Everyday Recipes

Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with Turkey Sausage

2011-12-12T16:37:00.003+00:00

My whole life I've hated mushrooms. I would pick at my pizza all the time just to take out every little bit of mushroom. On the other hand, I love mushroom sauce especially on meat, so what really got to me wasn't the taste of the mushroom but its texture. As I've been in the mood for trying new things and overcoming some of the foods that I didn't like I decided why not ... worst case scenario, my husband would have seconds. I had heard so much about Portobello Mushrooms that I thought lets give it a try.

Ingredients:

2 Portobello Mushrooms
2 Turkey Sausages (removed from casings)
1 small onion finely chopped
2 tablespoons finely chopped red bell pepper
1 minced garlic clove
50 grams of grated Emmental Cheese
50 grams of bread crumbs
Fresh minced parsley leaves
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt, Pepper, Olive Oil
Preparation:

Preheat oven to 200º C

Remove stems from mushrooms, and lightly rub some olive oil on each mushroom. Place in baking sheet and set aside.
Prepare the stuffing: In a skillet add some olive oil, the onion, garlic, red pepper, and sausage. Cook for about 8 minutes until the sausage is cooked.
In a bowl add half of the bread crumbs and half of the cheese, along with the paprika, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper. Mix up the ingredients until they are well combined. (You can use a food processor if necessary) Add the mixture to the sausage and make sure both mixtures are combined.
Place the stuffing in each of the mushroom caps and sprinkle the remainder cheese and bread crumbs.
Bake until golden brown, for about 15-18 minutes. Remove and serve sprinkled with parsley.

Can be enjoyed as an appetizer or a main dish.

Note: I have now learned to like mushrooms!

Dinner for One

2011-11-22T14:45:00.002+00:00

Many feel that it is not worth cooking for one, especially when it involves something more elaborate. I don't think the same way, although I don't live alone, I find myself doing single servings quite often. I think its fun and allows me to experiment with different ingredients or use the same everyday ingredients in a more creative way, besides who is the artist that doesn't love to admire their masterpiece. So if you live alone, have a family with different tastes, or just a different schedule from everyone else, cooking a single meal doesn't have to be an undesirable task. I found this article that may help you on your way to making cooking for one an enjoyable task. Here is something simple, and healthy that I whipped up one of these days with basic ingredients.

Just purée some well cooked carrots, braise some red cabbage with onions and garlic, and steam cook a piece of salmon with lemon juice and herbs. Plate using a round mold. Layer the carrots, cabbage and on top the flaked salmon.

Now doesn't that give you more pleasure to eat than just a simple piece of fish on a plate!

Hope you enjoy it!

Healthy Cabbage Rolls

2011-11-16T12:00:00.001+00:00

Today I bring you a spin of classic European dish, cabbage rolls. Here in Portugal, traditionally a cabbage roll is made with fresh whole sausages wrapped in the cabbage. In fact there are many variations of the cabbage roll and most countries have made their own versions not only of the stuffing but the sauce as well. I decided on slightly less traditional but more healthy version of this popular dis. Using a simple tomato sauce recipe I picked up from Jamie Oliver, which is easy to do, and adapts well to any dish using tomato sauce.

Note: The picture didn't turn out so well, but I think you can get the idea.

Ingredients:

1 small cabbage (for two servings 6 of the biggest leaves)

150 g of boneless chicken breast

2 small onions

1 clove of garlic

2 strips of bacon (optional)

100 g of Brown Rice

1/4 cup of tomato sauce

3 basil leaves

parsley

salt

pepper

paprika

olive oil

----------------------------------

Simple Tomato Sauce

1small diced onion

1 tsp. Harissa hot chili paste (optional)

1/2 cup white wine

Preparation:

Preheat oven at 200ºC

In large pot of boiling salted water, blanch cabbages for about 5 minutes, or carefully remove the outer leaves and blanch separately or until leaves are softened. Remove and chill under cold water.

Prepare rice: In a small saucepan add a bit of olive oil the minced onion and the tomato sauce, stir for about 2 minutes. Add the rice and allow to be covered by the mixture for a couple minutes, season and cover with the necessary water. Cook until the water has evaporated. Let cool.

In a food processor add the onion, garlic, basil, parsley so that it is finely chopped. Remove and set in a bowl. Place the chicken breast and bacon to the food processor and pulse until all the meat in minced. Add to the onion mix and season with the paprika, salt and pepper. Mix well. Add the rice to the mixture.

