Harissa Spiced Meatball Pitas with Carrot Slaw

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Meatball Pitas

This is a super simple dish that’s full of flavour. Great for the whole family, simply make the meatballs and the carrot slaw and let the family dive in and fill their pits as much as they like. Yum!

Serves 4

500g Minced Scottish Beef

2 Tsp Paprika

1 Tsp Ground Coriander

2 Tsp Harissa Paste (I use the Rose Harissa)

150g Natural Greek Yogurt

Salt & Pepper to taste

2-3 Large carrots – peeled and cut into thin strips or grated

1/2 Tsp fresh ginger

Handful Fresh coriander, chopped

4 Pitas, halved

  1. In a bowl combine the minced beef, paprika, ground coriander, salt & pepper and roll into small 1″ balls. Heat a little oil in a fry pan and cook the meatballs until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
  2. Combine the yogurt and harissa in a bowl and set aside
  3. Heat a little oil in a separate pan, fry on medium heat the carrots and ginger until carrots are slightly crispy, may need to do this in batches. Once crispy add in the chopped fresh coriander and mix
  4. Warm up your pitas then stuff them with the meatballs then the harissa sauce and top with the carrot slaw. Enjoy!

Spiced Meatball Pitas

Jamaican Chicken & Rice

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Jamaican Chicken & Rice

With the weather being very dreich (dull & gloomy) recently, we wanted to transport ourselves to a warm sunny place & with that not being possible in these unprecedented times I turned to my Kitchen Cupboards to see what I could make for dinner. Having some tinned pineapple, beans and rice in the cupboard we decided on visiting the Caribbean. This dish has a great blend of popular Caribbean spices, such as ginger, paprika and allspice which transports you right onto the Islands.

Also a great dish for batch cooking as you could quite easily make a big pot and freeze for later. A very nutritious dish with the beans high in fiber and the chicken giving you a good intake of protein. A good filling meal for any family table.

Serves 4

2 Chicken Breasts – cut into bite size pieces

1 Red Pepper, diced

1 White Onion, diced

4-6 Spring Onions, diced (for serving)

1 Tbsp Oil for cooking

1 Tbsp Curry Powder

1 Tbsp Smoked Sweet Paprika

1/2 Tsp of AllSpice

1/2 Tsp of Ginger

200g Cooked Wholemeal Rice (about 50g per person)

Juice of 1 Lime

1 Tbsp Brown Sugar

1 Tsp Dried Chilli Flakes

1 Tin Pineapple Chunks

1 400g can of Black Beans, drained

Handful of Garden Peas

20-30g Cashews, chopped (for serving)

Salt & Pepper to taste

  1. Heat the oil in a pan on medium to high heat, season the chicken and brown all over.
  2. Add the peppers and onion to the pan and cook for about 3 minutes until softened.
  3. Add to the pan the paprika, curry powder, ginger, allspice, brown sugar and chillies, mix through for about 1 minute to coat, then add the black beans, peas, cooked rice, pineapple and lime juice, mix through to combine.
  4. If too dry, add 1-2 Tbsp of water and stir, put lid on pan and heat through for about 5 minutes. To serve sprinkle the spring onion and cashews. Enjoy!
Pan of Jamaican Chicken & Rice
Jamaican Dish, Chicken & Rice

CHEESY BEEF MINCE PASTA

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Cheesy Mince Pasta

My meal plan somehow didn’t go to plan this week as I seemed to run out of store cupboard essentials like tin chopped tomatoes etc. This dish was the result of that, having looked a what I had and what needed to be used up I decided on a simple, quick and one pot dish. This turned out so delicious that I am sharing it with you, not only is it an easy to make dish but one that could be made ahead of time and frozen for later. The flavours in this dish can be enjoyed with the whole family. The good thing about this dish is that you can add whatever vegetables you like, to be honest anything goes here.

