We had a last picking of green beans and there were a lot ! So I made some chutney as an alternative way of preserving them.
2lb runner beans
4 or 5 onions
1 1/2 lb brown sugar
1 1/2 tbsp turmeric powder
1 1/2 tbsp english mustard powder
1 1/2 tbsp cornflour
1 1/2 pints malt vinegar
Firstly, peel and chop the onions, then slice the beans and boil together with the onions in salted water until both the beans and onions are soft.
Drain the onions and beans well and put back into the saucepan with 1 1/4 pints of the vinegar and boil for about 15 mins.
Mix together the turmeric, mustard and cornflour with the remaining vinegar and then add to the beans and onions.
Boil for about 15 mins, allow to cool then pot into sterilized jars and seal.
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Getting Saucy !
Sorry for the lack of updates of late - tomatoes, lovely juicy and ripe, but there are so many...... what to do with them. Well I have made some tomato sauce and this is how I did it;
1.5 kg of ripe tomatoes (I used a mixture of red and yellow)
2 onions, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, chopped or grated
a large handful of basil, chopped
about a tablespoon of dried mixed herbs
salt and pepper
a pinch of dried ginger
200 ml red wine vinegar
70g soft brown sugar
Firstly cut the tomatoes in half and placed them in a large roasting tin with the onion, garlic, herbs, salt and pepper and about 2 tsp of the sugar. Place them in the oven gas 5 /190 C / 375 F to roast for about an hour and a half, gently stirring half way through.
After about an hour and a half the tomatoes should be really soft with some colour to them. Leave them to cool slightly and then liquidise the mixture until smooth.
Place the smooth mix into a saucepan with the remaining sugar and the vinegar and slowly bring to the boil. Stir continually until the sugar has dissolved and then simmer gently until reduced and thick.
Pour your sauce into sterilised jars or bottles and then seal tightly.
This sauce should keep for about 6 months
I also made another version of this sauce but I added 2 or 3 chillies to the tomatoes before roasting, yummy and what a kick !
Right where are the chips ??
1.5 kg of ripe tomatoes (I used a mixture of red and yellow)
2 onions, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, chopped or grated
a large handful of basil, chopped
about a tablespoon of dried mixed herbs
salt and pepper
a pinch of dried ginger
200 ml red wine vinegar
70g soft brown sugar
Firstly cut the tomatoes in half and placed them in a large roasting tin with the onion, garlic, herbs, salt and pepper and about 2 tsp of the sugar. Place them in the oven gas 5 /190 C / 375 F to roast for about an hour and a half, gently stirring half way through.
After about an hour and a half the tomatoes should be really soft with some colour to them. Leave them to cool slightly and then liquidise the mixture until smooth.
Place the smooth mix into a saucepan with the remaining sugar and the vinegar and slowly bring to the boil. Stir continually until the sugar has dissolved and then simmer gently until reduced and thick.
Pour your sauce into sterilised jars or bottles and then seal tightly.
This sauce should keep for about 6 months
I also made another version of this sauce but I added 2 or 3 chillies to the tomatoes before roasting, yummy and what a kick !
Right where are the chips ??
Friday, 25 September 2009
Another Cake
This recipe is for Sticky Marmalade Cake, a cake that I make regularly and it is so easy.
Ingredients:
225g self raising flour
175g caster sugar
175g butter or margarine
3 eggs
2tsp ground ginger
1tsp mixed spice
1/3 jar orange marmalade
1tsp baking powder
Firstly heat the oven gas 4 / 350 F / 180 C then line a loaf tin with baking parchment.
Next put all of the other ingredients (except 1 dessert spoon of the marmalade) into a bowl and mix together, this is easier with an electric whisk.
Once mixed, pour into your lined loaf tin and put in the oven for about 1 hour. Once cooked, cool for a few minutes in the tin, then turn out onto a cooling rack. Once the cake has cooled then put the reserved marmalade into a small saucepan and heat gently until syrupy then brush the marmalade over the top of the cake to make a sticky topping. Lovely with a cup of tea.
