Banana Rama
This is a delicious breakfast loaf, snack or dessert. It's just
about how you want to enjoy it! My Mother would love to make us banana bread.
Back then it was a delicious treat for us, one that we wanted all day every
day!
TIME: about 1 hr 30 mins/Serves 8 People
TIME: about 1 hr 30 mins/Serves 8 People
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup of margarine or butter (i prefer butter)
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup of white sugar
2 eggs
4-5 mashed over ripen bananas
2 eggs
1 teaspoon of baking soda
a pinch of cinnamon
1 teaspoon of vanilla essence or stick vanilla
1/2 cup of margarine or butter (i prefer butter)
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup of white sugar
2 eggs
4-5 mashed over ripen bananas
2 eggs
1 teaspoon of baking soda
a pinch of cinnamon
1 teaspoon of vanilla essence or stick vanilla
DIRECTIONS
1. Cream butter and sugar together with a mixer
2. Add egg, one by one mixing in gradually
3. Add your banana then once mixed in evenly then add the flour
and baking soda
4. Work mixture into a nice lather with a wooden spoon
5. Set oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, bake for 45-1 hr. Test
with toothpick for desired texture.
6. Serve.
Pasta Deliciousness
Pasta
Salad is one of my favorite On The Go dishes, even a quick lunch or dinner.
Pack it in some Tupperware and I'm good to go. You can easily make this, change
up the ingredients a bit or follow this quick snap recipe of mine. Though there
is no meat in this recipe, you can always add what you like from ham, tuna etc.
TIME: 1-2 hrs/Serves 2-3 People
INGREDIENTS:
PASTA (any kind)
Two ripe tomatoes
Organic Salad Greens (romaine lettuce, spring mix)
1/2 can of green or black olives
1/2 cube of cheese shredded
1/2 Lime
Kosher Dills
Home-made Ranch Dressing or store bought
1 cup of light mayonaisse
1/3 cup of sour cream
1 teasp of minced garlic
1/3 teasp of chives
1/2 teasp of parsley finely chopped
1/2 teasp of onion powder
1. Follow
packet instructions, bringing the pasta to a gentle boil, drain and let cool
2. When
Pasta is drained, squeeze half lime over the pasta (this gives it zest and
tenderness)
3. Chop
all other ingredients: Cheese, tomato, salad greens, olives and dills.
4. Once
pasta is cooled, mix in all chopped ingredients and home-made dressing.
5. Place
in fridge for 30mins-1 hour.
6. Serve.
Dairy-Free Smoothie
Nothing
tastes so good in the morning as a berry smoothie to wake me up and kick-start
the day. Packed with your servings of fruit for the day, this smoothie is
surely gonna keep you coming back for more every morning! Simple,
Easy, Refreshing! Note: Dairy free
TIME: 15 mins/Serves 2 cups
INGREDIENTS:
a handful of blue berries
2 cups of Vanilla Silk Soy Milk
One Banana
1 tablespoon of Honey
1 carton of Low-Fat Greek Yogurt (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Cut
fruit into blendable sizes
2. Mix
yogurt, vanilla soy milk and honey together
3. Add
all of the above to blender, blend and serve.
Devilish Cheesecake
This is a delicious
devil of a dessert. I try to only make this on a special occasion as
it's very high in sugar and calories of course. But this is always great for a
ladies night out, or quite Valentines dessert.
TIME: 1 hour 15 mins or overnight/Serves 6-8
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup of
Graham crackers crumbed1 tablespoon of sugar (raw or white)
1/4 melted butter
1 package of 8oz cream cheese
1/2 cup of sour cream
an additional 1/2 cup of sugar
1 tablespoon of flour
1 teaspoon of vanilla essence
1/3 cup of blueberry jelly
1/3 cup of fresh blueberries
2 eggs
DIRECTIONS:
1. Mix
together the graham crackers with butter and 1 tablespoon of sugar, then place
on the bottom of a pie dish. This will be the base for your cheesecake.
2. Now
make sure the cream cheese is room temperature before mashing. Once mashed, use
a beater to add sugar (1/2 cup), eggs (one by one), vanilla (1 teaspoon) and
flour(1 tablespoon). 3. Once beaten together, add the blueberry jelly and half
of the fresh blueberries.
