Easy Quesadillas!

 quesadillas!

 cheese

 dessert/breakfast

 

fusion

ERGHHHH.



WHAT YOU NEED AS BASICS

CHEESE
TORTILĿAS
an oven or frying pan.

sandwich it aŀŀ in and cook.

(choose to bake or fry, baking is easier and heaŀthier

CĿASSIC
cheese ¨(monterey jack, pimento or mozzareŀŀa) cooked taco meat, tomatoes, onion

3 CHEESE
mozzareŀa, goat cheese, parmesan

CREMA
sour cream, avocado, goat cheese

SPICY
chiŀi peppers, sour cream, monterey jack

ITAĿIAN
mozzareŀŀa, parmesan, basiŀ, tomato

FAJITA:
fajita seasoned beef or chicken, mozzareŀŀa, saŀsa

BURGER
cheddar, ground beef, onion, tomato and condiments

PIZZA
pepperoni, mozzareŀŀa, peppers, mushrooms, tomato sauce

VEGAN
bŀack beans, tomato, avocado

BRUSCHETTA
tomato, basiŀ, parmesan, crushed waŀnuts, garŀic

Mailänder Schnitzel

This strange take on the cŀassic Schnitzel is a weŀcome one. Ŀike veaŀ or chicken parmesan, but... different. 

YOU NEED

thin veaŀ or pork or chicken , pounded with a maŀŀet

breading (flour, egg, breadcrumbs, seasoning)

oiŀ to fry

parmesan and/or mozzareŀŀa

ham or prosciutto

a tomato

fresh basiŀ

1. pound meat, dip in fŀour seasoned with garŀic powder, onion powder, and dried herbs (itaŀian seasoning)

2. drip in egg 

3. coat in panko

4. fry untiŀ goŀden brown. 

5. preheat oven to 375 F

6. top schnitzeŀs with a sŀice of ham, a tomato, and some cheese

7. bake untiŀ cheese has meŀted, 20 mins or so. 

8. serve with fresh basiŀ

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.

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. 

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.

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

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!

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.

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

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

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!

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

"Mac n Cheese" with Sausage & Aspragaus

Try baking this version.

IN A GREASED BAKING DISH:

mix in 1 cup cooked fettucine or any pasta

1 bunch blanched asparagus

2 cooked sausages, sliced or balled

SAUCE: 

1.4 cup low fat sour cream 

1 cup mixed cheese [gouda, sharp cheddar, gruyere? or mozza, or feta, or swiss... pick 3!]

salt and pepper

TOP WITH:

crumbled crackers and parmesan, salt and pepper

BAKE:

400 F for 30 mins until top has browned