Chicken & Chickpea Thai Cakes

Image Leave a comment 19/08/2020 the wee caledonian cook

These little cakes are so easy to make and quick too, a great mid week dinner or even a quick lunch bite. What’s even better is that they are healthy, low in fat & low in calories at just 150 per cake.

Makes 8

2 Chicken Breasts

4 Spring Onions – chopped finely

1 tsp garlic granules or 2 garlic cloves, crushed

1/2 tsp ginger or 1″ fresh ginger chopped finely

1 tbsp dried coriander

2 tsps Soy Sauce

Zest & Juice of 1 lime

Salt & Pepper

1 tin of Chickpeas drained (400g)

1 tsp dried chilli flakes

Sweet Chilli Sauce to serve.

Preheat oven to 180 deg and line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.
Using of food processor blitz the chickpeas and chicken until minced.
In a bowl mix everything together with your hands and form 8 small cakes about 1cm thick, place onto baking paper and bake in the oven for 15 minutes.
Serve with some Sweet Chilli Sauce. Yum!

Stripey Omelette

Image Leave a comment 03/06/2020 the wee caledonian cook

Happy National Egg Day! (well in the U.S it is on 3rd June). I am helping them celebrate today my making myself eggs for lunch and a stripey omelette at that & why not! I do love experimenting with food…lol!

Eggs are so nutritious and filling, stored with lots of protein, about 13g in a large egg size. Eggs are also low in calories and full of vitamin D & B, so a good all rounder for any meal. I love eggs, you can scramble, poach, fry, bake, boil they are very versatile. Want to know even more, check out egg info here….https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_as_food

I get my eggs delivered straight to my door from McQueens Dairies. This omelette made from Scottish eggs from Beaton Farms in Inverurie, Scotland.

3 Eggs – Large

Spray oil

Seasoning

Start by separating the yolks from whites. Mix the yolks.
Heat a little spray oil in a pan on a low heat and pour in the yolks only, cook gently for a few minutes until cooked.
Using a knife gently & I say very gently as you don’t want to damage your pan, then slice into strips about 1-1.5cm thick and remove every 2nd one. (you can use the spare strips for another omelette or create a lattice design).

4. Then pour in the egg whites and cook gently on a low heat until the egg whites start to bubble.

5. At this stage if you are using a filling, lay it onto omelette and start to roll up in pan then decant onto a plate.

Serve. Yummy and Eye catching.

Chicken, Leek & Potato Gratin

Image Leave a comment 12/04/2020 the wee caledonian cook

Wanted some home comfort food today and trying to use up leftovers this little dish was perfect, tasty & filling.

Makes 2 servings

1 1/2 chicken breast (large)

1 Green Pepper

1 Large Leek

3 large Potatoes

250ml chicken stock

50ml Cream or milk

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp dried garlic granules

Salt & pepper to taste

Grated cheese (I used cheddar but Gruyere is nice if you have it)

Paprika to taste

Pre heat your oven to 180 deg (or if you have a class 9 Hotpoint use the Potato Gratin function)
Heat a little spray oil in a pan and slice the chicken into small strips, season with salt & pepper & nutmeg then brown, remove with a slotted spoon.
Heat a little butter in the pan, slice the leek and gently saute the leeks with the garlic until slightly browned, remove with a slotted spoon.
Add the peppers are cook until slightly softened and browned. Remove.
Peel and slice thinly the potatoes.
Lightly butter a baking dish and start by layering the potatoes then the chicken mix with vegetables then potatoes then chicken mix then potatoes. Pour in the stock and milk and finally finish off with the grated cheese sprinkled on top. Then sprinkle with the paprika to taste.
Bake for about 50-60 minutes.
Serve…Yummy!

Jambalaya

Image Leave a comment 07/02/2020 the wee caledonian cook

This was a little dish I tried from Pinch of Nom’s Latest Cookbook. It was super tasty and low in Kcal’s too at just 398 per portion.

Serves 4

Low cal cooking spray

300g diced chicken

2 red peppers, diced

1 onion, diced

2 celery sticks, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tbsp cajun seasoning (1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, 2 tsps garlic powder, 2 tsps paprika, 1 tsp ground black pepper, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp oregano dried, 1 tsp thyme, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes)

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp dried oregano

1 x 400g tin tomatoes

200g long grain rice

400ml chicken stock

1 tbsp worcestershire sauce

3 low fat sausages (I sliced them after they were cooked)

Spray a large dish with oil, add the chicken and cook over medium heat to brown.
Then add in the onion, peppers and celery, cook for a few minutes
Add in the garlic, cajun spice, paprika and oregano, stir and cook for a few minutes.
Add the rice, chopped tomatoes, stock & worcestershire sauce. Place the sausages in and bring to the boil then reduce to a low heat and cook covered for about 30 minutes.
Serve, Yum!

