Monday 25 March 2013

Sausage Spaghetti

STEPS:
fry up sausage
remove, fry mushrooms, peppers, and onion in rendered fat
boil pasta
add tomato sauce to fried mushrooms onions and sausage
garlic, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, etc. seasoning
add pasta. serve. with CHEESE

Blood Orange & Avocado Salad

YOU NEED:

salad:
a bed of lettuce... spinach, mesclun mix, whatever
1 blood orange, peeled and sliced
chunks of tofu or cheese
unsalted peanuts
1 avocado, sliced

dressing:
1 tbs olive oil 1 tbs sesame oil
2 tbs lime juice
salt, pepper, brown sugar, garlic powder to taste.

Merguez Linguine

No time for spaghetti. Try this amazing dish. 

YOU NEED:
2 Merguez [spicy lamb sausage]
2/3 cup linguine
a handful fresh chopped basil
a handful chopped sun dried tomatoes or fresh tomatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt, pepper, 2 cloves minced garlic
goat cheese or feta to garnish. 

 


Thursday 14 March 2013

Cream of Cauliflower Soup

YOU NEED:

4.5 L    vegetable stock
1.5 kg  cauliflower, chopped
375 g   onion, chopped fine
300 g    butter
300 g   flour
1.5  L   milk, hot
750 ml 35%  cream, hot
Salt      to taste
White pepper, to taste


Method:

1.       Bring the stock to a boil in a heavy saucepot.
2.      Add cauliflower and onions.
3.      Simmer until the vegetables are tender.  Do not overcook.
4.      Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the flour to make a roux.  Cook the roux a few minutes, but do not let it colour.  Cool the roux slightly.
5.      Beat the roux into the soup.  Simmer until no starch taste remains.
6.      Blend the soup until smooth. 
7.      Heat together the milk and cream.  Add to the soup to bring it to a proper consistency. 
8.      Heat the soup again, but do not let it boil.
9.      Season to taste.

YUM CAULI.

Ballantine Chicken

Easy, just stuffed chicken!

YOU NEED:
boneless chicken thighs or breasts
oil
filling

1. pound chicken with mallet to flatten it. 
2. make a filling.
3. roll, tie with string

FILLING?
Sauteed garlic spinach with goat cheese and toasted pine nuts
Sausage & Herbs
Feta & Garlic Sauteed Vegetables
Swiss Cheese & Ham
Fried Mushrooms, Cheese & Bacon
Broccoli & Cheddar
Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil

Wednesday 13 March 2013

Gorgonzola & Bacon Egg Salad

EGG SALAD MADE AMAZING. yes.

YOU NEED:
6 eggs, hard boiled
1/2 cup low fat mayo
3 sprigsgreen onion
3 strips crumbled bacon or bacon bits
a handful crumbled gorgonzola or feta if you're not adventurous
OPTIONAL: celery, parsley, paprika, 

GOOD ON A SANDWICH WITH
peameal bacon
tomato
spinach
smoked salmon

Gyros

So meatloaf is gross, but try this! 

YOU NEED:
1 pound ground lamb, beef, pork, or a mix
3 cloves minced garlic
1 teaspoon dry oregano, 1.2 each cumin, salt, pepper, thyme, basil
1 egg
1/8 cup breadcrumbs

MASH INTO A PULP.
form into a loaf. bake for 30 mins to an hour depending on how thick it is. 

MAKE A SANDICH.
slice loaf thinly.
top with: tomato, onion, lettuce, tzatsiki, olives, hummus, parsley,  feta, etc

Monday 11 March 2013

Sweet Italian Shrimp

1. get shrimp, raw, peeled and deveined
2. make a marinade: 3 tbs brown sugar, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1 tbs tomato paste, dried oregano, basil, thyme, 2 large cloves minced garlic, salt, pepper, lemon juice.
3. coat shrimp, grill!

Avocado & Tomato Salad with Goat Cheese & Pine Nuts

whip this up for a fabulous salad.

YOU NEED:
1 avocado, sliced or chunked
1 or 2 tomatoes, sliced
crumbled goat cheese
pine nuts [can be toasted]
OPTIONAL:
olives
fresh basil
feta instead of goat cheese

DRESSING:
balsamic & olive oil (1:3 ratio) salt, pepper

Wednesday 6 March 2013

Blood Orange, Spinach & Peanut Salad

Weird twist but so good!

YOU NEED:
1 bunch fresh spinach or mixed greens
1 blood orange, sliced
some toasted or raw peanuts
1 avocado, sliced or cubed


DRESSING:
1 inch ginger, grated
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 tbs soy sauce
1tbs veg oil
1 teaspoon sesame oil
salt, pepper 
red pepper flakes for spice

OPTIONAL: chopped bok choy, cheese, radish, etc. be creative.

