Monday, 23 March 2020

Store Cupboard Meals For Families






Who would have thought just a few  months ago that we would all be sitting where we are at the moment.  Pandemic. It sounds like something from a "B" movie, but we are all in pretty much the same boat.  Having to take precautions and all sorts.  



Because of my husband's age and both of our underlying health problems, we are have been self-isolating for about a week and a half now and have been told it could be for as much as three months or even longer.  People have been panic-buying in the shops, store shelves have been stripped bare of even the bare essentials.  


What we have in our homes at the moment, is pretty much what we have. It is going to be tough over these next few weeks to keep things interesting as far as food goes to say the least.  I thought I would do a round-up today of some recipes that make good use of store cupboard ingredients and that are delicious and anything but boring.  



My whole blog is filled with recipes quite like this because I have always been a somewhat thrifty cook, and a cook who can turn nothing into a meal.  Here are some of my suggestions, which are really only the tip of the iceberg.  


tomato lasagne






Tomato Lasagne. This is simple, uncomplicated, straightforward and delicious.  A delicious tomato sauce, with some cheese, lasagna sheets and a good bechamel.  

You can dress it up by adding some different cheeses, such as goat's cheese, or a few dollops of pesto, or some grilled  vegetables between the layers.  What you have here is a canvas to write your own story upon .


stewed steak and macaroni 






Stewed Steak and Macaroni. This simple and yet delicious recipe is a testimony to the ability of our forebears to create something quite delicious out of simple and ordinary ingredients. 



This is absolutely delicious.  Cheap, cheerful and delicious.



creamy sweet corn mac and cheese





Creamy Sweet Corn Mac & Cheese.  This tasty casserole combines two of my great loves . . .  mac & cheese and creamed corn.




roasted potato nachos







Roasted Potato Nachos. Potato chunks are tossed together with a mix of seasonings and and are then spread onto a lined and oiled baking sheet in a single layer and bake in a fairly hot oven.  


Topped with cheese and chopped spring onions or your favorite nacho toppings and then served wih salsa and sour cream, they go down a real treat. 


creamy turkey and rice





Creamy Turkey and Rice.  This is simple to make and quite delicious.  Its cooked all in one pot, which makes for an easy clean up. I use long grain rice for this. 



You can also use leftover cooked turkey for this instead of fresh, or leftover chicken, or canned cooked chicken. 




Pasta E Piselli






Pasta e Piselle.  Simple ingredients put together in a fabulous way! Quick, easy and delicious!

A simple pasta in broth with peas.  You can't go wrong.



sausage hash






Sausage Hash.  This is a simple and quick supper that is all in one pan.  Make sure you could extra potatoes one night so that  you can make this. 


Alternately you can use a tin of new potatoes, well drained and cubed.  It's delicious!  


 

Cabbage & Ham Soup with Cheese Dumplings






Cabbage & Ham Soup with Cheese Dumplings.    A fabulous soup filled with tasty cabbage, ham and other tasty things. 



What more can I say?  Hearty and delicious!



Oat and cheddar scones






Tasty Oat and Cheddar Scones. These scones are the perfect accompaniment to a hot bowl of soup and quite tasty on their own just split in half and spread with butter. 


They also make great picnic sandwiches, split open and spread with soft cheese and filled with ham. They are just plain good no matter how you take them.




lassie buns






Lassy Buns.  A delicious biscuit/scone made with molasses.  They are a Canadian maritime tradition.




Mother's creamy tomato soup






Mother's Creamy Tomato Soup.  Creamy and dreamy.  Very rich.  Perfect with a grilled cheese!   Comfort in a bowl, like a warm mother's hug.



Corn chowder







Creamy Corn Chowder. An old family favourite which I have been making for many years.  



It was really hard to put it down on paper as I have only just done it off the top of my head, but I have managed to get it done just for you! 



frank and potato bake






Frank & Potato Bake.  Cooked potatoes and sliced frankfurters are gently folded into a cheese sauce which has been flavoured with onion and then poured into a casserole, covered and baked. Yummy!


