Gammon Steaks with Apricots.

I bought two lovely horseshoes of gammon ham the other night for dinner, and normally I bake them with pineapple rings - you know, the Gammon and Pineapple favourite .........well, I searched my cupboard and guess what - had run out of pineapple. The only thing I could find, apart from fresh fruit - was a tin of apricots, so I tried those instead, and goodness me but they were delicious - not sweet as I expected - just different. Try it !!

Meatballs in Peanut Butter Sauce

Its cold today - typical English summer weather, rainy, soggy and miserable, so I will cheer us up with some meatballs in peanut butter sauce.
Another easy recipe !!

Pack of minced meat, either pork, beef or turkey - whichever you prefer.
An onion.
An oxo
and about 4 pudding spoonfuls of peanut butter, either crunchy or smooth, again, whichever you prefer.

Peel and halve the onion. Slice half thinly for the sauce, and chop the other half very finely for the meatballs.
Mix the mince and half onion thoroughly, no need to add an egg the meatballs should stay together. If you really need to though, a small egg or a bit of egg can be added, just to bind the mixture.
Make into tiny balls and fry in a drop of oil until cooked through, do them in batches and drain on kitchen paper.
Meanwhile, fry the other half an onion in a little knob of butter until soft, make the oxo up to around half a pint with boiling water - you need just enough stock to cover the meatballs.
When the onions are soft, add the oxo and stir until mixed, then slowly add the 4 spoonfuls of peanut butter, mixing well after each spoonful.
When it is well mixed, add the meatballs gently into the sauce and heat slowly until really hot.
Serve with creamed potatoes and green veg........scrummmmy !!!!

Soup that sticks to your Ribs !!

Made some home made soup today. I really do not know why not more people make it, cuz it is so easy and sooooo satisfying, plus there are no 'E' numbers or preservatives in it - just all goodness .........

heres how I did it - always use the freshest ingredients you can, cuz whatever you make is only as good as what you put into it.......

carrots, onions, leeks, butternut squash - just cut off a good lump, take the seeds out and peel to use ..
tomatoes, possibly a turnip, parsnip is very strong flavour - if you use any, just a little piece.
courgettes, garlic if you fancy - one clove or two and either chicken stock made from fresh chicken, or a chicken stock cube and 700ml of cold water, either cooked chicken or a drumstick or two and a couple of rashers of bacon. Of course, if you are veggie, no problem, just leave out the meaty bits.

Chop the bacon and put it into the base of a large soup pan with a drop of ordinary olive oil - cheapo will do, no need to use virgin olive oil. Cook the bacon gently and whilst it is cooking, chop all the veggies you have used (washed cleaned and deseeded first of course) I have put no amounts, because you use just what you have to hand, one or two carrots, etc .....

add the veggies to the bacon, along with the chopped cooked chicken if used, or the raw bits of chicken if used - see - you make your own choices........then add the water - 700ml will serve 4 good size soup mugs - those round ones with handles and either a recipe or pic of veg on the front of them - if you make it for 6 people, just make the water up to 1 litre.

Simmer it gently until the raw chicken, if used, is cooked and the veg are soft - then zap it all with a hand blender, add salt and pepper to taste and ENJOY !!! If you have used a lot of veg it goes naturally thick and creamy - sprinkle with a bit of chopped chives or mint leaves if liked, or be really decadent and swirl over a drop of cream .......mmmmmmmm