My Top of the Pop's (Dinner wise that is!)

Saturday 28 January 2012

Source: flickr.com via Kate on Pinterest



Wahhh . . . gas works are still ongoing here at Casa de Rayner, and so once again no cooking going on. Sigh . . . sad but true. We did have a tasty fry up at a cafe this morning . . . but other than that we've only eaten fruit and cereal today. I think it will be toast and jam for tea, but that's always good and something we both like. After the fry up, something simple and non-fattening is in order!

I thought it would be fun to do a round up of my top of the pop's main dish recipes. These are the dishes that I cook again and again. I can see that comfort food plays a very big part . . . hmmm . . . I wonder what that says about me??? Sometimes it's nice to do a review of things . . . I think so at any rate. ☺



Beer Battered Fish & Chips

What can I say. I've always been a big fan of Fish & Chips. I think they taste better in the North West as compared to the ones we used to get in the South, and you can't go to the seaside without having them. Preferably eaten on the pier, looking out to sea and doused in salt and malt vinegar. Of course, making them at home is best of all.



Cottage Pie with Potato Cobbles

Cottage Pie is a real favourite with my meat and potatoes loving husband and he especially loved this version I made using extra lean beef mince . . . lots of onions, leeks and tasty carrots, swede and peas, all in a rich gravy and topped with lovely potato cobbles and cheese.



Sticky Bangers with Buttermilk and Chive Mash

There is nothing tastier or more beautiful than a good Butcher's pork Banger . . . and when you combine them with a sticky fruity glaze and some rich buttermilk and chive mashed spuds you have something that is very special indeed!



Macaroni Shepherd's Pie


Double the pleasure and comfort with your favourite lamb and veg filling topped with luciously rich macaroni and cheese. What more could anyone want! Different, easy and oh so tasty!



Perfectly Cooked Roast Beef


We have some of the best beef in the world here in the UK, and with my foolproof way to cook it, you are guarenteed to have a delicious roast beef dinner every single time. Tasty, tender and succulent. I like a standing rib roast best of all, but this method will work with any roasting cut. I guarantee!



Simple Pot Roasted Chicken

A deliciously moist pot roasted chicken served with plenty of veg and a tasty au jus. Heartily approved by my "Mr Darcy!" It may not look like much but it is really tender and moist. We like it with roasted potatoes, sprouts and mashed carrots and parsnips. Who doesn't love a tasty roast chicken and this, in my humble opinion, is one of the very best recipes ever!



Cod Fish Cakes and Tartar Sauce


Moist fish cakes, crisp on the outside and with no fillers, flavoured with fresh tarragon and served with a delicious homemade horseradish tartar sauce. This is one of our all time favourites, and so much tastier than those frozen fish cakes you buy in the shops.



Lancashire Hot Pot

British Tradition at it's very best. This is the good, old fashioned, stodge which never fails to please. Simple flavours, beautifully put together. This is what the UK is all about.



Not Your Mama's Spag Bol

Spaghetti Bolognese is one of the UK's most beloved dishes and makes weekly appearances in a lot of homes over here. My husband hates pasta . . . he's very old fashioned in that way, having been brought up during the war. Pasta is foreign food to him and he really prefers traditional dishes. He does like this though . . . as long as I spoon it over mash. I think everyone over here has their own "secret" recipe for Spag Bol. This is mine. It's a cross between Spag Bol and Chili, and quite, quite delicious if I don't say so myself!!



Chicken Curry with Rice

You just can't beat a good curry and I do believe that curry has overtaken just about every dish as Britain's favourite dish, even Roast Beef. (Although I do have to say we do love our Roast Dinners with a passion!) I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to curry . . . preferring mine a bit on the milder side, but loving it all the same. Chicken or lamb . . . fish or vegetable. Curry is one of our favourites. This is a lovely low fat one with a beautiful addition of spinach for added colour, texture and flavour. (We like Green Thai Curry as well!




Pssstt!! We also love a really good Lamb Curry as well. This particular recipe is very good indeed.

I just noticed something is glaringly absent here . . . a Tasty Fish Pie. Time to remedy that. Look for one soon!!!

On Monday I'll post my round up of my top ten favourite British Puds! (Am hoping I have gas for the weekend!)



In The Cottage today, Tex Mex Taters . . . cooked in the microwave and with the aid of an electric skillet!

13 comments

  1. Ok, now I'm starving and its almost mid night!
    This is one delicous post Marie, you without a stove ,, oh boy thats not good at all!
    Hope everything is working well tomorrow,, take care, sending love from Canada

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  2. Fish is one of my favorites! (and yet, I hate salmon, but oh well...) I think I'll have to put it on this weeks' menu!

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  3. Loved your review of recipes. I had missed some of them. Hope your gas is back on soon. I would go crazy with no stove.

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  4. I totally love your promotion of British food! We have such fantastic local produce and I love the way you write so passionately about it - Love Frugal Queen xx

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  5. You are so good to share..:) Thank you.Have a great weekend.

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  6. Marie! Sorry I've been gone so long--I've missed you! Life's been so busy I took a blog break for a few weeks--think we're back on track now--I hope!

    Sorry your gas isn't working--no fun! But, I LOVE all the recipes & photos you shared--delicious! Comfort food is definitely my favorite as well...always perfect!

    Wishing you a wonderful weekend, dear friend--sending lots of love your way today!

    Julie

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  7. What a great round up! SO sorry to hear about your gas woes, hopefully it will be fixed soon. Have a GREAT weekend! Karen xx

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  8. Everything you make always looks so delish!

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  9. Have to disagree. The best F&C are in Dunwich in Suffolk. The boats pull up on the sand and the catch of the day is walked over to the tacky cafe and cooked right then. Absolutely the sweetest, freshest most delicious think you'll ever eat!

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  10. Priscilla, that does sound good. Fresh is best. My only experience down South has been in Kent and East Sussex. I did not like the fact that they left the skin on the fish. That is a HUGE turnoff for me!

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  11. I love your recipes! You use foods that even my husband will eat. Thanks for so many great ideas. Can't wait to see what else you come out with.

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  12. I love all your recipes - sound fabulous and I am printing!

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  13. what wonderful meals dear Marie!!! I love your fish look awesome!!!
    send you loads of hugss dear! gloria

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