Wonton Soup

1.5L (6 cups) chicken stock
1 tablespoon ginger
1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil, plus some to serve
220g packet chicken or prawn wontons
1 bunch baby bok choy, leaves separated
Thinly sliced spring onion, chili and coriander leaves to serve

Place stock in a large pot and bring to a boil. Decrease heat to medium and stir in ginger, soy sauce and sesame oil.

Drop wontons into the stock and simmer for 5 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from the heat and add bok choy and stand until it wilts. Ladle into bowls and garnish with spring onion, chili and coriander. Drizzle extra sesame oil.

Poached eggs and asparagus

4 eggs
2 bunches asparagus
Parmesan cheese

Coat asparagus in olive oil, salt and pepper. Bake at 180 C for 10 minutes.

Poach eggs in boiling water. Drain and place on top of asparagus. Top with cheese and serve immediately.

Prawn and Miso Soup

soba noodles
6 sachets of instant miso soup
400g raw prawns
baby spinach leaves
1 red chili, sliced

Cook noodles, drain and set aside.

Combine soup sachets and 1.5 liters of water in a large saucepan; bring to a boi. Add prawns and cook until they change colour. Stir in spinach, chili and noodles.

Mushroom and Spinach Gnocchi

Potato gnocchi
Assorted fresh mushrooms
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 cup pouring cream
baby spinach leaves
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese

Cook gnocchi according to packet instructions. Set aside.

Cook mushrooms and garlic in pan until softened; add cream and spinach. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer uncovered until spinach wilts. Stir in half the cheese. Add gnocchi to pan and stir gently, top with remaining cheese.

Lemongrass and Lime Prawn

60g butter, softened
20g fresh lemongrass, finely chopped
2 teaspoons finely grated lime rind
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons parsley
500 g uncooked prawns

Beat butter, lemongrass, rind and juice in a small bowl until combined. Stir in parsely. Melt half the butter mixture in a pan and remove from heat. Stir in the prawns.

Grill prawns until changed in colour and top with ramining butter mixture.

Chicken Rigatoni

1 chicken breast, cut into strips
Olive oil
Salt, pepper, garlic, oregano to suit taste
Rigatoni noodles
1/2 cup marinated red peppers, sliced
1/2 cup pepperoncini, sliced
1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
1 cup spaghetti sauce
1 cup grated Parm cheese
1 cup thickened cream

Place chicken strips in boiling water and cook for approximately 10 minutes.

Cook rigatoni as per packet instructions.

In olive oil, sauté garlic with salt, pepper and oregano. Add chicken and cook for 10 minutes, careful not to brown the chicken.

Add peppers, pepperoncini and olives, simmer 5 minutes.

Add thickened cream, spaghetti sauce and parm cheese to skillet. Simmer until cheese is melted. Pour over noodles, stir well and serve.

Mexican Stuffed Shells

1 box large shells (if I can ever find them in Australia)
1/4 teaspoon Mexican chili powder
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups Mexican cheese blend
1 1/2 cups Marinara sauce   1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Combine ricotta, Parmesan, 3/4 cup Mexican cheese, egg, and chili powder. Set aside.

3. Cook noodles until just pliable.

4. Pour about 1/2 cup of sauce in the bottom of 9" x 13" baking dish; spread evenly.

5. Fill each shell with Ricotta mixture.

6. Top evenly with remaining sauce,

7. Sprinkle 3/4 cup Mexican cheese on top of sauce.


Original recipe from here

Chilled Avocado Soup

1 medium poblano chile*
1 small white onion, sliced
2-1/2 cups chicken broth
2 medium firm-ripe avocados pitted, peeled, and cut into large chunks
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 Tbs. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from 2 medium limes)
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. ground coriander
Kosher salt
1/2 cup plain whole-milk yogurt or sour cream
1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

* I won't be able to find the poblano chili in Australia so I will substitute with either a banana pepper or whole jalapenos as I like a bit of heat.

Turn a burner to high and set the poblano directly over the flame, turning it with tongs, until completely charred, 5 to 8 minutes. Put the poblano in a bowl, cover, and set aside to steam and loosen the skin. When cool enough to handle, peel, seed.
Cook onion until soft and browned in places, about 5 minutes.

In a blender, purée until smooth all the poblano, the onion, broth, avocado, cilantro, parsley, marjoram or oregano (if using), 2 Tbs. of the lime juice, cumin, coriander, and 1 tsp. salt. Blend in the yogurt. Season to taste with more salt. Chill well.

Season the soup to taste with salt and thin with broth if necessary. Divide among 6 cups or small bowls and a few pinches of chile powder.

Original recipe from finecooking.com. and can be found here.

