Vegetarian – Page 2 – Feasting Is Fun

Goddess Cheese Pine Nut Muffins

Goddess Cheese Pine Nut Muffins vibrant strips of aromatic basil run through these delicious buttery cheese, pine nut studded muffins.

Also these delightful muffins are so easy to make, quick to bake and perfect for breakfast, packed lunches, picnics……

Whenever we have friends and family round, I always provide a cheese board. Since I have more of a savoury palette, I generally choose cheese and crackers over dessert on most occasions. While I adore all cheeses, this Goddess Cheese, sent to me to try by Pong Cheese is beautifully buttery and creamy.

A cider washed edible rind conceals the most gorgeous, gooey, buttery cheese, perfect for spreading on crackers, with a glass of something chilled to go alongside. The initial buttery flavour is layered with a nutty taste that is perfectly paired with the pine nuts in these Goddess Cheese Pine Nut Muffins.

Whilst spreading this cheese on crackers is a perfectly acceptable way to indulge your senses, my creative side knew that it would taste so good baked in a muffin. After a party or family gathering I am quite often left with cheese and other delectables. I avoid waste as much as I can, so incorporating this beautiful cheese into a bake gives it a second life in these delicious muffins.

Goddess Cheese Pine Nut Muffins are incredibly easy to whip up and bake. In fact these took less than 30 minutes from start to eating!

Oh boy, these muffins are fabulous warm out of the oven.

Recipe: Makes 12 Goddess Cheese Pine Nut Muffins

50g/2oz Pine Nuts

300g/11oz Plain White Flour (self raising can be substituted – leave out the baking powder)

2tsp Baking Powder

2 Whole Free Range Eggs

200ml Semi-Skimmed or Whole Milk

4tbsp Vegetable/Sunflower Oil

Goddess Cheese 150g/5oz – mine was from Pong Cheese

6 basil leaves

1/4tsp Sea Salt – I use Maldon

1/4tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Method: Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan, gas mark 6

First of all place the pine nuts into a dry skillet or frying pan and toast over a medium heat until golden. Remove from the pan and place on to a plate to cool. Reseve some pine nuts for topping the muffins.
Sift the flour and baking powder into a large bowl.
Pile the basil leaves on top of each other and cut into fine strips.
Add the cooled pine nuts, basil, and seasonings to the bowl.
Stir with a fork to incorporate.
Break the Goddess Cheese into lumps and add half to the flour mixture – I found it easier to have the bowl on the scales.

Cover the cheese in the bowl with the flour mixture. This will stop it clumping together.
Add the other half of the cheese, again pinching off gooey lumps and dropping them into the bowl. Cover in the flour mixture as before – dry mixture.
Into a jug add the milk, oil and eggs. Lightly mix with a fork – wet mixture.
Make a well in the centre of the dry mixture and pour in the wet mixture.
Stir with a fork approximately 10-12 times until the ingredients are just mixed.

Note: Over mixed muffins will be tough!
Place muffin liners in a muffin tin – I didn’t but would advise you to as it does make the muffins easier to remove.
Divide the muffin mix between the 12 cases.
Top with the reserved pine nuts – if you have forgotten to reserve any don’t worry they will still look and taste delicious.

Place the tin in the top of the oven and bake for approximately 15 minutes.
The muffins are cooked when they are just firm to touch and golden brown.
As soon as the muffins are baked remove from the oven.
Transfer the Goddess Cheese Pine Nut Muffins to a cooling rack until warm and then devour!

Enjoy these muffins at their absolute best, warm straight from the oven. While the cheese is still slightly melted and the flavours of the toasted pine nuts and basil come through.

Having had to split a muffin for the photographs, I also really enjoyed them cold. All the buttery, nutty cheese, pine nut and basil flavours are still present which I am really pleased with. This makes the Goddess Cheese Pine Nut Muffins perfect as portable food.

I will definitely be making more of these for picnics, packed lunches and just for eating warm from the oven!

Muffins are always best on the day made, however, stored in an airtight container they are good for 3 days, or frozen for up to a month. To refresh just pop in a moderate oven for 10 minutes and they’ll taste like they’ve just been baked.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Goddess Cheese Pine Nut Muffins you may also like these:

Feta Cheese Herb Muffins

Cheese Bacon Breakfast Muffins

Chorizo Goats Cheese Muffins

No longer do you need to look at an oozing, gooey leftover Goddess Cheese and wonder what to do with it. Instead you can make Goddess Cheese Pine Nut Muffins and as they don’t use a whole packet of cheese, leave you enough for your cheese and crackers.

This recipe started in my mind with the intent of using up leftover cheese. Oh no! These are so good I would happily buy the cheese to make them.

Whatever you are making and baking in your kitchens, have fun and enjoy sharing the feast you are preparing.

