vegetable stock, boiling hot

300g couscous

juice of a lemon

1 Tblsp oil

400g tin salmon, drained

1 chilli, deseeded and very finely diced (optional)

500g frozen mixed vegetables, cooked

large handful of parsley, finely chopped

handfuls of salad greens, to serve

Add the stock and couscous to a large bowl, mix until combined then cover with a plate or cling film and leave to sit for 10 minutes.  Use a fork to fluff up the couscous then mix through all the other ingredients.  Serve atop a handful of salad greens.

Chickpea and Sweetcorn Patties

400g tin chickpeas, drained
325g tin sweetcorn, drained
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 Tblsp lemon juice
2 Tblsp gram flour or cornflour
2 Tblsp rapeseed oil

Tip the chickpeas into a bowl and crush to a thick paste with a potato masher. Stir in the sweetcorn, onion powder, smoked paprika, lemon juice and plenty of salt and black pepper.

Add the gram/corn flour and mix well until everything starts to stick together. Divide the mixture into four, then form each quarter into a burger shape.

Brush the burgers lightly with oil and place on the barbecue or griddle. Cook on each side for 2 minutes, until crisp and hot through. Serve in buns or on sandwiches with salad fillings and sauces of your choice.

Dinners

Veggie Curry Filo Parcels

1 small sweet potato, diced

1 tsp canola oil

1 onion, finely diced

1 Tbsp curry powder

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 can lentils, drained and rinsed

2 Tbsp sultanas

1 Tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp sugar

12 filo sheets

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 Tbsp sesame seeds

Preheat your oven to 200°C.  Put the sweet potato into a saucepan, cover with water, bring to the boil then simmer until the sweet potato is tender.  Drain and set aside.

Over a medium heat, in a large frying, gently soften the diced onion in the oil.  Add the curry powder and garlic and cook for a minute or two.  Add the lentils, cooked sweet potato, sultanas, ¼ cup/60ml/4 Tblsp water, lemon juice and sugar.  Cook gently until most of the water has evaporated then take off the heat and allow to cool to room temperature.

Lay one sheet of filo on your bench. Place ¼ cup/4 tablespoons of filling towards the short edge of the filo rectangle.  Spread out a little. Fold the long edges toward the middle, covering some of the filling.  Roll the filo into a cylinder shape like a spring roll.   Repeat until all the filo and filling have been used.

Place on a baking tray lined with foil or baking paper.   Brush with oil then bake, or brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds then bake.  Bake the filo parcels in your preheated oven for approximately 25 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

Roast chicken with roast vegetables

Chicken Fried Rice

2 cups long grain rice

600ml water

4 eggs, lightly beaten

1 Tblsp/15ml oil

1 onion, finely diced

1kg mixed frozen vegetables

500g leftover cooked chicken, shredded

3 Tblsp/45ml soy sauce

Rinse the rice under cold running water until the water runs clear.  In a saucepan cover the rice with the water and bring to the boil with the lid on.  Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cook for 20 minutes or until the water has been absorbed and the rice is cooked. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the rice to cool.

Put a wok or large frying pan over a moderately high heat and add the oil.  Add the onion and vegetables. Stir-fry until nearly cooked then add the cooked rice and chicken.  Make sure the rice and chicken are heated through and piping hot.  Move the rice and vegetable mixture to one side of the wok or pan and tip in the beaten eggs, cooking until scrambled.  Mix the scrambled egg through the rice mixture.  Stir through the soy sauce then serve.

Bacon and Egg Pie

Quick and Easy Nachos

Fish Burgers with sweet potato wedges and salads

Easy Orzo Bake

Shopping List

53 items: £72.14

Packets and Cereals

2x   ASDA Smartprice Wheat Bisks (24x18g)                                             £1.48

1x   Silver Spoon Granulated Sugar (1Kg)                                                  65p

1x   ASDA Wholemeal Bread Flour (1.5Kg)                                                69p

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

1x   ASDA Smartprice Self Raising Flour (1.5Kg)                                       45p

1x   ASDA Smartprice Sultanas (500g)                                                      97p

1x   ASDA Lemon Juice (250ml)                                                                39p

1x   ASDA Easy Cook Long Grain White Rice (1Kg)                                   £1.04

1x   ASDA Cous Cous (1Kg)                                                                      £1.35

