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Thursday 28 February 2013

Blood Orange Greek Salad

Easy start to your meditteranean feast.
YOU NEED:
3 blood oranges, peeled and sliced
100 grams crumbled goat or feta
some sliced olives

DRESSING:
2 tbs lemon juice
2 tbs olive oil
1 large clove minced garlic
salt, pepper, oregano

OPTIONAL: grilled chicken, fresh oregano, fresh basil. grilled veg

Beet & Blood Orange Salad

Easy summery salad.

YOU NEED:
beets [canned is ok]
2 blood orange
a pack blackberries or raspberries
walnuts or pine nuts or pecans
goat cheese or feta cheese
lettuce or arugula
1 avocado
lemon juice
salt
pepper
olive oil
OPTIONAL: slivered onion, radish, endive, cucumber, grilled chicken or beef

Gruyere Dijon Asparagus Quesadilla

YOU NEED:

1 bunch blanched asparagus
1/3 cup gruyere
some dijon mustard
2 whole wheat tortillas
 oil
chili peppers or red pepper flakes or salsa if you want some SPICE.

assemble into a tortilla.
fry on both sides until golden

Pizza Avocado Panini

PANINI: made with:
pepperoni
mozzarella
avocado
tomato
mushrooms
pepper
tomato sauce

ASSEMBLE. in a sandwich. put in panini press or fry like a grilled cheese..

Thai Rice & Sausage

YOU ONLY NEED:
sausage, raw, marinated in thai curry, lime juice, ginger, garlic, salt, pepper.
basmati or brown rice
some herbs and salad: cilantro, basil, arugula is my pick. 
OPTIONAL: crushed peanuts, fresh green mango

1. marinate sausage for about an hour. i suggest chicken or beef. thai don't like dem porks. fry until done.
2. fry ig you want with onion, bokchoy, bell pepper. add garlic, ginger, curry paste,red pepper flakes,  and lime if needed.
3. is rice cooked? do so. 
4. serve on rice, garnish. soy sauce or peanut sauce or chili sauce or plum sauce.... amazing!

Avocado & Salami Grilled Cheese

This is what I had for dinner :) throw everything together!

YOU NEED:
2 slices bread, outside buttered or olive oiled. 
1 avocado, sliced
some salami or pepperoni, sliced
cheese, sliced
cheese, think sliced or grated [mozza, gruyere, sharp cheddar, or a mix]
tomato paste or sauce

1. butter outsides or bread, tomato sauce inside.
2. put in cheese, avocado, salami.
3. fry in a pan until cheese is melty. mmmm.

Shrimp, Gruyere & Asparagus Quiche

This is one damn delicious quiche.

YOU NEED:
Semi cooked shrimp
semi cooked asparagus
gruyere, swiss or emmental cheese
sauteed onions and or mushrooms
eggs [3 for a quiche]
milk [1/2 cup for a quiche]
salt, pepper, nutmeg, any other seasonings

1. cook shrimp, asparagus [boil] set aside.
2. get pie crust. make or buy. bake for 10mins. 
3. grate cheese, sautee mushroom and onion.
4. season egg and milk mixture after whisking.
5. add together, bake until top is browned, about 30 mins. 

Thai Red Fish Curry

YOU NEED:
Fish [tilapia, cod, snapper, white fish]
coconut milk [2 fillets will go with 1 can]
curry paste, to taste [red]
peppers
mushrooms
garlic
ginger
thai basil or cilantro
other veg optional
oil [sesame works too]
lime or lemon juice

1. fry up bell pepper in chunks with onions, oil, and garlic. add in fish. 
2. grate in ginger, add mushrooms. 
3. add in curry paste and fish. cook until fish looks semi-done, add coocnut milk, simmer, adding citrus. 
4. serve on rice!

Wednesday 27 February 2013

Rice, Chorizo & Shrimp Fry

YOU NEED:

1 cup cooked basmati rice
1 choruzo sausage, sliced
12 shrimps, peeled and deveined
1 packet taco seasoning [cumin, paprika, etc]
oil
garlic,minced
lime juice
salt, pepper,
a chili pepper
diced tomatoes
diced onion
fresh cilantro

1. get all ingredients prepped.[cook rice too]
2. fry sausages. remove from pan. use fat to sautee oniion, garlic, and chili. remove chili and discard. 
3. add in shrimp and tomatoes. fry until pink and soft, add rice. 
4. add taco seasoning, a bit of water, some lime juice and simmer until mostly evaporated. 
5. serve with fresh cilantro. 