Serves 2 – 3

250g Scottish Beef Mince (you could also use minced lamb)

1 Onion, chopped

1 tsp Ground Garlic Granules or 2 Garlic Cloves

100g Frozen Garden Peas

120g Pasta (I used fusilli but penne will do too)

400ml Beef Stock

2 Tbsp Tomato Paste

1 Tsp Dried Chilli Flakes

1 Tsp Smoked Paprika

Salt & Pepper to taste

1 Tbsp oil

100g Grated Cheddar Cheese

Handful of Chopped Parsley

  1. Heat the oil in a pan on medium to high heat and fry the onions until softened and slightly browned
  2. Add in the beef mince, season with salt & pepper & brown.
  3. Add in the tomato paste, garlic, paprika, chilli flakes and frozen peas, mix through. Add in the pasta and beef stock, bring to the boil, reduce to a simmer and cook covered until pasta is cooked through, about 12-15 minutes.
  4. Remove lid and sprinkle over the cheddar cheese and parsley, put lid back on, turn off heat and leave for 5 minutes. The heat in the pan will gently melt the cheese. Serve and Enjoy.
Cheesy Beef Mince Pasta

Chicken & Bean Tagine

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Chicken Tagine

This North African dish is named after the earthenware pot it is traditionally cooked in. I have used Chicken which is simmered with the traditional flavours of sweet spices and vegetables. A Typical Moroccan style dish would use beef which has always been their staple diet with sweet spices & dried fruit. I used my heavy Cast Iron Pot for this, which is great for slow cooking and low temperatures.

If you have read through some of my other recipes, you’ll see that I love One Pot Cooking, it is simple and good for batch cooking if you prepare meals ahead of the week. It also means less dishes to wash…lol!

Serves 2

2 Chicken Breasts – but into big chunks

6 Shallots

2 Carrots – chopped

30g Butter

1 Tsp Saffron

1/2 Tsp Ground Ginger

1 Tbsp Smoked Paprika

1/4 Tsp Ground Cinnamon

200g Tin Broad Beans or Butter Beans (you can even use Chickpeas)

50g Dates (Optional)

Salt & Pepper to taste

Fresh Coriander – Chopped

Fresh Parsley – Chopped

  1. Preheat a little oil in the pot on medium to high heat and brown the chicken.
  2. Peel and chop 3 shallots into rings and 3 into quarters. Add into the pan with the carrots, butter and brown gently.
  3. Pour in 400ml of cold water, just enough to cover the chicken, bring to the boil slowly and reduce to a gentle simmer for about 30 minutes.
  4. Add in the saffron, ginger, paprika, dates(if using) and beans to the chicken pot, stir and put the lid back on, continue to simmer for a further 30 minutes. Season with Salt & Pepper.
  5. Serve and garnish with some chopped coriander and parsley. For a more filling dish you can also serve with some couscous.

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

Caribbean Beef Stew

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A Bowl of Caribbean Beef Stew

When I think of Caribbean Food, I think beans, rice, peppers, sweet potato & tomatoes to name a few. This dish is a mix of all my favourites and I was using up leftovers too. I hope you enjoy. This dish would be lovely with Lamb too.

Serves 2

300g Scottish Beef Mince

150g Diced Butternut squash (or sweet potatoes)

1 onion, chopped

1 Red Pepper, chopped

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

1 cm fresh ginger, finely chopped

1 tbsp sweet hot paprika

120ml Beef Stock

200g chopped tin tomatoes

200g Black Eyed beans

Handful of peas

Salt & Pepper to taste

  1. Heat some oil in a large pan and brown the mince.
  2. Add in the butternut squash, onion, red pepper, garlic, ginger, paprika and mix through, cook for 1 minute then add in the stock, tomatoes, peas and beans, bring to the boil then simmer covered for about 30 minutes. Season.
  3. If using Lamb I would slow cook this so the Lamb in tender.
  4. Serve on its own or with some rice.
Bowl of Stew

Breakfast Doughnuts

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If you’ve seen my last post on Baked Doughnuts, then you’ll know that I found my Doughnut tin…lol!  I decided to jazz up my breakfast into doughnuts instead of muffins, still super tasty, just a different shape.

