Chicken & Chorizo Pasta Bake

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Chicken & Chorizo Pasta Bake

Oh yum! Today was absolutely stoating it down (heavy rain) and very Dreich (dull, moody) weather, so it was a warming pasta bake for dinner. Not only is pasta filling but this dish is simple and easy to make, great for a family meal or just when you are looking for something comforting to warm you up. The recipe uses a lot of store cupboard essentials so easy to put together.

Dish of Chicken & Chorizo Pasta Bake

Serves 2 large portions (or 4 small)

100g Wholewheat Pasta (again your choice, I used Fusilli)

2 Chicken Breasts

1 onion – chopped

1 red pepper – chopped

Olive oil

1 Garlic clove – crushed or 1 tsp ground granules

1 tsp dried Italian herbs or Oregano

200g Chopped tomatoes

200ml Chicken Stock

100ml Milk (or cream)

Handful of Spinach leaves, chopped

Handful of frozen peas

100g Grated Cheese (I used cheddar)

1 tsp Chilli flakes (optional, if you like it spicy)

1 tsp Paprika (for sprinkling on top)

80g Chopped Chorizo

Salt & Pepper

  1. Heat a little oil in a fry pan and preheat your oven to 190 deg fan.
  2. Brown the onions & red pepper with the garlic in the fry pan until softened, add in the chorizo and cook for a few minutes then add the chicken, season & brown chicken on all sides for a few minutes.
  3. Once browned, add in the chopped tomatoes, chicken stock, milk, herbs and chilli (if using) to the pan and mix through, bring to the boil and reduce to a low simmer, cover and cook for at least an 1 hr.
  4. Meanwhile cook your pasta as per packet instructions.
  5. Using 2 forks, remove the lid from the pan and shred your chicken breasts (if you prefer chunks, that’s fine but I like it shredded)
  6. Add in the frozen peas and Spinach and cook for a further few minutes.
  7. Drain your pasta and add to the pan and mix through.
  8. Now decant the pasta chicken into an ovenproof dish and grate the cheese on top with a sprinkle of paprika and salt & pepper to season.
  9. Bake on middle shelf for about 25 minutes. Serve. Yum!

Chicken & Chorizo Pasta Bake

Chorizo, Chickpeas & Spinach Chilli

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Chorizo, Chickpea and Spinach Chilli with rice

I am now back to work after a long furlough period due to this Covid19 pandemic. Being back at work means that I prefer quick and easy cooking meals for mid week dining. Last thing I want is to finish a long work day and stand cooking for an hour, who’s with me?

This dish takes just 15 minutes, so its a quick throw together in one pan kinda dish, but packs flavour and spice. Good on its own or can serve with some rice. I also used freshly picked Spinach from my new veggie beds (furlough project).

Homegrown spinach

Serves 2

200g chickpeas

200g chopped tomatoes

80g chorizo – sliced or cut into bite size pieces

1 brown onion – chopped

1 yellow pepper – chopped

Handful of Spinach – chopped

1 tsp chilli flakes

1 tsp garlic granules

1 tsp basil flakes or fresh leaves to serve if you have

Salt & pepper to taste

100g Wholemeal or Basmati Rice if serving. (cooked as per packet instructions)

  1. Spray a pan with oil and heat on a medium to high heat
  2. Brown onions in pan for a few minutes
  3. Add in the pepper and chorizo with garlic and chilli flakes and cook for a few minutes
  4. Add in the tin tomatoes and chickpeas, mix through, bring to the boil then cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. 1 minute before serving, add in the spinach and basil flakes, mix through. Season
  6. Serve on a bed of rice. Yum!
Plate of Chorizo & Chickpea Chilli

Potato & Chorizo Bake

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Since we are still in lockdown, we fancied something special for lunch today, sun was shining through the window, temperature was rising, so we thought we’d treat ourselves to this lovely little dish. Oh & of course we had a cheeky glass of wine with our meal too, just to help wash it all down.

Serves 2 portions.

3 medium size potatoes – cut into small cubes

1 red onion – diced

80 g Chorizo – sliced

2 eggs

200g tin tomatoes

50g grated cheddar cheese

1 tsp dried chilli flakes

1 tsp paprika

Salt & pepper to taste

Spray oil

1 tbsp butter

  1. Preheat oven to fan 190 deg.
  2. Place cubed potatoes into a pan of salted water and bring to the boil, simmer for about 5 minutes. Drain.
  3. Meanwhile, in a pan brown and cook the chorizo for a few minutes, remove with a slotted spoon.
  4. Add the onion & chilli flakes to the chorizo pan and fry until browned, then add back to the pan the potatoes with tin tomatoes, butter & paprika, stir until combined and cook for a few minutes.
  5. Place mixture into an oven proof dish, make 2 wells and crack the eggs in, season the eggs then sprinkle grated cheese over.
  6. Bake in oven for 10-15 minutes depending on how you like your eggs.
  7. Serve. Yummy!

Sweet Potato, Butternut Squash & Chorizo Chowder

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It was Blowin’ a Hoolie here today (very windy) & that just calls for something warm and home comforting.  This was a tasty quick option in my kitchen tonight and certainly hit the spot.

 

Makes 2 portions

150g Butternut Squash – chopped into cubes

150g Sweet Potato – chopped into cubes

1 onion – chopped finely

60g Chorizo – sliced

1 garlic clove – minced

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp dried sage

Salt & pepper to taste

Handful of chopped carrots, sweetcorn and peas (I used frozen)

300ml chicken stock

50ml cream

150g Spinach

 

  1. Heat some low fat spray oil in a pan and fry the chorizo for a few minutes, remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a kitchen towel.
  2. Add to the pot the onion, garlic, sage & nutmeg and fry until onions are softened.
  3. Add the sweet potato, butternut squash and vegetables and stir until coated.
  4. Add the chicken stock with seasoning and bring to the boil, then simmer for about 15 minutes or until squash and potato are cooked.
  5. Remove lid, add back to the pan the chorizo and spinach and stir in the cream allow spinach to wilt for a few minutes, stir through. Serve.

You could also sprinkle some nuts over for a more nutritious serving.

 

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Hunters Chicken with Saffron Bean Rice

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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

 

  1. Preheat oven to 180 deg.
  2. Wrap each chicken breast with the bacon slice and secure with a cocktail stick
  3. Put all of the other ingredients for the chicken into an ovenproof casserole dish with a tight lid.
  4. Place the chicken on top of the ingredients, put lid on and cook for about 1-2 hours.
  5. Remove from the oven and remove chicken breasts from the dish, set aside. Using a blender blitz the sauce until smooth.
  6. 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.
  7. Place the rice, beans, chorizo, stock & saffron into the steam pot and cook on Steam setting for 20 minutes.
  8. Serve. Yummy!

Cabbage & Chorizo Filo Roll

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This was a recipe I put together trying to use up leftovers in my fridge. It was absolutely delicious, if I do say so myself. Next time, I would probably use 2 less filo sheets though and maybe omit the panko breadcrumbs.

 

Makes 1 roll (about 8 slices)

6-8 filo sheets

1/2 a large white cabbage – finely sliced

1 carrot – shredded

2-3 orange sweet peppers – finely sliced

60g chopped chorizo

small handful of panko breadcrumbs

Salt & rainbow pepper to taste

1 tbsp butter – melted

1 tbsp dried onion granules

 

  1. Preheat your oven to 190 deg. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.
  2. Heat a little spray oil in a pan on medium to high heat and add in the onion granules, cook for about 30 seconds.
  3. Add in the cabbage, peppers and carrot and stir through for about 10 minutes.
  4. Then add in the chorizo and continue to cook for about 5 minutes or until everything is softened and slightly browned. Allow to cool.
  5. Meanwhile, unroll the filo pastry and with the melted butter brush lightly on 1 filo then sprinkle some panko breadcrumbs, then lay another filo sheet onto, then brush with butter, then sprinkle some breadcrumbs over, then another filo sheet on top and so on and on until you have used all the sheets.                                        20190625_162725
  6. Take the cooled cabbage mixture and place in the middle of the sheets, leave about a 2″ border all the way and brush with melted butter.                                        20190625_163114
  7. Take the 2 short ends and fold into the mixture                                                20190625_163217
  8. Then gently roll up the filo pastry, place onto the baking tray and bake for about 30 minutes.                                                                                                  20190625_163346
  9. Remove, slice and enjoy. (Beware, it is very crumbly..lol)

 

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Chorizo & Bolognese Bake

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Yummy little dish, I got this recipe from Pinch of Nom and added my own stamp to it. I do love one pot cooking and especially slow cooking too, it is sometimes so good just to put something in the oven and carry on with your daily tasks.  This was slow cooked for 5 hours and was delicious. A really good simple throw together meal.

 

Makes 2 large servings

300g Scottish beef mince

350g passata

300g tin tomatoes

60g chopped chorizo

1 tbsp tomato puree

1 carrot, diced

1 red onion, diced

1 red pepper, diced

1 stick celery, diced

2 tsp garlic powder

1 tbsp worcestershire sauce

1 beef stock cube crumbled

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp dried rosemary

100g dried wholemeal pasta

150ml boiling water

40g low fat cheddar

Salt & pepper

 

  1. Set your oven to slow cook setting if you have one, if not this can be done in a slow cooker on med-high setting.                                                                          20190614_133920
  2. Firstly brown the mince in a pan with salt, pepper and garlic then remove and place into an oven proof dish                                                            20190614_122930
  3. Next add in all the other ingredients with the exception of the pasta, cheese and boiling water, cover and bake for 4.5 hours
  4. Add in the pasta and boiling water to the dish and mix through, bake for a further 30 minutes or until pasta is cooked through.                                                    20190614_165140
  5. 10 minutes before ready, sprinkle on the cheese and allow to melt through.                20190614_171811
  6. Serve. Yummy!

 

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Steak & Chorizo Slow Cook stew

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We do love a good stew on a Sunday, this is a little change to the normal traditional stew and super tasty with loads of flavour.  All you need is some good fresh bread to douk (dip in) and scoop up the gravy. Yummy!

 

Makes 2-3 servings

400g good scottish steak (diced)

75g-100g chorizo (diced)

1 x 400g can tin chopped tomatoes

1 x 225g tin chickpeas

1 x 225g tin red kidney beans

300ml beef stock

2 tsp cumin

1 tsp brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

1 clove garlic minced

100ml red wine

1 tbsp worcester sauce

1 tbsp tomato puree

1 red onion – chopped

Coriander – chopped to garnish

Salt & pepper to season

 

  1. Heat a little oil in a pan and gently fry the steak until browned, then add in the chorizo and onion until softened.
  2. Sprinkle on the cumin, paprika, garlic, sugar, cinnamon and tomato paste and mix through to coat beef. Season well.
  3. Add in the chickpeas, kidney beans, tin tomatoes, stock and worcester sauce, mix and bring to the boil. Add in the red wine.
  4. Reduce to a low simmer place lid on pan and cook slowly for about 2-3 hours or until meat is tender.
  5. Serve with a sprinkle or coriander. Yum.

 

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Meatball & Chorizo Spicy Pasta

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This little dish was super tasty with a little kick, perfect for a Saturday night dinner. My ultimate favourite is 1 pan cooking (well kinda..lol), don’t you just love throwing everything in to 1 pot, easy cooking, less washing up….lol!

We served this with a glass of Chardonnay and it went perfectly well.

