onion

Chicken pot pie, one pot delight

/ CircleMe / Leave a comment

chicken_pot_pie

A pot pie is baked savoury dish encased in a flaky pastry and baked in a pie tin to ensure it maintains its shape. There are several varieties including an Australian meat pie and various British regional types. In America, the pot pie can be filled with various types of meat including beef, chicken, or turkey as well as vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and green peas.

The chicken pot pie may be the most popular and is simple to make. The ingredients are 1 poundskinless, boneless chicken breast, cubed, 1 cupsliced carrots, 1 cupgreen peas,1/2 cupsliced celery,1/3 cupbutter,1/3 cuponion chopped, 1/3 cupall-purpose flour,1/2 teaspoonsalt,1/4 teaspoonblack pepper,1 3/4 cupschicken broth, and 2/3 cupmilk.

First preheat an oven to 425 degrees F. Then in a saucepan combine the carrots, chicken, peas, and celery, add water and cook for 15 minute then drain.

In a separate pan over a medium flame cook onions and butter add flour, salt, and pepper. Slowly add the broth and milk and cook until thick. Put the mixture in a pie crust then cover with the liquid, add the top pie crust and make a few slits in the top. Bake for between 30 and 35 minutes or until pastry is golden brown.

DISCOVER OTHER INTEREST ON FOOD&DRINKS: SIGNUP IN CIRCLEME SOCIAL

Pasta primavera

/ CircleMe / Leave a comment

PASTA_PRIMAVERA_017.tif
Pasta primavera is a dish made from pasta and fresh vegetables. Sometimes chicken is added but the meal is usually vegetables only. Ingredients such as broccoli, carrots, peas, onions, and green bell peppers, and tomatoes can be used. The pasta used can be bowtie or penne.

To make pasta primavera you will need 3 carrots, peeled and cut into thin strips, 2 medium zucchini, cut into thin strips, 2 yellow squash, cut into thin strips, 1 onion, thinly sliced, 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into thin strips, 1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips, 1/4 cup olive oil, salt and freshly ground black pepper, 1 tablespoon dried Italian herbs, 1 pound bowtie pasta, 15 cherry tomatoes, halved, and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan.

Next preheat an oven to 450 degrees F and on a large heavy baking sheet, toss all the vegetables with oil, salt, pepper, and herbs.

Put half of the vegetable mixture onto a large baking sheet and arrange evenly. Bake until the carrots are tender and the vegetables begin to brown, stirring after the first 10 minutes.

Cook the pasta in a separate bowl of water until al dente for about 8 minutes. Next toss the pasta with the vegetables in a large bowl and combine.

Add the cherry tomatoes and enough of the left over cooking water to moisten. Season the pasta with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and serve immediately.

DISCOVER OTHER INTEREST ON FOOD&DRINKS: SIGNUP IN CIRCLEME SOCIAL

Poached salmon

/ CircleMe / Leave a comment

poached_salmon

Fish is known to be one of the most light-weight ways of adding protein to one’s diet and of course fish oils are very important. Salmon is renowned for being Omega-3 fatty acids and is a very tasty filling fish. Grilled, broiled, baked, or poached, salmon makes an excellent meal for dining in or out. For a quiet dinner for two at home try this poached salmon.

All that is needed is 1 to 1½ pounds salmon fillets, pin bones removed, Salt, ½ cup dry white wine, ½ cup water, several thin slices of yellow onion and/or 1 shallot, peeled and thinly sliced, A few sprigs of fresh dill or a sprinkle of dried dill, A sprig of fresh parsley, and freshly ground black pepper.

To prepare: first the salmon fillets with salt. Then place wine, dill, water, onions, and parsley in a saucepan and sauté over a medium flame. Next add the salmon fillets with the skin-side down in the pan and cover, cooking for 5-10 minutes depending on the fillets’ thickness. Be careful not to overcook and serve with freshly ground black pepper.

