3 Christmas Treats Ideas:

3 Christmas Treats Ideas:


Peppermint Barks:

Ingredients:

300gr milk chocolate, chopped
300gr white milk chocolate, chopped
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
8-10 candy canes, crushed

Directions:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Fill the bottom of a large pot with water and bring to simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, then place a large heatproof bowl on top. Add semi-sweet chocolate and stir occasionally until chocolate has melted. Pour into prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer with an offset spatula. Refrigerate until set, about 20 minutes. 
• Over the same pot of barely simmering water, place another large heatproof bowl. Add white chocolate and stir until melted. Pour over set semi-sweet chocolate then top immediately with candy canes. Refrigerate until set, about 20 minutes. 
• Cut into the shapes we want.  

Cookie Truffles:

Ingredients:

15 baked sugar cookies

1 block cream cheese, softened to room temperature

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

2 tsp. coconut oil

1 1/4 cup white chocolate chips

Springles for garnish

Directions:

• Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large food processor, process cookies until sandy. Alternatively, place cookies in a large resealable plastic bag and use a wooden spoon to crush cookies into crumbs. 
• In a large bowl, stir to combine crushed cookies, cream cheese, vanilla, and salt. Using a small cookie scoop, form cookie mixture into small balls and place on the cooking sheet. Repeat until all mixture is used and place the baking sheet in the freezer for 10 minutes.
• Mix coconut oil with white chocolate chips. (In the microwave or with the traditional way).  Until the white chocolate is completely melted.
• When the balls are chilled, dip them in the chocolate and place back on the cooking sheet. Decorate immediately with sprinkles.
•  When all truffles are dipped and decorated, return to freezer for 10 more minutes to set.

Christmas Cookies:

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 cup butter, softened

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. almond extract

1 egg

2 1/2 all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cream of tartar

candy sprinkles, nonpareils or colored sugars, if desired

Frosting:

2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 tbsp. milk

Directions:

• In a large bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, the butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, almond extract, and egg until well blended. Stir in flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours.
• Heat oven to 180°C. Divide dough in half. On lightly floured, cloth-covered surface, roll each half of dough 1-2 cm thick. Cut into assorted shapes with cookie cutters, or cut around patterns traced from storybook illustrations. If cookies are to be hung as decorations, make a hole in each 1/4 inch from top with the end of a plastic straw. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until light brown. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In a medium bowl, beat all frosting ingredients until smooth and spreadable. Tint with food color if desired.
•  Frost and decorate cookies as desired with frosting and colored sugars.

Enjoy!

Vanilla Chocolate Chip Cake

Vanilla Chocolate Chip Cake:

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup oil
1 tbsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 cup mini chocolate chips


Directions:

• Heat oven to 180℃.  Line a 13 x 9-in. or 15 x 10 x 1-in. baking pan with nonstick foil.
• Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl with a whisk until blended.  Whisk milk, water, oil, vanilla and eggs in  a bowl.
• Make a well in the flour mixture.  Gradually pour milk mixture into flour mixture, whisk until blended. Stir in chips.
• Divide batter into pan. Bake 25-35 minutes.
• Cool cake in pan on wire rack 30 minutes.  Remove for pan, remove foil, and cool completely.
• Add 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder to dry ingredients.  Increase water to 1 cup and omit eggs.  Prepare and bake as directed.
• Make a well in the flour mixture. Gradually pour milk mixture into flour mixture, whisk until blended (some small lumps may remain). Stir in chips.

Enoy!!!