1x   Allinson Easy Bake Yeast (100g)                                                        98p

1x   ASDA Orzo (500g)                                                                              65p

1x   ASDA Great to Bake Golden Syrup (750g)                                           £1.34

1x   ASDA Ready Rolled Filo Pastry (200g)                                                £1.30

1x   Tropical Sun Popcorn (500g)                                                              79p

1x   ASDA Scottish Porridge Oats (1Kg)                                                    89p

1x   ASDA Ready to Roll Puff Pastry (500g)                                               £1.00

Tins, Jars and Cooking

1x   ASDA Smartprice Bolognese Sauce (440g)                                         39p

1x   ASDA Wild Pacific Pink Salmon (418g)                                               £2.19

2x   ASDA Smartprice Sweetcorn in Water (326g)                                      70p

5x   ASDA Chick Peas in Water (400g)                                                      £1.65

1x   Merchant Gourmet Ready to Eat Puy Lentils (250g)                             £2.00

2x   ASDA Chilli Beans in Chilli Sauce (390g)                                             £1.30

Frozen

2x   ASDA Smartprice Mixed Vegetables (1Kg)                                          £1.64

1x   ASDA Battered White Fish Fillets (6 per pack - 600g)                          £2.70

Dairy and Eggs

2x   ASDA Semi Skimmed Milk 6 Pints (3.41L)                                           £2.96

1x   ASDA British Whole Milk 6 Pints (3.41L)                                             £1.48

1x   ASDA Best for Baking Cakes Spread (500g)                                       85p

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

1x   ASDA Free Range Mixed Weight Eggs (15)                                        £2.00

1x   ASDA Butter - Unsalted (250g)                                                           £1.49

1x   ASDA Smartprice Mature White Cheddar (830g)                                  £3.69

1x   Island Sun Sweetened Condensed Milk (397g)                                     £1.00

Fruit and Vegetables

2x   ASDA Grower's Selection Salad Tomatoes (750g)                               £2.30

20   ASDA Grower's Selection Bananas by Weight (200g)                          £3.00

2x   ASDA Grower's Selection Carrots (1Kg)                                              £1.00

5x   ASDA Grower's Selection Whole Cucumber                                         £2.50

2x   ASDA Grower's Selection Celery                                                         £1.04

1x   ASDA Grower's Selection Garlic Loose                                               20p

1x   ASDA Grower's Selection Courgettes (3)                                             95p

1x   ASDA Grower's Selection Spring Onions                                             50p

2x   ASDA Grower's Selection Sweet Potatoes (1Kg)                                  £2.00

1x   ASDA Grower's Selection Giant Watermelon                                       £2.50

2x   ASDA Grower's Selection Apricots (320g)                                           £1.58

1x   ASDA Grower's Selection British Parsnips (500g)                                65p

2x   ASDA Farm Stores Cherry Tomatoes (250g)                                       £1.10

1x   ASDA Farm Stores White Potatoes (2.5Kg)                                         £1.15

2x   ASDA Farm Stores Mixed Peppers (3)                                                £1.98

1     ASDA Grower's Selection Red Cabbage by Weight (1.1Kg)                  72p

1     ASDA Grower's Selection White Cabbage by Weight (Approx 1.2Kg)   78p

2x   ASDA Grower's Selection Nectarines (6)                                             £2.00

Meat, Fish and Poultry

2x   ASDA Farm Stores Cooking Bacon (500g)                                          £1.14

1x   ASDA Butcher's Selection Whole Chicken (1.6Kg)                               £3.28

Snacks and Sweets

1x   ASDA Smartprice Tortilla Chips - Lightly Salted (180g)                        41p

Prices and special offers reflect those of the online grocery website MySupermarket, and are correct as of 4th August 2018. Prices may vary in different in-store locations

We purchased our shopping list from Asda on 04/08/2018, via MySupermarket and our items cost £72.14, had we shopped elsewhere our groceries would've cost:

£80.93 from Tesco
8£1.39 from Sainsbury's
£89.01 from Morrisons
£102.99 from Waitrose
£103.45 from Ocado

My lovely blogging buddy Ciara from My Fussy Eater has created a fab Meal Planning Facebook Group so we can inspire each other. She also has a book out which you can order here. 

