Scouse!

On my Five on Friday post I mentioned Global Scouse Day was on Saturday.

It caused a bit of interest and the thing about Scouse for those who are not local is, that everyone seems to do it differently. Although that said, the majority do end up looking very similar. Twitter was very busy on Saturday with people tweeting their pictures.

My two recipes are very similar and I did them on Saturday in the slow cooker. The quantities are very approximate and you can really use whatever vegetables you have. To clarify, this is my recipe not necessarily the right one!!! and I make it with beef but some make it with lamb, which is correct? Well, that is the source of regular debate in this part of the world.

Ingredients

2 leeks peeled and sliced

3 Carrots peeled and sliced into quite large chunks about 2cm long

1/2 swede peeled and cubed into large chunks about 2cm long

1 1/2kg potatoes peeled and cubed into large chunks or washed if using new

4 table spoons of dried barley and peas soaked overnight and then washed

500g beef/Lamb cubed and browned or 1 tin of butterbeans for the vegetarian option

2 litres of beef/Lamb stock or vegetable stock

A small bunch of thymes

3 bay leaves

1 generous teaspoon of marmite – my secret ingredient

Method

For both pop everything into the slow cooker and cook on low for eight hours

The Barley and pea combination will thicken the gravy

Serve with just white no need to Knead crusty bread, the recipe can be found here and beetroot or pickled cabbage – that’s another debate!

Enjoy!

Five on Friday!

I am going to try to link up with Amy from Love Made My Home for Five On Friday.

I’ve  seen this done on American blogs but didn’t realise there was a British host too so, was delighted when I saw it on Kathy’s blog The Next Phase. Now, I just need to link the right parts, I may be some time! One – Carnations.  I always have fresh flowers on my window sill. Admittedly, I usually opt for lilies. However, the colour of these carnations matched my rug exactly  so I brought these home with me instead. Unbelievably, they are about three weeks old and still going strong. Two – Carrot Cake with Orange Frosting. This is my  favourite cake of all time. I can’t make it too often because the topping is mostly butter and I fear for the calorie content. The recipe is here , it is so easy to make and as always this one didn’t last long.Three – The Coast. We are so lucky here on the Wirral to have access to such a large variety of coastlines. We have salt marshes in Parkgate, the banks of the Dee at Thurstaston and then the River Mersey and Irish Sea at New Brighton. We lived in Milton Keynes for a few years and missed the coast so much, I never take it for granted. I find being next to it very soothing. Four – Homelands. I appreciate that myself and Mr G are very late to the party on this one, not sure why but we missed it when it started. However, we have now discovered it on catch up and I for one am, simply addicted. The twists and turns in each episode is keeping me hooked. We have almost finished the first series but at least there is plenty more to keep us occupied. Five – Global Scouse Day. This is quite a local celebration of a dish that is mostly enjoyed by people with any sort of connection to Liverpool. Mr G and I were raised on Scouse. Traditionally, it is made with Beef and I will be making some that way for Mr G. However, the rest of us will be eating a vegetarian version called blind Scouse, this has also been enjoyed for years around these parts but usually only when beef was not available. It is rumoured that this where the term scousers comes from.

That’s it for this week, fingers crossed the links have worked.

Have a lovely weekend xx