Thursday, August 28, 2014

Spicy Thai Chicken with White Rice

This was an interesting blend of spices and flavors for me. So bold yet delicate.
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 Ingredients
2 Chicken Breasts (Sliced) and seasoned with
  • Garlic Salt
  • White Pepper
  • All Purpose Seasoning
1 Packet of Coconut Powder or 1 Can of Coconut milk
1 Tbsp of Powdered Ginger
3 Stalks of Scallion (Chopped)
1 Medium Onion (Sliced)
2 Cloves of Garlic (Mashed)
Chopped Peanuts and Cashews for Garnish
1 Tbsp Maple Syrup
1 Tsp of Crushed Red Pepper
Salt to taste
 
Method
Heat oil and sautee chicken for 5-7 minutes, just until the juices run clear. Remove from pan and add the onion, garlic, 2 stalks of the chopped scallion and allow to cook until the onion becomes translucent. Dissolve coconut powder in a cup of warm water and add to pan, or empty a can of coconut milk in the pan along with maple syrup and ginger. Stir and return chicken to the pan and let simmer for 2 minutes to soak up the flavor. Add the crushed pepper and salt and serve over rice. Top with remaining chopped scallion and nuts.
Deliciousness awaits!
BNW~
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BNW~

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Roasted Golden Beets

Beets and I always had a love hate relationship, more of the hate from me, though. As a child, I never really gave beets the time of day. It tastes like dirt, I used to tell my mom. Thankfully those days are gone, and I'm now a huge fan. Red, golden or sugar, give it to me. Here's a quick recipe for roasting golden beets.
 
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Ingredients
2 Golden Beets
Salt and pepper
Vegetable Oil- enough to cover the beets completely
1 Tbsp of Butter (melted)
Parsley for garnish
 
Method
Heat oven to 425 degrees. Cut off the top and bottom from the beets and season them with salt and pepper and oil and wrap in aluminum foil. Place on the center rack in the oven and bake for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool a bit. Scrape off the skin and slice or dice the beets, drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle with more salt and pepper. Dive in :)
 
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BNW~

Trio of Herb Lamb Shoulders with Mashed Cauliflower and Golden Beets

I know that Lamb is the kind of meat that you either like or hate, you can cook it well, or you just can't be bothered. So here's a recipe that may turn you into a lamb cooking queen or king. I incorporated a Jamaican cooking technique to get this meat tender, easy to cook and pretty tasty in a short amount of time. It takes less than an hour to cook but the same amount of time is needed for it to marinate, so plan accordingly. Let's go!
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Ingredients:
2 Lamb Shoulders
1/4 of a Large Onion (chopped)
1 Teaspoon of Minced Garlic
1 Teaspoon of Oregano
1 1/2 Teaspoons Rosemary
Two Sprigs of Thyme
Dash of Soy Sauce
Salt and Pepper (1/4 tsp each or to taste)
1/2 Cup of Baby Bella Mushroom (chopped)
3/4 Cup of Warm Water
1 Tablespoon of Oil
Crushed Red Pepper (Optional)
 
Method:
Season lamb with all of the ingredients except mushroom, oil and water. Let marinate for at least an hour. When ready to cook, heat oil in a heavy medium pan, scrape seasonings from the lamb and brown on each side. Add seasonings back to the meat once browned, and add water and cover. Cook for 30 minutes, turning the neat once and then add the mushrooms and cook for another 10 minutes. Meat should be just well done at this point, so if you need it medium, only cook it for 5 minutes after you've added the mushrooms. Rare, hmmm, I don't know, maybe only cook it for 30 minutes total? give it a shot and let me know.
You can find the recipe for the golden beets here.
For the cauliflower, I boiled them for 20 minutes. Added them to the blender, with milk, butter, a couple dashes of grated parmesan and salt. Blend until smooth and there you go!
Enjoy!
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BNW~

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Cous Cous Curry with Sugar Snap Peas and Chicken

Dinner is ready! Make this for your family and earn some brownie points guaranteed. It's one of my favorite dinners to cook. I mean, it has curry, so what's not to love? Try and tell me what you think.
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Cous Cous-Ingredients:
1 Cup of Cous Cous
1 Tbsp of Curry Powder
1 Tsp of Cumin Powder
1 Packet of Chicken Bouillon - I use the Goya Brand
2 Cups of Water
1/4 Cup of Chopped Red Bell Pepper
1/2 Cup of Chopped Onion
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1/4 chopped Walnuts
Handful of Raisins
 
Method:
Heat olive oil and saute onion and bell pepper with curry and cumin powder. After 5 minutes, add the bouillon and water, allow to boil and then add cous cous and remove from heat. Cover the pan, walk away, do something for about 5 minutes and then back to the stove for the finishing touches. Add the raisins and walnuts, fluff with fork and leave uncovered until you are ready to serve. Best served warm or closer to room temperature. Here is the recipe for The Sugar Snap Peas  and I seasoned a chicken breast cajun style and baked it for 25 minutes. I made a glaze to top it off (you can use your favorite) and viola..

Here's my table setting that night :)
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Sunday, August 10, 2014

Pure Vegetable Sautee

Yummy Veggies. I love vegetables, if I had to pick two food groups that I would eat from for the rest of my life, they would definitely include vegetables and meats. So here's to a great pure recipe filled with delicious goodness. Super easy, quick and inexpensive.IMG_5649.JPG 
Ingredients
1/2 lb Baby Bella Mushrooms
1/2 Zuchini
1/2 Summer Squash
1/2 of a Small Red Bell Pepper
Jalapeno (a slice or two, depending on your tolerance for heat)
1 Tablespoon of Soy Sauce
1 Tablespoon of Real Butter
Drizzle of Olive Oil 
Salt to taste

Method:
Wash and chop vegetables and add to pan. Drizzle with soy sauce, olive oil and butter and salt. Cover and let steam for 5 minutes on medium heat. Stir and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Serve as a side with some delicious meat and   My Rice and Peas.
 
Enjoy and your feel free to share your feedback! Violeta, this one is for you.
 
BNW~

Sugar Snap Peas Sautee

Sugar snap peas- need I say more? Crunchy, nutty, fresh and delicious- I just did. Anyways, here is a quick recipe to whip some up tonight, or tomorrow night.
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Ingredients
1 lb Sugar Snap Peas
1/4 Cup of Chopped Onions
1 Tsp of Minced Garlic
1 Tbsp of Maple Syrup
1 Tbsp of Butter
1 Tsp of Olive Oil
Salt to taste
 
Method:
Heat butter and oil and add garlic and onion. Cook until onion become translucent and the mouth watering aroma starts to fill the air. (a little dramatic) Add peas and stir. Sprinkle on salt and maple syrup, cover and let cook for no more than 5 minutes. You can remove them after 3 minutes if you like them crisp or allow them to hang out for 5 minutes where they are just right me (for my taste).
 
Enjoy and Violeta, this one is for you, too :)
 
BNW~