Routine Is A Necessity

In juggling work and life, routine is a necessity in the kitchen. Here's part of the week's meals ready to be frozen for consumption at my workplace...

Making Bread

Here is a 1.5lb loaf I made today in a Morphy Richard's bread machine. My previous machine was hopeless. I found my latest beauty at a local car boot for £3. An absolute bargain as it works very well, dispensing 1lb and 1.5lb loaves.

This is a loaf made of two thirds strong wholemeal flour, one third strong white bread flour. I followed the machine's 'recipe' to the letter, except I used less salt (1 tsp as opposed to the recommended 1.25 tsps). Salt is used to hold back rising and is a preservative. The loaf tastes as good as it looks - the texture of which can be seen in the next photo.

The Texture

An Alternative To Meat

Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) can be a bit of a joke. Well, the 'chunks' are horrible but TVP mince is probably the most versatile food alongside the potato. It can be purchased very cheaply from any Weigh & Save shop.

The secret of cooking with TVP is to add a lot of flavour to this vegetable mince. Try adding a variety of fresh and dried herbs alongside stock.

Sardines On Toast (Mashed)

Sardines are a must: cheap and full of Omega 3.

Though I like sardines on toast straight, Sardine mash on toast, lightly grilled, is a must.

INGREDIENTS

Tin of sardines in tomato sauce

Tomato puree (heaped tablespoon)

One small onion, finely chopped

A quarter of a red, orange or yellow pepper, finely chopped

Dash of Balsamic vinegar

Pepper and a pinch of mild chilli powder (optional)

METHOD

Mix these ingredients together in a small bowl with a fork until mushy. Spread evenly on toast (enough here for 4 rounds of toast) and grill until mash begins to brown and blister. Serve with tomato and cucumber slices.

OPTIONS

Celery can also be added, finely chopped; and low fat mayonnaise is a sauce option.

TIME

From start to mouth: less than 12 minutes

COST

Less than 25p per 'round.'

Best Soup Around

You'll find the best/cheapest soup around at any Sainsbury's cafe. The choice in Norwich today was Minestrone or Carrot & Corriander plus a wholemeal roll with Flora low fat marg. As it's self service one can fill the bowl to the brim! All for £1.96.

Corner Cafe, Cromer

A cheese & onion toastie doesn't come better than this! The Corner Cafe, High Street, Cromer.

End Of An Era

A new Era Begins!

No Allotment, no sheds just myself!

Here will be my Green Shed.

New Allotment

Here is my Norwich Allotment - the overgrown plot! Much to do...

Breaking News...

I have just acquired an allotment in Norwich! This will greatly enhance my quasi-alternative life-style and provide food for thought here!

Little Chef, Lincolnshire

This one shouldn't appear on The Aspargus Shed. Over priced but nice. Well, actually, tiny portions, over priced. Nil rating.

James and Donald waiting at the station

A return to the Bure Valley Station, Aylsham, on Saturday...

For breakfast

Beans again! I believe they make for a good heart. Or is my hearing going?

Bure Valley Railway

Twenty minutes to the next train. Time for a snack!

Beans on Toast

This is what I call beans on toast! Waiting around in Aylsham my colleague and I stumbled upon a railway station - The Bure Valley 17" gauge line to Wroxham. Best of all it has an excellent and expansive cafe, The Whistlestop. The cafe serves a range of light snacks throughout the day - each and every day - at very reasonable prices. There are tables in the sun and superbly kept toilets (handy for the beans!)

Tyre Man Rating 10 out of 10!