 

Serves 2

6-8 Beef Meatballs (sliced in half)

150g pasta (I used wholewheat Fusilli)

200g tin tomatoes

75g chopped chorizo (good quality, we love Picante)

1 red onion (chopped)

1 red pepper (chopped)

1 carrot (chopped)

1 garlic clove (crushed)

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried basil (I would recommend using fresh, but unfortunately I didn’t have any)

1 chopped chilli or 1 tsp dried chillies

1 tbsp tomato paste

1/2 tsp sugar

Salt & Pepper to season

Parmesan to garnish

 

  1. First bring to the boil a pan of salted water and cook pasta for about 8-10 minutes, Save about 1/2 cup of the pasta water, drain pasta and set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan, add the meatballs & chorizo and brown all over. When browned remove with a slotted spoon and put to the side.              20190309_161229
  3.  Heat 1 tbsp oil and add the peppers, onions, carrots, garlic and thyme and gently cook until slightly tender.                                                                                             20190309_162319
  4. Return the meatballs and chorizo back to the pan, add the sauce and bring to a simmer for a few minutes until meatballs are cooked through.
  5. Then add the pasta to the pan along with the remaining pasta water and simmer for a further 5 minutes to warm through.                                                        20190309_163146
  6. Serve with some grated parmesan and chopped basil. Yummy!

 

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Patatas Bravas with Chorizo in Red wine sauce

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As you know I recently harvested my tatties (potatoes), so my brain got working on some tattie (potato) recipes. This one is a classic spanish dish, mostly a tapas type dish. I also recently purchased some new Kitchen Aid Skillets (pans), so I was keen to start using them, I have to say they are fabulous, very robust and non stick so I don’t need any oil when cooking…perfect! This dish was a quick 25 minute dinner. I do love quick and easy meals.

 

Serves 2

6 charlotte potatoes – cut into small chunks

150g chorizo – cut into 1 cm chunks

1 red onion – diced

1 green pepper – diced

2 tsp dried chilli flakes

1 garlic clove – crushed

100ml red wine (I used cabernet sauvignon)

2 tsp dried parsley (fresh is better, but I didn’t have any)

400g tin plum tomatoes (I find you get better flavour from plum than chopped)

 

  1. Bring to the boil a pan at slightly salted water and boil the potatoes for about 5-6 minutes. Drain and leave to cool slightly.
  2. Heat the chorizo in the pan on medium to high heat and add in the potatoes, cook until slightly browned all over. Remove with a slotted spoon.                                           20180712_183546
  3. Put the onion, peppers and garlic in the pan and saute. Add the red wine and reduce. Then add in the dried chilli flakes and stir through.                            20180712_184423
  4. Add in the tin tomatoes, cutting them up, stir and simmer for about 10 minutes.
  5. Add in the potatoes and chorizo, mix through and cook for a further 5 minutes.   20180712_185946
  6. Serve and sprinkle the parsley on top. Yummy!

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Smoked Herby Cod & Chorizo Tray Bake

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Oh I do like a nice piece of fish. I picked up some lovely smoked Cod from my fishmonger and decided to do a tray bake with it.

This dish was so delicious and full of flavour. I mixed up the Chimichurri sauce by adding rocket leaves….delicious!

 

Makes 2-4 portions

4-6 Smoked Cod portions

6 Charlotte potatoes – quartered

1 red pepper – sliced

1 red onion – cut into wedges

100g chorizo – cut into 1cm cubes

Salt & pepper to season

For the herb crumb

2 tbsp dried parsley

1/2 tbsp dried oregano

1 slice of white bread

1 tbsp olive oil

For the Chimichurri dressing

2 tbsp dried parsley

1/2 tbsp dried oregano

1 tbsp dried coriander

1 garlic clove

1 tbsp dried chilli

handful of rocket leaves

Juice of 1.2 lemon

3 tbsp olive oil

4 tbsp water

 