 

Makes 6

6 large eggs

Pepper (any colour) chopped finely

Spring onions or small white or red onion – finely chopped

Cooked ham or any cooked meat of your choice – finely chopped

Salt & Pepper to taste

Paprika

Grated Cheese of your choice (I used cheddar)

 

  1. Grease doughnut tin with some spray oil and preheat oven to 150 deg fan.
  2. Place the pepper, onion and ham evenly into the moulds.
  3. Whisk up the eggs
  4. Pour evenly into moulds, don’t over fill. Season.
  5. Sprinkle with cheese and then sprinkle some paprika on top. Bake for about 20 minutes.
  6. Remove and serve immediately. Yummy!
  7. These can also be kept in the fridge for next morning, then just reheat.

 

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Chicken, Leek & Potato Gratin

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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

 

  1. Pre heat your oven to 180 deg (or if you have a class 9 Hotpoint use the Potato Gratin function)
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Add the peppers are cook until slightly softened and browned. Remove.                20200412_164220
  5. Peel and slice thinly the potatoes.
  6. 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.
  7. Bake for about 50-60 minutes.
  8. Serve…Yummy!

 

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Filipino Chicken Curry

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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

 

  1. Melt the coconut oil in a pan, season the chicken and add to the pan to brown then removed with a slotted spoon.
  2. Add the onion, pepper, sweet potato, garlic and ginger and brown.
  3. 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.
  4. Remove lid, turn heat up slightly and allow to cook uncovered for about 20-30 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
  5. Serve on its own or with some steamed wholemeal rice.

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Crispy Fried Onions

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Crispy fried onions are a great topper for a lot of dishes, I cooked these recently for my black bean taco dish. Just added that little extra crunch.

 

1 white onion

100g flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp smoked paprika

oil for frying.

 

  1. Combine flour, salt and paprika in a bowl.
  2. Slice the onion very thinly.
  3. Heat up a little oil in a fry pan to medium to high heat
  4. Coat the onions slices in the flour mixture, shake of excess and drop into the oil. Cook until browned and crispy.
  5. Remove and drain on kitchen paper.

Chilli Bean Stew

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Home comfort food, there is nothing  better sometimes than a big bowl of a warming hearty stew. This was absolutely delicious and so filling.

 

Serves 2

Low calorie Spray oil

1 red onion chopped

1 tsp garlic granules or 1 clove crushed

1 red chilli (chopped) or 1 tsp crushed chillies

225g can of red kidney beans

225g can of cannellini beans

225g can of chickpeas

1 tbsp tomato paste

350ml vegetable stock

1 red pepper, chopped

225g can chopped tomatoes

90g fresh broad beans

1 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped

paprika to garnish

Soured cream to serve

 

  1. Heat the oil in a fry pan and add the onion, garlic & chilli and fry until softened.
  2. Add the kidney beans, cannellini beans, chickpeas and tomato paste and stir through.
  3. Pour over the stock and bring to the boil, reduce and simmer for about 15 minutes. Then add in the pepper, tomatoes and broad beans.                                      20190708_155813
  4. Cover with a lid and simmer for about 20 minutes until vegetables are tender. Add in 3/4 of the coriander and mix through.
  5. Serve into bowl and top with 1 tbsp sourced cream, sprinkle over some paprika and remaining coriander.

