QUICK & EASY CAULIFLOWER & COURGETTE CURRY: vegan, high fibre, low-salt, small households

Going on a low-carb vegan diet for a few days in one of the coldest weeks in the winter is not easy... 

Slimmer's Delight: Healthy, Delicious and Satisfying

...soup and salads don't cut it and the body craves the comfort of starchy veg.  

But 67goingon50's tremendously satisfying Cauliflower & Courgette Curry was a wonderful solution.  Any starch cravings will slide away.   

Home-made curries can be bland and boring, especially if your cupboard isn't well-stocked with exotic spices.  But the flavours in 67's curry were punchy - in a good way - and the chunky veg was mouth-friendly and filling.   

The curry only takes half an hour to put together and can be part-cooked a day in advance.  

The curry is not difficult to make but take into account that 67goingon50 is keen on al dente vegetables.  In your kitchen, an extra 10 minutes cooking if desired,  won't turn the veg mushy.

Cost: £2.50'ish

Makes: 2 meals + leftover for soup

Ingreds:

1 1/2 tbsp oil, divided

1 med onion

2 cloves garlic, grated

3cm peeled ginger

1 tsp roasted curry powder or garam masala

scant 1/2 tsp dried cumin

1/4 tsp cayenne OR large pinch chilli flakes

1 large tomato, grated OR 1/2 tin tomatoes

small cauliflower, in med-small florets

2 med courgettes, halved vertically, chopped in 1/2in/2cm chunks

generous handful of green beans

300ml water or stock

Method:

DIETERS' DELIGHT CHICKEN, HAM & HARVEST FRUIT SALAD;

An dish to celebrate summer's end, with the help of supermarket friends...

from the Archive

Crisp juicy harvest fruit teams with succulent meats in a magnificent low-carb salad  'Bliss.  Has everything one could want in a salad.' 
                                                                                                                                                updated aug/19

This salad was first served at a pretty hotel overlooking a ferry terminal in Mallaig, Inverneshire; the guests loved it.  It's adapted from Robert Carrier, one of the first modern tv chefs and a master at translating classic French cuisine into home cooking.  

Rotisserie chicken, a bit of ham, good English harvest fruit & veg creates an  unforgettable main course salad.  The flavours and textures are delightful together, especially the hum of heat in the background.  

There is a bit of chopping but much of the salad can be prepared the night before.  Consider it an opportunity to form bonds over lunch prep.   

The salad isn't frugal but none of the ingredients are expensive and it feeds a lot of people. Make it go further with baked sweet potatoes, bread rolls or Flaky Savoury Biscuits and gorgeously scented vine tomatoes. 

Dessert is an I'm on Holiday Too! Easy-Peasy Chocolate Cake.

Cost: £7'ish
Feeds: 8 with sides

Ingred:
  450g/1 lb cooked chicken, skin removed (supermarket rotisserie is fine) 
  175g/6 oz cooked ham or salt beef
  2 large or 4 small oranges
  1 c/240 ml yoghurt-mayo & zest & juice of a lemon

  4 stalks celery, peeled & thinly sliced
  1 lge green pepper, seeded, cored and finely diced
  4 radishes, in matchsticks 
  2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
  4 tsp finely chopped fresh chives or spring onion tops
  2 eating apples 
  8 drops tabasco or 1/2-1 tsp chilli flakes
  generous pinch cinnamon (opt)
  s & p
  soft lettuce leaves, and extra chopped chives & parsley to garnish.

Method:

CITRUS MARINADE, frugal, sugar & preservative free, low-salt

The depth of flavour and degree of tenderness is surprisingly easily achieved...

Common-all-garden pork shoulder steaks transformed into a scintillating treat
with Lime & Ginger marinade  'Wow! So tender & flavourful!' Taster

With 67's simple marinade, even economy supermarket meat turns into a gourmet dish that lights up the taste buds.  The marinade is ultra-healthy -- sugar & preservative free, low-salt - and frugal, containing only four ingredients.

It was used on one of the first dishes 67 served to Lunch Club members back in  2015; it went down a storm.  That first marinade was lemon & garlic; a later lime and ginger blend was also enthusiastically received.  

