Merguez Pasta with Sundried Tomatoes & Goat Cheese

if you havent had merguez sausage, you havent lived. 

YOU NEED:

1 cup boiled pasta

2 merguez sausages 

1 small chopped onion

a handful chopped sundried tomatoes

2 cloves garlic 

a bit of olive oil

salt pepper to taste

goat cheese

OPTION:

chopped olives

chopped basil

chopped spinach

red pepper flakes for spice

1. boil pasta 

2. slice or squeeze out of casing for merguez, fry and add in chopped onion garlic and tomatoes, simmer with a bit of olive oil, add basil, add spinach and seasoning if necessary

3. serve sauce on pasta once thickened, add goat cheese and some fresh basil on top

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!

Vicky's Improvised Morrocan Lamb Curry

I fuck around a lot in class. Everyone thought this turned out phenomenal... it was supposed to be a generic lamb curry but I took it to the next step!

NOTE: for vegetarians, or lamb haters, this would also be great with chickpeas, or cauliflower, chicken, seafood, whatever. enjoy!

YOU NEED:

1 pound chunks of lamb, shoulder is fine

6 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons grated ginger

3 tablespoons curry powder

4 chopped tomatoes

tomato juice and water just to cover

cardamon pods

2 tablespoons cumin

2 tablespoons tomato paste

some cinnamon, allspice, turmeric,  salt, and pepper to taste

1 or 2 large onions, chopped finely

fat rendered from lamb or ghee

red pepper flakes or hot sauce, to taste

1. start by browning the lamb in a pan in a bit of ghee [butter]

2. remove, keep fat if you want, add in chopped onion, garlic, and ginger, then lamb back in.

3 toss in mix of spices. add more as you need. add tomato paste.

4. add in some tomato juice, stock, or water until lamb is almost covered.

5. let cook for an hour until reduced, tasting and adjusting as you go.

serve on rice with chopped mint!

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

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. 

 

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

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. 

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.

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

Garlic & Spinach Spaghetti with Meatballs

YUMMY. boring spaghetti sauce, away!!

 sautee some fresh spinach with onions and mushrooms, in a pan with olive oil. chopped. add 3 cloves mined garlic, salt, and pepper.

boil pasta, drain.

put sauteed stuff in a pot with 1 jar tomato sauce. season to taste and let simmer. optional: basil, wine, fresh herbs

serve on pasta with lots of fresh parmesan.

Vicky's Spicy Puttanesca

a twist on my classic spaghetti sauce.

1. boil pasta, drain.

2. in a pan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil, fry up 4 cloves minced garlic and meat [i find lamb works best with this] and drain fat. 

3. add in 1 can crushed tomatoes, some pitted kalamata olives, mushrooms and other veggies optional. flavour with a bit of anchovy paste and chili powder for spice, or red pepper flakes.

4. simmer until thick and ready.

5. serve with pasta and cheese!

Vicky's Famous Spaghetti Bolognese Sauce

Make a BIG batch and keep for leftovers!

This is my basic meaty and vegetably sauce.

YOU NEED:

1 tablespoon olive oil

500 grams ground beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, or pork. [i usually go with turkey or chicken as it's the leanest]

1 bottle tomato sauce, i usually go with roasted garlic or basil, with NO SUGAR ADDED. organic if you can get it. 

5 or so large mushrooms, sliced

1 small zucchini, diced

1 small green or red pepper, diced

1 smallish red or white onion, diced

1 tablespoon dijon mustard

1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon thyme

a bit of fresh basil

3 cloves minced garlic

pasta OR spaghetti squash

1. in a pan, heat a bit of olive oil. toss in minced garlic, meat. fry until cooked.

2. add in vegetables, add in dijon and worcestershire sauce.

3. add in tomato sauce. simmer for a good 20 mins on low. add in herbs. 

4. hope you've boiled the pasta at this point.

5. top pasta with sauce and parmesan!

Jalfrezi

My favourite Indian dish!!!!

