All That I'm Eating

Recipe ideas for budget meals, everyday cooking and a little indulgence. Travel inspiration and restaurant reviews too.

Pea and Bacon Soup for a #thriftyorganic challenge

By 14 Comments

In case it has escaped your attention, September is the month where people make a fuss about organic; aptly named Organic September. I have to admit that the majority of food that I buy is already organic so for me I wanted to try some new organic ingredients that I hadn’t tried before. I loaded up my weekly veg box with tomatillos, Homity pies and all sorts. I was challenged as part of Organic September to make an all organic three course meal, for four people, which cost less than £30.

I have done a few dinner parties before but not a budget conscious one so I was looking forward to seeing what I could make without going over the allowance. Initially I thought a roast chicken would be quite a good idea but with the cold weather closing in I wanted to make something a bit more hearty and autumnal. read more

Smoky Cowboy Beans

By 10 Comments

I knew what I wanted these smoky cowboy beans to taste like before I made them. The thing I had to do was to work out which ingredients it was that I needed to mix together to make something that tasted like I wanted it to. After a few attempts, a bit of this, less of that and more of the other I have cracked it. Wonderfully smoky, sweet and sticky with a few spices and plenty of beans to make something substantial from ingredients you probably already have in your cupboards and fridge. Weeknight cooking at its best. read more

Sticky Chilli Pork and Noodles

By 9 Comments

I’m not sure quite what’s happened but all of a sudden I find myself spending over £50 a week on food shopping. I know, it’s not a shocking amount and it’s certainly less than I know other people spend but it’s twice as much as I used to spend. I didn’t really notice it creeping up over time and I haven’t really changed what I eat (less meat if anything) but it irritates me nonetheless. There’s only so many beans and lentils one person can eat in a week so thrifty meals are essential to give plenty of variation. My sticky chilli pork is quick, tasty and feeds four people for less than £6. read more

Lentil and Black Bean Chilli

By 16 Comments

I’ve never much been a fan of chilli cone carne; I’ll eat it but usually it’s a bit harsh and acidic for me because of the tinned tomatoes and I’m not that keen on kidney beans. However, I love the principal of it; plenty of chilli, spice and flavour and I’ve been working on my own version for a while. I think I’ve cracked it. My Lentil and Black Bean Chilli has all the same flavour but none of the meat; I promise, you won’t miss the minced beef at all. I’ve said this is enough for four but actually it’s probably enough for six and it’s amazing with homemade guacamole and plenty of rice. read more

Quick Vegetable Box Recipes

By 6 Comments

I regularly get a vegetable box delivered for a few reasons: I like that I have to use what I receive which means I get more variety than I probably would otherwise and there’s only so many times you can make mushroom risotto so I find myself trying out new recipes to use the vegetables. Grown With Love got in touch to see if I would like to try out some of their veg so I was looking forward to getting stuck in.

The vegetables that came from Grown With Love were very nice, they were all prepared which is something that I never buy normally. Considering they were prepared I was impressed with the shelf life of the veg and that the texture remained good. I received: butternut squash and sweet potato mix (chopped 50:50), butternut squash (peeled and deseeded), tenderstem broccoli (in bags and some that came with asparagus too), sweetcorn (some with garlic butter, some without) and sweet potato wedges. read more

Duck Lettuce Wraps with Gressingham Duck

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Gressingham Duck Lettuce Wraps - All That I'm Eating (1 of 4)
As it’s Mother’s Day soon there are many things to consider: will it be flowers, chocolates, something else or a simple card. My Mum isn’t picky or fussy and would be just as happy with a few daffodils as a full blown Mother’s Day themed weekend. So really, as our lives both revolve around feeding us and other people, I think the real decision is whether to eat out somewhere or eat in? Both have their merits. Having lunch at a restaurant means no washing up and someone else worries about what to cook but is much more costly than eating at home. Cooking at home is cheaper, you can make it your own and you can eat as much as you want. I think I’ve just answered my own question. However, I don’t want to be spending hours in the kitchen getting all of a fluster and make my Mum feel bad about the hours of work and mountains of washing up that have been created. Simplicity is key and so I give you my relaxed, Asian inspired Mother’s Day lunch: Duck Lettuce Wraps. You will need (this is for four but just keep adding more bits for more people): For the duck:
  • 2 Gressingham duck breasts
  • 1 pack of Gressingham Duck Mini Fillets
  • Oil for frying
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
To wrap:
  • Wraps
  • Whole lettuce leaves
Salad and crunch:
  • Cucumber
  • Carrot
  • Spring onions
  • Coriander
  • Chillies
  • Sesame seeds
Dips:
  • Chilli sauce(s)
  • Soy sauce
  • Hoisin sauce
  • Plum sauce
  • First of all, get the table laid and ready then as you get things prepped you can get them straight to the table.

