Beef broth made into two course dinner

I love good comforting food on Sundays, but preferably something that doesn't require me to spend my entire morning at the stove chopping, stirring and cooking. And of course it shouldn't cost a fortune.

Well, this recipe is the perfect choice! You just have to throw everything in a pot, let it simmer for about 2-3 hours and that's it :) And if you add a few more minutes you can turn it into a two course meal!



 Ingredients:
appr. 500gr rib steak with bone in, but if you use 1kg it's even better!
1 onion lef whole
1 garlic clove, unpeeled
8-10 black peppercorns
1 small bay leaf
1 tsp salt
 a generous pinch chilli flakes
1 potato
1 tomato (I used two cherry tomatoes that were lurking at the back of the fridge)
1kg carrot, peeled
500gr parsnip, peeled
small bunch of celery
If you can get them a small piece of savoy cabbage and a small kohl-rabi would give extra depth of flavour.
A big bunch of parsley, finely chopped for sprinkling

Put all the ingredients, except the parsley in a big pot. Add enough water to cover everything and about an inch more. Bring to the boil and simmer on a low heat for 2-3 hours.

 When everything is cooked through pour the broth through a sieve and sprinkle the chopped parsley on top.

 Serve the veg on a separate tray so everyone can take as much or little as they want.

For the second course, reserve your meat. Boil a few spuds in their skins and serve with the meat. You can serve some sauce (gooseberry is delicious!), or mayo, or horseradish sauce with it, maybe some salad.
Enjoy!

Oh, and don't forget the dessert! ;) Like my world's best chocolate cake...

Mediterranean chicken

If you have stuck for dinner ideas for today you still have time to get the ingredients for this simple and delicious dish! It's ready in about an hour and you just have to throw the ingredients into a large tray, pop into the oven then sit back and relax until it's done.

I have seen a few versions of this kind of dish (chicken + spicy sausage + some other ingredients), this is the way I make it :)

Ingredients (feeds 4 people):
1 kg chicken drumsticks
1 kg baby potatoes, washed
1 carrot, peeled and sliced
250 - 400 g baby tomatoes
2 red onions, thickly sliced
about 15 cm ( :D ) chorizo or other spicy sausage, sliced
50 ml olive oil
1 tsp red paprika
salt, pepper

Wash all the ingredients and pop them into a large baking tray. Mix the oil, paprika, salt and ppaprika and mix well with the meat and veg using your hands. Bake in a pre-heated oven (200 C) for abot 45-60 mins, until brown all over on the top.
Serve with a green salad and enjoy!

 

My first try with liver - a success

When I was a kid my Mum used to make a lovely liver dish with potatoes. I just simply loved it! However, after getting married and starting to cook myself I never had the courage to make something with liver. It seemed difficult to prepare and I never saw nice looking liver in the shops. Then a few weeks ago I went into a local butchers. And there it was. The nicest liver I've ever seen. Already cleaned and sliced. So I dug out that old recipe and gave it a go. The result? It disappeared in a few minutes.

So here is the secret recipe for you all:
Ingredients:
1 large omion, thinly sliced
1 tbsp oil
1 heaped tsp red paprika
1-2 peppers, sliced
1-2 tomatoes, chopped
250 gr calf liver, sliced into long strips
salt, pepper
For the potatoes:
2 large onions, finely chopped
1 kg potatoes, diced
2 tbsp olive oil or some lard
salt

Heat the olive oil in a large fying pan or saucepan. Add the onions and sautee until starts to brown. Add the potatoes and the salt, reduce the heat and cover with the lid. You can add a little water so the spuds wont burn. Simmer with the lid on until the potatoes are soft. If you can use an iron pan you can sear the potatoes, it will be most delicious!
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large frying pan. Add the onion and sautee until they soften. Take off the heat and stir in the paprika. Add the peppers and tomatoes and put back on the heat. Cook, stirring frequently until they are almost soft, then stir in the liver. Cook for about 8 minutes, until done. Do not overcook, as the liver will be very tough then. Take off the heat and season with salt and pepper. Serve with the onion potatoes.
It's really yummy with some pickles like gherkins or sauerkraut :P

Pancake Tuesday recipe I.

