A Little Context

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:50:33 +0100

That last post probably needs a little context. I lost my job earlier this year so I now stay at home whilst my wife goes off to work. I’ve never enjoyed cooking, but it is now my responsibility.

My main problem with cooking (apart from a near phobia of handling raw meat) is the timing and sequencing really stresses me out. I worry constantly about getting it wrong and over/under-cooking some component. It takes any pleasure out of cooking. I see other people enjoy it but for me unless it is something I know really well, I’d rather sit an exam.

Sweet & Sour Sausage Stir Fry

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:22:55 +0100

Smooth Pineapple Sweet & Sour Sausage Stir-Fry

A rich, savoury-sweet stir-fry with a blitzed pineapple sauce that coats every slice of sausage and vegetable evenly.

Prep: 15 min | Cook: 20 min | Active: 22–26 min | Servings: 4

Timeline

gantt
 title Cooking Timeline (serving at 19:00)
 dateFormat HH:mm
 axisFormat %H:%M

 1. Blitz the Pineapple & Whisk the Sauce :s1, 18:34, 5m
 2. Brown the Sausages :s2, 18:39, 10m
 3. Sauté the Firm Vegetables :s3, 18:49, 5m
 4. Add Mushrooms, Broccoli & Garlic :s4, 18:54, 3m
 5. Simmer with Sauce & Bok Choi :s5, 18:57, 3m

Ingredients

Base & Meat:
- 8 good-quality sausages (sliced into bite-sized coins)
- 1 tin pineapple chunks in juice (chunks AND juice blitzed smooth)
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
Vegetable Mix:
- 1 onion (sliced)
- 1-2 bell peppers (sliced)
- 1 carrot (sliced into thin coins or matchsticks)
- 150g mushrooms (quartered or sliced)
- 100g tenderstem broccoli (halved lengthwise)
- 2 heads bok choi (stems sliced, leaves left large)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Smooth Sweet & Sour Sauce:
- Blitzed pineapple puree (from the entire tin)
- 2 tbsp tomato puree (tomato paste)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2.5 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar or honey (adjust slightly to taste)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (slurried in 2 tbsp cold water)

Steps