Chili Sesame and Honey Chicken

Chili, Sesame and Honey Chicken:

Ingredients:

12 Chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
2 tbsp soya sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
thumb-sized piece ginger, grated
4 onions, sliced

for the glaze:

4 tbsp Chili paste or Chili Sauce
2 tbsp Honey
1/2 lime juice
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
2 tbsp sesame seeds


Directios:

• Toss the chicken in the soy sauce, sesame oil and ginger. Thread each thigh on two long metal skewers, so that each skewer pierces one side of the thigh. Keep threading the chicken, making sure it’s packed onto the skewers tightly. Chill until you’re ready to cook. Mix the ingredients for the glaze.
• Heat the BBQ. If using a coal BBQ, wait for the coals to turn ashen before you start cooking. Cook the kebab for 5-8 mins on each side (depending on the heat). Once nicely charred but not fully cooked through, start painting on the glaze. The honey will catch if cooked for too long – the key to nice sticky chicken is applying the glaze in layers, turning the kebab often.
• Once the glaze has been used up and the chicken is cooked through (it’ll take about 20 mins in total), transfer to a plate and leave to cool for 5 mins before serving scattered with spring onions.

Enjoy!!

Apple Pie

Apple Pie:

Ingredients:

1 recipe pastry for 22 cm double crust pie
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
8-9 big apples , peeled, cored and sliced


Directions:

• Preheat oven to 220℃. Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add water, white sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon, and bring to a boil. Reduce temperature and let simmer.
• Place the bottom crust in your pan. Fill with apples, mounded slightly. Cover with a latticework crust. Gently pour the sugar and butter liquid over the crust. Pour slowly so that it does not run off.
• Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce the temperature to 175℃. Continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes, until apples are soft.

Enjoy!!

Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin

Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin:

Ingredients:

600 gr pork tenderloin, cut into cups or stripes
2Bell Peppers
Salt
Black pepper
1/3 cup ketchup
1 can pineapples with juice
1/3 cup rice vinegar
2 tbls brown sugar
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp hot chili sauce
1 tsp soya sauce
1 pinch red pepper flakes
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp butter
1/4 cup chopped onion
plus 1 tbsp chopped onions

Directions:

• Cut tenderloin into cubes or stripes. Arrange in a single layer between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet until each is about 1-inch thick. Generously season with salt and black pepper.
• Whisk ketchup, rice vinegar, reserved pineapple juice, brown sugar, garlic, hot chili sauce, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes in a bowl. Set aside.
• Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over high heat. Place pork in pan; reduce heat to medium. Cook until browned on both sides and cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
• Return skillet to medium heat. Stir butter into hot pan.  When butter melts and starts to brown, stir in pineapple chunks.  Cook, stirring, until pineapple is golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Stir in ketchup mixture and 1/4 cup green onion (white parts).  Reduce heat to low and simmer until garlic and onion have softened, 5 minutes.
• Return pork to skillet.  Cook, stirring, until pork is heated through.  Garnish with 2 tablespoons green onion tops.

You can serve with rice.

Enjoy!

Chicken Tikka Massala

Chicken Tikka Massala:

Ingredients:

1 cup yogurt
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp ginger powder
1 tsp salt
3-4 chicken breast, cut into cubes
1 tbsp butter
1 clove garlic minced
garlic powder

1 jalapeno pepper , chopped
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1 can tomato sauce
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 chopped fresh coliandro

Directions:

• In a large bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, black pepper, ginger, and salt. Stir in chicken, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Preheat a grill for highheat
• Lightly oil the grill grate. Thread chicken onto skewers, and discard marinade. Grill until juices run clear, about 5 minutes on each side.
• Melt butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic and jalapeno for 1 minute. Season with 2 teaspoons cumin, paprika, and 3 teaspoons salt. Stir in tomato sauce and cream. Simmer on low heat until sauce thickens, about 20 minutes. Add grilled chicken, and simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter, and garnish with fresh cilantro.

Finger Food Ideas: Part2

Finger Food Ideas:  (Part 2) :

Beef Cannelloni:

Ingredients:

1 kg lean minced beef
1 tbsp olive oil
1 big onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 1/2 cup tomato sauce
large pinch sugar
400gr dried cannelloni tubes

For the topping:

50 gr butter
50 gr plain four
600ml milk
140 gr soft cheese with garlic and herbs
140gr parmesan , grated

Directions:

• For the filling, dry-fry the beef in a nonstick pan on medium heat, breaking up with a wooden spoon until browned - about 10 mins.  Remove and set aside.  Add the oil and cook the onion for 5 minutes, until soft.  Add the garlic for 1 minute more, then tip in the beef and 1/2 cup tomato sauce and the sugar.  Simmer for 20 minutes while you make the white sauce.
• Heat the butter in a small pan.  
• when foam ,stir in the flour  for 1 minute.  Add the milk gradually, stirring all the time to achieve, a lump free sauce , then bubble for 2 minutes while stirring.  Remove from the heat and stir in the soft cheese with seasoning until dissolved.  Set aside , cover with cling film to stop a skin forming.
• To assemble , pour the remaining tomato sauce into the base of the pan.