Spicy Sausage Spaghetti

A nice spicy pasta. Spaghetti will never be the same!

YOU NEED:
2 sausages, spicy italian, andouille, or merguez
1 can tomato sauce of your choice
onion, sliced
1 chili, thinly diced
1 cup cooked spaghetti
fresh basil, or other herbs
garlic
salt and pepper

1. fry sausages, cut into slices. remove, keep fat. 
2. fry onion, garlic and chili in fat until soft. add in cooked pasta
3. right before serving add herbs, salt and pepper.

Pasta E Olio, Meditteranean Style

Mmmm. 

YOU NEED:
1 cup cooked fettucine
sliced olives, green and kalamata
some cherry tomatoes
OPTIONAL: zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms
parmesan cheese
fresh parsley
garlic, minced, 2 or 3 cloves
basil
lemon juice

1. boil pasta.
2. halve olives and cherry tomatoes.
3. heat some olive oil with minced garlic, salt, pepper, fresh herbs. 
4. toss in pasta, coat, heat. 
5. at the last minute, toss in veg.
6. serve with parmesan cheese. 
2. chop tomatoes

Cream of Chicken Pasta

Ok, this is lazy XD but here you go.

YOU NEED:
1 can cream of mushroom soup
some cooked sliced chicken breast
green peas [canned]
pepper NO SALT. salty enough. 
pasta.

1. boil pasta.
2. cook chicken if not cooked.
3. add chickento a saucepan, add in a bit of butter or oil, and some extra seasoning, like garlic or whatever. 
4. add in cream of mushroom soup. heat. add pasta. 

and yeah... NOM. cheese?

Vegan Spaghetti Sauce

This is actually delicious. Sorry vegans, most of your food....not so much.

BUUUUT. here it is.

MUSHROOMS!
BELL PEPPERS!
EGGPLANT? NO!
ZUCCHINI!
OLIVES!
RAPINI?
BROCCOLI?
dude, go crazy on the veg. it all works. 

THE SAUCE:

sautee the veg in garlic and olive oil.
add a can of canned tomatoes or your favourite tomato sauce. 
season with herbs! fresh basil, dry oregano, parsley, hot sauce, whatever.

Meditteranean Fried Fish with Greek Salsa

This is a great way to use up some bland fish. 

YOU NEED:
fish: firm, and white: tilapia, cod, haddock, snapper, etc
greek seasoned flour: 1 cup flour with dried oregano, garlic powder, dry basil, salt, pepper, thyme. 
olive oil for frying

GREEK SALSA:
1 chopped tomato
half a chopped cucumber
1 smal chopped red onion
a bunch of chopped kalamata olives
fresh chopped parsley
feta cheese
1/4 cuplemon juice
a dash of oil
1 clove minced garlic
oregano
salt, pepper

fry fish until crisp, pop in the oven for 10-15 mins to finish.

Spicy Merguez Pasta Casserole

Very tasty pasta dish! Merguez is a tasty north-african spicy lamb sausage. 

YOU NEED:
1 cup al dente pasta
a bunch of cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup tomato sauce [add some red pepper flakes and garlic, maybe some fried onions, seasonings for extra yummy]
feta or goat cheese
fresh basil
2 fried merguez sausages

toss together and bake for 30 mins or until cheese has melted and browned,  at 375

Tuesday 26 February 2013

Avocado Cream Cheese Salad

YOU NEED:

1 avocado, cubed
1/4 cucumber or 1 celery sprig, chopped
some fresh basil, chopped
3 tablespoons cream cheese, low fat
juice of 1/2 lime
salt, pepper
1 clove minced garlic

Andouille Burger

ANDOUILLE PATTIES:
squeeze out sausage fillings.
add breadcrumbs, egg, any seasonings 
form patties

BUNS?
any. toasted or not.

