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.

Thai Red Fish Curry

YOU NEED:

Fish [tilapia, cod, snapper, white fish]

coconut milk [2 fillets will go with 1 can]

curry paste, to taste [red]

peppers

mushrooms

garlic

ginger

thai basil or cilantro

other veg optional

oil [sesame works too]

lime or lemon juice

1. fry up bell pepper in chunks with onions, oil, and garlic. add in fish. 

2. grate in ginger, add mushrooms. 

3. add in curry paste and fish. cook until fish looks semi-done, add coocnut milk, simmer, adding citrus. 

4. serve on rice!

Rice, Chorizo & Shrimp Fry

YOU NEED:

1 cup cooked basmati rice

1 choruzo sausage, sliced

12 shrimps, peeled and deveined

1 packet taco seasoning [cumin, paprika, etc]

oil

garlic,minced

lime juice

salt, pepper,

a chili pepper

diced tomatoes

diced onion

fresh cilantro

1. get all ingredients prepped.[cook rice too]

2. fry sausages. remove from pan. use fat to sautee oniion, garlic, and chili. remove chili and discard. 

3. add in shrimp and tomatoes. fry until pink and soft, add rice. 

4. add taco seasoning, a bit of water, some lime juice and simmer until mostly evaporated. 

5. serve with fresh cilantro. 

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.

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!

Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry

Easy weeknight dinner, anyone?

YOU NEED:

beef, leftover if you have, thin slices

broccoli cut into florets

ginger

garlic

sesame oil

green  onion

mushrooms

peppers

soy sauce

brown sugar

red pepper flakes or sriracha for spice

1. add beef slices into 2 tablespoons sesame oil. 

2. add in broccoli and garlic, mushrooms, pepper, onion. fry until tender, adding ginger, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, sugar, and spice. 

3. taste and serve.

Lighter Penne A La Vodka

LIGHT AS POSSIBLE!

YOU NEED:

1 or 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion [white], diced

2 cloves minced garlic
1 (14 ounce) can crushed tomatoes or pureed tomatoes
dried oregano
dried basil
pinch of salt and pepper
8 large sliced mushrooms
red pepper flakes for spice

1 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 cup vodka
1 cup nonfat milk or 1 cup fat free sour cream
pasta as much as needed
parmesan as needed
fresh basil, sliced, to garnish

1 Heat 2 teaspoons of oil over medium to medium high heat in a large saucepan. Saute onion until starting to brown, about 5 mins.
2 .Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer on low to medium low heat for 10 minutes.
3 .During this time, heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Saute the mushrooms and hot pepper flakes about 5 minutes. Reserve pan.
4 .Add tomato paste to tomato sauce and mix well. Stir in vodka and mushrooms and simmer for 10 more minutes.
5 .Start water to boil for pasta.
6 .Add milk to sauce and incorporate well. Cook another 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Keep sauce at a low simmer while cooking pasta.
7 .Cook whole wheat pasta until al dente, about 15 minutes. Drain pasta.
8 .Heat 1/2 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet (you can use the same pan you cooked the mushrooms in). Add pasta and stir to glaze. Add parmesan cheese and mix thoroughly. Stir in sauce. Garnish with basil, and serve.

Sesame Garlic Noodles

 * NOTE: chicken is optional, otherwise it's VEGAN!

YOU NEED:

1 cup boiled egg noodles

1 head brocccoli cut into florets

2 cloves minced garlic

sliced peppers

sesame oil

chopped green onions

sesame seeds

soy sauce

pepper

OPTIONAL:

chicken, tofu, beef, pork

chili sauce for spice

fish sauce

eggs

1. in a skillet heat some oil [preferably sesame oil]

add broccoli, peppers, onions, garlic. also add tofu or chicken or meat if using. 

2. prepare noodles add 2 eggs if using. .

3. toss into skillet with 2 tablespoons soy saucce, 1 tbs fish sauce, and chili sauce.

4. season to taste.

Sesame Soy Noodle Fry

 

Classic stir fry, lighter.

YOU NEED

2 tablespoons sesame oil

1 cup cooked egg noodles. rice noodles, or ramen noodles

1 chopped onion [green]

1 chopped bok choy, broccoli, peppers, or all

2 tbs soy sauce

1 tb peanut butter

1 tb brown sugar

2 cloves minced garlic

1 tb rice vinegar

sesame seeds for garnish

1 egg

1. boil noodles till ready

2. slice veggies

3, fry in sesame oil: veggies, [tofu optional]

4. add noodles and onion

5. peanut butter, curry if you want spicy, sugar, garlic, egg, vinegar.

6. stir everything together until decent stir fry is achieved.

 

Rosemary & Garlic Sauteed Veggies

 

YOU NEED:

5 or so sliced mushrooms

half onion, sliced

2 .large cloves garlic, minced

2 sprigs rosemary finely chopped

1 tablespoon olive oil or butter

salt and pepper

sautee and serve!

Tofu & Veggie Stir Fry in Peanut Sauce

 

This a great stir-fry for when you want asian food. easy, like pad thai minus carbs. 

1. chop up firm tofu, bell peppers, onion, broccoli into bite sized chunks. consider adding baby corn, bamboo shoots, or seriously any vegetables you have in your fridge. 

2. pour a bit of sesame oil in a wok or frying pan, fry up 2 cloves minced garlic,  fry up veggies, add tofu last.

3. add 1/4 cup vegetable broth, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, 1 small piece grated ginger, and 1 tablespoon curry paste. simmer. if peanut butter was unsweetened, you can add a bit of brown sugar. add a tablespoon lime juice.

4. simmer simmer simmer, taste, season with salt and pepper and red pepper flakes if you want more spice.

serve on rice or rice noodles.

FOR SOUP? 

add half a can light coconut milk and 1/4 cup water.

Egg & Noodle Cold Roll

A twist on the classic cold roll.

You know the drill, dampen rice papers with damp cloth to make pliable.

Get stir fry ingredients ready: eggs, carrots, peppers, mushrooms, bean sprouts, green onion, even pork or chicken if you really want. of tofu. 

Boil thin egg noodles or vermicelli until semi-soft. 

Heat a wok or pan with 1 tablespoon sesame oil. fry vegetables quickly, and meat. 

add in a bit of garlic and chili paste if you so desire.

next, add in eggs and let cook until semi-hard. finally, add in noodles and mix around like crazy.

when done, let the noodle stir fry cool off.

wrap in rice paper rolls. you can also include lettuce, thai basil, or even some peanuts. 

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!

Beef & Broccoli Sweet & Sour Fry

A delicious and low fat way to satisfy your asian takeout craving, which happens all too often, i know.....

YOU NEED:

1 flank steak or thin steak, sliced into thin pieces.

1 head of broccoli, cut into florets.

2 cloves minced garlic.

1 tablespoon chili sauce or 1 teaspoon red chili flakes

1 inch piece of ginger, grated.

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon tomato paste

sesame seeds and green onions as garnish. 

sesame oil.

1.heat sesame oil, fry minced garlic and add meat. after a few minutes, add broccoli, ginger, and chili paste or flakes. 

2. add soy sauce, tomato paste, and simmer. taste, and adjust salt pepper if needed [which you shouldnt have to]

3. optionally add bean sprouts, carrots, bamboo shoots, mushrooms. if not.....

4. simmer until done, serve with rice, green onions and sesame seeds. 

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

Simple Thai Curry Lettuce Wraps

Yummy thai curry! not like the soup/curry itself, this just uses a hint of coconut and chili paste for flavour.

YOU NEED:

1. romaine or iceberg, in "wrap" form

2. coconut milk

3. ginger and garlic

4. greenn, red, or yellow curry paste

5. OPTIONAL: pick the following: Mushrooms, shrimp, pork, beef, chicken, turkey, fish, bean sprouts, red pepper, green pepper, bok-choy, cabbage, bamboo shoots, tofu, green beans, broccoli, snow peas, etc etc etc

1. fry up meat/veggies in sesame oil, add ginger and garlic to taste.

2. add a bit of coconut milk and curry paste,  but you don't want to create a soup, just a base. 

3. simmer, adjusting salt, pepper, to taste.

4. top lettuce, serve with peanuts and cilantro. 

Cold Peanut Noodle Salad

Mmm, a cold pad-thai type pasta salad.

omit meat for vegetarian, obviously!

1. slice mango, carrots, broccoli, red pepper, bean sprouts, mushrooms, and chop peanuts.

2. prepare rice noodles as directed. cool.

3. mix together 1/4 cup unsweetened peanut butter, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon soy sauce,  1 inch grated ginger, 1 clove minced garlic, a handful of chopped cilantro, and a bit of brown sugar. sriracha is optional, for spice. 

4 optionally add egg, chicken, shrimp. or beef, with noodles and veggies. 

5. top with sesame seeds, and serve!

Super Healthy Taco Salad

Super low fat! omit nachos or tortillas, or just add a little.

1. fry lean ground turkey, chicken or beef with onions, peppers, and taco seasoning.

2. drain excess oil.

3. toss chopped romaine lettuce with tomatoes, onions, and sour cream with a hint of chipotle seasoning and lemon juice, and garlic.

4. top with meat, and a bit of cheese, and avocado. 

SALSA? yum. 

Sweet & Sour (and Spicy?) Pineapple Shrimp

Sweet and sour sauce, from scratch! Also goes with chicken.

1. fry shrimp until pink.

2. in a pot, heat 1 tablespoon sesame oil and toss in 2 cloves minced garlic. 

3. add in 1 small can pineapple [drained] or chop up fresh pineapple. Add 1/4 cup white vinegar, and 1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth. for a bit of spice, add 1 tablespoon chili sauce or sriracha!

4. simmer, add 1 tablespoon water mixed with 1 tablespoon corn starch [dissolved] to thicken. salt and pepper if needed. 

5. add in shrimp. 

6. serve on rice or rice noodles, with chopped green onion.

Sauteed Asian Spinach with Garlic

Spinach and garlic.... is there anything healthier? Deliciously sauteed with a sweet and tangy asian glaze. 

1. get fresh spinach.

2. heat a pan or wok with 1 tablespoon sesame oil. gently fry 3 cloves of minced garlic.

3. add spinach, sautee until wilted. onions are a good addition, and any other vegetables if you like.

3. once soft, add 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 tablespoon sweet chili sauce or plum sauce [a makeshift sweet and sour sauce, if you will]

4. sautee until flavours have blended. taste and adjust with salt and pepper, and rec chili flakes for spice.