Sammie xx

Pong Cheese provided me with the cheese to make this recipe. All content, views, opinions, recipes and photographs are my own. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Garlic Rosemary Roast Potatoes

Let’s talk potatoes, the staple of many a British meal, yet often assigned the side role when it comes to dinner time. Although I will never be a fan of plain, peeled, boiled potatoes, yet give me a healthy serving of Perfectly Mashed Potatoes and I’m likely to forget the sausages on the plate! And these crunchy Garlic Rosemary Roast Potatoes are so full of flavour and enhance any meal that accompanies them.

Since winning some Albert Bartlett red Rooster Potatoes a while ago, I wanted to create a delicious roast potato recipe that included the gorgeous red Rooster skin. While the skin has a fantastic flavour, it is also good good source of fibre. Also potatoes contain Potassium, Vitamin C and Iron and are low in fat – unless you fry them or smother them in butter 😉.

All things in moderation eh?

FF Roast Red Potatoes — Rosemary Garlic Roast Potatoes

I apologise for not posting this recipe earlier, however, as today is #National Garlic Day, I thought it would be rather appropriate. While I love garlic and have used quite a bit in this recipe, you can add as much or as little as you like. Likewise with the Rosemary. And I couldn’t resist a final sprinkling of freshly chopped Parsley, which gives the finished dish a burst of colour and flavour and an extra hit of vitamin C. Again this is optional.

FF Garlic Rosemary Roast Potatoes — Garlic Bulbs and Fresh Rosemary complete with flower!

When I picked the Rosemary for these Garlic Rosemary Roast Potatoes, it still had some beautiful blue flowers on it. These can be eaten along with the finely chopped thick leaves.

Recipe: Garlic Rosemary Roast Potatoes serves 6

2kg/4.5lb Red Potatoes – such as the Albert Bartlett Rooster Potatoes I’ve used

2 tablespoons Olive Oil

4-5 Bulbs of Garlic

Small Handful Fresh Rosemary Stems

Sea Salt – I use Maldon and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Optional – handful of chopped fresh parsley to finish.

Method: Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan, gas mark 6, 400F.

Preparing The Potatoes For Roasting

Wash and thoroughly dry the potatoes. I place them onto a clean tea towel and place another tea towel on top to absorb all the moisture – dry potatoes = crunchy potatoes!
Chop the potatoes into 2″-3″ sized chunks and place onto a baking sheet.
Strip the Rosemary leaves from the stem and finely chop.
Finely chop/mince the garlic, removing the papery skin.
Drizzle the Olive Oil over the potatoes, then sprinkle over the garlic and chopped Rosemary.
Add 1/2tsp of sea salt and some freshly ground pepper.
Using clean hands toss all the ingredients together on the baking tray, ensuring each potato chunk is slicked in oil.

Roasting The Herb Potatoes

Place the baking tray into the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour – 1 hour 15 minutes.
The potatoes are cooked when they are golden brown and tender all the way through – test with a knife if unsure.
Once cooked remove the potatoes from the oven,

FF Herb Roasted Red Potatoes — Crispy Garlic Rosemary Roast Potatoes

Place the Garlic Rosemary Roast Potatoes on a serving platter and sprinkle over a handful of chopped Parsely.

Almost certainly you will not have to call everyone to tell them dinner is ready! These potatoes smell as good as they taste. I like to serve them with everything from grilled salmon, chicken, to a fully roasted beef joint for Sunday dinner. It’s nice to ring the changes on week nights and weekend dinners.

This is a much requested dish in our house and we quite often have them with cold meat and salad, during the warmer summer months.

If you have enjoyed these Garlic Rosemary Roast Potatoes you may also like these other recipes:

Baked Garlic Herb Potato Wedges

Tangy Lemon Potato Salad

Perfectly Mashed Potatoes

Sometimes the simplest recipes are the tastiest.

Whatever you are baking and making in your kitchens, have fun!

Sammie xx

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Soup

Finally Spring is upon us and with it some gloriously sunny days. However, being British and therefore brought up to talk about the weather, there have also been a few blustery downpours. Also, the sun, in April, not yet having had its chance to warm up our part of the planet, means there’s quite a chill in the air, when it’s hidden by clouds. Enter my Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Soup, perfect for warming you through, whether you’re chilly, or soaked through from a sudden downpour – April showers and all that!

Quite honestly, this soup is so utterly delicious, it’s flavours intensified by roasting the butternut squash first, I am happy to make it all year round. Or at least when butternut squash is in season.

Living In The Real World

I am really working on trying to eat seasonally. While we did belong to a veg box scheme, with my health and body dictating what I am able to do during the day, too much was being wasted. And on that subject, I am, at present, propped up in bed, with my neck in spasm, due to a few violent seizures (see Living With Seizures).

Please don’t think I am writing this for you to feel sorry for me, nothing could be further from the truth. I just believe in honesty. Because, in our Instagram shiny, perfect world, it can lead to people feeling inadequate or broken. Whereas real life can be messy as well as beautiful. Health problems, relationship difficulties, family problems, financial issues. There’s a whole host of stuff that goes on ‘behind the scenes’ – I am generalising. While hubby and I are happy, we still have to deal with a lot, together. And I’m sure we are not alone.

