Author: Jack

5 Surprisingly Gorgeous Things You Can Make From An Old Tin Can [#JacksHacks]

Published by Jack

This ambient bath lantern was made in a matter of minutes, with a thin cross head screwdriver, a hammer, and a lick of spray paint. I didn’t paint the inside because open flames and paint aren’t the best of bedfellows. It gave out a surprising amount of soft, flickering light and made me feel as though there was a small starry sky in my bath last night. Which is nice. I’m going to make another with a silver-lined tin instead of a white one, for a better reflection, but as a first go at it, I really love this. Be careful handing it once lit – the rim of the can gets HOT. This is a double walled planter – I didn’t have any real plants small enough for it to photograph last night and as you can see from the pic, it was dark so I wasn’t about to go forking about in the garden with a head torch on, looking for a particularly pretty weed to uproot either! The thinner, inside can has …

Baby Dutch Babies With Fruit Cocktail, from 35p

Published by Jack

Fancy getting a little bit fruity? Whether spoiling a special someone, or simply showing yourself some love, you won’t regret whipping up this quick, gorgeous, and deliciously luxurious treat for breakfast, brunch, or even dessert. I topped mine with caramelised pears, canned peaches, and fruit cocktail in the testing phases, and fruit cocktail just about pipped the others to the post, but mostly because of that cheeky little cherry on top. Let me know what you would have on yours in the comments below, or by commenting on Facebook or Instagram! And if you make it, I always love to see your photos on social media – tag me with #jackmonroe on Instagram or @bootstrapcook on Twitter – it’s nice to be nice! <3 AD : This post is part of a long-term commercial collaboration between me and Del Monte Europe. Other links in this post may be affiliate links and may earn a small commission on purchases made. This does not affect the integrity of the recommendation, as I truly only recommend products I …

Linda McCartney Tomato & Basil Meatballs With Orzo-Or-Rice [VEGAN]

Published by Jack

This super simple, tomatoey dish is really versatile – you can make it with orzo or rice, and it uses some of my favourite flavours from my Greek Cypriot heritage. Oregano, rosemary, cinnamon and nutmeg complement the delicious moreishness of Linda McCartney Vegetarian Tomato And Basil Meatballs. This is a really easy store cupboard recipe that’s comforting, filling, and full of goodness – and thanks to the ease of just popping these meatballs out of the freezer, it can be thrown together with barely any time or effort at all. One of my new faves – I hope you love it too! This recipe was created in partnership with Linda McCartney Foods. Makes four generous portions 1 large onion 4-6 cloves of garlic 1 tbsp mixed dried herbs, or any of the following: oregano, rosemary, thyme, marjoram a generous pinch of nutmeg a generous pinch of cinnamon 400g chopped tomatoes 400g passata, or another can of tomatoes 1 tbsp sugar or your preferred alternative 100g green or black olives 1 tbsp lemon juice, fresh or …

Linda McCartney Sausage, Greens & Pulses Curry

Published by Jack

This recipe is a paid collaboration between me and Linda McCartney Foods for Veganuary 2021. It will be updated with costings shortly – it’s been an extraordinarily busy week! Serves 4 2 tbsp cooking oil, 1 large onion, 4 fat cloves of garlic or 6 dinky ones, A thumb sized piece of ginger, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tbsp garam masala A pinch of chilli flakes 400g canned tomatoes 400g full fat coconut milk 400g canned kidney beans (chickpeas also work well here!) Scant 1/2 tsp English mustard 6 Linda McCartney sausages Spinach or kale or spring greens First peel your onion and quarter it, then cut each quarter segment in half. If you have onion-averse household members, feel free to chop it much smaller to sneak past them, but I like it nice and chunky to complement the pieces of sausage in the dish. Peel the garlic cloves and quarter them lengthways. Heat the oil in a large nonstick pan, and add the onions and garlic. Grate in the ginger, and turn the heat …