Spoon the beef into the cannelloni tubes using a teaspoon and lay on top of the sauce.  Pour on the white sauce, then sprinkle with Parmesan.  If freezing, allow to cool , then freeze wrapped well in cling film.  To eat straight away, heat oven to 180℃,and cook for 45 minutes, until the pasta is tender and topping golden.  Defrost , frozen cannelloni thoroughly , then cook as above for 50 minutes.


Buffalo Wings:

Ingredients:

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt
20 chicken wings
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup hot pepper sauce

Directions:

• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and lightly grease with cooking spray. Place the flour, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and salt into a resealable plastic bag, and shake to mix. Add the chicken wings, seal, and toss until well coated with the flour mixture. Place the wings onto the prepared baking sheet, and place into the refrigerator. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
• Preheat oven at 185℃.
• Whisk together the melted butter and hot sauce in a small bowl. Dip the wings into the butter mixture, and place back on the baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven until the chicken is no longer pink in the center, and crispy on the outside, about 45 minutes. Turn the wings over halfway during cooking so they cook evenly.

Beef Sausage Rolls: 

Ingredients:

1 tsp olive oil

1 onion, chopped

2 chorizo sausages, finely chopped 

2 tsp smoked paprika

1 kg beef minced

50 gr dried tomatoes, chopped

1/4 cup tomato sauce

2 tbsp parsley, chopped

2/3 cup bread crumbs

1 egg , lightly whisked

4 sheets frozen puff pastry 

Sesame seeds to sprinkle

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 220C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
• Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add onion and chorizo and cook, stirring, for 5 mins or until golden and onion is slightly caramelised. Stir in paprika and cook for 2 mins. Set aside for 10 mins to cool.
• Place mince, tomato, tomato sauce, parsley, egg, breadcrumbs and chorizo mixture in a large bowl. Season. Mix until well combined.
• Place pastry sheets on a clean work surface. Halve each sheet of pastry to make 8 rectangles. Place one-eighth of the beef mixture along one long side of each rectangle. Roll up pastry to enclose filling. Cut each roll in half. Place on the prepared tray, seam-side down. Brush with egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for 25-30 mins or until pastry is golden and filling is cooked through. Serve sausage rolls with salad and extra tomato sauce on the side.

Spinach and Feta Cannelloni:

Ingredients:

1 1/2 package cannelloni

1kg frozen spinach

200 gr feta cheese

grating nutmeg

black pepper

400 gr can chopped tomatoes

tomato sauce

25 gr parmesan cheese, grated

olives, chopped 

Caper ,rinsed

Directions:

• Heat oven to 200C.
• Squeeze as much water as possible from the spinach, then mix with the feta, nutmeg and some seasoning.
• Spoon the filling along the cannelloni. Place in a lightly oiled baking dish.
• Mix the olives, capers and tomatoes together in a bowl, season, then spoon over the cannelloni. Sprinkle with parmesan, cover with foil, then bake for 20 mins.

Deep Fried Cheese Sticks:

Ingredients:

2 eggs , beaten

1/4 cup water

1 1/2 cup bread crumb

1/2 tsp garlic powder

black pepper

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cu corn starch

oil for frying

1 package mozzarella cheese

Directions:

• In a small bowl, mix the eggs and water.
• Mix the bread crumbs and garlic salt in a medium bowl. In a medium bowl, blend the flour and cornstarch.
• In a large heavy saucepan, heat the oil to 180℃.
• One at a time, coat each mozzarella stick in the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, then in the bread crumbs and finally into the oil. Fry until golden brown, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat and drain on paper towels.

