Recipe - Ghanian Fish and Okra Soup - Time (30-40mins) Skill (Easy) Eating (Easy)

So, on a Facebook Group, people were talking about freezing bananas and I mentioned the green bananas in the freezer left over from this recipe, and was asked for it. So here it is, another lovely carer prepared meal that gets better the day after it's cooked.

As ever, no photo of my own, but this one I googled looks more or less like the recipe does

This image came from a Nigerian Recipe here

So, a soup/ stew made from fish, okra and green bananas. Not sure? Neither was I, but it's really really tasty. And the carer who cooked it (who doesn't like fish) gave it a little try and liked it too.

Timewasting 2 - Watching kittens grow up

Sometimes it's quite hard to find something to keep your antsy-ness occupied when your brain & body are so tired they just can't concentrate.

My solution is KITTENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is Foster Dad John's Current Litter - see below for links

Not in my house, that would be too much effort and I suspect Ivorcat would be unimpressed. On a webcam. Watching them grow up.

Recipe - Sausages braised with Lentils - Time (30mins), Skill (Easy), Eating (Easy)

Better late than never! Maybe.  Yet again, it got eaten before there were photos.  Oops.  so here's a photo from the web

This picture is from another blog called Big Girls Small Kitchen here

Right, so who doesn't like sausages! (no-one) Who isn't sure about lentils? (most of us I suspect....).  I first had a version of this at the Nicolas Wine Bar in Canary Wharf here. And very nice it was too. Imagine my surprise when I found I already owned a recipe for it in the Quick After Work French Cookbook by Hilaire Waldon here - which I've adapted a bit to my current needs...

Recipe - baked marinated salmon (or any other firm fresh fish) - Time (30mins) - Skill (easy) - Eating (easy)

Morning.  This is last week's recipe.  I wasn't feeling great last week, so ate it without thinking (again) that it might be a good idea to take a photo.  I shall have to find a stock one from the interwebs.

this pic is from someone else's blog HERE - they have good suggestions for what to put with your fish.  This is what the folded up packet of fish looks like when you put it in the oven

Anyway - fish.  Easy to eat but quite stinky to cook and if you're smell sensitive - urghhh! Which is why I like to bake it in a little paper & foil packet. And to make it more tasty with a marinate.

What is it? A salmon fillet (or any other fresh fish you fancy) marinated in a sauce, then wrapped in a greaseproof paper & foil parcel and baked in the oven. Can be eaten hot or cold.

Recipe - Sweetcorn & Potato Chowder (Soup) - Time (40mins) Skill (Easy) Eating (Easy)

Morning. I've decided what cooking will be done by my carer this week - based on what's going to go off - and that's potatoes.  And I've not had soup for ages. So, as the sweetcorn in the freezer has turned into an iceberg of frozen air & actual vegetable, Sweetcorn & Potato Chowder it is!

Image taken from Ocado's Sweetcorn Chowder Recipe

What is it? A vegetarian soup made from sweetcorn, potato, onion and herbs. You can eat it lumpy or whizz it with a handmixer to make it smooth.

Quick Cook Recipe - Spinach with Mustard Time (5mins) Skill (Easy) Eating (Easy)

What is it? Chopped spinach with a mustard & creme fraiche (slightly soured dairy cream) dressing.

I discovered this when I was a nanny in France years ago. It's great as a side dish of vegetables, or on its own as a quick snack or even as a meal if you don't fancy or are too tired for anything else.  If you don't use the Creme Fraiche it's also great for filling you up if you're trying to lose weight.

Time required - About 5 -10 mins - the length of time it takes to get spinach out of the freezer, into the microwave and mix mustard & creme fraiche into it.

Cooking Skill required - Easy. Ability to use a microwave and stir!

Eating Skill required - Easy. Very little chewing.

Recipe - Baked Cheese Savoury - Time (30 - 40 mins) Skill (easy) Eating (easy)

Sorry no pics yet. The last one got eaten very very fast!

What is it? - Batch cooking of cheese, milk and eggs baked in the oven to make a Savoury Bake. It's real comfort food for me, very versatile, you can eat it hot or cold and add different ingredients to make it more interesting without too much effort.

Time required  - about 5- 10mins to prepare and 20-30 mins in the oven. (All my recipes can be prepped in a 45 min carer call. Some may need leaving to cook before being ready to eat, but I'll warn you...) 

Recipe after the break: