Cookbook challenge: oozy risotto and crusty cod with mashy peas

Following my post yesterday about dusting off my cookbooks and actually trying out some new recipes, I've made two meals over two nights and so far, so tasty!

I've started my cookbook challenge with Jamie Oliver's 30 Minute Meals and so far, it's taken me about 45 minutes to complete them, and that's without making everything he suggests for the meal! However, I have found the recipes easy to follow, straightforward to prepare and they've both been delicious.

Oozy Mushroom Risotto

I love risotto but you need time and patience to keep adding stock and make sure the rice doesn't stick or burn. This recipe was easy to follow but as usual, I added a splash more of this and that just to boost the flavour a little and I added some cooked chicken to make it more substantial as I wasn't making any accompaniments to go with it.

Hubs' verdict: really tasty and filling, less thyme on the crispy mushrooms on top next time. 7/10.

Crusty Cod and Mashy Peas

I thought that this turned out great - it looked colourful and had a lot of different tastes going on. The cod has a sundried tomato, parmesan, lemon, balsamic vinegar and garlic paste on top followed by breadcrumbs (I actually MADE breadcrumbs!) which when cooked, give a similar taste to batter. The mash potatoes have potatoes (of course!), broccoli, peas, butter and mint sauce in, all mashed roughly together, and was a really nice twist that went well with the fish. 

Hubs' verdict: topping on the fish was tasty but the cod itself wasn't, little more mint sauce in the mash next time. 7/10.

Next up, I'll be trying Jamie's pasta, hash and tray-baked chicken with squashed potatoes. Yum!