Food #1

I spend a lot of my time Twitpiccing and Instagramming pictures of what I eat. As a result, I spend a lot of time passing on recipes and explaining how I cooked something or what is in it. So I had the brain wave last night of starting a new feature on the blog where I post pictures of what I recently ate or cooked alongside links to recipes, cooking suggestions, etc.

HOPEFULLY this is a good idea and you lot like these new posts. If you do end up trying anything you see on the blog then feel free to let me know how you got on. That way I will know if these posts are worth keeping up or not!

Halloumi & Pea Frittata

I pretty much made this up for Meatfree Monday. I sliced up some new potatoes which I sauted in olive oil and garlic for 5-10mins. I then cubed a whole packet of halloumi and fried that in some oil until browned. I added both the potatoes and the cheese to a bowl containing 6 whisked eggs & seasoning. I then added some frozen peas and poured the whole thing back into the frying pan which I then placed in the oven at 180 degrees for about twenty minutes. It was yummy served with a nice salad and a glass of really cold white wine. You could put anything you like in though. It's lovely with some cubed chorizo and red onion or you could substitute the halloumi for feta.

My Bitchin' Broccoli

This broccoli side dish was really good but I messed it up a little by adding too much lemon juice making it a little more 'zingy' than I would have liked. I got the recipe here.

Chicken & Peanut Sauce

This was just ok. I only added two thirds of the amount of peanut butter the recipe said to and it was still way too much. As a result this was far too tacky and rich for both of us. I served it with one of those microwave packets of egg fried rice which was disgusting (lesson learned). You can find the recipe here though and I think if you played about with it then it could be quite tasty.

Pork & Cider Pies

These were good. They weren't outstanding and I wouldn't recommend them if you like to do something a bit more special at the weekend, but for a decent week night dinner they are pretty nice. They take about an hour to make though so make sure you set aside enough time.

Pork & Cider Pies

Recipe courtesy of the November issue of Asda's food magazine/Serves 6/430 cals per serving

1. Heat 1 tbsp oil and 15 gm butter in a frying pan. Add 1 trimmed leek and 150 gm diced carrots. Cook over a gentle heat for 4 minutes, stirring. Add 250 gm quartered mushrooms and cook for another 4 minutes. Transfer the veg to a large pan, leaving some of the oil in the pan
2. Trim 660 gm pork loin steaks of fat, cut into cubes and add to the frying pan. Cook until its lightly browned on all sides, then add to the vegetables
3. Add 100 ml stock of your choice to the pan with the juices from the frying pan. Add 300 ml dry cider, 3 tbsp ketchup and 2 tsps fresh thyme
4. Cover and simmer gently for 15 mins, stirring occasionally
5. While the meat is cooking, preheat the oven to 190C/170C fan/Gas 5
6. Mix 2 level tbsp of cornflour with 2 tbsp cold water, stir into the saucepan then simmer for 1 min. Transfer to 6 x 200 ml oven proof baking dishes
7. Cut 1 kg potatoes into even sized pieces and boil until tender. Drain and return to the pan. Cook over a low  heat for 30 seconds to allow the moisture to evaporate
8. Heat 75 ml milk and add to the potatoes along with 25 gm butter. Mash until smooth. Spread over the pork mixture in each baking dish. Sprinkle with 50 gm grated mature cheddar, then bake for about 25 mins or until piping hot

Curly Kale roasted in Olive Oil & Salt

This is my favourite healthy snack. I had been meaning to try it for ages but it wasn't till I saw Colette doing it on Instagram that I decided I had to give it a bash. Not only is this ridiculously moreish but it is ridiculously healthy as well. I did mine in good extra virgin olive oil and some umami dust. The different ways you could do this are endless. I have plans for some roasted in truffle oil and sprinkled with parmesan, some done in Maldon smoked sea salt, chilli flakes and garlic and I am definitely trying it done in sesame oil and Chinese 5 spice powder. If you are looking for a really yummy but healthy snack - this is the one.