Lazy Domesticity #3

A couple of weeks ago a bunch of us all got together and had a big potluck to farewell a couple of friends off who were moving to Oz - I made this or at least a variation thereof and a number of friends commented on it so I've decided it's only fair that I "share the joy".

And YES this is another one of my so-called "default" meals.

Differences between "my" lasagne and the recipe on the foodinaminute website - As a mother I'm going for simplicity (what I have readily available) as well as what my boys will eat - I don't readily have canned chilli beans available nor will my boys eat spicy foods (which let's be honest a lot of foods that claim to be "mild" still are) so these are swapped out for a can of regular baked beans without a second thought. Green capsicum - if I have it, it goes in. Tomato paste - also "optional" in my opinion - if I have some I put it in. Parsley - not a fan, so I'm not gonna rush out to buy it especially for this. Parmesan - although I DO buy it to make pesto with - is SMELLY - kids don't like smelly - so I just use regular mild cheese. I grate with the side of the grater with the smallest holes so that I can get more volume with less cheese. I also don't serve this with guacamole.
HOWEVER - I DO add a few things - one grated carrot and at least one grated zucchini when I add the can of beans, and sometimes I add ripped spinach/silverbeet leaves if I have them. Also if EVERYONE in the fam loved mushrooms then I would no doubt add sliced mushrooms as well - YUM. I have also used cream cheese when I didn't have cottage cheese available.

Also here's a little variation I did once with some Venison Chris cooked up.

Why no photos? you ask. Our computer went bust a week or so ago and it is STILL away being fixed so we are living off our laptop. Superspeed - Yes. All our regular, familiar programmes, pictures etc - No.

Super Speed is good though. Not knocking super speed.

Anyway - I digress - hope you all enjoy and perhaps try some variations of your own! I am dying to try a variation using a delicious lentil spaghetti sauce recipe I know mmmmmm - that another time perhaps!

Lazy domesticity #2

At long last....Numero 2 in my mental list of easy peasy "from scratch" default (read lazy) meals - "Bisto Steak"

You will need:

A family pack of Chuck Steak (I've found Chuck steak to be consistently tender even more so than expensive so-called tender meats like Porterhouse and Rump Steak)

Onions

Carrots

Peas/Celery/Zucchini

Bisto gravy mix ( I buy it by the box)

Potatoes

Kumara

Mushrooms

water

Potatoe peeler

Knife/knives ( I use a heavier larger knife for the root veges and a smaller, lighter paring knife for the softer veges like mushrooms/celery/zucchini)

Large oblong shaped dish

Preheat oven to 180 Celsius (approx. 350 F or adjust to suit with gas ovens).

Fill your dish with a little bit of water - less than a centimetre in depth (this will make a nice gravy when cooked as opposed to a watery broth).Chop onions and chuck them in. Cut Steak into palm sized medallions and arrange over the onions - no overlapping!

Sprinkle over one tablespoon of bisto powder. Peel and slice carrots (I cut mine on an angle) - scatter carrots and your choice of peas, sliced celery or zucchini (or all three! My family is not keen on celery or zucchini as options but either are nice - the zucchini especially!) Sprinkle over two more tablespoons of bisto powder.

Peel and cut potatotes and kumara - leave smallish potatoes whole, cut very large potatoes in half or even 3 pieces.

Wash and cut mushrooms in chunky pieces and scatter over top. Sprinkle 2 more tablespoons of bisto powder over top. Cover with tin foil and cook for an hour and half - even better if your dish has a lid use that!

When finished test potatoes and kumara - they should be perfect and meat nice and tender. Eat with salad or other cooked veges like broccoli. Delish!....and EASY!!

Chris often cooks this too and people are always impressed cos it looks like such hard work - muahahahhahaaaaa!