Sunday 29 September 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 40


Last week wasn't too bad weather wise in the end. It poured hard on Friday when I was on the way to work but we didn't get the full week of rain that they were predicting. It's got decidedly colder though and the heating has come on which is nice in the mornings. Pierre has just bought a new coat for the winter so it must be cooling down as I've been nagging him about it for months ! Last week was a busy week at work with the school cross country competition taking up my Wednesday morning off and a school open day after work on Friday. This week will seem calmer by comparison. Here's what we're eating this week. Pierre loved the steak so I think I'll defrost another pack of that.

Monday

lunch- school lunch 

dinner - creamy pork with rice and green beans

Tuesday

lunch- beef tacos (to use up the leftover taco shells from last week)

dinner- tomatoey meatball & chickpea couscous

Wednesday

lunch- leftovers

dinner- battered fish, rice, carrots and peas

Thursday

lunch- school lunch

dinner- steak, baked potatoes and carrots

Friday

lunch- school lunch

dinner spicy chicken pasta

Saturday

lunch- the rest of the meatballs with pasta and tomato sauce

dinner- marry me chicken with mash

Sunday


dinner - leftovers or soup

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Wednesday 25 September 2024

Cookery book review : Potato Total - Stefan Ekengren


When you need a quick meal and the cupboards and fridge are pretty much bare, if you stumble across a bag of potatoes, things instantly start looking up. The choices are almost limitless - boiled, mashed, roast, made into chips or wedges, sautéed, baked, ... You could get a bit more adventurous and knock up a cottage pie, potato fritters, loaded potatoes, fish pie, ... The book does start with these very basic ideas, giving you instructions on making simple side dishes like mashed potatoes, boiled potatoes or chips. A quick flick through the pages may give you the initial impression that it is too simple and way below your level of cooking. Don't give up though, it's definitely worth a closer look. 

Chef Stefan Ekengren starts off with an in-depth look at his experience cooking potatoes, leading into a detailed run-through of the various varieties of potato that he likes the most and how they can best be used. It was interesting to read about how some potatoes are floury while others are waxy, but sadly the more in-depth look at some of the 5,000 varieties available ended up largely useless as he focuses on those available to him in Sweden. I'd never even heard of Folva, Snöball or Rättviks röd, let alone seen them on the shelves of the local supermarket.

His Nordic roots come into their own later in the book when he starts sharing recipes though. I'd never even heard of many of the family-friendly, fairly simple dishes that he explains but they really appeal to me. Lobscouse, which looks better than it sounds - a child-friendly mix of mashed potatoes and beef that I will be trying very soon. Löksälta, a very simple but delightful-sounding dish to share with the family. Pitepalt, or meat-filled dumplings. Pickled potatoes - gherkins, onions, even eggs, but potatoes? The idea had never even crossed my mind. Definitely all things that I would like to try.

Other dishes take us out of his Scandinavian homeland and further afield. Papas arragadas from the Canary Islands, potato focaccia from Puglia, Finnish potato casserole, tortilla vaga from Spain, ... So many things to try and you won't even need to use your passport !

Yet more dishes speak to my soul, leaving me wondering why I'd never thought of them. Pressed potatoes, a cheeky twist on roast potatoes that look and sound too good to ignore. Delicate potato roses that look magnificent but sound totally achievable. Salmon pudding, evocative of a delicate potato and fish sandwich that I'm sure the kids would love. 

Even as someone who has been eating and cooking with potatoes since my earliest years, the 90-odd recipes in this book had me looking at potatoes in new ways, excited and intrigued about trying this store-cupboard basic in original and totally unimagined ways. With the cost-of-living crisis still biting hard, it's fabulous to find a book of recipes that uses basically everything you already have in the fridge or the cupboards. On the front cover of the book, it says "Timeless Recipes for Every Home Cook". Whatever your level of cooking skills and whoever you are cooking for, I think that's perfectly true.


star rating : 4.5/5


Editor: by Stefan Ekengren 

Features: Full colour, hardcover, stitch bound, 192 pages

 Format: 18 × 24 cm, 7 x 9 ½ inches 

Price: € 35 (D) £ 30 $ 50 (US) 

ISBN: 978-3-96704-164-4 

@gestalten #gestaltenbooks


Also available on amazon here.


Disclosure : I received a review copy of the book in order to share my honest opinion.

Sunday 22 September 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 39


We're heading into a full week of rain this week apparently so it might be time to start scheduling some winter warmers. I have lots of leftovers in the fridge to use up for the start of the week, as well as some steak. It was on the reduced-for-quick-sale yellow stickered items when I went shopping so I grabbed four packs to fill up the freezer. Friday is our school open day after school so that will probably end up as Deliveroo by the time I get home. Here's the plan for this week.