Vegan Pastitsio, 77p

Published by Jack

This recipe has been produced in partnership with Linda McCartney foods for Veganuary. Pastitsio is a food that reminds me of my childhood; snaffled from piled-high buffet plates at various relatives’ houses following Greek Orthodox church services, usually a christening or a funeral. My aunties would usually make them; huge trays of something that was a cross between a lasagne and a macaroni cheese. Usually stuffed with ground meat and several kinds of cheese, it was a challenge to make one that was vegan but still authentic enough to not get myself excommunicated from my family! But here it is – and it’s an instant classic in my household already. Using Linda McCartney’s Vegemince, it’s super simple to make – and can be enjoyed straight from the fridge, so make a large batch and give yourself a few days off cooking. Who said Veganuary meant missing out? Ingredients – serves 6 generously from 77p each. All prices quoted are based on Asda groceries and correct at time of writing. For the bechemal:50g flour, 2p (45p/1.5kg)60ml …

Mincemeat Pudding, from 37p

Published by Jack

Serves at least 4 very generously, from 37p. For the full shopping list, see here. 300g white bread, 14p (36p/800g, HW Nevill at Tesco) 300ml whole milk, 26p (50p/568ml or 1pt, Asda) OR the combined strained juices from the canned mandarins and canned grapefruit from the Stuffing Roast and Prawn Cocktail, if making this as part of the Christmas menu 50g baking spread, 11p (55p/250g, Best For Baking spread, Asda) 300g mincemeat, 84p (£1.15/411g, Asda) 1 egg, 13p (75p/6 medium free range eggs, Asda) 400g can of custard, 50p (Tesco or Asda) – optional First dice your bread, tear it up, or blast it in a food processor. They all give a similar result, with the food processor edging it for a slightly more even texture but not enough to justify yet more washing up, in my humble opinion. But do whatever feels right to you, with whatever you have at your disposal. Place into a large mixing bowl that will easily hold twice its volume, and set aside for a moment. In a second, …

Cranberry, Mandarin & Cashew Nut Stuffing Roast, from 27p

Published by Jack

[*This post recommends Del Monte products because I genuinely really love them, and also because we are currently working together in a long term commercial partnership. I never recommend anything that I don’t genuinely use and love, but in the interests of transparency, that’s why they’re namechecked here!] Serves 8 adults, from 27p each. For the full shopping list, click here. 2 onions, 12p (60p/1kg, Growers Selection at Asda) 200g fresh bread, 9p (36p/800g, HW Nevill at Tesco) PLUS washed clean peels from parsnips, carrots and potatoes, chopped up very finely 125g cashew nuts, soaked in two changes of cold water for 1hr minimum each to remove excess salt, 75p, (75p/125g, Smartprice at Asda) 1 can of mandarins, £1 (Del Monte* at Asda or Tesco) 2 tbsp or 35g cranberry sauce, 9p (49p/200g, Tesco) 1 tsp mixed dried herbs, 3p (30p/18g, Asda) 40g baking spread, melted, 9p (55p/250g Best For Baking Spread at Asda) 20g lard, melted, 3p (39p/250g, Stockwell at Tesco) – if making for vegan or veggie friends replace with 20ml cooking oil …

Yorkshire Puddings, from 11p

Published by Jack

This recipe makes eight small Yorkshire puddings in regular sized muffin tins or four large Yorkshire puddings in Yorkshire pudding tins. 2 tablespoons or 25g of lard, 4p (39p/250g, Stockwells at Tesco) 125 g plain flour, 4p (45p/1.5kg, Stockwells at Tesco) A pinch of salt, <1p Half a teaspoon of mixed dried herbs, 1p (30p/18g, Asda) 2 medium eggs, 25p (75p for 6 medium free range eggs, Asda) 150 ml of whole milk, 13p (50p/568ml or 1pt whole milk, Asda) First turn your oven on to 190°C. Drop a little lard into the bottom of each muffin tin, and pop the tin into the oven to heat. Weigh your flour into a jug, this makes pouring out the batter far easier. Add the salt and herbs and stir briefly to distribute. Crack in the eggs and pour over half of the milk, and beat in the remaining milk. Check your muffin tin, the fat should be very hot! Remove it carefully but quickly from the oven. Pour the batter in, divided evenly between the tins. Return …

