Butter Sauce

This recipe is really useful. It goes well with so many different things and is rich and delicious. I had it for lunch today over green beans and a poached egg. I tried Heston Blumenthal's method for making the egg and I'm impressed. Came out perfectly - the white soft but totally set and the yolk runny.
This sauce also works well over fried sprats (or tinned sardines), chicken, hard boiled eggs... what ever you have handy.

1 egg yolk
2 tbsp butter
1/4 tsp dijon mustard
1/2 tsp white wine vinegar

Put all the ingredients into a bowl over a pan of hot, steaming water. If you have a very thick bottomed pan you might just get away with making it straight in there (I have one that works) but it is much less likely to scramble over an indirect heat. Keep stirring while the butter melts and then until it begins to thicken. Serve immediatly.

Grain free chocolate chip cookies

My kids love me so much today! This is based on this recipe.

1 cup ground almonds
1/2 cup ground hazelnuts
1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
1 large egg + 1 yolk
1 heaped spoonfuls of sucralose (splenda)
1/2 tsp each salt, baking powder and vanilla extract
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Mix together the dry ingredients with the eggs and vanilla extract. Melt the coconut oil and stir into the batter. Put in tablespoon size drops on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes at about 170 oC.

Cauliflower cheese

Serves 4

1 large head of cauliflower
1 tsp mustard
300g cream cheese
4 tbsp cream
1 egg
1 cup cheese

Steam or boil cauliflower until stems are starting to soften. Mix together cream cheese, mustard egg and cream. Stir in cauliflower, season and top with cheese. Bake until golden and crisp on top.

Pasta-free lasagna

Makes 9 servings

800g minced beef
8 large eggs
1 cup passata/jarred tomato sauce
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup red wine
1 slice bacon, chopped
4 tsp garlic powder
1 tub ricotta
1 tub cream cheese
2 cups grated cheese (I tend to use a mixture of mozzarella and Parmesan)

Beat 6 of the eggs and add a splash of water. Make into 3 large omelets and set aside. These act as the pasta layers. Fry the onion and brown the beef and bacon. Add the tomato sauce and red wine. Reduce to a thick sauce and season to taste. Beat together the ricotta, remaining eggs and cream cheese. Add the garlic powder. Spread a layer of the cheese mix in the bottom of an oven proof dish and put one of the omelets on top. Add a layer of meat sauce and continue layering until you've used up your egg 'lasagna'. End with a layer of cheese mix. Top with grated cheese and bake until the cheese is golden.

Breakfast casserole

The kids love this hot or cold. I think I actually prefer it cold. Lovely with some ketchup or salsa on the side.

Makes 9 servings

450g pork mince
6 eggs
200g cream cheese
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup double cream
1 cup grated cheese

Spread the mince over the bottom of a large casserole dish. Beat together the eggs, cream cheese, garlic powder and cream. Pour over the mince and top with the cheese. Bake for about half an hour, until the eggs are set and the meat cooked.

I usually make this in the evening when I'm doing dinner as the kids are not prepared to wait in the mornings!

Mayonnaise

I love home made mayonnaise - so creamy and delicious. It isn't that hard to make (despite it's reputation) and the process is like magic - how the glossy and creamy mayo appears from yolks and oil! Plus it makes a great dairy-free butter substitute for my son (we have also been using hummus but I can't see that making a great egg salad).

1 egg yolk
6 fl oz oil (I used a light olive oil but any oil or fat will work - even lard)
pinch salt
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tbsp lemon juice
* 1 tsp whey or sauerkraut juice (optional)

Whisk or blend the egg yolk with a pinch of salt. Add a drop of oil and whisk/blend in. Once that is gone then add another drop. Keep adding oil - really slowly - for a few minutes. The mixture should be getting thicker. Add the mustard and lemon juice and whisk in. Then keep adding the oil. As you go on you can start adding the oil a little faster but be patient and don't rush things. If you do add the oil too quickly and the mixture curdles then don't panic. It can be fixed really easily. When no one is looking grab a clean bowl and a new yolk and slowly add the curdled mixture a drop at a time (like you were adding oil). It will come out just as normal. You can also get creative and add things like garlic, chopped herbs and spices to make flavoured mayonnaise's. They will keep for 3-4 weeks in the fridge.

* If you can tolerate dairy then you can also add a tsp of whey to the mixture. Then if you leave it to stand for 7 hours at room temp before refrigerating you get a probiotic mayonnaise which will be a little thicker and last longer. If dairy is a problem then you can substitute sauerkraut juice to the same effect.

Chocolate mousse

Serves 6
12 oz dark chocolate (70% at least)
6 eggs (good ones - they are going to be raw so absolutely need to be free range and preferably organic)
1 oz of butter (unsalted)
pinch of salt
A little sugar if you have a very sweet tooth - up to 1 tbsp

Gently melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl over some simmering water. Meanwhile separate the eggs, placing the whites in a large mixing bowl. Whisk the whites with a pinch of salt until they are fluffy and forming peaks. If you are using sugar, whisk it into the yolks, a third at a time. In another bowl, break up the yolks a little. Take the chocolate off the heat and allow to cool for a few minutes. Stir into the yolks. Add a spoonful of the egg whites and stir in gently. Then, using a metal spoon, gently fold in the rest of the egg whites, retaining as much air as possible. Pour the mousse into glasses or ramekins and refrigerate for 2 hours to set. Remove from the fridge about half an hour before serving.