Asparagus Pasta Salad

Make asparagus wonderful! Dress up your pasta salad. 

YOU NEED:
1 bunch asparagus, cooked, then chopped into parts
1 cup pasta
1 tomato, chunked
some breadcrumbs
lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, breadcrumbs

EXCITING?
garlic, minced
goat cheese, feta, or parmesan
canned salmon or tuna
chicken
beef & soy sauce or sesame oil instead of olive oil, some ginger and cilantro for an asian twist
fresh chopped basil
pecans, peanuts, pine nuts, or walnuts
lamb & some cumin and parsley for a middle eastern take. you can also sub couscous or bulghur. 

Arugula, Pine Nut & Sweet Potato Salad

An easy and delicious salad.

YOU NEED:
1 sweet potato, peeled, sliced, and cooked [boiling is easiest]
A handful arugula
some pine nuts, toasted or not
olive oil
lemon juice
white wine vinegar
salt, pepper

OPTIONAL:
goat or feta cheese
grilled chicken breast, for a full meal
grilled tofu, keeping it vegan
garlic. is always optional.
sliced onion. 

ASSEMBLE!

Meditteranean Shrimp & Feta Mac and Cheese

A twist on mac and cheese!

YOU NEED
oven, preheated to 400 F
12 cooked peeled shrimp
1 cup pasta
1/2 cupfeta cheese
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cuplemon juice
1 cup greek yogurt
italian breadcrumbs
oregano

1. get a greased or lined baking dish, preheat oven
2. cook shrimp and pasta, seperately. shrimp can be bought precooked, or boiled.
3. toss shrimp and pasta with yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, and half the feta cheese. 
4. put in baking dish, top with breadcrumbs and more feta, seasoning like oregano
5. bake for 30 mins or so until top is browned.

Fennel, Blood Orange & Goat Cheese Salad

Fennel can be gross, but also delicious if you pair it right. 

YOU NEED:
some lettuce
fennel, chopped into thin strips
1 blood orange, sliced
thinly slivered red or green onion
goat cheese

VINAIGRETTE: suggest red wine or balsamic vinaigrette. salt and pepper

Tuesday 5 March 2013

Beligian Endive & Ham Gratin

Omit ham for vegetarian. still delicious.

YOU NEED:
a greased baking dish, or parchment paper
belgian endives, cut in half
ham
lots of CHEESE. gruyere, swiss, mozza, parmesan, but preferably a mix. 
lemon juice, salt, pepper, olive oil. 

1. line baking dish in parchment paper,
2, cut endives in half, toss with lemon juice, salt, pepper, olive oil.
3. wrap in ham.
4. put in baking dish, smother in cheese. 
5. bake for 30 mins until browned. 
6. good, seasoned with fresh parsley.

Tomato, Basil & Walnut Salad

I guess it's sort of a vegan caprese. Still delicious!

YOU NEED:
tomatoes, diced
a handful chopped walnuts
a handful fresh basil, chopped
salt, pepper, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic

OPTIONAL: onion, feta cheese, arugula or spinach, or mozzarella.

Chunky Mango Avocado Salad

An easy salad with so many health benefits!

SALAD:
1 red pepper, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
1 red onion, chopped
some black beans or chickpeas
1 mango, chopped
1 avocado, chopped
fresh cilantro

DRESSING:
3 tbs olive oil, 1 tbs lime juice, salt, pepper, a bit of cayenne, 1 clove garlic

Creamy Lemon & Crab Pasta

This is a great sauce for pasta and crab meat.

YOU NEED:
1 package crab or imitation.
a handful frozen peas.
1 cup boiled pasta
1 clove minced garlic
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup milk
salt, pepper, fresh parsley
juice of 1 lemon plus more for garnish
butter
1. boil pasta.
2. in a saucepan, heat up some butter. add milk and sour cream and simmer. add lemon juice. once warm, add crab and peas and simmer some more. season. 
3. serve on pasta!

Monday 4 March 2013

Chicken, Mango, Blueberry Salad

YOU NEED: [you can omit chicken to make vegetarian or vegan]
1 mango, chopped
blueberries
arugula or mixed greens
green onions
cooked chicken
sesame ginger vinaigrette

SESAME GINGER VINAIGRETTE:
2 tbs sesame oil
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp soy sauce
salt, pepper
red pepper flakes
grated ginger, a little
grated garlic, a little

Arugula Pesto & Tomato Pasta Salad

SLOPPY ARUGULA PESTO:
1 cup roughly chopped arugula
1.4 cup olive oil
4 tbs lemon juice
2 cloves minced garlic
salt
pepper
a handful parmesan cheese, grated

1. boil pasta, drain, cool
2. add cherry tomatoes [roasted, or not] to cold pasta, mix with arugula pesto

Sunday 3 March 2013

Shrimp Gratin

Pop this in the oven and YUM!

