THRIFTY THURSDAY

MORNING EVERYONE

Heading down to Victoria today to have a birthday lunch with my "Bestie". Going to try the newest restaurant in Langford called "Floyds" ..I hear it is great for breakfast so thought we would try out the lunch menu.. Will let you all know tomorrow how it was..

STEAK & MUSHROOM

POT PIE

Makes 4-6 pot pies

1.5kg (3.31 pounds) stewing beef (You can use chuck steak cut into chunks, bone removed)
1 large onion, diced
3 carrots, diced
2 celery sticks, diced
250g (8.82 ounces) mushrooms, sliced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp each dried thyme, dried rosemary and dried oregano
2 bay leaves
500ml (16.91 fluid ounces) (2 cups) strong beef stock (alternatively add a heaped tbsp bovril to 500ml (16.91 fluid ounces) water)
1 tbsp cornflour mixed with 50ml (1.69 fluid ounces) milk
salt & pepper to taste
1 roll ready-made puff pastry, rolled out slightly
1 egg, beaten

• For the filling, brown the beef in a large pot. Remove and set aside.
• In the same pot, fry the onion, carrots and celery sticks until soft and fragrant (about 10 minutes).
• Add the mushrooms and garlic and fry for 5 minutes before adding the paprika and herbs.
• Pour in the stock and add the browned beef back into the pot. Stir to combine everything and reduce the heat. Cover the pot and allow the stew to simmer gently for 1 1/2 – 2 hours.
• When the meat is really tender (when you press a piece with a spoon it should break apart), turn the heat up and pour in the cornflour mixture. Allow the sauce to simmer rapidly and thicken for about 10 minutes.
• Pre-heat the oven to 180°c.
• Divide the beef and mushroom filling between 4-6 oven-proof dishes (depending on size).
• Cut the pastry into squares big enough to cover the dishes, it doesn’t have to be perfect. Brush the rim of the dishes with some of the beaten egg then place the pastry on top and pinch the pastry onto the rim.
• Cut 2 slits into each pie to allow the steam to escape and brush with the rest of the beaten egg.
• Place in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the pastry is cooked through and golden brown.
• Remove and serve with vegetables of your choice.

THRIFT THURSDAY

How many times have we lost our keys and keep saying we need to get a key holder by the door ... well here is a cheap and cute thing to do.. grab a couple of wooden blocks from you local hardware store paint them to match your decor and then attach some utensils and Voila you have a place to hang your keys, your purse and even a scarf..

Well off to call my girlfriend and find out what time she wants to meet for lunch .. Waiting for this fog to lift before I have to head down the Malahat...

ENJOY

CHEERS

GRANNY