4. Add
mixture to your cheesecake base which you set aside
5. Bake
at 325 degrees till the surface is nice and firm (usually 45mins-1 hour)
6. Let
cool, place in refrigerator overnight (or for two-three hours), serve
next day with leftover fresh blueberries as garnish!
Delicious Quiche
Nothing
tastes more Wintery than a gorgeous Quiche on a Winters Night. Inspired by the
Mediterranean this delicious dish is perfect for a romantic dinner with
your lover or even a family picnic lunch since you can serve quiche hot or
cold, wrapped up and placed in a cooler or heated up in the oven.
INGREDIENTS:
5 pasturized
eggs (any eggs will do, but I like pasturized)
1 cup of low-fat
cottage cheese
2-3 tomatoes
(depending on your love for the red fruit!)
1 chopped Onion (My Husband hates Onions, so there are none in this one)
2 tablespoons of butter
4 cups of spinach (you can use 2 cups, I use 4 cause I love my greeeens!)
1/4 cup of ground nutmeg
a pinch of salt n pepper to taste
4 tablespoons of water
DIRECTIONS:
2-3 small round loves of bread if making them individually otherwise one medium/large round loaf of bread, top cut off and set aside
1 cup of low-fat sour cream
1 can of corn kernels, you can use fresh corn kernels or frozen if you wish
2 cups of low fat milk
1 tablespoon of butter
1 tablespoon of flour
1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup of low fat heavy cream
a pinch of salt n pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
1 chopped Onion (My Husband hates Onions, so there are none in this one)
2 tablespoons of butter
4 cups of spinach (you can use 2 cups, I use 4 cause I love my greeeens!)
1/4 cup of ground nutmeg
a pinch of salt n pepper to taste
4 tablespoons of water
DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat
the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a non-stick pan or dish, pressing it down
and keeping its shape.
3. Blind
bake your pastry, allowing it to crisp if you wish for 10 mins.
4.In a
pot place spinach and water, heat till cooked thoroughly about 2-3 minutes.
5. Set
Spinach aside in small bowl.
6.Add the
Nutmeg to the Spinach and combine
7. Using
the same pot, cook your onions thoroughly with butter.
8. In
a separate mixing bowl combine eggs, beating them thoroughly,
then stir in your cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, thinly sliced tomato,
and salt and pepper.
9. Add
the spinach mixture you set aside to the mixing bowl.
10.Place
the finished mixture into the puff pastry dish.
11. Place
in Oven for 45mins-1 hour.
Yummy Corn Chowder
Well, this one is one of my Husband's favorites.
It's a creamy corn chowder used primarily to fill you up-fast! This ones
definitely good for a cold Winters evening. You can make individual small bread
bowls or family sized to share together.
TIME: 30 mins Serves 2
INGREDIENTS:
4 small
potatoes, peeled and cubed into bite size pieces2-3 small round loves of bread if making them individually otherwise one medium/large round loaf of bread, top cut off and set aside
1 cup of low-fat sour cream
1 can of corn kernels, you can use fresh corn kernels or frozen if you wish
2 cups of low fat milk
1 tablespoon of butter
1 tablespoon of flour
1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup of low fat heavy cream
a pinch of salt n pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
1. Chop
your potatoes into cubes. Place cubed potato into a pot of boiling water, boil
for 10-15 mins or until soft. You want to make sure they're still intact, not
too hard, not too cold.
3. In
another pot, melt butter and flour to form a paste on medium heat.
4. Slowly
add the milk while whisking ferociously
5. Making
sure the base of the mixture is smooth without lumps, put corn inside.
6. Add
Sour Cream to pot
7. Add
boiled potatoes to pot
8. Stir
and bring soup together, lastly adding water and heavy cream with a pinch of
salt n pepper.
9. Pour
soup into individual bowls, enjoy!
Tasty Cream of Tomato Soup
This soup is scrumptious! I decided on making it one evening since I'm not a huge fan of soup from cans, and just love home-made.
