Speed Peppered Lamb Chops MS Word document for downloading

Late again! As I was driving home, I was racking my brains for a lamb dish which would cook far more quickly than the one I had planned. I remembered my friend Jane had recently given me a recipe booklet on English Lamb. The recipes sounded delicious. I decided to try Speedy Peppered Lamb Chops, by chef, Oliver Rowe.

Serves 2- easily doubled or trebled

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: about 25 minutes, depending in the thickness of the chops.

He suggests you serve this dish with Parmesan mash and seasonal vegetables. Sounds wonderful! We had my emergency vegetable - a can of sweet corn! I will certainly make this dish again as it is so quick and very tasty. I did cheat a bit - I used freshly ground black pepper for even more speed and normal salted butter. Read more »

Farmhouse Soup - MS Word document for downloading

This is another of Audrey Ellis’s recipes for a family of four - you eat one portion and freeze two. I love home made soup for lunch on Saturdays when it’s cold and wet. You can vary the vegetables in Farmhouse Soup - just use what you have to hand. I used onion, turnip, carrots, swede, and parsnip. I had some cooked left over sweet corn and peas, so I added those just before the end of cooking time. If you are worried about the time needed to dice all the veg, buy a packet of diced frozen mixed veg instead.

Much of the success of soup making depends on the stock. Rather than making my own stock, (it takes too long!) I often use Marigold Swiss Bouillon, as it gives a good flavour without being salty. No GM is also an advantage. You can liquidise the veg and add some milk if you wish to make it a Cream of Vegetable Soup. Serve with grated cheese, lots of fresh bread (or Soda bread - recipe coming shortly!) and butter.

Serves 4, (plus 2 batches for the freezer). Makes about 5 pints (2½ litres)

Preparation Time: 10 minutes (5, if using frozen mixed veg)

Cooking time: About 1 hour

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Leek And Bacon Pasta - MS Word document for downloading

Leek and Bacon Pasta is nutritious and filling - and prepared in minutes. To my mind, that’s an ideal mid-week family supper! All you need to serve with it is a crisp fresh salad. You can use spaghetti or any type of pasta - the tricolour ones give this dish a more interesting appearance.

Below is the recipe I usually use. By the time we wanted to eat tonight, it was a really cool evening and I didn’t want a salad to accompany this. Instead, I cooked some peas with the pasta and added those. A little grated semi-mature cheese on the top melted into the mixture beautifully!

Serves 4

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 25 minutes

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Chicken In Cider Casserole - MS Word document for downloading

Chicken in Cider is another of the casseroles I make up to cook with the Sunday roast and then re-heat mid week. I love it when the chicken is just falling off the bone! It smells so good as it cooks, and tastes even better! I leave this dish for my husband if I have a Parents Evening etc, where I won’t be home until very late. The vegetables are all included and all he has to do is thicken the sauce, so it’s a good tasty meal for him. I don’t put the potatoes in if I am intending to reheat it.

Serves 4
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