This is a great dish that you can batch cook with and freeze.

Filipino Chicken Curry

Image 1 Comment 13/10/2019 the wee caledonian cook

I recently purchased the new High Protein Handbook No. 5 from Scott Baptie, and this little recipe was my first one I tried, I have to say it was super tasty and very nutritious too.

Serves 2

1 tsp coconut oil

2 Chicken Breasts – chopped into chunks

1 sweet potato – chopped into chunks

1 onion – chopped

1 tsp dried garlic granules

1 tsp ginger

1 red pepper, chopped into chunks

1 tbsp curry powder

1 tsp paprika

1 tbsp fish sauce

200ml coconut milk

1 tsp chilli powder

Salt & pepper to taste

Melt the coconut oil in a pan, season the chicken and add to the pan to brown then removed with a slotted spoon.
Add the onion, pepper, sweet potato, garlic and ginger and brown.
Add the chicken back to the pan and add the fish sauce, paprika, curry powder, chilli and coconut milk, reduce to a low simmer and cook covered for about 1-2 hours.
Remove lid, turn heat up slightly and allow to cook uncovered for about 20-30 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
Serve on its own or with some steamed wholemeal rice.

Hunters Chicken with Saffron Bean Rice

Image 1 Comment 02/09/2019 the wee caledonian cook

This is a classic dish in the U.K, good British pub food, I was keen to give it a go. Easy One pot cooking and can be slow cooked too. Traditionally its served with roast potatoes, however, having loads of rice to use up in my cupboard this was my preferred choice.

Serves 4

For the Chicken

4 Chicken Breasts

4 Bacon slices (smoked)

3 shallots, diced

2 tsp garlic granules or 2 cloves

1 400g tin chopped tomatoes

1 tbsp tomato puree

juice of 1/2 lemon

1 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp crushed chilli flakes

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 tbsp white wine vinegar

1 tbsp hot sauce

1 tsp mustard powder

1 tsp sugar

80g reduced fat cheddar (healthier option)

For the Rice

150g Wholemeal Log Grain Rice

1 x 400g tin of mixed beans

Pinch of Saffron

300ml Vegetable Stock

75-100g chopped Chorizo

Preheat oven to 180 deg.
Wrap each chicken breast with the bacon slice and secure with a cocktail stick
Put all of the other ingredients for the chicken into an ovenproof casserole dish with a tight lid.
Place the chicken on top of the ingredients, put lid on and cook for about 1-2 hours.
Remove from the oven and remove chicken breasts from the dish, set aside. Using a blender blitz the sauce until smooth.
Place chicken into a dish, cover with the sauce and sprinkle the cheese over the top, place under a hot grill to melt the cheese.
Place the rice, beans, chorizo, stock & saffron into the steam pot and cook on Steam setting for 20 minutes.
Serve. Yummy!

Roasted Squash & Chicken Laksa Bake

Image Leave a comment 11/07/2019 the wee caledonian cook

Oh yummy, I was going through all my cookbooks and found this dish from Jamie Olivers Superfood Book. Was easy to make, very filling and very delicious. Fresh flavours and so nutritious. Squash is packed with Vitamin A which helps us see in the dark. Laksa originates from Southeast Asia, it is usually a noodle based soup with coconut.

Serves 2

2 sticks of lemongrass

2 cloves garlic

10cm piece of ginger

2 fresh chillies

3 spring onions

1 bunch of fresh coriander

80ml coconut cream

Splash white wine vinegar

Splash of Fish Sauce

Chicken Stock Cube with 700ml water

150g brown rice or wild rice

1 butternut squash

2 chicken breasts (or thighs)

1 tbsp Sesame oil

1 tbsp unsalted peanuts

1 lime.

Preheat your oven to 180 deg.
Bash the lemongrass and remove outer layers, peel the garlic and ginger and chop the spring onions and chillies roughly. Place all in a blender. Add the coriander, (reserving a few leaves for garnish) coconut cream, vinegar and fish sauce, blitz the mixture until smooth. This is your Laksa paste.
Crumble the chicken stock cube into your oven dish and add 700ml boiling water to dissolve. Add in the rice.
Cut up the butternut squash into 4 rounds off the bulbous part, removing the seeds.
Cut the chicken breasts into large bite size pieces. Cover the chicken and butternut squash pieces with the Laksa paste. Place them into the oven dish with the rice & water. Drizzle 1 tbsp sesame oil over the top.
Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes.
Before serving, toast the peanuts and chop into small bits, sprinkle on top with the coriander leaves and squeeze the juice from lime over the top. Serve.