Time: About 20-30 mins Serves 2
INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup of unsalted butter
1 teaspoon of dried oregano
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
8 tomatoes, boiled, skin removed and pureed in blender
1/2cup of heavy cream
1 teaspoon of sugar
Pinch of Salt
1 teaspoon of dried oregano
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
8 tomatoes, boiled, skin removed and pureed in blender
1/2cup of heavy cream
1 teaspoon of sugar
Pinch of Salt
2 tablespoons of flour
A sprinkle of Black Pepper
1 cup of milk
1/4 cup of water
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a pot, heat the pureed tomatoes over medium heat, add a pinch of salt and pepper, sugar and oregano and set aside.
2. In a separate pan, fry the onions until they become transparent, then add to pot of tomatoes.
3. In another pot, add flour and butter to form a paste over medium heat. Slowly add the milk and heavy cream while whisking frequently till it thickens.
4. Combine with the tomato base and stir over medium heat but do not boil.
5. Once soup has been mixed thoroughly and heated, add water to taste.
6. Sprinkle with oregano and serve with a slice of home made bread or crusty baguette.
Scrumptious Broccoli Soup
This is a family favorite. Simple, delicious, quick and packed to the rim with broccoli broccoli broccoli. I love encouraging a colorful plate of veggies, whenever possible.This soup is perfect for any family dinner, especially in winter!
Time: 30 minutes Serves 2
INGREDIENTS:
3 cups of soy milk (or regular milk)
1/4 cup of low-fat heavy cream (optional)
pinch of salt n pepper (to taste)
1-1/2 heads of broccoli, washed and chopped into small piece
1/4 butter
2 tablespoons of flour
1/2 cup of cheese
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a pot melt the butter and flour over medium heat. Slowly whisk the milk in, followed by the cream till it thickens.
2. After washing and cutting the broccoli into small pieces (large or small, whatever you prefer) place into the creamy mixture.
3. Stir continuously till boiling, when just about to boil turn heat to low, add salt/pepper to taste and cheese.
4. Serve.
Brownies for the belly!
I had never tried a Brownie until I came to the USA. I've always been a great cake baker, whipping up all kind of lovely cakes for different occasions but Brownies are a whole different thing!
Time:30-45 mins Serves 10
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups of sugar
3/4 cup of butter
1/2 cup of cocoa powder
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups of flour (all-purpose unbleached)
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
DIRECTIONS:
1. Melt the butter in microwave, set aside.
2. In a large bowl, add butter, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract and mix together with wooden spoon.
3. Add eggs, mixing between each added egg
4. Sift the flour and add to bowl along with salt and baking powder.
5. Once all combined and mixed thoroughly, place batter into a 9x13 inch pan (or any size will do).
6. Place in oven for around 20-30 mins, checking after 20 mins by poking with a toothpick or fork. So be sure your Brownies are ready, you should be able to poke it and have the center still slightly gooey and on your fork.
7. Set on baking rack to cool.
Tom Yum for the
Tum Tum!
I love Thai food, most Asian food to be exact. The flavorsome spices and combinations are glorious to the pallet. I learned how to make Tom Yum Goong or in English 'spicy shrimp soup' in Thailand. I make all kinds of variations of Tom Yum from tofu (vegetarian) to Shrimp to even chicken. It's an exquisite combination of flavor and a hot favorite for Thai food lovers!
NOTE: Thai food does not use chicken stocks or westerners stocks in their soups!
Time: 30 mins/ Serves 3
INGREDIENTS
3 red thai chili's
galanga or Ginger*
a handful of cilantro (garnish)
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 clove Garlic (optional)
3 kaffir lime leaves*
2 lemongrass stalks
1-2 limes
5 Mushrooms and 2 tomatoes
(you can add tomato or whatever else you like in yours)
2 tablespoon Nam Prig Pow *
1-2 cups of shrimp
4 cups water
*some of these items you may find in your local supermarket, otherwise try an asian foods market or grocers.
This is a hot favorite in our house and for dinner parties! When I did eat chicken, this was always a special occasion hearty dish I learned how to make a while back! Created by Gordon Ramsay himself, you may just love its zest and full flavor!
