Saturday, 11 February 2023

VALENTINES DAY 2023: FRUGAL & WALLET FRIENDLY TREATS

OK, on Valentine's Day  not everyone can afford a luxurious treat...but here are a few wallet-friendly friperies that will make the heart beat faster...

i

Appealing simple biscuits iced with pink; easy-peasy, frugal, egg-free



Half the price of store-bought, and low sugar & preservatives but twice the delight.  Very easy, make ahead; alcohol optional.  Fancy something different? Try Chilli Truffles - recipe included. 



HOT BROWNIE & HOME-MADE 'NUTELLA' PIE:
Fabulously sticky & chewy; crispy-soft with layers of chocolate flavours.  Ambrosial hot but also good at room temps


Grannies make the best cakes - not too extravagant but utterly scrumptious, moist and kid-friendly, makes enough for a crowd, lasts a good week - if you're lucky! 
Go frugal with buttercream, not the recommended icing.  Vegetarian batter.


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These recipe, except where stated, have been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.

Tuesday, 7 February 2023

LUXURY PISTACHIO VALENTINE'S DAY CHEESECAKE: make-ahead, no bake, dairy-free option, lower sugar; slightly lower fat, easy, make ahead, incl Budget version

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67 never considered Pistachio and Cheesecake a natural pairing but the now retired deli, Chamomile* used to offer a completely irresistable one.
67goingon50's Luxury Pistachio Cheesecake
(the photo doesn't reflect the green of the original)

Pistachios have suddenly become a 'culinary thing'.  Not long ago, a jar of pistachio paste (smooth or crunchy) was hard to find, available only in big jars and with luxury prices.  

In 2025, that's changed; you see 150gm/5oz jars in many places -- health food shops, high-end supermarkets; there's even a kosher version - and all at non-exhorbitant but not frugal prices.

Which is wonderful because this creamy pistachio cheesecake is a knock-out, a kind of out-of-this-world delight that tantalizes the taste buds.

It also looks beautiful; a pale green richly creamy fillling, studded with bright green nuts, slathered over a generous crumb crust.  

If you want something outstanding for a special occasion that doesn't take a lot of effort, this cheesecake is it.  It is also lower in sugar and fat, and a bit healthier than most cheesecakes.  It is pretty rich, though, and small portions are recommended.

The crust and the filling are pretty simple and, made hours before needed, reduces stress ahead of the event.  

Luxury Pistachio Cheesecake is not, sadly, for the financially stressed but more budget-friendly versions with chocolate-hazelnut spread (home-made low-sugar/preservative OR store-bought) are in Tips, below. 


Cost: about £6-7'ish (7/23)
Makes:  8/12 portions

Ingredients: 

13-15 digestive biscuits, bashed with a rolling pin in a heavy plastic bag, or whizzed in a food processor until crumbly, but not too finely blitzed 
90 g unsalted dairy or plant butter, melted


300g/10.5oz full fat cream cheese or vegan cream cheese at room temperature 

1 tsp vanilla
2-4 tbsp icing sugar (to taste: 67 used 3tbsp)
200ml thick Greek yoghurt, dairy or plant (instructions for thickening plant yoghurt are herebottom of page)

470ml dairy or plant double cream

100g-175g/3.5-6.1oz crunchy pistachio butter, depending on taste (see alternatives, Tips)

Garnish:
handful toasted pistachios, chopped med fine


Method:

PERFECT VALENTINE'S GIFT: FABULOUSLY FRUGAL from 67GOINGON50

Many people have not been able to get through to the right Apple Books page to purchase FABULOUSLY FRUGAL from 67GOINGON50.  This link and QR code have been checked and are correct.

 

VALENTINE'S DAY

Looking for a budget-friendly but loving gift for someone special?

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PENSIONER'S/2-SOME'S DELIGHT: LENTIL BRUNCH PANCAKES: high-protein & fibre, dairy-free, option thrifty, easy

Lentil and pancake are not words you'd expect to find together in a recipe...
Surprisingly delicious and filling Lentil Pancake Brunch
'I approached this with trepidation but it was really lovely;
the pancakes had a very appealling taste & texture.' Taster

But rice pancakes (The Pioneer Woman),  Corn Polenta pancakes (Ella)  and Indian dosas made from fermented rice have all entered the pancake lexicon in recent years.  So lentil pancakes are not so far-fetched after all.

As we navigate our way through the Cost of Living Crisis, the media is full of thrifty recipes.  Some of them are not terribly appealing in terms of ingredients or flavour.  

This one* however was much better than expected.  The texture was really good - nutty and slightly crunchy - and the taste was very, very good.  The dish will likely tempt even the most recalcitrant carnivore.

Lentils are well-known as a cheap source of protein, bulking out soups and stews.  They: 
- are frugal and easy on a budget
- contain 25% of fat-free protein 
- are high in good fibre - great for the gut and for blood sugar
- leave you fuller for longer
- wind-causing elements can be reduced simply by soaking overnight 

Cost: £2.50'ish, depending on what's in the cupboard (2025)
Makes: enough for 2; recipe doubles easily

Ingreds:
75 g red lentils, soaked overnight and drained
1/2 tablespoon plain flour
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon chilli powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder,
33 g dairy or plant plain yoghurt
75 ml water

1 spring onion, finely chopped

1 tablespoon oil

100g fresh, or two blocks frozen, spinach
2 raw eggs (67 used Burford Browns, which are more expensive than most but good ol M&S 6 mixed sizes at about a pound are also good)
avocado (optional)
sunflower, pumpkin, sesame seeds & salt (opt)

Toppings: fresh or steamed spinach leaves, sliced avocado with mixed sunflower, pumpkin & sesame seeds and poached egg OR fresh or steamed spinach with poached egg


Method: