Favorite hm cooking cheat

[thesunflowergal]

I am always looking ways to make life a bit easier, but still make my family home made food. I came across this recipe for a dry pancake (american breakfast style ones) mix, which I make and store in a large jar until it is needed.

600g Plain Flour
50g Baking Powder
2 teaspoon Bicarb
1 teaspoon salt
50g Caster Sugar

Once added to the wet things below, this makes about 12 pancakes.

1cup/150g Dry Pancake Mix
1 egg
1cup/250ml Milk
15g Melted Butter.

Whisk all together, and cook them in a hot frying pan with a little butter.

What are your favorite cheats??

[boboff]

My Chocolate coloured Satin ones I think........ Oh Cheats, not sheets!

Well in that case........

TVP, soya mince or what ever it's called, I use this when cooking with real mince and in things like spag bol and chilli, Lasagne and meat balls, no one knows! It means the actual price of the mince is half of what you paid for it, and just as nice.

Also, I might have said it before but the chopped frozen garlic from Morrisons, leave it in the door of the freezer and bring it out for dressings, Garlic bread, cooking etc, it's so easy to use, and so cheap, I was forever throwing out mouldy Garlic, and it's cheap too 70p ish for 400g.

Packet pastry is also a real cheat, just add water, and at 80p a packet it's cheaper than the butter you would need to make the pastry on its own, and the T E S C O shortcrust is lovely.

[thesunflowergal]

Thanks Sunflowergirl! My mum used to make american style breakfast pancakes from a mix which I haven't seen for years so I'll definitely give this one a go tomorrow

Your more than welcome!!

Also, I might have said it before but the chopped frozen garlic from Morrisons, leave it in the door of the freezer and bring it out for dressings, Garlic bread, cooking etc, it's so easy to use, and so cheap, I was forever throwing out mouldy Garlic, and it's cheap too 70p ish for 400g.

Packet pastry is also a real cheat, just add water, and at 80p a packet it's cheaper than the butter you would need to make the pastry on its own, and the T E S C O shortcrust is lovely.

I will give the garlic a go, thank you!!

A S D A pizza mix is fab

[Millymollymandy]

I cheat a lot because I'm so tired after all the growing and gardening and harvesting that I can't be bothered to cook!!! Last night we had fresh pasta with bought red pesto - well it did have home grown basil and broad beans in it so I suppose that's not so bad, served with salad made from all home grown ingredients. I don't beat myself up over using cheat things.

[Green Aura]

I've got a few "store cupboard mix" recipes - mainly vegan if anyone's interested.

Mainly things like muffins and vegeburgers etc.

I collected them for my gal - I was going to kit her out with a truckload when she went to uni, but never got round to it. So they're all untested (by me at least).

[thesunflowergal]

I've got a few "store cupboard mix" recipes - mainly vegan if anyone's interested.

Mainly things like muffins and vegeburgers etc.

Green Aura

Please could I have the muffin mix recipe? With another baba on the way, time will be of the essence!!

Thanks

Thanks Sunflowergirl! My mum used to make american style breakfast pancakes from a mix which I haven't seen for years so I'll definitely give this one a go tomorrow

Update, made up the mix yesterday and made pancakes at 6.30 a.m. this morning for OH who wanted to make the most of the day! He thought it was his birthday, they were truly delicious and I couldn't believe how many one cup of everything made, will definitely do them for the 'kids' next time they come to stay.

Very glad that you enjoyed them Susie!! What did you have on them?

[thesunflowergal]

Yum thats what I like too, but its so expensive!!

[Cornelian]

Bulk White Sauce mix (this makes a better white sauce than trying to make it from the start each time):

2 cups (500 g) powdered milk
1 cup (250 g) plain flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup (250 g) butter or margarine.

Combine dry ingredients, add butter and blend until mix resembles dry breadcrumbs. Put in large air tight container. Store in the freezer.

Method:-
To make sauce combine, 1/2 cup mix to 1 cup cool water.

*Also use it to make soups, e.g. incorporate into mashed pumpkin

This has been my most valuable home cheat.

[boboff]

Thats a great idea, I will give that a go.

I love white sauce for Onion Sauce with Lamb, bliss! But I still stress after the butter and flour have melted and I have to whisk in the milk with burning it or letting it go lumpy!

[Green Aura]

CINNAMON RAISIN APPLE MUFFIN MIX
(Makes 12 muffins)

A fast after-school snack.
Cinnamon and raisin Muffin mix

2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour or unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup raisins

Whisk together first six ingredients and store in an airtight container. Package raisins
separately.

Attach these instructions: To prepare, preheat oven to 350 degrees F
(175C or gas mark 4). Mix together 1 cup apple juice, 1/2 cup applesauce, and
2 Tablespoons canola oil. Add dry ingredients and raisins and stir until just combined.
Spoon into lightly oiled muffin tins, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until middle is
done.

CAROB DATE BROWNIE MIX
(Makes 16 large brownies)

These moist and chewy brownies are sweetened with dates. Serve them warm from the oven
with a cold glass of soy milk or almond milk.

1-1/2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour or unbleached all- purpose flour
1/4 cup carob powder
1 Tablespoon instant grain beverage powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 ounces pitted dates

Sift together first five ingredients. Store in an air-tight container. Store dates
separately in an air-tight container or in the original package.

Attach these instructions: To prepare brownies, preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a
blender or food processor, blend 2 cups vanilla soy milk and dates until almost smooth
(small chunks of dates are okay). Set aside. Pour flour mixture into a mixing bowl.
Add date mixture, and stir well to combine. Spread evenly in a lightly oiled 9" X 13"
baking pan. Bake for 20 minutes, or until middle is done. Cut into 16 brownies.

As I said before, I haven't tried these recipes. I would imagine that you can double the ingredients (or more) for storage and then just use a portion of it at a time. I'd also use cocoa, as I'm not a huge fan of carob.

[CyberPaddy66]

My favourite at the moment is to take chicken out of the freezer, stick it in a zip-lok bag with some dry spice blend (Cajun or BBQ are best) and leave it overnight to defrost and marinade in it's own juices in the fridge. Next day we simply bake the chicken bits in a foil parcel in the oven for 40 minutes then open it up for a further 15 minuted to crisp up, tastes great with some rice :D

[thesunflowergal]

Maggie - I have only just seen your recipes on this thread. Thank you very much I will give them a go.

Nikki x

[Milims]

Oooohhh - the pancake recipe sounds fab - my kids love pancakes and I always get bored making them! I think I'll give the white sauce a go too! Please can you post the muffin recipeetc please GA? This is a great thread - keep 'em coming!

[thesunflowergal]

Can't take the credit, its one that I borrowed from Nigella.