Comforting Food

A good meal like this Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Soup can feel like a warm hug, against the harsh realities life sometimes throws at us. I can’t even remember exactly when I made this soup, about 2 weeks ago I think! Yet I haven’t had the opportunity to write it up until today.

Also this the easiest soup to make and the flavour is out of this world good. Besides, who knew butternut squash could have so much more flavour, simply by roasting it? Oh and the garlic, which is left unpeeled whilst it roasts, turns into sweet little cloves of utter heaven. Roasted garlic is about as far away from the heat and pungency of raw garlic, as it is possible to be. Yet together these two ingredients make this utterly scrumptious Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Soup.

Recipe: Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Soup serves 4-6 people

1 Butternut Squash

2 Garlic Cloves

1 Onion

2tbsp Olive Oil

1 Vegetable or Chicken Stock Cube

Sea salt – I use Maldon. and freshly ground black pepper

Optional – Parsely and Double Cream to serve

Method: Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan, gas mark 6, 400F.

Preparing And Roasting The Ingredients

First of all, using a vegetable peeler, remove the skin from the butternut squash.
Cut the squash in half and then cut the bottom half in half again so that the seeds can be scooped out.

Cut the butternut squash into 2.5cm/1″ chunks
Place the chunks of butternut squash onto a baking tray along with the 2 garlic cloves.
Pour over 1tbsp of olive oil and using clean hands toss the chunks so that they have a covering of oil.
Add a small sprinkle of sea salt (1/2tsp) and a good grinding of black pepper.

Place the baking tray into the oven and allow to roast for 25 minutes.
While the squash and garlic are roasting, peel and finely chop the onion.
In a large saucepan add the other tablespoon of olive oil and the chopped onion.
Sauté over a medium heat until the onion is softened and translucent. Leave to one side.
The butternut squash is roasted once it has become tender.
As soon as it is cooked remove the baking tray from the oven.

Making The Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Soup

The butternut squash has reduced inside and that means – concentrated flavour!
Place the saucepan containing the sautéed onion back over a medium heat.
Squeeze the garlic cloves out of their skin and add to the saucepan.
Add the roasted butternut squash to the pan,
Cover with 1.5 litres of hot water from the kettle.
Crumble in the stock cube.
Bring to a simmer and cook for a further 10 minutes, uncovered.
Remove the pan from the heat and blend using an immersion blender.
Alternatively allow the soup to cool a little and blend, in batches, using a blender.
Once blended add the soup back to the saucepan.
Check for seasoning and adjust as necessary.
Also, if the soup is too thick add a little extra hot water until the desired consistency is reached.

I like to serve this soup with a little swirl of cream and some fresh parsley to garnish. Adding a nice thick slice of my Crunchy Seeded Bread turns this Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Soup into a substantial meal. I love dunking bread into soup, do you?

Make Ahead And Freeze!

To store, cool the soup completely and portion into airtight containers or zip lock freezer bags. It will keep in the fridge for 4 days or the freezer for up to one month. Next time I make this Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Soup I am going to double up on the quantities. It only takes a little longer to peel and chop an extra squash and onion. While the oven is on, it makes sense to pop in two baking trays. And that way I will have lunch or a quick dinner, bolstered with some bread and cheese, for the days when I simply am not up to cooking.

If you have enjoyed this Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Soup here are some other delicious soup recipes:

Roast Chicken Noodle Soup

Leek and Potato Soup

Carrot Soup

Do you sometimes need a warm hug?

And what is your go to comforting food?

Thank you for taking time to leave a comment. Especially as I really enjoy reading them and hearing about your baking and cooking adventures. Likewise it’s been fantastic to see so many of you posting your makes and bakes on Twitter and Instagram. Finally, if you tag me in I’ll be sure to retweet and give you a shoutout.

So, wherever you are and whatever you are making I wish you all the very best and hope that you know you are loved and treasured, see Important Stuff.

Sammie xx

Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Soup has been entered into the No Croutons Required Link Up hosted by Jac at Tinned Tomatoes.

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Leek Colcannon

Hello to all my lovely readers. Since it is now officially Spring I’d hoped to be outside gardening. Instead it is wet and windy, so I am staying indoors. Retreating to the earth of our kitchen and making a big bowl of Leek Colcannon.

An incredible side dish made with ultra creamy, mashed potatoes that are mixed with gorgeously green, savoy cabbage. Finally the addition sautéed leeks creates a flavour filled side dish.

This has fast become a family favourite. Since it is so versatile, an ideal accompaniment to sausages, homemade pie, chops, roast chicken. Alternatively serve on its own topped with an egg. Ultimately you have endless possibilities as to what you could pair this dish with.

Celebrating The Humble Leek

Did you know that the beginning of November heralds the start of the British leek growing season? Nope neither did I!!

I absolutely love leeks, with their delicate onion flavour and that is exactly what makes them perfect in this dish.

