Thrifty & Organic Meal Planner
for June
– Sausage Meatballs, Fennel, Strawberry Jelly, Watercress & Scones Recipes –
Thrifty & Organic Meal Planner – Sausage Meatballs, Fennel, Strawberry Jelly, Watercress & Scones Recipes
Core ingredients for JUNE:
Sausages, Carrots, Fennel, Watercress, Spring Onions and Strawberries
June Menu:
Cream of Watercress Soup
Cheese and Spring Onion Scones
Sausage Meatball and Fennel Bake
Little Fresh Strawberry Jellies
Thrifty & Organic Meal Planner – Sausage Meatballs, Fennel, Strawberry Jelly, Watercress & Scones Recipes
Welcome to June’s Thrifty and Organic Meal Planner. Last month was all about the approaching warm weather and beautiful seasonal organic ingredients such as asparagus, broad beans, gooseberries and Jersey Royal potatoes, as well as prime local beef and fresh garden peas, you can read my meal planner menu here: Thrifty & Organic Meal Planner: Asparagus,Spring Vegetables,Gooseberries & Cape Malay Beef Curry Recipes, and although the weather in May was pretty dire, the menu was “robust” enough to stand its ground. This month is all about the next seasonal ingredients to hit the shelves, strawberries, carrots, fennel, spring onions, watercress as well as the humble sausage! I have tried to create a special seasonal menu with comforting dishes, in case the weather turns nasty once more, as well as a few treats, such as strawberry jellies and “afternoon tea” cheese scones. The sausage meatball and fennel bake is extremely thrifty and by making mini meatballs from the sausages, it ensures that they go further on a tight budget.
Thrifty & Organic Meal Planner – Sausage Meatballs, Fennel, Strawberry Jelly, Watercress & Scones Recipes
Regular Lavender and Lovage readers will know that I always try to keep the costs down as much as possible when I create these organic menus; I always provide a cost breakdown for each recipe and meal, and the cost will NEVER go above the maximum limit of £15 per meal, for a family of four, and in MOST cases, I manage to create meals for under £5 a meal, which just goes to prove that organic ingredients do not have to be expensive.
Thrifty & Organic Meal Planner – Sausage Meatballs, Fennel, Strawberry Jelly, Watercress & Scones Recipes
I was lucky enough to be invited to a fabulous Organic event recently, where I met the inspirational Monica Galetti, who is the collaborating with Organic UK to try to encourage more people to cook the organic way. She demonstrated some wonderful recipes, with included Lemon Chicken with Fennel, Chicken Goats Cheese and Sweetcorn Bake and Gnocci with Fennel and Horseradish, which we were all able to taste, and it was amazing to see how easy all of these recipes were to make, and that organic food is NOT expensive to use, as I am trying to showcase every month.
Monica Galetti – Organic Summer Recipes
There was also some organic shopping on display, a weekly shop enough for a family of four and costing only £53!
Monica Galetti – Weekly Shopping for a family of four = £53
But back to MY thrifty and organic menu for June. Before I share my new recipes with you, here is the shopping list for June and the breakdown of the shopping costs for this month’s Thrifty and Organic Meal Planner:
JUNE Shopping List:
400g pork sausages = £2:00
2 bulbs fennel = £2:00
450g carrots = 0:80
4 onions = £1:00
2 cloves garlic = 0:40
60mls olive oil = 0:35
fennel seeds = 0:75
breadcrumbs = 0:50
1 egg = 0:35
ground cumin = 0:20
180g self-raising flour = 0:27
100g cheese = £1:30
50g butter = 0:50
spring onions = 0:90
1 egg = 0:35
strawberries = £2:99
strawberry cordial = 0:15
sugar = 0:10
gelatine = 0:69
watercress = £1:72
shallots = 0:24
25g butter = 0:25
vegetable stock = 0:35
250g potatoes = 0:60
single cream = 0:20
TOTAL: £18:96
Individual meal breakdown costs:
Sausage Meatball and Fennel Bake = £8:35
Price per head (serves 6) = £1:39
Cheese and Spring Onion Scones = £3:32
Price per scone (makes 6) = 0:55
Little Fresh Strawberry Jellies = £3:83
Price per head (serves 6) = £0:63
Cream of Watercress Soup = £3:36
Price per head (serves 4) = 0:84
