Sarah's Mexican Meat-free Madness

Hello bloggers

Today on my journey through the kitchen I stumbled upon a 'leftover' dish that actually turned out pretty good!

I bought quorn a while ago to see if it was financially economical. I have to say it's extremely easy to use, it can be used straight from the freezer which is awesome, especially when you are an exhausted mother who is trying to write up her PhD in any free time she has. Anyway, I used quorn a while ago for tacos and it didn't really work that well, so tonight I thought I might give it another go.

Ingredients

Quorn
Onion
Garlc
Can of refried beans
Enchilada jar (the one with the enchilada seasoning powder on top)
Tomato puree
Water
Chilli flakes
Chilli powder

I think that's all...I can't remember what else I put in.

OK, so soften the onions and the garlc and add the quorn with a little boiled water. Once its all soft add the enchiada powder, enchilada sauce and tomato puree ( one big squeese is enough, all these imgredents are 'to taste so more can be added later)

Mix all that through and add the refried beans. Now, taste and add more tomato puree if it needs a bit more of a tang. Once its tasting all good add your chilli flakes and chilli powder to taste. Serve with corriander rice (rice with corriander chopped and mixed through, obviously!)

Now, I know that may sound a bit...gross...but honestly...try it!

Gas and Air

For anyone who gets constant headaches...this is my ideal pain relief solution...everyone loves a bit of Gas and Air...

Baby Friendly 10 minute pasta n' sauce

With a PhD thesis looming and a baby to look after I'm all for 10-minute meals...this meal takes as long as the pasta takes to cook and is quite yummy (Andrew almost didn't get any...)

Ingredients:

• Baby pasta (or normal and cut it up)
• Oil (I used Rapeseed 'cos it's slightly better for you)
• Tomatoes (I used baby tomatoes but big ones will do too)
• Tomato pureé
• Baby stock cube (your prefered flavour, I used veg)
• Water
• Herbs (basil and thyme are good, thyme is very rich in iron (more than spinach I think) but you can use any other herbs you like)
• dash of lemon juice (to taste)

Put the pasta on to cook, while you do chop the tomatoes small and chop the herbs. put some oil (just a little) in the pan and put it on a low heat.

Add the tomatoes and herbs and a little water (just a little) and then cut about 1/3 of the stock cube off and chop it up and add it to the pan. Put the rest of the stock cube in the fridge. I don't know if you can re-use stock once it's open, I do though, but don't if you think its bad!

Using a wooden spoon mix the stock into the mixture.

Add the pureé and the dash of lemon (and anything else I've left out!) and gently warm until the pasta is cooked. Add water to taste depending on how much stock you added and how strong you want it. Voila! Done! :)

Andrew seemed to like it anyway...

Charity Shop Bag

Ok...so I'm maybe a bit addicted now, but today I made a messenger bag for Andrew's stuff that cost in total about £4...Who says babies have to be expensive, eh?

The main fabric was £2 for two large curtains in a charity shop (originally from Next I think) and the lining was just plain blue bed linen for about £2 in the same charity shop. The pattern is free (my favourite price) can be found here. It really is a very easy tutorial! A must try for any crafty (or non crafty) mum-to be, or general crafty-type person!

Rioters and the Old Spice add...

Hello Rioters. Look at your friend, now back to me; now look at your friend, now back to me!


Sadly he isn't me, but if he stopped using antisocial behaviour and started using the job centre he could be like me.


Look down, back up. Where are we? You're at an interview with the man your friend could work for!


What's in his hand? It's an application form to that job he needs. Look again, the form is now money!


Anything is possible when you get a job and stop looting like an idiot.


I'm at a desk.

Home Made Nachos, The Healthy Alternative

Hello bloggers!

If anyone here knows me, they know that nachos are my vice! Every time I make them I can hear my Mother's voice in my head, so I thought why not make a healthy version using tortillas...

Home Made Nachos

First, lay your tortillas out on the chopping board, spray that side with that 1 calorie spray and cut into 8 pieces

Put each piece onto a baking tray with a metal grid on it oily side down and spray the other side of the pieces.  If you want to season your nachos with salt, chili flakes or anything yummy like that then add them at this point. If you have a deep-fat-fryer and are only really seeking to achieve ultimate home-made snack satisfaction rather than a healthy alternative then chuck them all in your fryer and in about 2 minutes they'll be done.  I, sadly, can still hear my mother telling me that's an awful thing to do so we'll continue on with the healthy alternative...

Turn your grill on to about 4 and put your nachos under it. Watch them carefully...lets just say my smoke alarm definitely works...

They will take a little longer to cook under the grill but it'll be worth it knowing you have saved yourself from another night of guilt and indulgence...

When they look lovely and brown (but not too brown) take them out and turn them over and brown the other side and then chuck them into a colander to cool-down and crisp-up for a few minutes and hey-presto, nachos!

Just add the usual...salsa, guacamole, grated cheese, soured cream, jalapenos and put back under the grill for a bit! 

Ta Da!

Today's Useless Crap

I've not been on this much since Andrew's been born, I guess you could say I found more fulfilling things to do with my time (more fulfilling than the internet?!) but I haven't forgotten my little blog! I don't think anyone ever really reads these properly, except when I decide to have a good rant, 'cos apparently people love reading a good rant. I got a couple of those I could start on, but since you never really know who's reading I better not. Besides, in an age of 'political correctness' is there really such a thing as 'freedom of speech'? Everything I say will, in turn, offend someone else (I'm offended by that!). 


Having a child makes you realise a couple of things. Firstly, it's amazing how much you can get done while your baby sleeps. Motherhood takes women to a whole new level of multitasking, and Fatherhood seems to teach men the basics of multitasking (there...I went and did it...I offended someone...). While multitasking is now a primal instinct, baby brain has left me a bit...damaged...and unable to function at times! I've forgotten the point I was trying to make, so you'll have to make do with my tangential rambling for now.


A little side note...does anyone know how I tell my mac that I want my spelling checked with the proper dictionary...sorry I mean the English dictionary, rather than the American?