  1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC fan.
  2. Toss together the potatoes, seasoning and 1 tablespoon of oil in a large roasting tray. Bake for 12 minutes, then add the chorizo, onion and peppers and roast for a further 15 minutes.                                                                                                 20180528_173438  20180528_150322
  3. Meanwhile, prepare the fish. Blitz together the parsley, oregano, bread and remaining oil to form coarse breadcrumbs. Brush the top of the fish fillets with a little extra oil and press on the breadcrumbs.
  4. Give the roasting tray a good shake, then place the fish and tomatoes on top and roast for a final 15 minutes, until the fish is cooked.                                                       20180528_174944
  5. Meanwhile make the chimichurri dressing. Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blitz to combine. Drizzle over the tray bake to serve.                                                20180528_150329

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Spanish Chorizo Tortilla

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Looking in my fridge I had to use up my leftover chorizo, so this was my Friday night quick dinner creation. Very filling, loads of flavour and loads of goodness too. I decided to use my Crisper plate instead of a fry pan then oven and was so glad I did as it only took 15 minutes to cook and more importantly 1 dish to wash up….lol!

 

Serves 4 (or 2 hungry people)

2 white potatoes

1 sweet potato

Chorizo – I used 1/3 of a 225g ring

1 red onion

6 eggs

1 large handful of kale

1 garlic clove or 2 tsp garlic granules

Salt & ground black pepper to taste

 

  1. Place a knob of butter on plate and pre heat Crisper Plate on Dynamic crisp setting for 3 minutes.
  2. Slice the potatoes and red onion about 1/2 cm thick 20180223_172351
  3. Slice up the Chorizo not too thick.                                           20180223_181436
  4. Whisk the eggs into a jug/bowl and season.
  5. Place the potatoes onto the crisper plate a start to layer up then season each layer with salt, pepper and garlic.                                                              20180223_182004
  6. Cook on dynamic Crisp setting for 8 minutes
  7. Remove then add on the red onion and chorizo, cook for a further 5 minutes                                                                                       20180223_183050
  8. Remove plate then add on the Kale and pour egg mixture over evenly. Cook for a further 3 minutes.                                                          20180223_183955
  9. Gently remove and serve. Yummy!

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Sausage, Bean & Chorizo Stew

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I love this time of the year, autumn colours outside, crisp fresh air, long walks, cosy comfort clothes, roaring fires, candles on, a good book and a really good one pot hearty warming meal.  You really can’t go wrong with this little stew, filling, warm, comforting and easy to do. Oh and one pot…..yes we do like very little washing up in our house.

 

Makes for 2-4 (depends on how hungry you are…lol)

6 x good quality sausages

15cm approx length chorizo – (good quality like a picante)

1 tin of 400g baked beans (branston are our fav)

1 red onion

1 red pepper

2 garlic cloves

2 tsp hot smoked paprika

2 tsp tomato paste or puree

Salt & pepper

Coriander to garnish

 

  1. Heat up a little oil in a fry pan
  2. Firstly cook the sausages until browned and cooked, remove from pan
  3. Gently cook the garlic, slice the chorizo, pepper and onion then add to the pan and cook until the red pepper is slightly soft (about 5-10 mins)                                                              20171015_162743
  4. Cut the sausages in half and add back to the pan with the baked beans, paprika and tomato paste/puree, mix and gently simmer for about 5 minutes. Season with Salt & pepper.                                                                                                                                                       20171015_162749
  5. Garnish with coriander and serve with either some crusty bread, crispy potatoes or rice, its entirely up to you. Oh and not forgetting a wee glass of red.

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One Pot Chicken & Chorizo Paella

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I love one pot meals, easy and hardly no washing up, if your sink looks like this after making a meal, then you need this in your life.                                                                                download (7)

Sometimes I just want something quick and this little Steampot s-l1000that came with my  Hotpoint  Combi oven is great for this, you just put everything in and cook.

