Weekdays can be incredibly busy, but that doesn’t mean we have to resort to supermarket ready-meals.
Here, I have selected three recipes that take half an hour or less to prepare, so they are perfect for rustling up after a busy day at work.
The perfect mid-week meal, this Chorizo Fried Rice is so quick and easy. Just add in anything you have left over in your fridge! A Dairy Diary recipe. For more delicious recipes visit the Dairy Diary Recipe Collection.
Mushroom Pancakes
Calories 413 per portion
Fat 26g (12.7g sat) per portion
Suitable for vegetarians
Ingredients
- Plain flour 110g (4oz) plus 2 tbsp
- Egg 1
- Milk 700ml (1 pint 4fl oz)
- Vegetable oil for brushing
- Butter 75g (3oz)
- Mushrooms 450g (1lb) button or mixed, wiped and sliced
- Mustard ½ tsp
- Chopped parsley 2 tbsp
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Cheddar cheese 50g (2oz) (optional)
- Green salad to serve (optional)
Instructions
- To make the pancakes, sift 110g (4oz) of flour into a bowl and break in the egg. Gradually add 125ml (4fl oz) milk, beating to form a smooth batter. Pour in another 125ml (4fl oz) milk and beat until smooth.
- Brush a non-stick frying pan with oil and pour in enough of the pancake batter to coat the base. Cook until the pancake moves freely, turn and cook until golden. Repeat until you have 8 pancakes. Keep warm.
- Melt 50g (2oz) of the butter in a deep frying pan over a medium heat and fry the mushrooms for 4–5 minutes, until softened and starting to brown. Remove from the pan and keep warm.
- Melt the remaining butter in the pan and add the 2 tbsp flour. Cook for 1–2 minutes, then gradually add the remaining milk, beating well and allowing the mixture to come to the boil between each addition of milk. Simmer the sauce gently for 2 minutes, then stir in the mustard, parsley, mushrooms and seasoning.
- Preheat the grill to hot. Divide the mushroom mixture between the pancakes, and fold or roll each one up. Place them on a buttered dish, sprinkle with cheese if you like and then place under the grill until the cheese melts and turns golden. Serve immediately with a green salad, if using.
Cook’s tips If you have any bacon in the fridge, chop up a few rashers, fry them and
add to the mushrooms. You could use tarragon in place of the parsley.
[/recipe
Salmon, Lemon & Asparagus Pasta
Calories 655 per portion
Fat 35g (20.8g sat) per portion
Ingredients
- Tagliatelle 300g (11oz)
- Asparagus tips 100/125g pack, halved
- Butter 25g (1oz)
- Frozen peas 150g (5oz)
- Crème fraîche 250ml pot
- Milk 4 tbsp
- Lemon 1, grated zest only
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Ready-cooked lemon and herb salmon 185g packet, flaked
Instructions
- Bring a saucepan of lightly salted water to the boil, add the tagliatelle and cook for about 10–12 minutes, or according to packet’s instructions, until just tender.
- Add the asparagus tips during the last 4 minutes, then drain well.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan and add the peas, then stir in the crème fraîche, milk and lemon zest (reserving a little for garnish). Heat gently, stirring, for about 3 minutes, then season to taste.
- Drain the pasta, then return it to the saucepan and add the sauce, stirring gently to mix. Divide between 4 warmed bowls. Scatter with the salmon flakes and lemon zest and serve at once.
Cook’s tip Use unwaxed lemons if possible, otherwise just scrub ordinary ones thoroughly before grating the zest. Remember to use only the yellow part – the white pith has a bitter flavour and will spoil the taste of the dish.
All of these scrummy recipes are taken from our cookbook, Fantastic Food for Less.
This is one of the cookbooks that I refer to most and I can highly recommend it.
Click here for more information or to order.
#tripletested
#delicious
#30minutemeals
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