Tastes of life
We are what we eat and what we do.Archive for herbs & spices
Eggs…So many ways!
An egg must be the ultimate pre packed food and one of the first..So many ways to cook them and so cheap and filling.I often wonder when man or woman started realising they could cook an egg. Did they drop and break an egg on a hot piece of ground and it started cooking? I am sure it must have been before humans discovered a frying pan ! Read the rest of this entry »
Left overs
Having an allotment or growing vegetables in your garden , makes you realise just how important it is to use up every scrap one way or another . A vegetable or fruit has taken so long to grow from seed to full-grown produce , it seems criminal to throw left overs in the bin.The same goes for meat , poultry or fish.If it is caught or killed for eating the least we can do is to do it justice by enjoying the results through cooking. Even if the produce has been brought from a super market the same applies. Read the rest of this entry »
Packed lunches
In these hard times when we all have to tighten our belts , one of the first things is to stop buying lunches from the many sandwich shops around.If we all spent £3.00 a day on a sandwich that is £15.00 over 5 days.Work that out a year and it is around about £800…Enough money to pay a couple of bills(or buy a few luxuries).It takes a few minutes of organised time to make a lunch to take to work and below are just a few ideas. Read the rest of this entry »
Sauces
Every good meal deserves a good sauce.A few years ago there would only have been a couple to choose from but now with the world getting smaller there is no end to the sauces you can make.
Read further on to see my small collection of sauces to go with pasta and other foods. Read the rest of this entry »
Herbs & spices
Over the years , I like many people have used more and more spices.Growing up in the 50′s I had hardly heard of a spice except perhaps cinnamon or mixed spice on the top of a rice pudding ! Now the amount used in cookery and food is amazing and new spices come to light every day.We are so lucky to live in an age where so many herbs and spices are available to us.A lot of this of course is because of the wonderful amount of Asian restaurants in Britain now and the fact that we have become more adventurous. Read the rest of this entry »
Flavoured vinegars & oils.
I just love flavourings and as I eat so many salads and spiced food,I just can’t wait to make new ones.
I probably started a few years ago with basil & mint but now make with most other herbs & chillies.
I have experimented with mustards as well which have been successful in the past.Take a look at a few ideas I have put together Read the rest of this entry »
Breads and scones
I have been making bread seriously now for about 2 years.It all started in a small way just making a loaf here and there.Now every weekend I make enough bread for the whole week.Usually I make rolls as they are easier for my husband to handle in his lunch break but I make as many other types as I can…Try the walnut bread recipe,just great for this time of year with a huge bowl of soup. Read the rest of this entry »
Casseroles & stews
It is the time of year when we need to eat warming food that makes us feel good and are easy to prepare , bung in the oven and leave while we do other chores.Of course you do not have to stick to the original recipe,just add other ingredients you may have in the store cupboard…This type of recipe is never the same twice!
Vegetarian recipes
Having an allotment there is no shortage of vegetables.
Sometimes you have to wonder how you are going to use them all,as nothing is wasted.Something always comes to mind though. These recipes are great even if you do eat meat and fish.You don’t have to be a vegetarian to enjoy them.
As the years go by I become more and more into vegetables and less into meat. I used to think that a meal was not complete without meat and that vegetables were an addition or to add colour. It has nothing to do personally with the animals more to do with realising how filling and versatile vegetable recipes can be.
Pasta the oldest fast food in the world
Many families have a lot of fast food ready meals with not a lot of nutrition these days, not realising that pasta dishes are probably the fastest meals you can cook and really enjoy.Try a few of my favourites recipes all are quick and simple to make.They cover meats,vegetables,seafood and just plain pasta.Whether you want to conjure up a fast simple meal or make a great feast pasta covers it all…I heard an Italian chef on a food programme say…” Pasta is minimum effort maximum satisfaction ” That really sums it up for me. Read the rest of this entry »