 

Serves 2

150g Long grain and wild rice (you can just use long grain)

2 Chicken Breasts – cubed

300ml Chicken Stock

2 tbsp Smoked paprika

1 tbsp dried chillies

1 tin of garden peas (drained)

1 red pepper – chopped

1 white onion – sliced

Chopped Chorizo (my favourite is Picante)

Pinch of Saffron

 

  1. Coat Chicken in the paprika
  2. Place everything into the steam pot and place lid on
  3. Cook on the Automatic Rice Setting for 18 minutes. 20171007_195049
  4. Perfectly cooked paella, the rice is amazing.

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Chorizo Egg Breakfast Muffins

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Using some leftovers in my fridge, this is what I came up with for my brunch today. Yes brunch………I had a bit of a lay in this morning.”….I just love Saturday mornings……no alarms…..no rush to get up……no work……heaven.

 

Makes 6

100g diced chorizo

5 eggs – whisked

4 spring onions – diced

1 orange pepper – diced

1 red onion – diced

6 cherry tomatoes – quartered

spray oil

parmesan cheese – about 2 tbsps

salt & rainbow peppercorns for seasoning

 

  1. Preheat your oven to 180 deg
  2. Fry in a little oil the chorizo and red onion – approx 5 minutes until browned
  3. Grease a muffin tin
  4. Place a spoonful of the chorizo in the tin, then sprinkle the peppers, spring onion and tomatoes into the tin.   20170923_095338_001
  5. Pour in the egg mixture into each tin and then grate a little parmesan cheese on top and season with salt and pepper
  6. Bake for about 25 minutes
  7. Allow to cool slightly remove from tin and serve……..so Yummy!

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6 Layer Wrap

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Why not?   6 Layer fillings?   Hungry?

This is full of flavour and very filling, great for a dinner or lunch. With the weather being rather warm of late I was looking for alternatives for a refreshing cool dinner and this certainly filled my expectations. Fresh, light, cooling, filling and flavoursome.

 

Makes 6 wraps.

6 Wholemeal Wraps (shop bought)

1 large avocado

1 can refried beans

Handful of lettuce leaves – your choice as anything goes. (I used peppery leaves)

Chorizo – chopped into small chunks

1 tbsp olive oil

Handful fresh parsley – chopped

1 tbsp lime juice

2 Handfuls of cheddar cheese – grated

1 small cup of sour cream

1/2 cucumber – chopped finely

1 yellow pepper – chopped finely

3 spring onions – chopped finely

pinch of Salt

1 chilli or jalapeno – finely chopped

 

  1. Cook the chorizo in a pan over medium heat until browned, remove and allow to cool
  2. Mash the avocado, lime juice, parsley and salt together until smooth
  3. Prepare the wraps as per packet instructions.
  4. Now the exciting and messy bit…….the assembly:-

1. Spread 1 tbsp of sour cream onto wrap

2. Then spread 2 tbsp of refried beans

3. Spread 1 tbsp of the avocado mix

4. Sprinkle some Chorizo over top

5. Lay the salad toppings – lettuce, cucumber, pepper and spring onions

6. Finally the cheese and sprinkle of chopped spice (chilli or jalapenos)

7. Roll up into a manageable wrap. Yummy!

 

Venison and Chorizo Casserole

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On my travels back from Inverness this week, I stopped at the House of Bruar near Blair Atholl, they have an amazing Food Hall with everything Scottish and some.  I picked up some lovely venison from Highland Game, Purveyors of fine foods in Dundee. With some Chorizo left over I decided this recipe, which was absolutely delicious and rich in flavour.

Serves 2

300g Diced Venison

75g Chorizo – sliced/diced

1 onion chopped

1 crushed garlic

1 tbsp smoked paprika

salt & pepper

250ml beef stock

100ml red wine (I used Merlot, perfect with venison)

1 Bay leaf

1 carrot sliced or you could use butternut squash

1 tbsp flour

 

  1. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a pan, light coat the venison with flour and add to pan to brown all over. Season.
  2. Add the Chorizo, garlic and onion and stir through for few mins until golden.
  3. Sprinkle in the paprika and add the carrots, pour in the beef stock and red wine, bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 2-3 hours.                                                                                                                            20160409_173408
  4. I served with some wild rice but it is also lovely with boiled potatoes and green veg.