'White' meat - poultry or pork, maybe not beef or lamb - is probably the best meat for this, and, cooked and cooled, turns into a tree for a lunch al desko or picnic.       

Chicken thighs on the bone, 'flat packed' chicken (the backbone removed & the bird flattened) and thick turkey strips/chunks from drum or thigh meat took on the flavours beautifully. 

Lemon Garlic Marinaded Chicken Thighs  with Corn & Plum Slaw 
'Refreshing and bright.'  'Can't believe how tasty & inexpensive this is.'
  

Pork shoulder slices, which can be an oddly tasteless cut (though cheap at £3 for 4x150gm steaks*!), turned into a top-class lime-y ginger-y delight.  They were even better lightly sprinkled with 67's Savoury Rub instead of pepper and salt.

The meat needs to sit several hours, preferably overnight.  If using boned meat, it's worth the effort to marinade the bone, as well as the meaty, side.  

The original recipe was from Ina Garten but adapted to reduce fat and salt.  Other variations are 67's.                        

Serves 6-8 with sides
Cost: £4.00 

Ingred:

3 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp fresh or 1 tsp dried rosemary, oregano or parsley (opt)

cracked black pepper and a little salt

2 tsp grated lemon zest
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (3 lemons approx)
1 tbsp minced or grated garlic (3 cloves)

OR 

replace lemons with limes, and garlic with fresh grated ginger

750gm-1kilo/1.5-2 pounds meat, skin & fat-free

Method:

SENSATIONAL SMASHED POTATO SALAD

Outstanding potato salad that's quick, easy and frugal...

Doesn't look like much but it's utterly fabulous.  And quick!
'I love potato salad; this was outstanding with great crunchy bits' 'Incredible.'  Tasters 

When life's really busy or too darned hot, this frugal potato salad will make life easier.  From start to finish, it's ready in minutes and - even better -  the kids will love to help make it.

It can sit in the fridge for a day or so, deepening its flavours; doubling or tripling the recipe won't be a problem.

To make it a main course salad, at the last minute, mix in hard boiled egg or cubes of cold meat/fish. Other salad ingredients like finely chopped celery, cooked green beans or asparagus (!) and finely sliced radish add colour and texture. 

Cost: £2.25
Feeds: 6-8 as a side

Ingred:
   1 kilo/2 pounds small potatoes, halved OR potatoes chopped in 2inch/4cm cubes
   4-5 trimmed spring onions, white & green bits, thinly sliced 
   at least 1 cup yoghurt-mayonnaise
    pepper & salt

Method:

1. Cook potatoes 10 mins in boiling salted water or until a knife inserted into the centre meets little resistance (they will continue to cook off the heat)
2. Drain, run cold water over the potatoes then return to the sieve in the pot with the heat off; cool; peel if preferred
3. Put into a large bowl and, using a potato basher or fork, squash some of the potatoes - it doesn't matter if some of the potatoes stay whole
4. Mix in spring onions
5. Stir in yoghurt-mayo, mixing well 
6. Refrigerate until needed

Comments:
'I love potato salad and this was outstanding - firm and moist with great crunchy bits in it.' Political Agent 
'The salad was incredible!'  Mature housewife

More salads on Nav Bar:Recipes 11/Salads 

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This recipe has been developed by B  Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced, in any form, without the author's written permission.  

SALMON NICOISE PLATTER, lower salt & fat, high fibre, wallet-friendly

Beguiling on the plate: a lighter, subtler lower-salt version of Tuna Nicoise but no less tasty ...

                                                                                                                                          updated July 2022; first posted 2016

Summer's Delight: Salmon Nicoise Salad, diet friendly

Salmon Nicoise Salad is is lower in salt than Tuna Nicoise.  It has no olives (unless you want them) or anchovies, but delicious marinated bell peppers, sun-blush tomatoes and artichoke hearts add a sassy piquancy.  Creamy low-fat dressing perfectly complements the dense, moist flakes of salmon.

As well as being healthy, the salad can be wallet-friendly.  67 used frozen wild salmon* but when pockets are deep will splurge on conservation-grade farmed salmon from Norway**.

67 made the marinaded bell peppers from scratch - quite easily (See no. 2 in method) - but M&S now includes them in their 3 for £8 deli offers.   Jarred pepper (not tested by 67) will do but will cost more.  The artichoke hearts and sun-blush  tomatoes were purchased on the 3-fer deal at M&S (usually £3+ each) but making your own roasted tomatoes is easy and inexpensive. 

If serving at a picnic, either pack the ingredients separately and assemble on site, or prepare the platter in advance, wrap well in clingfilm and put the dressing in an airtight container.

Cost:  min £6
Feeds: 2-3 but easily multiplies

Ingred:
   2 salmon fillets
   200 gm/8 oz new, or waxy, potato
   1 bell pepper, red or orange OR half of each colour
   2 hard boiled eggs
   8 raw baby tomatoes or 3 large
   100 gm/4 oz green beans
   2 generous tablespoons artichoke hearts
   2 generous tablespoons sun-blush  tomatoes

Method:

1. Make dressing; set aside
2. Grill whole pepper, turning frequently, until blackened. (The 67 grill took nearly half an hour; the 67 air fryer the same time.)  Place in a deep bowl, cover with cling film.  Leave for half an hour.  When cool, remove skin, stem and seeds.  Cut in 1/4 inch/1/2 cm slices.  Pour over 2-3 tbsp of dressing; cover and set aside
3. Steam or poach salmon for 10-15 minutes; allow to cool, loosely cover with foil; break into large flakes; set aside
4. Bring a large pot of water to the boils; add new potatoes, cook 10-15 mins until a sharp knife meets a little resistance in the middle (the potatoes carry on cooking) for al dente; or until cooked through
5. Have a bowl of cold/iced water ready.  Take tops off green beans; drop into boiling water for 3-5 mins; remove; place in iced water
6. Place eggs in a pan of water; bring to a boil; turn off heat, cover; leave 6-8 minutes.  Run under cold water.   Roll on a flat surface, pressing down lightly until shells crack and peel easily. Cut eggs into vertical quarters.
7. If using artichoke hearts, cut off fronds bits; store-bought sun-blush tomatoes are improved by removing the skins; if using olives, rinse in cold water to remove some of the salt. 
8. Arrange everything nicely on a platter with raw tomatoes; either serve naked with dressing alongside or drizzle a little dressing over the platter.   

  Creamy Dill Vinaigrette  
     4 tbsp good olive oil  
     1 tbsp lemon juice 
     good pinch salt and 1/4 tsp pepper, pref. coarsely ground
     2 rounded tsp finely chopped dill or 1/2 tsp dried (opt)
     1/2 tsp sugar, honey or maple syrup (opt)
     2-3 tablespoons strained 0-fat yoghurt
     1 tbsp mayo

OR

Creamy Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing

3 parts good olive oil

1 part lemon juice

1 generous tablespoon wholegrain mustard

1 small clove garlic, grated

good pinch salt; 1/4 tsp pepper

2-3 tablespoons Greek 0-fat yoghurt
1 tbsp mayo (opt)

Pour all ingredients into a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake until thick and blended. Check seasoning.

Marvellous Croutons

You might think croutons are easy but it's the ratio of oil to bread that turns something ordinary into something memorable!

*Iceland or Waitrose

**Whole Foods, Kensington

Comment:

'I love this salad's freshness and the way the individual flavours combine. Today, in - and in between - Lockdown, it's a treat to add wonderful sourdough croutons and amp up the flavour with a few rinsed olives (to remove some of the salt).' (as below)

Olives and memorable croutons
replace artichoke hearts & sun-blush tomatoes

                                                           More fish on NavBar: Recipes 1/Fish 

Please leave a Comment in the box below 

This recipe  has been developed by B  Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced, in any form, without the author's written permission.   

HEALTHIER HOT DOG PICNIC WITH NO-SUGAR, LOW PRESERVATIVE RELISH, Triple Duty; budget friendly, child friendly

American hot dogs are a favourite English picnic food...

first published 2016; updated June 2025

A hot dog picnic with Make-ahead Easy No/low Sugar Homemade Relish
Photo shows Tivali veggie dogs in Light wholemeal Spelt rolls. 