Colcannon is a traditional Irish dish made using mashed potatoes and cabbage or kale. While I challenged myself to come up with some recipes to celebrate the British leek, I knew it’s delicate flavour would perfectly compliment the traditional Colcannon dish.

Also using seasonal fruit and vegetables in my cooking is important to me and savoy cabbage is in season now, so my choice of brassica was decided.

Nutmeg also pairs beautifully with leeks and so I knew I had to incorporate that into the dish – thus the Leek Colcannon idea was born. Whoops there I go, having ideas again – fortunately this one turned out to be absolutely delicious.

Recipe : Serves 6 generous portions of Leek Colcannon

1.75kg/4lb Pre-peeled weight Desiree Red or potatoes suitable for mashing.

50g/2oz Butter plus 1Tbsp extra

300ml/10fl Double Cream or whole milk

1/4tsp Freshly Grated Nutmeg

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 Medium Savoy Cabbage

1 Large Leek

Method : Important please read through the whole method before starting.

Preparing And Making The Mashed Potatoes

First of all, peel and dice the potatoes into 1″/2.5cm chunks and place in a large pan, cover with water. If you wish to add salt to the water that’s fine, I left the seasoning to the end.
Bring the potatoes to the boil and the simmer until a fork easily pierces the potato chunks – it’s worth checking a couple.
Drain the potatoes and place back into the saucepan. Allow to steam dry for a couple of minutes.
Add the butter, 250mls of the cream, salt, pepper and nutmeg.

Nutmeg adds a subtle flavour that adds to the Leek Colcannon’s flavour.

Mash the potatoes, cream and butter together until completely smooth.
Add the rest of the cream if needed – the potatoes should be creamy, not dry. Check for seasoning and adjust as necessary.

Preparing And Cooking The Savoy Cabbage

While the potatoes are cooking you can prepare the cabbage and leeks.

Vibrant, deep green leaves from the cabbage.

Remove five leaves from the cabbage and stack them on top of each other.

Slice the leaves in half and then finally shred each half.
Continue peeling off the leaves, stacking and shredding. I used almost all of the savoy cabbage. I left the very few inner, yellow leaves. If you have a large cabbage cut in half and use one half.
Place the shredded cabbage into a large saucepan, pour over an inch of boiling water from the kettle, clamp on the lid and cook on a high heat for no longer than 5 minutes.

Drain the cooked cabbage.
Place the cabbage back into its pan and allow to steam dry for a couple of minutes.

Preparing And Cooking The Leeks

First of all trim the tough dark green top from the leek and also the root end.
Make a slit cutting almost through from the top of the leek to two thirds down.
Wash the leek under running cold water ensuring any dirt, trapped between the leaves is washed away.
Shake the leek over the sink to remove any excess water.

Tip : I wash my leeks, shake them and leave them upside down on the draining board to drain, before prepping other vegetables.

Cut the washed leek in half.

Finely shred the leek.
Place a tablespoon of butter into a shallow pan and gently saute the leeks until tender, over a medium heat.

Sauté the shredded leek for 5 minutes until tender and cooked.

Add both cabbage and leek to the mashed potato.

Stir all the ingredients together until combined.

Finally, decant the leek colcannon into a heatproof dish. Adding dots of butter and a final grating of nutmeg.

The Leek Comes was served with Steak Leek And Ale PieSteak Leek And Ale Pie alongside steamed carrots. Fortunately there was enough left over to make bubble and squeak patties for lunch the next day!

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Leek Colcannon you may also like these:

Walnut Pastry Crust Leek Stilton Tart

Homemade Cauliflower Cheese

Roasted Summer Vegetable Orzo Salad

I do hope that I’ve inspired you to try this delightful dish. Although I used double cream – well we were celebrating the start of the British leek growing season – milk is a perfectly fine substitute. Switching up the greens to Kale or Spring Greens through the growing season will be fine, just make sure they are cooked until just tender – I haven’t found a fan of overcooked, soggy cabbage yet!

Sammie x

The British Leek Association provided me with some of the ingredients for this recipe. All content and opinions are my own. I did not receive payment for creating this recipe. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Tomato Thyme Garlic Focaccia Bread

It is no secret, to those of you who have visited here before, that I love baking bread. Whether it’s a crusty loaf for sandwiches and toast, or Knotted Poppyseed Roll the flavour and quality of homemade bread wins every time I make it. Since I do not live near an artisan bakery, I now make pretty much all of our own bread, here at home. Today I have something very special to share my Tomato Thyme Garlic Focaccia Bread.

I honestly can’t begin to tell you just how yummy this bread is. It truly is proof that the sum of the parts is greater than the whole. Tomato Thyme Garlic Focaccia Bread is taking bites of bread and then experiencing your taste buds explode with all the flavours, in your mouth.

FF Tomato Thyme Garlic Focaccia Bread — Tomato Thyme Garlic Focaccia Bread

This Focaccia is perfect with pasta (we had it with Lasagne, perfect for mopping up tomato and cheese sauce). I also think it would be great to take on a picnic, served with some good cheddar and a glass of something cold!

