Posted on Leave a comment

Super Speedy Egg Fried Rice

At the moment we are really into our quick meals and this super speedy egg fried rice is an absolute win. Great for children too, it’s got plenty of vegetables and protein, but don’t worry, the Chinese 5 spice gives it a wonderful flavour that satisfies everyone.

Ingredients (serves 4)

80g TVP mince – available in store
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp black pepper (ground)
25ml soy sauce (add to TVP to marinade) – refill in store
2 medium carrots (diced)
Bunch of chard or other leafy green (roughly chopped)
100g fresh or frozen peas
3 eggs (whisked in a bowl ready to scramble). Or drop this to make it vegan
5 spring onions (sliced and whites kept separate from green)
500 grams day old cooked rice
1 heaped tsp Chinese 5 spice – available in store
25ml soy sauce (add to fried rice) – refill in store
1 tsp flour 
Sesame seeds

For the sauce
50g honey (or agave to make it vegan) – refill in store
30ml soy sauce – refill in store
40g ketchup – available in store
20ml white wine vinegar – refill in store
3 garlic cloves (diced)

Method
Simmer the TVP for 8-10 minutes until tender

Drain TVP and allow to steam dry before adding the black pepper, garlic powder and soy sauce to marinade until needed.

Simmer the diced carrots for 8 minutes. Then drain and add to a deep pan with some oil, the chard, spring onion whites and the peas. Leave to cook for a few minutes then push to the side of the pan and pour the eggs in and scramble them. Add the rice, Chinese 5 spice and 25ml of soy sauce to the pan and mix well. Once heated through take off the heat and add the spring onion greens.

Combine the sauce ingredients. Heat the cooked TVP chunks in a hot pan with some oil and then pour the sauce in and stir. Leave it to simmer for a couple of minutes then add the flour and stir until it thickens.

Plate up the rice and veg mix, a big scoop of the TVP and sprinkle over some sesame seeds to finish.

Posted on Leave a comment

Pumpkin koftas with smoky tomato sauce

This is a seasonal win for me and went down a treat at home. Pre-warning, it is a bit of a faff, so perhaps not your usual run of the mill weeknight meal, but it is a great one for guests or a weekend when you have a little more time. This meal really needs ALL the components though. The koftas are nothing without the tomato sauce, and the sauce is bland on it’s own. Served with delicious focaccia and this will be a winner with everyone. Continue reading Pumpkin koftas with smoky tomato sauce

Posted on Leave a comment

Winter Vegetable Pasta Bake

pasta bake

The weather is all a bit cold and grey at the moment and this pasta bake is something we ALL need in our lives right now.  Comforting, filling and using lots of seasonal British goodies it is a winning meal for all the family.  And, for those taking part in Veganuary, it is vegan too :). Continue reading Winter Vegetable Pasta Bake

Posted on Leave a comment

Candied Peel

I’ve made candied orange peel a few years running and, while they do take a bit of time, they are very low cost and make some beautiful gifts.  Using up the orange peel this way is also incredibly satisfying and people are always so grateful for a gift that has been homemade.  My main problem, is keeping them away from Rob long enough to give them away!  I haven’t included quantities because it is really up to you how much you make 🙂

Ingredients:

Orange peel

Granulated sugar

Method

Cut your orange into quarters and remove (and eat) the flesh.  Cut as much of the pith away as you can without damaging the skin.  You’re aiming for about 5mm of orange skin when you’re done.  Cut each quarter into 3 (giving you 12 strips of peel from one orange)

Put the peel in a saucepan with cold water and bring to the boil.  Simmer for 5 minutes then drain and replace the water.  Only use enough water to cover the peel.  Boil again then simmer for 30 minutes.

Drain the peel but this time keep the cooking liquid. Add 100g of sugar to each 100ml of cooking liquid you have.  Heat in a saucepan until the sugar is dissolved then add the peel and simmer for another 30 minutes.

Leave to cool then remove the peel and place on a wire rack.

Put the peel in the oven on its lowest setting and leave to dry out.  This can take quite a long time.  I tend to leave the peel in the top oven for a good few hours while I’m using the main oven.

Sprinkle a reusable baking sheet with sugar and toss your peel in it to coat them.  They still need to dry so spread them out and leave out  for another few hours.

Once your candied peel has dried out, store in an airtight container.

These taste delicious dipped in chocolate!