1 tbsp cumin seeds
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
cushy's chilli con carne
1 tbsp cumin seeds
Monday, 27 April 2009
Apricot and amaretti tart with syrup
For the pastry
75g cold unsalted butter
175g plain flour, sieved
zest of a lemon
1 tbsp caster sugar
1 eggSplash of cold water
For the filling
650g fresh apricots, not too ripe
2 tbsp soft demerara sugar
6 amaretti biscuits, crumbled
2 large free-range eggs
50g caster sugar
1 vanilla pod
200ml Jersey double cream
For the syrup
5 tbsp apricot jam
1 tbsp amaretto
To serve
Icing sugarEdible flowers
Creme fraîche
Preparation
1. Heat your oven to 200ºC/400ºF/Gas Mark 6. To make the pastry place the cold butter into a food processor with the sieved flour and lemon zest. Blitz until the mixture becomes the texture of breadcrumbs.
2. Whisk the sugar into the egg then pour into the machine with a splash of water. Blitz just long enough for the mixture to form a ball. Remove with your hands and ensure you have a nice firm ball by moulding with your hands. Wrap in cling film and leave in the fridge for at least an hour.
3. Meanwhile halve and stone your apricots then place on a baking tray cut side up. Sprinkle all over with the demerara sugar then roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes until they are soft to the point of a knife but not falling apart.
4. Roll out and line a 25cm loose-bottomed tart tin with the pastry. Chill again for ideally an hour but a minimum of 30 minutes.
5. Once rested prick all over the base with a fork then line with parchment paper and follow with baking beans. Bake blind for 15-20 minutes until the base is just beginning to crisp but has not browned. Remove the beans and allow to cool.
6. Spread your crumbled amaretti all over the base then top with a layer of apricots. In a large bowl whisk the eggs and sugar together until light and fluffy. Remove the vanilla seeds from the pod and whisk into the egg mixture along with the Jersey cream.
7. Place the tart onto a baking tray then carefully pour over the custard mixture. Place in the over for 15 minutes then lower the heat to 180ºC/350ºF/Gas mark 4 for a further 15-20 minutes when the custard should be set and a lovely golden colour.
8. Allow to cool before slicing and serving with crème fraîche, plenty of icing sugar and an edible flower.
For the syrup:
Warm the jam. Add the amaretto. Heat until bubbling and allow to cool just above room temperature and pour over the cake.
Spiced pork fillet with apple Greek salad
Ingredients
3. Pan fry.
Saturday, 25 April 2009
Potluck Lasagna
455 g ground beef
1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian stewed tomatoes, cut up
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
4 g minced fresh parsley
1 g minced garlic
2 eggs
340 g small curd cottage cheese
370 g ricotta cheese
100 g grated Parmesan cheese
6 g salt
2 g pepper
6 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
225 g shredded mozzarella cheese
In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley and garlic; remove from the heat. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, cheeses, salt and pepper. Layer three noodles in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Top with half of the cottage cheese mixture, 1 cup mozzarella cheese and half of the meat sauce. Repeat layers.
Cover and freeze for up to 3 months. Or cover and bake 375 degrees F for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 25-30 minutes longer or until edges are bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.
To use frozen lasagna: Thaw in refrigerator overnight. Bake as directed.
Friday, 24 April 2009
Cushy's Quick Moussaka
250g pack New Zealand Lean Ground Lamb (10% fat)
Preheat the oven to 220ºC, gas mark 7. Warm a large pan over a high heat. Add the lamb and soffritto to the dry pan and cook, stirring frequently, for 8–10 minutes or until starting to colour slightly and soften. Stir in the tinned chopped tomatoes and season to taste. Keep warm.
Tip the aubergines into a sieve over a bowl and leave to drain thoroughly (you will not need the oil in this recipe). Spoon and spread a third of the mince mixture into the base of a 1.5–2 litre ovenproof dish. Using about a third of the drained aubergines, cover the mince in a single layer. Repeat this process until finished.
Whisk the eggs, the Total Yoghurt and two thirds of the cheese together with some seasoning. Pour over the contents of the baking dish. Sprinkle over the remaining cheese. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden and bubbling
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
Fish cakes,Salmon, broccoli and potato fish cakes.