Bake Once Eat Twice

I made enough for 2 loaves, so just halve the recipe if only one Focaccia is needed – as the tomatoes won’t freeze well. Alternatively make two and leave the tomatoes off of the loaf you intend to freeze. Double wrap in cling film and the bread will last 3 months in the freezer!

We love any kind of bread with our meals, especially if it has garlic added. This hit the spot big time and Snugs, who can be a little but careful when it comes to ‘different foods’ loved this!! I guess you could even add some shards of sharp cheddar before baking? Might have to try that!!!!

Recipe : Tomato Thyme Garlic Focaccia Bread makes 2

NOTE: Halve the ingredients for one focaccia

500g/1lb 2oz Strong White Bread Flour

10g Fast Action Dried Yeast – I use Allinson

7g Sea Salt – I use Maldon

2tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil, plus extra for drizzling – I use Filippo Berio

Approx 300-350ml lukewarm water

16-20 Cherry Tomatoes – halved

2tbsp Fresh Thyme Leaves – halve if using dried thyme

4 Cloves of Garlic

Method : Using bread maker or stand mixer with dough hook attached.

Making The Focaccia Dough

Place 300ml of water into the bowl of your mixer.

Add the yeast and then the flour.

Add 2tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Now add the salt.

Set the bread maker to the mix/prove cycle.

If the dough seems dry add extra water 20mls at a time until the dough has a smooth elasticity, while being mixed. If the dough is too dry either machine will be clunking!

With a stand mixer mix on medium speed until the dough is soft and elastic. Using Olive oil on your hands to stop the dough sticking, roll the dough into a tight ball, place back into the mixer bowl, cover with cling film and leave to double in size.

Shaping The Focaccia Dough

Using either method, once the first proof is finished, knock back, restarting the mixing on the bread machine and removing the cling and mix for a further 10 minutes.

Oil 2 x 20cmx20cm (8″ x 8″) square tins.

Tip the knocked back dough into one of the oiled pans.

Using your fingers spread the Focaccia dough so it covers the base of the pan evenly. Drizzle a little Olive oil over.

Sprinkle the thyme and garlic over the top and give your dough a final drizzle with Olive oil.

Cover and leave to double in size.

Baking The Tomato Thyme Garlic Focaccia Bread

While the bread is proving, preheat your oven to 220C/200C fan oven, gas mark 7, 425F.

As soon as your dough is doubled in size place in the centre of a preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.

Breathe deeply. Mmm, that smell coming out of the oven is your Tomato Thyme Garlic Focaccia Bread. Enjoy, it smells and tastes amazing!

Remove your Tomato Thyme Garlic Focaccia Bread from the oven when it is golden all over.

Remove the Tomato Thyme Garlic Focaccia Bread from the pan and cool on a rack, if not eating straight away!!

Allow the focaccia to cool so that it is just warm before serving. Cut into squares to serve.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Tomato Garlic Focaccia Bread you may also like these:

Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Bread

Sundried Tomato Olive Focaccia Bread

Baked Cheese Olive Ciabatta Bread

I almost always use a stand mixer and dough hook to knead any dough that I’m making. While I really love the feel of dough in my hands the combination of a bad back and now arthritis in my thumbs joints means it’s painful. Yet by using the mixer I can still make fresh bread for us as a family and I get to shape it by hand. Resulting in a happy me, as I can still bake bread and a happy family who really enjoy fresh, home baked bread.

Whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.

Sammie x

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Tangy Lemon Potato Salad

When the sun is shining and the temperature gauge keeps going up, cool, refreshing food is what we need. So my Tangy Lemon Potato Salad is perfect, cool and refreshing with a hint of crunch. Also this is the perfect side dish to, well, just about anything! We’re having this with fish tonight.

While my Tangy Lemon Potato Salad does have mayonnaise in the sauce, you can easily substitute a light/lower fat mayo. The mayonnaise is thinned down with the juice of a whole lemon. And it’s this zesty juice that permeates the warm potatoes so that once chilled they take on a tongue tingling tang. Also at the same time it stops the mayonnaise from becoming gloopy.

Overhead image of freshly made potato salad with lemon slices and chopped chives. — Tangy Lemon Potato Salad

If, like me you’re organised, cooking the potatoes and getting this salad made first thing in the morning, or even the night before, not only allows all the flavours to merge together, but you are also guaranteed a cold salad. Resulting in a side dish that works well with hot fish, quiche and any number of dishes including barbecues. Also it is ideal as part of a cold meal, buffet and picnic.

Close up of the pretty bowl, which has flowers around the outside rim. — Tangy Lemon Potato Salad

So I can guarantee that once you have made this Tangy Lemon Potato Salad you will want to keep making it. Especially if you take it to friends and family to share. Easy to make and perfectly portable!

Recipe : Tangy Lemon Potato Salad, serves 6 as a side dish.