...and 67goingon50 has developed various strategies to enhance the experience.   

Nowadays popular frankfurters include high-meat beef or pork, lower-fat chicken or increasingly, vegan dogs.  If you're going the no-meat route, vegetarian franks* which the blogger discovered in Israel are recommended.  

In the west we also have high-end vegan frankfurters, developed alongside meatless burgers.

Whatever their origin, frankfurters/hot dogs are best eaten warm.  If you're travelling to a picnic site, try these methods:  

• place the dogs in wide-mouthed thermoses and cover with hot - not boiling - water; drain at the picnic site OR
• wrap the frankfurters in buns  (but without dressing and sauces) and then in foil packets.  Wrap them well in tea towels and place them or near the car engine while travelling to the picnic site.  If you smell burning, move them away or turn them over.  (At the site, don't turn your back on them or they could be nicked!)
• cook over a campfire; load a young strong branch with the dogs and grill over the flames (it's probably best to have jumbo dogs for this)

Traditionally, hot dogs are served with a strip of mustard, a strip of ketchup, some relish and maybe some onions fried in butter.  If travelling, fill a squeezy bottle (from Nisbetts & department stores) with mustard and another with ketchup; before screwing on the lid, cover the tops with a double layer of cling film. Trasport in a plastic bag or container (Try not to tear the cling film or the ketchup/mustard will end up all over the container and people will not be happy!) 

HOT DOG RELISH: Many varieties of hot dog relish - red or green - are available at various prices but most are high in sugar and additives.   67goingon50's easy, colourful hot dog relish is not.  

Crunchy and zippily flavoured, it's a healthy treat.  There's no or very low sugar and it's almost preservative-free.  The relish is easy to put together; an older child with good knife skills could do it under supervision. (Always have a first aid kit in the kitchen!)  

The recipe does use store-bought pickles** but not in huge quantities.  To make your own, go to Faff-free Dill Pickles, which take only a few minutes to make and 3 days to 'cook'.    

67's relish will satisfy sophisticated adults. For kids being weaned off high levels of sugar, it's ok to add half a tablespoon of maple syrup; the chillis and mustard could also be reduced.  The recipe makes 1.5 cups; preparing two batches won't be a burden.  

Any leftovers can be teamed with chicken or cheese with a little yoghurt-mayo for a great sandwich filling.

The relish can be made in advance and keeps 3-5 days in the fridge.   

Cost: £2.50'ish (June 2025) does not include cost of frankfurters

Makes1.5 cups

Ingred:
   5 cherry tomatoes or equiv, in small dice
   3/4 tsp tomato puree, pref low-salt
   small red chilli, top & tailed, de-seeded, finely diced OR 1/2 tsp chilli flakes  
   1/2 cup bell pepper, pref green or yellow, in small dice
   1/3 cup dill pickle  (2 med) in small dice)
   1/3 cup drained corn niblets
   1 tbsp wholegrain mustard

PLUS Hot dogs (cost varies according to choice): meat, vegetarian, vegan 

Method:

1. Mix all ingredients apart from dogs thoroughly; add cracked black pepper to taste 
2. Store in a wide-mouthed air-tight container in the fridge 3-5 days

*Tivali

**Mrs Elswood Dill Pickles

Tips:

• Hot dog buns/finger rolls are sold at most UK supermarkets at good prices; pick up more than you need when  on offer - they freeze well
• Or save money and make your own easy-peasy Light wholemeal Spelt rolls

Please leave a Comment in the box below

This recipe has been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and can not be reproduced without the author's written permission. 

TRADITIONAL EASTER LUNCH FOR 2 (A): Easy, budget conscious

Small households needn't miss out on a roast lamb lunch at Easter...

updated 3/2023; 1st posted 2019; 

Roast Shoulder of Lamb for 2 with sweet potato, broccoli and Mint Gravy
'Just the smell of the mint gravy is amazing and gives the very tender lamb a wonderful lift.  Never tried mashed sweet potato before; it's lovely.' Taster

There's something appealing about roast lamb for Easter but small households often miss out as roasts are usually quite big.  

