Wednesday 23 January 2013

Salmon and asparagus mini pies

560g salmon fillets
1½tbsp lemon juice
2tsp Blue Dragon fish sauce
150g asparagus
4tbsp creme fraiche
2-3tbsp chopped fresh dill
Finely grated lemon zest ½ lemon
2 eggs, lightly beaten
500g pack ready to roll shortcrust pastry
Flour for rollin out


Preheat the oven to 190C/170C Fan/Gas 5. Put the salmon fillets on a large piece of foil. Mix 3 tbsp water with the lemon juice and fish sauce, pour over the fish, then season. Fold up the foil to make a parcel but leave room inside for the air to circulate. Transfer to a baking tray.
Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily. Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the unopened parcel.
Meanwhile, bend the asparagus until they snap and discard the tough ends. Put on another sheet or foil and sprinkle with 2tbsp water. Make a parcel with the foil and put on a baking tray. Bake in the oven for 10 mins. Remove from the oven and cut the asparagus into 1cm pieces.
Drain the salmon cooking liquid into a jug and reserve. Skin and flake the salmon and mix with the asparagus. Mix half the liquid with the creme fraiche, dill and zest. Add 1 egg and whisk with a fork until evenly blended.
Roll out the pastry on a floured surface and cut out 8 x 8cm and 8 x 11cm rounds. Use the larger rounds to line the holes of a muffin tin. Fill with the salmon and asparagus mixture , then pour in enough sauce to come almost to the top.
Put the smaller rounds on top, pressing the edges together. Beat the other egg and use to brush the top of the pastry. Make a small hole in the top.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, then cool on a wire rack.

Makes 8

Per serving:

Calories: 360
Fat: 23.6g
Sat Fat: 7.2g

Monday 21 January 2013

Calorific and on offer!

This blog post only applies to UK readers, sorry to anyone elsewhere.

Now I know some people won't be rushing to Tesco after recent events but for those who aren't too bothered I thought I'd let you know about this ready meal they currently have reduced from £3 to £1.50 and containing a hefty 925 calories!

Thursday 17 January 2013

Posh fish finger butties with mushy peas and potato wedges


To make fish finger butties:

Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6. Break 100g of ciabatta (preferably tow days old) into bits and put into a processor with the grated zest of 1/2 an unwaxed lemon, 1/2tsp smoked paprika, a good pinch of cayenne pepper and a pinch of salt. Whizz into fine crumbs. Put in a shallow dish.
Lightly beat 1 large free range egg with 1tbsp olive oil and 15g melted butter and put in another shallow dish. Put 3tbsp flour on a plate.
Take 4 x 125g pieces line caught cod loin and coat one piece in the flour, shaking of the excess. Dip it in the egg mixture, then the crumbs, patting the crumbs on firmly. Put on a baking tray and repeat with the other pieces of fish. Discard any leftover crumb mixture.
Cook for 15-20 minutes until crisp and golden brown.
Split 4 Ciabatta rolls in half and fill with the fish, salad leaves and mayonnaise. Serve with mushy peas and potato wedges.

To make mushy peas:

Put 350g frozen peas in a pan with 1/4tsp sugar and 2 mint leaves. Cover with boiling water, bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain, reserving 1-2tbsp liquid.
Whizz in a processor together with the reserved liquid and 4tbsp reduced-fat crème fraîche to make a rough purée. Season to taste.

To make the potato wedges:

Cut 3 baking potatoes into wedges. Cover with cold water, bring to a boil, then simmer for 4 minutes. Drain.
Return to the pan and stand over a low heat for 1 minute to allow any moisure to evaporate. Tip into a bowl, add 1tbsp oil and toss to coat.
Spread on a baking tray and cook at 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6 for 35-40 minutes.


Serves: 4

Per serving:

Calories - 834
Fat - 36g
Sat Fat -12.4g



Sausage Meatballs


This is a great appetizer or snack. It can easily be frozen into individual servings that can be reheated at a later time.

Prep time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

1 lb. pork sausage, raw
3/4 c. all purpose baking mix
2 c. grated cheddar cheese
1/2 c. onion, chopped finely

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
Form mixture into 1 inch (2 1/2 centimeters) balls.
Place on cookie sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until cooked through. Center temperature of the sausage balls must exceed 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73 degrees Celsius).
Serves: 12

Serving size: 3 sausage balls

Nutritional analysis (per serving):

278 calories
12 g protein
23 g fat
571 mg sodium
151 mg calcium

Note: Nutritional analysis may vary depending on ingredient brands used.

Variations and suggestions:

This dish can easily be frozen before or after you cook it. Make some today and freeze half of the batch to serve at a later date.