Enjoy!!!

Finger Food Ideas:

Finger Food Ideas:

Sweet Potatoes In Oven:

Ingredients:
2-3 sweet potatoes
Black Pepper
Salt
Olive Oil

Directions:

• Preheat oven on 180℃.
• Wash your sweet potatoes very well.
• Cut the potatoes like fries.
• In a baking pan put the potatoes, Salt, pepper, olive oil, mix the very well and place the pan in the oven for 15-20 minutes.

You can serve the with ketchup, mayonnaise, guacamole

Garlic Bread:

Ingredients:

2-3 garlic heads, peeled and minced

1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Olive Oil

1/4 Mozzarella or Parmesan Cheese, grated or slices

1/4 cup fresh tomatoes, chopped

4 tbsp melted butter

1-2 French Baguettes, sliced

 Directions:

• Preheat oven to 180℃.  Prepare 2 separate bowls.  In one bowl combine the minced Garlic, parsley, a few tablespoons of olive oil, and cheese, add the butter and mix well.
• Slice bread into 1/2-inch diagonals and spread across a foil-lined baking tray.
• Spoon the mixture to the slices.  
• Top all the slices with more cheese, and top of the cheese with the chopped tomatoes.
• Bake until the bread is toasted and cheese melted.

Homemade Chicken Nuggets:

Ingredients:

1kg chicken breast

Flour Coating:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup cornstarch

2 tbsp salt

2 tsp sugar

1 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

Batter:

1 cup sparkling water

2 eggs

4 tbsp cornstarch

4 tbsp all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp sugar

Oil to depp fryin

Directions:

• On a line baking tray, shape the chicken breasts into nuggets.  Freeze until solid
• In a resealable plastic bag, add all ingredients for flour coating. Shake it well to mix.
• For the batter, whisk together listed ingredients, until combined. Set aside.
• Add frozen nuggets into bag with the flour coating , and shake to coat.  
• Then dip each nugget in the batter, followed by another flour coating.
• Heat oil to 180℃, and fry for 5 minutes or until Golden brown and crispy.

You can serve with ketchup, mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, Sweet chili Sauce. etc...

Broccoli Pasta

Broccoli Pasta:

Ingredients:

1 head of broccoli, chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
250 gr pasta, of your choice
1/2 small pack parsley
1/2 pack basil
20-40 gr toasted pine nuts
1/2 lemon zest and juice
40 gr parmesan cheese

Directions:

• Heat the oven to 180℃.  Toss the broccoli and garlic in 1 tbsp olive oil, on a roasting tray, and roast in the oven for 10 minutes, until softened.
• Tip the pasta into a pan of boiling water, salted water or if you want you can put a cube of maggie.  Cook according the package instructions.
• Once the broccoli is done, set aside for few pieces of broccoli.
• In a blender put the garlic and the rest of broccoli, pulse to a pesto and season with salt and black pepper.
• Toss the pasta with the pesto. Add the reserved broccoli florets, split between two bowls and top with parmesan cheese, the lemon zest and black pepper if you like it.

Enjoy!

Pesto Recipe

Pesto Recipe:

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup virgin olive oil
1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pine nuts
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp salt
1/5 tsp black pepper

Directions:

• Place the basil leaves and pine nuts into the bowl of a food processor and pulse a several times.
• Add the garlic and Parmesan or Romano cheese and pulse several times more. Scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula.
• Slowly add the olive oil in a steady small stream. Adding the olive oil slowly, while the processor is running, will help it emulsify and help keep the olive oil from separating. Occasionally stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor. 
• Stir in Salt and Black pepper for more taste.

Enjoy!