INGREDIENTS
2 chicken breasts (butterfly chicken, this ensures a more thorough cooking, with less time)
2 large handfuls of fresh basil
a handful of grape or cherry tomatoes (cut into halves)
Salt and Pepper
Olive Oil
4 quarter sized pieces of motzarella cheese
Fresh grated Parmesan cheese
1 Lemon
1 clove of garlic
3 tbsp flour
1 beaten egg
1/2 cup of breadcrumbs (Italian seasoned)
DIRECTIONS
1.Preheat Oven to 350 F.
2 Take chicken breasts and gentle roll them in the flour, followed by patting them off to remove excess flour. Next, dip in beaten egg mixture, followed promptly by the seasoned breadcrumbs.
3. In a large pan, heat olive oil and brown each side of the chicken breasts until they are golden and a little crispy.
4.In a separate pan over medium high heat, fry garlic for 1 minute, followed by lemon, salt and pepper, basil. Let cook for roughly 10 minutes or until tomatoes are soft and juicy.
3. Spoon the mixture onto the chicken followed by a couple of pieces of the mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
4. Place in oven for up to 20 mins, time can vary but keep checking regularly and ensure the chicken is golden brown, cheese melted and the inner temperature is hot.
5. Serve with a green bean salad (my absolute favorite!)
6. EAT. mmmm!
Time: 40-50 mins. Serves 2
Scrumptious Broccoli Soup
This is a family favorite. Simple, delicious, quick and packed to the rim with broccoli broccoli broccoli. I love encouraging a colorful plate of veggies, whenever possible.This soup is perfect for any family dinner, especially in winter!
Time: 30 minutes Serves 2
INGREDIENTS:
3 cups of soy milk (or regular milk)
1/4 cup of low-fat heavy cream (optional)
pinch of salt n pepper (to taste)
1-1/2 heads of broccoli, washed and chopped into small piece
1/4 butter
2 tablespoons of flour
1/2 cup of cheese
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a pot melt the butter and flour over medium heat. Slowly whisk the milk in, followed by the cream till it thickens.
2. After washing and cutting the broccoli into small pieces (large or small, whatever you prefer) place into the creamy mixture.
3. Stir continuously till boiling, when just about to boil turn heat to low, add salt/pepper to taste and cheese.
4. Serve.
I had never tried a Brownie until I came to the USA. I've always been a great cake baker, whipping up all kind of lovely cakes for different occasions but Brownies are a whole different thing!
Time:30-45 mins Serves 10
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups of sugar
3/4 cup of butter
1/2 cup of cocoa powder
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups of flour (all-purpose unbleached)
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
DIRECTIONS:
1. Melt the butter in microwave, set aside.
2. In a large bowl, add butter, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract and mix together with wooden spoon.
3. Add eggs, mixing between each added egg
4. Sift the flour and add to bowl along with salt and baking powder.
5. Once all combined and mixed thoroughly, place batter into a 9x13 inch pan (or any size will do).
6. Place in oven for around 20-30 mins, checking after 20 mins by poking with a toothpick or fork. So be sure your Brownies are ready, you should be able to poke it and have the center still slightly gooey and on your fork.
7. Set on baking rack to cool.
Tum Tum!
I love Thai food, most Asian food to be exact. The flavorsome spices and combinations are glorious to the pallet. I learned how to make Tom Yum Goong or in English 'spicy shrimp soup' in Thailand. I make all kinds of variations of Tom Yum from tofu (vegetarian) to Shrimp to even chicken. It's an exquisite combination of flavor and a hot favorite for Thai food lovers!
NOTE: Thai food does not use chicken stocks or westerners stocks in their soups!
Time: 30 mins/ Serves 3
INGREDIENTS
3 red thai chili's
galanga or Ginger*
a handful of cilantro (garnish)
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 clove Garlic (optional)
3 kaffir lime leaves*
2 lemongrass stalks
1-2 limes
5 Mushrooms and 2 tomatoes
(you can add tomato or whatever else you like in yours)
2 tablespoon Nam Prig Pow *
1-2 cups of shrimp
4 cups water
*some of these items you may find in your local supermarket, otherwise try an asian foods market or grocers.
