Friday, April 12, 2013

Spicy Lamb Kebab











Kebabs are a great food for any occasion. They are easy to prepare and can be made using just about anything! You can make them with meat or without, with veggies or a combination of both. Kebabs are skewered meats and vegetables cooked over a hot flame; wither on a grill or under a broiler in the oven. My recipe today is to make spicy lamb Kebabs, Cubes of tender lamb fillet are marinated in an array of herbs and spices that produce a spicy flavor that is so irresistible.

Ingredients:

Lamb marinade:
1/2 pound lean boned leg of lamb
1/4 cup plain fat-free yogurt
1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1 garlic clove, minced
Pinch of ground red pepper or cayenne

       Vegetable mix:

2 cups (1-inch) sliced zucchini
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 small onion, cut into 4 wedges
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon olive oil
Pinch of ground pepper

Directions:

1.Trim fat from lamb. Cut lamb into 1-inch pieces; set aside.

2. Combine yogurt and all lamb marinade ingredients (yogurt through garlic) in a large zip-top plastic bag. Add lamb, seal and marinate in refrigerator 8 hours, turning bag occasionally. Remove lamb from bag, reserving marinade.

3. Thread lamb onto 2 (10-inch) skewers.

4. Thread zucchini, bell pepper and onion wedges onto 2 (10-inch) skewers. Brush olive oil and garlic powder over the vegetables.

5. Prepare grill or broiler. Place kebabs on grill rack or broiler pan coated with cooking spray; cook 7 minutes on each side or until done, basting occasionally with reserved marinade. Serve kebabs with rice , chick peas or salad

Triple Chocolate Brownies


  
  


I hope every one is having a good time in this holiday season.  I just saw Nigella Lawson prepare these delicious brownies on TV and I had to give it a go J. These are the best brownies ever, perfectly 'squishy' in the middle and its effortless to make at home. The only adjustment I made was to add melted chocolate syrup and chopped cashews for garnishing.

Ingredients
  • 3 sticks plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 12 ounces best-quality bitter-sweet chocolate
  • 6 eggs
  • 1 3/4 cups superfine sugar
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup white chocolate buttons, chips, or morsels
  • 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate buttons, chips or morsels
  • Approximately 2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar, for garnish
  • Special equipment: Baking tin (approximately 11 1/4 inches by 9 inches by 2 inches), sides and base lined with baking parchment.
Directions
1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Melt the butter and chocolate together in a large heavy based pan over a low heat.
3. In a bowl or large measuring jug, beat the eggs together with the superfine sugar and vanilla extract.

4, Allow the chocolate mixture to cool a little, then add the egg and sugar mixture and beat well. Fold in the flour and salt. Then stir in the white chocolate buttons or chips, and the semisweet chocolate buttons or chips. Beat to combine then scrape and pour the brownie mixture into the prepared tin.

5. Bake for about 25 minutes. You can see when the brownies are ready because the top dries to a slightly paler brown speckle, while the middle remains dark, dense and gooey. Even with such a big batch you do need to keep checking on it: the difference between gooey brownies and dry ones is only a few minutes. Remember, too, that they will continue to cook as they cool.

6. To serve, cut into squares while still warm and pile up on a large plate, sprinkling with confectioners' sugar pushed with a teaspoon through a small sieve.

Grilled Spanish Mackerel with Fresh Mint Sauce




 


If you are a fish lover like me then you know Spanish mackerel are a highly valued fish throughout their range from North Carolina to Texas. When ever I go to the fish market, I always search for a thick, fresh steak of Spanish mackerel or Sword fish for grilling. It can cost you a bit depends on the fish harvest levels.
With just a few simple ingredients you can do wonders with this fish, creating a restaurant quality meal. If you enjoy the strong lingering fish taste this Grilled Spanish mackerel brings to the table, then this recipe for you. The following marinade is very easy to make and they can make your grilled fish steaks come alive with flavor .I also made a fresh mint sauce to go with the grilled Fish and butter garlic sauce for the boiled vegetables and squid rings.