And Katykicker, and Naomi from The Organised Life Project have a Meal Planning Linky full of fabulous Meal Planning posts with lots of tasty ideas.

4 comments Biscuits, Chicken, Dairy free, Dinners, Fish, Lunches, Meal Plan, Meatfree Monday, Muffins, Pasta, Rice, Salad, Snack, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian

Speed Baking - Savoury Muffins

Savoury muffins are a great way to use up vegetables that are past their best, or a delicious way of encouraging picky eaters to try vegetables.  Savoury muffins are also fab as an alternative to sandwiches in packed lunches and make a tasty addition to a picnic feast.

Top tips

 The main thing to remember is don't try and pack too many flavours into the muffins as too many additions can weigh down the batter and you'll end up with stodgy muffins instead of light, flavoursome morsels.

Do squeeze as much moisture out of grated carrots and courgettes if you're adding them to your muffins as they can turn the batter too wet and the muffins heavy.  If I'm adding diced pepper sometimes I cook it first, sometimes not.  It doesn't make that much difference.  

When adding grated vegetables or finely sliced greens to your muffins, it’s best to toss them in the dry ingredients, this helps stop the grated vegetables from sinking when the muffins are baking. It’s also important to mix very carefully if you’re adding delicate fruit (like raspberries), or they’ll break down a lot during mixing and turn your batter pink.

I don't stir diced raw tomatoes into muffin batter, it makes it too soggy, instead well drained and finely diced sun-dried tomatoes work well or alternatively I top muffins with half a cherry tomato - cut side upwards or downwards, it matters not.  

I don't tend to add raw onion to muffins, I much prefer using chives or spring onions (scallions) instead, likewise raw garlic.  I add a little garlic or onion powder to the dry ingredients instead.

If you're adding bacon, chorizo, ham or other meats to your muffins make sure that they are finely chopped and fully cooked before using them in your muffins.  Don't forget to drain the cooked meats well and toss them in the dry ingredients as this helps stop them sinking in the batter as the muffins bake.

Fresh/dried herbs are an excellent and easy way to add extra flavour to your savoury muffins.  Remember that dried herbs are stronger than fresh so use only 1 tsp of dried herbs, whereas you can include 1 Tblsp of finely chopped fresh herbs.

Basic Savoury Muffin Recipe 

280g/ 2 1/3 cups plain flour
1 Tblsp/3 tsp baking powder
2 free range eggs
250ml/1 cup milk (non dairy if required)
6 Tblsp/90ml oil or 85g/ 1/3 cup butter melted and cooled

Additions: 100g mature cheddar or 150g finely diced feta, 2 Tblsp finely chopped chives.  I used another 50g of cheddar to sprinkle over the top of the muffins before baking.

Preheat your oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas Mark 6.

Line muffin trays with paper cases or grease the holes of a 12 hole muffin tin.

Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl then stir through the sugar until combined.  If using the cheese and herbs, stir these through the dry ingredients.

In a separate bowl or jug combine the wet ingredients. Beat together the eggs, milk, and oil or melted butter until combined.

Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Mix gently until just combined, don't beat the mixture.

Spoon the mixture evenly into your prepared muffin cases or tray and bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes. The muffins should be well risen golden and firm to the touch. A skewer inserted in to the centre should come our free from crumbs.

Leave the muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

2 comments Basics, Dairy free, Muffins, Vegetarian

Speed Baking - Sweet Muffins

I bake a lot from scratch, and try to fit in baking batches of goodies around a busy family life.  Muffins are a favourite quick bake of mine because they're great for using up fruit, and sometimes vegetables, that are past their best.  I know my basic recipe off by heart, and can almost bake them in my sleep.  I'm so knackered sometimes it's almost like baking in my sleep. Not that I recommend baking when really tired, safety first chaps. 

My top tip is: Have an easy recipe that you know works well and bake it often. 

Coat warm muffins in melted butter then roll in cinnamon sugar

Handy hints

Always preheat your oven before you start gathering ingredients and making the muffins.

Measure out the ingredients accurately, either with measuring cups or scales.

Don't over-mix or beat the batter, this will result in heavy and tough muffins.

Once your mixture is in the tin, get it in the oven quickly.  Don't leave it hanging around or the muffins won't rise well.

Don't over-bake muffins as they will become dry. It's better to check them and put them in for a few minutes more than to over cook them to start with.