(I shopped at Waitrose, Morrisons & Sainsbury’s using the So Organic Range and the local Farm Shop. Prices correct at time of publishing)
Thrifty & Organic Meal Planner – Sausage Meatballs, Fennel, Strawberry Jelly, Watercress & Scones Recipes
June’s menu is a simple one to reflect the fact that we may all be outdoors more often and eating lighter meals, as well as enjoying picnics – hopefully! Although I have used some higher cost organic ingredients, such as watercress and strawberries, the overall cost is very low and the menu is easy to prepare. If there are any leftovers around, such as the sausage meatball bakes and scones, here’s what you can make with them another day, as well as some more recipe ideas for the core ingredients:
More recipe and leftover ideas:
Moroccan Sausage Meatball Bake
Sausage Plait
Strawberry Tarts
Strawberry Ice Cream
Strawberry Mousse
Strawberry and Watercress salad
Sticky Roast Fennel and Carrot
Vegetable Filo Tarts
Onion Dip with Meatball Dippers
Breakfast Sausage Fry with Onions
Watercress Frittata
Sticky baked Sausages with Fennel
Cheese and Ham Scone “Sandwiches”
Thrifty & Organic Meal Planner – Sausage Meatballs, Fennel, Strawberry Jelly, Watercress & Scones Recipes
I hope that June’s Thrifty and Organic menu has inspired you, do let me know if you make any of the recipes, and if you want to see what Organic UK’s latest news is, visit them here: Organic UK’s Face Book Page here: Organic UK. That’s all for this month, I will be back at the beginning of July for another seasonal and thrifty organic menu. Karen
Thrifty & Organic Meal Planner – Sausage Meatballs, Fennel, Strawberry Jelly, Watercress & Scones Recipes
Recipes:
Cream of Watercress Soup
Print recipe
| Serves | 4 |
| Prep time | 15 minutes |
| Cook time | 20 minutes |
| Total time | 35 minutes |
| Allergy | Milk |
| Dietary | Vegetarian |
| Meal type | Lunch, Main Dish, Snack, Soup, Starter |
| Misc | Pre-preparable, Serve Hot |
| Occasion | Casual Party, Easter, Formal Party, Valentines day |
| Region | British |
| By author | Karen S Burns-Booth |
Ingredients
- 25g salted butter
- 2 shallots, peeled and finely diced
- 250g peeled and finely diced potatoes
- 600ml vegetable stock
- Fresh watercress, total weight between 150g and 180g, roughly chopped
- 50ml single cream
- Salt and white pepper
Note
A classic soup that is filling and full of vitamins; this soup is lovely when served with cheese scones as a change to the usual bread, and can be taken on a summer picnic in a flask – perfect for those wet British summers!
Directions
| Step 1 | Put the butter into a large saucepan and melt over a medium heat, then add the shallots and cook gently for they are soft but not brown. |
| Step 2 | Add the vegetable stock and diced potatoes, put a lid on the saucepan and continue to cook over a low heat for about 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft. |
| Step 3 | Add the chopped watercress and cook for a few minutes with the potato mixture, before liquidising the soup with a hand-held immersion blender or in a food processor blender. |
| Step 4 | Add the cream and re-heat for 2 to 3 minutes, making sure the soup does not boil. Season to taste with the salt and pepper and serve in warmed bowls immediately. |
Cheese and Spring Onion Scones
| Serves | 6 to 8 scones |
| Prep time | 15 minutes |
| Cook time | 15 minutes |
| Total time | 30 minutes |
| Allergy | Egg, Milk, Wheat |
| Dietary | Vegetarian |
| Meal type | Breakfast, Side Dish, Snack |
| Misc | Child Friendly, Freezable, Pre-preparable, Serve Cold, Serve Hot |
| Occasion | Barbecue, Birthday Party, Casual Party, Easter, Halloween |
| Region | British |
| By author | Karen S Burns-Booth |
Ingredients
- 180g self-raising flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon dried English mustard powder
- 50g butter (or margarine)
- 100g Red Leicester cheese, grated (or cheese of your choice)
- 6 spring onions, trimmed and finely chopped
- 1 large free-range egg mixed with 4 tablespoons of milk
Note
Delicious freshly baked cheese and spring onion scones are not only wonderful for the tea-time table, but make great alternative sandwiches for the lunch box, or to accompany soups and stews.