Chicken & Broccoli Casserole

Image 9 Comments 08/07/2019 the wee caledonian cook

Love home comfort food? This is a great little dish that never fails to satisfy. Easy to make, economical and very filling. Using the Gruyere cheese gives it a lovely rich flavour and the panko breadcrumbs give it a lovely bite.

Serve 2

2 Chicken Breasts – cut into bite size pieces

200g broccoli florets – fresh

1 tbsp butter

1 brown onion, sliced thinly

100ml creme fraiche

200ml chicken stock

40g panko breadcrumbs

55g Gruyere Cheese, grated

Salt & pepper to taste

Pre heat your oven to 200 deg.
Bring a saucepan of salted water to the boil and add the broccoli, cook for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a pan and cook the onions until browned and softened, about 4 minutes.
Layer the broccoli, onion & chicken in an oven proof dish and season well with salt & pepper.
Pour over the stock and creme fraiche, mix through.
Using the remaining butter in the pan from onions add the breadcrumbs and cheese and mix through, only heat for about 1 minutes until panko crumbs go slightly brown and cheese is combined.
Sprinkle the panko crumbs and cheese over the chicken in the dish and bake for about 25 minutes until golden brown.
Serve & Enjoy!

Chicken Fajita Pie

Image 1 Comment 29/05/2019 the wee caledonian cook

Oh yes!……I know your looking at that and thinking jeezo that looks super tasty……and guess what you’d be right. Not only that, its only 492 Kcal per serving…..OMG! Tasty, Healthier, Lower in Calories and easy to make. Win! Win!

Another belter of a recipe from NOM!

Serves 4

3 Chicken Breasts – cut into strips, fat removed

2 yellow or red peppers thinly sliced

2 large onions thinly sliced

1 tbsp ground cumin

1/2 tbsp ground coriander

1 tsp mild chilli powder

1/2 tsp dried chilli flakes

salt & pepper to taste

1 x 500g carton passata

1 x 400g kidney beans

2 x low calorie corn tortillas

70g low fat mozzarella

40g reduced fat cheddar cheese

Preheat your oven to 180 deg fan and line the base of a 24cm springform tin with baking paper
Add the chicken strips to a low-medium heat fry pan and brown.
Add in the peppers and onions and brown, then add in the spices and mix through until coated.
Add in the passata and kidney beans and simmer for about 10-15 mins.
Put a layer of the chicken mix into the springform tin, then layer with 1 of the tortillas, then another layer of chicken mix, then another tortilla then another layer of chicken mix. Top with chunks of mozzarella and sprinkle grated cheese over.
Put into the oven for 25 minutes or until cheese is lovely and browned and bubbling. Serve.

Taco Pulled Chicken Wraps with Homemade Salsa

Image Leave a comment 13/01/2019 the wee caledonian cook

Delicious little Saturday night dish (or any night for that matter) I also used corn tortillas and made my own salsa to keep the fat and calories lower. I am on a mission this year to eat a little healthier and try new ideas and flavours. This is packed with flavour and filling too.

You could of course use Tacos instead of wraps.

Makes enough for about 6 wraps

For the chicken:-

2 large chicken breasts

1 tin chopped tomatoes

2 tbsp Taco Seasoning (see below)

For the Salsa:-

2 tomatoes – chopped

1 onion – chopped

1 lime juice of

2 tsp dried coriander

1 tsp sea salt

Sour Cream to taste

Taco Seasoning:-

1 tbsp chilli powder

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp paprika

1 tbsp cumin

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp black pepper

Add all above to a little jar and mix. Store in cupboard.

Place a little oil in a pan on medium heat
Coat the chicken with the Taco Seasoning about 1 large tbsp per breast and gently colour the chicken in the pan.
Add in the tin tomatoes to the pan with the chicken, cover and slow cook on a low heat for about 4 hours.
Meanwhile make the salsa by adding the chopped tomatoes, chopped onion, salt, coriander and lime juice in a bowl and mix together. Store in fridge until needed.
About 1/2 hour before about to serve, take 2 forks and shred the chicken in the pan. Continue to cook uncovered for about 1/2 hour, this helps thicken the sauce.
Warm up your tortillas as per instructions on packet, place on a plate.
Spread a thin layer of sour cream, place some shredded chicken on top, then some tomato salsa then another little dollop of sour cream, wrap and devour! Yummy!