Ingredients:
225g self raising flour
175g caster sugar
175g butter or margarine
3 eggs
2tsp ground ginger
1tsp mixed spice
1/3 jar orange marmalade
1tsp baking powder
Firstly heat the oven gas 4 / 350 F / 180 C then line a loaf tin with baking parchment.
Next put all of the other ingredients (except 1 dessert spoon of the marmalade) into a bowl and mix together, this is easier with an electric whisk.
Once mixed, pour into your lined loaf tin and put in the oven for about 1 hour. Once cooked, cool for a few minutes in the tin, then turn out onto a cooling rack. Once the cake has cooled then put the reserved marmalade into a small saucepan and heat gently until syrupy then brush the marmalade over the top of the cake to make a sticky topping. Lovely with a cup of tea.
Butternut Squash Cake !
How yummy is this cake, I made it a few days ago and it lasted just that day, even Sammie who is a fussy 14 year old loved it !!
So, this is how I made it ;
Ingredients:
300g self-raising sugar
300g light muscovado sugar
3tsp mixed spice
2tsp bicarbonate of soda
175g sultanas or mixed fruit if you prefer
1/2tsp salt
4 eggs
200g butter, melted
zest of 1 orange
1tbsp orange juice
500g (peeled weight) butternut squash flesh grated
Firstly heat oven to 180 C/ 350 F/ gas 4. Line a baking tray approx 30 x 20 cm or a small roasting tin, with baking parchment.
Put the flour, sugar, spice, bicarbonate of soda, sultanas and salt into a large bowl and mix together. Beat the eggs into the melted butter and then stir in the orange zest and juice and mix together.
Then add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and stir to combine and then lastly add the grated squash.
Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and place in the oven for about 40-45 minutes (but check after about 30 minutes) until golden and springy to touch
This cake cuts into about 12 or 15 pieces.
You could, if you prefer, use pumpkin for this recipe and also you could cover with an orange frosting which is made as follows;
Ingredients for frosting:
200g pack of soft cheese
85g butter, softened
100g icing sugar
zest of 1 orange and juice of half
Beat together the cheese, butter, icing sugar, orange zest and 1tsp of the juice until smooth and creamy then put in the fridge until required.
Once the cake is cooked and has cooled for about 5 minutes turn it out onto a cooling rack. Prick it all over with a skewer and drizzle with the rest of the orange juice while still warm and then leave to cool completely.
Then, give the frosting a beat to loosen it, and using a pallet knife, spread the frosting over the top of the cake. Yummy.
This cake is nice both with and without the frosting and will keep well in an airtight container for a good few days. Remember though that if you use the frosting, then you will need to keep the cake covered in the fridge and it will keep this way for up to 3 days - if it lasts that long !
So, this is how I made it ;
Ingredients:
300g self-raising sugar
300g light muscovado sugar
3tsp mixed spice
2tsp bicarbonate of soda
175g sultanas or mixed fruit if you prefer
1/2tsp salt
4 eggs
200g butter, melted
zest of 1 orange
1tbsp orange juice
500g (peeled weight) butternut squash flesh grated
Firstly heat oven to 180 C/ 350 F/ gas 4. Line a baking tray approx 30 x 20 cm or a small roasting tin, with baking parchment.
Put the flour, sugar, spice, bicarbonate of soda, sultanas and salt into a large bowl and mix together. Beat the eggs into the melted butter and then stir in the orange zest and juice and mix together.
Then add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and stir to combine and then lastly add the grated squash.
Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and place in the oven for about 40-45 minutes (but check after about 30 minutes) until golden and springy to touch
This cake cuts into about 12 or 15 pieces.
You could, if you prefer, use pumpkin for this recipe and also you could cover with an orange frosting which is made as follows;
Ingredients for frosting:
200g pack of soft cheese
85g butter, softened
100g icing sugar
zest of 1 orange and juice of half
Beat together the cheese, butter, icing sugar, orange zest and 1tsp of the juice until smooth and creamy then put in the fridge until required.
Once the cake is cooked and has cooled for about 5 minutes turn it out onto a cooling rack. Prick it all over with a skewer and drizzle with the rest of the orange juice while still warm and then leave to cool completely.