Directions
| Step 1 | Pre-heat oven to 200C/400F/Gas Mark 7. Grease a large baking tray with a little butter or oil. |
| Step 2 | Mix the flour, salt, pepper and mustard powder together in a large mixing bowl and add the butter; rub the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. |
| Step 3 | Stir in the cheese and chopped spring onions and mix well. |
| Step 4 | Add the egg and milk mixture, gradually, until you have a soft dough. (Reserve a little of the egg mixture for the glaze) |
| Step 5 | Roll or pat the scone mixture out on a floured board and shape into a large round – then cut into 6 or 8 triangles. Carefully place the triangles onto the prepared baking tray and brush the egg glaze over them. |
| Step 6 | Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the scones are well risen and golden brown. |
| Step 7 | Allow to cool on a wire rack and serve warm or cold with butter. |
Sausage Meatball and Fennel Bake
| Serves | 4 to 6 |
| Prep time | 20 minutes |
| Cook time | 1 hour |
| Total time | 1 hour, 20 minutes |
| Allergy | Egg |
| Meal type | Lunch, Main Dish |
| Misc | Child Friendly, Pre-preparable, Serve Hot |
| Occasion | Casual Party, Halloween, Thanksgiving |
| Region | Moroccan |
| By author | Karen S Burns-Booth |
Ingredients
- 2 large fennel bulbs, trimmed (green fronds kept for garnish) and cut into quarters or thick slices
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
- 6 to 8 large carrots, peeled and diced into rounds
- 2 to 4 cloves garlic, peeled and cut into small pieces
- 4 large onions, peeled and cut into quarters
Meatballs
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons dried breadcrumbs
- 400g pork sausages
- 1 free-range egg, beaten
Note
A wonderful family meal that makes a packet of sausages go further, by making them into meatballs. All that is needed to accompany this one tray-bake meal is some fresh salad leaves and some crusty bread.
Directions
| Step 1 | Pre-heat oven to 200C/400F/Gas Mark 7. |
| Step 2 | Place all of the prepared vegetables into a large oven-proof roasting tin or gratin dish and add the olive oil; mix the vegetables around in the oil so they are all coated and add the fennel seeds, mix well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. |
| Step 3 | Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in pre-heated oven whilst you make the meatballs. |
| Step 4 | Take the skin off all the sausages and discard. Put the sausages into a mixing bowl and mash them all together. |
| Step 5 | Add the breadcrumbs and mix well, with your hands is best, and then add the beaten egg and ground cumin. Mix well once again and shape mixture into small meatballs, about the size of a walnut. |
| Step 6 | Heat a frying pan over a high heat and then add the meatballs and fry quickly to sear and brown the outside. As soon as the fat starts to run and the meatballs are browned, take them out and drain them. |
| Step 7 | Take the vegetable bake out of the oven after 20 to 25 minutes and arrange the meatballs over, in and around the bake, cook for a further 25 to 30 minutes, until the vegetables are cooked, tender and slightly charred. |
| Step 8 | Serve immediately with salad, crusty bread and the reserved fennel fronds as a garnish. |
Fresh Strawberry Jellies
| Serves | 6 small jellies |
| Prep time | 4 hours, 30 minutes |
| Dietary | Vegetarian |
| Meal type | Dessert, Snack |
| Misc | Child Friendly, Pre-preparable, Serve Cold |
| Occasion | Barbecue, Birthday Party, Casual Party, Christmas, Easter, Formal Party, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentines day |
| Region | British |
| By author | Karen S Burns-Booth |
Ingredients
- 1 punnet strawberries (250g) hulled
- 125mls strawberry juice made with strawberry cordial (Elderflower and strawberry can be used too)
- 125mls warm water
- 1 tablespoon caster sugar
- 3 teaspoons gelatine powder
Note
Easy to make and so much better than packet jelly, these little strawberry jellies make a great ending to a summer meal, as well as being perfect for parties, especially when served with ice cream!
Directions
| Step 1 | Rinse 6 small jelly moulds with water. |
| Step 2 | Place three-quarters of the strawberries and strawberry cordial juice in a blender and pulse until the strawberries are pureed. Push the puree through a fine sieve to remove the seeds. |
| Step 3 | Put the water and caster sugar into a saucepan and then sprinkle over the gelatine. Stir over a low heat until the sugar and gelatine are completely dissolved. Add the strawberry puree and mix well. |
| Step 4 | Take the remaining whole strawberries and slice thinly and then arrange them in the 6 small jelly moulds. |
| Step 5 | Pour the strawberry jelly mixture into the jelly moulds, there should just be enough to fill them all; if any jelly is left, pour into another mould or ramekin. |
| Step 6 | Place the jellies in the fridge and allow to set for 3 to 4 hours. |
| Step 7 | Dip the jelly moulds in hot water and then invert them on to a plate to serve, with extra fresh strawberries and ice cream of desired. |
Disclaimer:
Organic UK is paying me an agreed fee to create and develop these Thrifty and Organic Recipes, as well as providing me with all the ingredients. However, as I am a big supporter of organic produce, I am happy to share these sponsored organic recipes and posts on my blog, for the benefit of my readers.
Karen S Burns-Booth
Photo Gallery:
Fiona says
I do a similar meal. But I use coconut milk in my watercress soup and thyme and chive scones with gluten free flour and no cheese. Also gluten free sausages and no egg. My other half has lots of intolerances and allergies. But it does turn out delicious and I get lots of compliments.