I am a person who just loves hotdogs/weiners/frankfurters! You could use smoked sausage in its place if you want.



 cauliflower green bean and tomato salad






Cauliflower, Green Bean & Tomato Salad. Not only is this salad delicious, but it's filled with colour and texture and lots of flavours!  The dressing is a simple one.  



You could spark it up a bit by adding some anchovy or olives, or even some garlic.


 Samon or tuna loaf with a mustard cream






Salmon or Tuna Loaf with a Mustard Cream. This is a recipe which I have been making for years and years. You make it with either cooked tuna or salmon.  


Sometimes I will serve it with a cream sauce, or creamed peas, or this lush Mustard Cream.  



tortilla pie





Tortilla Pie. Who says that economy has to taste bad? This is a delicious mix of corn tortillas, tomatoes, pulses and cheese, baked together in a pie. 


 I am sure Little Jack Horner would have loved this pie too! 








Bread and Cheese Omelet. Once in a while an indulgent treat is just what we need. The recipe is for one omelet, but you can make as many as you like, by increasing the amount of ingredients. 



 I made two, one for me and one for my husband. I doubled everything, cooked all the bread cubes together and then did individual omelets, one at a time, keeping the first one warm in the oven while I cooked the second one.


confetti rice salad





Confetti Rice Salad. Colorfully delicious!  Filled with lots of good things and plenty of tasty crunch! 




 nutellos





Nutellos.  A favourite snack for kids, both large and small alike! Creamy nutella, melted together with butter and marshmallows, and tasty oaty O-shaped cereal stirred in. (Ok, so it's cheerios!) Scrummy, yummy nummy!!




Irish Marmalade Cake






Irish Marmalade Cake.  A sweet and moist marmalade flavoured loaf studded throughout with sticky sweet sultanas.  A delight when sliced, buttered and enjoyed with a nice refreshing hot drink. 

Like I said, this is by no means all that I could have shared with you today.  My blog is filled with recipes like this.  Have you got anything in particular that you would like to turn into a delicious meal?  Ask me in the questions below and I will see what I can find or do!  We are all in this together!


This content (written and photography) is the sole property of  The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at: theenglishkitchen@mail.com

Thanks so much for visiting.  Do come again!





9 comments

  1. Thank you so much for these recipes, Marie, I really enjoy your daily blogs and appreciate all you do. Sorry you're having so much trouble on FB, someone's really got it in for you it seems :(

    I shall be making several of these recipes!

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    1. Thanks Sooze. I hope you enjoy whatever you choose to cook! xoxo

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  2. Thanks for all your efforts in these challenging times We all still have to eat!

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  3. Dear Marie,

    My husband and I are 81 and 77 and are self-isolating. Baking has become even more of a pleasure. Today I am making your focaccia recipe which you gave us in March 2008. I am no breadmaker but this always works and I think your readers would like to be reminded of it.

    Today the sun is shining, the birds are singing and I am looking out for the first swallow to arrive and provide another of Vera Lynn's 'moments of joy' that she asked us to find each day when she sent us all that inspiring message a few days ago.
    What a wonderful woman she is - she really lifted my spirits as I am sure she did to everyone else. She will see us through!!

    You are also an inspiring woman, Marie, so please keep blogging through this and providing your recipes to see us through - and God willing - way beyond this crisis!

    Many thanks,

    Angela

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    1. I am so pleased you enjoy the Focaccia Angela and your sweet comment has made my day. We will get through this, I have no doubt. I have not heard Vera Lynn's message, but will look for it! Thank you! Our world is filled with inspiring people. We can do this together! Stay safe and stay healthy! xoxo

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  4. Missing your recipes & lovely stories . Hope you & hubby are doing well ! Your fan from new Hampshire. Susan

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  5. Hi Marie , missing your lovely recipes and stories ! Hope you are well . warmwishes from your fan in New Hampshire . Susan

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    1. Hi Susan! We are both fine thanks! Well and safe. I am still posting every day just about, but feedburner, which used to deliver my newsletters has stopped operating so nobody is getting notices of my posts that used that. I do have Blog Loving however and you can follow me on that! Here is the link: Follow my blog with Bloglovin

      I hope this helps! xoxo

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