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

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

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

Spaghetti with Bacon & Bŀeu

You can make this spicy if you want. Bacon, Bŀue Cheese, and a bit o zesty sauce!

YOU NEED:

1 cup boiled pasta

5 strips cooked, crumbed bacon

a handfuŀ crumbŀed bŀue cheese

SAUCE:

sauteed onions with minced garŀic, peppers, tomatoes and red pepper fŀakes or a chiŀi for spice. 

CONSIDER: 

oŀives, chicken, ceŀœry or carrot. buffaŀo styŀe

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

Spicy Middle Eastern Shrimp

YOU NEED:

1 pound peeled, raw shrimp

1 teaspoon coriander, turmeric, cumin, paprika, red pepper flakes for spice

2 cloves minced garlic

1 small onion, diced

juice of 1 lemon

1 tablespoon oil to fry

cilantro or mint as garnish

1. fry up onions and garlic, briefly, in oil

2. add in shrimp, fry until pink with veg

3. top with herbs

3. add in spices and herbs

Mint Goat Cheese & Garlic Sauce

A great sauce to pair with lamb or any middle-eastern/meditteranean food, or even indian!

YOU NEED

1 cup greek yogurt

3 cloves minced garlic

a handful fresh mint, chopped

1/4 cucumber, chopped

salt, pepper, cumin

Baked Fajitas

Skip frying and bake this instead.

YOU NEED: 

1 cooked chicken breasts, in slices

1 onion, sliced

1 red pepper, sliced

1 green pepper sliced

juice of 1 lime

3 tablespoons oil

2 packets fajita seasoning

1. toss together

2. bake, optionally add cheese on top

3. 30 minutes or so

Creamy Pasta with Sundried Tomatoes & Asparagus

 

YOU NEED:

1 cup boiled pasta

1 handful chopped sundried tomatoes. olives and bacon bits welcome

1 tbs butter

1/4 cup milk or sour cream

salt, pepper, garlic

a bunch cooked asparagus

1 shallot if needed

finely chopped parsley or basil

1. blanch asparagus for 5 mins

2, boil pasta

3. melt butter in a pan, add garllic, shallots, then asparagus.

4. add milk or cream, pasta, herbs. let simmer

5. serve with parmesan

Asparagus & Avocado Salad

This is a great and filling salad for any occasion

YOU NEED:

1 head asparagus, blanched or partly cooked

1 avocado, sliced

a handful sun dried tomatoes, sliced

some walnuts, pecans or almonds

olive oil. lime juice, minced garlic, salt and pepper for dressomg

Simple Italian Shrimp Spaghetti

Shrimp? Pasta? Easy.

1. boil pasta until ready

2. fry shrimp until pink.

3. fry up some onion and garlic, finely chopped and add some tomato sauce.

4. add in shrimp, season with salt and pepper

5. add pasta.

6. top with parmesan and fresh parsley

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

Leek, Bacon & Mushroom Quiche

Easy & Delicious quiche. You can omit bacon, it's just as good!

YOU NEED:

1 leek

1 onion

bacon or not

mushrooms

all chopped.

cheese: gruyere, swiss, or emmental, or mixed

3 eggs

1/2 cup milk

some nutmeg, salt, pepper

any other herbs you want... thyme, parsley, oregano...

1 pie crust

sautee bacon, add in leeks, onions, then mushrooms

blind bake crust according to directions, usually 10 mins

add filling.beaten eggs,  sprinkle with more cheese

bake for 30 mins or so.

Spinach, Arugula & Strawberry Salad with Parmesan and Walnuts

This little salad is easy and light and very summery!

YOU NEED:

spinach, arugula, or mesclun

ripe strawberries, sliced

crushed walnuts

some grated parmesan

olive oil

lemon juice

salt, pepper

that's it.

Sesame Ginger Salad with Grilled Fish

This is an awesome salad and makes a full meal. 

YOU NEED

1 filet white fish.... snapper, halibut, cod, catfish.

a bed of mixed lettuce

sauteed shiitake mushrooms

avocado slices

some green onion

DRESSING:

small piece of ginger, grated

2 cloves minced garlic

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon sesame oil and 1 veg oil

salt, pepper

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!

Marinated Greek Salad

Very easy, but you have to eat it the next day!

YOU NEED:

1 cup boiled pasta

50 grams or so feta cheese

1 chopped bell pepper

1 chopped cucumber

a handful sliced kalamata olies

a bunch of cherry tomatoes

MARINADE:

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup lemon juice

a bit of red wine or balsamic vinegar

oregano

4 cloves garlic

salt, pepper

assemble and eat the next day!

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

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. 

 

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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!