Quick and Easy

Sweet Corn, Peppers and Black Bean Salad

Getting Started

What You’ll Need

  • 1 dozen ears fresh picked sweet corn
  • 2 teaspoons cider vinegar
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 teaspoons Tajin Seasoning
  • 1 sweet banana pepper
  • 2 red hot peppers
  • 1 jalapeno pepper
  • 1 sweet banana pepper
  • 2 red hot peppers
  • 1 jalapeno pepper
  • 1 15 oz. can black beans
  • 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped

Method

1

Bring a large stock pot of water to boil; add corn and cook for 8-10 minutes; drain and cool corn under cold water. When corn is cool enough to handle cut the kernels off the cobs and place in a large mixing bowl.

2

Whisk together the oil, vinegar, cumin, salt, pepper and Tajin seasoning; set aside

3

Chop the peppers into small pieces; add to the corn along with the can of beans.

4

Gently stir in the oil mixture and refrigerate for 1-2 hours
Top with fresh cilantro before serving


Sweet Corn, Peppers and Black Bean Salad Read More »

Swiss Chard with Ham and Beans

Ingredients

What You’ll Need

  • 2 stalks celery plus some light green leaves (chopped)
  • 3 green onions (chopped)
  • 3-4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 quarts low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 Tablespoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 medium size bunch of Rainbow Swiss Chard
  • (chop stems and leaves)
  • 1 15 .5 oz. can Cannellini beans
  • 2 cups cooked smoked ham (chopped)

Method

1

1 15 .5 oz. can Cannellini beans

2

2 cups cooked smoked ham (chopped)

3

In a large stock pot heat the oil and saute the celery, green onions and garlic for 1-2 minutes till fragrant. Add the chicken broth, seasonings and stems of the Swiss Chard; cook over medium heat for 10-12 minutes with lid tilted.

4

Add the Swiss Chard leaves, beans and ham; reduce heat to simmer; tilt the lid and cook for an additional 25-30 minutes; stir occasionally.

5

Serve with crunchy bread for dipping.
Grated Parmesan cheese works well as a garnish.


Swiss Chard with Ham and Beans Read More »

Spicy Linguine with Swiss Chard and Mint Pesto

Ingredients

What You’ll Need

  • 9 large cloves garlic (roasted)
  • 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts (divided)
  • 4 serving amt. of Linguine noodles
  • 2 cups Swiss Chard cut into strips
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil2 green onions (chopped)
  • 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (drained)
  • 2 Tablespoons Mint Pesto (recipe below)
  • ½ tablespoon Chipotle Pepper flakes (or any hot pepper flakes)
  • 5-6 tablespoons grated Parmesan Cheese (for garnish)
  • For Mint Pesto
  • 6 cloves of roasted garlic
  • ¼ cup toasted pine nuts
  • 1 ½ cups fresh mint leaves
  • ¾ cup fresh flat leaf parsley leaves
  • ½ teaspoon coarse salt
  • ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Method

1

Roast garlic by cutting in half; drizzle with olive oil and wrap in aluminum foil. Bake at 325 degrees for 40-45 minutes till soft and fragrant. Remove from oven; set aside and allow to cool.

2

Wrap the leftover cloves in a small plastic bag and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

3

Toast 1/2 cup pine nuts at 350 degrees on a small baking pan for 10-15 minutes or till just a light golden brown. Remove and cool.

4

Boil pasta noodles to al dente according to package directions; add the chopped Swiss Chard 2 minutes before removing from heat; drain noodles and chard; reserve some of the pasta water. Set aside

For Mint Pesto

5

Boil pasta noodles to al dente according to package directions; add the chopped Swiss Chard 2 minutes before removing from heat; drain noodles and chard; reserve some of the pasta water. Set aside

6

In a large deep skillet heat the oil over medium heat; sauté the green onions for 1-2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, smash the remaining roasted garlic cloves and stir into the sauce Simmer for 3-4 minutes till hot. Add the cooked pasta and Swiss Chard, stir in 2-3 Tablespoons pesto and the pepper flakes.

7

oss to coat (Add some pasta water if a thinner sauce is desired) pour onto a large serving platter, top with the additional pine nuts and grated Parmesan cheese; serve immediately.


Spicy Linguine with Swiss Chard and Mint Pesto Read More »

Breakfast in a Shell

 

Breakfast in a Shell

Getting Started

What You’ll Need

  • 1 package Azteca (bakeable) salad shells
  • 10 eggs
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese (plus additional for topping)
  • 1 pound package frozen hash browns
  • 2-3 tablespoons butter
  • 6 slices smoked bacon

Method

1

Bake shells according to package directions; set aside

2

Cut bacon into bite size pieces; cook over medium heat till crisp; drain on a paper towel

3

In a large mixing bowl beat eggs with a whisk or large fork; stir in cheese salt and pepper. Pour eggs and cheese mixture into a large non-stick skillet sprayed with vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon melted butter

4

Note: eggs cook best in two separate batches
Cook eggs slowly over medium to low heat till done; remover from heat

5

Layer the potatoes then eggs, extra cheese and bacon pieces into the baked shell; serve immediately


Alterations: add chopped green onions or chives, sour cream or sausage gravy instead of bacon

Breakfast in a Shell Read More »

Getting Started

What you need

  • 2 cups drained well cooked or canned chick peas, drained
  • 1/2 cup Tahini (sesame paste)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 2-3 cloves of garlic
  • Pinch of salt and cracked black pepper
  • Pinch of salt and cracked black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 cup Toasted Pine nuts
  • Pinch of dried red pepper flakes
  • Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish

Method

1

Place everything (except the cilantro) into the food processor. Start to blend the mixture and drizzle a little water
or extra lemon juice in until a smooth puree.