Chinese Lemon Chicken

Chinese Lemon Chicken:

Ingredients:

500 gr Chicken fillet, cut into cubes

1 tbsp soya sauce

2 tbsp Corn Starch

1/3 cup lemon juice

3 tbsp sugar

1/2 cup water

2 tsp cornstarch 

1 tsp lemon zest

1/4 cup flour

1/2 cup cornstarch

oil for frying

Directions:

• In a bowl add soya sauce and cornstarch with your chicken cubes and cover with plastic wrap.
• Marinate for 30-40 minutes.
• While the chicken is marinating add the lemon juice, sugar, water,cornstarch and lemon zest to a bowl and mix very well.
• Add the flour and cornstarch to the bowl of chicken and toss to coat.
• In a frying  pot/pan put the oil about 6cm deep, heat on medium - high.
• add the chicken in batches so you don't crowd the pot or chicken stick together, and, it will lower the temperature significantly causing your chicken to be oily.
• Cook chicken until golden brown, and when cooked, transfer the pieces to a skillet.
• In the skillet we will tossing with the sauce.
• When you finish with the chicken cubes, we turn on the skillet onto medium heat, and add the sauce.
• Coat the chicken cubes in the sauce and cook for just a few seconds.(until thickened)
• Serve with rice and vegetables.

Enjoy!

Greek Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers (Gemista)

Greek Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers (Gemista):

Ingredients:
6 tomatoes
4 bell peppers
5 potatoes, cut in 4 pieces
(you can use baby potatoes)
250gr beef,minced
2 onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
500 gr rice
1 cup tomato juice
a small bunch of parsley, chopped
1 tsp sugar
1 tin chopped tomatoes
Salt
Black Pepper
Olive oil


Directions:

• Start by washing thoroughly your peppers and tomatoes. 
• Slice off the top of the tomatoes and the bell peppers, using a spoon remove the flesh of the tomatoes and keep it in a bowl. Remove the seeds of bell peppers and the white parts on the inside.
• Place the empty tomatoes and peppers on a baking tray. Season them with a pinch of salt black pepper and sugar and adda little olive oil on the bottom of each one.
• Prepare the sauce for the Gemista, In a blender add the flesh of the tomatoes, 5 tbsp olive oil, salt, black pepper and sugar, and mix to combine. Set aside
• Prepare the filling for the Gemista. In a saucepan add some olive oil and saute the onions with the beef until the beef is brown colored, add the garlic and saute until softened. Add the rice and continue sauteing. 
• Pour in 1 tin chopped tomatoes and season with salt and black pepper.  As soon as the liquid has been absorbed, the stuffin is ready. Remove the pan from the stove and stir.
• Spoon the filling inside the empty vegetables and place the potatoes, cut into pieces, in between the vegetables. 
• Season with Salt and black pepper and pour the tomato juice over the vegetables and in the baking tray.
• Cover the vegetables with their lids and add 2-3 glasses of water.
• Cover the Gemista with aluminium foil and bake in preheated oven at 180℃ for 1 hour. When the first 30 minutes gone ,remove the aluminium foil and bake, until nicely colored.

Enjoy!

2 of my favourite Healthy Oats & Granola Bars

2 of my favourite Healthy Oats & Granola Bars

Oats and Granola Honey Bars:

Ingredients:
3 1/4 cup Oats
3/4 cup Granola
2/3 cup oat flour
3 tbsp brown sugar
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/ tsp salt
2/3 cup honey
1/3 cup melted coconut oil/butter
2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 180℃.
• In a bowl, stir together oats, granola, oat flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.
• Measure honey, melted coconut oil/butter and vanilla into a cup,then drizzle over oat mixture and stir until all ingredients are combined.
• Transfer oat mixture into prepared pan with parchment paper and press down, into layer.
• Bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove from oven, wait for cool  and then we cut it into bars!

Peanut butter with chocolate chips Granola Bars:

Ingredients:

2 cups oats

1 cup granola

2 tbsp coconut oil

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup peanut butter, creamy or crunchy

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp chocolate chips

Directions:

• Ina bowl combine oats and granola.
• In a sauce pan combine coconut oil, honey and brown sugar. Heat in a medium heat  until the sugar is dissolved.
• Add the peanut butter and vanilla extract and stir until mixture is smooth.
• Pour over oat mixture and stir until evenly coated.
• Press mixture into a baking pan. Top with mini chocolate chips and press down slightly.
• Allow to set for 3-4 hours and then you can cut them into bars.

Enjoy!