  • Slice and chop the cucumber, carrot and spring onion however you like. I find sticks work well when you wrap up carrot or cucumber and slices of spring onion are more welcome than bigger pieces.
    • read more

    Keema Rice

    By 8 Comments

    Keema Rice - All That I'm Eating (2 of 2)

    I don’t know about you but during the week when it comes to cooking dinner I want something quick, easy and full of flavour. It’s also a winner if it’s cheap to make and uses up a few bits and bobs I have hanging around in the fridge too. Keema rice is one of my guilty pleasures; I love the heavily spiced lamb, golden onions and fragrant rice. I thought it was about time I attempted to make it at home.

    You will need (for 4):

    • 250g easy cook, long grain rice  £0.35
    • 2 cloves  £0.02
    • 2 cardamom pods  £0.02
    • 1 bay leaf  £0.02
    • 300g lamb mince  £2.40
    • 1 small tin peas, drained  £0.30
    • 1 onion, finely chopped  £0.10
    • 2 garlic cloves, crushed  £0.10
    • Handful mushrooms, chopped  £0.35
    • Oil for cooking  £0.02
    • 2 tsp garam masala  £0.02
    • 1 tsp ground cumin  £0.02
    • Salt and pepper  £0.02
    • Fresh coriander £0.15

    Total £3.89

    Gently fry the cloves, cardamom and bay in a saucepan with a little oil. Add the rice and stir well to coat in the oil and spices. read more

    Beetroot Tzatziki, Beef Koftas and Quick Flatbreads

    By 9 Comments

    Beetroot Tzatziki with Quick Flatbreads and Beef Koftas - All That I'm Eating (2 of 2)

    Beetroot can be a bit of a pain in my house, other than putting it in a salad or putting it on the side with something I am sometimes at a loss for what to do with it. When I get a bunch I find the easiest thing to do is to cook it all at the same time then peel it and keep it in the fridge for when I need it. Using the beetroot for a beetroot tzatziki was a great discovery and was so good with the beef koftas and super quick homemade flatbreads.

    Ingredients

    You will need (for two):

    For the koftas:

    • 200g beef mince
    • 1 clove garlic
    • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
    • Salt and pepper

    For the beetroot tzatziki: read more

    Pulled Duck Ramen with Gressingham Duck

    By 17 Comments

    I really like duck; usually in a pancake with plenty of spring onion, cucumber and hoisin sauce. If it’s on a menu in a restaurant I will normally order it because I love the flavour. Gressingham (the remarkable duck people) got in touch to see if I’d like to come up with a recipe with some of their duck and I thought it was a great opportunity to have a go at cooking something I enjoy eating but don’t cook that often. Ramen is something that I find both cleansing and filling and love that you can add whatever you like to it. This pulled duck ramen is a great way to use leftover duck and is really quick and easy to make. read more

    Greek Salad, Hummus and Pitta Bread

    By 9 Comments

    Greek Salad, Hummus and Pitta Bread
    I don’t know about you but I find it difficult to know what to cook when it’s hot. I don’t want to be hanging around the oven or hob making unnecessary heat but I also don’t want to eat cold food all the time. The worst thing about it is having to do the washing up (no dishwasher in my house!) when all you really want to do is sit outside. I think this meal of Greek salad, hummus and pitta bread is a great compromise; there isn’t too much clearing up afterwards and the toasted pitta bread means that it’s not an entirely cold meal.

    Ingredients

    You will need (for four):

    • Pitta breads  £0.50

    For the hummus:

    • 1 can chickpeas  £0.65
    • 1 garlic clove  £0.03
    • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil  £0.10
    • 1 tsp peanut butter  £0.10
    • Salt and pepper  £0.10

    For the Greek salad:

    • 1/2 cucumber, sliced  £0.30
    • 3-4 tomatoes, sliced  £0.50
    • 1 small onion, sliced  £0.10
    • 1 small lettuce, chopped  £0.40
    • 1 pack mixed olives and feta  £2.20
    • 1-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil  £0.10
    • 1 tsp dried oregano  £0.05

      Total £5.13

    Method

    Start by adding all the ingredients for the hummus to a food processor and blending until smooth. If the hummus is a little thick you can add a little extra oil or a small amount of hot water.

    Mix all the ingredients for the salad together, except the olives, then top with the olive and feta mix.

    Heat up the pitta breads according to packet instructions.

    Pour a little extra virgin olive oil over the salad and sprinkle over the chopped oregano and a little salt and pepper. read more

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