Monday, 16 December 2024

How to make Butter bean, fennel, courgette, leek and carrot Vegetarian/Vegan Casserole

 This particular dish started out as a basic recipe from a book. It had far too much courgette in it and other vegetables when I tried it out. But it had potential, and after altering the veg quantities and the spices it came out like this. It is like a Winter warming broth and the cinnamon stick cooked with it makes it taste amazing. It also contains a fennel bulb, and fennel not only improves brain function but seems to warm you up right down to your toes as well. Try it and see! It also contains ginger and that is another warming spice, and cinnamon which is antibacterial, and carrot - vitamin A so good for your eyes too. So a good health tonic all round. I just serve it in a dish with a simple side salad.

Here is the Recipe




 

Sunday, 15 December 2024

How to make The Perfect Milkshake

 The secret to a perfect milkshake is to add a teaspoon of ice cream to it when you are shaking it up in a container or stirring it up in a glass. Try it - it's so chilled then and refreshing. Vanilla ice cream is the best....

Her is the Recipe



How to make Bonfire Toffee

 Having never made Bonfire toffee before mum's friend who was a confectioner gave me a recipe for the hard Bonfire toffee. I asked if I wanted to make it softer and she explained how it worked. So i had a go at a fudge type chewy one and this is the result. One of neighbours young lads who came to our Bonfire night party tried some and said, "We got some from a well known supermarket before and this is better!" High praise indeed. NB only bring to the boil then simmer when milk is added like on the video - don't keep boiling it oops! You don't need to keep it in the fridge if you wrap it in greaseproof paper and keep it in a sealed plastic tub. It never lasts that long though funnily enough....

Here is the Recipe




 

How to make Easy Home Made Apple Cider (Vegan Friendly)

 Easy home brew this is. I am just making some again now for Christmas with some cooking apples that one of our neighbours gave me! Just four ingredients, apples, sugar, lemons and water. This tastes at its very best about four to six weeks in. Don't forget to keep releasing the tops though! Chilled its nice and it is of course pure, but it is quite strong so don't underestimate it!! Our elderly neighbour gave me this recipe when I was younger. Myself and my late brother used to have bonfires at the bottom of the garden with her and she always had some handy. I bet this would be nice made into lolly pops and frozen - now there is an idea!

Here is the Recipe



How to make Parched Peas

 This is an old Lancashire traditional street snack sold in little white polystyrene cups from Bonfire night onwards. These are Carlin peas, also called Pigeon peas. They  are also apparently a traditional northern food eaten during Lent on Passion Sunday, the Sunday before Palm Sunday. They boast a remarkable nutritional profile, these peas are naturally low in fat, while providing over 23g per 100g of both protein + fibre! Particularly high in manganese, molybdenum + vitamin B— primarily B1. Manganese and molybdenum in case you are interested, both detox the body AND repair damaged DNA plus B vitamins are good for the nerves. These little guys certainly pack a punch....Easy to make and very tasty too!

Here is the Recipe




Wednesday, 11 December 2024

How to make Pumpkin Soup (Vegan friendly)

 Pumpkin soup has always been a Bonfire night/Halloween staple. Reason being these guys come into season from late September through to Thanksgiving in late November. This is why Pumpkin pie is so popular in America around this time! This particular soup is made with red lentils and coriander powder too, so it is a really warming, thick and hearty soup, perfect for standing around the bonfire with. Pumpkin is an orange vegetable, so because of that it is full of Beta carotene or Vitamin A. Perfect for eye health and one of the healthiest vegetables you can eat! Crusty rolls at the ready!

Here is the Recipe



How to make Leek and Potato Soup (Vegan friendly)

 Leek and Potato soup is always  a Christmas staple. The reason being that leeks are in season from  November onwards, so not only do they taste at their very best then, but they are also in abundance around this time. They should be reasonably priced too! Leeks are low in calorie and also belong to the same family as garlic and onion. They are also good for arthritis and gout and bladder stones ouch! This is also a very easy recipe to make and tastes delicious. Again serve it with crusty bread.....

Here is the Recipe