Spoon about 2 tablespoons of mixture onto each cabbage leaf. Bring one end of cabbage leaf over mixture, roll and tuck ends in to prevent any filling from falling out.

Prepare the sauce: In a skillet with a bit of olive oil add the onion. Sauté for a couple of minutes. Add the Simple Tomato Sauce and the Harissa Hot Chili Paste. Stir and allow the flavors to blend well. Check for seasoning.

In a deep oven dish, place a bit of the sauce, and cover with remaining cabbage leaves. Place rolls over the leaves. Cover with remainder sauce and white wine. Place in preheated oven for 40 minutes.

Serve hot.

Fish Burgers served with Asparagus

2011-11-14T14:56:00.000+00:00

I had some asparagus in the fridge, and was wondering what to do with it, I mean its almost a perfect side for anything, the problem was the anything. So after some thought and going through my freezer and pantry I decided to try making some fish burgers. First time experience ... so I kind of improvised. The end result ... not bad if I say so myself. It was very healthy and light meal that I will definitely try again.

Ingredients for two:

300 g of boneless white fish
1 jalapeño pepper
1 clove of garlic
3/4 stalks of fresh coriander
1 lemon grass stalk, pale section only, finely chopped
salt
1 tsp.lemon or lime zest
1 tbsp. lemon or lime juice
coconut
1 tbsp. curry powder
2 tbsp. olive oil
----------------------------
12 shoots of asparagus

2 tbsp. olive oil
1 clove of garlic crushed
6/7 crushed pecans
salt

Preparation:

In a food processor process the fish until smooth and transfer to a bowl. Add the pepper, garlic, coriander, lemon grass, lemon zest, and juice to the food processor, and pulse a couple of times until all ingredients are finely chopped. Add them to the bowl with the fish and season with salt.
Shape into patties. In a shallow plate add some shredded coconut and the curry, dredge the patties in the mixture and set aside.
Heat a frying pan with the olive oil, and add the fish burgers to the oil when hot. Allow about 3 minutes on each side or until fish is cooked.
For the asparagus: Steam the asparagus for about 3 minutes. In a frying pan add the oil and garlic, when the garlic starts to change color, add the asparagus and sauté for a few minutes, add the pecans and season with salt.
Serve hot.

Maple Glazed Chicken with Parsnip Mash

2011-11-09T16:46:00.001+00:00

On my visit back, I just couldn't get enough of the flavors that I truly missed. I discovered parsnips, I had heard so much about them, but here in Portugal they are rare to come by (actually there is only one place in the country that has the correct weather conditions to grow them). I almost brought some with me in my suitcase, but after a bit of supermarket hopping I finally found them, and so decided to work with them. The other flavor that I did bring back with me was maple syrup, I even bought a cookbook of Maple Syrup recipes. As today was a rainy day, why not bring some of the comfort to my day with flavors from home.

Ingredients for Chicken

4 chicken thighs

1/4 cup of maple syrup

1 tbsp. of butter

2 tsp. of lime juice

1 onion (optional)

sal, pepper, olive oil

Preparation

In a baking pan cover the bottom with some olive oil, salt and pepper. Rub the chicken in the oil preparation in the pan and with skin side down place in the oven at 200ºC for about 15 minutes. In the meantime prepare the glaze, in a small saucepan add the maple syrup, butter and lime juice and heat for a few minutes. Remove the chicken from the oven and pour the glaze over the chicken. Return to the oven for another 15 minutes.

Ingredients for the Mash

500g of parsnips

1 tbsp. of butter

100 ml of cream or milk

salt, nutmeg

Preparation

Place the parsnips in a pan and cover with water. Cook until parsnips are soft. Drain. Mash with the butter and milk. Season with salt and some nutmeg.

I'm back ...

2011-10-25T20:32:00.000+01:00

Time goes by so fast ... It seems like yesterday I was planning my trip and now, I'm back.
I'm preparing myself to get back in the kitchen in full force and make some new recipes and creations. Autumn is my favorite season of the year ... I like the sunny cool days, with light crisp winds, the leaves changing colors, but above all I like the autumn flavors ... pumpkins, squash, apples, chestnuts, parsnips, corn, sweet potatoes, and so much more. Before I launch my new recipes, here are some of my foodie pictures from Canada.

At St. Jacobs Farmers Market, Waterloo:

Apple picking at ... Orchlaw Farms

MacIntosh Apples

Mitsu Apples

ByWard Market Ottawa... so many pumpkins:

... and this was how I spent my vacation. Can't wait to go back.

I leave you with one last picture of the Inniskilin Winery on Niagara-on-the-Lake. They were the first producers of Ice Wine in Canada. Soon I will share some recipes with this sweet nectar.

Travelling ...

2011-09-21T20:43:00.000+01:00

I will be away for the following month travelling to what I call home, Toronto-Canada. I hope to be inspired with my favorite season of the year and bring back many new recipes for you to enjoy.
Thank you and happy cooking.

Baked Penne with Turkey Sausages

2011-09-07T12:48:00.000+01:00

Taking baby steps to healthy eating. Sometimes its just difficult to give up the foods you love, but instead of removing everything, try simple substitutions. Turkey is known to be one of the leanest meats, so if you can replace some of your meat recipes with turkey, right there you're working your way to healthier, leaner you.
Enjoy this pasta, not only leaner, but easy and quick. The whole family will love it.

Ingredients:

200 g of Penne pasta
5 turkey sausages
1/2 red minced onion
1/2 green pepper diced
1 small jalapeno pepper chopped
2 cloves of minced garlic
1 chicken bouillon cube
100 ml of tomato sauce
100 ml of red wine
2 tbsp Olive oil
Emmental Cheese
Chopped parsley
salt
pepper

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to Broiler position.
Cook pasta according to package instructions.
In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil. Add the onion, garlic, pepper and chili and mix around until the onion starts to crisp. Chop the sausages and add to the onion mix. Cook for about 5-8 minutes. Season to taste.
In a small bowl mix the wine, tomato sauce and bouillon together. Add the sauce to the sausages and let simmer on low heat.
Without straining add the pasta to the sausage mixture, along with 2 tbsp. of the pasta cooking water. Mix well so that the pasta is coated with the sauce.
Place the pasta in a baking dish. Sprinkle grated emmental cheese, and place in the oven for a couple of minutes until cheese has melted and is golden brown.
Served with chopped parsely.

Great quick meal, lower in fat due to the turkey and simply delicious for the family.

Chicken Samosas Baked not Fried

2011-09-05T16:38:00.001+01:00

I love Indian food, and every chance I get I will try a new Indian restaurant or even a new recipe, but what gets me every time are those delicious starters Samosas. I was always afraid to make them because of the dough and the frying (not a fan of frying at home). Although making the dough may not be all that complicated, I'm sure you'll all agree that if we can simplify a dish, why not! So I went out and bought some sheets of brik pastry (first time using them) and looked up some recipes, not satisfied with all the different recipes, I decided to take this and that from each one and I have to say for the first time ... it worked out pretty well.

Ingredients for about 6 Samosas

200 g of chicken breast
2 tbsp. of olive oil
1 small minced onion
2 cloves of minced garlic
1 tsp. of turmeric or curry powder
1 tsp. of coriander powder
1/2 tsp. of cumin
2 tbsp. of coconut milk or water
3 mint leaves
1 chili pepper
Pinch of Nutmeg
Salt
Lemon Juice
3 sheets of brik pastry

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 200ºC
Using a food processor, add the chicken, turmeric, coriander, cumin, water, mint, chili pepper, nutmeg. Process until everything is well chopped and mixed.
In a saucepan heat olive oil, add onion and garlic and cook until golden.
Add the chicken mix, and mix around until fully cooked, check for seasoning and add salt as necessary. Use a fork to dismantle and lumps of chicken. Sprinkle with some drops of lemon juice.
Lay the brik pasty on the counter (some come already with wax paper, if not, use some wax paper so that the pastry doesn't stick to the counter).
Start to fold the samosas (see diagram), close the ends by rubbing some lukewarm water.

Place on a cooking sheet, and put in the oven.
Ready when they're golden brown. (aprox. 10-12min)
Serve as a starter, appetizer, or serve with rice as a main dish.

Chicken Kebabs with Pineapple Salsa

2011-09-02T16:07:00.001+01:00

Although now a days with indoor and stove top grills we have healthy grilled food all year round, but as the last days of summer are closing in, we crave for those last outdoor family bbq's. Grilling is a healthy way for us to enjoy some of our favorites meats, fishes and even vegetables. Chicken one of the most consumed meats around the world, its such an easy and versatile meat to work with. Just add a little here and there and voila! a meal that seems a sin but it is not. Say good-bye or hello (depending on where you are in the world) to an easy, quick delicious meal.