2

Place in a bowl or on a plate and carve circular groves through the hummus with a table knife.

3

Drizzle with additional olive oil (it will go into the groves) sprinkle with pine nuts, pepper flakes and cilantro.

4

Serve with Naan bread, pretzel chips or nachos


Homemade Hummus Read More »

Chive Salad Dressing

Getting Started

What you need

  • 4 eggs + one for breading
  • 3 slices of bacon cooked
  • 6 slices of Canadian Bacon
  • 1 cup bread crumbs (1/2 regular and 1/2 Panko)
  • 1/2 cup flour

For the sauce

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried celery seeds
  • Pinch of sugar
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 1/2 quarts vegetable oil

Method

1

In a medium size sauce pan bring the eggs to a boil for 10 minutes; remove and place in a bowl of ice water.
Beat the extra egg and set aside
Mix the mayonnaise, mustard, celery seed, sugar, salt and pepper; set aside

2

Cook the bacon just slightly; do not crisp, you want it to have some soft fat. Chop the bacon and Canadian bacon together in a food processor.

3

Remove shells from eggs and roll in flour; then in the beaten egg; press the meat mixture around the egg and press into the crumbs

4

Gently lower the egg into the oil with a slotted spoon; fry at 350 degrees for 30-40 seconds or till just crisp Serve with the creamy mustard sauce


Scotch Eggs with Creamy Mustard Sauce Read More »

Chive Salad Dressing

What You need

  • 2- 2 1/2 pounds Fresh Mussels (beards removed)
  • 4-5 garlic cloves chopped
  • 2-3 hot peppers or chilies
  • 1 red onion chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped bell peppers (yellow, orange and green)
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 2-3 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes with chilies
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1-2 Tablespoons dried cilantro or 3-4 Tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
  • 2- 12 oz bottles of beer (Dos Equis, Modelo, Tecate or Corona’s)
  • 1 lemon or lime

Method

Preparing

1

In a large stock pot over medium to medium high heat melt the butter and olive oil.

2

Add the onions, garlic cloves and peppers;

3

saute until tender, 4-5 minutes; add the canned tomatoes and cumin; continue to cook for 2-3 minutes;

4

Pour the beer into the pot and heat up for 2-3 minutes; add the mussels, give a quick stir and cover.

5

Cook mussels for 8-10 minutes till all are open (discard any that did not open)

6

Add the cilantro; squeeze some lemon or lime juice over them, stir and serve immediately in a large bowl with some of the broth and toasted or crisp bread for dipping.


Drunken Mussels Read More »

 

  • Prep Time5 min
  • Cook Time10 min
  • Total Time15 min
  • Cuisine
    • American
    • French
  • Course
    • Appetizer
    • Breakfast
  • Suitable for Diet
    • Vegetarian
    • Low Salt

For the burger

  • 200g wheat floor
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 3 cups water

For the curry

  • 1 tbsp red chilli powder
  • 1 tea spoon vegetable oil
  • 2 tbsp coconut powder
  • 1 cup water

Preparing the spices

1

Take 8-10 red chillies and grind them in fine powder.

2

Mix chilli powder with 1 tsp vegetable oil and add salt to it.



This is an extra note from author. This can be any tip, suggestion or fact related to the recipe.

Grilled Eggplant and Tomatoes with Rosemary and Feta Read More »

Grilled Scallops with Pepper Citrus Salsa

 

Getting Started

What You’ll Need

  • 1 pound Sea Scallops
  • 3-4 tablespoons melted butter
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 lime
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 half of a fresh orange
  • 1/2 cup fresh pineapple (chopped)
  • 1 medium size ripe tomato (chopped)
  • 1/2 cup onions (chopped)
  • 3 tablespoons mined fresh parsley
  • 2-3 sprigs fresh mint (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon dried chili pepper flakes
  • OR 1-2 tablespoons fresh chillies
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Method

1

In a medium size mixing bowl chop onions, tomatoes and pineapple; add the juice and zest from the lemon, lime

and orange. Gently stir in the parsley, add salt and peppers; toss mint sprigs into salsa; place in an airtight container and chill. Toss salsa several times while chilling and before serving.

2

Drizzle some of the melted butter on scallops and salt; grill scallops at 425 degrees for 3-4 minutes on both sides; brushing with the additional melted butter. Scallops should be opaque when done.

3

Plate scallops on a bed of lettuce leaves or shredded cabbage and top with the Citrus Salsa. Serve immediately


Salsa is best when made ahead; store in refrigerator up to 24 hours

Grilled Scallops with Pepper Citrus Salsa Read More »