DIRECTIONS:
1. Boil water in a large pot.
2. Peel and de-vein the shrimp and set them aside.
3. Cut lemon grass into pieces, 5-6 inches long. Use the back of your knife to pound the lemon grass, just to bruise it- this will release more flavor. Tie the lemon grass into a knot (with the outer skin). Drop the lemon grass in water and let boil for 15 minutes.
4. Slice thin the ginger and add to the pot along with the clove of ginger (peeled and diced)
5. Put the fish sauce and 1 (or 2) lime's juice into the bottom of the bowls you will serve the soup in, also add 1 lime's juice to the pot. Crush chili pepper and add to the bowl (you'll be serving it in)
6. Remove the stems from the kaffir lime leaves and add the leafy part to the pot, let boil for an additional 10 mins then add the Nam Prig Pow.
7. Clean and halve the mushrooms and add them to the pot. Let it boil for 2 mins.
8. Next add tomatoes
9. Once you have added the shrimp, turn off the heat. Shrimp gets tough fast, and will cook even when it is just sitting in the warm broth. Scoop the shrimp and liquid into the serving bowls/bowl. As soon as you add the liquid to the serving bowl, you will see that the broth becomes cloudy because of the lime juice. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.
2. Peel and de-vein the shrimp and set them aside.
3. Cut lemon grass into pieces, 5-6 inches long. Use the back of your knife to pound the lemon grass, just to bruise it- this will release more flavor. Tie the lemon grass into a knot (with the outer skin). Drop the lemon grass in water and let boil for 15 minutes.
4. Slice thin the ginger and add to the pot along with the clove of ginger (peeled and diced)
5. Put the fish sauce and 1 (or 2) lime's juice into the bottom of the bowls you will serve the soup in, also add 1 lime's juice to the pot. Crush chili pepper and add to the bowl (you'll be serving it in)
6. Remove the stems from the kaffir lime leaves and add the leafy part to the pot, let boil for an additional 10 mins then add the Nam Prig Pow.
7. Clean and halve the mushrooms and add them to the pot. Let it boil for 2 mins.
8. Next add tomatoes
9. Once you have added the shrimp, turn off the heat. Shrimp gets tough fast, and will cook even when it is just sitting in the warm broth. Scoop the shrimp and liquid into the serving bowls/bowl. As soon as you add the liquid to the serving bowl, you will see that the broth becomes cloudy because of the lime juice. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.
It's optional to remove the lemon grass/ginger and other flavorings like the lime leaves and just adding the soup. But I suggest leaving it all in, more flavor to it!
10. Serve with Rice and enjoooy!
Gordon Ramsay's Motzarella Chicken
INGREDIENTS
2 chicken breasts (butterfly chicken, this ensures a more thorough cooking, with less time)
2 large handfuls of fresh basil
a handful of grape or cherry tomatoes (cut into halves)
Salt and Pepper
Olive Oil
4 quarter sized pieces of motzarella cheese
Fresh grated Parmesan cheese
1 Lemon
1 clove of garlic
3 tbsp flour
1 beaten egg
1/2 cup of breadcrumbs (Italian seasoned)
DIRECTIONS
1.Preheat Oven to 350 F.
2 Take chicken breasts and gentle roll them in the flour, followed by patting them off to remove excess flour. Next, dip in beaten egg mixture, followed promptly by the seasoned breadcrumbs.
3. In a large pan, heat olive oil and brown each side of the chicken breasts until they are golden and a little crispy.
4.In a separate pan over medium high heat, fry garlic for 1 minute, followed by lemon, salt and pepper, basil. Let cook for roughly 10 minutes or until tomatoes are soft and juicy.
3. Spoon the mixture onto the chicken followed by a couple of pieces of the mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
4. Place in oven for up to 20 mins, time can vary but keep checking regularly and ensure the chicken is golden brown, cheese melted and the inner temperature is hot.
5. Serve with a green bean salad (my absolute favorite!)
6. EAT. mmmm!
Time: 40-50 mins. Serves 2
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