Winter Warmers Part 1 - Sausage and Bean Stew

SAUSAGE AND BEAN STEW

Serves 2-3

6 vegetarian sausages, defrosted if bought frozen
1 medium red onion, sliced
1 medium red pepper, sliced
1 clove garlic, crushed
420g can mixed beans (pulses)
400g can chopped tomatoes
1tbsp tomato puree
1tsp dried basil
1tsp dried oregano
1tbsp sugar
1tbsp olive oil

Heat the oil in a large pan and fry the onion, garlic and pepper for a couple of minutes.
Chop each sausage into four and add to the pan.
Fry for a few more minutes until all have begun to soften.
Drain the beans and add to the pan with the tomatoes and tomato puree.
Sprinkle in the basil, oregano and sugar and allow to simmer until the sauce has thickened.
(This dish is even better if prepared in advance and re-heated when needed.)

Veggie Meals for One Part 3 - Mini Sausage and Mash

MINI SAUSAGE AND MASH


2-3 vegetarian sausages
olive oil
2-3 medium potatoes
50ml milk
10g butter
salt and black pepper

Peel the potatoes and cut them into chunks. Place in a pan of salted water. Bring to the boil and simmer until soft.
Meanwhile, brush the sausages with olive oil and place under a medium grill, turning occasionally until browned.
When the potatoes are soft, drain them and replace them in the pan.
Add the butter and milk and a good sprinkling of salt and pepper. Mash until smooth.
Place potatoes on plate and put sausages on top. Serve with onion gravy if required.

Veggie Meals for One Part 2 - Mini Sausage and Mash

MINI SAUSAGE AND MASH


2-3 quorn sausages
olive oil
2-3 medium potatoes
50ml milk
10g butter
salt and black pepper

Peel the potatoes and cut them into chunks. Place in a pan of salted water. Bring to the boil and simmer until soft.
Meanwhile, brush the sausages with olive oil and place under a medium grill, turning occasionally until browned.
When the potatoes are soft, drain them and replace them in the pan.
Add the butter and milk and a good sprinkling of salt and pepper. Mash until smooth.

Veggie Meals for One Part 1 - Mini Cottage Pie

Sometimes you only need one portion and it can be quite frustrating as almost all recipes serve at least two. Of course, freezing the rest can be a good idea but this series will be for those times when it's just you and you fancy cooking something from scratch.

MINI SPAGHETTI BOLOGNESE


100g quorn mince
1tbsp olive oil
1 red onion, chopped
100ml vegetable stock
Small can chopped tomatoes
1tbsp tomato puree
1tsp mixed herbs
100g spaghetti


Cook spaghetti in a pan of salted boiling water.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a large pan. Fry onion until soft.
Add quorn mince and vegetable stock. Stir well to so that the quorn absorbs most of the stock.
Add chopped tomatoes and tomato puree and stir.
Sprinkle over mixed herbs and allow to simmer for about 10 minutes.
Place spaghetti around the edge of the plate and serve the quorn mixture inside it.

Bye Bye Keith

Just a quick one today to wish Mr Floyd Bon Voyage!

Grow Your Own 3 - Tomato and Apple Chutney

Back again!

After a couple of busy months and some time away it's good to be back. To be honest, I didn't realise when I started a blog just how hard it would be to keep it up so regularly and I'm a bit in awe of those who do. I've had a new baby since I went away - a food processor that does absolutely everything including grinding coffee, so now if it doesn't move I 'process' it!
I've also been using up the seasonal produce from the garden.
Here's a quick and easy chutney using the late summer crops:

TOMATO AND APPLE CHUTNEY

130ml malt vinegar
100g brown sugar
75g sultanas
1 red chilli, chopped
500g tomatoes, chopped
125g cooking apples, cored and chopped
100g shallots, chopped

Put the vinegar and sugar in a large pan. Bring to the boil.
Add the sultanas and continue to boil.
Reduce until the mixture starts to caramelise
Add all the other ingredients.
Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20-30 mins until thick.
Allow to cool.
(Will store in a sterilised jar for up to three months.)