Year: 2019

1 Chicken 4 Different Meals

As the year moves on into autumn and winter im more determined to look at the money i am spending on food and questioning every purchase and when i went shopping this week i bought a whole chicken which was £2.59 and weighed 1.38kg. This chicken is the perfect size for two people and my aim is to make 4 different meals from it which will also serve 2 people, 8 plates of food (and a couple more in places) 32p approx per person per plate!!!

First step was to cook the chicken and as always i cooked mine in the slow cooker (i will link how i do this below). Once it was cooked i let it cool and stripped it from the carcass divided it into 4 portions and planned my meals.

https://julesthelazycook.co.uk/2017/09/13/slow-cooker-chicken/

Meal 1 – Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients

Chicken portioned from the whole chicken cook previously

2 x carrots

1 x vegetable stock pot or cube

1 x nest of dried noodles

1 x leek

Finely chop leek and fry off in pan on high heat, dice carrots and add them, add vegetable stock, cover with water to approx 25mm over contents you may need to add more water depending on how thick/thin you like your soups, bring to the boil then reduce to simmer

After approx 10mins of cooking add the cooked chicken and dried noodles the stock will cook them, once the noodles separate cut them into smaller lengths with a pair of scissors. The key is to get the carrots partly cooked so try and keep the dice small and they will cook quicker – cook for a further 5 to 10mins check seasoning and your done! This recipe made 3 big portions.

Meal 2 – Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

Use cooked chicken

Cooked pasta

2 x tablespoons of light pesto

dollop of cream cheese (any you like) i used primula

reserve some pasta water to help make the sauce

add any vegetables you like – i used the ones that were lurking in the bottom of my fridge

This is a really easy one but makes a fantastic quick filling meal – here is what i did, softened half a red onion, added some mushrooms cooked for approx 3 more mins added the cooked chicken and some tomatoes, add a splash of pasta water stops the chicken burning and ensures it heats through properly. I then added the cooked pasta, 2 tablespoons of pesto and a dollop of cream cheese together with a small amount of pasta water this will help the pesto and cream cheese create a silky smooth sauce. Once cooked this actually made 3 big portions, i weigh out my dry pasta and as a rule of thumb pasta cooked is double the weight of dry pasta.

Meal 3 – Spicentice Chinese Chicken Curry

This is one of my favourites and its so easy to make and now we are using cooked chicken its going to make the cooking even easier – the key for this meal is to reduce the sauce the get a thick ish covering over the chicken and vegetables. Video below of how i cooked it without using flour.

This meal can also be made in the slow cooker but i would only use this method if you are making 4 portions – its linked her if you want to give it a try.

https://julesthelazycook.co.uk/2018/04/06/spicentice-chinese-chicken-curry-slowcooker/

Spice Kit is from https://www.spicentice.com/ use discount code Jules 20 for 20% off any order #ad

https://videopress.com/v/JJQHxY5j?preloadContent=metadata

Meal 4 – Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pie

Ohhhh yes this is the real deal and totally worth every calorie, syn or points whichever diet you are following.

You can easily reduce the amount of pastry you need by using a smaller pie dish or indiviual casserole dishes or even just pop a pastry heart on top, when i plated up the pie served 3 portions.

I used Tesco light puff pastry from the chilled section it worked just as well as other branded products and a fraction of the cost, leftover pastry was placed in the freezer for another day.

I hope you have enjoyed this feature and in the future i will be making more money saving videos even i have found this a useful exercise and questioning why am i buying food i dont need when i have cupboards and freezers full of food!

Linked here are a couple of extra videos that also fit in with this topic

https://julesthelazycook.co.uk/2019/10/04/clearing-down-my-freezer-saving-money-food-planning/

https://julesthelazycook.co.uk/2019/10/11/my-30-tesco-food-shopping-target/

by julessmithie

Melt in the Middle Chocolate Oats

I have wanted to make this type of baked oats for ages but never really found a chocolate spread i liked. That all changed when i bought the Sweet Freedom Choc Pot spread which i absolutely love – gooey chocolate recipes coming up lol.

These little pots really hit the spot when you need something sweet to eat, fantastic at breakfast time or as an after dinner pudding.

by julessmithie

Spicentice Vegan Sausage Pie

Im a huge fan of Spicentice and was really excited to try out the new Vegan range they have created however, as i have said in the video for me personally moving to a vegan diet is just not for me but i have huge amounts of respect for anyone who makes changes to their lifestyle and diet.