Ingredients:  Grilled Spanish Mackerels

2 Spanish Mackerel steaks, 1 1/2 inches thick
2 table spoon olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 lemon, sliced
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1 tablespoon fresh coriander leaves, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh ground ginger root

Directions:

1.     Light grill, set to medium heat, cover surface with aluminum foil.
2.     Rub all sides of each King mackerel steak with olive oil, rub salt, pepper, and garlic, coriander onto the top and bottom of each steak.
3.     Place the Spanish mackerel steaks onto aluminum foil, cover each with lemon slices.
4.     Cook 5 minutes, remove lemon slices, flip, place lemon slices back on top.
5.     Grill until the mackerel steaks flake easily with a fork.
6.     Serve the Grilled King Mackerel  with boiled vegetables and boiled squid rings

Ingredients: Butter Garlic Sauce

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, crushed

Directions:

Melt butter, add garlic and set aside. Strain just before using. Brush on meat or fish before broiling or grilling.

Ingredients: Fresh Mint Sauce


Directions: 
1 bunch fresh mint leaves (about 1/2 cup minced leaves)
1 tea spoon dark brown sugar
1 tea spoon. Tarragon wine vinegar
1. Wash the mint and pull of the leaves. Combine leaves, stems, sugar and vinegar in a heavy saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until sauce is slightly thickened. Lift the leaves and stems from sauce. 
3. Discard stems. Chop the leaves very fine and return to sauce.

Spicy Grilled Lamb Steak




I love my Lamb steak Tender and Juicy, Whether you like it grilled or broiled, and medium or rare, you'll find this great-tasting Indian spice rubbed Lamb steak recipe irresistible from the first bite. If you are a lamb steak lover, then you know that shoulder-cut lamb steak is best prepared by turning the meat into a Incredibly delicate steak recipe. Shoulder-cut lamb steak recipes tend to be tasty because the muscle there has had a lot of exercise and consequently has developed a stronger flavor than a portion of the lamb that didn't get much exercise. I usually buy the Fresh grass fed lamb from PA Dutch market in FranklynNJ. Their lamb come from small farm raised sheep , anti- biotic, and hormone free.  No matter which variety of lamb you choose, I hope you will enjoy this flavorful spicy grilled steak recipe.


Ingredients

2 lamb steaks (preferably shoulder cut)
1 tablespoon coriander powder
2 tablespoon paprika/chili powder
1/2 teaspoons cumin powder
1 tablespoon ginger paste
3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 small onion finely chopped
1/2 cup cilantro, finely chopped
1 tea spoon coarse sea salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon brown sugar


Directions:

1. In a bowl mix together the coriander, cumin, paprika/chili powder , olive oil and salt and coat the steaks. Cover, and refrigerate for 2 hours.

2. Sprinkle a splash of olive oil in to a pan , add the brown sugar (caramelizing),chopped onions and fry it for 2 minute. Once onions are brown, add the ginger, garlic and cilantro and cook it for 1 minute.

3. Add the steaks and fry the steaks at a high temperature for 1 min each side then reduce the heat and fry for around 2 mins each side. Transfer to a bowl and let cool.

4. Light a grill or preheat a grill pan and oil it lightly. Grill over a hot fire for 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium rare or more if you prefer it well cooked. 

Transfer to plates and serve at once with a bowl of rice /noodles. It’s Quick and simple yet very tasty.

Caribbean Chicken Wings





Caribbean spiced rub chicken wings are the ultimate party wings, easy to prepare with sensational flavor.
If you are getting bored with same old Buffalo wings recipes and want to try something new, then give these flavor packed wings a try. I like this version better than most of the recipes out there, wings are baked instead of frying and they're glazed with a sweet and spicy sauce that's out of this world! 

Ingredients

1 habanero, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons fennel seed
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons allspice
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon ground ginger
4 garlic cloves, chopped
4 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup orange juice
7 pounds chicken wings


Directions:

1.In a food processor, blend together all the ingredients but the chicken until smooth. Keep one cup of marinade.