Ingredients for Kebabs:

2 Chicken Breasts cut in chunks
Chourizo Sliced (Portuguese Sausage - but can easily be replaced by any other kind of meat or sausage)
Onion cut in small chunks
Peppers cut in 2x2 cm squares
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper

Pineapple Salsa

1 / 2 peppers, diced
1 / 4 pineapple, diced
1 / 2 tomatoes, diced
1 chopped chilli pepper
1 lemon zest and juice
3-4 basil leaves chopped
3-4 mint leaves chopped
olive oil
salt

Directions:

Place all salsa ingredients in a bowl and season to taste, let it rest while the chicken grills.

Using a bamboo skewer sticks, alternate with sausage, peppers, onions and chicken and repeat until you have filled the skewer.

Season with salt, pepper, and brush with a little olive oil. Grill.

Serve with sweet potatoes and carrots, and salsa on top.

Simple, quick, and with a twist.

Chicken Wellington with Red Cabbage

2011-08-30T15:00:00.000+01:00

This is my version of a well known classic, the Beef Wellington. I like experimenting with classics but sometimes we need to put our spin on it. Since red meat is something that rarely enters our household, so there goes the beef part of it, then mushrooms ... my hat goes out to all of you that enjoy this fungi, but some of us are just not so keen on them, so scrap the mushrooms. Now you may think ... "How can it be called a Wellington if you just took out some of the main ingredients?" Well maybe you're right I shouldn't call it a Wellington (with all due respect to the classics), but here it is, my so-called Chicken Wellington served with Red Cabbage and Mashed Potatoes. Try it out, and then tell me if you like my spin on it.

For two, you will need ...

1 Large Boneless Chicken Breast (aprox. 300g)
15 pitless black olives
1 package of puff pastry
3 cloves of garlic
1 small red cabbage
1 small red onion
1 egg
2 potatoes
4 prosciutto slices
1/2 cup of red wine
1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1/2 lemon
2 tbsp. Butter
1/2 cup of milk
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper
Nutmeg
Dry Oregano

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 200º C

Start by having all your ingredients ready "mise en place", for this particular recipe it's very helpful.
Prepare the utensils you need, 2 frying pans (1 for chicken and 1 for cabbage) 1 microwave bowl, 1 roasting pan, knives, cutting boards, plastic wrap, bowl.
Cut up your cabbage in 1 cm thick slices
Cut your potatoes with the skin on in half
Season chicken with salt and pepper (easy on the salt, as the prosciutto is salty)
In a small frying pan add a bit of olive oil and place the chicken breast, allow to cook on medium heat about 5 minutes each side. When done let it rest.
In a mini food processor, add 2 cloves of garlic, olives, 1 tbsp. of olive oil, salt, a pinch of dry oregano. Pulse it until you have a course mixture.
On the counter top (or table top) place plastic wrap (about 40 cm), align the 4 prosciutto slices and spread the olive mixture on top.
Place the chicken on top of the prosciutto, and with the help of the plastic wrap start rolling and tucking to have a secure tight roll. Set aside in the refrigerator.
Start on the cabbage: Add about 2 tbsp. of olive oil, the red wine, the vinegar, the cabbage, onion, 1 clove of garlic finely chopped, salt and pepper, to a deep frying pan. On high heat cover the pan until it starts boiling, then reduce to medium heat and allow to cook well covered until the chicken is ready.
Mashed Potatoes: Here's an easy way, in a microwaveable bowl add the potatoes cut in half with the skin on, and half a lemon. Cover with plastic wrap, and cook on high (900 W) for 13 minutes.
Remove the puff pastry from the package (depending on the brand some already come with wax paper so that you don't need to dust the counter top with flour, if not, add a bit of flour to the counter top.) Carefully remove the plastic wrap from the chicken and place the roll in the middle of the pastry, wrap the pastry around the chicken tucking in the sides. With scraps of pastry decorate the top of the roll.
Place the chicken in a roasting pan and with the egg wash brush the whole roll.
Let cook in the oven for 20 minutes.
When the potatoes are done add the milk, butter, salt and nutmeg and mash until you have the desired consistency.
Remove the cabbage from the heat.
Remove the chicken from the oven and serve with the cabbage and mashed potatoes.

