Tag: Dinner

Posted in Recipes, thermomix

Try it, time it, taste it, blog it Pt 2. Beef ragu.

Posted on by Theworkingmum

The Challenge continues… read about it here! New recipe no 4 for the week was slightly clouded due to sick kids and no desire to go the shops. So it became a game of ‘what’s in the cupboard’? Still wanting to complete the challenge I found some beef steak in the freezer and went about investigating something new to cook. Enter good old Jamie Oliver and a few modifications and we have delicious Beef Ragu.

Find the original recipe here.

I had a few ingredients missing and added a few of my own.. So here’s my Recipe…

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Easy Beef Ragu

1kg Beef Rump Steak chopped into small pieces (in thermie reverse sp 6 20 sec)

1 clove garlic

2 carrots

500 g of tomatoes chopped ( I had lots left from the inlaws!)

2 tblspn vegetable stock

500 ml water

2 cups of red wine

oregano

basil

bay leaf

Method

Blitz garlic and carrot Spd 5 for 10 sec.  (or grate carrot and chop garlic finely)

In a large pot brown garlic and carrot. Add the beef and fry till brown.

Add stock, water, tomatoes and red wine and bring to the boil.

Add the herbs and let it all simmer until most of the liquid evaporates. (approx. 40 mins on low)

Serve with your favourite pasta.image

 

Letting it simmer slowly until liquid evaporates makes the flavours stronger!

To sum up for the challenge, it was delicious and the red wine in it gave it a lovely winter feel. It takes longer than a bolognaise to make so its not ideal for a work night but it could be done. While its simmering away im sure there’s many other things to get done! Bath the kids while its cooking then eat!

 

 

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Posted in Fast Receipes, Recipes, thermomix

Try it, time it, taste it, blog it!

Posted on by Theworkingmum

*I lost my cooking mojo over the last few weeks. With 1st birthdays to organise (which I love doing) and then Easter, things went a little off skew in the dinner department. Yes the kids had baked beans one night and heaven forbid we did eat McDonalds! Guess what? They survived! But I needed to get my mojo back and with the return to work drawing closer and closer I need to increase my go to meals. So I set myself a challenge this week. A new recipe every day. Test it, try it, time it, blog it! I have to say I feel a bit like the girl in the movie Julia and Julia ( I think its called that) but I’m not cooking my way through the Julia Childs cookbook, that’s way too big a challenge for right now!

Recipe 1 Skinnmixers Pork Belly with Apple Sauce Recipe Here!

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Pork belly with Apple sauce

Having never cooked Pork Belly before I was a little apprehensive. It was super easy using the thermomix (yes it can be done without of course). I loved how easy it was, and it was superbly delicious! The boys discovered the joys of crispy crackling and devoured a plate full of veggies with the apple sauce. Winning! The only down fall was it took an hour and half all up to prepare and cook. Not one I’ll be putting on the weekly rotation but a fabulous one for a Sunday night roast!

Recipe no 2 was Homemade Chicken loaf.Recipe here!

This is perfect for sandwiches for the next few days and obviously has way less crap in it that store bought stuff. Master 5 gave it the big thumbs up and will have it for lunch tomorrow! Super fast and easy to prepare, cooking took about 30 mins then 2 hours in the fridge. Was quite surprised by this one.

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Home made chicken loaf

And finally Recipe no 3 (yep 2 today!) is Malaysian Satay Chicken with rice noodle stir fry. Recipe for satay chicken here! Skinny mixers again! 

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Malaysian satay chicken with rice noodle stir fry

 

I’ve had tremendous luck in the taste department this week but this one is a definite pre- prepare meal. No way I can marinate and thread meat on a stick while I have three starving beings around. The marinate was super yum and made the chicken really juicy. And let’s face it kids love anything on a stick! For the stir fry I pre boiled the rice noodles, stir fried some ginger, lemongrass and garlic and added any veggies I could find in the depths of the fridge. Stir fried it all up added 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, a pinch of Brown sugar and about 100 ml of coconut milk. It was pretty delicious if I do say so myself! So to sum up, if I had the meat already marinated and on sticks it could be a great quick meal full of nutrition, so long as I’m organised…😜

I I haven’t decided what to try tomorrow but I’ve got my mojo back! Stay tuned!!

 

Posted in Lifestyle, Recipes, Time Saving Tips

The kids plan the menu!

Posted on by Theworkingmum

One thing I’ve been dabbling in over the years is menu planning. I’ve always wanted to do it ‘better’ so I set myself a challenge to do a meal plan each week  then do one big grocery shop for the week. Well I did it!! I went once to the supermarket and did not step foot on one until the following week!! I’ve done it now for 3 weeks and it’s fabulous!! The best thing is I seriously spent less money on food and there was no wastage. All over the Internet you’ll find weekly menus and plans.. Anyone can make one! I needed to make sure that the meals chosen were gong to be eaten by all members of the family. Sorry Mums but I’m not one for making separate meals for the kids.. So I asked them!

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I literally asked each member including dear husband to choose one meal. I was immensely surprised by the results. Not only have the meals been healthy but everyone has enjoyed eating ‘their choice’. Each night the kids seriously discuss who’s choice the meal was and who’s meal it is tomorrow night. At first I was unsure what they might come up but some of their choices have included lasagna, burritos, chicken kebabs and cous cous and chicken curry. The kids love having some power over what we eat and it makes for a great discussion with them! Give it a try, see what meal plan your tribe comes up with!

I’m hoping to develop a spread sheet for weekly plans in the near future. 😳

Posted in Recipes, Time Saving Tips

Sunday night deliciousness

Posted on by Theworkingmum

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Today we took the two older boys to their first cricket Test Match. It wasn’t without its dramas but overall it was a fun day. Man was over eating fried foods though and was I looking for a decent feed when we got home. Thank goodness we had some left over stir fry from last night but it got me thinking about some of my favourite meals. One of my all time favourites is another Jamie meal. His sausage cassoulet is to die for! Find the receipe here! It’s great for reheating and there’s always plenty for the next night! I made it for a friend after she had her second baby and she loved it! So after all this.. Guess what’s for dinner tomorrow night?!! Have a lovely week, stay tuned for tips on a stress free Christmas.