Big Pigs In Kingsize Blankets, 39p

Published by Jack

Serves at least 4, but that’s allowing for three full sized sausages each, and even I admit that may be a little excessive. Maybe. For the full shopping list, see here. 12 sausages, £1.20 (Woodside Farms at Tesco) 200g cooking bacon, rashers only, 30p (75p/500g, Woodside Farms at Tesco) 1 tbsp cranberry sauce, 4p (49p/200g, Tesco) First separate your cooking bacon out into ‘rashers, chunks and scraps’. You want the rashers for this, but some of the more substantial scraps will do as well. The chunks work well in stews and casseroles, and the scraps in pasta sauces and in with your sprouts. Brush each sausage with a little cranberry sauce – this helps the bacon stick to it and stops runaway blankets, and also imparts a note of sweetness that’s delightfully pleasant and unexpected. Wrap a rasher (or substantial scrap or two) around each sausage, and place snugly in a small roasting dish, side by side. If you pack them in tightly, they are less likely to unravel, so you can get away with …

Prawn Cocktail With Caramelised Grapefruit, £1.15

Published by Jack

[*This post recommends Del Monte products because I genuinely really love them, and because we are currently working together in a long term commercial partnership. I never recommend anything that I don’t genuinely use and love, but in the interests of transparency, that’s why they’re namechecked here!] To serve 4, generously. For the full shopping list, see here. 200g small prawns, £2 (Smartprice at Asda, frozen) 90ml/6tbsp seafood sauce, 36p (£1/250ml, Tesco) salt and pepper, <1p 1 can of grapefruit, £1.10 (Del Monte*) 130g shredded iceberg lettuce, 35p (Growers Selection at Asda) 200g cherry tomatoes, 48p (Nightingale Farms at Tesco) half a cucumber, 32p (Growers Selection at Asda) First defrost your prawns overnight in the fridge – best to do this in the sealed bag they came in to catch the excess liquid that comes out as they defrost. If you forget, and we all do, you can leave them in a bowl of cold water, covered, at room temperature on Christmas morning, but squeeze one between finger and thumb to make sure it is …

Jack Monroe’s 3 Course, Zero-Waste Christmas Dinner from £4.34

Published by Jack

All prices quoted are per person or portion, and based on generously feeding four adults, with leftovers! The full shopping list is given at the bottom of the post, which was accurate at the time of publication but may be subject to change. Prawn Cocktail, from £1.15 Roast Potatoes, from 12p Mandarin-Glazed Carrots & Parsnips, from 19p Cranberry, Cashew & Veg-Peel Stuffing Roast, from 27p Yorkshire Puddings, from 11p Free Range Roast Chicken, from £1.26 Big Pigs In Kingsize Blankets, from 39p Christmas Odds-And-Sods Gravy, from 11p Sneaky Sprouts, from 29p Mincemeat Pudding, from 37p Get the full shopping list HERE. A version of this menu was originally devised and developed for The St Giles Trust Pantry, registered charity number 801355. You can support their vital work by texting PANTRY to 70460 to donate £5. If you like this, you may like my books, and if you purchase them through this neat affiliate link you support me as the author AND support local bookshops too.

