Recipe review club

[GlumyGloomer]

I love trying out new recipes, and thought it would be fun to have a thread where we try stuff out and report back. Source must be cited and link provided if online. Photos encouraged.

Tonight I'll be making asian aubergine wedges, from Nadiya Hussain's Time to Eat book.
I like the taste of aubergine but have grave doubts about the texture. Still, I'm being brave and giving this a go.
Worth noting that I leave the chilli out of everything so that the dd's can eat it (I add at the table).

Anyone fancy joining me? (Waits for tumbleweed...)

@TheGhostofGlumy that's a good idea, there's a steak recipe I like the look of so might give that a go before deciding.

I need to start putting together my shopping list today for the week ahead so if anyone has any ideas let me know. There was a Mary Berry salmon recipe on Happy Foodie I might try.

@Chocoqueen what sort of recipe are you looking for? Quick midweek or more involved?

I've made these a couple of times. You have to add egg to bind them (whatever the recipe says) but they're tasty.
www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/mushroom-chickpea-burgers

@TheGhostofGlumy for week nights I generally prefer quick and easy but given I'm wfh at the moment this isn't a necessity.

Those burgers look great, although DH isn't a fan of mushrooms (unless they're in a sauce and he can't taste them).

I was thinking spaghetti bolognese on Wednesday and Thursday and salmon on Friday, so only tomorrow and Tuesday to think of now!

Bosh vegan goulash got the thumbs up here. It was really easy, tasted great (particularly the dumplings) and it’s a decent portion. One criticism was it didn’t taste enough of paprika given it was sold as a goulash so I’ll up that next time.

The butternut soup was great, although I confess I deviated a bit from the recipe. My squash was tiny, so I made up the weight with sweet potato. Instead of chilli I used a couple of spoons of my homemade curry paste. It worked really well. We had it with barley and potato flatbread, from the Nordic Bakery book, which were also very nice.

Purple that looks yummy, I love a good dumpling.

www.allrecipes.com/recipe/8778/cajun-chicken-pasta/

Made this one tonight but served with rice.
No heavy cream but had creme fraiche,added some chicken stock,extra chilli and thickened with cornflour. Delicious 😋

I actually tried that butternut squash soup recipe a few weeks ago and thought it was lovely. During this past week DH made Nigel Sister's stir fry pork with lime, mint and cashew nuts which I can highly recommend. I'm planning to "source" (buy from a shop) some duck legs for that Venetian ragu dish this week, first time cooking with duck so fingers crossed.

@PurpleDaisies mmm, looks good. Toddler loves beans and I love dumplings, so i may need to try that one!
@FrenchBoule also sounds good! I'm getting hungry.
We made some bog standard fairy cakes in the end, did the job! Toddler enjoyed helping to decorate, she only took a bite out of one of them while she was at it (after she ate one of course) www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/cupcakes

@FrenchBoule Wow, that looks amazing. I've emailed the recipe to myself 👍

Also, if anyone has a favourite fish in a foil parcel recipe please could they share it. Planning to visit the fish man in his van too if Tuesday goes to plan.

@imicola your fairy cakes look perfect, I can just taste those hundreds and thousands.

Ooh, more good looking photos (feeling bad I always forget after suggesting it in the op).
@FrenchBoule I may have a go at that one.
@Imicola those look great, it's lovely getting the kids involved.
Dd2 (14 months) decided not to have a nap today. I am a nervous wreak, but thankfully she's finally gone to sleep now. One down, one to go...

@Frenchboule that chicken looks fab, I've saved the recipe for the future.

@PersicariaBistortaSuperba argh, I made one a few weeks ago but can't remember what I put with it! I've just found this one which I might try: cafedelites.com/honey-garlic-butter-salmon-in-foil/

We "accidentally" ended up at pizza hut (DH's choice) today so no more cooking for me until Wednesday.... tomorrow will be leftovers from last night, and Tuesday will be leftover pizza. Any ideas on how to fill my evenings?? 😂

@Chocoqueen learn a musical instrument?Or Esperanto maybe? Enjoy your time off

[https://www.tastesoflizzyt.com/beefy-mexican-rice-soup/]

I used kidney beans instead of black beans, added mixed peppers, more garlic and chilli and topped with a dollop of sour cream, cheese and crushed tortilla chips. So tasty 🤤.

Link fail www.tastesoflizzyt.com/beefy-mexican-rice-soup/

@Lonelynow That looks lovely, what is a Dutch oven though? I can recommend @GlumyGloomer's mushroom pasta recipe, it's definitely not diet food! Delicious.

A Dutch oven is just a casserole dish with a lid, like a le creuset.

Oh, and thanks for the inspiration @Chocoqueen just need to get the fish bought.

In that case it turns I had one sitting on the hob all along!

@Persicariabistortasuperba no problem, let me know how it turns out!

@Theghostofglumy dankon pro la ideoj 😀. In the end I went for a run and did some yoga instead as I didn't have time to exercise morning.

@Lonelynow the soup looks fab, though I must say you've been very restrained with the sour cream, cheese and tortilla chips.

In the interests of sharing, this is a photo (hopefully) of the peri peri chicken which I'll be reheating tonight 🥵🥵

@ginger87 the rest of the tortilla chips and sour cream will be consumed on the sofa whilst watching Netflix later 😂

@Ginger87 probable pli bona uzo de via tempo
The chicken looks good, I'm not sure I'd have the nerve to put it straight onto the oven shelf though.

I used Rick Stein's pasta alla trapanese recipe which is really a pesto made with almonds instead of pine nuts.

Very nice, rather more-ish. I think it works best with a smaller portion of pasta and a large salad. I didn't over process the almonds so as to leave a little texture. Actually very nice with salad, could almost be made as a dressing with a little extra oil. If you needed to add meat, it's definitely suited to left over chicken.
I think it will go into the rota for one of our meat free nights, but not on the once-a-week rota.
It's quite therapeutic, if a little time consuming, to blanch the almonds and pop them from their skins!