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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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Eggy Puff Breakfast Baskets

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Another quick yummy breakfast for a sunday morning. I always try to use up leftovers, so having some puff pastry left this is what I decided to do this morning. Again I used my lovely little Crisperplate to cook these. Have I told you how much I love this little bit of Technology?? I do love gadgets that simply work in your favour to help save time in the kitchen. You can get more information here

 

Makes 6

1 Roll of Puff Pastry

7 eggs (1 for wash)

Grated Cheddar Cheese (I used 1 tbsp per basket)

Salt & pepper

Flavourings as per your choice (I used smoked paprika, but you could use chives, chilli, parsley, the list is endless)

 

  1. Preheat your Crisperplate for 2 minutes on Crisper setting.
  2. Place a sheet of greaseproof on the plate once heated.
  3. Roll out the pastry and using a round cutter, cut out 6 circles.
  4. Using a smaller circle cutter, gently press into the middle of the circle pastry – dont cut right through. (This makes the outer edge of the basket)
  5. Using a fork, press the centre to prevent it from rising too much. Brush with egg wash.                                                                                                       20181125_101734
  6. Place the pastry onto the crisper plate and cook for 4 minutes.
  7. Remove and gently edge the inner circle using a spoon and press down to make bottom of basket.
  8. Place your cheese into the basket and flatten, crack the egg in, gently using a knife pierce the yolk (this prevents it from popping) and season with your flavourings.
  9. Place back into the Combi Oven and bake for a further 2.5 mins – 3.5 mins, depends how you like your eggs cooked.  Serve. Yummy!

 

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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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One pan dinner in 12 minutes using Crisperplate

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When I got my new Hotpoint Combi Oven with this Crisper Plate, I didn’t realise just how much I would use it, I call it my magic plate as it cooks everything in a fraction of the time with tasty results.

We all want healthy meals in minutes these days and this little plate does it all. This was one of the first recipes I had seen and used, so tasty and in 12 minutes.

 

Serves 2 people.

1 large chicken breast – cut into large chunks

6 Salad potatoes of your choice – sliced in half

1 red & green pepper – sliced

1 red onion – wedges

1 garlic clove – sliced

Tomatoes on the vine – I used Piccolo (my fav)

1 tsp olive oil

Salt & pepper

 

  1. I sprinkled my chicken pieces with some smoked paprika for extra flavour – you can of course use anything. I’ve also used rosemary.
  2. Preheat the crisper plate on the crisper setting for 3 minutes
  3. Place the potatoes, onion, garlic and peppers in a food bag and drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil in with salt & pepper and shake to coat.
  4. Place all ingredients onto the crisper plate and cook for 12 mins on the crisper setting.
  5. Its as easy as that………healthy quick meal in minutes.
  6. The tomatoes turn very juicy while cooking for that length of time which gives you your juice for the meal, if you don’t like it too juicy, add the tomatoes after 6 minutes.

 

Peanut Butter Hummus

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Oh yummy…yummy…yummy!  In a bid to try and eat a bit healthier, I decided to make some peanut butter hummus for my saturday night munchies, I got the original recipe from Nigella but tweeked it slightly.

Makes enough for a medium tub – about 400g

1 can chick peas drained

1 clove garlic – peeled

2 tbsp olive oil

3 tbsp peanut butter

2 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp sea salt flakes

1 tsp ground cumin

3 tbsp greek yoghurt

1 tsp smoked paprika to serve

 

  1. Place everything (except paprika) into a food processor and blitz until smooth.  If its too thick still add more yoghurt.
  2. Sprinkle paprika before serving. Tuck in with some fresh carrots or some healthy crackers.

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Moroccan Spiced Poussin

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Having never tried a Poussin before (young chicken), I was intrigued when I saw one half price in my local market, so in my basket it went. Later, I’m now trying to decided how to cook and what seasoning to use, this moroccan spice was definitely a winner for me, not only flavoursome but deliciously succulent cooked in my rotisserie oven from Hotpoint.

1 Poussin (500g)

Stock if roasting in a pan.

