inspiration please!!!!

[redsofas]

Food shopping day and i am sick of making the same old meals all the time, need some inspiration please!!!!
please do not suggest:
lasagne
spag bol
shepards or cottage pie
fish pie
sweet and sour chicken
toad in the hole
sausage and mash
fish and chips

anything but those we all like pasta, fish, chicken, lamb, rice.

thankyou!!!

Ok well one of our favourites is lamb pittas.

Fry off onion and garlic and add some cumin and any other spices you want.

Allow to cool and then add to a bowl with lamb mince. Shape into little patties, flour and shallow fry.

We have them in pittas with crispy lettuce and tomato and salsa and sour cream or sour cream & onion dip.

YUM!

mmmmmmmmm sounds nice that will be one of our meals this week
anymore anyone???

Chicken casserole?
I brown some chicken quarters then chuck them in a casserole dish with some leeks, mushrooms, baby corn, carrots & peas. Add enough chicken stock to cover and pop in the oven for about 2-3 hours. About half an hour from the end I add some chicken bisto to thicken the sauce. I just serve it with some crusty bread

Scoopy out jacket potatoes - bake/micro potatoes then cut them in half and scoop out the flesh. Mash with sour cream and fold in some grated cheese, chopped onion, sweetcorn, cooked bacon & peppers (whatever you fancy. Spoon the mix back into the potato shells & pop under a grill till the top goes a bit crispy. You can serve them as a side with sausages, chops, steak or on their own

Smokey Sausage casserole.

Risotto (Mushroom/chicken/pancetta and squash)

They're my current new made-up recipes. Would you like either?

Toad in the mash?
Sweet & sour shepherd?

We're having chicken kiev tonight

curry? stir fry? Oh i made a yummy thing the other night, chopped up red peppers, aubergine, halloumi cheese, mixed all up with some olive oil & herbs & spread out on a stoneware dish then put slices of pork fillet on top - cooked for about 40 mins in hot-ish oven. Had it with a rocket salad - yum.

ooooooooo i'd like the recipie for smoky sausage casserole please manic mummy sounds yummy.
Jacket potatoe scoopy things with steak sound good too.
Pmsl at Iklboo
Ds1 (3.7) hates spicy food so curry's out of the question minimoo your yummy thing from the other night sounds good though

Smokey Sausage casserole:

It's a bit of a store cupboard/what's left in the fridge so I hope this makes sense. If you can't find smoked paprika in the supermarket I'd try a bit of chopped choritzio instead)

Half an onion chopped into strips
Crushed garlic (large clove or whatever you like)
Pack of nice sausages (lincoln or cumberland are good as already flavoured)
1 tbsp Plain flour
Smoked paprika
Peppers (I really like to add 3 or 4 of these whole. They are hot so if anyone's a bit wimpy give their share to someone else. Or an ordinary pepper will do chopped into strips)
Can of beans or lentils (Canellini/berlotti/flagolet all work well)
About 3/4 to a pint of liquid (stock/water)
Red wine if you have some spare
2 tsp Balsamic vinegar if you have some
Honey to taste (no idea why but it works)

Cook the onion in a little oil, then add the garlic, then seal the sausages before adding peppers, paprika and vinegar.

Turn down the heat and sprinkle in the flour. Give it a stir so it coats everything.

Add some of the liquid to the pan to deglaze it. Then add the rest of the liquid so everything is covered, add the beans/lentils and turn the heat up.

Leave to simmer until done. Alternatively use less liquid, bung a lid on and stick it in the oven.

I serve this with rice and veg.

I've also made this with chicken. I don't see why you couldn't use beef or pork. Or even throw in some potatoes to the pot.

Forgot to say add the red wine at same time as the vinegar. About a good slug and then use proportionately less liquid.

Honey is added after beans, about 1 tsp.

Sorry I usually just sort of lob things in and so all measurements are guesstimates.

mmmmmm yum thanks manicmummy perfect for horrid wintry days!

also redsofas i was thinking of getting a slow cooker, people seem to rave about them, have you got one?? I am thinking will open up a whole new world of recipes!!

Slow cookers rock! Minimal fuss, can do other stuff (like this or housework )while they are doing their thing, cheaper cuts taste great, all the goodness stays in the food. Also added bonus - one pot to wash.

Tesco direct have them for a tenner.

(Apologies - slow cooker evangelist, me )