Author: julessmithie

Sticky Hoisin Chicken

When a new recipe is born out of a mistake – when you are in a rush not feeling too well and you pick up the wrong bottle of sauce and dont realise until its poured into the frying pan ha!ha!ha! However turns out that this little mess up created a cracking recipe.

Another simple meal for the family and again can be on the table within 10 minutes it will also make a fantastic weekend fakeaway.

In the video you will see how i used a bag of stir fry to serve the chicken with you can serve it with rice if you wish, i only used one pack of noodles between the two of us but if you want to use 2 packets please do so.

Hoisin and Soy Sauce are salty so don’t be tempted to season the chicken as you are frying it, it doesn’t need it.

This recipe apprears in my Cookbook MY FAKEAWAY & EVENING MEALS which is available in Paperback & Kindle press here https://amzn.eu/d/8iJRPY1

by julessmithie

Sausage & Beans (Spicentice)

Another fantastic kit from Spicentice this is the perfect “one pot” meal and is designed to be cooked on the hob but as always with me i popped it in the slow cooker and it worked perfectly!

These kits are so adaptable and i always adapt the recipe to suit, in this recipe i swapped butter beans to pinto beans as i didn’t have butter beans, i swapped English mustard to wholegrain mustard as im not a huge fan of English mustard. So did these swaps work??? absolutely.

Each kit comes with the ingredients list and cooking instructions so you can just follow that and cook the meal as its intended – but i also think its really important to show you just how adaptable these kits are.

Purchase your kits from https://www.spicentice.com/ use discount code JULES 20 for 20% off any order this is my affiliate code with Spicentice.

by julessmithie

Leek & Potato Soup

First time i have made this soup i have no idea why i haven’t made it before all i will say is i will definitely be making it again it was delicious and very filling.

There is one top tip i will share with you and that is the potatoes you use will decide how thick the soup will be mine were very starchy so produced a really thick stock before i had even started to blend it. Don’t worry if during the cooking it looks too thick you can always add more water after blending for me this is much better than having it too watery.

This batch made 4 big bowls of soup so perfect for batch cooking and freezing.

by julessmithie

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

This really isn’t a recipe as such but it is a great way of using up all those vegetables that could be heading for the bin plus this would make a perfect lunch idea. You can use either leftover chicken or fresh chicken either will work in this recipe.

Lets talk Pesto – this is expensive so no way do we want to be wasting it once you open the jar and take our what you need freeze the rest of the jar into 2 tablespoons use an ice cube tray to freeze the pesto. Once its frozen transfer to a zip lock bag and use it to cook with from frozen.

Use whatever vegetables you like or add any frozen vegetables either will work well, once you have cooked this meal it will be ok to sit in the fridge for 2-3 days in an airtight container.

by julessmithie

Vegetarian Enchiladas (Spicentice)

Oh my days what a treat these were i have never made enchiladas and definitely not made vegetarian ones lol. I used a spice kit from Spicentice which you can purchase from https://www.spicentice.com/ this is from their Vegan range but i made them vegetarian, use my discount code JULES20 for 20% off AD. But if you dont want to make them vegetarian and have leftover chicken from Sunday dinner this is a perfect way to use it up.

I decided to adapt the recipe on the Spicentice card as i wanted to make the meal a quick 15 minute mid week meal and it really didn’t take much longer than this to make. You will see i only made 3 enchiladas but had lots of mixture left over which will keep in the fridge for 4 days in an air tight container or you can freeze it, plus it doesn’t just have to be enchiladas it could be Taco’s, Burritos you could even add mash to the top and make it into a spicy shepherds pie.

by julessmithie

1 Joint of Gammon 3 Different Meals

This is the second set of meals i have cooked from 1 Joint of Gammon and it really does make a difference when you are trying to budget or just us up leftovers. I started with a unsmoked gammon and cooked it in the slow cooker.

How i cook gammon in the slow cooker can be found here https://julesthelazycook.co.uk/2016/10/31/slow-cooker-gammon-ham/

FOOD SAVER TRAYS CAN BE FOUND HERE https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/julesthelazycook

MEAL 1 – FRITTATA

Super filling lunch or quick weekend meal which starts the begining of me using the gammon i cooked in the slow cooker the “how to video” can be found here https://julesthelazycook.co.uk/2020/01/17/frittata/

MEAL 2 – CARBONARA

Who doesn’t love a creamy pasta dish i have never made this one mainly because of how the carbonara sauce was made especially if following slimming world, however i stumbled across a fantastic “cheat” which will really help create that creamy sauce without the hassle. The ” how to video” can be found here https://julesthelazycook.co.uk/2020/01/21/spaghetti-carbonara/