Marinade:-

1 level tbsp cumin

1 tsp coriander

1 tsp black peppercorns – crushed

1 level tbsp paprika (I used smoked)

Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon

2 tbsp olive oil

 

  1. Mix everything together in a bowl and spread over poussin, cover and marinate overnight in a fridge or for at least 4-6 hours.
  2. If you have a rotisserie…..excellent….skewer and cook on medium level heat for about 45 mins. (Poussin was 500g). If not , preheat oven to 180deg fan, place in a roasting tin, add some stock, cover with foil and cook for 30 mins, remove foil then cook further for 15 mins.

Cloudy Eggs

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This is becoming massive over social media, so I decided to give it a go with my own little twist.  My curiosity was getting the better of me.  I have to say it did just taste like egg , the texture was strange but very pleasant.

Makes 2

2 eggs – separate white from yolk

pinch salt & pepper

tsp chives

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp dried chilli flakes

 

Method

  1. Preheat oven to 230 deg and line a baking tray with non stick paper
  2. Whisk up the egg whites only (separately), with the salt, pepper and chives until stiff                                                       20170510_133035
  3. Spoon out the whites onto the baking paper and make a circle shape, flatten the middle to make a slight well.              20170510_133603
  4. Sprinkle the paprika onto the egg whites
  5. Bake in the oven for approx 3-4 mins
  6. Remove from oven then gently put the egg yolk in the middle and sprinkle with chilli flakes.                                         20170510_134114
  7. Bake for a further 2-3 mins
  8. Serve.

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Potato, Cheese & Ham Souffle

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Hope everyone had a Good Christmas!

With left over Ham I decided to make some potato Souffles with it and they turned out a nice wee delicious lunch treat.

Makes 2

2 medium size potatoes – boiled and mashed

4 Spring onions – chopped finely

Grated Cheddar Cheese – depends on your taste (I used a good handful)

Leftover Cooked Ham

2 eggs

1 Tbsp Flour to bind

butter to coat ramekins

Salt & Pepper

1 tsp Paprika

 

  1. Add mashed potatoes, spring onions, ham and cheese to a mixing bowl and mix together.  20161226_175944
  2. Separate eggs yolks from whites and add yolks to mixing bowl and mix together with some seasoning. If mixture is too wet add a little flour to help combine.
  3. Whisk up egg Whites until stiff peaks form. 20161226_180149
  4. Fold the egg whites into the mixture then pour into some buttered ramekins. Sprinkle some paprika on top. 20161226_181305
  5. Cook in a preheated oven at 220 deg for about 15-20 mins or until golden brown on top.

And serve….yummy!

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Spiced Chicken Couscous

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I’m always looking for a healthy option without compromise on taste, this is so tasty and at only 260 calories per serving with 4g fat…..you wanna try this!  Leaves a bit of room for my glass of prosecco…lol!

Serves 2

2 tbsp Olive Oil or Rapeseed Oil

2 Chicken Breasts

1 tsp Coriander

1 tsp Cumin

1 tsp Paprika

1 tsp Garlic Powder or 1 garlic clove

1 onion chopped

80g couscous

150ml Hot Chicken Stock

120g Chick Peas

80g frozen Peas

 

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan, add chicken, coriander, paprika, cumin and onion and fry for 10 mins to lightly brown.

2. Add garlic, chickpeas, couscous, chicken stock and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover and cook on simmer (Low Heat)  for 20 mins until the chicken is tender and the liquid absorbed.

3. Add peas then cook for 5 mins more.

 

Homemade Haggis and Chicken Pakora with sauce

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Serves 2-4

Pakora Batter

150g gram flour

200ml water

1/2 tsp chilli

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp gram masala

1/2 tsp Turmeric

2 cloves garlic or 2 tsp ground garlic

small handful coriander (chopped finely)

Pinch salt

1. Put all dry ingredients into a bowl and mix together, make a well in the middle and gently add water little at a time while stirring, continue to add water until you get a smooth batter, it shouldn’t be too thick or too runny. Set aside.