Muffins are best eaten on the day they're made, but will keep in an airtight container for a day or two.  You can freeze muffins easily, just thaw at room temperature for an hour or two before eating.

Split plain muffins in half, full and top them with cream or buttercream

Basic Sweet Muffin Recipe

280g/2 1/3 cups plain flour

1 Tblsp/3 tsp baking powder

110g/½ cup sugar

2 free range eggs

250ml/1 cup milk, can be non-dairy milk

90ml/6 Tblsp oil or 85g/ 1/3 cup butter, melted

Preheat your oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas Mark 6.  

Line muffin trays with paper cases or grease the holes of a 12 hole muffin tin.  

Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl then stir through the sugar until combined.

In a separate bowl or jug combine the wet ingredients.  Beat together the eggs, milk, and oil or melted butter until combined.

Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients.  Mix gently until just combined, don't beat the mixture.

Spoon the mixture evenly into your prepared muffin cases or tray and bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes.  The muffins should be well risen golden and firm to the touch.  A skewer inserted in to the centre should come our free from crumbs.

Leave the muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Muffins are perfect for using up fruit, or for a fruity teatime treat

Additional flavourings

Spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger are great - experiment to find your favourite combinations.

Citrus zest adds a delicious zing to muffins, 

Diced fresh fruit works well, as do berries and dried fruit such as raisins, dried apricots, cranberries.

When adding fresh fruit, it’s best to toss the diced fruit or whole berries in the dry ingredients, this helps stop the fruit from sinking when the muffins are baking.  It’s also important to mix very carefully if you’re adding delicate fruit (like raspberries), or they’ll break down a lot during mixing and turn your batter pink.

You can also add chocolate chips, chopped nuts, grated vegetables such as carrot or sweet potato.  If you're using courgette it pays to squeeze as much moisture out of it as you can because it can sometimes make muffins soggy.

Basic Chocolate Fudge Muffins

225g plain flour 1 3/4 cups plain flour

55g/½ cup cocoa powder

1 Tblsp baking powder

110g sugar/½ cup sugar

2 medium eggs

200g natural yoghurt, or non-dairy substitute

90ml/6 Tblsp oil or 85g/ 1/3 cup butter, melted and cooled

45ml/3 Tblsp golden syrup

Preheat your oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas Mark 6.  

Line muffin trays with paper cases or grease the holes of a 12 hole muffin tin.  

Sift the flour, baking powder, and cocoa powder into a bowl then stir through the sugar until combined.

In a separate bowl or jug combine the wet ingredients.  Beat together the eggs, soured cream, oil or cooled melted butter, and golden syrup until combined.

Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients.  Mix gently until just combined, don't beat the mixture.

Spoon the mixture evenly into your prepared muffin cases or tray and bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes.  The muffins should be well risen golden and firm to the touch.  A skewer inserted in to the centre should come our free from crumbs.

Leave the muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Who can resist a chocolate muffin?

2 comments Basics, Dairy free, Muffins, Snack, Snacks

OUR FAMILY MEAL PLAN FOR WEEK OF 22/01/2018 - £66

I need a low fuss Meal Plan this week as I'm completely knackered. Our 3yo was poorly late last week and all weekend, and now I've got yet another cold.  Thankfully everyone else seems in fine health, touch wood.  

We've got the usual busyness and activities, not sure if 3yo will be at Nursery every morning this week, he only attended 3 days last week as he was poorly.  I've got rather a lot of work to do around the house, and blogging work too, so hopefully he'll be well enough for me to have my 3 child-free hours each morning.

As I type there's a batch of Simmered Mince bubbling away in the slow cooker for 3 days worth of dinners this week.  I shall turn it into three different dinners to help get ahead, and save my energy.  

Breakfasts will be Weetabix with fruit compote, or Breakfast Muffins with yoghurt and fruit compote on the two very early mornings my middle two have midweek.  I'll be using up oats from last week in the Breakfast Muffins.  We'll have pancakes one day on the weekend and probably crumpets on the second day.

Packed lunches will be Calzone with crudites and fruit. I'll make a double batch of Calzone and freeze half for later in the week.  My lunches will be Root Vegetable and Lentil Dhal with homemade flatbreads, 3yo will either have what I am having or the packed lunch Calzone and crudites. The Dhal will help me use up Balti curry paste leftover from last week.