YOU NEED:
12 shrimp, cooked and peeled
1/2 cup milk
1 tbs melted butter
2 tbsp softened cream cheese
2 cloves minced garlic
salt, pepper
lemon juice
fresh parsley
2/3 cup grated cheese [try gruyere, emmental, swiss, parmesan, or a mix]
crumbled crackers or breadcrumbs


mix ingredients to make a sauce, toss shrimp, top with cheese, parsley and breadcrumbs!

Curried Lamb Meatballs

These are great meatballs.
YOU NEED
500 grams ground lamb
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
2 egg yolks
1 tbs curry paste [tandoori, masala, vindaloo, etc]
chopped mint and or cilantro

MAKE BALLS. 

in the meantime, you can either make raita, or a simple curry sauce to serve on the meatballs.
pick your favourite curry, mix in 2 tbs with 1 cup fat-free plain yogurt and some indian spices. feel free to fry up some onion and veg too. 

1. fry meatballs until done. add curry sauce over and heat until done. garnish with some fresh herbs, serve on rice, with raita.

Pan-Fried Redfish

Doesn't have to be red fish, any fish will do really. 

YOU NEED:
2 clean filets
1 bowl flour
1 bowl egg
1 bowl breadcrumbs
seasoning for the breadcrumbs: garlic powder, salt, pepper, dry parsley, dry thyme, lemon zest

oil,to fry

coat fish. you can leave the skin on.
fry until golden. if not super thin, then put in the oven for 10-15 mins. 


Chimichurri Sauce

This is great as a dip, side, or topping, Classic, from Argentina. 

YOU NEED:
  • 1 cup (packed) fresh Italian parsley
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup (packed) fresh cilantro
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 3/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • OPTIONAL: a bit of lime juice, a bit of hot sauce. 
either all chopped SUPER finely, or put in a food processor. 


TRY IT ON STEAK!

Saturday 2 March 2013

Tomato, Arugula & Anchovy Salad

Easy and delicious,healthy too!

YOU NEED:
1 large tomato, sliced
a handful arugula, chopped
a handful basil, chopped
3 chopped achovy slices
lemon juice
olive oil
salt, pepper

Feta Pasta Salad

This easy pasta salad will go in a second if you bring itj to a BBQ or potluck, omg. 

YOU NEED:
2 cups boiled pasta
100 grams feta cheese, crumbled
olives, chopped or halved
cherry tomatoes, quartered or halved
1 onion, diced
1 small cucumber or half, diced
fresh dill
fry oregano
lemon juice
olive oil
salt, pepper
minced garlic

Chickpea Meditteranean Salad

Ahh this is an amazing twist on greek salad. 


YOU NEED:
lettuce, as a bed. 
1 can chickpeas, drained
1 cucumber, peeled and diced
1 red onion
a few chopped sundried tomatoes, or 1 fresh tomato, cubed
some olives, chopped
feta cheese, crumbled

VINAIGRETTE:
juice of 1 lemon
3 tbs lemon juice
salt, pepper
1 large clove garlic
oregano
        

Cherry, Chicken Salad with Minted Goat Cheese Dressing

Easily omit chicken if vegetarian. 

DRESSING:
2 tbs crumbled goat cheese
2 tbs low fat sour cream
2 tbs lemon juice
salt, pepper
chopped mint

SALAD: 
butter greens or mixed greens
sour cherries, sliced or halved
OPTIONAL:
red onion, slivered
walnuts or pecans, crumbled

CHICKEN:
plain, or marinated in lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, cumin, paprika and sumac before cooking
 


Sweet Potato, Tofu Curry

A delicious and vegan! curry. 

YOU NEED:
sweet potato, cubed
firm tofu, cubed
2 green onions, chopped
2 tbs red curry paste
1/2 can coconut milk
fresh basil, chopped
chili pepper, minced
garlic,minced
ginger, minced
sesame oil

1. fry sweet potato and onion in sesame oil. add garlic and ginger.
2. add in tofu, curry paste, chili.
3. add in coconut milk, simmer. 
4. finally add in basil. serve on rice or noodles.

Chef Salad

A crazy chopped salad!

YOU NEED:
lettuce: romaine, spinach, mixed, or arugula, or even iceberg. 
onion, sliced
tomato, sliced
cucumber, sliced
OPTIONAL:
eggs, quartered
chunks of cheddar or mozza or blue cheese or feta
chicken, fish, tofu, or shrimp
bacon
croutons
nuts

DRESSING:
thousand island, caesar, simple balsmic, or simple lemon

basically toss EVERYTHING into this. 