Haggis Pakora

1 x 500g McSween’s Haggis, but Grants and Halls are also good. (500g serves about 3)

1. Cook as per package instructions and let cool. Make into small balls and dip into batter.

2. Gently drop into hot oil and fry for about 4-5 mins. Drain and pat excess oil off with kitchen paper.

Chicken Pakora

1 x Chicken Breast

1. Cut chicken breast into small chunks and lightly fry in a pan to brown.

2. Add some tomato paste to the left over batter mix and stir through until it turns pink, dip chicken chunks into batter and then drop gently into the oil and fry for about 3-4 mins. Drain and pat excess oil off with kitchen paper.

Pakora sauce for Chicken pakora

50g tomato ketchup

2g Mint leaves (finely chopped)

100g Natural Yoghurt

Pinch salt and chilli

50ml milk

1. Mix all the ingredients together, slowly adding the milk to produce a thin sauce. Pour into dish and set aside until ready.

Chilli sauce for Haggis Pakora

1/2 tin chopped tomatoes

Generous squirt of tomato sauce

1 tsp pepper

2 tsp paprika

1 tsp hot chilli sauce

Squeeze of lemon juice

1 beef oxo cube

1. Mix all ingredients into a pan and simmer until the oxo cube has fully dissolved. Remove and allow to cool before serving.

 

 

 

Spiced aubergine salad with pistachio yoghurt

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I love pistachio’s and always looking for new ways to incorporate into my dining. This was delicious.

Serves 4

Salad:-

Mixed leaves of choice, Grated Beetroot, Grated Carrot, Cherry tomatoes (halved), cucumber sliced, Feta cheese, Olives (your choice), 1 pomegranate, Olive oil and Balsamic Vinegar for dressing.

Spiced Aubergines:-

3/4 Aubergines (Halved)

1 garlic clove

Olive oil (2 tbsp)

1 tbsp cumin

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp chilli powder

1 tsp garlic

Salt and pepper to taste

Pistachio Yoghurt:-

6 tbsps Pistachio’s

Handful of fresh mint

250g natural yoghurt

1 tbsp olive oil

Method:-

1. Preheat oven to 220 deg.

2. Halved Aubergines longways, and make 1cm deep cuts diagonally about 2-3cm apart. Rub the garlic over the top of each one and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and bake in oven for approx 30-40 mins.

3. Mix up aubergines spices and dust over then cook for a further 5 mins.

4. For the yoghurt, mix pistachios, yoghurt, mint and olive oil in a blender until smooth. Set aside until ready.

5. Mix all salad ingredients in a bowl with dressing, serve onto a plate and sprinkle feta cheese over.

6. Cut pomegranate in half and carefully remove seeds, discarding any white pith, sprinkle seeds over salad.

7. Place baked Aubergines on top of salad and serve with the yoghurt dressing.

Yummy!

 

 

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!

Paprika and tomato bread

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Trying my hand at bread and flavours. Was lovely.

 

125g Strong White Bread Flour

125g Strong Wholemeal Flour

1 sachet of yeast

1 teaspoon sugar

2 tablespoon of tomato puree

1 tablespoon of paprika

150ml warm water

pinch salt

2 tablespoon olive oil

 

Mix sugar and yeast in warm water and leave in a warm place for 10-15 mins to help yeast rise

Sieve all Flour into a bowl and mix in salt and paprika

Make a well in the middle then add in tomato purée, oil and yeast mixture

Fold in well until it forms a dough, remove onto floured surface and knead for approx 5 mins

Put into floured bread tin or tray and place in oven (shelf 2) on proving setting for Approx 1.5/2hrs or until double in size

Brush with milk on top and switch oven onto Bread setting

Place tray with ice cubes on level 5 and bread on level 2 (ice stops the bread from over crusting)

Enjoy.

You could add in sundried tomatoes as an extra…..this is tasty also.