The kit is supposed to be shepherds pie but after a vote on my Facebook page the finished meal as you will see is Vegetarian Sausage Pie and i have to say it was the right decision the end meal was delicious.

Moving forward im going to try and create 1 Vegetarian recipe per week and have 1 meat free day per week so these kits will really help me on this new venture.

Spice Kits are from https://www.spicentice.com/ use discount code Jules 20 for 20% off any order ( #ad)

by julessmithie

One Week Of Lunches

Every month or so on my Facebook Page i run a feature which is either food ideas or ideas to minimise food waste – this is the latest feature and one that went down a storm. I hadn’t realised that so many struggled with lunch ideas whether that be at home or to take “on the go” so every meal you see below can either be eating at home or in the work environment.

Top Tip….if you do not have facilities to heat food at work then look at buying a food flask i have used one for years spending many hours and miles driving all over the UK – they really do work and when its cold wet and miserable a hot meal can be most welcoming

KOREAN BBQ CHICKEN

Everything i used and i how cooked it is in the below video, picture of finished meal is below

Fished Meal
Sauces I used

PASTA QUICHE

To watch the “How To” video press the link below

https://julesthelazycook.co.uk/2019/08/28/pasta-quiche/

PASTA & SAUCE

I appreciate this is only pasta and sauce from a packet BUT you can really make a meal of it by adding lots of vegetables and maybe a little chorizo or ham

TANDOORI CHICKEN & RICE

This is a super speedy meal it would even work well for an evening meal – the chicken can be eaten hot or cold and is from Asda. The slide showing Syn Values is from a Facebook Group called Syns R Us and is a fantastic group well worth joining.

CHICKEN PESTO PASTA

You can basically add anything into this one you like, i used cooked chicken but you could use packet chicken if you wish. Fry off any vegetables you like if using cooked chicken add it to the veg and heat it through, once the pasta is cooked add that to the pan also. Stir in the pesto use as much or as little as you like but remember to syn it or calculate the calories brands differ so please check the one you are using. If the consistency is a little too thick add a little of the pasta water and will help thicken the sauce and allow the pesto to coat everything.

PANINI

I used the promise gluten free roll then added anything i could find in the fridge that needed using up – the cheese is light Mozzarella

CAJUN PASTA BAKE

Another fantastic easy recipe that works well for lunches or evening meal i have made this many times and it never disappoints, again add any vegetables you like.

You can watch the How To video by pressing the link below

https://julesthelazycook.co.uk/2018/08/24/creamy-chicken-pasta-bake/

by julessmithie

Spicentice Salt & Pepper Chicken & Chips

This is one of my favourite Spicentice meals it makes a fantastic weekend meal and it never disappoints! I don’t actually follow the cooking instructions on the back of the card 🙈 as I just find it easier doing this way but do whichever way is easiest for you.

I’m making 2 portions and the kits make 4 so I will save half and use it another day.

This is truly a fantastic weekend meal and can be served with so many different side dishes you could add egg fried rice, noodles, spring rolls it really does make a great basis for a Chinese banquet meal.

I always use a bag of stir fry with this meal to bulk it out I cook this separately with a splash of Soy Sauce.

If you decide to try any of the Spicentice kits you can use my discount code Jules20 for 20% off any order (AFFILIATE) https://bit.ly/2VYUZLG

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Cream Cheese & Broccoli Soup

A fantastic batch cook soup perfect for lunches or a light evening meal. This recipe makes 4-6 portions depending on how big your portions are i got 4 big bowls out of the batch i made. Will this soup freeze?? the answer is yes but what i would do is freeze if without the cream cheese then defrost the portion you need and add the cream cheese at that point.

I added potatoes and lentils to the soup to give carbohydrates and protein this makes the soup more filling and will stop you feeling hungry an hour after eating it.

The slow cooker and vegetable chopper i use is on my Amazon Shop press the link it will take you there then look under kitchen gadgets https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/julesthelazycook

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Loaded Potatoes

I will admit these are 1) gorgeous 2) highly addictive lol 🙈

This is the 3rd or 4th time i have made these now and they are perfect for a weekend and i think the kids will love them.