Monday

lunch- school lunch 

dinner - sausages, onions, peppers, tomatoes with pasta

Tuesday

lunch- Provençal chicken with rice and carrots

dinner- steak, baked potatoes and peas

Wednesday

lunch- chicken burgers, rice and ratatouille

dinner- mince tacos

Thursday

lunch- school lunch

dinner- pasta carbonara


Friday

lunch- school lunch

dinner - Deliveroo

Saturday

lunch- chicken & veg stir fry with noodles

dinner- spaghetti bolognese

Sunday

lunch- BBQ chicken with rice and green beans

dinner - leftovers

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Wednesday 18 September 2024

Degustabox September 2024 review


Since our last Degustabox delivery, we've all gone back to school so I was hoping that this month's box would contain cooking shortcuts (such as sauces or flavouring sachets), snacks for the kids and quick things for Pierre to throw together for lunches on his own. I was therefore pleased to see that that was exactly what was tucked away inside this month's box. Here's what we discovered.

 

First up, I pulled out this packet of Truly Nuts! Fired Up Hot Chilli Mixed Nuts (RRP £1.30) which contain Brazil nuts, almonds and mixed nuts. I found them a bit too spicy for my tastes but Pierre happily gobbled them up. Other Degustaboxers got Always Stoked Smoked Nuts which sound like they would appeal to me more.

MYOM Original Oat Drink Premix (RRP £1.10) is made from a creamy blend of oats and fortified with calcium, iodine and vitamins B12 and D3. Just add water and shake to create a fresh and clean oat milk. Each pouch makes 500ml of oat milk and takes up less space in the cupboard and in your shopping bag than a carton of milk. Available at https://myom.shop/


This month's Product of the Month is Tilda Saag Aloo Limited Edition Rice (RRP £1.54). I scuttled off to google to check out exactly what saag aloo is and discovered that it is a classic Indian-style side dish featuring potatoes fried in spices and spinach. The pouch of rice can be eaten on its own or as a side dish to curry. I've left it in the cupboard for Pierre when he's eating lunch home alone. It is gluten free and needs just two minutes in the microwave or three minutes in a pan. Available at all major supermarkets.


Smint Strawberry XXL Tin (RRP £1.50) are three times bigger than regular Smint, but what surprised me the most was the flavour. I said to Pierre that I thought they were minty and he replied "they are. Strawberry mint." That blew my mind (who would ever put mint and strawberry flavours together ?!) so I tried one and I have to admit, it does work. They're refreshing and decidedly fruity. Perfect for keeping in your desk at work or in the glove box of the car. Available at all major supermarkets.


Maggi have a new range of Air Fryer Seasoning Mixes (RRP 3 x 99p) and we received three products to try, Shawarma, Piri Piri and Fajita. I don't have an Air Fryer but I didn't let that put me off and used them with chicken baked in the oven. It worked perfectly and was packed with flavour and spice that we loved. They are a quick and convenient way of livening up your mealtimes with minimal effort. Available in all major supermarkets.

 

Lu Le Petit Cookie (RRP £1.99) somehow sounds a lot more sophisticated than if it was in English. I'm not sure I'd be tempted by a product called The Little Biscuit, but its French sophistication gives it a little je ne sais quoi. Packed with rich, chunky chocolate chips, it is decidedly délicieux ! Available in all major supermarkets.

Jordans Limited Edition Blueberry Crumble Country Crisp (RRP £3.60) has my name written all over it. Imagine a bowlful of light and crispy golden oat clusters alongside sweet and chewy blueberry pieces. As an added surprise, it even turns the milk purple ! It is utterly delicious and the only bad thing is that it is a limited edition so you'll have to get in quick. Available at Tesco, Asda and Ocado.


Knorr Red Wine Stock Pots (RRP £1.90) are a quick and convenient way of adding richness and flavour to casseroles and stews. I never have a bottle of wine kicking about in the kitchen cupboard for when a recipe calls for it, so this is a great alternative. Each stock pot is enriched with half a glass of rich red wine, as well as rosemary and thyme, to add some oomph to your dishes. Knorr suggest using it in shepherd's pie, stews and spaghetti bolognese, which I can imagine would add some lovely depth of flavour. I have decided to welcome in the cooler weather with a tasty beef bourguignon - can't wait ! Available at Ocado and Asda.

 

Cirio Pasta Sauce (RRP £2.25) is a new range of products from the popular tomato producers. We got Roma Bacon flavour which combines the rounded taste of tomatoes with smoked bacon in a sauce approaching the flavours of amatriciana sauce. It is quick and simple to prepare, just needing to be poured over pasta and mixed in, with a topping of grated cheese or parmesan (or both, if you're a total cheese lover like Juliette !). Other subscribers got Bologna Vegan Ragu. Coming soon to Ocado.

Acti + Clean Energy Drink (RRP £1.50) is a new drink option, combining nootropics vitamins, and minerals, to help boost performance and focus. Sugar-free and guilt-free, it supports mental sharpness, reduces tiredness and enhances immunity. Available in Strawberry & Dragonfruit and Peach & Apricot flavour (which we got and all thought was very tasty), it's a refreshing way to give yourself a little boost. Available at Tesco, Holland & Barrett and online.