Chilled Zucchini Soup

1/4 lb shallots, thinly sliced crosswise (1 cup)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 lb zucchini (3 to 4 medium), peeled chopped
2 (2- by 1 1/2-inch) strips fresh lemon zest
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 3/4 cups chicken broth (14 fl oz)
1 3/4 cups water
1 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
1/2 cup well-shaken buttermilk or plain yogurt


1. Cook shallots in oil in a 4-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.

2. Add zucchini, zest, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until zucchini is softened, about 5 minutes. Add broth and water and simmer until zucchini is tender, about 3 minutes.

3. Purée zucchini mixture, including zest, along with parsley and dill in a blender (in 2 batches if necessary) until smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids). Transfer to a metal bowl, then set bowl into a larger bowl of ice and cold water (to quick-chill). Cool, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.

4. Stir in buttermilk and season with salt.


Recipe from epicurious, found here

Beef Pot Roast

1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1  package dry onion soup mix (I use Korrs)
1 1/4 cups beef stock
900g - 1KG beef blade roast
3 carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
2 onions, halved
6 mushrooms, halved

5 potatoes

Salt and pepper the beef and brown on all sides.

In a slow cooker, mix cream of mushroom soup, dry onion soup mix and stock. Place pot roast in slow cooker and add veggies around the edges, making sure to dunk them in the soup mixture.
Cook on High setting for 3 to 4 hours, or on Low setting for 8 to 9 hours.
20 minutes before serving, peel and cook the potatoes for mashed potatoes.
 
The meat should fall apart and you will have a hard time not drinking the gravy!
 
Recipe adapted from here and tweaked to suit our taste.

Chef John's Macaroni and Cheese

1 (12 ounce) package elbow macaroni
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
3 cups milk
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1 tablespoon butter, melted

 
Preheat oven to 200 degrees C.


Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the macaroni, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked through but still slightly firm, about 8 minutes. Drain well.

Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. When the butter starts to foam and bubble, stir in the flour; cook on medium heat until flour just begins to turn pale yellow, 3 to 4 minutes. Add cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes and white pepper; cook and stir another minute, then whisk in 1 cup of milk until smooth. Pour in remaining milk and whisk again. Bring the sauce just to a simmer.

Stir in Worcestershire sauce and salt; simmer on medium-low heat until thickened, about 8 minutes, whisking often. Turn heat off, then add 2 1/4 cups of Cheddar cheese; stir until melted and combined. Add Dijon mustard.

Transfer the macaroni into a casserole dish, then pour in the cheese sauce; stir to thoroughly combine sauce with pasta. Mix panko bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon melted butter in a small bowl, and sprinkle crumbs on top of macaroni and cheese. Sprinkle remaining 3/4 cup of Cheddar cheese on top.

Bake in the preheated oven until bread crumbs and Cheddar cheese topping are golden brown, about 20 minutes.
 
**Optional - you could add some beer or alternative cheeses as long as it's still 3 cups.
 
Recipe adapted from here.

Chicken Lazone

1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 tsp cayenne pepper
4 whole boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 Tbsp butter
1/2 cup heavy cream


Combine the seasonings in a small dish then sprinkle over chicken in a large ziplock baggie. Mix well.
In large saute pan cook chicken in olive oil over medium heat for about 7 to 8 minutes, turning once.

Pour the cream into the skillet and lower the heat. Simmer for several minutes (it's ok to let it bubble), stirring until the sauce thickens then add the butter.

When butter is melted place chicken breasts on a bed of white rice and top with sauce.

This recipe doesn't sound like much but it is delicious, trust me, go make it!!

Moroccan Spiced Salmon

Marinade/rub for the fish: 1 teaspoon paprika
: 1/2 teaspoon ground tumeric
: 2 teaspoons ground cumin
: 2 garlic cloves
: 1 tablespoon lemon juice
: 1/4 cup fresh coriander
: 1/4 olive oil

Lemon dressing
: 1/2 cup whole egg mayo
: 2 tablespoons sour cream
: chopped coriander
: Juice of lemon & zest

Blitz the marinade ingredients in the food processor until finely chopped.

Rub onto the salmon and set aside covered in the fridge for 30 mins. (or overnight)

In a separate bowl combine the dressing ingredients. (I used Paul Newman's aioli and added a bit of lemon juice and fresh chopped corriander) Mix and set aside.

After 30 mins cook the salmon in a pan with a little bit of oil. Depending on the thickness of the fish, cook about 4 minutes each side.


Recipe from BabyMac here

Mexican Quinoa Salad

1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
1 cup corn, thawed
1 tomato, seeded and diced
1/2 red onion, slivered
2 tablespoons pickled jalapeño, diced
1/4 cup lime juice
1/2 – 1 chipotle chilie in adobo sauce (The dish will be HOT if you use 1)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon honey or agave nectar
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 avocado, diced

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, corn, tomato, red onion and pickled jalapeño.

