Posts Tagged ‘oil’

Hash Browns

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 500 grams potatoes (grated)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a frying pan on medium high heat, add oil.
  2. Squeeze out as much moisture as you can from the grated potatoes.
  3. When the oil in the pan heats up to the point of shimmering, add the grated potatoes and spread with 1 cm thickness.
  4. Add some salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Continue cooking until golden brown on both sides.

Quick Notes

Dry the potatoes as much as you can else you will end with a mushy texture instead of crispness.

Variations

Go well along fried eggs, hams, and a biscuit.

Cooking time (duration): 15

Diet type: Vegetarian

Number of servings (yield): 4

Meal type: breakfast

Culinary tradition: USA (Southern)

My rating:5 stars: ?????

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Fattoush

You can’t call it a Salad!!!

Ingredients

  • 1 pita bread (broiled or fried)
  • 1 mid-size lettuce (chopped)
  • 500 grams tomatoes (diced)
  • 100 grams cucumbers (diced)
  • 1 green pepper (chopped)
  • 10 small radishes, chopped
  • 1 onion (wings)
  • 20 mint leaves (chopped)
  • 1/4 cup parsley (diced)
  • 1/2 cup purslane ( Bakleh in Lebanese)
  • 1/4 cup fresh thyme
  • 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses (or balsamic vinegar if not available)
  • 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp sumac
  • 1 lemon (zest)
  • 1 lemon (juice)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, chop, cut and mix lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, parsley, purslane, thyme, green pepper, radishes, mint, onion and lemon zest.
  2. To prepare the vinaigrette, combine molasses, olive oil, brown sugar, salt and sumac, lemon juice and then drizzle over the vegetables.
  3. To serve, incorporate the fried or broiled crispy pita bread in the salad and enjoy!

Cooking time (duration): 90

Number of servings (yield): 5

Meal type: dinner/lunch

Culinary tradition: Lebanese

My rating:5 stars: ?????

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Steak con Arroz Negro y Pesto

Summary: Emperor’s forbidden taste revisited

Steak Ingredients

  • 4 beef sirloins
  • 3 tbsp fresh black pepper

Rice Ingredients

  • 2 cups black rice
  • 5 cups water
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp salt

Pesto Ingredients

  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves
  • 3 tbsp pine nuts
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
  • salt and fresh black pepper to taste

Steak Instructions

  1. In a small plate put, grate some black pepper, (or a mix of black, red and white pepper if available).
  2. Dip the sirloin edges with the peppers.
  3. In a grilling pan or BBQ grill, cook them to your taste.

Rice Instructions

  1. Rinse the rice for 10 minutes in cool water.
  2. In a boiling pot with a tight-fitting lid, add black rice, water, olive oil and salt.
  3. Bring the rice to a boil, and cook for about 20 minutes.
  4. When Craters appears, turn off the heat and put between the pot and the lid a soft cloth and let it rest for another 10 minutes.

Pesto Instructions

  1. In a food processor, add garlic, basil leaves, pine nuts, and a dash of salt and pepper to the bowl of the processor. While processing, drizzle in olive oil until you get a smooth puree.
  2. Add parmesan cheese and mix it with the rest. If the pesto is too thick add some water to it.

Serving Instructions

  1. In a large plate, put some black rice.
  2. Add pesto ready sauce on top or around it.
  3. Place a sirloin steak aside.

  1. Enjoy!

Quick Notes

Serve with some crisp matured red wine.

Variations

You can prepare the same recipe with chicken filet marinated with some white wine before 2 hours at least

Cooking time (duration): 70

Number of servings (yield): 4

Meal type: lunch

Culinary tradition: Valencian

My rating:4 stars: ?????

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Batata Harra (Spicy Potatoes)

Summary: Lebanese taste with a kick

Ingredients

  • 1 kg potatoes diced
  • 1/4 cup garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1/4 fresh coriander (chopped)
  • 1 tbsp chilli puree
  • 1/4 tsp paprika powder
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Fry the potatoes cubes till golden brown.
  2. In a small bowl, dilute the chilli puree with 2 tbsp of olive oil.
  3. In a large pan, add the rest of the olive oil, coriander, garlic, chilli, and paprika.
  4. Fry the mixture for 1 minute then add the fried potatoes.
  5. Toss together, add the lemon juice, salt and frech black pepper and serve .

