Little Tweeks to everyday staples

It can be hard creating new and exciting dishes or side dishes at home with such busy lives these days, especially with more and more allergens, intolerances, dislikes and fussy children etc. Why spend excess money on things that are gonna be more hassle than it is worth especially if your efforts go unnoticed. So here are a few tips on making the everyday essentials that little bit better...in my personal opinion.

1) Yorkshire Puddings.

Ok I know this is going to be a touchy subject being that I am a Yorkshire man and thoroughly believe that frozen pre-bought Yorkshire puddings should be removed from existence. I understand that people are extremely busy these days, but the batter can be made a day ahead of time and kept refrigerated so there are no excuses for buying them in. All you need are a decent Yorkshire pudding tray which are sold in most supermarkets and £1 shops these days, Equal volumes of egg flour and milk, fat (preferably beef dripping though vegetable oil will suffice...I guess) but just enough to coat the bottom of the receptacles.

Heat the fat in the oven till smoking (not important if no time but helps the puddings rise)
Add the batter filling the receptacle 3/4 of the way up.
Bake at around 200C until risen and a darker than golden brown, Around 35 minutes give or take.
DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN DOOR!!!
Once baked remove from the pan and rest out of the fat to dry out.

These can also be made in advance and frozen so you can do one bulk for the month if you so wish to save even more time, just reheat in the oven for up to 5 minutes before serving.


2) Boiled vegetables.

I know frozen vegetables are a staple these days, but are usually bland and overcooked so here is a little change that will take less time to cook and taste a hell of a lot better.
Boil as you normally would but take off the boil 5 minutes early and drain.
Heat a little butter/margarine in a pan with a touch of oil to prevent the butter burning.
Add chopped garlic, herbs and onion to the pan and gently cook till the onions are softened.
Add the vegetables and toss around in the butter seasoning as you go with salt and pepper to taste.
Add the juice of a squeezed lemon and a sprinkle of sugar if no honey.

Trust me it is worth it.

That's it for today but tomorrow we will tackle a couple of quick cheap tasty meals suitable for students, parents and everyone in between.