Cheesy Mexican Beef

Image Leave a comment

20190323_175335

Oh wow, this little dish was super tasty and lower in calories too at only around 480 per serving. I got this from Food for Fitness High Protein Cookbook, Scotts cookbook is brilliant and loaded with amazing recipes.

You know me….I do love a good one pan meal and this is another for favourites list.

 

4 Servings

500g lean scottish beef mince

1 tbsp coconut oil

2 cloves garlic minced

1 red onion, sliced

1 red pepper, sliced

250g rice

400g chopped tomatoes

500ml beef stock

2 tbsp mexican 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 oregano, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1 1/2 ground cumin, 1 tsp sea salt, 1 tsp black pepper)

60g low fat cheddar

Fresh coriander chopped to serve.

 

  1. Heat the coconut oil in a non stick pan
  2. Add the garlic, red pepper, onion and fry for a minute. Then add the beef and fry until browned (few minutes). Add in the seasoning and coat the meat.                                                            20190323_160614
  3. Add the rice (uncooked), tin tomatoes and stock bring to the boil then reduce to a low simmer, cover and cook for about 30 minutes until rice is cooked and stock is absorbed.                                                                                20190323_161406
  4. Top with the grated cheese, allow to melt then sprinkle the coriander and serve.

 

20190323_175019

 

Spinach & Refried Bean Quesadillas

Image Leave a comment

Looking for healthier and more nutritious alternatives are always on my to do list, I came across this recipe from The Kitchn , I changed it up a little to my own flavours but this was truly delicious and filling.

Serves 4

Spray fry oil

1 bag (100g) baby spinach

1 Clove of garlic, finely chopped

1 tsp chilli flakes

pinch salt & pepper

4 large or 8 small tortillas

1 tin (400g) of refried beans (I always use Old el paso…I just love them)

1 Red Pepper, finely chopped

1 small tin of sweetcorn, drained

150g Cheddar Cheese, Grated

 

  1. Heat the oil in a large fry pan over a medium heat. Add the red pepper and sweetcorn with the garlic and chilli and cook for a few minutes.
  2. The add the spinach and cook until wilted.   Season.
  3. Remove from pan. Heat through the refried beans for about 4 minutes then remove from pan, set aside.                                                                                  20180324_183355_001
  4. Place the tortillas on a flat surface and start to assemble. Spoon the refried beans on covering half of the tortilla, then the cheese, then the spinach mix the fold in half.
  5. Wipe the fry pan with a dry cloth and place each tortilla in pan a cook on each side for about 2-3 minutes until browned and crispy. Repeat until all cooked.         20180324_185015
  6. Remove and cut the quesadillas in half and serve. Yummy!

 

6 Layer Wrap

Image Leave a comment

20170717_194345

 

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!

 

Spicy Guacamole

Image Leave a comment

                      guaca

Nothing like homemade Guacamole. Here is my classic recipe that never fails to impress.

 

2 tbsp finely chopped white onion

1 tbsp fresh chopped red chilli

1/2 tsp salt (Kosher)

Handful of chopped parsley

1 large avocado

1 lime

 

  1. Finely chop the onion, very finely
  2. Add the salt, parsley and chilli and mix
  3. Mash up the avocado lightly so you still have some chunky bits and add to the mixture
  4. Cut the Lime in half and squeeze the juice into the mixture. Mix together and serve. Yum!

 

Brazilian Cheesy Bread

Image 1 Comment

20160806_163001                    20160806_152900

Decided to have a Brazilian Theme Dinner to help celebrate Rio 2016 Olympics, I was so pleased with my results, really tasty food.

