One of my early childhood memories is being inside my Nana's walk in pantry and feeling as though I was in a dream...or actually - every child's dream... You see my Nana owned a newsagents that sold, amongst other things, Archie comics, lollies and chocolate. And where did all this extra stock get stored...you guessed it - her home pantry. To a seven year old in the late 70's (okay now you know my age) it doesn't get much better than that!
But Nana was more than just a great shopkeeper, she was also a very good cook, baker and hostess and no one ever left her place hungry. Being married to the Harbourmaster in a very small coastal town, she was also however,the eyes and ears of the district. At times if there was a boating emergency (and I use that word loosely), dinner would be put on hold while she co-ordinated operations from her kitchen via shortwave radio or passed on vital town happenings to others (okay let's admit, she did like her gossip!).
So, Nanas and comfort food being often synonymous, I've decided to share with you my Nana's family favourite - mince on toast, which believe it or not was almost always consumed at breakfast...
Iris' Mince on Toast
1lb/500g mince (ground beef)
1/2 onion finely chopped
2 carrots - finely diced
1 Tblspn butter or oil
1Tblpsn flour or cornflour
1/2 cup water
1 beef stock cube
Dash of Worcestershire sauce (the secret ingredient)
Salt and pepper to taste
Fry onions in butter and oil til soft, add carrots and mince and cook for 5-10 mins. Mix flour and water to a paste and add slowly to mince. Add stock cube and Worcestershire and stir well. Simmer about 15-20 mins (depending on interruptions in control room/kitchen).
Serve on thick whole wheat toast (preferably Vogels).
But Nana was more than just a great shopkeeper, she was also a very good cook, baker and hostess and no one ever left her place hungry. Being married to the Harbourmaster in a very small coastal town, she was also however,the eyes and ears of the district. At times if there was a boating emergency (and I use that word loosely), dinner would be put on hold while she co-ordinated operations from her kitchen via shortwave radio or passed on vital town happenings to others (okay let's admit, she did like her gossip!).
So, Nanas and comfort food being often synonymous, I've decided to share with you my Nana's family favourite - mince on toast, which believe it or not was almost always consumed at breakfast...
Iris' Mince on Toast
1lb/500g mince (ground beef)
1/2 onion finely chopped
2 carrots - finely diced
1 Tblspn butter or oil
1Tblpsn flour or cornflour
1/2 cup water
1 beef stock cube
Dash of Worcestershire sauce (the secret ingredient)
Salt and pepper to taste
Fry onions in butter and oil til soft, add carrots and mince and cook for 5-10 mins. Mix flour and water to a paste and add slowly to mince. Add stock cube and Worcestershire and stir well. Simmer about 15-20 mins (depending on interruptions in control room/kitchen).
Serve on thick whole wheat toast (preferably Vogels).
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