Baking day.

I know I know, hardly keeping up with blogging at the moment. And I had promised to, as well! I seem to have such little time spare these days, to blog or otherwise, and I am really doing very little making at all. My only actual making seems to be in the kitchen just now. Something I hope to change! Not that I mind cooking and baking, not at all. It gives me a lot of satisfaction making food from scratch for my family (even if it ends up on the floor or in the dog thanks to two small children...you know how that goes!) and as we continue down the recession road, it's also very necessary. Like most families we are looking at where we can cut corners and save money.

So with that in mind I'm always trying to find things to do with the veg that's getting past it's best or the leftovers from previous meals.

The mash and sweetcorn from yesterday's tea are currently in the fridge for tea tomorrow in the shape of potato cakes to go with sausage and beans. Tonight we are having pasties made from potato and the bargain bag of leeks I bought last week at the supermarket, half of which will go into soup midweek when they will no doubt be getting a bit sad and floppy and would normally end up in the bin. To the leek and potato mix I added garlic, herbs and a generous sprinkling of cheese before wrapping them in pastry and baking for half an hour.

Pasties really are a great way of using up leftovers. I have often used Sunday roast leftovers to make them, though ut does get fiddly when I don't eat meat and the rest if the family do. But I get round this by adding the chicken (it's generally chicken I use as the family are not big red meat eaters really) after the filling is made and when I have split it for half veggie half meat pasties . I then just add a decoration to the pasties that are 'mine' though they tend to go first! We are on veggie pasties today so there's no problem this time!

(I never can understand why people feel they must gave meat at every course or they don't feel satisfied. Meat free food can be just as filling and tasty if you ask me)

While I'm on the subject of free from food, a friend has set up a Facebook page for people who have dairy intolerances/allergies. You can find it here:

 Diary of a Dairy Free Mummy 

I'd like to link up with Wendy over on  Handmade Harbour for the 102nd Handmade Monday. I am hoping to catch up with everyone and see what's been happening in the craft world. I think you would enjoy doing the same. There are some lovely bloggers out there, all very talented with its to show off do go and have a look!

Til next time!