DISCOVER OTHER INTEREST ON FOOD&DRINKS: SIGNUP IN CIRCLEME SOCIAL

Cornish pasties, British delight

/ CircleMe / Leave a comment

cornish_pasty
Cornish pasties are a British delight loved in the isles and Ireland and make a good boxed lunch or a main course. To make the pastry it needs 4 oz all purpose flour, salt, 2oz butter, cubed, and 2-3 tbsp cold water. Ingredients for the filling are ¼ cup onion, finely chopped, 1/2 cup potato, cut into 1/4 inches, ½ cup swede cut into 1/4 inch dice, 4oz rump steak, cut into small cubes, salt and pepper, and 1 egg, lightly beaten.

Pre-heat oven to 425 °F and make the shortcrust pastry. First add flour, butter, and salt in a bowl. Rub the butter into the flour with fingers until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add water and use a cold knife to stir until the dough binds together. Add more cold water if the mixture is too dry.

Wrap the dough in Clingfilm and chill for a minimum of 15 minutes. Divide the pastry into 4 and roll each piece into rounds of 6-7 inches.

Add onion, potato, swede, and meat in a bowl. Season well with salt and pepper, then divide between each pastry circle and place to one side of the circle.

Brush the edges with a beaten egg and fold dough in half over filling so the edges meet. Crimp together to create a tight seal and brush with the remaining egg. Place on a greased baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes until golden brown.

DISCOVER OTHER INTEREST ON FOOD&DRINKS: SIGNUP IN CIRCLEME SOCIAL

Beef Pot Roast, taste in a pot

/ CircleMe / Leave a comment

poat_roast1
When we think “roast” we often think “oven” but one of the tastiest roast meals is pot roast beef which can be done simply and easily on the stove top.

Pot Roast is an excellent meal to serve for an evening entertaining friends for a dinner party. It can be served with baked potatoes and gravy and a side salad of lettuce and tomatoes.

The ingredients required are 2 teaspoons olive oil, 4 pounds boneless chuck roast,1 onion, chopped, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Meat should be seasoned and left to marinade prior to cooking.

First preheat an oven to 325 degrees F. Heat a Dutch oven on top of the stove over a medium high heat. Then add meat and sear for around 4 minutes, searing all sides for 3 to 4 minutes each. Remove from the pan and sprinkle salt and pepper, add garlic, and 1 bay leaf. Replace meat in the pan and cook in the oven for 30 minutes. Reduce heat and cook for a further 1 ½ hours. Garnish with onions and gravy.

A variation on this dish involves searing the meat. Once browned, add water, and boil until tender over a low flame. 

DISCOVER OTHER INTEREST ON FOOD&DRINKS: SIGNUP IN CIRCLEME SOCIAL

Chicken Curry, a taste of India at home

/ CircleMe / Leave a comment

Chicken_Curry
Nothing says exotic like curry and one of the simplest curry dishes to make is chicken curry. The dish is traditionally Indian and is like bringing a little taste of the sub-Continent home.

The curry can be spiced according to your own taste – fiery hot or just mild enough to leave you wanting more.

Chicken curry is best served with either Jasmine or Basmati Rice or Nan, or both.

Gather together 2 cups of Basmati or Jasmine rice, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 medium onion chopped, 1 clove of garlic minced, 3 tablespoons of curry powder, 1 teaspoon of paprika, 1 bay leaf, ½ teaspoon of grated ginger root, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 2 skinless chicken breast halves cut into bite sized strips, 1 cup plain yogurt, ¾ cup coconut milk, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and salt to taste.

In a saucepan, heat olive oil over a medium flame and sauté onion until lightly browned. Add the garlic, curry powder, paprika, bay leaf, ginger root, and salt. Stir. Add chicken, tomato paste, coconut milk, cayenne pepper, lemon juice, and yogurt. Bring to boil, turn down heat, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. In a separate pot, cook rice according to directions on package.