But at this time of year, British lamb producers often reduce prices of some cuts, and supermarkets often prepare a few smaller joints. The butchers' counter in a larger suspermarket or an independent butcher will also prepare a smaller joint.   

The lamb shoulder in this recipe was 3/4k, enough for two generous portions with leftovers.

This 67 recipe is so simple -- there's no need to stab flesh and insert fiddly bits of garlic and rosemary.    

The mint sauce is absolutely sensational -- not at all tart like some conventional recipes.  The one used here, adapted from Jamie Oliver, has no added sugar. 

A word of warning: roasting lamb shoulder can result in slightly fatty (though tender) meat though there is less fat than in some recipes.  Remove as much as you can before serving; some cooks separate the juices from the meat,  pour it into a flattish container and pop it in the freezer until the fat solidifies and can be easily removed.   A slow cooker is also possible (See Tips below) but the lamb won't have the crispy brown top. 

Use the oven space wisely and there'll be only two pans to wash up.

Cost: Sainsbury's on-line price for half lamb shoulders is £8.50'ish (2023)
Feeds: 2-3 

Ingred:
   small shoulder lamb under 1 kilo
   1 small package fresh rosemary 
   few cloves garlic

   med purple onion in wedges
   2 small carrots, thinly sliced
   1 large stick celery, cleaned & chopped
   1 small glass wine, stock or white grape juice

   3-4 large sprigs mint, leaves removed from stems & finely chopped
   a tablespoon plain flour
   350-500gm stock 
   1-2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 

   2 sweet or baking potatoes, washed, blemish free but unpeeled (If using baking potatoes,  rub with olive oil, pepper & salt)

   1 generous cup of broccoli spears
   peas (opt)
   corn (opt)

Method:

1. Preheat oven to its highest temperature
2. Rub the shiny side of the lamb with olive oil, pepper & salt.  Arrange rosemary on top
3. Layer onions, carrots, celery and garlic in the bottom of a deep metal roasting tin, just big enough for the lamb; add wine/stock/juice 
4. Put the lamb on top of the vegetables
5. Cover dish tightly with foil; place in centre of oven
6. Turn heat down to 345f/170c/150fan
7. Place potatoes in the bottom of the oven on a baking rack with a tray underneath to catch drips
8. Roast for 2-3 hours or until meat is tender but still sliceable
9. Remove foil for last half hour of cooking
10. Wrap florets in a greaseproof paper parcel with a tablespoon of water, a bit of butter & pepper & salt; place on bottom of oven with potatoes
11. When lamb is done to your liking, remove, cover with foil & keep warm.  Turn off oven but keep veg on bottom shelf 
12. Remove as much fat as possible from the juices & veg in roasting tin; place tin over high heat, stirring to remove any bits stuck to the bottom
13. Add a tablespoon of flour; stir; gradually add stock; bring to a boil & allow to bubble for a few minutes
14. Meanwhile, if using sweet potatoes, slit the skins and remove the contents, scraping as close to the skin as possible to get all the vitamins and minerals; stir through a bit of butter; cover & keep warm.  If using baking potatoes, keep warm in the bottom the oven
15. Strain contents of roasting tin through a fine meshed sieve, pressing to push through as much of the soft veg as possible
16. Return gravy to pan; reheat, add red wine vinegar and mint.  Season to taste.
17. Serve lamb with potatoes, broccoli, other chosen veg and minty gravy

Tips: 

•  sweet potatoes have slightly more fibre and a slightly lower GI count than baking potatoes but both are quite nutritious.  See sweet potatoes vs baked potatoes 
• if using a slow cooker, follow steps 2-4.  Add a cup of good stock. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or until tender but still sliceable.  

More lamb on Nav Bar/Recipes I...

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This recipe has been developed by B  Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced in any form, without the author's written permission.  

CHUNKY BEEF & VEG SOUP, slow cooker, low fat, salt, preservative

Much better for you than tinned...

 'Big' Beef Soup: not quite a stew but equally filling, nourishing & easily digested

'...a grand, hearty warm meal' Taster

Tinned 'Big' soups are a godsend when overwhelmed with work or unable to cook due to illness.  But the truth is, many commercial tinned soups* are disappointing: thick & gloopy -- definitely not in a good way -- and strong, unpleasant metallic flavours. 