MEAL 2 – STICKY GAMMON

I use this recipe for the sauce lots as it makes a really quick easy meal that can be on the table in 5 minutes especially when using cooked meats. The “how to video” can be found here https://julesthelazycook.co.uk/2020/01/18/sticky-gammon-ham/

If you would like to read the first set of recipes i cooked using leftover gammon press here https://julesthelazycook.co.uk/2019/10/22/1-gammon-joint-4-meals/

by julessmithie

Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers

Im forever trying to find new ways to use up slow cooker chilli and spag bol, this has got to be one of the meals i batch cook the most. This week i decided to try stuffed peppers, however the ones i bought were still really firm when i came to using them so i thought it best to pre cook them for approx 4 mins in the air fryer before adding your filling. The key is to get the pepper to soften but not too soft that it will collapse when you add the filling and cook for the 2nd time to melt the cheese – this is approx another 8 mins

If your peppers are not super firm like mine you could put the chilli directly into the peppers and cook them altogether i would guesstimate this to take approx 10-15 minutes depending on your air fryer

My Air Fryer 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

Singapore Curry (AMOY)

If you want a quick easy meal go no further not only is this super quick but it is super tasty! You can use any meat you like i decided to use pork and it was delicious.

I served mine with stir fry and noodles but you could easily serve with rice. This would also make a fantastic weekend fakeaway and is a brilliant Storecupboard recipe i will definitely be keeping a sachet of this in our cupboards.

https://videopress.com/v/mJfbGtn2?preloadContent=metadata
by julessmithie

Waffles (Sweet)

I love having these for breakfast or as an afternoon sweet treat – they are so easy to make and you can make them in any flavour you like.

When i make these i always batch cook them and freeze ready for a quick breakfast when needed, makes the morning rush just that little bit easier. Did you know you can pop these in the toaster from frozen to reheat them?? well you can, you can also reheat them in the air fryer if you wish.

The waffle maker i use and the silicone waffle moulds 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

Cooked in real time using an electric waffle maker
Video using silicone mould NOTE THIS IS AN OLD VIDEO WHEN 35G OF OATS WAS HEB ITS NOW 40G. I doubled up
mixture to batch cook.
by julessmithie

Spaghetti Carbonara

I have wanted to make this for years but when your other half is not a great cheese lover -then we have a problem and im definitely not making two meals for tea!! (thats evening meal if you are not from Up North lol)

My issue with most recipes is they either contain Parmesan or quark and there is just no way will i get that past Graeme so i opted for Primula and hoped for the best. Guess what???? it worked a treat we both ate it and enjoyed it i added Parmesan to mine just to make it even more cheesy.

The “how to” video is below together with all my top tips to stop the dreaded scrambled eggs!

by julessmithie

Pancakes

Im not a fan of traditional pancakes ….i blame my mum lol and the slimming world ones have always being a little hit and miss, i must have tried at least 15 different recipes. My problem is texture im not a fan of the “squidgy” middles to them hence attempting to make them approx 1 million times.

So last week whilst i wasn’t feeling too well for some reason i wanted pancakes here we go again 3 failed attempts i thought i had it with the whisking the egg whites recipe but nope not for me they felt heavy and definitely “squidgy” in the middle – the texture for me just wasn’t right. However not one to give up i finally cracked it and found a recipe that worked and one i liked – woohoo i can finally enjoy pancakes, you know like normal people do!!!

Did you know you can make a big batch of these and freeze them?? well you can they freeze well and to reheat just pop them in a toaster from frozen – there you have it an easy quick breakfast.

by julessmithie

Sticky Gammon / Ham

A fantasic way to use up leftover Gammon or Ham as you will see mine was sliced and it still worked and made a lovely tasty meal.

Simple store cupboard ingredients used and this can be ready in 5 minutes, as the ham is already cooked you start reducing the sauce first then add the ham later as it really just needs warming through.

Depending on how much Gammon / Ham you are using you may only need 2 Tablespoons of each ingredients it really depends how much sauce you want and like.

QUICK “HOW TO” VIDEO

by julessmithie

Frittata

I love these easy recipes where you can literally add all your favourite vegetables or use up those in the fridge that are going past their best.

In this recipe you really can just use whatever you like and once its cook this will easily sit in the fridge for a couple of days and can be eaten hot or cold.