DISCOVER OTHER INTEREST ON FOOD&DRINKS: SIGNUP IN CIRCLEME SOCIAL

Thai shrimp, spicy exotic

/ CircleMe / Leave a comment

thai_shrimp1
Spicy, tasty, exotic. Thai style shrimp is ideal for a quick dinner with spunk. It can be made in half an hour as shrimp is easy to prepare. Just add steamed broccoli and white basmati rice.

To prepare you need 1 cup basmati rice, 1/2 broccoli, 4 cloves of peeled garlic, 1 piece of fresh ginger, chili peppers, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric, vegetable oil, 1 medium onion finely chopped, 1 stalk scallion, 1 pound medium shrimp – peeled and de-veined, 2 tomatoes, diced, 1 cup coconut milk, and 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves.

To prepare rice, place in a small pot and cook according to directions on the package. In a separate pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil and add broccoli. Steam for five minutes. For shrimp: In a blender, mix garlic, ginger, chili, salt, and turmeric to a smooth paste.

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and scallion and cook, stirring frequently. Add paste and stir. Add shrimp, and cook for a few minutes until they turn pink. Add the tomatoes and coconut milk. Cover, and simmer for a few minutes.

Stir in the basil in the last minute of cooking. Serve rice and top with shrimp.

DISCOVER OTHER INTEREST ON FOOD&DRINKS: SIGNUP IN CIRCLEME SOCIAL

Fried Rice, simply delicious

/ CircleMe / Leave a comment

fried_rice

There is nothing simpler than a meal of fried rice. It is filling, easy to prepare, and it doesn’t leave you with much to wash up afterwards.

Fried rice is the ideal one-pot meal when you’re on the go and because you can add so many ingredients, it can also be the perfect balanced dish, providing all the major food groups required at any one sitting.

This fried rice requires four cups of left-over rice, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1/2 cup cooked thinly sliced chicken breast or breast loin, 1/2 cup pork fillet, thinly sliced, 1/2 cup cooked and thinly sliced beef fillet, 1 medium onion finely chopped, 1 spring onion chopped, 1/4 cup cooked green peas, vegetable oil, and 1 small green pepper finely chopped.

In a large saucepan or wok, heat the vegetable oil over a low flame. Add onion, spring onion, and green pepper. Cook lightly, stirring constantly. Add pork, beef, and chicken and saute lightly while continuing to stir. Mix in rice and green peas and stir. Add soy sauce and continue to stir. Once rice is hot turn off flame. Can serve up to three persons.

DISCOVER OTHER INTEREST ON FOOD&DRINKS: SIGNUP IN CIRCLEME SOCIAL

Shepherd’s Pie, hearty filling food

/ CircleMe / Leave a comment

shepherds_pie
Whether you call it a Shepherd’s Pie or a Cottage Pie, if a down-home hearty meal is what you’re searching for then this dish is the tasty, filling, traditional choice.

Shepherd’s Pie is an English or Irish dish traditionally made with mashed potatoes, mutton or lamb but is now most often made with minced beef. It can be topped with cheddar cheese for an extra zingy flavour.

The ingredients include two pounds of potatoes, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, garlic, salt, grounded pepper, dried thyme, ¼ all-purpose flour, 2 pounds ground beef, 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup of whole milk, 1 large onion chopped, tomato paste, ½ cup peas, and 6 carrots diced.

To prepare first preheat the oven to 450. Boil potatoes until tender; Drain and crush with milk. In a separate saucepan, heat vegetable oil, add ground beef, flour, onion, carrots, thyme, garlic, peas, and tomato paste. Cook beef until browned.

In a casserole, pour beef and carrot filling. Add the potato topping using a spatula to spread over beef. Add grated cheese and bake in an oven for 20 minutes or until topping is browned. Let sit five minutes before serving.

DISCOVER OTHER INTEREST ON FOOD&DRINKS: SIGNUP IN CIRCLEME SOCIAL