Cooking time (duration): 30

Diet type: Vegetarian

Number of servings (yield): 4

Meal type: hors d’oerves

Culinary tradition: Middle Eastern

My rating:5 stars: ★★★★★

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Red pepper & Aubergine Lasagne

Guest Recipe (Liz Zachopoulos)

Ingredients

  • 1 recipe tomato sauce
  • 1 recipe cheese sauce
  • 4 large red peppers
  • 3 medium or aubergines
  • 500 grams Lasagne sheets
  • 50g parmesan freshly grated.
  • Tomato sauce

  • 2 cans of chopped tomatoes
  • 30ml Olive oil
  • 3 tbsp chopped fresh basil
  • 2 garlic cloves peeled and crushed
  • Pinch of sugar
  • Cheese sauce

  • 1 liter of milk
  • 1 heaped tablespoon of flour
  • 50g of butter
  • 200g of grated cheese, a good melting cheese such as gouda, emmental or cheddar.
  • 1/2 teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg.

Instructions

  1. Tomato sauce: place the chopped tomatoes, half the oil, the garlic, basil and sugar into a saucepan. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer gently for about 20 minutes. Remove the lid and simmer a little longer until the sauce is slightly concentrated. Cool.

  2. Cheese sauce: Put the all the ingredients except for the cheese in a saucepan and bring to the boil slowly whisking all the time. Once thickened, remove from the heat and leave for a minute or two to cool. Add the grated cheese and stir until melted into the sauce.
  3. Cut the peppers into quarters, brush with a little oil and grill for 5-7 minutes each side until charred and tender. Transfer to a heatproof bowl and cover the bowl tightly with clingfilm (cellophane wrap). This will loosen the skin of the peppers.
  4. Cut the aubergines lengthways into thick slices , brush with oil and grill for 5-7 minutes each side. Leave to cool.
  5. Peel the cooled peppers.
  6. Grease a large oven proof dish with a little oil and begin layering your lasagne. Start with tomato sauce, then aubergine, red pepper, lasagne sheets and cheese sauce. Finish with lasagne and a coating of cheese sauce. Sprinkle with the grated parmesan.
  7. Bake in the oven at 200 C for 25-30 minutes or until bubbling and golden.
  8. Leave to cool for 15 minutes before cutting and serving.

Variations

Serve with garlic bread and green leafy salad.

Cooking time (duration): 60

Diet type: Vegetarian

Number of servings (yield): 4

Meal type: lunch

Culinary tradition: Greek

My rating:4 stars: ★★★★☆

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Posted: March 7th, 2010
Categories: Greek
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Carrots Ginger Soup

Ingredients

  • 500 grams carrots (mincely chopped)
  • 100 grams onions (mincely chopped)
  • 2 tsp fresh ginger (grated)
  • 6 cups stock
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • saltand black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a soup pot, on medium low, add butter, oil, onions, carrots and salt.
  2. Saute until vegetables are soft.
  3. Add ginger and cook for a minute or two more. the add the stock to the mixture and simmer for about 10 minutes.
  4. Puree the soup mixture in a blender until smooth.
  5. Add lime zest and juice. Chill and serve.

Cooking time (duration): 20

Diet type: Vegetarian

Number of servings (yield): 4

Meal type: supper

Culinary tradition: Chinese

My rating:3 stars: ★★★☆☆

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Posted: February 26th, 2010
Categories: soup
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Express Shawarma

Authentic taste from Lebanon

Ingredients

  • 2 kg lamb or beef meat (thinly sliced)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper
  • 1 tsp Mastic
  • 1/2 tsp Cardamom
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 5 medium sized tomatoes

Instructions

  1. In a Bowl, mix all the peppers and salt together, add to the meat and the vinegar and olive oil and marinate before hand, at least 3 hours before cooking time (preferably overnight).
  2. Place the marinated meat in a non-stickable cooker, and cook for about 20 mins till the meat is browned but still juicy.
  3. Turn off the heat, add the tomatoes to steam them in the cooker for few mins before serving the delicious shawarma.

Quick Notes

serve with Tahini, and a mixed onions/parsley minced vegetables.

Variations

you can replace meat with chicken or turkey.

Cooking time (duration): 40

Number of servings (yield): 6

Meal type: lunch

Culinary tradition: Lebanese

My rating:4 stars: ★★★★☆

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Posted: February 21st, 2010
Categories: Feast, Lebanese
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Pizza con Prosciutto e Fichi

Pizza with ham and figs

Ingredients

  • 500 grams of pizza dough
  • 250 grams ham often cut into strips
  • 250 grams fresh mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fennel seeds
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • 14 fresh figs
  • salt and fresh black pepper.