Sounds complicated, but really isn't, I just wanted to give you a detailed step by step for this recipe, obviously you too can make it your own.

Chicken PiriPiri with Peppers

2011-08-29T16:38:00.000+01:00

We are filled with numerous culinary television shows, all which inspire us to try out the given recipes or make them our own. Here in Portugal recently aired Jamie's 30 Minute Meals, and low and behold the menu was one of Portuguese inspiration. Its kind of funny how we have such a rich gastronomy and what most people get out of it the Chicken PiriPiri. It is great, but there is so much more, and hopefully I can broaden your horizons to some of our specialties in the future. For now lets stick to this, I thought: "what do I have to lose, lets try the recipe with a bit of twist". So here it is.

Ingredients:

4 chicken thighs
1 red pepper
1 green pepper
1/2 red onion
2 cloves of garlic
1 chili pepper (used green, but you can use whatever you have at hand or mix it up)
1 lemon
Bunch of Basil
Olive Oil
Salt
Black Pepper

Directions:

Prepare the sauce: In a blender add the onion, garlic, chili, lemon zest, 1/2 lemon juice, basil and about 3 tbsp. of olive oil. Blend until you have a thick sauce, if too thick add a bit of water. Season to taste.

Pre-heat oven to 200ºC

The chicken: Keep the skin face down on cutting board and slash the thighs close to the bone to allow for quicker cooking. Drizzle with olive oil and season with some salt. On a pre-heated griddle place the thighs skin side down and cook until golden brown. Turn them over and continue to cook.

In a roasting tray add the sauce, and the chicken thighs.

Using the same griddle add the peppers cut into squares and toss around until they have been grilled. (about 3-5 min.)

Add the peppers to the roasting tray and let cook in the oven for about 10 minutes.

Remove and serve. Goes well with mashed potatoes, rice and fries.

Curried Rice with Shrimp and Mango

2011-08-29T15:03:00.000+01:00

I love to cook, but best of all I love to experience new things and new flavors. With this in mind I try to use everything that I have in refrigerator and pantry, so that nothing will go to waste. I had a mango laying around getting too ripe, I decided that it was time to use it the best way possible, so I remembered something I ate in a take out health food restaurant that was very similar. Here it goes ...

Ingredients:

1 cup of long grain rice
2 cups of water
1/2 mango cut in small squares
15-20 small unpeeled shrimp (frozen) or 1 can of small shrimp
1 onion thinly sliced
1 tbsp. of curry powder
1/2 Lime
Coriander
Olive Oil
Salt

Preparation:

Cover the bottom of a saucepan with some olive oil and add the onion. Cook until onion is transparent, and then add the curry powder. Stir for about a minute to cook the powder, and then add the rice. Mix well to insure that all the rice is covered with the curry, and allow to "fry" for about 3 minutes. Add the water and shrimp to the rice and season with salt. Let cook in medium heat until most of the water has evaporated (approx. 15 minutes). To finish off add the mango and sprinkle with coriander. Before serving drizzle the lime juice on top of the rice.

Quick and easy with and exotic twist.

Shake 'n Bake Pork Parmigiana

2011-08-29T14:26:00.000+01:00

I love cooking from scratch, but sometimes easy and uncomplicated are necessary. Sure its easy to do your normal Shake 'n Bake, and after a long day you don't want to slave over the stove for the family dinner. In stead of always having the same thing, why don't we spruce it up a bit. All you have to do is the tomato sauce, although you can buy any flavored sauce (Tomato and Basil, Marinara, Roasted Garlic, etc.) which will be quicker and taste just as good.

Ingredients:

4 Pork Chops

1 pack of Shake 'n Bake Pork Crispy

Mozzarella Cheese

Spaghetti

Tomato Sauce

1 Small Red Onion

2 Cloves of Garlic

3 Tbsp. Olive Oil

1 Chili Pepper

1 small can of crushed tomatoes

Bunch of Basil

Salt

Pepper

Directions:

Pre-heat oven at 200ºC

Start by preparing your tomato sauce (if making from scratch). In a pre-heated frying pan add olive oil, onion and garlic, cook until it just starts to brown. Add the crushed tomatoes, chili pepper, basil and season. Let sauce boil and reduce for a couple of minutes. Set aside.

Prepare the Shake'n Bake Pork Chops, and add them to a baking pan and cook in middle of the oven for about 15 minutes.

Remove the pork chops, spoon the tomato sauce over each chop and then sprinkle the cheese. Set the oven to broil, and cook until cheese is lightly browned.

Serve with spaghetti and remainder sauce.

A meal the whole family will enjoy.

Apple Crumble 101

2011-02-24T10:07:00.002+00:00

This has to be the easiest way to make apple crumble and the quickest, and that's why I called it Apple Crumble 101, I will surely have other recipes but this is the basic and its quick and easy to impress, it will look like you slaved over the oven.

Ingredients:

Fruit Base Mixture
2 large apples peeled and cut in pieces
1/2 cup of sugar
1 tbsp. of all purpose flour
1 tsp. of cinnamon
1/2 tsp. of vanilla extract
1/2 tsp of softened butter
2 tbsp. of port wine
__________________
1/2 cup of all purpose flour
1/2 cup of sugar
1/4 tsp. of baking soda
1 tbsp. of butter
pinch of salt
1 lightly beaten egg

Preparation:
Place the fruit base mixture ingredients in a bowl and mix lightly. Divide the fruit mixture evenly between the 4 ramekins; on top of each place little square of butter on top of each and set aside. With the remainder of the ingredients place them in a bowl or a blender and mix well . Spoon the mixture over the four in equal parts. (The mixture will spread throughout the cooking process) Place in oven at 200º C for about 20 minutes.

Remove and serve warm.

Simple Easy Apple Pie

2011-02-23T13:27:00.002+00:00

Ingredients:

1 Recipe of Basic Pie Crust (or pre-bought pie crust)
3 - 4 Sweet Apples
1 Tbsp. of white sugar
1 tsp. of cinnamon
1 Tbsp. of butter
1/2 cup of water
Pinch of Salt
Icing Sugar

Preparation

Peel and pit the apples and slice in quarters. In a saucepan add the water, apples, salt and allow to cook on medium heat until the apples are well cooked (almost mashed looking). Mix once in a while to avoid sticking. When ready place the mixture in the blender and add the cinnamon, butter and the sugar and mix well. Extend the dough into a rectangle. In the middle of the rectangle, place the apple mixture. Cut strips of about 1 cm wide on the edges of the dough. Wrap the apple mixture in a criss cross format with the strips almost making it look like a braid. Place the apple pie in a pre-heated oven of 180ºC for about 20-25 min (or until golden brown on top)
Sprinkle with icing sugar.
Also can be served with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream.

Pizza Calzone

2011-02-22T15:24:00.001+00:00

I'm not Italian, but who doesn't love an Italian dish now and then. Since eating out isn't always the solution, I inspired myself on one of my families ultimate favorites. For a non-Italian, its not all that bad. Buon appetito!

Ingredients:

1 Pizza Dough Recipe (or ready made)

150 ml. of Tomato Sauce

1 Small diced onion

3 - 4 diced garlic cloves

100 gr. Bacon strips

100 gr. Pepperoni

10-15 pitted black sliced olives

2 cooked eggs

50 g. mozzarella cheese

Preparation:

Stretch the dough in a diameter of about 30 cm. Allowing about 1 cm. around the base, spread in an even matter the sauce, onion, garlic, bacon, pepperoni, olives and cheese, and last place the 2 eggs in the center of the dough. Wrap the dough by folding it in half an pressing the sides in order to close the calzone so that the filling will not spill during the baking. Place in a preheated oven of 200ºC for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and brush with garlic butter.

Server with a bit of garlic bread.

Curried Potatoes

2011-02-19T18:34:00.004+00:00

Serve Curried Potatoes just to be out of the ordinary, or to turn an everyday meal into a gourmet dish.

Ingredients:

1 kg. Yukon Potatoes
2 tbsp. of Indian Curry
3 tbsp. of margarine

Preparation:

Peel and cut potatoes in wedges. Place them in a pan filled with cold water and begin to cook them, when water starts to boil, remove from the heat and drain the potatoes. In the same saucepan add the margarine and curry and allow the curry to cook for about 2 minutes. Insert the pre-cooked potatoes in the sauce pan and coat them with the curry. Cover the saucepan and lightly toss so that the potatoes are well coated and do not stick. Allow another 15 minutes on low-medium heat to fully cook.

Remove and serve.
Serving suggestion: Hungarian Style Chicken with Curried Potatoes

Hungarian Style Chicken

2011-02-19T18:10:00.002+00:00

One of the key spices in Hungary is Paprika, hence this recipe. We had it for lunch with a side order of Curried Potatoes, which I'm sure you'll just love.

Ingredients:

6 chicken thighs

3 crushed garlic cloves

100 ml of white wine

50 ml de Madeira or Port Wine

2 coarsely chopped onion

4 teaspoons of Hungarian Paprika

1 small can of diced tomato

250 ml of light cream

Olive Oil

Sal

Pepper

Preparation:

The night before marinate the chicken with the wines, garlic, salt and pepper.

The following day remove the chicken from the sauce and pat dry.

In a pan heat the olive oil and cook the onions for a few minutes until they are soft. Add the paprika and then the chicken. Mix well and allow the chicken to cook well on both sides (golden brown color)

Insert the tomato and season with the salt and pepper, and cook on medium heat for about 20 minutes.

Remove the chicken from the pan and display in a serving plate. Add the cream to the sauce and let it simmer for another 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and put the sauce in the blender to obtain a creamy orangey colored sauce.

Pour the sauce over the chicken and serve with Curried Potatoes.

Roasted Chicken with Garlic and Potatoes

2011-02-17T17:14:00.001+00:00

Ideal dish for two, easy, quick and just simply delicious.

Ingredients:

50 g. butter
4 quarters chicken
3 large potatoes
12 cloves garlic
salt
pepper
2 tbs. honey
1 tbs. soy sauce (optional)

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 200º C

Place the butter in the roasting pan and melt in the oven. When the butter has melted, place the 4 quarters of chicken, potatoes, onion, and garlic cloves into the pan. Season with salt and black pepper and toss to coat well the chicken and the potatoes.

Bake in the oven for about 40 minutes, basting a couple of times and brushing with the honey and soy mixture.

Return to the oven for another 15/20 minutes until chicken is golden brown and potatoes are tender .

Transfer to serving plate and serve.

Tuna Empanada

2011-02-16T16:08:00.001+00:00

Ingredients

Dough:
500 gr flour
2dl Olive Oil
2 dl green white wine
1 Egg gem
Refined Salt

Filling:
2 cans tuna in olive oil
1 / 2 can of tomato chunks
4 tablespoons tomato paste
1 / 2 green pepper
1 / 2 red pepper
1 / 2 can of corn
Black pitted olives
2 cloves garlic
1 onion
Olive oil to taste
White wine to taste
Pepper (preferably freshly ground)

Preparation:
In a bowl place the flour with a hole in the middle where you pour the wine and olive oil. Add a little salt to taste and work the ingredients until the dough starts to come together and there are no lumps. Form into a ball. Let stand while preparing the filling.
For the filling: place the olive oil in a saucepan along with chopped onions and fry a little. Then add the diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Add chopped garlic, diced peppers, olives and corn into small pieces, cook on medium heat adding a little white wine and repeat as necessary not allowing it to dry too much, when you find that the peppers are almost cooked, add the drained tuna, season with salt and pepper and cook without stirring much.
Divide the dough in two pieces. Extend one piece of the dough carefully with a rolling pin and cover the pie tray. Punch lightly the bottom with a fork to avoid air bubbles. Place the tuna mixture in the tray and close the empanada with the remainder dough also extended into a circle. With your fingertips and close the edges of the empanada so that there is no risk of filling spilling. Pinch the empanada lightly with a fork, eat the egg yolk and brush the entire top. Bake at 150 º C for about 30 to 40 minutes.
Serve cold.
(The original recipe for tuna empanada, you can check http://www.acocinar.com/empanada.htm )

Oven Baked Chicken Legs

2011-02-16T15:35:00.007+00:00

Ingredients for 2 people:

2 Chicken Legs
2 cloves garlic
1 Bouillon of chicken broth
1 can of tomatoes into chunks
12 pitted olives
White Wine / Whisky
Olive oil
Salt and Pepper

Preparation:

In an oven prepared tray drizzle the bottom with olive oil and place the crushed garlic, rosemary and bouilloun pieces. Place chicken legs on top of the preparation and season with salt, pepper, more rosemary, tomatoes, olives and white wine or whiskey. Bake in preheated oven at 180 degrees covered with a silver for approx. 40 minutes. Uncover and let brown for 10-15 minutes. Serve with rice or mashed potatoes.