YUMMY!

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Friday Night Takeaway – Homemade Pizza

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I love pizza……….and always make my own, that way I can make it a bit healthier and not feel guilty eating it. Here are two different toppings we done this weekend. I also used my pizza stone to crisp the bottom of my pizza.

Makes 2 large pizza bases

For the Pizza Base:-

200g White Flour

200g Wholemeal Flour

7g yeast sachet

300ml warm water

1 tbsp golden caster sugar

1 tsp salt

Olive oil

Pepper to taste

  1. Sift the flours into a bowl along with the salt. Make a well in the middle.
  2. Add the yeast to the warm water and sugar, stir and let sit for 10 mins.
  3. Meanwhile pre-heat oven to 220 deg or Pizza setting, if you have one.
  4. If you have a pizza stone, preheat.
  5. Little at a time add the yeast water to the flour and mix in until you get  dough like mixture.
  6. Put a little olive oil on your worktop and knead the dough for about 10 mins, stretching all the time until elastic like.
  7. Prove the dough for about 1 hour or until double in size. Cut dough into 2 parts and wrap in cling film, refrigerate for about 1/2hr or overnight. (I find doing this make the dough easier to roll out)
  8. Roll out to desired thickness and size. Prick with a fork so it doesn’t rise too much and cook gently at 220 deg for 5-10 mins.
  9. Base now ready for toppings.

 

Tomato sauce topping:-

1 400g chopped tin tomatoes

1 garlic clove – chopped

1 handful of basil

salt and pepper

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  1. Gently cook the garlic and basil with salt n pepper. Add in the tin tomatoes and heat through for about 15 mins. Ready to serve.

 

Toppings:–

You can of course use any toppings of your choice, this is what I used:-

1 Choice:- Chorizo, Red Pepper, Grilled Chicken pieces, mozzarella, red onion grated cheddar cheese for top.

2 Choice:- Chorizo, Red pepper, mozzarella, mushrooms, grated cheddar for top.

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Chorizo, Sausage and Lentil Stew

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Had some leftover Chorizo in fridge, so I decided to mix up my Lentil stew recipe. Please trust me…it tastes better than it looks..lol! Still learning my photography.

Serves 2

200g Brown Lentils

1 red onion chopped finely

1 carrot sliced

1 garlic clove

1 tsp chilli

1 tsp parsley

220g tin chopped tomatoes

250ml beef stock

1 bay leaf

pinch salt and pepper

50g-75g Chorizo

4-6 Aberdeen Angus Beef Sausages (halved)

 

1. Brown onions and garlic in a saucepan with spray oil or tsp olive oil until soft

2. Add in lentils, carrot, chilli, parsley, chopped tomatoes, stock, salt & pepper and bay leaf, bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes.

3. Meanwhile brown sausages and chorizo in a pan with 1 tablespoon olive oil for 5 mins, remove with slotted spoon and add to stew, simmer for a further 25-30 minutes.

4. Serve with some crusty bread. Yum!

My Smoked Baked Eggs

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This is a brill Brunch dish.  About 280 Calories per serving. (makes 2 servings)

 

40g Chorizo

1 onion finely chopped

500ml smooth tomato passata

1 tsp smoked paprika (or you can use chilli)

2 eggs

10g cheddar cheese

 

1. Preheat oven to 200 deg. Chop Chorizo into slices or cubes and fry in a pan until juices run, then add in onion and cook until soft, 2-3 mins.

2. Pour in passata and smoked paprika, stir and bring to the boil, simmer for few mins only.

3. Pour mixture into 2 small ovenproof dishes, using a spoon make a well in the middle and crack egg in, making sure not to burst yolks, grate the cheese over the top and bake in the oven for 10-15 mins depending on how you like your eggs.

4. Serve straight from dish.  You may like some crusty bread to mop up sauce. YUM!