I was very happy to discover more seasoning sachets, this time from Flava It (RRP 2 x £1.10). These No Fuss seasoning sachets are perfect for providing tasty, exciting food with very little effort. Just shake over pork, chicken or beef, then stir into the meat as you fry it in a frying pan. Just the time to boil up some rice, pasta or potatoes to go with it and dinner is ready. We got to try Smoky BBQ and Chinese Style, which are two of the most popular flavours, and we loved both of them. Other flavour varieties include Garden Mint, Piri Piri and Garlic & Herb. Great for when you're short on time or energy or if you want to provide some simple cooking options for your kids when they head off to uni. Available at Tesco, Morrisons and Ocado.

A subscription to Degustabox costs £12.99 per month including delivery, with each box having a value of much more than that, but the great news is, I have a discount coupon code for you which means you'll get the first box for just £9.99 - enter code PKUFE at the checkout. 


for more information :

Also now on Instagram @DegustaboxUK

Disclosure : We received the box in order to write an honest review. As a Degustabox blogger, I receive all of the products that go into the monthly boxes, but subscribers may not get exactly the same selection.

Sunday 15 September 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 38


We've all slotted back into our routines at school and Pierre has already had a couple of marks that he is very chuffed with. My week wasn't quite so good. Somehow I managed to slip down the last couple of steps on my way to work and now I'm hobbling about like a 90-year-old with a huge bruise on my back. I can't stand up or sit down easily so that leaves standing up or lying down. It wouldn't be too bad if I could spend all day on the settee but unfortunately I still have to go to work. It happened on Tuesday so I'm hoping the pain will disappear pretty soon. Things can only get better, right ?! Here's what we're planning to eat this week. Some things are being reposted from last week as Juliette very kindly made egg, ham and cheese stuffed pancakes on one of her days home.

Monday

lunch- school lunch 

dinner - spare ribs and baked potatoes

Tuesday

lunch- fish, spicy couscous and carrots

dinner- sweet & sour chicken with noodles

Wednesday

lunch- pasta carbonara

dinner- chilli con carne with rice

Thursday

lunch- school lunch

dinner- sausages, mash, peas and carrots

Friday

lunch- school lunch

dinner - chicken and veg pie with mash

Saturday

lunch- beefburgers, pasta and ratatouille

dinner- takeaway (pizza maybe?)

Sunday

lunch- roast chicken dinner

dinner - soup

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Sunday 8 September 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 37


Last week went well. My first week at school confirmed that this year, my classes are pretty good. No problems with the pupils I have - so far so good but we know that we have space in all of our classes for kids that get expelled from other schools but I'll take it while it lasts ! Pierre settled in alright at lycée (high school) and the girls are in the process of resigning up to uni but their lessons don't really start for another week or so. Sophie is back home for a while and Juliette is too but buzzing about with her boyfriend. Temperatures have finally dropped and it's nice to be able to breathe again. I'm actually wearing a jumper today for the first time in months ! Here's what we are planning to eat this week.

Monday

lunch- school lunch 

dinner - chicken tacos with guacamole and rice

Tuesday

lunch- fishfingers with mash, peas and carrots

dinner- cordon bleu with pasta

Wednesday

lunch- chicken sausages with rice and ratatouille

dinner- pasta carbonara

Thursday

lunch- lunch with Sophie in town

dinner- steak, chips and peas 

Friday

lunch- school lunch

dinner - fricadelles, rice and veg

Saturday

lunch- quiche lorraine with potatoes and salad

dinner- kebabs

Sunday

lunch- chicken, baked potatoes and broccoli

dinner - soup

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Sunday 1 September 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 36


And we're into a new school year. My timetable isn't bad this year. I have Tuesday morning and Wednesday off which breaks up the week nicely. The classes all seem pretty good and, although there are some pupils I don't know, I have lots of nice kids from previous years that I haven't seen for a while. I finish at 4.30 every day which is a bit of a killer but I can't complain. I'm also not a form teacher this year which is a relief. More big news from last week - they finally finished the roof repairs, closing a chapter that has been dragging on for almost two years ! The girls are back to uni and Pierre is starting at lycée (high school) so most lunchtimes will be at school for everyone now. Here's the plan for this week.

Monday

lunch- fried rice with ham, onions and peas (just me - Pierre has school lunch offered today for first day back)

dinner - beef tacos with guacamole and rice

Tuesday

lunch- egg and chips or fried egg and ham sandwich (just me)

dinner- Honey sesame chicken with rice

Wednesday



Thursday

lunch- school lunch


Friday

lunch- school lunch

dinner - paprika pork with pasta

Saturday

lunch- sweet & sour chicken with noodles


Sunday

lunch- spaghetti bolognese

dinner - baked potatoes with creamy Boursin chicken

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

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