Ingredients
2 fillets of salmon
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Black-Eyed Pea Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 3 cups cooked black-eyed peas
- 1 medium jalapeno, diced
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes (recommended: Ro-tel)
- 1 (10-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10-ounce) can mild enchilada sauce
- A few dashes of Louisiana hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons Essence, recipe follows
- 1 package corn tortillas
- Butter
- 2 cups grated cheddar
- Chopped green onions, for garnish
Directions
Brown the ground beef in large skillet. Drain the excess grease and the add onion, garlic, jalapeno and Essence. Cook the mixture for 3 to 5 minutes or until the onion has softened. Add the peas, tomatoes, mushroom soup, chicken soup and enchilada sauce. Add a few dashes of hot sauce. Simmer until warm, about 10 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Tear the tortillas into large pieces. Grease the bottom of a large casserole dish with butter and then line the bottom with the torn tortilla pieces. Spoon on the ground beef mixture into a thin layer and then add a layer of cheese. Add another layer of tortillas and repeat with the beef mixture, finishing with a layer of cheese on top. Cover the casserole dish with foil to prevent the cheese from burning and place in the oven. Cook for 35 to 45 minutes. Remove from the oven, cut slices approximately 2 by 2 inches and serve. Garnish with chopped green onion.
Sunday, 19 April 2009
Lacey Chocolate Pancakes With Fresh Strawberry Sauce
strawberry SAUCE INGREDIENTS
10 ounces fresh strawberries
1 cup water
1 1/2 tablespoons cornflour
1 tsp honey
DIRECTIONS
Simmer strawberries in the water until tender but not soft - approx 5 minutes.
Mix the cornflour with a little cold water, then mix it into the strawberry mixture.
Bring to a boil again, stirring constantly.
Add honey before removing from heat & set aside.
CHOCOLATE PANCAKE INGREDIENTS
2/3 cup plain flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 egg + 1 egg white
1/4 cup sunflower oil
1/4 cup milk
DIRECTIONS
Place all ingredients in a liquidiser. Whizz until completely smooth & the batter is creamy.
Remove liquidiser jug from base & place in fridge for 45 minutes.
Lightly grease, then heat a frying pan over medium-high heat & pour a small amount of batter into the pan. Quickly rotate the pan so that the batter evenly coats the base of the pan.
Cook until bottom of pancake is lightly crisped then flip over & cook the other side.
When done remove from pan & place in a warm oven until you’ve finished cooking the remaining pancakes.
DECORATION
1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled & sliced
5 whole strawberries
icing sugar, to dust.
DIRECTION
Serve the pancakes by slicing the strawberries thinly & laying inside the crepes, spoon on a little sauce then fold & top with more sauce & a dusting of icing sugar.
CUSHY'S TIP
1. To make the pancakes truly lacey, thin the batter slightly with a little extra milk & be carefully to add just enough batter to the pan to coat it.
2. To make this even more delicious, add a little whipped cream to the pancakes & top with grated dark chocolate or fresh chocolate cream sauce (mix 1/2 cup double cream with 1 small bar of melted dark chocolate)
3. To turn this into tempting dessert, serve with homemade vanilla ice cream & the chocolate sauce.
Marinated lamb chops with chargrilled field mushrooms and garlic butter
Ingredients
For the marinated lamb chops
4 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
large sprig fresh thyme
large sprig fresh rosemary
8 lamb chops
salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the garlic butter
150g/5½oz unsalted butter, softened
2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
1 tbsp fresh flatleaf parsley, chopped
For the mushrooms
8 fresh field mushrooms, stalks removed
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Method
1. For the marinated lamb chops, pour three tablespoons of olive oil into a deep dish or tray and add the sliced garlic.
2. Rub the thyme and rosemary between your hands to help release the herbs' aromatic oils, before placing into the oiled dish.
3. Place the lamb chops on top of the herbs and garlic before covering with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Cover and place into a fridge to marinate overnight.
4. For the garlic butter, mix the butter and crushed garlic in a bowl with the parsley.
5. For the field mushrooms, spoon the garlic butter mix into the underside of the mushrooms. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
6. Preheat a barbecue until the coals are white hot. (Alternatively, cook on a very hot griddle pan or under a high grill.)
7. Remove the lamb chops from the marinade and drain off any excess oil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place onto the barbecue with a sprig of rosemary over each chop and cook to your liking.