Instructions

  1. Roll out the dough into a thin sheet with a rolling pin or your hands.
  2. Put the dough in an oiled baking sheet, brush with oil also the
    surface of the dough, sprinkle with the fennel seeds.
  3. Peel and cut the figs, place them over the pizza dough.
  4. Place cutted mozarella cheese on top.
  5. Season with olive oil, fresh black pepper and salt.
  6. Cook in oven at 250C degrees for about 20 minutes.
  7. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with ham.

Quick Notes

Serve with rose wine.

Cooking time (duration): 40

Number of servings (yield): 4

Meal type: lunch

Culinary tradition: Italian

My rating:5 stars: ★★★★★

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Posted: January 29th, 2010
Categories: italian
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Comments: 1 Comment.

Chestnut Soup

Recipe: Chestnut Soup

Ingredients

  • 500mg chestnuts (pre-roasted and peeled)
  • 4 cups broth
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup cream (full fat)
  • 1 medium onion (minced)
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tsp salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper and thyme

Instructions

  1. Sauté the onions and thyme with a pinch of salt in the olive oil in a heavy bottom sauté pan until the onions are golden. (make to not burn the onions)
  2. Add half cup of water then after it evaporates a little, add the milk and broth and simmer.
  3. Add chestnuts and simmer until chestnuts are falling apart.
  4. Remove soup from heat and stir in the heavy cream.
  5. Puree the mixture until it is blended and smooth, strain it for a smooth mixture.
  6. Add black pepper and salt to taste.
  7. Enjoy :)

Quick Notes

If the soup feels too thick for you, add milk or cream to thin it out.

Cooking time (duration): 30

Diet type: Vegetarian

Number of servings (yield): 6

Meal type: lunch

Culinary tradition: USA (Nouveau)

My rating:5 stars: ★★★★★

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Posted: January 28th, 2010
Categories: soup
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leggy Balila

Ingredients

  • 1 cup precooked/canned chickpeas
  • 1 clove garlic mashed
  • 1 tomato chopped
  • Olive Oil
  • Salt and cumin powder to taste
  • 1/2 cup pine-nuts
  • 2 tbsp butter

Instructions

  1. In a Bowl, add the precooked chickpeas and mix with salt,cumin powder, garlic, tomato, and olive oil.
  2. In a pan, melt the butter (don’t burn it), then add pine-nuts and sauté till golden brown. Sprinkle the goldened pinenuts on top of your chickpea mixture.

Cooking time (duration): 15

Diet type: Vegetarian

Number of servings (yield): 2

Meal type: lunch

Culinary tradition: Lebanese

My rating:5 stars: ★★★★★

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Posted: January 13th, 2010
Categories: Lebanese, low calorie, vegeterian
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Zucchini Tempura

Ingredients

  • 500 grams zucchini thinly sliced

  • Olive oil for frying
  • Salt to taste

    Batter:

  • 1 cup soda water
  • 1/2 tsp of sea salt
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

Instructions

  1. Thinly slice zucchinis in a bowl.

  2. Prepare the batter by mixing all the ingredients(soda, flour and salt).
  3. Bring oil to high heat.
  4. Pour batter over zucchinis to coat them.
  5. Place battered zucchinis in oil and fry until golden on both sides and batter puffs up. Drain enough to remove excess oil.
  6. Serve hot.

Cooking time (duration): 25

Diet type: Vegetarian

Number of servings (yield): 4

Meal type: lunch

Culinary tradition: Middle Eastern

My rating:5 stars: ★★★★★

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Posted: December 26th, 2009
Categories: mezza, tapa
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Octopus, Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche

Ingredients

  • 100 grams octopus (semi-cooked)
  • 100 grams shrimps (21-25 preferable semi-cooked)
  • 100 grams scallops (semi-cooked)
  • 2 medium tomatoes (finely chopped)
  • 1 red onion (thinly sliced)
  • 1 small chili pepper (finely minced)
  • 1 small yellow bell pepper (finely minced)
  • 1 small jalapeño pepper
  • 2 kg limes (juiced)
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • pinch of fresh cilantro
  • salt, black and red pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cut the seafood ingredients into munchies (bite-size) pieces then mix them together.
  2. Cut the onion a la julienne.
  3. Cut tomatoes, red and yellow and green bell peppers into small squares.
  4. Mix the onion, tomatoes, lime juice, bell peppers, jalapeño, cilantro , olive oil, salt and pepper, then add them to the seafood mixture.

Quick Notes

Serve fresh with a good chilled mojito or beer.

Cooking time (duration): 25

Diet (other): Low calorie

Number of servings (yield): 6

Meal type: hors d’oerves

Culinary tradition: Central American

My rating:5 stars: ?????

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