1kg/2.2lb Baby New Potatoes I like Charlotte as they are available all year roundfrom most supermarkets including Waitrose and Sainsbury’s

Juice of 1 Whole Lemon

1 Lemon – for slicing

4 Heaped Tablespoons Mayonnaise

1/2tsp Sea Salt – I use Maldon, halve the quantity if using free flowing

1/2tsp Ground Black Pepper

2 Celery Sticks

3 Spring Onions

2 tbsp Chives

Making The Potato Salad

First of all, scub the potatoes to remove any dirt. Cut any larger potatoes in half so that all the potatoes are roughly the same size.

Place the potatoes in a saucepan, cover with water and bring to the boil.

Simmer the potatoes until just tender, drain, return to the pan and leave with the lid on, to finish steaming for 20-30mins.

In a bowl add the juice of one lemon, mayonnaise, salt and pepper.

Drain the potatoes and leave to steam dry in a colander for 5 minutes.

Chop the spring onions and celery into small dice.

Add the chopped celery and spring onions to the bowl.

Snip the fresh chives over the top of your Tangy Potato Salad. — Snip the fresh chives over the top, taste and adjust the seasoning as necessary.

Finally, if you prefer you can serve the Tangy Lemon Potato Salad as it is. Although I like to jazz it up with a few, very finely sliced lemon halves. Because they are perfectly edible (although if you just want to use them for garnish that’s fine) and taste delicious. Also the sliced lemon let’s people know that there is lemon juice in the potato salad.

Make this Tangy Lemon Potato Salad up to a day ahead. Store in a bowl wrapped in cling film and keep refrigerated. Eat within 3 days.

If you like the bowl featured in this post, it is available from Emilie OConnor home store. It is made using bamboo fibre and comes with a fitted chopping board lid and inset salad servers. I was very fortunate to win this eco-friendly bowl in a competition on Instagram. Check out her website, as her items are practical, beautiful and kind to the environment.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Tangy Lemon Potato Salad then you may also like these:

Lemon Garlic Roast Chicken

Crunchy Homemade Coleslaw

Lime Couscous

Lemons give a fresh, zesty, citrus burst to any dish they are used in, whether sweet or savoury. And a particular favourite of ours, here at home is Lemon Thyme Roast Chicken followed by Lemon Ripple Ice Cream for dessert. Sharing a feast around the table as a family is an important part of our lives.

So, whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.

Sammie xx

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Fresh Summer Vegetable Bake

Summer is well and truly here and with it an abundance of gorgeous summer fruit and vegetables. I’ve just joined a veg box scheme – which means I get a lovely box of fresh fruit and veg delivered to my door every Monday. First delivery is tomorrow, so I’m excited to see what recipes I can come up with! To get in the mood I decided to make a Fresh Summer Vegetable Bake!

This may sound odd, but generally as a family we don’t like dry meals. So a sauce or gravy is essential! For this Fresh Summer Vegetable Bake I made a delicious sauce using garlic, lemon, thyme and Olive oil. This was poured over the beautifully arranged veggies and WOW – even Snugs, our youngest daughter loved it!! Now she’s not exactly picky, especially compared to others the same age, however, let’s say her taste buds aren’t as accepting as the rest of our family. So for her to love this dish, well I knew I was onto a winner!

Fresh Summer Vegetable Bake - topped off with a generous grating of Parmesan. — Fresh Summer Vegetable Bake – topped off with a generous grating of Parmesan.

I used tomatoes, aubergines and green courgettes, but any squashes, potatoes, really any summer veg that you have an abundance of would work. Again the quantities I have given are for 4 adults, you could easily bulk this dish up with potatoes to make it go further, or even eat it as a main dish. The possibilities are endless!!

Fresh Summer Vegetable Bake - the thyme, garlic and lemon mix with the vegetable juices to create a sumptuous sauce. — Fresh Summer Vegetable Bake – the thyme, garlic and lemon mix with the vegetable juices to create a sumptuous sauce.

I’m excited to see what manner of unusual varieties of fruit and vegetables arrive in my veg box. I used to grow quite a few veggies with my lovely hubby’s help, one of the reasons being the ability to grow odd shaped squash or heirloom tomatoes. Most supermarkets only stock a scant supply of these during the summer months. Farmers Markets, however, are a treasure trove of different crops. I highly recommend, if you are able, to visit one. The experience itself is remarkable, with many stall holders happily sharing taste teasers of their wares. I’m waffling again……

Recipe : Serves 4 Adults as a Side

2 Medium Courgettes/Zucchini

2 Medium Aubergines/Egg Plant

6 Large Tomatoes

Juice of 2 Medium Lemons

Equal quantity of Olive oil (as lemons)

1 Clove Garlic – Crushed

Approx 1tbsp Fresh Thyme Leaves

Freshly Ground Black Pepper

1tsp Sea Salt

50g/2oz Parmesan Cheese – finely grated

Method : Preheat the oven to 190C/175C fan

Firstly to make the sauce.