Rice pancakes/crepes

This recipe is from 'The Mood Cure' by Julia Ross. They are very nice - I had them filled with chicken and sweetcorn last night and fried bananas this morning. Yum!

1/2 - 2/3 cup of cooked rice
3 eggs
pinch salt
Fat to fry

Blend the rice, eggs and a little salt until smooth. Fry into pancakes and enjoy! I fried mine in coconut oil but ghee, olive oil or lard would also be great.

Cottage cheese griddle scones

These are yummy and full of protein. We had them this morning dusted with cinnamon and topped with some chopped fruit.

1 cup cottage cheese
3 eggs
pinch salt
2 tbsp coconut oil (or butter), melted
1/4 cup wholemeal flour

Blend together the ingredients into a smooth batter. Fry in a large frying pan or on a griddle.

This recipe comes from The Mood Cure by Julia Ross.

Clafoutis

Oh my word this is good! This can be a delicious breakfast or a tasty pudding.

1 cup fruit (anything larger than a berry, sliced)
3 eggs
2-3 tbsp sugar of your choice (I used raw cane sugar)
1/2 cup flour
1 cup cream, coconut milk, milk, water or a mixture
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 375oF (gas mark 5). Oil a 9" oven proof dish and scatter the fruit over the bottom in a single layer.
Whisk together the eggs and sugar. When they are well combined then start to whisk in the flour, a little at a time. Make sure there are no lumps! When all the flour is well combined then whisk in the remaining ingredients. This should form a thin batter. Pour the batter over the fruit and bake in the oven for about half an hour. The edges should be puffy and browned and the centre just set. Eat fast before the kids wolf the lot! If it should get a chance to cool it is also delicious at room temperature.

Technically if you use a fruit other than cherries this is a 'flaugnarde' rather than a clafoutis. I made mine with cherries, strawberries and blueberries. Banana and strawberry has been requested for next time and I can imagine that apple is totally delicious.

Baked egg custards

These would make a great pudding. But they make an even better breakfast! They can be made in advance and keep nicely in the fridge. Especially if you were lucky enough to get a set of 1 cup glass ramekins with lids for Christmas (thanks Mum)! This recipe came from a mother on the traditional foods board of MDC which is always an inspiration.

Makes 2 ramekins full

2 large eggs (beaten)
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp vanilla essence (or less if yours is strong)
1/2 cup berries (I've used raspberries and blueberries and both are great)
1 tbsp honey

Mix ingredients together and pour into ramekins or a small baking dish. Place the containers into a larger baking dish filled with water. Bake at 350oF/gas mark 4 until set (takes quite a while - 45 mins to 1 hour).

Fried Mush

Another nourishing traditions recipe! The kids loved this and it was very easy to make from leftovers.

1 1/2 cups cooked porridge
1 egg
Cooking fat

Mix the porridge with the lightly beaten egg. Try in small cakes until golden on the outside and cooked through. Lovely served with honey or maple syrup. Could also be made savoury with porridge cooked in stock and served with ketchup or salsa.

Bean burgers

Finally beans the kids will eat! Other than sugar loaded tinned baked beans of course. ;0)

1 can beans (or equivalent of dried, soaked, cooked beans)
1 egg
1 onion, roughly chopped
1 tsp curry powder
pinch salt (unless beans were salted in the can)

Drain and rinse beans. Place ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. Fry batter in small blobs until set.
You can also add more veggies to this. Grated carrot and finely chopped broccoli are good. I have promised my daughter than next time I'll try them with cheese instead of spices so I'll update with how well that works (or not!).

Bread and butter casserole

This is my new favorite recipe! Versatile, delicious and all the kids eat it. What more can you ask!

4 slices bread of your choice (I use sourdough)
Butter
4 eggs
1 cup milk
2 oz cheese, grated
Toppings - eg cooked sausage, sauteed mushrooms, peppers, onions, sweetcorn, tuna, peas - whatever you have that needs eating!

Cut the bread up into squares of about 1". Place in a buttered oven proof dish. Add the topping of your choice. My current favorites are sausage, peppers and onions or tuna, onion and sweetcorn. Sprinkle over the cheese. Beat the eggs and milk together and season. Pour over the dish. Allow time to soak into the bread and then bake in a moderate oven for about 45 minutes.

Another variation I make on this dish when i don't have any toppings is to spread the bread with butter and Marmite before cutting it up, then just adding the cheese, eggs and milk.

Kedgeree

I love kedgeree! It is supposed to be a breakfast dish but generally speaking we eat it in the evening. I had it at least once a week when I was pregnant with my eldest and I think that at least some of his high intelligence can be put down to all that oily fish!

Serves 4
4 smoked mackerel fillets (can also use smoked haddock or any other smoked fish you have)
250g rice (I use brown basmati)
1 onion, finely chopped
knob of butter or olive oil for frying
2.5 tsp curry powder (use more or less to taste)
Frozen peas
4 hard boiled eggs
250g yogurt or creme fraiche

Place the fish into a large frying pan and just cover with water. Bring to a simmer and cook until the fish is heated through and flaky. Remove the fish to a plate and reserve the cooking water (it is a nice smokey fishy stock). Heat the oil or butter in the pan and fry the onion until translucent. Add the curry powder and rice and fry for another minute or so. Add some of the hot fish stock. Cook, covered, until the stock is absorbed. Add more and cook again. Repeat until the rice is done. Meanwhile remove the skin from the mackerel (make sure you keep as much of the brown flesh next to it as possible - that is where a lot of the omega 3s are) and flake the fish. Quarter the hard boiled eggs. Add the frozen peas and a little more stock (or water if you have run out). Simmer until the peas are done then taste it and season as needed. Turn off the heat and add the fish and creme fraiche/yogurt and stir through gently. Serve topped with hard boiled egg quarters.

Salsa eggs, Roe cakes

Breakfast

For the kids: fruit smoothie; peanut butter on toast
For me: what was left of the fruit smoothie (darn kids!); apple

Lunch

Salsa eggs
Butter a small oven proof dish. Spread some salsa over the bottom then break in an egg or two. Sprinkle with grated cheese and bake until the eggs are done to your liking. I like to do mine until they eggs are still very runny and then stir it all up. The salsa cooks the eggs while it cools down to eating temperature. You can also do this in the microwave, but I don't think it is as nice.

Dinner

Roe cakes with steamed cabbage and asparagus

Roe cakes
3 or 4 medium potatoes (mashing ones are best but I used new with skins on today)
1/2 a cods roe (probably about 250g), cooked *
1/4 cup sprouted wheat flour
1/2 onion, finely chopped and softened in butter
1 egg
1 cup wholemeal breadcrumbs
fat for frying (I used lard)

Cook and mash the potatoes. Stir in the flour, onion and roe. Form into patties (might want to let it cool a bit first!), brush with egg and coat in breadcrumbs. Fry until brown and crispy.

*simmer the roe in the membrane in salted water with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice for about 15 minutes. Then remove the membrane and use.

These would have been really nice with tartar sauce had I got myself organised enough to make it! But I didn't so we had ketchup and sweet chilli sauce instead (I'm going to hide from the food police now....).

Savory bread and butter pudding, asparagus with bacon and eggs

Breakfast

For the kids: toast and peanut butter; glass of raw goats milk; banana
For me: a smoothie. Same recipe as yesterday, minus the spice and with some mint leaves (4 or 5). Yum!

Lunch

For me: left over mushroom soup
For the kids: savoury bread and butter pudding and salad

Savoury bread and butter pudding
Makes enough for three kids
4-5 slices wholemeal bread (crusts removed if you can be bothered!), buttered
2-3 oz cheese, grated
2 eggs
1-2 cups milk, cream or a mixture
1 or 2 rashers of bacon, finely chopped (optional)

Butter an oven proof dish. Place half the bread in the dish and sprinkle over half the cheese and bacon. Cover with the other half of the bread and then add the rest of the cheese and bacon. Beat the eggs then add the milk and mix. Pour over the bread and leave for a minute or two to soak in. Bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes or so, until the custard has set and the cheese is golden on top.

This is also great if you spread the buttered bread with marmite (or other yeast extract) as well.

Dinner

Asparagus with bacon and eggs
The 'big' kids were having a sleepover at my mums tonight so I only had myself to cook for in the evening.
For the baby: left overs from lunch; yogurt
For me: Asparagus with bacon and eggs. I cooked some asparagus on a griddle with butter and coconut oil. On top of that I chopped some bacon, grated some Parmesan (raw and organic of course!) and put a poached egg. It tasted delicious. The poached egg didn't go so well though - I have got the learn the tricks of that! I have only recently started liking eggs done any way but fried so I haven't had much practice. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

Crustless quiche

Ran out of time yesterday but here is our menu:

Breakfast

For the kids: Breakfast cake
For me: Smoothie


Lunch

For the kids: Bread and butter, ham and salad
For me: Ham and salad

Dinner
For me: I went out for dinner with a friend - delicious!
For the kids: Crust-less quiche with steamed veggies, followed by fruit and yogurt

Crust-less quiche

500g cottage cheese
3-4 eggs
A roughly chopped onion
1-2 oz grated cheese

Put the cottage cheese, onion and eggs in a food processor and blend. Add the grated cheese and pour mixture into a deep silicone paper case (or a cake tin but the paper case is much easier to clean up!) or divide into portions in muffin tins. Bake until set (takes about 20 minutes at gas 6).
You can add any topping you like to the basic mixture. Roasted veg is delicious, as are bacon or salmon and broccoli.

Today:

Breakfast

Leftover crust-less quiche, fruit and homemade yogurt.


Lunch

For the kids: bread and butter, ham and banana
For me: coconut chicken soup

Dinner

It is my daughters 4th birthday today so she got to pick dinner. She chose chicken skin, chips, cucumber and tomatos. She did in the end have some chicken to go with her skin but only grudgingly!