I just realized Pancake Tuesday is next week this year!!! So, I dug out a few of my fancy pancake recipes ;) This one is excellent for dinner (we are having it right now with the girls!) or for a light lunch. It's inspired by a friend's recipe I learnt at a pancake party :D

Ingredients:

1 tbsp butter

1 onion, finely diced

125g mushrooms, chopped

salt, pepper

dried parsley, appr. 1 tbsp

3 tbsp soured cream

50ml cream

1 tbsp flour

5 thick pancakes

for the sauce:

1 egg

3-4 tbsp soured cream

3-4 tbsp cream

salt

grated cheese to sprinkle on top

 Heat the butter in a large frying pan. Add the onion and sautee until softens. Ad the mushrooms, salt, pepper, parsley and cook, stirring continuosly until mushroom is done.

 Sprinkle with ther flour, stir and add the soured cream and cream. Simmer on a low heat, stirring frequently until thickens.

 Mix together the topping ingredients in a bowl with a fork.

 Spread some of the mushroom mixture on each pancake and fold like a burrito.

 Place them into a buttered ovenproof dish.

 Pour over the sauce and sprinkle with the cheese.

Put in a pre-heated (200 C) oven and cook far 20 mins or until sauce has set and top is golden.
Enjoy!

Creamy courgette chicken

I learnt the original version of this recipe from a friend. It has been cooked in my kitchen several times since - despite my elder girl not liking the courgette, but I keep trying... 

A veru quick and simple recipe, but great flavours!

 Ingredients:
2-3 tbsp olive oil
400g chicken breast fillet, cubed
3 courgettes
2 garlic cloves
1 heaped tsp dill
1/2 tsp lovage
1 good pinch powdered rosmary
1 heaped tsp parsley
salt, pepper
1/2 tub soured cream
2 tbsp flour
250 ml cream
500g pasta, cooked to packet instructions

 Cut the courgettes into quarters then slice them.

 Heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the chicken until starts to brown. Add the crushed garlic cloves and cook, stirring, for a minute.

 Add the courgettes and all the spices.

 In a bowl mix the soured cream, flour and cream.

 Stir the mixture into the chicken and courgettte and bring to the boil. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, then take of the heat.

Enjoy!

Mexican pork

Another mouthwatering recipe for winter. I really love the cinnamon in it!

 Ingredients:
1 red onion, finely chopped
half green pepper, diced (or you can slice it into long strips, but I tried to hide this as kids won't eat it if spotted)
2-3 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground coriander
pinch of ground cumin
1 tsp paprika
generous pinc of chilli flakes
1 packet (appr. 500g) pork chops, sliced into thin strips
1 tin chopped tomatoes
1 large carrort, finely grated
1 tin red kidney beans. rinsed
salt, pepper

 Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan. Add the onion and pepper and cook until soften.

 Take off the heat, add the paprika, stir the add the meat and other spices, stir again and put back on the heat. Cook until pork is almost done.

 Add the beans, carrot, chopped tomatoes. Stir, and simmer for 15-20 mins.

Serve with rice, a green salad and a tortilla and top with soured cream.
Enjoy!

Tulip Cottage Pie

This is one of my favourite winter recipes. Comfort food at its best!

Ingredients:
2-3 tbsp oil
2 onions, finely choopped
4 celery stalks, chopped
half a pepper, diced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
500g minced beef
4 carrots, diced
250g mushrooms, chopped
1 tbsp flour
1 cup stock
2 tbsp tomato puree
4-5 large potatoes, cooked
appr. 25g butter
milk
1 cup grated chese
salt, pepper

 Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Add the onions and saute until softened. Add the celery, pepper and garlic. Cook until starts to soften.

 Add the mince and cook until brown. Break up any lumps with a wooden spatula.

 Add your veg and cook until soft.

 Sprinkle with flour, stir then add the stock and tomato puree. Simmer for about 30 mins on low heat.

