We fancied something a bit different yesterday and I suggested having a look at the Fish counter. Sue’s not keen on flaky Fish as such, but Mussels and Squid? Oh yes! There was an offer on so the Fish component including three Squid and a kilo of live Mussels was £4 in total. The other ingredients are really inexpensive. We might have been just over budget, but we’re often well under so……
Ingredients:-
Mussels
Squid / Calamari, bodies cut into strips, heads as they come
2 Cloves of Garlic, minced
The juice of ½ a Lemon
Fresh Parsley
Shallots, finely sliced
Capers
A slug of cheap White Wine
Rehydrated Wood Ear Mushrooms
A dash of Fish Sauce
Smoked Paprika
Cayenne Pepper
A tin of chopped Tomatoes
Salt & Pepper
Rice Glass Noodles
Oil
Method:-
(1) Sauté the Shallots for 2 minutes and add the Capers and Garlic.
(2) Simmer for a further 2 minutes.
(3) Add the drained tin of Tomatoes and simmer for a further 2 to 3 minutes.
(4) Stir in the Mussels and Mushrooms.
(5) Cover and simmer for 5 minutes until the Mussels have opened.
(6) Shake the pan and remove the lid.
(7) Fold in the Calamari and cook for a further 2 minutes.
(8) Add the Rice Noodles to boiling water and slimmer for 2 minutes.
(9) Serve the sauce over a bed of Noodles and season to taste.
(10) Dress with a squeeze of Lemon and fresh Parsley.
There not much else to say about this dish. We would have paid good money to enjoy this in a restaurant!
We wouldn't normally consider Duck as it's generally out of our budget of £4 a day. But at a 50% discount at the supermarket this was a tasty and very welcome treat.
Ingredients:-
2 Duck Breasts (A crown at £3 which Sue dissembled in our case)
1 ½ tsp Garam Masala
1 tsp Grated fresh Ginger
A Glug of Oyster Sauce
Oil to fry
Salt to season
1 tbsp Butter / Margarine
1 tsp Cumin seeds
100g Pilau Rice
800ml Chicken Stock85g Frozen Peas
A bunch of Spring Onions, finely chopped
2 tbsp Chutney to serve.
Method:-
(1) Score the Duck skin and rub with Garam Masala, Ginger and Oyster Sauce.
(2) Chill for 30 minutes to allow the marinade to flavour the meat.
(3) Heat the oven to 200c.
(4) Gently fry the Duck breasts skin side down until the fat runs out.
(5) Transfer to a baking dish skin side up then leave to rest.
(6) Melt butter in a large pan. Add Cumin seeds and fry for 2 to 3 minutes.
(7) Transfer the Duck breasts into the oven.
(8) Stir in the Rice.
(9) Pour over the Stock and simmer for 10 minutes.
(10) Add Peas in the last 4 minutes.
(11) When the liquid has absorbed folk through and add the Spring Onions.
(12) Season to taste.
(13) Slice the Duck breasts and serve on a bed of the Rice.