Place the lemon juice, oil, garlic, thyme, salt and a good grinding of pepper into a jug. Whisk until combined.

The sauce will emulsify - give a quick whisk again prior to pouring over the vegetables. — The sauce will emulsify – give a quick whisk again prior to pouring over the vegetables.

Next prepare all your vegetables by slicing them to the same thickness – approx 1cm/ 1/2″.

Arrange the round slices, on their side in the baking dish.

Continue packing the veggies tightly, they will shrink slightly on cooking.

Pack the dish full. It looks soo pretty!

Pour the sauce evenly over the vegetables.... — Pour the sauce evenly over the vegetables….

The lemon juice not only makes the sauce taste delicious, it also stops the aubergines from turning brown.

Now you can grate over the Parmesan.

Your Fresh Summer Vegetable Bake is now ready for the oven.

Bake for 1 – 1 1/4 hours, until the vegetables are tender. Then remove from oven.

Mmm delicious - Fresh Summer Vegetable Bake. — Mmm delicious – Fresh Summer Vegetable Bake.

This light vegetable dish is perfect to accompany a Roast Chicken, baked fish – if the oven’s on let it do all the cooking!!!

I’d love to know if you are part of a veg box scheme, grow your own or enjoy Farmers Markets?

Sammie x

Lemon Garlic Vegetable Orzo

Hi, have I got the easiest, tastiest, make ahead side dish for you? Oh yes I have! Lemon Garlic Vegetable Orzo. Also, this dish does not disappoint as it is delicious.

While I’ve said this is a side dish, it’s also vegetarian and makes a fabulous light lunch. Likewise, adding a few shavings of Parmesan would add extra oomph for lunch, served alongside some crusty, crunchy bread.

I’m getting hungry!

While I’ve used red onion, peas, sweetcorn and red bell pepper in this dish – but feel free to switch up the veggies (celery is also good) with whatever you have on hand. Most importantly, I would say that this Lemon Garlic Vegetable Orzo is best served at room temp, or even warmed – BUT NOT COLD! Because, no matter how much lemon/oil you add, when served fridge cold the Orzo clumps together and not in a good way! So there you go, an easy recipe that doesn’t take up any room in your fridge, or require any last minute fiddling. Yay!! Because, we like easy!

Orzo with vegetables and a lemon and garlic dressing. — Lemon Garlic Vegetable Orzo

Recipe : Lemon Garlic Vegetable Orzo serves 6-8 as a side dish.

500g/1lb Packet Dried Orzo – available from most supermarkets I buy mine from Waitrose

Juice of 1 Large Lemon

1 x Small Red Onion

150ml/5fl oz Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 x Garlic Cloves – crushed

200g/7oz Frozen Peas

Medium Can Sweetcorn

Fresh Basil

Sea Salt – I use Maldon and freshly ground Black Pepper to taste

Making The Vegetarian Orzo Dish

First of all put a large pan of water on to heat up for the Orzo.

Place the lemon juice and finely diced red onion into a large bowl. Add a pinch of salt and mix together. Also leaving the onion in the lemon juice will remove the acrid taste!

As soon as the water in the pan is boiling add salt and then the Orzo. Cook according to the packet instructions, taking care not to overcook or the Orzo will simply clump together!

While the Orzo is cooking gently heat the Olive Oil and garlic together, for approximately 2 minutes on a medium heat. This allows the garlic to infuse the oil. And also the garlic is lightly cooked. Pour the garlicky oil over the onions and lemon juice.

Lemon Garlic Onions and Oil - add salt and pepper. — Lemon Garlic Onions and Oil – add salt and pepper.

Drain the Orzo as soon as it is cooked and pour straight into the bowl. Using a large slotted spoon immediately toss the Orzo in the oil/lemon juice, this will stop the Orzo from sticking together.

Place the frozen peas (I used petit pois) in the bowl and mix in with the hot Orzo.

Add the sweetcorn (drained) and the diced, red, bell pepper. And mix together with a fork, then taste for seasoning. Add salt and freshly ground pepper as necessary.

Take a handful of Basil leaves, roughly chop and sprinkle over.

Finally, cover with cling film and serve at room temperature.

This side goes fabulously with fish – Salmon especially, Chicken and Pork. Likewise, it makes a fab alternative to roast potatoes and hot veggies for a Summer roast, Also, it completely seals the deal as part of a buffet or served at a barbecue. And with very little effort needed!

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Lemon Garlic Vegetable Orzo you may also like these:

Tangy Lemon Potato Salad

FF Lemon Garlic Vegetable Orzo — Tangy Lemon Potato Salad

Crunchy Homemade Coleslaw

Roasted Summer Vegetable Orzo Salad

Enjoy feasting on this scrumptious dish and may we have many sunny days ahead to spend with friends and family, having fun round the BBQ!

Also, making sure there are hidden ‘Super-Soakers’ primed for action if it gets too hot – or boring!!!!

So, whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.

Sammie x

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Crunchy Homemade Coleslaw

Hello everyone. A big shout out to all the Mums and Dads on half-term duty. So, I have created a deliciously Crunchy Homemade Coleslaw, that all my children and us adults love. Most importantly, it’s a really good way of getting fresh vegetables onto the dinner plate and goodness into us all. Also, I should mention that this Crunchy Homemade Coleslaw tastes seriously good!

While some may argue, “Why should I make my own Coleslaw, when it’s easily available and isn’t that expensive?” Which, if you think about it, is a fair point. On occasion, I used to buy Coleslaw from the shops and each time I did I regretted it, so I stopped! Either I find ready made Coleslaw is gloopy and smothered in creamy sauce, or it seems to contain only cabbage and onion, the latter having a strong, onion, overbearing taste. Truthfully, I really don’t enjoy shop bought Coleslaw. Finally, I’ve said it!

Pretty bamboo fibre bowl with decorative flowers around the outside edge, containing a no cook, easy side dish. — Crunchy Homemade Coleslaw

While I like onion in my Coleslaw, I don’t like it to have a nasal clearing, strong, over powering taste. So, I’ve come up with a solution. First of all, I use red onions, which are generally sweeter than white onions, then I slice them thinly and soak them in lemon juice with a sprinkle of salt. And the acidity of the lemon juice draws out all the acridness from the onions, leaving them sweet and crunchy. Resulting in a balance of flavours.

Pretty red onions add a super sweetness to this Coleslaw!

Because we enjoy this coleslaw so much, I always make a big bowl. Since it’s great to eat alongside fish and potato wedges, fabulous with my Better Than Takeout Pizza, burgers, or in place of salad with any meal.

Recipe : Crunchy Homemade Coleslaw serves 6 as side dish.

1/2 Medium White or Red Cabbage

1 Medium Red Onion

3 Medium Carrots (or 2 large)

1 Lemon

1/2 tsp Sea Salt – I use Maldon

Approximately 5 Heaped Tablespoons of Mayonnaise (I use full fat mayo)

1/2 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Making The Lemon Mayonnaise For The Coleslaw

First of all, take the lemon, cut in half and squeeze it into a large bowl, feel free to use your favourite citrus juicer!

Watch out for any pips!!! — Watch out for any pips!

Now cut the red onion in half and slice as thinly as possible into half moons. Break up the onion and add to the lemon juice in the bowl. Sprinkle over the sea salt and using your fingers mix the onion half moons, breaking them apart as you go, into the lemon juice.

Set aside for 10 minutes whilst you prep the cabbage.

Take half a medium white cabbage and remove the tough core. Cut the cabbage into 3 sections and finely shred them with a sharp knife.

In the bowl with the onions and lemon juice add 4-5 heaped tablespoons of your favourite mayonnaise. Mix thoroughly so that the lemon juice becomes incorporated into the mayonnaise. Add 1/2tsp of freshly ground black pepper.

The onions should now be in a thickish, lump free sauce.

Adding The Cabbage And Carrots To The Marinating Onions

The lemon juice thins out the mayonnaise, so the resulting sauce is smooth and creamy, but not gloopy, thick and claggy like some ready made coleslaw. Add the shredded cabbage on top of the onions and sauce in the bowl.

All we need now are the carrots!!!! — All we need now are the carrots!

Trim off the tops and bottoms of the carrots, peel and then grate using the coarse side of a box grater.

Place the grated carrot in the bowl.

"Hi there - you've been Tango-ed!!!" — “Hi there – you’ve been Tango-ed!!!”

Finally, mix all the ingredients together thoroughly and you have yourself some top notch, Crunchy, Homemade Coleslaw.

I'm not a side dish - I'm the main attraction!!! — I’m not a side dish – I’m the main attraction!!!

If not using straight away, cover in cling film and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. While this coleslaw is at it’s best the day you make it, you can refrigerate and eat the following day.

Put me on a jacket potato and dive in!!!!

Also, this is a fantastically portable dish and is great for taking to family and friend gatherings. And it is ideal for buffets, it’s easy to double, triple or quadruple the quantities. While being easy to make, inexpensive, cheaper and way more delicious than the shop bought alternative. As soon as you try this recipe I can guarantee you’ll think twice before buying shop bought Coleslaw again!

Finally, please let me know how you get on, I love to read your comments.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Crunchy Homemade Coleslaw you may also like these:

Roasted Summer Vegetable Orzo Salad

Fresh Basil Topped Slow Roasted Tomatoes

Lime Couscous

We love this coleslaw recipe here at home. Because it is so easy to make ahead and leave sitting in the fridge and it also tastes so good too. Since the ingredients cost very little, compared to ready made coleslaw, it makes good economical sense to make it myself. And, as with most homemade recipes, there isn’t any plastic waste either. Resulting in a great recipe that is good for us and good for the planet too.

So, whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.

Sammie x

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.