TOPPINGS? 

gorgonzola or blue cheese
emmental or gruyere or swiss
arugula or spinach
sauteeds onions and mushrooms.

Avocado Egg Salad

go away, mayo.

YOU NEED:

5 hard boiled eggs, mashed
2 avocados, mashed
2 celery, chopped
2 green onion, chopped
salt
pepper
lemon juice
paprika or any other seasonings

BBQ Pork & Cucumber Sandwich

Hot and cold sandwich. YUM!

YOU NEED:
BBQ pork, cooked in your favourite sauce
Cucucmbers, sliced
sharp cheddar
mayo

ASSEMBLE!

Merguez & Shrimp Pasta

A medditeranean inspired pasta dish. 

YOU NEED:
shrimp, raw, peeled and deveined
merguez or lamb, or another sausage,  sliced
green onion
boiled pasta
olive oil, salt, pepper, turmeric [for yellow colour] lemon juice, 2 cloves garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, red pepper flakes.

1. fry chorizo, add shrimp, then onion once almost done. 

2. boil pasta, drain. 
3. add pasta, season.

Avocado, Blood Orange & Spinach Salad

Easy salad.

YOU NEED:
1 blood orange, sliced
1 avocado, sliced
baby spinach
1 sprig green onion
olive oil 
juice of a lime
salt, pepper.

VOILA!

Tuesday 19 February 2013

Pico De Gallo

SOOOO EASY. Compliments  everything.

2 cups tomatoes (seeded and chopped)
1/4 cup red or green onion (chopped)
1 jalapeno (seeded and chopped)
1 clove garlic (chopped)
1 lime (juice)
1 handful cilantro (chopped)
salt and pepper to taste 

VARIATIONS?
add feta
add queso fresco
use habanero instead of jalapeno [HOT!!!]
add artichokes, cucumbers, or pickles
add some mango
add some black beans or refried beans
creamy: add sour cream
italian: add salami chunks and  cured meat

Chorizo Guacamole

Ohhhh god. best thing ever. I make guac like a boss, this one is EVEN BETTER.


YOU NEED:

2 large chorizo sausages
4 avocados, ripe
2 tomatoes
3 jalapenos, or 1 habanero, or just some salsa. depending on spice preference.
1 green bell pepper
juice of 2 limes
1.4 cup sour cream 
salt 
pepper
cilantro, chopped
cumin

COOK SAUSAGE, MIX, ADD THE REST!

Shrimp Tostadas with Adobo

OH. Easy.

1. bake flat corn or flour tortillas until crisp, about 10 mins with a bit of oil.
2. sautee shrimp with onions and pepper, add adobo sauce 
3. top crispy tortillas with shrimp. add whatever
[lettuce, green onion, beans, sour cream, salsa, cheese]

Creamy Shrimp & Sausage Pasta

mmmm. 

YOU NEED:
• 2 cup cooked penne or farfalle or any pasta
• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 sausages
• 1/4 cup shallots, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• milk or cream [add flour if using milk, or corn starch to thicken, or use sour cream]
• 1 cup fresh baby spinach
• 25 or so shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 tablespoons cajun seasoning
1 chili pepper, 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 3 tablespoons chives, chopped fine


• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al-dente. Drain, coat with half the oil to prevent sticking. Cover and keep warm.
• Mix sausage meat in a bowl to combine. Form mixture into bite-sized meatballs
• Heat a skillet over high heat. Add meatballs and cook until no longer pink in center and light crust formed on outside. Remove to plate with paper towel, cover to keep warm. Pour out grease in skillet
• In same skillet, heat over high, add remaining oil. add shallots. cook until translucent. Add garlic. Cook an additional 15 seconds. Add wine and lemon juice away from heat. add tomato paste and chopped chili pepper. Cook until almost dry, scrapping bits from bottom of pan
• Add heavy cream, or milk and flour/corn starch and sausage. Cook until cream reduces in half.
• Meanwhile, heat a dry non-stick skillet over high heat under high ventilation. Toss shrimp in cajun seasoning to coat, shake off excess. Cook shrimp just until no longer translucent
• Add spinach, pasta, and half the Parmesan to the sauce. Toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Cook an additional 30 seconds or until spinach wilts
• Divide among 4 bowls. Top with remaining Parmesan, chives, and shrimp. Serve with crusty french bread

Cheesy Scrambled Eggs

Eggs are SOOOOO BORING.

Step it up.
YOU NEED:
butter
eggs
some kind of cheese
some kind of seasoning
optional: bread and meat

LIKE?
Greek: Eggs, onion, feta, tomato
German: emmental, ham, eggs, on a pretzel bun
American: cheddar, bacon, eggs
Western: bell peppers, ham, cheddar, onion, eggs
French: dijon, ham, green onion, gruyere emmental or swiss, eggs
Spanish: chorizo, peppers, tomato sauce, goat cheese
Spicy: BBQ sauce, chicken, blue cheese
Swiss: Ham, Mushrooms, Swiss cheese
Italian: pepperoni, mozzarella, basil, tomato

Scrambled Eggs with Herbed Croutons

Easy breakfast.

YOU NEED [for 2 or 3 people]
6 eggs [use half, or only egg whites if you're looking for a low fat and cholesterol friendly meal]
milk
2 slices stale bread
olive oil
garlic
salt, pepper, oregano, basil [dry]
chives as garnish
OPTIONAL: swiss, emmental, or gruyere
butter

1. warm butter.
2. add in eggs, scramble. once half-done, add in some milk.
3. fry up slices of bread in olive oil, dry oregano, basil, garlic. 
4. slice chives.
5. salt and pepper on eggs.
6. toss in croutons.
7. top with chives as garnish, and cheese is optional.

Chorizo & Salsa Pasta

Strange but GOOD.

YOU NEED:
1 spicy chorizo sausages, sliced
1 cup cooked pasta
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 chili pepper [habanero for hot, jalapeno for milk] finely chopped
1 red onion, chopped
3 cloves minced garlic
2 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoon lime juice
cilantro, finely chopped
cumin, salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne seasoning
a bit of water

1. fry up chorizo in some oil. remove from pan, use the rendered fat to fry onion, peppers, garlic.
2. add in tomato paste and lemon juice. 
3. toss back in chorizo, add seasoning such  as cilantro, cumin, salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne
4. toss in pasta with a bit of pasta water to make a sauce. 


Andouille Tacos

Oooh. a strange yet delightful taco!

YOU NEED:
andouille sausages
tortillas
coleslaw, seasoned with lime juice, garlic, and red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and veg oil, sugar
radishes, thinly sliced
red onion
cilantro
OPTIONAL: sour cream, salsa, avocado, beans

ASSEMBLE!

Spicy Andouille Pasta


Kind of like puttanesca but made with Andouille sausage!

YOU NEED:
2 tomatoes [try roasting them with chili oil] or just plain a can of tomatoes or tomato sauce
2 andouille sausages
i chopped red chili pepper
3 cloves minced garlic. 
olive oil
1 chopped red onion
fresh basil
oregano
chopped kalamata olives
1 anchovy filet, chopped, or 1 teaspoon anchovy pasta
salt, pepper
red pepper flakes, to taste
1 cup boiled pasta
grated parmesan

1. fry up onion with some olive oil. add chopped chili. add garlic. add andouille sausages and fry until semi done, then add tomatoes or tomato sauce. 
2. season to taste, add anchovy, basil, oregano.
3. add olives and red pepper flakes when almost done. season with salt and pepper before serving.
4. serve on pasta with parmesan cheese!

Fiery Chorizo & Chicken Tacos

Hope you like spicy!

YOU NEED:
1 chicken breast, sliced
1 large [spicy] chorizo, sliced
spicy taco seasoning
peppers [ WARNING: habanero is for SPICY FIENDS. Jalapenos are ok, and bell pepperes will add a touch of sweetness.]
tortillas
cheese
avocado
sour cream
salsa... as if you need more spicy
lettuce
tomato
cilantro
beans? 


The best thing is you can adjust the spiciness to taste! Most people can't even handle a chorizo on its own.

Monday 18 February 2013

Easy Chicken Teriyaki

SO EASY!

YOU NEED
chicken breast
sesame oil
teriyaki sauce
minced garlic
ginger
OPTIONAL: chili sauce for spice

GARNISH:
cilantro
sesame seeds

1. get some chicken breast, slice.
2 fry in sesame oil, with garlic. 
3, add teriyaki sauce and ginger, fry until chicken is done. optionally add some chili or chili sauce.
4. garnish with sesame seeds and cilantro
5. serve atop rice.

Tahini Chickpea Salad

Amazing! Tastes like HUMMUS!
YOU NEED:

1 head chopped, washed romaine
2 small tomatoes, cubed
1/3 cucumbed, chunks
1 small red onion, chunks
1 cup chickpeas, drained

FOR DRESSING:
2 tablespoon tahini
2 tablespoon olive oil
4 tablespoon lemon juice
2 cloves minced garlic
salt, pepper

GARNISH:
fresh parsley
paprika
cumin
sumac

FOR A FULL MEAL:
add protein, like feta cheese goat cheese, chicken, or shrimp

Low-Fat Shrimp & Broccoli Alfredo

Alfredo can be.... healthy? OMG!
yes, i've mastered the recipe for low cal alfredo. 

YOU NEED:
fettuccine or other noodles
2 tbsp butter, divided
3 cloves minced garlic
2 tsp flour
3/4 cup skim milk
1/4 cup sour cream [low-fat]
1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese
broccoli florets
shrimp, peeled, raw
juice of 1 lemon
nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
ground pepper, to taste 

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. boil pasta.
2. Melt 1 tbsp of butter in a large, nonstick pan. Sautee garlic until fragrant. mix in flour, slowly and cook for a minute. Add milk and sour cream and cook until slightly thickened, stirring constantly.
3. When there is about 4 minutes left before the pasta reaches al dente, add broccoli florets to the pasta water with the pasta.
4. In a separate pan, cook shrimp in 1 tbsp of butter until pink, about 5 minutes. sautee with a bit of garlic, it's ok.
5. When sauce begins to thicken, add salt, lemon juice, pepper, nutmeg.
6. Drain pasta and broccoli and reserve some of the cooking water.
7. Add pasta, broccoli and shrimp to the sauce and stir to coat. Add pasta water, as necessary, to thin out the sauce.
8. top with extra cheese and black pepper! 


Sunday 17 February 2013

Feta & Watermelon Salad

Omg. easy. delicious.

YOU NEED:

half a watermelon, chunks
1 box arugula
1/4 cup feta cheese
lemon juice
olive oil
balsamic
fresh mint

add it all together to taste!

Greek Arugula Salad

Best salad ever, seriously!

SALAD:
Baby arugula, 2 cups
1 onion, slivered
1 tomato, chunked or 1 packet grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 a bell pepper
1/4 cucumber
1/2 cup olives
1 avocado, cubed
1.4 cup crumbled feta


DRESSING:
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoon red or white wine vinegar
salt, pepper, garlic, oregano

OPTIONAL:
walnuts or pecans
croutons
also add 1 teaspoon cherry or raspberry jam to vinaigrette

Vegetarian Taco Salad

VEGGIE TACO SALAD. So good.

YOU NEED:
taco seasoning
protein [beans, tofu, or seafood, fried in seasoning]
peppers, onion, also fried in seasoning
mixed greens or any lettuce
fresh onion
tomato
refried or soaked beans
cheese
sour cream, salsa, avocado to make a "dresssing"
hot sauce or chili pepper if needing spice

Creamy Pea, Cheese & Bacon Salad

OHHH, easy salad. Yummy as heck.

YOU NEED:
2 cups cooked green peas
8 strips bacon or 1/4 cup bacon bits

OPTIONAL: pasta, onion, bell peppers

CREAMY DRESSING:
1/4 cup sour cream
1 clove minced garlic
juice of half a large lemon
salt, pepper, parlsey

GARNISH: grated cheese, green onion or chives

Shrimp, Feta & Coleslaw Fajitas

Mexican food. So easy, so good.

YOU NEED:

FOR SHRIMP:
shrimps, raw, peeled.
fajita or taco seasoning
onion and pepper, sliced, optional
veg oil to fry
lime juice to season

COLESLAW:
cabbage mix
onion, diced
cilantro
salt, pepper
mayo
lime juice
vinegar
to taste!

TOPPINGS? 
avocado
cheese!
sour cream
salsa!

Saturday 16 February 2013

Avocado Salad with Seared Scallops

Depending on your vinaigrette and how you season your scallops, this dish can be VERY versatile, and anything from meditteranean to mexican. 

YOU NEED:
scallops, medium to large
mixed greens
tomato
cucumber
onion
[all chopped]
avocado slices
vinaigrette
seasoning for scallops

MEDITERRANEAN: marinate scallops in lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, garlic before frying. use similar vinaigrette or greek dressing. 
SPANISH: marinate scallops in tomato paste, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, vinegar, dry parsley, and a chili pepper
MEXICAN: marinate with oil, lime juice, chili, cumin, or just taco seasoning
ASIAN: add some soy sauce and ginger, along with garlic and sesame oil to the marindade. 

Assemble salad, fry scallops, toss salad with dressing, add scallops.

Friday 15 February 2013

Indian Fish Curry

 An easy dish. Healthy for a curry as well.

YOU NEED

2 fillets fish: tilapia works well, as does haddock, cod, snapper, or catfish
2 tablespoons garlic paste or 4 cloves minced garlic
2 inches ginger, grated
3 teaspoons mustard seeds
4 bay leaves
1/2 tablespoon coriander powder
5 medium shallots or 2 medium onions
7 red chilies
1 tablespoon cumin seed
3 teaspoons turmeric powder
3 tablespoons salt
2 big tomatoes
oil, to deep fry fish
3 cups water

TO MAKE:

1 In a grinder grind the onions, ginger, 2 bay leaves, red chili, mustard seeds, cumin seed all together. [make a paste]
2 keep about a cup of onion unprocessed.
3 Cut small pieces of tomatoes.
4 Make small pieces of fish fillets, about 3 inches in length.
5 Take a big plate, put the fish in it and sprinkle 2 teaspoon of salt, two teaspoon of turmeric powder and the garlic paste.
6Mix all of them properly.
7Allow to marinate for 1/2 hour.
8Take a pan or a wok (preferable), heat it and put oil to fry the fish.
Once the oil is much hotter, fry the fish, 3-4 pieces at a time, 3-4 minutes on each side.
9Keep all of them in a separate plate.
10When all the pieces are fried, clean all the black residues from the oil in the wok with the spatula and put 2 tablespoon of fresh oil in the it. 
11 Then put a pinch of cumin seed, a pinch of mustard seed, 2 red chili, 2 bay leaves, a pinch of aniseed (all together is called panch-phoran) and allow them to splutter.
12Then put the cut onion pieces and allow it to just a little brown.
13Then put all the ground paste,tomatoes,left over turmeric powder and salt to taste.
14Keep stirring it until the paste becomes a little brown (it takes around 10 minutes).
15You can also identify it by looking at the wok, that the paste will start leaving the oil and paste will now no more stick on the wok.
16The paste is now perfectly fried.
17Now pour 3 cups of water to it, or as much thick gravy you want.
18Once the gravy comes to boil, start dropping the fried fish pieces and allow to boil for 15 minutes.
19 serve with fresh cilantro!

Thursday 14 February 2013

Cassoulet

This french/spanish dish is surprisingly easy! Very hearty and full of protein.

YOU NEED:
beans, soaked overnight, in cold water [black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, a mix, etc]
meat [sausage and/or bacon, duck and lamb work too]
onions and celery, diced
tomato paste
garlic paste
cayenne 
chicken stock
tomato diced
red pepper diced
green pepper diced

1. diced everything. 
2. preheat oven to 400 F.
3. in a deep saucepan, fry bacon and meat. render the fat. put meat aside, keep fat in pan.
4. fry onions and celery in fat, add garlic, a bit of oil if needed.
5. add beans, tomato paste, cayenne, pepper [NO SALT] and keep frying.
6. add chicken stock, just slightly covering, bring to a boil. 
7. add in some thyme stems, bacon rind and a bay leaf [you will remove this before serving] and put in oven for an hour.
8. after an hour, return to stovetop and simmer. check if beans are cooked through. right before serving, add tomato, peppers. remove bay leaf, rind, and thyme stems, and salt to taste
9. serve!