Weekend lunches will be Cheese and Vegetable Puffs on one day, and Red Lentil Bake served with a poached egg and steamed broccoli.

Dinners

Vegetable Stew with Dumplings

2 Tblsp oil25g butter
1 large onion, peeled and diced
2 potatoes, peeled and diced
1 parsnip, peeled and diced
2 large carrots carrots, peeled and diced
1 swede, peeled and diced
2 leeks, finely sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
4 sprigs of fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried
1 tsp mustard
2 Tblsp plain flour
1 heaped tsp vegemite (optional)
500ml vegetable stock
400g tin haricot or butter beans, drained and rinsed
salt and pepper

Dumplings:
250g plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
125g butter, diced
2 tsp diced mixed herbs
salt and pepper

Preheat your oven to 180C/Gas Mark 4.

Put the oil and butter in a large flameproof casserole dish over a moderate heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, for couple of minutes. Add the potatoes, parsnip, carrot, Swede and leeks. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring, over a moderate heat until the vegetables start to turn golden and soften slightly. Reduce the heat slightly and ad the garlic, thyme and mustard. Add the flour and cook for a couple of minutes, ensure the vegetables are well coated in the flour. Add the vegetmite, stock and tinned pulses.

Bring the mixture to the boil, cover with a lid then put in the preheated oven. Bake for 40 - 50 miutes. Whilst the stew is cooking prepare the dumplings. Rub the butter into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs. stir in the herbs and a little salt and pepper. Add a 1 or 2 tablespoons of water, just enough to form a stiff dough.

Divide the dough into walnut sized balls, cover with clingfilm and chill in the fridge until ready to use. When the stew has baked for 40 - 50 minutes in the oven, remove from the oven and add the dumplings. Ensure the dumplings are partially submerged in the stew. Cover the pot with a lid and cook on the stove top/hob, over a moderate heat, for around 20 minutes until the dumplings have risen and are golden on top. I usually serve this stew with steamed broccoli.

Baked Potatoes topped with simmered mince, served with steamed broccoli.

Chilli Con Carne, served with rice and mixed vegetables

Rice and Vegetable Bake

200g cooked white or brown rice

1 onion, finely diced

1 pepper, deseeded and finely diced

1 chilli, deseeded and finely diced (optional)

300g frozen mixed vegetables, cooked and cooled to room temperature

200g strong mature cheddar cheese, grated

6 free range eggs, lightly beaten

200g plain natural yoghurt

lots of freshly ground black pepper or a pinch or two of cayenne

Grease and line 23cm square cake tin. Preheat your oven to 190C/170C Fan.

Put the rice cooked rice in a large bowl with all the vegetables and mix well. Mix together the eggs, 3/4 of the cheese and yoghurt, pour over the vegetables and rice in the bowl then thoroughly mix until combined. Season well with lots of black pepper. Spoon the mixture into your prepared cake tin, sprinkle the leftover cheese on top, then bake for 40 minutes until the top is lightly golden and there is no wobble of the bake if you gently jiggle the tin. I'll be serving this with sweet potato wedges and steamed greens.

Homemade Pizzas 

Cottage Pie

Quick and Easy Butternut Squash and Lentil Curry

1 Tblsp oil

1 Tblsp curry paste, I used Balti curry paste leftover from last week

2 cloves garlic, crushed

500g butternut squash or sweet potato, cut into 1 inch chunks

400g can chopped tomatoes

400g can lentils, drained and rinsed

400g frozen mixed vegetables

fresh coriander, to serve

Heat oil in a large saucepan. Add curry paste and garlic and cook for a couple of minutes until the curry paste is fragrant. Stir in the butternut squash and/or sweet potato and tin of chopped tomatoes. Using the can of chopped tomatoes as a measure, add half a can of water to the saucepan. Stir to combine everything then cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until the butternut squash and/or sweet potato are almost soft. Add a little more water if needed. Add the drained and rinsed lentils, and frozen vegetables then cook for a further 5 - 10 minutes minutes. Spoon into bowls, sprinkle with fresh coriander and serve accompanied by homemade Vegetable Naan Bread and cooked rice.