8. Meanwhile, place the mushrooms onto the barbecue, buttered side up, and cook slowly.
9. To serve, place the mushrooms and lamb chops onto a serving plate
Friday, 17 April 2009
Spicy chicken kebabs
you might want to double the amount you make as these go quick
Stuff you need
3 garlic cloves , roughly chopped
knob of fresh ginger , roughly chopped, plus extra to serve
1 orange , grated zest and juice
3 spring onions , roughly chopped
2 tbsp clear honey
1 tbsp light soy sauce
2 tbsp vegetable oil
4 small skinless boneless chicken breast fillets , cut into cubes
20 button mushrooms
20 cherry tomatoes
2 large red peppers , seeded and each cut into 10
METHOD
1.Grind the garlic, ginger, orange zest and spring onions to a paste in a food processor. Add the honey, orange juice, soy sauce and oil, then blend again. Pour the mixture over the cubed chicken and leave to marinate for at least 1 hr, but preferably overnight. Toss in the mushrooms for the last half an hour so they take on some of the flavour, too.
2.Thread the chicken, tomatoes, mushrooms and peppers onto 20 wooden skewers, then cook on a griddle pan for 7-8 mins each side or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and golden brown. Turn the kebabs frequently and baste with the marinade from time to time until evenly cooked. Arrange on a platter, scatter with chopped spring onion and eat with your fingers.
Thursday, 16 April 2009
Orange Creamed Rice in Dark Chocolate Cups
1/4 cup short-grain pudding rice
2 1/2 cups milk
2 tablespoons honey
2/3 cup cream zest of 1 small orange, finely grated
100g dark chocolate (good quality, at least 65%)
4 Physalis
Mix rice with the milk & orange zest in a large saucepan & bring to the boil.
Immediately reduce the heat, cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer VERY gently for 1 hour, stirring regularly.
Remove the lid and continue cooking and stirring for around 20 minutes or until the rice is creamy.
Add cream & honey and simmer for 5 more minutes.
Set the creamed rice aside to cool. Once cooled enough, place in fridge to chill.
Melt the chocolate in a bowl over simmering water. Gently dip the physalis in the chocolate then place on aluminium foil to set.
With the remaining chocolate, paint 4 paper muffin cases using a pastry brush. You will need 2 coats of chocolate to produce a strong cup. Set aside & allow to cool.
Once the creamed rice has chilled, spoon it into the chocolate cups & top with the physalis.
1. For an alternative decoration, you can leave the physalis plain or dip in white chocolate. You can also top with grated chocolate.
2. For added effect, make the 2nd chocolate coat with white chocolate.
3. Intensify the orange flavour with a drop of orange oil or Cointreau
4. If you’re pushed for time, use a good quality canned creamed rice & add the zest.
the chicken mayo burger the cushy way
cut lettuce in to strips
and cheeper
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
Egg & Bacon Pie
500g puff pastry
Line a 20cm pie plate with the pastry.
Remove rind and extra fat from bacon. Chop and fry for 3 minutes. Allow to cool then place half the bacon in the base of pie plate.
Break the eggs into pie one at a time (be carefull not not to break the yolks).
Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with remaining bacon and the parsley.
Cover the pie with remaining pastry, press edges together well and trim.
Brush with beaten egg yolk and water; decorate top if desired.
Bake in a hot oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to moderate and cook for a further 15-20 minutes.
Monday, 13 April 2009
MY NANA YATES GOOD OLD APPLE CRUMBLE
Hidden vegetable bolognaise
1tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped (90g)
1 small leek, thinly sliced (35g)
½ stick celery, diced (15g)
¼ small red pepper, diced (25g)
1 small carrot, peeled and grated (30g)
½ eating apple, peeled, cored and grated (75g)
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 x 400g/14oz tin chopped tomatoes
450g/1lb minced beef
4 tbsp tomato puree
2 tbsp tomato ketchup
250ml/9fl oz beef stock
¼ tsp dried oregano
1
Heat the oil in a large frying pan and sauté the vegetables, apple and garlic for 10 minutes, until soft. Transfer to a blender and add the tomatoes then whiz until smooth.
2
Wipe the pan out with a piece of kitchen paper then add the mince and fry over a medium-high heat, breaking the mince up with a wooden spoon, until browned (you may need to do this in two batches). If your child likes a finer texture then you can transfer the browned mince to a food processor and whiz until well chopped.
3
Add the tomato and vegetable sauce to the mince then stir in the tomato puree, ketchup, stock and oregano.
