Posted in Recipes

This first recipe is an old family favourite. My mother used to make them when we were kids and if you are careful it can do for 4 meals out of 1 kg mince which here in NZ is around $6 if on special.

MINCE BURGERS

CHEESE PASTRY

2 cups flour  

4 ounces butter

1 tsp salt

Grated cheese

Cut in butter and cheese. Dampen with about 1/2 cups milk and 1 tsp vinegar. Put in fridge for about 5 minutes to make rolling out easier.

MINCE MIXTURE:

1 pound mince (or 500 grams)

1/2 tsp salt

1 packet Brown Onion Gravy or Sauce (I use Maggi)

1/4 cup tomato sauce

2 Tablespoons flour

Roll pastry into 2 thin pieces. Dampen between each one. Take small spoonfuls of the mince mixture and dot all over the pastry leaving about 1 inch between each one. Place second pastry over the top and press down between mince. Prick with a fork and cut each one out individually and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 180 degC (400degF) for 25-30 minutes.

CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Boil 1 chicken, break in pieces and place in a casserole dish (I spread it between two dishes)

SAUCE:

Melt 2 TBSP butter. Stir in 2 TBSP flour. Gradually add 1 cup milk and 1 cup chicken stock. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook until thick and pour over chicken.

TOPPING

Melt 2 TBSP butter. Add 1 small onion (finely chopped) and 3 rashers bacon* (chopped finely). Cook gently. Remove from heat. Add 1 cup breadcrumbs and a pinch mixed herbs. Sprinkle over chicken mixture. Bake 1 hour at 150 deg C (350degF)

*Can omit bacon

MUM'S LASAGNE SUPREME

300 gms lasagne

MEAT SAUCE:

2 TBSP butter

 1 clove garlic

1 medium onion, chopped

500gm mince (1 pound)

310 gram tin tomatoes

3 TBSP tomato concentrate

1/2 cup beef stock

1/2 tsp sugar

1/4 tsp oregano

Salt and Pepper

CHEESE SAUCE:

3 TBSP butter

3 1/4 TBSP flour

2 cups hot milk

1 1/2 cups grated cheese

Melt butter in saucepan, lightly cook garlic and onion for 4 minutes. Add beef, stirring, cook for 10 minutes. Add remainder of meat sauce ingredients. Cover and simmer on low for 1 hour or until all the liquid has evaporated. (I like to leave a little liquid, so it doesn't dry out too much). Cook lasagne in a saucepan with water.

SAUCE: Melt butter in saucepan, add flour, mix well. Gradually pour in hot milk, stirring well. Simmer 3 minutes. Stir in cheese. Season to taste.

Spread 1/3 meat sauce in ovenware dish, cover evenly with half of the lasagne. Cover with half of the cheese sauce. Repeat, finishing with a layer of meat sauce. Sprinkle with halt cup grated cheese. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degC for 30 minutes.

* I have tried all sorts of lasagne recipes, but this is the yummiest!