3. In a blender or food processor, combine lime juice, chipotle Chile, garlic, cilantro, olive oil, honey or agave nectar, cumin and sea salt. Process until mixture is smooth. Toss with quinoa mixture.

5.Plate quinoa and top with avocado and tortilla strips.

Recipe from here

Lasagna Soup

This recipe and photo is from Paula Dean on the food network. Sounds delicious!

1 pound ground chuck
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon thyme
1 tablespoon firmly packed brown sugar
1 (32-ounce) box chicken broth
2 (14.5-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups broken lasagna noodles
1 (5-ounce) package grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
red chili flakes
dollop of ricotta, add directly before serving

Garlic Crostini:
1 thin French baguette
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves smashed garlic

Directions
In a large Dutch oven, combine ground chuck, onion, bell pepper and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until beef is browned and crumbles. Drain well.

Stir in thyme, brown sugar, broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Add noodles, and simmer until noodles are tender. Stir in Parmesan cheese.

Preheat broiler. Ladle soup into 8 to 10 ovenproof bowls. Evenly sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Broil soups, 6-inches from heat, 3 to 4 minutes, until cheese is browned and bubbly. Add a garlic crostini slice on top. Serve immediately. Top with dollop of ricotta.


For the garlic crostini:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cut bread into 1/4-inch round slices. Place on baking sheet and brush each slice with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper; place in oven and bake until golden and crisp, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Rub each side with smashed garlic cloves.

Marinades

Lucy from Diminishing Lucy posted these easy marinade recipes. She suggests chicken but I think some (if not all) would work with beef as well. Go check out her blog to read more!

Lemon and Herb: juice and zest of fresh lemons, Olive oil, fresh thyme and oregano, and black pepper

Teriyaki: juice and zest of fresh oranges, sesame oil, garlic, soy sauce

Chinese: White vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, ground five-spice, garlic, soy sauce, and ground pimento

Mexican: juice and zest of fresh limes, canola oil, garlic, chilli, and Cajun seasoning

BBQ: White vinegar, vegetable oil, brown sugar, tomato ketchup, mustard, salt and paprika

Indian: natural yogurt, vegetable oil, tandoori curry paste, tomato puree

Thai fish

2 fillets coral trout (or other white fish)

Chili paste
Lime juice from half a lime
Fish sauce
ginger
garlic
corriander

Combine all ingredients and spoon over the washed and dried fish fillets. Cover dish with aluminium foil and bake at 180 C for 25 minutes.

Chicken Tikka

• Lots of hot chili paste
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• Squeeze of ginger paste (little less than the chili)
• a pinch of paprika
• ½ tablespoon garam masala
• 4 tbps diced tomatoes
• 3 sprigs of fresh coriander

• Chicken breast cut into medium size chunks
• 1 small onion, peeled and sliced
• 1 green capsican, cut into chunks
• 1 punnet cherry tomatoes
• couple scoops of plain yoghurt
• fresh corriander, chopped, for topping

1. Combine first list of ingredients in the blender. Add more tomatoes if required.

2. Place chicken in bowl and add the blended mixture and yogurt. Mix thoroughly and marinate overnight if possible. Soak wooden skewers in water.

3. Heat the webber for 30 minutes. Thread meat onto the skewers, saving the mixture. Cook 10-15 each side over the open flame.

4. In a pan combine the onions, capsican and tomatoes with remaining blended mixture. Cook until soft and top with corriander. Serve on the side.

Beef Kebabs

You will need 8 skewers
1 packet Diced lamb
50ml (2fl oz) low-sodium soy sauce
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tbsp cider vinegar
A little thyme
Dash of vegetable oil
50ml (2fl oz) fresh lemon juice.

Mix all the ingredients together and marinate the beef for 2 to 4 hours in the refrigerator. Discard the marinade. place the chunks of beef on the skewers (if using wooden skewers, make sure you soak them in water first to prevent burning).

Grill until cooked to your liking.
During the cruise phase you may add tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, zucchini and onions.


Photo and original recipe from here

Spicy asian salmon

2 pieces fresh salmon
2 Tbp olive oil
1 Tbp minced garlic
2 Tbp ginger paste
2 Tbp soy sauce
1 Tbp hot chili paste

1. Mix the olive oil, garlic, ginger, soy and chili in a small bowl. Stir thoroughly.

2. Wash and pat dry the salmon. Place in a baking dish.

3. Pour sauce onto salmon, coating well.

4. Cover with al-foil and bake at 180 C for 25 minutes.

Serve with cheesey broccoli and baked potato or rice.