Karen says
That’s the great thing about menus, you can tweak and adapt to suit your tastes and requirements! I LOVE the idea of coconut milk in the soup Fiona and I am a BIG fan of herbs, but used them in May’s menu, a lot, so veered away this time! Are gluten free sausages nice? I suspect the lack of bread will make them very meaty and rather tasty. Thanks for your lovely comment, Karen 🙂
Lisa Williams says
this looks so very delicious I really want to have it for tea tonight 🙂
Lisa Williams says
I have tweeted this
Lisa Williams says
those scones are tomorrows project now …. I just keep coming back to this page just to look at the pictures 🙂
Karen says
Thanks Lisa! I do hope you enjoy the scones as much as we did! Karen
Lisa Williams says
I really did they are so yummy 🙂 I had to fight to get my fair share of them !
Maya Russell says
All the recipes look really nice. The strawberry jelly must be low cal too. Shared on twitter: https://twitter.com/maisietoo/status/341511322510438403
Karen says
Thanks Maya! 🙂
Dominic says
i’m in love with those sausage meatballs and the strawberry jelly… what an amazing meal!
Karen says
Thanks Dom! I LOVE sausage meatballs as opposed to mincemeat ones, and the veggies were lovely with them too!
Anneli (Delicieux) says
Well done Karen – another great value feast! I love the idea of that sausage and fennel bake. I love fennel and am always looking for new things to throw it into. And your scones look divine too. All of it does infact. xx
Karen says
Thanks Anneli! I was very pleased with this menu as it used the humble banger but in a innovative way, I hope!!
laurasmess says
What a fantastic post Karen! Delicious recipes for families (or anyone!) on a budget to eat well! I especially love the idea of the meatballs with fennel. Two of my favourite things in one amazing dish. The scones also look perfect for the cooler weather that we’re getting here in Australia now. With a bowl of that watercress soup, I’d feel full, happy and warm (and satisfied that I’d eaten some good veg as well!). Thanks so much x
Karen says
Thanks so much for your lovely comments Laura! 🙂 I bet the scones would go down a treat with a big bowl of steaming chilli too, as well as the soup I have suggested and just in time for winter and autumn down under, as you say! I am so pleased you like my menu and I have to say that the sausage meatballs and fennel bake was amazingly tasty! Karen
Maya Russell says
Not cooked with fennel before. Apparently it’s aniseed tasting.
Shared on twitter: https://twitter.com/maisietoo/status/341811196510470147
Karen says
You should try it Maya, it’s a great texture and flavour in cooking!
anthony harrington says
I have never tried fennel, must make a point of giving a go
Karen says
Do give it a try, it adds a lovely slightly aniseed flavour to all cooking!
anthony harrington says
thanks I will, I do like aniseed!
Tracy Nixon says
Thanks ! Shared via G+
Tracy Nixon says
Re-shared via Facebook! Thanks
anthony harrington says
really in the mood for some savoury scones now!
Galina V says
I also use sausages for meatballs sometimes. Love the look of those scones. Totally mouthwatering
Lynn Savage says
Those scones look so tasty. I’ve just spent a week in Devon and had so many scones but not savoury ones. will definately have to try those soon. The monthly planner is great, just shows that cheap and organic do go together, I’d have to make some changes to be able to use it though as i don’t cook for 4.
Maya Russell says
I’ll definitely try fennel. Thanks for more lovely recipes.
Karen says
Thanks! I love this menu, I think it’s very thrifty and tasty too!
Jo Boyd says
Because the weather it less than predictable, it’s so easy to leave planning a picnic til the last minute and then just grab a load of made stuff from the supermarket. All the food here could be made in advance and used as part of an ‘ordinary’ meal should the sun decide not to put in an appearance. Or you can just have an indoor picnic!
Maya Russell says
Shared on Twitter: https://twitter.com/maisietoo/status/348695350690861056
Maya Russell says
Lovely recipes. Shared on Twitter: https://twitter.com/maisietoo/status/349094971854426112
Maya Russell says
Have bought some fennel which I’m going to cook today, with chicken. Am looking forward to it. Shared on Twitter: https://twitter.com/maisietoo/status/349788875285213185
Tracy Nixon says
G+’d what lovely ideas! Thanks
Maya Russell says
Shared on Twitter, @maisietoo
D.Rowan says
Those sausage meatballs look amazing!
Gill Bland says
Yey cheese scones. Like the addition of spring onions
Maya Russell says
Shared again on Twitter.
@maisietoo
Maya Russell says
Shared on Twitter
@maisietoo
Tracy Nixon says
Shared via G+ thank you!
Maya Russell says
Shared on Twitter,
@maisietoo