Bacon, Corn & Chive Rice

As promised here is the recipe for the yummy and super fast Bacon, Corn & Chive Rice.  This was lovely and creamy, similar to a risotto but without all the effort.  Perfect for a midweek after work dinner.


Bacon, Corn & Chive Rice
Serves 4
Prep 15 minutes
Cook 15 minutes

2 teaspoons vegetable oil
4 bacon rashers, rind removed, chopped
1 brown onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
450g packet microwave brown rice
1 1/2 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed
1/3 cup finely grated parmesan, plus 1/4 cup extra to serve
1/4 cup sour cream.

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over moderately high heat.  Add bacon, cook and stir for 3 minutes or until browned.  Reduce heat to moderate.  Add onion and garlic, cook and stir for 5 minutes or until soft.
2. Add rice to pan, cook and stir for 1 minute or until grains are coated.  Add corn and 1 cup boiling water.  Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed.  Add parmesan.
3. Serve topped with extra parmesan and chives.

 Recipe is from page 61 September 2013 issue of recipes+ magazine.

Menu Plan



A new week, a new menu plan.

 

 

Thursday

Sticky meatball stir-fry

This was nice and easy.  Maggi Stir-fry Sauce which has the infusion paste and finishing sauce.  I marinated the meatballs in the infusion paste.  Added the vegies, noodles and finishing sauce.  So simple.

 

Friday

Bangers, Mash and Peas

Yeah, not my favourite.  But it's hubby's time to cook and this is his favourite.

 

Saturday

Butter Chicken

Hubby made from scratch and it was quite nice except I'm always the one to find the cardamom pods with a crunch.

 

Sunday

Beer Can Chicken and Coleslaw

 

Monday

Moroccan Lamb Pie

I always prefer to make individual pies in small ramekins.

 

Tuesday

Bacon, Corn and Chive Rice

This looks super easy and I look forward to trying it.

 

Wednesday

Pork Schnitzel and Vegies

I have just watched Donna Hay top some schnitzels with fresh breadcrumbs and pop them under the grill so I might give that a try.

 

This weeks recipes are a mix from Recipes + and Super Food Ideas.  If there's something you're interested in adding to your plan I'd be happy to share the recipe.

 

 



Sweet Chilli & Capsicum Relish

 

Remember these? 

 

 

We were given a box of capsicums and tomatoes recently and the question was what to do with them.  Relish was the answer.  Flicking through our latest issue of Super Food Ideas and there was a recipe.

 

 

Sweet Chilli & Capsicum Relish

Makes 2 1/2 cups

Prep 25 minutes

Cook 1 hour 15 minutes

 

You'll need a 2 1/2 cup capacity glass jar with lid.

 

2tsp olive oil

1 brown onion, finely chopped

1kg red capsicums, cut into 2cm pieces

400g can diced tomatoes

1 cup apple cider vinegar

2/3 cups caster sugar

1/3 cup sweet chilli sauce

 

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add onion.  Cook, stirring often, for 5 to 7 minutes or until softened.  Add capsicum.  Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until starting to soften.

 

2. Add tomato, vinegar, sugar and sweet chilli sauce to pan.  Reduce heat to medium-low.  Simmer, stirring occasionally for 1 hour or until mixture is thick and syrupy.  Carefully spoon mixture into a hot sterilised jar and seal. 

 

Relish is best made at least 1 week in advance to allow flavours to develop.  Store, unopened, in the fridge for up to two months.  Once opened, store in fridge and consume within 2 weeks.

 

Hubby has been enjoying this on his sandwiches with left over roast pork.  Tonight we tried it as a salsa with corn chips.

 

So good and oh, I didn't make it.  Hubby did.

 

 

 

 

Monday Musings

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How I shopped in 15 minutes and for under $100

As a follower of my page you will know I am a huge fan of menu planning.  It saves me time, money and my sanity.

This week was the easiest by far.  I shopped in our pantry and freezer as well as looked at recipes with maximum flavour but few shop bought ingredients.

I'll share this weeks plan as well as what it cost for each ingredient that made it to our shopping list.

Thursday
Turkey Roast and Smash Potato
The roast was bought last week on special.  The bag of potatoes were $2.48
Shopping list: $2.48

Friday
Chilli & Lemongrass Chicken with Rice
The lemongrass and chilli grows in our garden as does the coriander.  Chicken thigh x 500g was $5.78
Shopping List: $5.78

Saturday
Fish Curry
The fish was caught by hubby, the coriander is from our garden.
Shopping List: Free

Sunday
Osso Bucco
Our favourite recipe is found here
The anchovies, tomatoes and the gremolata ingredients are already in our cupboard or garden.  So are the sage, thyme, rosemary and bay leaves.  Osso Bucco $11.05
Shopping List: $11.05

Monday
Lentil Soup
We have celery from last weeks shop (buying the celery heart from Woolies stays super crunchy), the carrots are from our garden.  Red lentils $2.13
Shopping List: $2.13

Tuesday
Sweet Curry Mince
I bought mince last week from Coles for $3.00 for 500g.  Fruit Chutney is already in the fridge for sandwiches.  Curry powder is in the cupboard.
Shopping List: Free

Wednesday
Pea Floater Jaffles
This is something very new I'm trying and only putting it on the menu for hubby although I will try it.
Mince $4.16 but I will freeze half.  Peas in the freezer.  Frozen puff pastry in the freezer.
Shopping List: $4.16

That's our menu for the week.  When coming up with our plan I always look at recipes where we might already have ingredients.  We don't have a pantry so we don't have a lot of stock on hand.  We do always have the staples such as diced tomatoes, rice & pasta.  We have a reasonable vegie and herb garden so that also helps. 

This week I also bought a pumpkin on special which will probably become part of next weeks menu. 

Add fruit, bread and sandwich meat for lunches to the shopping list.  Milk for breakfast and coffees and snacks and that's how I shopped this week for under $100.

How I shopped in under 15 minutes was easy too.  I write my list out into categories:
Non-perishables
Dairy
Meat
Fruit & Vege

By doing this I shop in sections of the store rather than getting to the freezer section and realising I've missed something at the other end of the shop.  Doing this and knowing the layout of the store means I only shop in the specific aisles and not visit every aisle.  Not wandering the aisles means little to no temptation to buy outside of our list. 

If you would like any of the recipes featured please just ask.

Monday Musings

Have a fabulous start to the week