2.Place chicken wings into a re-sealable plastic bag and pour remaining marinade over them. Seal and marinate in the refrigerator 4 to 6 hours.

3.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 sheet trays with parchment. Remove chicken from bag and place on the baking sheets.

4. Bake 20 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan bring reserved marinade to a boil. Reduce by 1/3 until it thickens slightly, about 10 minutes.

5.After 20 minutes, remove chicken from oven. Brush chicken with the glaze. Raise the heat to 400 degrees F and cook chicken until cooked through, another 20 minutes.



Fish Cutlets





This Fish Cutlet recipe is among the finest and easy to make Sri Lankan fish recipes. If you ever go to any sri-lankan restaurants, you will find this fish cutlets listed along with many delicious sea food based appetizers. If you are looking a versatile dish to make it at home, this is the simplest of the cutlets. It’s made out of boiled potatoes /Tuna and spices; all mixed together to make an oval shaped balls, then dipped in egg white , bread crumbs and deep fried them.Even though original recipe calls for deep frying, you can always broil them to eat healthy. As per Tuna chunks, you may select any variety of Tuna brand, I have used Bumble Bee tuna chunks in water for this recipe.  You can enjoy this flavorful appetizer with any hot sauce, Chutney or dip.

Ingredients:

  
For the Tuna mix:

2 medium potatoes, cubed
2 tins of tuna chunks, drained
½ medium red onion, chopped finely
2 – 3 green chilies, chopped finely, deseeded
4 - 5 curry leaves, shredded
½ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
 1 tsp or more chili powder
½ tsp coriander powder
½ tsp cumin powder
½ tsp Lime juice to taste
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Salt

For Frying

4 tbsp plain bread crumbs for coating
2 medium egg whites beaten
Oil for deep frying

Directions:

1. Boil the potatoes until soft. When they’re done, drain the potatoes and leave to cool in the sieve. You want the water from the potatoes to evaporate, so do leave them for long enough.

2. In the meanwhile, prepare the remaining ingredients except for the salt and lime juice, and mix them in a bowl. When the potatoes have cooled down, mash them and add to the mixture in the bowl. Add the lime juice and salt to taste.

3. Sprinkle a little olive oil in a pan and sauté the mixer for 10 mins and let it cool.

4. Take about a golf-ball sized amount of mixture and roll it into a ball. Next dip the ball into the egg, and then into bread crumbs. Do all the cutlets in this way.

5. Pour oil into a deep pan, or a wok and put on medium high. You’ll need enough oil for deep frying.The oil is hot enough when it sizzles when you insert a wooden spoon inside.

6. Fry the cutlets for a few min on each side, until they’re heated through and the coating is cooked

Baked King Fish With Beans Salsa






Fish is an excellent source of Omega fatty acids, high in protein and has a good amount of nutrients which are healthy for both the heart and the brain. King Fish is relatively easy to prepare compared to other sea food like Shrimp or Lobster. I get my king fish from local farmers market, they do the clean up and slice the fish for me.  So all I have to do it is marinate and bake it. When make it right, you will get hooked to the taste.

Ingredients:

900 g kingfish 
salt 
1/2 teaspoon chili powder (cayenne) 
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder 
2 tablespoons olive oil 
1  teaspoon Ginger powder
1  teaspoon  Garlic powder
1  teaspoon Coriander powder
2 1/2 teaspoons cumin powder,
1 slice of lemon

Directions:

1. Wash and dry the fish slices.
2. Marinate the fish with the salt, turmeric, chili, garlic, ginger, coriander, cumin powder and olive oil for 1/2 an hour.
3. Pre- heat oven to 180C and Put the fish in a baking dish.
4. Bake it for 15 - 20 minutes or until the fish is cooked.
5. Take it out and sprinkle little bit of Lemon juice on the fish.

You can enjoy the baked King Fish with Sautéed Vegetables or Bean Salsa.