Wednesday 13 February 2013

My Signature Steak Fajitas! [simple version]


I go crazy for steak fajitas!

YOU NEED:
flour tortillas. corn is better for soft tacos.
steak, leftovers or fry up a new one
fajita seasoning
bell peppers
onion
jalapeno

TOPPINGS: 
cheese
cilantro
avocado
sour cream
salsa

1. rub steak with seasoning. fry.
2. with steak jus, fry onions and pepper with some garlic.
3. prepare toppings. 
4. serve hot!


Sauteed French Beans with Slivered Almonds

Make vegetables YUMMY.

YOU NEED:
french green beans, cut off ends, blanched for 5 mins.
almonds, slivered or grated
garlic
oil, balsamic
salt and pepper
parmesan as garnish is optional

1. blanch green beans.
2. in a pan, heat some olive oil and sautee some minced garlic.
3. throw in beans, sautee, add almonds and turn down heat so as not to burn. 
4. once cooked through, add a bit of balsamic, cook off, turn off heat.
5. serve, garnish with more almonds and [optional] parmesan

German Potato Salad

Oh, my heritage. SO GOOD! great for BBQs and potlucks

EVERYTHING MUST BE CUT INTO SMALL CUBES!
Boil 1 smallpot of potatoes, semi mash and season with salt and pepper
Cut about 5 pickles into small cubes
5 boiled eggs sliced
some chunks of ham or bacon
apples optional, in small chunks
2onions, fine cubes
peas and carrots optional
5 spoons of mayo (light mayo's fine)
1.2 cup white vinegar
1 tablespoon mustard, use standard German mustard or grainy mustard
some parsley, some garlic.
Taste it, if you think something's missing, add more.

keep it in the fridge overnight and serve!

Egg & Broccoli Casserole

SOUNDS WEIRD? NO!

YOU NEED:
1 head broccoli cut into florets
6 eggs
1/2 cup milk
salt pepper
breadcrumbs

1. blanch broccoli, just a few mins.
2. grease a baking dish, dump in broccoli
3. mix eggs and milk. dump over broccoli. season with salt, pepper
4. add breadcrumbs to top, a bit of parmesan if being exciting. 
5. bake until eggs are set, 375 F for about 30 mins.

Sweet Glazed Carrots

EASIEST side dish. 
YOU NEED:
carrots, peeled, in sticks
sugar
butter [or oil for vegan]
salt, pepper, any seasoning

1. you need lots of butter, maybe a bit of water. 
2. heat carrots on medium heat with butter and sugar, stirring. do this until tender, season.
3. serve when soft.

Beef & Cheddar Panini

Think of it as a stepped up grilled cheese.

YOU NEED:
Beef. Roast beef, steak, leftover ground meat, brisket, a burger patty, smoked meat, pulled beef, etc. Just had to be cooked.
Cheese. different beefs call for different cheeses. 
bread. 
butter.
a frying pan or panini press.

LIKE WHAT? 

The classic: Steak & Cheddar, with some caramelized onions thrown in
Swiss: Swiss cheese, fried mushrooms, steak
Spicy: beef brisket or pulled beef, pimento cheese or cheddar, throw in some jalapenos
French: Some dijon, gruyere, then steak, some green onion.
Mexican: steak, cheese, avocado, cilantro! dip in salsa
pizza: throw in some tomato sauce and mozzarella with your steak, maybe some basil

BE CREATIVE


Tuesday 12 February 2013

Patates Savoyarde

LIGHTER scalloped potatoes. You'll see.

1. Cut raw potatoes [yukon gold will do] into rounds
2. put in a greased baking dish, slightly overlapping.
3. fill with chicken stock, or veg about 1/3 full 
4. add a tiny bit of milk or cream, and  a bit of garlic for good measure [optional]
5. top with CHEESE. gruyere and/or emmental or parmesan, salt, pepper, chives, green onions.
6. bake for 45 mins until top is crisp and potatoes are tender.