Home-made Big Soups are the perfect solution.  They hit the right balance: light but satisfying and full of flavour.  And all the bits in it -- root veg and beef -- are tender and easily digested. 

Prepped ahead and slow-cooked, homemade chunky soups may take a little more effort than opening a tin initially but they are incredibly tasty.  And  leftovers can be frozen.  

They are also better for you - lower in fat/salt/preservatives - and are pretty wallet friendly.   

Kids will love them, as will the ill or infirm or anyone looking for a nutritious, filling, easily digestible meal.  


Cost: £3.00
Serves: 6-8

Ingred:
   7oz/200g shin of beef, without bones, in one inch cubes
   seasoned flour

   olive oil
   med onion, diced or coarsely processed
   1 1/2 sticks celery in med dice
   1 large carrot in one inch cubes
   1/2 coffee mug swede, peeled and cut in one inch cubes
   1/2 coffee mug sweet potato. peeled & in one inch cubes
   6oz+/180gm baby new potatoes or washed potatoes in one-inch cubes

   enough stock water to cover beef & veg by one inch
   slug of brandy (opt)

   small handful parsley, finely chopped
   Worcestershire sauce, 2 tbsp

   reduced salt soy sauce (opt)

   2 tbsp rice or other flour with 1/2 ounce butter

Method:

EASY MULTI-DUTY RICH TOMATO SOUP: easy-peasy, sugar/preservative free, low oil/salt

Another multi-purpose dish perfect for carnivores and vegans 

updated 2025 first posted 2015d 2015 

Rich Tomato Soup with Crispy Pancetta
one of multiple ways to serve this soup 

This rich, thick and sublimely satisfying soup is is the perfect vehicle for satisfying conflicting food preferences amidst a crowd or round a dining table.

The vegan base transforms easily into vegetarian, pescatarian or carnivore, depending on additions. 

The soup is gloriously scented and deeply flavourful despite being free of sugar & preservative, and low in salt and fat.  It is incredibly easy to make, with very little chopping.

It also contains four different vegetables which make a substantial contribution to your five-a-day.

The simle roasting method - adapted from Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall -- is a simple, easy way to achieve masterful flavours. 

Serves: 6-8 generously
Cost: £4.00'ish (10/2025); additionns & garnishes extra 

Ingred:

  1 kilo vine tomatoes or supermarket specials OR two 400gm tins tomatoes
  1/2 kilo red or yellow onions OR a large fennel with a extra 2 sticks celery
  3-4 sticks washed, peeled celery, grooves rubbed with paper towel
  1 good sized bell pepper
  2-3 tablespoons fresh basil leaves (or 1 - 1.5 tsp dried)
  stock or water

  2 tbsp tomato paste  (low-salt for oldies) 
  salt & pepper
  1-2 tbsp olive oil 

  Good stock  as needed 

Meat eaters: 250-350 gm ham or minced poultry, lamb or beef
Pescatarians: 250-350 gm seafood
Vegetarians: Cheese, yoghurt
Vegans: firm tofu

Method

1. Soak non-organic veg 20 mins in a 9-1 mix water & vinegar; rinse, drain, ru skins with paper towel 
2. Preheat oven to 180c, 350f, gas mark 5
3. Line a deep pan just big enough for all the vegetables, pref with a lid, with greaseproof paper OR prepare slow cooker
4. Top, tail & peel onion & cut into quarters.  Thoroughly wash and clean other veg.  Quarter celery sticks.  Remove membranes & seeds from pepper; quarter or cut coarsely.  Remove core from tomatoes.  Layer in pan; seasoning each layer lightly with salt & pepper - onions first, then celery, pepper and fresh tomatoes     
5. Pour in water or stock to cover 
   
6. 
   Oven-cook: Place lid tightly on cooking dish OR cover veg with a layer of greaseproof paper then tinfoil.  For ripe/tinned tomatoes, bake 45 min-1 hour or up to 2 hours to reach the soft, yielding stage.  Remove lid/foil; bake a further  15 mins.  Cool.
7. Slow-cooker: cook on high for 2-3 hours; cool.
8. Add tomato paste or chopped tomatoes to vegetables; blend.  Taste.  Add more tomato paste, salt and pepper, Savoury Spice Mix, celery salt or other herbs according to taste. This is your base.  
9. Add vegetable stock (home-made, granules or cubes) until the soup reaches the desired thickness.  Check seasoning; adjust accordingly. 
10. EITHER: Divide base as required and serve in individual bowls, scattered with basil and chosen additions.   OR serve without additions in a large tureen, buffet style,  accompanied by bowls of vegan, vegetarian or meat/fish additions for diners to choose.