Then, give the frosting a beat to loosen it, and using a pallet knife, spread the frosting over the top of the cake. Yummy.
This cake is nice both with and without the frosting and will keep well in an airtight container for a good few days. Remember though that if you use the frosting, then you will need to keep the cake covered in the fridge and it will keep this way for up to 3 days - if it lasts that long !
Thursday, 17 September 2009
Gone Bananas
I noticed this morning that some of the bananas that I bought last week were still there and not looking their best, so I decided to use them for a very easy loaf / cake.
Ingredients;
3oz (85g) butter or margarine
4oz (100g) light brown sugar or regular caster sugar is fine
1 egg
2 large ripe bananas mashed
8oz (225g) self-raising flour
1/2 tsp mixed spice
pinch of salt
First of all, cream the butter and sugar, then add the egg and whisk until incorporated into the mixture. Then add the bananas and whisk again. The mixture will look as though it has curdled, but this is ok.
Then add the flour, salt and spice and fold in until all mixed together.
Line a loaf tin and then pour in the mixture and spread with a spoon.
Put into the oven gas 5 /190C / 375F for about 40 mins.
Enjoy with a cup of tea! Or coffee !
Ingredients;
3oz (85g) butter or margarine
4oz (100g) light brown sugar or regular caster sugar is fine
1 egg
2 large ripe bananas mashed
8oz (225g) self-raising flour
1/2 tsp mixed spice
pinch of salt
First of all, cream the butter and sugar, then add the egg and whisk until incorporated into the mixture. Then add the bananas and whisk again. The mixture will look as though it has curdled, but this is ok.
Then add the flour, salt and spice and fold in until all mixed together.
Line a loaf tin and then pour in the mixture and spread with a spoon.
Put into the oven gas 5 /190C / 375F for about 40 mins.
Enjoy with a cup of tea! Or coffee !
Moussaka !
I decided yesterday that I would make a moussaka. I didn't have any aubergines so I used ............. courgettes instead, well one very large courgette to be precise
Although I had made moussaka before, I had always used pre-mixed spices and herbs, but as I didn't have a pack of these I just threw a few things together and it was delicious, this is what I did;
Ingredients;
500g lean lamb mince
1 very large courgette, cut into 1cm slices
1 large red onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic crushed or chopped
1tsp ground cumin
1tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2tsp mixed herbs - I used dried herbs
1 tin chopped tomatoes
1 lamb stock cube
and a glug of red wine, about half a glass
Firstly I top and tailed the courgette and sliced it into 1cm thick pieces. Lay the courgette circles on a baking tray (I used 2 trays as there was a lot of courgette) and drizzle with a little olive oil (I used spray oil), season with salt and pepper then place in the oven gas 5/ 190C / 375F for about 20 minutes until soft.
Next I browned the lamb mince in a frying pan, by cooking it over a low heat for about 5 mins. I then drained the mince through a colander to remove the excess fat.
Return the mince to the pan and add the chopped onion and garlic and fry for further 5 minutes or so until the onion is just soft.
I then added all the other ingredients and cooked this uncovered for about 25 minutes until most of the liquid in the pan had gone.
For the White Cheese Sauce;
This is a low fat white sauce.
1 pint milk - I used skimmed
2 tbsp cornflour
1tsp mustard powder
salt and pepper
100g cheese grated - reserving some to sprinkle on the top
First, put most of the milk into a pan and heat gently, reserving about 4 tbsp. Mix the cornflour and mustard powder with the reserved milk until you have a paste. Once the milk is nearly boiling, add the cornflour mix and stir continually until it is incorporated into the milk, then bring the milk to the boil still stirring to avoid any lumps. This needs to be cooked for about 2 mins. After 2 minutes, remove from the heat, season with salt and pepper and add about half the grated cheese.
So now is the time to assemble the moussaka, start by lightly greasing the dish, then lay the softened courgette in a single layer on the bottom of the dish. Then add the meat mixture and then another layer of courgettes and finally cover with the cheese sauce and sprinkle with the remainder of the grated cheese.
Place in the oven for about 40 mins at gas 5 / 190C / 375F it should be bubbling and golden brown on the top. We had it with salad, yummy.
Although I had made moussaka before, I had always used pre-mixed spices and herbs, but as I didn't have a pack of these I just threw a few things together and it was delicious, this is what I did;
Ingredients;
500g lean lamb mince
1 very large courgette, cut into 1cm slices
1 large red onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic crushed or chopped
1tsp ground cumin
1tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2tsp mixed herbs - I used dried herbs
1 tin chopped tomatoes
1 lamb stock cube
and a glug of red wine, about half a glass
Firstly I top and tailed the courgette and sliced it into 1cm thick pieces. Lay the courgette circles on a baking tray (I used 2 trays as there was a lot of courgette) and drizzle with a little olive oil (I used spray oil), season with salt and pepper then place in the oven gas 5/ 190C / 375F for about 20 minutes until soft.
Next I browned the lamb mince in a frying pan, by cooking it over a low heat for about 5 mins. I then drained the mince through a colander to remove the excess fat.
Return the mince to the pan and add the chopped onion and garlic and fry for further 5 minutes or so until the onion is just soft.
I then added all the other ingredients and cooked this uncovered for about 25 minutes until most of the liquid in the pan had gone.
For the White Cheese Sauce;
This is a low fat white sauce.
1 pint milk - I used skimmed
2 tbsp cornflour
1tsp mustard powder
salt and pepper
100g cheese grated - reserving some to sprinkle on the top
First, put most of the milk into a pan and heat gently, reserving about 4 tbsp. Mix the cornflour and mustard powder with the reserved milk until you have a paste. Once the milk is nearly boiling, add the cornflour mix and stir continually until it is incorporated into the milk, then bring the milk to the boil still stirring to avoid any lumps. This needs to be cooked for about 2 mins. After 2 minutes, remove from the heat, season with salt and pepper and add about half the grated cheese.
So now is the time to assemble the moussaka, start by lightly greasing the dish, then lay the softened courgette in a single layer on the bottom of the dish. Then add the meat mixture and then another layer of courgettes and finally cover with the cheese sauce and sprinkle with the remainder of the grated cheese.
Place in the oven for about 40 mins at gas 5 / 190C / 375F it should be bubbling and golden brown on the top. We had it with salad, yummy.
Monday, 14 September 2009
Courgette Chutney
I was wondering what to do with the remainder of the courgettes, and decided to make some chutney;
Ingredients
1kg (2 1/4lb) Courgettes, chopped
4 large red onions, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
1tbsp ground coriander
2tsp mustard seeds
200g (7oz) sultanas
350g (12oz) white granulated sugar
2tsp salt or to taste
500ml (16floz) white wine vinegar
1 level tbsp ground ginger
2tsp chilli flakes
Put all the ingredients except the sugar into a pan and heat gently to a boil then turn down the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the veg is soft.
Then, add the sugar and stir gently over a low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Turn up the heat and simmer until most of the liquid has gone. The courgette should still be quite chunky.
Pot into jars and seal.
Although we tried this chutney on Sunday and it was very nice, I believe it would be much better once matured, so I will try it again in 2-3 weeks. I will let you know how it tastes then.
Ingredients
1kg (2 1/4lb) Courgettes, chopped
4 large red onions, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
1tbsp ground coriander
2tsp mustard seeds
200g (7oz) sultanas
350g (12oz) white granulated sugar
2tsp salt or to taste
500ml (16floz) white wine vinegar
1 level tbsp ground ginger
2tsp chilli flakes
Put all the ingredients except the sugar into a pan and heat gently to a boil then turn down the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the veg is soft.
Then, add the sugar and stir gently over a low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Turn up the heat and simmer until most of the liquid has gone. The courgette should still be quite chunky.
Pot into jars and seal.
Although we tried this chutney on Sunday and it was very nice, I believe it would be much better once matured, so I will try it again in 2-3 weeks. I will let you know how it tastes then.
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