Caitríona Redmond: How to make garlic chicken — the ultimate comfort dish

Caitríona Redmond's garlic chicken.

It may feel counter-productive to set financial goals when the budget is tight. How can you even wrap your head around a big figure when all you can do is live, breathe, and sleep whether or not there is enough money left at the end of the week. I understand.

My brain used to race at the concept of not having to worry about paying all the bills and putting food on the table. Eventually, I decided that visualising or dreaming about what I wanted wasn’t enough. I needed to set a firm goal. The top of my list is to close the mortgage as soon as possible. I know, I don’t like to make life easy on myself.

Having a home of our own, even with a mortgage, is a privilege I never stop being grateful for.

Especially, after being concerned that we wouldn’t be able to hold onto either in the past.

After feeling the brunt of the tracker mortgage scandal I am
extremely motivated to do everything I can to clear the mortgage earlier than planned. My experience has definitely tainted my feelings around dealing with the banks and having such a big loan. Setting such a massive financial goal feels overwhelming. Then I remind myself that I cook a recipe one ingredient at a time, or eat an apple one bite at a time. Obtaining mortgage freedom won’t happen overnight but it will happen, eventually, it’s just a matter of how soon.

This is not a situation where I ‘manifest’ being free of this debt. Every decision I make on a micro-level equates to more savings. From walking to the shop rather than
taking the car, to making takeaways at home and using up every bit of the food we eat, it all adds up. The savings then accumulate until I can put a chunk off the mortgage or into a savings account. I can still make spur-of-the-moment decisions to spend money on fancy food or go somewhere nice for a visit. They are informed ones where I weigh up whether it is worth it on the path to my ultimate goal.

I feel emotional at the thought that I am saving for the future, rather than paying for the past. I still stress about money, the bills, and what may happen. At least I now have the skills and resilience to deal with whatever may come.

Keep lemons all year round for cleaning and seasoning.

Home Economics

When life (or a special offer) gives you lemons, make the most of them. The list below contains just some of the reasons why I keep lemons in my kitchen all year round.

· The rind of a lemon contains potent citrus oils which complement salt and sugar. Grind a small amount of salt or sugar in a pestle and mortar with the rind of one lemon. Sprinkle and season food of your choice liberally.

· Cleaning the microwave is a doddle with a cut lemon inside of a bowl of hot water. Blitz on high for 2 minutes until the water is boiling hot and the microwave fills with steam. Leave to cool for 30 minutes before opening the microwave door and wiping the insides with a damp sponge.

· One lemon cut in half on a plate or dish will keep your fridge smelling fresh for a week. This is the ultimate natural air freshener and no need to buy chemicals or plastic based attachments to deodorise the appliance.

· Cut lemons into chunks or slices and freeze in ice cube trays for cocktails and drinks all year round.

Sausage rolls

recipe by:Caitriona Redmond 

A new twist on sausage rolls that doesn’t use pastry and instead uses bread rolls. I find this recipe makes sausage rolls easier to slice and is less greasy. The bread soaks up the juices from the cooking sausage meat and it’s the perfect on-the-go meal.

Servings

6

Preparation Time

 15 mins

Cooking Time

 25 mins

Total Time

 40 mins

Course

 Main

Ingredients

• 6 dinner rolls or hot dog rolls

• 6 tbsp of tomato relish

• 300g sausage meat

• 100g grated cheese

•  

Method

1. Cut a long v-cut into the top of each roll. Using your hand pull out the v-shape and set aside the leftover bread for later.

2. Using the back of a spoon flatten out the inside of the groove in the rolls. Spread one tablespoon of relish inside of the groove in each roll. Sprinkle the cheese on top of the relish.

3. Divide the sausage meat between each roll and spread it on top of the cheese. Replace the leftover bread that you removed from the top of the roll.

4. Bake in the airfryer for 20-25 minutes at 170°C until crispy and golden. Or bake in a conventional fan oven for 25-30 minutes on a baking tray at 180°C.

5. Cut into slices to serve and enjoy. This is the perfect lunchbox snack, or eat with a fresh green salad.

Garlic chicken

recipe by:Caitriona Redmond 

An ultimate comfort dish, chicken pieces are well seasoned with garlic and served in a jammy tomato sauce to be served with crusty bread.

Servings

4

Preparation Time

 10 mins

Cooking Time

 45 mins

Total Time

 55 mins

Course

 Main

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp olive oil

• 500g cherry tomatoes

• 5 cloves of garlic, peeled

• 1 onion, chopped into chunks

• 2 red peppers, chopped into chunks

• 3 chicken breasts, sliced

• Salt and pepper

• 1 sprig fresh thyme

Method

1. Preheat a fan oven to 190°C.

2. In a large, heavy baking dish combine the oil, tomatoes, garlic, onion, peppers, and sliced chicken breasts. Season well with salt and pepper, then stir in the fresh thyme.

3. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes, stirring halfway through to make sure that nothing gets too charred.

4. Serve by bringing the baking dish directly to the table and don’t forget to dunk hunks of crusty bread into the flavoured oil.

5. Recipe Note: Add in other soft vegetables that you have to hand like courgette, aubergine, or even pumpkin if you like.