Tag Archives: ham

Can I feed my family for 50 pounds?? I’ll have a go!

I always pick up recipes from supermarkets and I have to admit that rather like those that I cut out of magazines….they remain unused as I once again return to my favourite books.  However,  I have now picked up a couple of mini-mags from Sainsbury’s that I really wanted to give a go…. one of them is the ‘Feed your family for 50 pounds’. It is a seven day programme of family-friendly meals which comes with a shopping list which will do you the week.

Find the plan for this week here: http://www.sainsburys-feed-your-family.co.uk/MealPlan/  This will be current until the new plan launches on 15th June.

We have delayed doing the whole shebang until the summer hols as Jon, Abbie and I all get fed at lunchtime when at school… but I had to try one recipe in the hope that I could get Abbie to eat courgette…. and IT WORKED!  Jon and I referred to the aformentioned vegetable as ‘zucchini’ and it is grated in this recipe.  This coupled with the usual technique of mixing the new with the familiar and we were onto a winner!

We made ‘Spaghetti Carbonara’ – have to admit that I ommitted the mushrooms as this could have been one step too far – maybe later in the summer!

So the link to this recipe is @: http://www.sainsburys-feed-your-family.co.uk/MealPlan/Detail/2/1

BUT just in case it disappears…

You will need:

  • 1 onion, peeled & finely chopped
  • 200g mushrooms, sliced
  • 250g courgettes, coarsely grated
  • 500g Basics spaghetti
  • 2 free range eggs, yolks only
  • 150ml 1% fat milk
  • 150ml single cream
  • 60g British mild Cheddar, finely grated
  • 60g British cooked ham, torn
  • Make it veggie…
    Try swapping the ham for fresh young spinach leaves, stirred in with the sauce and spaghetti.

From your store cupboard:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled & finely chopped

Method:

    1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat and cook the onion for 5-10 minutes, until soft. Add the mushrooms and courgettes and cook for a further 5 minutes, until golden, adding the garlic for the last minute. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti following pack instructions.
    2. In a separate bowl lightly whisk the egg yolks, milk and cream. Stir in half the grated cheese.
    3. Drain the spaghetti and return to the pan. Stir through the mushroom and onion mixture, the ham and the creamy sauce. Toss together well.
    4. Return to the heat for 1-2 minutes and toss until cooked through.
    5. Season with plenty of freshly ground black pepper and sprinkle over the remaining cheese.

      An absolutely delicious, nutritionally balanced supper!

We are definitely going to try some more of these great recipes and saving ourselves a few pennies along the way!  If you try any of the other meals, let me know…..

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A spring picnic – inspired by the sunshine……

As I drove home from school last night, the sun was shining and casting a glow over beautiful North Norfolk.  Daffodils lined the road and the world was a wonderful place…..  inspiration to buy sunny foods for our Saturday picnic.

We feasted on melon and air-dried ham (but not from Parma!), ‘holey’ cheese, olive bread and extra olives ( because Abbie loves them), Romaine lettuce and a quickly knocked-up tomato, mozarella and basil salad – see below for quick recipe…..

I think that at times this is a perfect meal for Jon, Abbie and I and this one definitely helped to put us all in a good mood – even Jon who sat sniffling all through lunch!

Tomato, mozarella and basil salad – serves 3/4 depending on other dishes

2 beef tomatoes, sliced thinly

1 ball of mozarella, sliced thinly

handful of basil leaves, torn up

Dressing made from splash of balsamic vinegar, glug of extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle of Maldon salt and good grind of pepper.

I dress the tomatoes and mix in the basil, then alternate layers of mozarella and basily tomato slices on a platter – simple, but delicious!

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 Everyone’s favourite!

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 Melon makes you smile!!

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