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Baked Onion Bhajis (sorry, can't remember where I got it from)

1 lb onions finely sliced

for the bowl -

3 oz gram flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1 lrg tsp tomato puree
1 egg cup full of water

spices for the pan

1/2 tsp each tumeric, coriander, cumin, ginger, chilli (but I have made it with curry powder and it was fine!)

oil

Soften the onions in a large frying pan, add the pan spices and cook for 10 minutes. In a bowl add all the other ingredients, mix then add the onions. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto a baking sheet. Bake at 180C for 10 minutes, drizzle with oil then bake for another 10 minutes. To get the fried taste it's really important to drizzle the bhajis with oil after 10 minutes.

Thanks for that alec
I have everything in to make them so will give them a go tonight

alec eiffel wrote:Baked Onion Bhajis (sorry, can't remember where I got it from)

1 lb onions finely sliced



for the bowl -

3 oz gram flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1 lrg tsp tomato puree
1 egg cup full of water

spices for the pan

1/2 tsp each tumeric, coriander, cumin, ginger, chilli (but I have made it with curry powder and it was fine!)

oil

Soften the onions in a large frying pan, add the pan spices and cook for 10 minutes. In a bowl add all the other ingredients, mix then add the onions. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto a baking sheet. Bake at 180C for 10 minutes, drizzle with oil then bake for another 10 minutes. To get the fried taste it's really important to drizzle the bhajis with oil after 10 minutes.

this sounds fab. will give it a go at the weekend....... love indian food..

Hope you like them, let us know how you get on (and don't blame me if you don't! )

i sometimes buy those from the supermarket i bet yours are much nicer though.

There's a programme on BBC1 tomorrow night about easy to remember recipes.

nigel slaters simple cooking.

Thank for that TP
i love cooking progs and books and food mmmmmmm

One of my favourite soup recipes is Spicy Lentil:

2 onions chopped
1 tin of chopped tomatoes
250g red lentils well rinsed
750ml of stock - I usually use the Marigold veg stock powder
1 tablespoon of curry powder (I'm using medium at the moment)
1 teaspoon (or amount to taste for you) chilli powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin (optional)

Put the onions, rinsed lentils, tin of tomatoes and stock in a pan.
Add the spices and bring to the boil.
Simmer for 20 mins until lentils are cooked.
Test for seasoning and add salt & pepper as required.

* I play about with the amount of liquid as I'd rather add a bit less then add more at the end so I end up with a nice thickish soup.

This is an adaptation from a recipe in BBC Food magazine years ago and everyone here loves it. It's very filling served with Naan or homemade flatbreads.

Just wanted to say that I loved the Nigel Slater Simple Suppers so will be watching tonight too

Thanks for that recipe Sunny
I will add that to my meal plan i think, i am always on the look out for fast filling meals

No problem. That's why it's in my plan too lol also we have one night a week where we have soup followed by a hot pudding & custard to keep costs down, get more veg into the boys and use up any suspect veg in the bottom of the fridge

I do that as well, soup and pud night love it kids enjoy it too
I am trying to have at least 2 days a week veggie to keep costs down but also up the healthyness
Im hoping over time to end up with more veggie meals than meat based ones but have to sneak this in gently
or the family will have a fit

I'm in the same boat LF. I use the soup as a vegetarian night also a pasta bake/mac cheese, stuffed baked potatoes and beans, eggy things like quiche, omlettes and fritattas. I struggle a bit after that as DS1 won't eat anything too spicy or with mixed beans in and although DH is very good at eating whatever I put in front of him he pushes it round his plate if its something 'obviously' veggie. Any advice on this from others in the same position will be gratefully received

I'd tell them to suck it up - eat it and stop whinging, but I'm a badass so probably of no help there...

Not a badass at all as I usually tell them to get on with it and stop moaning (a dictatorship is sometimes the way forward with teenagers lol), but I find myself that a lot of the veggie recipes I've found have spices in them - unless they are just the ones I'm drawn to Also don't like using a lot of cheese as its high in fat I'd rather save it for my once a week 'treat' of cheese on toast!

I'm going to sign on at the Job Centre now and will call into the library while I'm out and have a look at some of the veggie cook books. One of my faves is Vegetarian Grub on a Grant written for students.

