Pomegranate & Pecan Summer Salad

this is an easy and delicious salad for summertime. 

YOU NEED:

mixed greens

pomegranate seeds

pecans or candied pecans [walnuts, almonds will do the trick too)

sharp cheese [goat cheese, brie, or feta is excellent)

a  light vinaigrette. 

1. toast pecans or nuts with some honey or balsamic to caramelise

2. seed pomegranate

3. prepare vinaigrette: try lemon, olive oil, balsamic, a bit of fresh herbs

4. toss lettuce with vinaigrette, top with candied nuts, cheese, pom seeds

Shrimp Summer Salad

simply marinate shrimp in some lime juice and creole seasoning with some extra garlic

lay out a bed of lettuce, sweet peppers, strawberries, onion

grill shrimp, add

sprinkle with feta, lemon juice and olive oil

Minted Lamb Burgers/Pitas

Oh wow! This is a zesty and flavourful take on a burger. Best ever. 

YOU NEED:

pitas or burger buns

500 grams ground lamb

1 egg

a bit of breakdcrumbs

3 cloves minced garlic

a handful chopped mint

salt, pepper, cumin to taste

TOPPINGS:

tomato

onion 

feta or goat cheese

fresh mint

make patties. 

grill or fry.

assemble burgers on warm bread

serve!

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!

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.

BBQ Pork & Cucumber Sandwich

Hot and cold sandwich. YUM!

YOU NEED:

BBQ pork, cooked in your favourite sauce

Cucucmbers, sliced

sharp cheddar

mayo

ASSEMBLE!

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!

Southern Parsley Rub for Fish

A beautiful rub to bake or broil fish. Might work for chicken, I dunno.

YOU NEED:

• 1/2 cup fresh parsle, chopped finely
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon cayenne peppers spice, or a pepper if using food processor
• juice and zest of 1 lemon or lime
• salt and pepper.
• a food processor will make life easier. 

Summer BBQ Skewers!

Make some exciting skewers for your next BBQ!

1. skewer corn on the cob, sausage [try chorizo] shrimp, and potatoes.

2. brush with a nice cajun or creole seasoning and some oil.

3. bbq!

Garden Steak Sandwiches

A nice, lighter twist on the steak sandwich! Try serving at your next summer BBQ or whatever. 

MARINATE STEAK. A bit of lemon juice, garlic, and some fresh herbs should do the trick. salt and pepper.

PREPARE SALAD GARNISH: Arugula, Tomato, Basil, some lemon juice and olive oil

CHEESE? Mix light cream cheese with goat or feta.

BREAD? whole wheat, toasted.

ASSEMBLE!

Vicky's Best Steak Sandwich

 

YUMMY. My best ever steak sandwich!

YOU NEED:

1 thin-ish steak

marinade: balsamic vinegar, worcestershire sauce, olive oil. fresh chopped rosemary, lots of minced garlic, salt and pepper

crusty bread

onions

mushroom

creamy goat cheese

mixed greens or arugula

sandwich spread: cream cheese, dijon, chives, lemon juice

Prepare steak, let rest for a few minutes, slice.

sautee onions and mushrooms at the same time with some olive oil, until caramelized

top sandwich with sandwich spread, greens, steak, goatg cheese, and caramlized onions/mushrooms

serve!

Marinade for Grilled Duck Breast

To marinate duck before cooking:

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

2 large cloves minced garlic

some chopped fresh rosemary

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon balsamic [ for caramelization]

salt

pepper

Burgers with Boursin & Basil

WARNING: garlicky. and cheesy. why are you complaing, though?

PATTIES:

500 grams ground chicken, turkey, pork, beef, or a mix

1 clove minced garlic [large]

1 egg

3 tablespoons breadcrumbs

salt and pepper

1 small finely chopped onion

1 few leaves finely chopped basil

1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce

TOPPINGS: 

gsarlic and herb boursin cheese

tomatoes

as condiment, try an herb aioli or creamy mustard. 

Sriracha Burgers!

Gotta love that rooster sauce. so versatile!

YOU NEED: 

500 grams ground beef, chicken, pork, or a mix

1 tbs soy sauce

1 clove minced garlic

4 tbs sriracha [this will be moderately spicy. reduce or add more, as you wish]

1 tbs breadcrumbs

1 egg yolk

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

TOPPINGS: 

4 slices bacon[optional]

1 large sweet onion

3/4 cup blue cheese dressing/aioli [optional]

4 buns

4 slices Swiss cheese, or sharp cheddar

1 tomato, sliced

arugula or lettuce

1. form patties. refrigerate. 

2. fry up bacon, drain. using bacon grease, fry onions. 

3. grill, bake, or fry burgers

4. you can mix blue cheese dressing with sriracha to create a delicious condiment. 

5. toast buns if you want.

ASSEMBLE!

Greek Seasoning

Use this to coat any meats, or add to marinades for that greek flavour!

1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

 1 teaspoon dried thyme

 1/2 teaspoon dried basil

 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram

 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon dry rosemary

TIP: mix with breadcrumbs for a nice, breaded coating.

Foil Mushroom Medley with Nuts & Goat Cheese

Simply season and wrap in foil before baking or barbequeing.

1. slice a mix of portobello, cremini, shiitake, oyster, whatever mushrooms you fancy.

2. toss in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper. 

3. add in some hazelnuts, pine nuts, or walnuts.

4. sprinkle with crumbled goat cheese [although gorgonzola, or feta also works quite well]

5. BBQ or bake in foil, wrapped up for 10 mins on each side. open and check doneness, cook more if needed. 

Great as burger topping, side to steak, sandwhiches, even salad toppings!

Grilled Tofu Lettuce Wraps

YOU NEED:

Lettuce "cups", iceberg, romaine or boston

Firm tofu

Hoisin sauce

sliced cucumber, carrot, green onion, peanuts, vermicelli, sesame seeds, bean sprouts, or whatever else you want to include

1. brush tofu with sesame oil, and a bit of chili for spice.  barbeque or fry or grill.

2. get ingredients sliced and prepared, set into small serving bowls.

3. drizzle tofu with hoisin sauce, serve!

Hoisin & Sesame BBQ Wings

HOISIN SESAME BBQ SAUCE:

1/4 cup hoisin sauce

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 tablespoon soy sauce

3 cloves minced garlic

1 tablespoon brown sugar, if not sweet enough

1/2 tablespoon sesame oil

1/2 tablespoon chili paste if spice if wanted

TOPPING: sesame seeds and green onion, cilantro

1. slather on as BBQ sauce. great with chicken, salmon, pork, or even beef. 

Creamy Dijon & Tarragon Chicken

A delicious way to prepare lean and low fat chicken!

1. mix together 2 tablespoons dijon mustard with 1/4 cup low fat sour cream, 1 clove minced garlic, 1 or 2 teaspoons tarragon, a pinch of salt and pepper, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice.

2. coat chicken, let marinate for an hour or more.

3. drizzle with balsamic vinegar right before cooking for crispy caramelized-ness.

4. bake, fry, or grill.

Marinade for Lamb Chops

A succulent marinade for lamb chops.

1. mix together 1 cup greek yogurt, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 3 large cloves minced garlic, some salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and 2 tablespoons olive oil. 

2. if you have it, add saffron or sumac for a middle-eastern twist. 

3. pour oven lamb, marinate in fridge for 3 hours or more. 

4. grill or fry lamb.