Shopping List

45 items: £66.39 purchased from Asda

Packets and Cereals

3x   ASDA Smartprice Wheat Bisks (24x18g)                              £2.07

1x   ASDA Strong White Bread Flour (1.5Kg)                              75p

1x   Allinson Wholemeal Plain Flour (1Kg)                                   £1.75

1x   ASDA Smartprice Long Grain Rice (1Kg)                             45p

1x   ASDA Easy Bake Yeast (6 per pack - 42g)                           59p

1x   ASDA Dried Red Lentils (500g)                                            75p

1x   ASDA Scottish Porridge Oats (1Kg)                                     £1.20

Frozen

1x   ASDA Smartprice Mixed Vegetables (1Kg)                           82p

1x   ASDA Meat Free Mince (454g)                                             £1.50

1x   ASDA Frozen for Freshness Broccoli Florets (1Kg)               95p

1x   ASDA Scratch Cook Sliced Mixed Peppers (600g)                £1.00

1x   ASDA Frozen for Freshness Berry Medley (1Kg)                  £2.75

Tins, Jars and Cooking

3x   ASDA Smartprice Chopped Tomatoes (400g)                       87p

1x   ASDA Butter Beans in Water (400g)                                     49p

2x   ASDA Chilli Beans in Chilli Sauce (290g)                              80p

1x   ASDA Smartprice Sweetcorn in Water (326g)                       35p

1x   ASDA Green Lentils in Water (390g)                                    55p

1x   Napolina Double Concentrate Tomato Puree (200g)              75p

Dairy and Eggs

5x   ASDA British Whole Milk 4 Pints (2.27L)                              £5.45

1x   ASDA Greek Style Yogurt (500g)                                         80p

1x   ASDA Smartprice Low Fat Natural Yogurt (500g)                  45p

1x   ASDA Free Range Mixed Weight Eggs (15)                         £2.00

1x   ASDA Butter - Unsalted (250g)                                            £1.45

1x   ASDA Smartprice Mature White Cheddar (830g)                   £3.69

Fruit and Vegetables

3x   ASDA Kids Bananas (8)                                                       £3.45

1x   ASDA Grower's Selection Organic Garlic (3)                        80p

2x   ASDA Grower's Selection Carrots (1Kg)                               £1.00

1     ASDA Grower's Selection Butternut Squash (1.2Kg)             90p

3x   ASDA Grower's Selection Whole Cucumber                          £1.65

1x   ASDA Grower's Selection Celery                                          55p

2x   ASDA Grower's Selection Baking Potatoes (2.5Kg)               £3.00

1x   ASDA Grower's Selection Courgettes (3)                              £1.20

1x   ASDA Grower's Selection Spring Onions                              49p

1x   ASDA Grower's Selection Sweet Potatoes (1Kg)                   £1.00

2x   ASDA Grower's Selection Apples (1.2Kg)                             £3.00

3x   ASDA Farm Stores Pears (500g)                                         £2.10

1x   ASDA Grower's Selection British Parsnips (500g)                 65p

1x   ASDA Grower's Selection Swede                                         50p

1x   ASDA Grower's Selection Extra Trimmed Leeks (550g)        £1.00

3x   ASDA Farm Stores Kiwis (6)                                                £1.50

1x   ASDA Farm Stores Brown Onions (1Kg)                               59p

2x   ASDA Farm Stores Plums (400g)                                         £1.58

1x   ASDA Grower's Selection Sweetclems (1.2Kg)                     £1.75

Meat, Fish and Poultry

1x   ASDA Butcher's Selection Beef Steak Mince - 5% Fat (1Kg) £5.50

1x   ASDA Danish Pepperoni (150g)                                           £1.00

Prices and special offers reflect those of the online grocery website My Supermarket, and are correct as of 21st  January 2018.  Prices may vary in different in-store locations.

Our groceries were purchased from Asda, had we shopped elsewhere our shopping would've cost:

£71.63 from Morrisons

£73.72 from Tesco

£78.71 from Sainsbury's

My lovely blogging buddy Ciara from My Fussy Eater has created a fab Meal Planning Facebook Group so we can inspire each other.

And Katykicker, and Naomi from The Organised Life Project have a Meal Planning Linky full of fabulous Meal Planning posts with lots of tasty ideas.

3 comments Bread, Breakfast, Dinners, Lunches, Meal Plan, Meatfree Monday, Muffins, Slow Cooker, Vegan, Vegetarian