This weeks activities..

This week I've been experimenting to some degree. Earlier on in the week, I made crab cakes. Basically crab and mashed potato that's been breadcrumbed and baked. They was okay, OH loved them. He's more into fish then I am. I'm not sure of fish for unknown reasons... Oddly.

After those was a success I went on to recreate scotch eggs. I love scotch eggs and to make them isn't quick, but it sure is fun! Basically boil your eggs to your desired taste, once cooked surround in sausage meat and then breadcrumb and bake. These were loved even by someone who doesn't normally like scotch eggs!

Lastly, bagels! Easy peasy, and bloody beautiful! I couldn't get the shape right as my dough dried a little on top when proofing, meaning it wasn't as workable, but I made do and managed. Next time I'm going to try some onion bagels and maybe some tomato ones!

When it comes to doing the egg, flour and breadcrumb coatings, the thicker the coating you want, the more times you repeat the steps. So you start with flour, this creates a barrier so the egg doesn't make everything sloppy! Then once you have coated in egg, return to the flour and keep repeating these two steps to build up the thickness of your coating. Once you have the desired coating, dip in egg once more and dip in breadcrumbs. This is always the final step! But this works really well for fried chicken too!


Both the crab cakes and scotch eggs cook in a 200 oC oven for 20-30 mins until golden brown.
So why not treat your family this weekend?

Also, regardless of where you have found this blog, whether it be through Instagram, Facebook or word of mouth, if there is a particular item you want me to cover, or have a good recipe you think il like, please please get in touch!


Till next time.
Ttfn 😘
Dee X

When time isn't on your side...

My biggest bug bare is when people say 'I don't have time to cook'. Without convenience food you would have to cook. The difference being that home cooking takes more often less time than convenience food. For example, tonight we had battered fish and rice. 30 mins max! I had portions of frozen cod in the freezer which I defrosted, coated in flour, battered then fried. The cooking time was 15-20 mins tops.

You see there's no big secret, except your freezer. Now you also have to be willing to put One weekend a month and you will be good to go!
2 days cooking?
What!?
But doing this frees up the rest of your time throughout that month.

If you make a basic stock, your choice of meat, basic veg and some seasoning, that can then be made into a casserole, pie, stew, the list goes on. It's about making the building blocks. Some good ziplock bags are great for items with a good deal of liquid, simply place laid down flat in the freezer to freeze, once frozen they can be lined up and won't take much room!

You will need a good  stock pot in order to make some dump it bags, doesn't need to be big, but decent.

I like to freeze a selection of veg into portions with herbs spices and honey. Once cooked, beautiful honey roasted veg!

Cooking doesn't have to be time consuming, you just to have a certain amount of dedication.
Once you have found that, I will guarantee you will be motivated to do more.

Since becoming a home cook, I can't taste convenience food the way I used too, it's now become a challenge to recreate all those convenience favourites! As mentioned before tonight was a chippy dinner! Now although I *still* love a good chip butty from t'old chippy, I wanted to see how easy battered cod would prove to be. I can't say I'm experienced in cooking fish, as in, i NEVER cook fish. But it worked a treat! I would advise using fresh fish as mine was bought frozen. Don't get me confused it was still really nice, but the little touches certainly help!

Again sorry for the lapse in posting, work is pretty much my life lately!

Till next time my lovelies!
Ttfn (ta ta for now)
Dee 😘 X