Sunday, November 8, 2009

Stuffed Bell Peppers


"Stuffed Bell Peppers"

Note: This is a hard recipe that might take from 45 minutes to 1 hour!

Ingredients:
  • 4x large bell peppers (Cut top offs and remove seeds)
  • 1 cup of Quinoa (Rinse and drained)
  • 1 cup of Buckwheat groats
  • 5 cups of Vegetable broth
  • 6-8 Sun-dried Tomatoes
  • 1x onion (Chopped)
  • 3-4 cloves of garlic (chopped)
  • Rosemary, Basil, Oregano to taste
  • 1 cup of tomato puree
  • 1x egg white
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
  • In a sauce pan bring to a boil 2x cups of broth, when it starts boiling throw in the quinoa and the tomatoes. Cover and let it simmer for 12 minutes
  • Add Buchwheat groats to 1x egg white and mix it until the groats are fully coated. Then put the mixture in a frying pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes stirring it all very well. Add 1 1/2 of the broth, the onion, garlic and the spices. Let it simmer for 10-12 minutes with the pan covered.
  • Place the Quinoa in a bowl, add the buckwheat, 1x cup of tomato puree and mix it all. Spoon this mixture into the bell peppers and cover them with the pepper tops.
  • In a large pot with a steamer tray, take all the left broth and add some water until it touched the bottom of the steamer. Finally place the peppers into the pot, secure lid and brin to a boil, leaving it simmer for 20-30 minutes.
Buen apetito!!

Vegetable Quinoa Salad


"Vegetable Quinoa Salad"

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup of Quinoa (rinsed and drained)
  • 1x tomato (chopped)
  • 1/2 cup of parsley
  • 1/4 cucumber (chopped)
  • 1/3 cup Bell peppers (Red, green and/or yellow, chopped)
  • 3x tablespoons of olive oil
  • 2x tablespoons of lemon juice
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • Dried Lavender flowers (optional)
Directions:
  • In a large pot bring quinoa and water to a boil at medium heat. Reduce heat and boil gently for 10 to 15 minutes or until the white germ separates from the seed. Cover, remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes. Remove lid, let cool.
  • Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine tomatoes, parsley, cucumber and bell peppers. Stir in cooled quinoa.
  • Prepare the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, hot pepper flakes (if using), salt, pepper and lavender.
  • Pour vinaigrette over salad and toss to coat.
Enjoy!!

If you are having trouble cooking quinoa, here is a video that might help you out:

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Italian Tuna Salad


"Italian Tuna Salad"

Ingredients:
  • 1/2 red onion
  • 1/2 cup of chopped scallions
  • 4x cherry tomatoes (sliced)
  • 1x can of tuna
  • 1/2 cup of basil (chopped)
  • 1/2 cup of parsley (chopped)
  • 3x tablespoons of olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Next:
  • In a bowl toss in the tuna, the scallions, tomatoes, 1/2 the onion, basil and parsley and mix all very well
  • Add the salt and pepper, then add all the rest of the ingredients
Enjoy!!

(A slight variation on this recipe)

Avocado Chicken Salad


"Avocado Chicken Salad"

Ingredients:
  • 1x canned chicken or cooked chicken
  • 1x avocado (sliced)
  • 1x celery sticks (chopped)
  • 1/2 red onion (chopped)
  • 1/2 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2x teaspoons of paprika (optional)
  • 2x tablespoons of yogurt
Directions:
  • Toss in the chicken in a plate and slice it up
  • In a large bowl put in the chicken, the onions, the celery, the yogurt, the avocado and then mix it all
  • Add the salt, pepper, lemon juice and the paprika
Buen Provecho!!

Caesar salad


"Caesar salad"

Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup of sliced Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 a round lettuce
  • 1 cup of croutons (bread cubes)
  • 3x anchovies in oil chopped (optional)
  • 1x lemon or 1/4 cup of lemon juice
  • 4x teaspoons of olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2x tablespoons of Mustard (preferably Dijon)
  • 1x egg yolk
  • 1x garlic clove chopped
  • 1/2 cup of fresh parsley (optional)
What now?
  • For the dressing add in a bowl the egg yolk, mustard, anchovies, garlic, lemon juice, the olive oil and grated parmesan then mix them all very well (can be done with a blender)
  • In a large bowl spread the lettuce leaves then put the sliced parmesan on top, the croutons, add the dressing and finally top it with some fresh parsley.
Buon appetito!!

Monday, November 2, 2009

Korean Potato Salad


Korean Potato Salad

Ingredients:
  • 3-5x large potatoes (chopped)
  • 1x apple (sliced)
  • 1x pear (sliced)
  • 1x celery stick (chopped)
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • Toasted sesame seeds (optional)
  • 1 cup of mayonnaise
  • 2x tablespoons of brown sugar
Next:
  • Boil water in a large pan and cook the potatoes 8-10 minutes, then drain them and let them cool (in the refrigerator for 10 minutes).
  • In a large bowl mix the mayonnaise and the sugar for dressing. Then add all the ingredients to the bowl and mix them all very well, finally garnish with sesame seeds.
잘 먹겠습니다!!

Greek Salad


"Greek Salad"

Ingredients:
  • Lettuce
  • 1/2 onion (green or red)
  • 1x tomato
  • 1x cucumber
  • 1/3 cup kalamata olives
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese
Directions:
  • Wash all the vegetables, then chop the onion and slice the tomato and cucumber into small cubes.
  • Put the lettuce in a large bowl then add the tomato, cucumber, olives and onion. Mix them all very well then finally crumble the feta cheese and put it on top.
Καλή όρεξη!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Brocoli Salad


"Brocoli Salad"

Ingredients:
  • 1x head of broccoli
  • 1/2 onion (chopped)
  • 1 cup of crumbled bacon
  • 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup of mayonnaise
  • 3x teaspoons of sugar
  • 1x tablespoons of vinegar
Next step:
  • Chop 3-5 slices of bacon into small squares, then fry them in a frying pan.
  • (optional) Cook the broccoli in boiled water.
  • In a large bowl toss in the broccoli, onion, bacon and cheddar cheese then mix everything together.
  • For the dressing pour the mayonnaise, the sugar and the vinegar in a small bowl and mix them well. Then pour it all over the salad.
Enjoy!!

Bean Salad


"Bean Salad"

Ingredients:
  • 2x cans of beans (black, white or red)
  • 1x celery stick
  • 1/2 a bell pepper (green or red)
  • 1x tomato
  • 1x corn
  • 2x tablespoons of olive oil
  • 2x teaspoons of oregano
  • Salt to taste
What now?
  • Drain and clean the beans with water, then put them in a large bowl. Chop the celery stick, pepper and the tomato, mix them all together with the beans.
  • The corn can be either cooked in boiled water or grilled. With a knife spread the corn on top of the salad. Finally add the olive oil and the oregano.
Bon appetit!!

Tomato Salad


"Tomato Salad"

Ingredients:
  • 1x tomato
  • 2x teaspoons of balsamic vinegar
  • 4x teaspoons of olive oil
  • 1/2 cup of feta cheese or mozzarella
  • 1/3 cup of fresh basil leaves
  • variety of salad green vegetables (lettuce, parsley, cabbage, etc.)

  • Salt to taste
Directions:
  • Spread the greens on a large plate and slice the tomato and put them on top.
  • Crumble the feta cheese or slice the mozzarella and mix them over the plate
  • In a bowl mix the vinegar, olive oil and salt, add the mixture to the salad and finally chop the basil and spread it over the salad. (You might want to add some herbs such as thyme or oregano)
Have a good appetite!!

Cumin grilled chicken


"Cumin Grilled Chicken"

Ingredients

  • 2x boneless chicken breast
  • 2x teaspoons of olive oil
  • 1x teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste
What next?!
  • Combine the cumin, olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl, mix them all well and then apply the mixture on each side of the chicken breasts.
  • Pre-heat the grilling pan on high heat for 2 minutes, grill the chicken for about 4-5 minutes each side.
  • Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes.
Eat up!

If you are having trouble grilling check out this video!!

Sweet Chicken Bacon Wraps


"Sweet Chicken Bacon Wraps"

Ingredients:

  • 2x boneless chicken breasts
  • 3x slices of bacon
  • 1/3 cup of brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder

Next:

  • Preheat oven to 350F.
  • Cut the chicken breasts in 6 small cubes and slice the bacon pieces into half, then wrap each chicken cube with the bacon (secure each piece with a wooden pick)
  • In a large bowl mix the chili powder and sugar. Toss in the chicken pieces into the bowl.
  • Spray some nonstick cooking spray on a baking pan (if you don't have cooking spray then just put a sheet of aluminum on the bottom of the pan), then place the chicken on the rack in broiler pan. Let it cook in the oven for 30-35 minutes at 350F.
Relish!!

Chicken Pot Pie


"Chicken Pot Pie"

Ingredients:
  • Refrigerated Pie Crust
  • 1/3 cup of butter
  • 1/2 onion
  • 1/3 cup of flour
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup of milk
  • 1/2 cup of chicken broth
  • 2 cups of shredded cooked chicken
  • 2 cups of frozen vegetables
Recipe :
  • Pre-heat the Oven at 425F
  • Melt the butter in a large tall pan at medium / high heat, then put in the onion and stir it for 2 minutes. Then add the flour, salt and pepper cook it for 3 minutes. Pour in the chicken broth and milk. When the sauce is thickened toss in the chicken and finally the vegetables, mix it all very well. Remove the pan from the heat.
  • In a pie plate, roll out the pie crust and spread the sauce in it, then cover it with another pie crust. At the top of the crust cut some strips and tuck the edges.
  • Put it in the oven for 30-45 minutes
Enjoy!!