ADDITIONS: Any or All of the following...

VEGAN:

• tiny cubes of firm tofu
• Memorable Crunchy Croutons made with seeded wholemeal bread
• vegan bacon bits

VEGETARIAN:  

• grated cheese
• yoghurt 
• accompanied by Skinnier Ultra Cheese on Toast

PESCATORIAN:

• add fish stock if needed to base reach desired consistency
• add frozen, rinsed & drained prawns/mussels/calamari/ white fish until they are just cooked OR fresh seafood lightly poached in boiling water or the soup until cooked through
• accompanied by Frugal Sardine Pinwheels 

CARNIVORE:

• add Meat Stock if needed to reach desired thickness
• otherwise: spoon or roll raw minced beef, lamb or poultry into one inch balls. Drop them into a separate pan of boiling water; simmer until they are cooked through, maybe 5-7 min.  Drain and add to soup.  
• scatter over strips or shreds of cooked meat, particularly ham or pastrami
• bake or fry prosciutto or thinly sliced pastrami 2-3 mins until crispy

Please leave a Comment in the box below

This recipe has been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises.  It may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.

POST FIREWORKS: SPICY CORN CHOWDER 4-WAYS: health-boosting, low-salt&fat, triple duty, easily digested; dairy free option

An American favourite, with a 67 twist...

Chowder 4 Ways -- Party Piece to satisfy all comers

'Beautiful.  Perfectly spiced, lovely and light.' Taster

 updated 11/24; photo 15/10/18

Perfect for a party, this is a knock-em-dead soup with multiple layers of flavour and texture.  It's substantial, warming on a chilly evening and, depending on what you add to the base, not too expensive. 

Chowders are a substantial American soup, studded with onions, potato, corn and seafood.  It's usually in a creamy or tomato base but, as with all classics, the variations are many.  

For 67, Corn Chowder heralds the start of 'true' autumn.

In these health conscious times, 67 has designed the Chowder to do Quadruple Duty.  It works equally well as a vegetarian or vegan dish while the fish can be replaced with mini-meatballs of minced chicken.  

For the ill and infirm it makes - with a few changes - a celebratory easily digested meal.    

67's version is both tomato-ey and creamy (though it can be diary free).  Wine delicately sharpens the base, making it nicely stimulating and warming when the body is shivering after fireworks.  

The recipe makes enough for a crowd or, as a main course, for 6-8.   

Cost: £6.00 ish (11/24)
Serves: a crowd in small bowls or 8-10 as a main

Ingred:

   olive oil for frying
   1 onion or small fennel,(fod-map friendly, washed, tough outer leaves removed, rubbed free of dirt) finely diced or grated (with a box grater) 
   2 sticks celery, cleaned, peeled and in small dice 
   300g/11oz potatoes, scrubbed, unpeeled but diced
   1 tbsp wholemeal flour
   150 ml white wine or grape juice
   1 400g tin chopped tomatoes, drained 
   1 tsp dried thyme
   1/2 tsp tumeric
   1/2 tsp fresh grated, or a generous pinch of dried, ginger
   1/8 tsp cayenne
   finely grated zest of a lime
   400 gms/14 oz fresh corn or drained corn* niblets, or a mix  
   1 mug fine green beans in 1 inch/2cm lengths (opt)
   1.2 litre/2 pints vegetable stock
   150 ml/1/4 pint dairy or plant milk (67 liked almond best)
  
   400 gms/14 oz defrosted, rinsed white fish & mixed seafood (or shredded/minced chicken) OR cubed firm tofu 
  
Method: