Friday 31 October 2008

Woking Good - Stir fried Veg and King Prawns



Recipe Ingredients:

  • 1 Punnet of mushrooms
  • 1 Punnet of baby corn
  • 1 small tin of bamboo shoots
  • 1 large carrot
  • 1 red pepper
  • 1 red onion
  • 300grs king prawns (pealed but uncooked)
  • 1 ginger bit the size of (two garlic cloves)
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 large spoon of black bean sauce
  • 1 tea spoon of Chinese five spice
  • 2 soup spoons of soy sauce (optional)
  • 2 soup spoon of brown sugar one soup spoon of rice wine (optional)
  • 1 large medium chilli
  • 1 soup spoon of arrow root (or corn starch)
  • 2 glugs olive oil
I needed to make a quick dinner and this allowed me to literally take 7-10 minutes to cook it.
I chopped the onions and pepper into (1 inch) squares, chopped the garlic; ginger and chilli very fine mince, cut the carrot in half length ways and then half side ways and finally thinly sliced the from the side to for very thin rectangles, baby corns in half's length ways, mushrooms in quarters. Once all the veg are prepared place some oil in a wok (I used olive oil 2 glugs) but some people prefer nut oil, place over the flame once the oil starts to smoke, throw in the garlic, ginger, chilli, carrot, onion and pepper, let it cook for about 3 minutes then add the soy sauce, Chinese five spice, mushrooms, baby corns and bamboo shoots let it cook another 3 minutes then finally add the prawns, black bean sauce arrow root mixed with about 1/4 of a glass of water, the sugar and the rice wine, cook until the prawns turn completely orange as the uncooked colour is Gray, then you are done.
you can serve this with plain rice, Noodles or on it's own it's up to you...i had mine with Egg Noddles, actually was the best one I ever made as I tweak with the recipe every time I make. Like use some different vegetables like pak choi, or spring onions even cabbage or broccoli shoots, the only limitation is your imagination. Hope you like this one...


Monday 27 October 2008

Turkey Curry and / or Quorn Curry

Receite em Português AQUI (com pequenas diferenças)

Pictures above illustrate the Turkey dish (and the rice was boiled with turmeric)


Endeavouring to do something quick but at the same time good enough for vegetarians (as my wife is one) and also for meat eaters as I wanted to use some turkey I decided to do a Curry to feed 6 people.

Recipe Ingredients:

  • 2 large carrots (thinly sliced)
  • 1 & 1/2 onions (diced)
  • 1 large courgette (diced)
  • 1 large red pepper (diced)
  • 10 medium mushrooms (quartered)
  • 1 chilli (de-seeded and thinly sliced)
  • 3 large garlic cloves (thinly sliced)
  • 1 big bunch of coriander (chopped)
  • 1 & 1/2 tin of tomatoes
  • 2 soup spoons of tomato paste (diluted in a little water)
  • 1 large soup spoon of cumin powder
  • 1 large soup spoon of garam masala
  • 2 large soup spoons of turmeric
  • 1 large soup spoon of coriander seeds powder
  • 1 large soup spoon of sweet paprika
  • 6 glugs of olive oil (half per pan)
  • 300grs Turkey
  • 300grs Quorn
I mixed all the powders together than divided it in half, on two seperate pans I poured 3 "glugs" of olive oil, once hot added the powders and let it cook for a little time once it formed a paste and cooked a little I added theonion, garlic the chilli and the meat/quorn (please notice I divided ingredients all the way through in half, for each pan appart from the meat and quorn which is one 300grs for each pan) cooked this until the meat/quorn was cooked through adding a little water when a little dried, then i added the pepper, the courgette the mushrooms the and carrots cooked this for about 5 minutes and added the tomato (again half to each pan) and let this cook for 10 minutes then added the tomato paste (half each) and let this cook for a further 10 minutes.
While this was doing I boiled some rice with 4 crushed cardoms, 2 crushed garlic, a tea spoon of cumin powder and a tea spoon of turmeric (if you want the rice to be white don't use turmeric), once the rice is cooked drained it rinsed with boiling water removed the cardoms and put it in a pan drizzled with a little olive oil (optionally you can stir in some chopped coriander and some green raisins) put a lit and let it rest for 2 minutes.
Once the curry is one minute away from being cooked add a generous bunch of coriander (half each) and garnish each plate with a fe coriander leaves on top see picture...this one was really tasty.

These Pictures bellow illustrate the Quorn Curry (and rice was boiled without turmeric)





Saturday 25 October 2008

Vegie Bulgar & BBQ Chicken Wings

Trying to impress my sister, I wanted to do something special but did not have the time to go shopping so I ravaged through my cupboard to find something to go with my chicken wings. Hurrah, found some Bulgar Wheat so I done the following:


Recipe Ingredients:

  • 1 mug of Bulgar Wheat
  • 1 large courgette
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 red pepper
  • about 6-8 mushrooms
  • 1 fresh chilli
  • 1/2 can of tomatoes
  • 1 spoon of tomato paste
  • 1 garlic clove
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 soup spoons of olive oil
Dice into small cubes the onion the pepper the courgette and thinly slice the mushrooms.
I used a Wok... so put the olive oil in the Wok add the pepper the onion and the garlic (minced) let it fry for about 5 minutes then add the (chopped & de-seeded) chilli, the courgette and the mushrooms, let it cook for another 3 minutes, then add the tomato and the tomato paste, and let it cook for about 10 minutes (or longer if you wish)
As to the Bulgar wheat just boil it in water as if it was rice for about 10-12 minutes, then once cooked drain it and rinse it with boiling water, let it drain until has no remaining water then add to the sauce and cover it with a lid.
As to the chicken wings, was very simple, I cut the tips off and cut the wings into two parts, placed them in a bowl and added the following, 1 crushed garlic, a spoon of smoky paprika, salt and pepper to taste, a couple of spoons of honey a pinch of chilli powder (put more if you like it spicy), a lid of sherry, and finally a squirt of smoky BBQ sauce. Left it to marinade for about 30 minutes, then laid them on a tray previously smeared with olive oil, gas mark 200 c and let it cook for about 25 minutes until crispy (times may vary depending on oven), then served it with the Veggie Bulgar. It was very nice, first picture was my sisters serving the next picture was my serving LOL.

Friday 24 October 2008

Left over Egg White Cake

I bake quite a few cakes to sell, but I am always left with the egg whites which really upsets me to throw them away, it feels wrong, however my sister has come to live with me here in England and I asked her to find me some recipe where I could use the egg whites in a cake so she found an excellent way to to save them in the cake recipe given bellow, which we have made some alterations to the original recipe.


Recipe Ingredients:


  • 125grs baking margarine
  • 250grs sugar
  • 190grs flour
  • 1 tea spoon baking powder
  • the juice and zest of one orange
  • 8 egg whites
Preparation:

Very simple indeed, soften the margarine and mix with the sugar until a creamy pale paste, add to this the flour premixed with the baking powder, then add the juice and zest of the orange. Once this is done beat the eggs whites until they peak and add to the previous mixture with a folding action. Rub some margarine is a cake pan and dust it with flour adding covering the bottom with grease proof paper, the cake containing egg whites will stick a lot.
Bake it in a medium oven for 35 minutes (gas mark 180 c) and that's this simple is done.
I didn't do this but I think it could be really nice to warm up the juice of an orange with a measure of Cointreau, stabbing the cake all over with a fork and letting the Cointreau sauce soak into it. yum yum!! (but of course is just an idea)
But anyway now you can save all your egg whites with no fear of high cholesterol giving cake :)


Friday 17 October 2008

Chorizo Pork Burgers & Paprika Wedges


Recipe Ingredients:


  • Enough new potatoes for 4 people (or more)

  • 2 (separate) tea spoons of sweet paprika

  • 2 half a tea spoons of chilli powder

  • 50 grs of chorizo (if you like it a lot 100grs)

  • 4 slices of French toast

  • 1 garlic clove

  • 500grs of minced lean pork

  • 1 egg

  • salt and pepper to taste

  • 4 slices o Derbyshire cheddar (it can be found at Asda)

  • 2 spoons of olive oil

  • 1 spoon of plain flour


In bowl I crushed the French toast till resembled bread crumbs added some salt pepper; chorizo finely chopped; the garlic minced; one spoon of paprika; the 1/2 chilli powder, mix this well. Then added the minced pork, combining it (with hands) all until well mixed at this stage added the egg, continue mixing until well mixed again. At this stage shaped the mixture into four about 2" thick burgers (see the picture) and lay these on a board to rest the meat.
while waiting I washed and cut into quarters lengthways new potatoes (enough for four people) dried them well with a kitchen cloth, then in the bowl added the other 1/2 chilli powder; 2 spoons of olive oil; salt and pepper to taste and the other spoon of paprika (if you want as is to be served with pork you can also add fresh chopped rosemary) and finally the flour, mix this well with the potatoes, and placed it in the oven at gas mark 200 for 40 minutes.
After 20 minutes of the potatoes being in I placed the burgers in the griddle pan leaving it 8 minutes on each side then place the sliced cheese on top and a little oregano and to the oven, finishing them off with a grill blast ... but all should finish at the same time as the potatoes, and why not in those 4 minutes rustle a salad.
On mine I used baby plum tomatoes some red onion thinly sliced carrot, mixed salad leaves, read bell pepper thinly sliced, a little sea salt some oregano and olive oil and white wine vinegar.
Arranged all in your plate and bellow is what it looks like (it was yummy)...please leave some feedback.




Sunday 12 October 2008

Multicolore Salmon Pasta

If you look above it already looks delicious, but you can give it a touch of luxury with very little money. I dedicate this dish to my niece Siobhan, she loves pasta dishes.


Recipe Ingredients:

  • 1 large onion (minced)
  • 2 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 250mls of single cream
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 10 large mushrooms (chopped roughly)
  • 1 bunch of parsley
  • 3 large pieces of salmon (cut into small cubes)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • pinch of paprika (smoky sweet)
  • a shot of port
I done this in a wok (as better heat distribution), place a couple of olive oil spoons into the wok, let it get very hot (it starts smoking a bit) throw in the onion and the garlic, cook until translucent then throw in the salmon and the mushrooms, cook for about 3 minutes. Then add the port shot and the paprika pinch cook for a minute then add the cream saving a little in a glass to this you add two egg yolks and mix well than mix this in with the mains sauces to thicken it once velvety thick add the parsley finely chopped and serve it over your pasta, add one final parsley leaf on top for decorating and you done...very easy and quick.
For the pasta you choose the one you like best like fettuccine or tortellini whatever, just egg pasta or just spinach or even mixed like I chose, mine were egg, spinach and tomato pasta. Not only gives a lot of colour you get multilevelled tasting pasta. See finished dish bellow.

Meat Loaf with Cheese and Courgette



Recipe Ingredients:
  • 500grs of lean minced beef
  • 4 dried toast slices (made into crumbs) or 4 soup spoons of bread crumbs
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 bunch of parsley
  • 1 pinch of chilli powder
  • 1 tin of chopped tomatoes (good quality)
  • 1 egg (large)
  • 8 large potatoes
  • 6 slices of ham
  • 3 slices of cheese (Gouda or mozzarella)
  • 1 courgette
  • 1 onion
Cut the potatoes into cubes and parboil them, following that drain them until dried.
While that is happening place the mince in a bowl add one garlic minced the egg the bread crumbs and half of the parsley (finely chopped) salt and pepper to taste and the pinch of chilli powder, blend it well with your hands. Once all well mixed spread it over a large chopping board into a square shape about 2-3 cm deep, slice (very thinly half of the courgette) and lay it on top of the mince to cover the whole of it, then layer the ham to cover it too, and finally lay in the middle the three cheese slices, with the help of a spatula roll it up into a torte shape, then insert it inside a foil parcel put it in a tray and bake it in the oven for 30 minutes (gas mark 200), once that is done to brown the top open foil and cook for a further 10 minutes. As to the potatoes there is two ways you can do them, deep fry them and drain them or (my preferred way) drizzle some olive oil over them and bake them in the oven (about 20 minutes) obviously add salt and pepper to taste previously.
Now while meat is cooking, chop the onion finely and the remaining garlic, and pan fry them until the onion is translucent, add to this the courgette and the tomato (tin) let it cook for a further 10 minutes and add the parsley at this stage and salt and pepper to taste.
plate composition slice the meat loaf (a couple of slices per plate) and serve this with some cubed fries and poor a couple of tomato sauce spoons over the fries, it is just delicious. See picture bellow.

Wednesday 8 October 2008

Xau-Xau Rice (vegetarian)

I was in a hurry so I thought to make a rice similar to what I used to eat when I lived in Africa, Mozambique, they called it there xau-xau Rice. This is a rich rice, rich in the sense that was full of veg as well as fish or meat protein. But my wife is vegetarian and I wanted to make something we all could eat at the same time, so with this one I used no meat and replaced it with quorn instead (be aware this is not vegan as has egg). recipe bellow feeds 4.