Parsnips & Carrots In Mandarin Glaze, from 19p

Published by Jack

Serves 4, generously, from 19p each. See the full shopping list here. 500g parsnips, 40p (40p/500g, Perfectly Imperfect at Tesco) 700g carrots, 28p (41p/1kg at Tesco) a little lard or cooking oil, 2p (see shopping list) a pinch of mixed dried herbs, 2p (30p/18g, Asda) a pinch of salt, <1p a little black pepper, <1p juice from the canned mandarins, optional (see shopping list) First peel your parsnips and carrots, and set the peels to one side in a mixing bowl with a little cold water and a dash of lemon or vinegar to keep them from browning – you’ll be using these in your stuffing roast later! Pop the carrots and parsnips in a large saucepan, and salt generously. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 12 minutes. Drain – reserving the water to reduce for your gravy later – and transfer to a roasting tin. Add the juice from the mandarin can, if using, and lard or oil. Season with salt and pepper, and a pinch of …

Odds And Sods Gravy, from 11p

Published by Jack

To serve 4, from 11p each. For the full shopping list, see here. 3 chicken or vegetable stock cubes, 10p (39p/12, Asda) 2 large onions, 12p (60p/1kg, Growers Selection at Asda) 2 tbsp or 35g cranberry sauce, 9p (49p/200g, Tesco) 2 tbsp or 30g flour, 1p (45p/1.5kg, Stockwell at Tesco) 3 tbsp or 40g soft spread, 9p (55p/250g, Best For Baking at Asda) a pinch of mixed dried herbs (30p/18g at Asda) This may be controversial but it really does work, and it’s super easy, so trust me, even if it feels a bit wrong! First peel your onions, quarter them, and pop them in a small powerful blender, along with all the other ingredients and 300ml cold water. Blend until completely smooth. Pour into a heavy based saucepan and bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook slowly and gently for around 40 minutes, stirring every now and then. If you have a small slow cooker this is perfect to put in on Christmas Eve on Low and wake up Christmas …

Jack Monroe’s £4.34 3-Course, Zero-Waste Christmas Dinner: THE SHOPPING LIST

Published by Jack

All prices quoted are from Asda and Tesco, correct as of December 2020 [*This post recommends Del Monte products because I genuinely really love them, and because we are currently working together in a long term commercial partnership. I never recommend anything that I don’t genuinely use and love, but in the interests of transparency, that’s why they’re namechecked here!] Asda free range chicken, £5.04 avg 1.55kg 2kg white potatoes, £0.79, Farm Stores at Asda 250g lard, £0.39, Stockwells at Tesco 22 slice white loaf, 36p, HW Nevill’s at Tesco Roasted and salted cashew nuts, £0.75/125g, Smartprice at Asda 12 x chicken or vegetable stock cubes, 39p, Asda own brand 500g Brussels sprouts, 93p, Redmere Farms at Tesco 12 sausages, £1.20, Woodside Farms at Tesco 500g cooking bacon, 75p, Woodside Farms at Tesco 1kg brown onions, 60p, Growers Selection at Asda 1kg carrots, 41p, Tesco 500g parsnips, 40p, Perfectly Imperfect at Tesco 1 can of mandarin segments, £1, Del Monte* at Asda 200g small frozen prawns, £2, Smartprice at Asda 130g shredded iceberg lettuce, £0.35, …

Sneaky Sprouts, from 29p

Published by Jack

To serve 4 adults, from 29p each. See the full shopping list here. 500g brussels sprouts, 93p (93p/500g, Redmere Farms at Tesco) 2-3 small onions, 18p (60p/1kg, Growers Selection at Asda) 2 tbsp lard or cooking oil, 4p (39p/250g lard, Stockwell at Tesco or £1.09/1l vegetable or sunflower oil at Asda) a pinch of salt and a little pepper, <1p Warm your lard over a high heat on your small or medium hob ring until it starts to sizzle, then turn down to medium-low. Peel and very finely slice your onion and add to the pan. Mandolin or finely slice your sprouts and add those too. Season with salt and pepper. Cook on a very low heat for around 12 minutes, keeping everything moving around the pan so it doesn’t stick and burn. These can be kept warm or reheated but are best made right at the last minute and served immediately – I generally get this all sliced up and prepared ready, then put it on the heat as soon as the Yorkshire puddings …