Lamb & Tomato Jalfrezi

Ingredients For  Sauce:
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 a large onion, roughly chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 green chilli, chopped
2 roma tomatoes, chopped
1/2 pint of water
1 tbsp ground coriander
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp turmeric

Steak & Bell Pepp[er Jalfrezi

Meat & Veg: You can choose lamb [my fave] chicken, seafood, etc.

meat, cut into chunks
1 red pepper, chopped
1/2 a large onion, sliced
2 red chillis (optional) if you like spice, as i do
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp turmeric
2 tsp garam masala (spice mix)
a handful of fresh, chopped cilantro

HOW TO MAKE:


Take the chopped meat and coat it in the cumin, ground coriander and turmeric then leave it to marinade in the fridge while you make the sauce.

To make the sauce, fry the roughly chopped onions with the garlic and green chilli in a large pan until browned. Add the water to the onion mixture and simmer this for around 20 minutes.

While that is simmering, put the plum tomatoes in a food processor. aim for a smooth consistency. Heat another large pan and gently fry the ground coriander, cumin and turmeric in a splash of oil for about a minute. Add the tomato 'sauce' to this pan and simmer for around 10 minutes.

Next puree onion the food processor and add it to the spiced tomato sauce. Give it a stir and simmer for 20 minutes.

Seafood Jalfrezi [replace tomato sauce with greek yogurt]

Fry the marinaded meat in the butter and stir continuously. After a few minutes, turn down the heat and add the other half of the chopped onion, the red pepper and chillis. Stir this until the onions and pepper soften (and the meat is cooked, of course).

Add the earlier prepared sauce to the cooked chicken and simmer for around 10-20 minutes. Just before you dish it up, stir in the garam masala and chopped cilantro. serve with raita, rice, and naan.

Chicken Jalfrezi with Turmeric Rice & Peas

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. 

Merguez Meatballs

YOU NEED:

1 pound ground lamb or beef
2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander

1 teaspoon cayenne for spice

red pepper flakes for spice [to taste]

1 1/2 teaspoons salt
Freshly ground pepper

1. mix all ingredients and form into balls.

2. bake or fry, turning once, about 15 mins on each side for baking, and until browned and cooked through for frying.

3. serve with tzatziki or raita, or any middle-eastern yogurt sauce.

Merguez Phyllo Wraps

Mmm. 

1. lay out phyllo wrappers and stuff with:

cooked Merguez sausage or lamb [squeeze out filling and fry] , chopped onion, feta cheese.

2. brush sides with egg, fold and seal. brush tops with olive oil. 

3. bake for 15-20 minutes. 

Merguez Fajitas

More merguez!!! Mmm. this spicy sausage is so versatile.

1. Fry merguez with a bit of garlic, and taco seasoning. 

2. mix arugula or mixed greens with 1 tablespoon lime juice and 1 tablespoon sour cream, green onions, salt and pepper to taste. 

3. top with greens, onion, and salsa. 

feta cheese or olives are great, too. 

Merguez & Chickpea Salad

Another great way to use the spicy lamb sausage. 

1. Fry or barbeque Merguez sausages. Slice.

2. Toss together 1 can drained chickpeas with a handful of fresh, chopped parsley, red onion, red peppers, and tomatoes. 

3. make a vinaigrette with 1/4 cup lemon juice, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 2 tablespoons olive oil. add salt, pepper, and cumin to taste. 

4. toss salad with merguez and serve!

Merguez Sandwich with Arugula Salad

Merguez is the best sausage ever...it's a spicy lamb sausage, for those of you who don't know. go buy some, now!

Prepare a nice crispy baguette or french bread. You can finish the sandwich off in a panini press if you like.

grill or fry merguez sausages. 

toss together arugula with 1/2 tablespoon balsamic, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 clove minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon sour cherry jam or compote.

optionally add goat cheese or feta. 

sandwich and serve!

Thai Red Curry & Peanut Soup Curry

A great and easy, spicy and hearty soup.

1. fry up onions, 2 cloves minced garlic in sesame oil. OPTIONAL: mushrooms, ground meat, chicken, tofu, bell peppers, bamboo shoots, baby corn, chili peppers, snow peas, green beans

2. put in a saucepan. add 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth, 3 tablespoons unsweetened peanut butter, 1 tablespoon chili/garlic sauce, 1 tablespoon red curry paste, 1/4 cup coconut milk, salt and pepper to taste. 

3. simmer until thick, add corn starch if not thick enough.

4. top with cilantro, thai basil, and peanuts.

PAIR WITH: a fruity cocktail, or sweet wine to balance the spicyness.