4
Bring to a simmer and cook for 40-45 minutes, until the sauce is thick. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Friday, 10 April 2009
Chicken Chow Mein
4 teaspoons sherry
4 teaspoons light soy sauce
2 clove garlic, crushed
2 teaspoon grated root ginger
4 chicken fillets, thinly sliced
1 pack medium egg noodles (for 4)
2 carrots, peeled
4 oz mange tout, topped and tailed
8 spring onions
4 oz broccoli
3 oz green cabbage
4 oz bean sprouts
oil
2 tablespoon oyster sauce
2 teaspoons sesame oil
Diagonally halve the mange tout and slice the remaining vegetables into similar shapes or sizes. Cook the noodles as stated on the packet. Drain.
Heat some oil in a wok and fry the chicken and its marinade for 4-5 minutes until the chicken is browned. Add the carrots, mange tout, spring onions and broccoli and stir fry for 2-3 minutes. Add the cabbage, bean sprouts, oyster sauce, sesame oil and noodles and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes.
Serve immediately.
Thursday, 9 April 2009
Beef Bourguignon II
30 g all-purpose flour
6 g salt
1 g ground black pepper
905 g cubed stew meat
55 g butter
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
475 ml red wine
1 bay leaf
10 g chopped fresh parsley
0.7 g dried thyme
1 (6 ounce) can sliced mushrooms
1 (16 ounce) can canned onions
In a small bowl, combine the flour, salt and ground black pepper. Coat the beef cubes with this mixture.
Melt the butter or margarine in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the meat and brown well on all sides. Pour this into a 2 quart casserole dish.
Return the skillet to the heat and add the onion, carrots and garlic to it. Saute for 5 to 10 minutes, or until onion is tender. add the wine, bay leaf, parsley, thyme, and liquid from the mushrooms. Pour over meat.
Bake, covered, at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 2 1/2 hours. Remove cover, add canned onions and mushroom crowns, and bake for 30 more minutes. it might take a long time to cook
PREP TIME
20 Min
COOK TIME
3 Hrs
READY IN
3 Hrs 20 Min
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Cushy's spainish chicken pie with salad
1kg potatoes , chopped
3 tsp paprika (use smoked paprika if you have it)
2 tsp olive oil
2 onions , sliced
2 garlic cloves , crushed
2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
300g cooked chicken , shredded
140g roasted peppers from a jar, sliced (we like Karyatis)
handful Kalamata olives , halved
Method
1.Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Boil the potatoes for 15-20 mins until tender. Drain, return to the pan, then mash with some seasoning and 2 tsp of the paprika.
2.Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large pan, then fry the onions and garlic for a few mins until softened. Stir in the remaining paprika for 1 min, add the tomatoes , then, bring to a simmer. Tip into a large ovenproof dish, then stir in the chicken, peppers, olives and some seasoning.
3.Spoon over the mash, then bake for 15 mins until the mash is golden on top and the sauce is bubbling.
4. serve up with salad
or try
Make it with tuna
Make the mash as before. Heat the tomatoes and paprika with the onion and garlic, then stir in 2 x 200g cans yellowfin tuna in spring water, drained, a 198g can sweetcorn, drained, 100g frozen peas and the pepper. Top with mash in an ovenproof dish, then cook as before.
Sunday, 5 April 2009
cushy's African Chicken
Frozen Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs
In mixing bowl, combine pepper, onion, lime juice, ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper; set aside.
In a large nonstick skillet, over medium-high heat, heat oil.
Turn chicken and add reserved vegetable mixture.
Serve over rice.
Thursday, 2 April 2009
Peach Oatmeal Muffins
1 (16ounce)can peaches , drain and diced small
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour , see note
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4-1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4-1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup oatmeal , old fashionedor quick oats , not instant
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup oil
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Mix together dry ingredients, stir in oats and peaches.
Mix together eggs, oil and milk, stir into flour and mix gently just until flour is incorporated; don’t over mix lumpy is ok.
Pour into greased muffin cups - I dislike muffin papers - don’t grease if you use them.
Bake 15- 18 minutes until done and muffin springs bake when lightly touched.
Note: Whole wheat pastry flour is easily found in most health food stores and some grocers, King Arthur White Wheat Flour is also good. Both of these give your muffins a lighter texture while still providing good nutrition.
If using blueberries use about 1 1/2 cups.