I could try to help you with some veggie versions of foods you like, I don't eat cheese so that's easy enough to get round. But we do eat a lot of beans so if someone won't eat them then I can see why you're having difficulty... Would he eat something like falafel or a bean burger where the beans are mushed up? Will they eat lentils? I have a really nice shepherdess pie recipe that's made from lentils. Oooh no that has baked beans in...

That's a toughie. I think I'm lucky as my brother gave up meat when he was 8 so I've never lived with anyone who thought it wasn't a meal without meat (although I do know a fair few people now but I don't live with them so I don't care!).

Can we have the shepherdess pie recipe please - need to start building up winter warmers.

Of course! I got it from a Weight Watchers book

Serves 4

I put in whatever veg we have, not necessarily what's in the recipe, probably goes without saying but there you go! Also I use a teaspoon of marmite instead of the brown sauce, I hate raw marmite but it adds lovely warmth and depth to sauces when it's cooked

2 tsp oil
1 finely chopped leek
1 small diced courgette
1 diced carrot
1 clove of garlic, squidged
120g mushrooms chopped
60g red lentils
60g green lentils
half a tin of tomatoes
half a tin of baked beans
450ml water
1 bay leaf
1/2tsp each of thyme and marjoram (or use mixed herbs, sage is nice too)
1 1/2tbsp brown sauce
half a tin of baked beans
s&p

big pile of mash
some grated cheese if you are so inclined

Heat the oven to 200C (great in the remoska too!)

Heat the oil in a big pan and fry the veg, covered for 10 minutes, stir occasionally. Add the lentils, tomatoes, water and herbs. Bring to the boil then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes until pappy. Add the brown sauce and beans, cook for 5 minutes.

Remove the bayleaf and put the lentil mixture into an ovendish top with the mash and sprinkle with cheese if you're having it. Stick in the oven for 15-20 minutes.

As with shepherds pie, it's best made the day before and heated up but it's splendid straight away too.

Thanks for that alec i have put that one in my folder as well
might even have it tonight will have to check what i have in as it sounds mmmmmm
I cant make anything out of my river cottage veg book as my mum has pinched it...i will be chasing her up for it soon

Don't you just love it when someone nicks off with something like that

The shepherdess really is yum, I'm making it tonight for us to have tomorrow.

Thanks for that Alec it looks great & I'll incorporate it into the next 2 week menu plan. I've been thinking whilst out and have decided to make more veggie meals anyway and offer an alternative of something simple like an omlette or make your own for the boys.

I've also been having a gander on this website as there's some good ideas. Not sure any of mine would eat nut butters but I really like the sound of them. http://www.cheap-family-recipes.org.uk/

Any other good recipes for me to borrow steal please?

i haven't read this thread yet but intend to later When i sit down to prep what I can for the shop but..

I use http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/ they have a 'binder' where you can save all your recipes. Apologies if it has already been mentioned

Brilliant Froogs thank you! I have seen the binder thing but didn't realise what it was for

Thanks Froogs, I love that site.

Here are a couple of other things we really like

sweet potato mash with sage butter

4 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp orange juice
pinch orange zest (I never put this in)
1 tbsp butter
4 small sage leaves (I've used dried sage)

Boil the potatoes until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain, return to the pan for 30 seconds to dry out. Season to taste and mash with the oil and orange.

In a small pan melt the butter with the sage, cook until it starts to foam then pour over the mash and serve.

Slowcooker Butternut Squash Casserole.

This is my adapted version of a BBC Good Food recipe

serves 4

I add chickpeas to mine for the protein but it would be good with chicken or some grilled chops or kebabs or something I would think. It's warming but not spicy. I always cook a load of roast veg in one go and use it for various stuff.

big glug of oil
1 onion cut into wedges
1 cubed sweet potato
1 cubed bns
1 chopped red pepper
1 tbsp paprika
1 tsp cumin
300ml veg stock
200 ml wine (or extra stock)
tin of tomatoes
handful of red or green lentils
couple of handfuls of chickpeas, soaked, drained and boiled for 10 minutes (use less liquid if you're using tinned)

Roast the veg until the squash is about half cooked. Heat the s/c on high. Stick everything into the slowcooker and cook on low for about 5 hours.