Day 3 - Pinterest - Honey Teriyaki Chicken

So I'm not just going through my recipe books to find ideas for family meals I'm also looking online and I just LOVE pinterest. I get lost in it...........

The first recipe was from http://www.frugalitygal.com/2013/09/honey-teriyaki-chicken-recipe.html

                               

Looked quick and easy which I am always on the lookout for a week night family dinner.

And the result was, yes it was quick and easy. I do agree that it took longer than expected for the sauce to thicken up and then when it did I felt it was going to burn really quickly so I wouldn't take my eyes of this one. 

                                

I don't really like serving meals to the children with no vegetable in them so I added broccoli and mushrooms, however the sauce was cooking for so long the broccoli kind of turned into mush.

                               

I served it on a bed of white rice and some thinly sliced spring onions on top.

The general opinion was the sauce was a bit strong and my 3 year old (who is by far the less picky of my 2 children)* did not like it at all, so I don't think I will be making this again. 

* I have 3 children but the youngest is 6 months so he isn't involved in these meals, I make him separate meals which I will include at a later stage. 

Day 1 & 2 - Gino D'Acampo's Lasagne di Mamma

I love Italian food and pasta is always a family favourite so I decided to start with a recipe from a book I purchased recently "Gino's Italian Escape" by Gino D'Acampo.

                                  

Even though I come from a family where we always had a traditional roast on Sundays (and I do love roast dinners) we don't follow by that rule in our house so I decided to try the Lasagne di Mamma recipe.

Now I have a habit of not reading the whole recipe before I get started (must work on that!) so half way through I was so glad it was a Sunday and my husband was there to mind the kids as this Lasagne takes quiet a bit of time to make. But it is soooooo worth it......

The meat sauce is made first and I don't know if it was the simmering for an hour or the addition of the red wine but mama mia this sauce is so good. 

I have never made bechamel sauce before and it was surprisingly easy. The only thing I did different from the recipe was turn the heat up as my sauce didn't seem to be thickening on the low heat even after the recommend 10 minutes or more. 

It was then time to construct the lasagne, I highly recommend using fresh lasagne sheets as they really do cook and taste better, also I never knew (after making loads of lasagnes) that you should start with a layer of bechamel sauce and this was my first time adding cubed butter on top with the parmesan cheese but it all came together into a beautiful lasagne and I have to say I was very proud of myself.

Sorry about this photo but it had been in the oven about 5 minutes when I realised I never took a picture so the butter has already melted...but you get the idea.

40 minutes later and voila......

I have to say it was the best lasagne I have ever made and I'd say it was definitely up there with any I have tried in a restaurant. But who cares what I think, it's all down to the rest of the family........well they gave it a huge thumbs up.

The added bonus with this dish is there is enough for two nights (for our family, 2 adults 2 children). It is always great if you can get two nights out of a dinner and to be honest I think it was even better the 2nd day.

So even though this is not one for a week night it is a fab dish to make on a lazy Sunday with a glass of red wine in hand, and Mondays dinner is taken care of also.

                                                    

All About Me

I am a mother to three beautiful children ranging from 6 years to 6 months. I am not a chef, cook or trained in the kitchen but I am a mother who is on a quest to cook healthy, quick and tasty family meals.

Join me on my journey.........