Steak pie and mash tonight.

Sadly, a bought in pie.

Steak pie still does it for me bought or not. I have opted for a chicken Jalfrehzi- made from scratch because its quick and I have perfected it. The main nuisance is chopping the veggies that go into it. Still 20 minutes later and job done . Now its just bubbling away slowly.

Nothing wrong with a bought pie, some are very good quality ones. M&S do a nice beef and ale, and chicken and leek, the pastry is nice too.

Have you got the recipe handy Gladys?

Last night I did an Apple, sultana and sausage casserole served on a bed of rice. - Not half bad!

that sounds really nice Mr R! Had my 1st attempt at shin of beef over the weekend - it turned out a lot better than I hoped

Yes Margaret, I'll type it up later and will copy and paste it on here. I'm just doing a bolognese tonight and will revamp the remainder into a chilli for tomorrow.

Thanks Gladys, I'll check in tomorrow.

Here is a simple but hearty recipe someone gave me to try.



Chorizo and Butter Bean Stew (serves 4)

700g new potatoes
60ml olive oil
1 red onion peeled and chopped
500g chorizo sausage, sliced
4 garlic cloves (crushed)
1 tsp dried chilli flakes
400g can butter beans
410g can chopped tomatoes
150ml beef or chicken stock
Chopped parsley for ‘décor’

Method
- Cook potatoes until just tender (10 mins?);
- Heat oil in a deep frying pan/wok;
- Add onion and cook for 4-5 mins until just softened;
- Add chorizo and cook until it starts to turn golden;
- Transfer chorizo mixture to a plate and set aside;
- Add garlic + chilli to the pan/wok and a few seconds, and then add the potatoes, butter
beans, tomatoes and chorizo mixture;
- Pour in stock, bring to the boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 mins.

That sounds delish Margaret.Is that what you're having tonight? I said I'd give you the recipe for the jalfrehzi. Here goes.
Chicken Jalfrehzi - serves 3 or 4 people

The recipe flavours are best if left to develop and eaten after a few hours or the next day. The spice quantities can be adjusted to taste.

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts or deboned thighs with skin off - chop into chunks
1 Large onion chopped finely
3 cloves of garlic or as much or as little as you like- chopped finely
Fresh ginger matched in size quantity to equal the garlic cloves chopped finely
3 or 4 peppers rough chopped into chunks/slices ( I use one of each colour)
1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
A glug of sunflower oil to fry the above
1 tin of chopped tomatoes
1 teaspoon of ground cumin
1 teaspoon of ground coriander
1 teaspoon of chilli powder
1/2 of a 220 gram jar of Red Thai curry paste
50mls of water or more depending on how dry the mixture seems
Small bunch of fresh coriander to finish (Optional)
Basmati rice
Naan bread
Method

Heat up the oil in a large frying pan or wok
Add the cumin seeds and allow them to begin to pop
After 40-60 seconds add in the onion, peppers, garlic and ginger and cook until softening - around 5 minutes
stir in the red curry paste and fry all together for a further 3 or 4 minutes.
Add in the ground cumin, ground coriander and chilli powder and water blending these through and frying for another 2 minutes or so.
Add in the chicken and cook for 5 minutes
Stir in the tinned tomatoes and place a lid on the curry and leave to cook through for another 20-25 minutes.
Finish off with fresh coriander to taste at serving point
Serve with Basmati rice & Naan bread.

Thanks Gladys, that is a must! I need to try something different.

I did a Burmese egg curry the other night. Very tasty!

6 eggs hard boiled, allowed to cool and shelled, then fried in turmeric laced oil. Gives a very nice crispy outer skin.

Onions, garlic, chilli powder, tomatoes and a sliced chilli fried up

Halve the eggs (lengthways) and add to the mix

Serve on a bed of fluffy white rice

(Ingredients can be altered to suit personal taste)

If only Stilton didn't aggravate my gout...

Clicky bit

Rebbonk, That sounds like heart attack on rice but very scrummy all the same. I have no idea what we'll have tonight. I think I feel a good old bit of steak coming on with a salad. Himself has to have the customary chips with it though.

Gladys, it was to feed two of us: I guess I ought have made that clearer.

Tonight we'll be having steak 'n ale pie with chips. Sadly, bought in pie and ('orrible) oven chips. - Mrs Rebbonk doesn't much like cooking!

Steak in ale pie bought or made does it for me. I have a feeling the jalfrehzi is a contender for tomorrow evening as we have friends to feed. Curry on a Saturday night just fits the biscuit.