You can get my Empanadas and Soffritto Recipe here:- https://cookingwithluce.wordpress.com/2016/08/06/empanadas-with-soffritto-filling/

 

I also made some Brazilian cheesy Bread, not only was I excited that there was cheese in this recipe but also the fact it was bread….I love both so much. Here is my recipe:-

Cheesy Bread – Makes 12

1 egg

1/4 cup Olive oil (or Canola Oil)

2/3 cup Milk

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups of tapioca flour – (now I didn’t have this, so I used 1/2 cup Cornflour and 1 cup white flour)

3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese

 

  1. Preheat your oven to 190 deg.
  2. In a bowl mix Milk, oil, salt and egg
  3. Add in the flour and mix until combined – you should get a slightly thick batter
  4. Add in the cheese and mix through
  5. Grease a muffin tin and add about 2 tbsp of mixture into each muffin case.
  6. Bake for about 25 mins until golden brown on top. Remove and allow to cool. I served with some Spicy tomato Salsa.

20160806_141052 20160806_145539 20160806_162849

 

 

 

Empanadas with Soffritto Filling

Image 1 Comment

20160806_163001

So Rio 2016 is upon us, to help celebrate I decided to try my hand at a Brazilian themed dinner. I was so pleased with my results, so tasty! Here you are, my recipes:-

Empanadas are little pockets of leftovers, I filled mine with Soffritto, Mince and Black beans filling.

Traditional Empanada dough is made a bit like an unsweetened tart crust: flour, salt (and any other seasonings), and butter are mixed to combine, then eggs and water are added until the dough comes together. However, I cheated for quickness and used shop bought ready rolled shortcrust pastry.

For the Soffritto:-

1 carrot

3 celery sticks

1 large white onion

1 tbsp olive oil

  1. Chop all the ingredients into very fine pieces (cubes).
  2. Heat the oil in a pan and add the onion, cook until translucent and slightly browned. Then add in the carrot and celery, reduce to a low heat and cook for approx 1 hour until its all browned. The flavour that comes from the vegetables is amazing and almost caramelised like.
  3. At this stage you can eat it on its own or add any other meats or flavourings.

20160806_142124 20160806_145532

For my filling for the Empanada’s I added to the Soffritto mix:-

200g Browned mince

200g Black beans

2 tbsp Chopped Chilli

1 tsp salt & pepper to season

20160806_152847 20160806_153809 20160806_153804

When the filling is ready, you are now ready to make your Empanadas

  1. Roll out your pasty into circular shapes, I used a 4″ pastry cutter.
  2. Take a dessert spoonful of the filling and put onto pastry
  3. Wet you finger and wet the edges of the pastry, fold over the pastry into a half moon shape and seal with your finger or a fork.
  4. Place on a greaseproof paper baking tray and brush with either milk or egg wash.
  5. Bake in a preheated oven at 200 deg for 25 minutes.

20160806_154324 20160806_155132 20160806_162402  20160806_162845

Also check out my Brazilian Cheesy Bread here:- https://atomic-temporary-46532287.wpcomstaging.com/2016/08/06/brazilian-cheesy-bread/

 

 

 

Superfood Chickpea & Mexican Tortilla Soup

Image 2 Comments

IMG_20151129_180707_resized

Well I was Opting for a Spicy Weekend this weekend………………….(naughty…naughty!)……..and this polishes off my Sunday. Delicious and filling Soup with a bit of spice!

Serves 2

1 Sweet Potato

1 tsp ground coriander

4 spring onions

1 red chilli

1 tsp olive oil

Handful of tortilla chips (I used Doritos with a hint of lime)

15g fresh coriander

400g ripe tomatoes

2 gloves of garlic

1 can chickpeas (400g)

Feta cheese for garnish (optional)

 

  1. Preheat oven to 200 deg. Wash and peel sweet potato, cut into 1cm cubes.
  2. Season potatoes with salt, pepper and ground coriander, drizzle with oil and bake for 30 mins.
  3. Meanwhile, chop the spring onions finely, slice the chilli and coriander, add to a pan with little oil and fry for about 2 mins.
  4. Crush into the pan the garlic, cut tomatoes into quarters then add in to pot.
  5. Tip in the chickpeas with juices and top up with 500ml of boiling water, bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 20 mins.
  6. After 20 mins, remove from heat and mash up the tomatoes. Add in the sweet potato and crush in the tortillas, mix through, season well and serve. Garnish with fresh coriander and feta if chosen. YUMMY!!!