You will see in the video I used my small slow cooker but the recipe is for a slow cooker of 3.5ltr which will make 4 potions

I used baking potatoes in this batch and they worked perfectly I have also used salad / new potatoes which whilst they work because they are small they allow the filling to drop between the gaps during cooking.

Feel free to add any other flavours to this garlic and a dash of Paprika would work lovely in this recipe.


by julessmithie

Sticky Chilli & Garlic Chicken

I saw a recipe similar to this on a vegan facebook page but the list of ingredients was a mile long and some of them weren’t very “diet” friendly – so i decided to try and make it with less ingredients and less calories and it worked so well.

It definitely ticked all the boxes what a fab recipe it turned out to be and so easy to make very quick to cook but so tasty and one i know you will love. A perfect fakeaway recipe for those following Slimming World or Calorie Counting to keep you on track over the weekend.

My top tip is to have a little patience to reduce the sauce because the sauce has honey in you need to keep taking the pan on and off the heat to allow the honey to solidify this way you can gauge how much sauce has reduced.

by julessmithie

Pasta Quiche

A fantastic recipe for lunches or to snack on and it keeps really well in the fridge!

Use any flavour of pasta and sauce and as you will see in the video i made it up using water only and to be honest i think it works well.

You dont need to top it with cheese – but as you know i love cheese.

This is a fantastic recipe for using up all those bits of vegetables looking really sad in the fridge, also if you have chicken or ham leftover from Sunday dinner add that too.

When I have made this recipe in the past I have used Quark but this time (16th June 2021) I decided to use Greek Yogurt and it worked well or you can use half yogurt half primula cheese this also works.



by julessmithie

Healthy Chips & Wedges

One of the most asked questions i get is how do you cook your chips/ wedges??? over the years i have tried many many methods and they are ok but i find most of the methods have led to a very dry chip which to be honest isnt great.

This is the method i have used for many years now and it gives a crunch to the outside but a soft fluffy inner – which is just how i like my chips. The pre soaking removes some of the starch which helps to chips to cook quicker and it also means you dont have to soak them in oil it really does help reduce the amount you use.

I have also used every potato under the sun and again they all work so no need to spend a fortune on what other people think are the best potatoes use whichever ones you like.

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Fajitas

I have tried and tested this recipe several times now and it works perfectly more importantly no water logged fajitas!! For the chicken stick to thigh or breast and if using breast leave it whole until its cooked it will stop it drying out.

Use whichever fajita seasoning you like and add any vegetables you like the key is not to add any liquid and cook on low, i think this setting is best to ensure the onions are cooked or you can run the risk of having crunchy onions.

I know you can easily cook fajitas in a pan on the hob but this recipe really comes from  when the kids were little they loved fajitas on a Saturday night but after a long day out coming home then having to start cooking just seemed like such a chore plus they were always starving 😂😂

I use the basic fajita recipe to make many different types of meals below are just 2 one of fajita boats which are the Old El Paso Stand and Stuff Boats or i make a pasta bake which is the video below.

The base recipe for slow cooker fajitas appears in my cookbook My Slow Cooker Meals which is available on Amazon in Paperback & Kindle  https://amzn.eu/d/bxDzxmn




by julessmithie

Flatbreads

Well after nearly 2 years 😂😂 I have finally made the video that you all wanted and hopefully the one that answers all your questions 👌

These are really simple to make and once you get the technique right you will be making them all the time.

You can make these as big or as small as you like it really depends on if you are following a diet plan and if so remember to calculate the flour and baking powder used.

I have made these using 30g, 35g and 50g of flour all with 2 Tablespoons of Fat Free Yogurt the trick is only add more yogurt if you are absolutely sure the dough won’t keep pulling away cleanly from the sides of the bowl and the I would only add small amounts at a time. If the dough is too wet you will end up using lots more flour to roll it to stop it sticking to the worktops and rolling pin.

Below is the 1 minute quick video for flatbread which i made in 2017 it has the ingredient list and step by step method, however the live video above goes into the how to in more detail


by julessmithie

Chinese Lemon Chicken

I love this recipe but have not made it for ages and its such a shame as it really does help when you hit the weekend and want a takeaway but don’t want to undo all your hard work. However you need to think ahead as the chicken needs marinating in a sauce and the longer you leave it the better it will taste.

This is a really simple recipe once you get the basics under your belt and that really means taking time with the sauce which takes time to reduce and thicken so have patience. Or you could cheat and add 1 teaspoon of cornflour with cold water and add that to the sauce and it will thicken quickly.