QUICK “HOW TO” VIDEO BELOW

by julessmithie

1 Leg Of Lamb 3 Different Meals

MEAL 1 – SLOW COOKER LAMB DINNER

I always cook my lamb in the slow cooker as the lamb just falls off the bone its so tender, in this feature i used a 1.4kg Leg of Lamb which was on offer in Tesco for £7.42 just before Christmas so i grabbed it and popped it in the freezer. With this one joint i have created 3 different meals, and 6 plates of food for 2 people

So how do you cook lamb in the slow cooker???? below is the link to how i cook mine once the lamb was cooked i served it with all the Sunday Dinner type trimmings

Slow Cooker Lamb With Gravy Made from meat juices

MEAL 2 – MOROCCAN LAMB SHARING PLATTER

This is the easiest recipe to create ever and is literally 5 mins to get onto the table the spice i used on the lamb is Ras El Hanout and is from https://www.spicentice.com/ you can use my discount code JULES20 for 20% off any order AD. How i cooked this meal is in the video below

I served mine with a huge salad mint yogurt dip and wraps this is also a fantastic summer meal

MEAL 3 – SLOW COOKER LAMB ROGAN JOSH

This is one of my favourite curries and using leftover lamb is a fab way of reducing cooking time, again how i cooked this is in the video below. The recipe card is below for you to screenshot and keep on your phone / ipad etc or you can print it off and keep it with your favourite recipes. I have also included the 1 minute short video as i know some like watching these.

So now to the big questions….. TELL ME ABOUT THE FLATBREADS!!! ok these are fabulous they can take a little practice but one you have cracked it you will be making them all the time. The link takes you to a video which shows how to make them.

Flatbreads

Here is the full Youtube video that takes you through how to make meals 2 and 3

by julessmithie

Tigg’s Bold Beetroot & Chickpea Falafel

My second recipe using these fantastic sauces by Tigg’s i loved the first recipe i created but this time i wanted to make one that could either be a Lunch or Dinner and falafel is easy to transport if you are taking lunches to work. However it also makes a brilliant evening meal , i served ours in flatbreads with salad and a small side of wedges. This also a perfect vegetarian meal for meat free Monday.

The Tigg’s sauce can be found in Tesco in the salad chiller isle but dont let that put you off its not for just dressing salads or burgers it makes a brilliant ingredient to add to recipes to get a fab depth of flavour.

Available in Tesco Salad Chiller Isle
by julessmithie

Creamy Cajun Pasta Bake

Another fantastic Vegetarian recipe but the reason i love this one is because its a brilliant way of using up any vegetables you have that are heading towards getting thrown in the bin! and as you know i hate food waste.

Its a really adaptable recipe and you can use whatever you like the key is taking your time to create the creamy sauce. The Cajun spice i used is from Spicentice im a huge fan of their spices and meal kits you can purchase these from https://www.spicentice.com/ use discount code JULES10 for 10% off any order (AD)

by julessmithie

Cheats Mac Cheese

A perfect storecupboard meal when all you want is mac cheese, i love the stuff but unfortunately Graeme doesn’t i mean who doesn’t like cheese!!

So for me this was the perfect solution as it makes up 1 portion or 2 if you bulk it out

by julessmithie

Bramley Apple Baked Oats

Another variation on baked oats and the great thing about this one is i hadn’t realised that the apple sauce i used is 16 cals per tablespoon that really shocked me! I can see more apple sauce type puddings coming onto my website very soon lol.

I made this version slightly different to the ones on the ramekins either one are fab just depends which suits your taste best

by julessmithie

Yorkshire Puddings Cooked in a Halogen Oven

For the last year or so i have cooked my yorkshire puddings in the halogen oven and it works well and when you only need a small amount of puddings this is a fantastic way of cooking them.

The yorkshire pudding batter i use is based on the 1 cup of each ingredient recipe which is ratio based again when you only want a 4 puddings this mix is perfect

My halogen and the silicone ramekin moulds i use can be found on my Amazon Shop linked here https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/julesthelazycook

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole OR Pie using Colman’s Casserole Mix

When you are pushed for time this is a fantastic meal which will take you 2 mins to prep and if like me you are going to pop it all in the slow cooker you can then walk away and get on with your day.

I used a sachet mix today its not designed to be used in the slow cooker but it works perfectly well so don’t be afraid to use it.

You can serve this many different ways in the below videos you will see i have served using sliced potatoes making a kind of hotpot dish or i have topped it mashed potato which also worked really well, a very versatile dish that you can adapt to suit your family. I have also used the casserole to make a chicken pie and this is one of my favourite recipes especially during the colder months.

Topped with sliced potatoes
Topped with mashed potato

The Vegetable chopper i used can be found here https://julesthelazycook.co.uk/category/product-review/

Below is the full step by step video of how i cooked the meal and the serving options available the potatoes i used were from Cheshire farm their website is https://www.cheshirefarmchips.co.uk/

In this version I followed the recipe from above
then topped it with light puff pastry
the dish I use holds 3 portions and takes approx 100g of pastry

by julessmithie