Easy Salmon Pasta

So simple!
YOU NEED:
1 cup blanched carrots and broccoli florets [boil for 5 mins]
1/4 cup milk
1 tbs flour
lemon juice
some green onion
garlic
butter
1 can salmon
salt, pepper

1. cook veg, boil noodles.
2. heat butter, sautee garlic then onion until fragrant. 
3. add in flour, dissolve, then milk. 
4. add in salmon and cooked veg. 
5. serve on pasta, season with salt and pepper.

Simplest Shrimp Ceviche

Ceviche is usually time consuming... not this one!

YOU NEED:
12 shrimps, peeled, deveined
1 tomato, diced
1 avocado, diced
/2 cucumbed, diced
some fresh cilantro, chopped
1 small onion, diced finely
juice of 2 limes
1 tbs olive oil
salt, pepper, cumin
hot sauce, optional but needed

TRICK:
boil shrimp for 5 mins until pink. 

1. marinate veg in lime juice with seasonings, then add cooked shrimp.

Bacon, Basil & Egg Salad

So easy and so good!
YOU NEED:
6 eggs, hard-boiled
4 strips bacon, fried and crumbled
a handful fresh chopped basil
2 tablespoons low fat sour cream
a bit of lemon juice
salt, pepper
OPTIONAL: green onion, celery, sun-dried tomatoes

Salmon Salad

An easy way to use up a can of salmon.

YOU NEED:
some lettuce, tossed
1 tomato, sliced or quartered 
1 can salmon, drained
OPTIONAL: onion, olives, walnuts, cucumber, radicchio

vinaigrette:
2 tbs lemon juice, 3 tbs olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, garlic

Canned Salmon Spaghetti

A can of salmon never looked so good. 

YOU NEED:
1 can salmon, drained. 
1 cup spaghetti, boiled
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tbs flour
1 tablespoon butter
garlic
onion
 pepper
fresh parsley if needed

1. boil spaghetti, drain
2. melt butter, add  flour, whisk till thick on low heat
3. add in garlic, onion, sautee till fragrant, add sour cream, salmon, pepper and parsley before serving.
4. serve on pasta.

Friday 1 March 2013

Caesar Salad with Hazelnuts & Blood Orange

YOU NEED:
1 chopped blood orange
1 head lettuce
1/4 cup toasted hazelnuts

caesar dressing:
2 tbs mayo [low fat]
2 tbs lemon juice
2 cloves minced garlic
salt, pepper
1/4 cup parmesan
2 tbs olive oil
1 tbs sour cream 
1 tsp dijon
1 tsp fresh parsley

OPTIONAL:
bacon bits
croutons
grilled chicken

Easy Garlic Tomato Paste Seafood Spaghetti

A lighter spaghetti.

YOU NEED:
seafood: shrimp, scallops, crab, lobster, or fish or a mix. 
1 cup boiled spaghetti or pasta
olive oil
3 cloves minced garlic
2 tablespoons tomato paste
some broth or water
salt, pepper
garnish with fresh herbs and cheese

1. sautee seafood in olive oil with minced garlic. 
2. toss in any veg you want, optional.
3. add in tomato paste and broth or water.
4. serve on boiled pasta, with cheese and parsley and salt, pepper

Gruyere & Broccoli Casserole

This easy creamy casserole... yum!

1. preheat oven to 375 F
2. blanche broccoli florets for 5 mins.
3. toss broccoli with sour cream, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and chunks of bread. 
4. add some gruyere, mix a little, breadcrumbs on top. 
5. bake for 30 mins until cheese is brown.

Blueberry, Walnut & Feta Salad

A simple but delicious salad.

YOU NEED:
lettuce, washed and dried
walnuts, or pecans
feta cheese
blueberries

VINAIGRETTE:
a simple balsamic will do, or use some leftover blueberry juice to create a fruity dressing.

Bacon & Sundried Tomato Alfredo

A definite upgrade on classic alfredo sauce!

YOU NEED:

1 cup boiled pasta
4 strips bacon [or veggie or turkey bacon for healthier]
sundried tomatoes or sundried tomato pesto
1 tablespoon butter
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup low fat sour cream
3 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
juice of half a lemon
salt and pepper
seasoning: fresh parsley

1.cook bacon and boil pasta, set aside. 
2. in a saucepan, sautee minced garlic in butter. add in milk, sour cream, and simmer until thicker.
3. add in cheese, on low heat, and stir till melted. add in sundried tomatoes and lemon juice, salt and pepper.
4. serve with sauce, bacon, fresh parsley