 When done put the mixture in an oven-proof dish. Mash the potatoes in a bowl with the butter and enough to milk to make it nice and creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste a nd a small handful of grated cheese. Spread this on top of your mince mixture. Sprinkle grated cheese on top and into the oven! Best to pre-heat it to 200 C and cook your pie until the top is golden and mixture bubbles (appr. 30 mins).

Hmm, yummy! Serve with a green salad.

Oriental pork stir fry

This recipe contains plenty of veg, some meat and is bursting with flavours.  A definite hit for the dinner table! My kids love it - except the bits of onion it, but hey, noone can like everything! :D And they still eat the rest of it. Especially the 'little trees'!

Ingredients:
400g pork chops
2-3 tbsp honey
1 lemon zest and juice
2 small red chillies
appr. 5 tbsp soy sauce
2-3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 head of broccoli, broken into florets
3 onions, thinlky sliced
1 pepper (any colour :) )
4-5 carrots, thinly slices
2 handfuls of green beans
a packet of mushrooms (appr. 250g)

 Deseed and chop the chillies.

 Cut the chops into thin strips and mix with the honey, chillies, crushed garlic, lemon juice and zest and soy sauce. Leave to marinade for 30 mins at least but best for overnight.

 Chop and wash your veg.

 Heat a little oil in the wok or a large heavy based frying pan and cook the pork, adding all of the marinade as well, until cooked through.

 Add the vegetables and stir.

 Cook until veggies start to get tender. Serve with boiled rice and extra soy sauce!

Goulash Soup

This is one of my favourite meals, doesn't take too long to make - you just let it simmer on the stove and sew away... ehm, I mean, go about your chores in the house - doesn't cost a fortune and packed full of protein, iron, vitamins and all!

Ingredients:
2-3 tbsp oil
3 medium onions, finely chopped
1/2 red bell pepper
1 tomato, chopped or a tsp tomato puree
2-3 tsp paprika (you can be generous, it gives a full flavour and a deep colour to your soup!)
600-800 g stewing steak, cut into 1,5 cm cubes
2-3 celery stalks or 1/2 a small celeriac
8-10 medium carrots, chopped
4-5 turnips, chopped
a good pinch of ground cumin, or a few whole ones
10 peppercorns
salt
4-5 biggish potatoes, peeled and chopped

 Heat the oil in a large (and I MEAN LARGE!) pot. Add the onion and cook until softens. Add the finely chopped pepper and tomato.

 Take off the heat - otherwise the paprika would burn and turn bitter - and stir in the paprika.

 Put in the meat, stir and put back on high heat. I usually put in the celery here, or ou can put it in at the next step.You can add about half a cup of water, so it wouldn't burn. Lower the heat, place a lid on and simmer until the meat is tender.

 When the meat is done add the cumin, peppercorns, carrots, turnips.Stir, add more water and cok until the vegetables are done. Season with salt. Add the potatoes for the last 10 mins.

Ladle into soup bawls and serve with crusty bread!

This quantity serves 8 persons or 4 persons for 2 days. This is very nice the next day, too.
And when you don't have to cook you can do more crafting with the kids ;) I'm just not sure who enjoys it more, my little one or me...

From yet another of her fairy craft books...

Pork with walnut sauce

This is a delicious recipe, it is the best served with mashed potatoes, but very nice with pasta too.

 Ingredients:

600g pork loin

500ml milk

a good handful walnut

2 tbsp flour

2 garlic cloves

1 bayleaf

1 tsp herbes de Provance or thyme

20g butter

olive oil

salt and pepper

 Heat the oil in a large frying pan and brown the meat all over.

 Place the meat in a cooking bag (the one you can put into the oven) with pepper, bayleaf, milk, garlic. Tie close and cut one corner of the bag. Place in a pre-heated (190 C) oven and bake for about 30 mins or until the meat is cooked.

 Heat the butter in pan and when hot add the flour and stir. Add the milk from the bag and simmer slowly, constantly stirring until it thickens.

 Take off the heat, stir in the walnuts and blizz with a blender until smooth.

Serve with some salad.

If you have leftover sauce it's delicious with pasta the next day!