Recipe Ingredients:
  • 1 large onion
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • one large bell pepper
  • a full cup of peas (frozen will do)
  • one large chilli (2 - 3 flames rating or medium)
  • 2 standard size carrots
  • a bit of fresh ginger
  • 1 star anaseed
  • a tea spoon of chinese five spice
  • a tea spoon of sugar
  • some light or normal soy sauce
  • a full pack of quorn pieces (this can be other things, like soya pieces etc)
  • 2 eggs
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 mugs of rice
Chop the following very finely: Garlic, onion, carrot, chilli, ginger, pepper, and quorn (be aware you may add more things like mushroom, corn whatever)(and that instead of quorn if you not vegetarian, you should use a mixture of very finly choped cooked beef, pork, chicken and prawns)
cook the rice in a seperate pan and in the cooking water add a crushed garlic, star anaseed and a little oil.
On a little frying pan scramble the two eggs, then put them in a bowl and chop them finely.
Seperatley get a little oil in a wok (about two soup spoons full) once pipping hot add the onions, garlic, ginger, chilli and pepper a little salt some pepper and the sugar. Once the onion goes transparent (after about 3-4 mins) add the rest, the peas, quorn bits & egg bits also add a good splosh of light soy sauce and the chinese five spice mix, stirr at all times you cook this for about 6 minutes, keep tasting and if needs more salt just add more soy sauce. Then drain the rice and rinse it in boiling water wich will leave it light and fluffy (I use basmati good quality) make sure it has been drained properly, and pore it into the wok, continue to stirr it at all times for about another 3 minutes (for more taste you can add a little fish sauce and rice wine, but not necessary).
It all just takes about 10-15 minutes to make and is delicious, and cheap. Sometimes I do this rice when I have left overs of chicken or beef etc.

Saturday 4 October 2008

American Style Pancakes and Fresh Plum Compote



Recipe Ingredients:
  • About 2 mugs of self raising flour
  • about a mug of milk (full fat better, if not semi will do)
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 large soup spoons of sugar
  • 2 large soup spoons of veg oil
  • 2 tea spoons of baking powder
  • 2 large plums (not to ripen, as you want tartness)
  • two soup spoons of maple syrup (for the smokiness)
  • 1 large soup spoon of brown sugar (not muscovado)
  • 1/2 of a lemon juice.
  • 250mls fresh cream
  • lemon zest
  • vanilla essence

It sounds like a lot of ingredients and complex but is not, I done this as I needed some comfort as the whole family is suffering from a colds, so was a treat for them too.
Place the flour in a bowl and the sugar as well as the baking powder, whisk them together. Once well mixed add the veg oil and the egg to the centre and star mixing gently in a folding motion as is starts to get to thick add the lemon zest the vanilla essence and a little milk keep folding and adding more milk, keep adding milk and folding until a soft mousse consistence is achieved (that's why I said about a mug of milk as depending on size it might take more or less milk) once done cover bowl and let it rest for about 10 minutes this will allow the dough to get light and bubbly as the folded air reacts with the baking powder. while waiting de-seed the two plums and slice them very thinly and place them on a wok or frying pan, add the brown sugar the maple syrup some vanilla essence and a little cinnamon, if you want you may also add some good (one soup spoon) cognac or vintage port, or even sherry. Take this to the heat and to the boil once boiling reduce heat to minimum and let it simmer if it thickens too much add a drop or two of water every time is too thick.
Now back to the pancakes, the dough should be fluffy enough now, fold it a few times and heat a non-stick frying pan place a couple of spoons (full) of dough at the centre and with the back of the spoon spread it to a round shape (spread it thick) it will start bubbling and when is nearly cooked through (but not quite) turn it over leave it for another 2-3 minutes and it's done, repeat process until all dough is gone (you should get about 8 pancakes).
On a separate bowl pour the cream and whisk it once nearly thick add a couple of drops of lemon juice and a tea spoon of sugar, whisk it more and when thick add another tea spoon of sugar and just whisk it for 30 secs more.
Now you lay it one pancake cover it in cream and drizzle some plum compote you made, another pancake and repeat the process. And it's all done serve it with a nice cup of coffee and you are in Heaven, at least me and my family were, I just didn't like washing the pots after lol.
Now you can do this with various fruits I would prefer tart ones to compliment the sweetness of the sugar and the maple syrup, but it is really your choice.



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Rico - Tried and Tested Recipes

Hi my name is Rico (short for Ricardo) will regularly add more food content to this blog, all my recipes are tried and tested, as I make them and eat them as well as my family, so I wouldn't give you something that is not good.

Recipes published here, will try to conform to the following criteria:

-Easy to create or bake.
-Will be nutritious, wholesome and healthy as well as economical too.
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