I think vegetable stew has to be one of my staple dishes when I am eating ration book style.
Just for the hell of it I wrote everything down today that I put in mine (which lasts me for two days and is 4 servings) and converted it to calories and how much the ingredients cost.
There are two things I struggle with most of the time. Making my pennies stretch and being able to fill my tummy without consuming too many calories. My stews are often a solution to these problems as I use up vegetables that are on the turn (I hate waste) and I can make a huge saucepan full to feed 4 which is nutritious and all for around 800 calories and just 50 p a portion! It tastes good too so what’s NOT to like about that!
Ingredients
- 1 medium leek
- 1 medium potato
- 2 medium parsnips
- 2 medium carrots
- 2 medium ripe tomatoes
- 1 onion (I used some I was given at work from a colleagues garden)
- 1/2 medium marrow
- 1 apple
- 1 tablespoon of sweet chutney
- 1 can lentils
- 1 tablespoon of old fashioned Bisto powder
- 2 teaspoons dried mixed herbs
- pepper and salt to taste
- water
Method
- Saute chopped onion and leek in a little bit of margarine or butter in a large saucepan for a few minutes
- Add all the vegetables (and apple) chopped (those that take longer to cook add in smaller pieces and those that are quick to cook in large chunks)
- Add a pint of water and bring to a simmer.(add more if needed during the cooking process)
- Add dried herbs and chutney.
- Put Bisto powder in a separate bowl and add a little cold water and make into a thin paste.
- Add to simmering vegetables and stir, add pepper and salt to taste (I didn’t need any salt as the Bisto powder is quite salty)
- Add lentils and stir again.
- Cover and simmer on a medium heat until the carrots are tender enough to eat.
- Remove from heat and stir again.
- Serve with a hunk of buttered bread, or rice or mashed potato.
*On my plate in the photo is 1 serving of stew plus brown rice totaling about 350-400 cals.
Life update.
I’ve had a couple of slip ups this week which culminated in me enjoying several glasses of wine and packets of chipsticks last night which I immediately regretted. Not only deviating from my eating plan but all that junk food made me feel like poo. I’ve had several things on my mind recently and been really struggling with trying to lose more weight and because of a small tear in my heel it’s been a slack week for walking/exercising.
Today my daughter and I went for a gentle walk and I felt somewhat better after that and some serious Marathon training will be taking place tomorrow at our favourite walking place, Wollaton Hall and Deer Park.
Keep walking and laughing and never give up!
C xxxxxxx
I really enjoy your posts — thanks!
Aww thanks Shelley!
Be careful out there. We don’t heal as quickly as we did when we were youngsters. Maybe a week of easy walking might be a better idea before you push that injury.
That’s what I love about you Carolyn, you never give up! Keep going girl! x
I love soups and stews. My mom put every teeny bit of any leftovers in quart jars that lived in the freezer. After she’d filled a few (they ended up looking like “sand art” and were so pretty!), she’d thaw them, and then start a huge pot of vegetable soup …adding any fresh on-hand veggies, potatoes, onions, carrots, cabbage, etc. She’d brown a package of cheap beef cubes, use a couple cans ot tomatoes, a can or corn and/or green beans, etc., add water, boullion, S&P, and it was truly the best (and cheapest) soup ever. It made enough to last at least a week or so. I do the same and have taught my kiddos the trick, too. Loved your recipe! You’re the cutest thing! Keep up the good work….and never feel guilty about wine! 😉
just read your blog for the first time and was so impressed at how lovely you look! good luck reaching your goal! I am going to try some of those WWII recipes for sure! thrifty too which is paramount for me. ann on vancouver island, b.c., canada
Hi Carolyn! I just came across your blog and wanted to say how much I appreciate the recipes and admire your dedication to your return to health and happiness. Keep on what you are doing, I am going to continue to follow your journey and trying recipes along with you.
Also, I have to mention that I love your hair. Its gorgeous!
From across the pond,
Jaime xo
Dear Jamie- thank you xxx It’s a long road with lots of dips and hills and at the moment I seem to be struggling with having time to keep the blog regularly updated but I do so appreciate that you are popping on to read and left a nice comment. Thank you xxx
Hi Carolyn. I love reading your blog. I admire your determination to get fit and healthy. You are an inspiration. Was the photo above taken at Woollaton Lake? I am originally from Nottingham but now live in NZ.
Pingback: Home Front – Wartime Recipes (5) | Pacific Paratrooper