Whilst the weather cannot make up its mind
quite whether it is autumn or winter one should be mindful that Christmas is
looming. Cries I here of how it all comes too soon, and everything must be on
hold till the very last moment. Seems to me as ever, how short our memories are.
One thing I do know is that shops – and commerce put their Christmas dates in
their diaries a year in advance and the same time every year and not earlier as
it often seems.
My old harp sings ‘planning’ I know some who
buy their Christmas Cards in the January sales for the following year, whilst
others have a box or drawer and add specially purchased gifts for Christmas
presents as they are on special offer. All this with thoughts in advance as too
must be the festive food arrangements. Things that can be stored or put in the deep
freeze to negate that last minute expense and panic. Menu planning and lists,
an absolute necessity for a calm and managed time. You can also be sure to have
the right quantities of everything preventing excessive waste – or certainly
plan to use up leftovers in culinary creations with a selection of store
cupboard basics.
What would you find in my cupboard that
would be of use to you. Well here are some suggestions for you. Tinned or
cartons of ready cooked Pulses. Chopped Tomatoes, Passata, Tomato Puree, Mayonnaise,
a selection of Pesto’s, Breadcrumbs, Tinned fruits like Pears and Fruit Pie
fillings, Pasta of varying sorts – rice selection too. Stuffing mixes can be
useful. Oils and Vinegars, Oriental Sauces, Tinned Tuna, Sardines, Coconut
Milk. Chocolate White and Dark, Baking Flours, Dried Fruits, Sugars, Nuts, Semolina,
Powdered Potato mix, Ground Rice, Cornflour, Custard Powder, Stock Cubes.
Having pondered - time for a recipe I guess.
Light but flavoursome and easy to do.
Herbed
Fish Bake
Chunky Fish Fillets – Cod – Haddock (this is
enough for two)
4 tablespoons of Natural Low-Fat Yoghurt
2 Tbsp Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
2 tbsp chopped Parsley or Dill
Preheat oven to 180 degrees
Mix together the Yoghurt, half the chopped Herb
and Pesto
Place fish into a shallow oven proof dish
Pour over mixture
Bake in Oven for about 15 – 20 mins till
cooked