The other top tip is not the crush the cornflakes to dust leave some big bits and smaller bits as this really helps the cornflakes stick to the chicken or you can use breadcrumbs if you wish.

Lemons can be really sharp and tart so member to taste them as this will really determine how the lemon sauce tastes – once the sauce is reduced taste and adjust as needed. I would suggest if its too tart add more honey or small amounts of lemon curd until you get the sweetness you like.

The pans i use are on my Amazon Shop press the link it will take you there then look under KITCHEN GADGETS https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/julesthelazycook

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Sausage & Gnocchi Bake

Another fantastic 5 min prep meal that can be made into so many different dishes.

I have wanted to create a basic sausage casserole recipe for ages that can be served with anything you fancy but also one that is not tinned tomato based as i know lots of people are not overly keen on this kind of sauce including me at times.

In this recipe you can add anything you like any vegetable any beans use any sausages it really is a forgiving base to add too, and for me a fantastic family meal.

In this updated version i turned the recipe into a bake by adding it to an ovenproof dish and topping it with cheese then melting the cheese under the grill, verdict?? was really good!







by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Doner Kebab

Another one ticked off my “to cook list” in my head this has always just felt like cooking a giant beefburger which has always put me off making it, because in my eyes a kebab is chicken or lamb.

However, i had minced beef that needed using up and needed a quick recipe so decided to bite the bullet and make a Doner Kebab but as always taking the easy route and popping it in the slow cooker.

This recipe is so easy and will make a fantastic family weekend meal for me what made it even easier is is that it can sit in the fridge once made and still be perfectly fine – i made mine on Friday and didn’t get around to eating it until Monday.

Easiest way to reheat the doner meat is to slice it and then heat on low in a frying pan – i used a grill pan but use whatever is easy for you.

This recipe appears in my cookbook MY SLOW COOKER MEALS Press here for my cookbook MY SLOW COOKER MEALS
https://amzn.eu/d/bxDzxmn



by julessmithie

Sweet Chilli Prawn Stir Fry

Another fantastic quick lunch idea or evening meal this can be on the plate in under 5 mins and is really tasty.

Use whichever sweet chilli sauce you like 

I didn’t use noodles in this stir fry but i have added a little top tip in the video which stops the noodles from breaking up in the pan plus they cook much quicker this way – just make sure when you take them out of the microwave they are warm and you can easily pull them apart if not microwave for longer.


by julessmithie

Cheats Curry

I think lunch ideas are always a difficult one especially if you are on a diet it can turn into salad everyday if you are not careful.

My facebook page tasked me with coming up with some quick and easy ideas hence all these “cheats” that are appearing on my website –  usually from packets and store cupboard staples that are quickly brought together. 

This one is could actually be a fantastic start to the basis of a good fakeaway, add some naan bread, some cooked meats etc and you have an effortless curry without the standing in the kitchen for 4 hours lol.



by julessmithie

Cheats Stir Fry

This is a meal i made up very early on in my dieting life 😉 but to be honest its a quick easy meal that really helps use up all those bits at the bottom of the fridge and its really tasty as the little packet of “stuff” that comes with the supernoodles does most of the magic when it comes to packing in flavour. 

It works well as a vegetable dish or you can add any cooked meat you wish or cooked prawns, and if you want to be adventurous you could add more spices a splash of soy sauce….the world is your oyster.

Top tip….try and leave enough sauce when cooking the supernoodles to coat the whole meal if you can. 


by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Easy Chicken Curry (Schwartz)

This is the easiest curry you will ever make and it can take only 3 minutes to prep and throw it into the slow cooker, obviously if you want to soften down the onions then its going to take longer.

Add whatever vegetables you like fresh or frozen add fresh at the beginning of cooking and frozen last 15 minutes of cooking. This is a versatile curry that works well with anything so play around with it and add whatever you family enjoys.

Sometimes i like to add a tin of chickpeas as they are relatively inexpensive and really help to bulk out the meal especially if you are trying to lower your food costs. A lot of my followers add potatoes during the cooking which then means they don’t need to serve it with rice.

This recipe batch cooks well and freezes well i have made it many many times and it never disappoints.

The slow cooker i use is on my Amazon Shop press here it will take you there then look under kitchen gadgets https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/julesthelazycook




by julessmithie