Sausage Soup Italian Style

INGREDIENTS

* 2 (14 ounce) cans beef broth
* 1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian-style stewed tomatoes
* 1 pound Italian sausage
* 2 small zucchini, cubed
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1 cup sliced carrots
* 1 (14.5 ounce) can great Northern beans, undrained
* 2 cups spinach - packed, rinsed and torn
* 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 1/4 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS

* In pot, brown sausage with garlic.
* Stir in broth, tomatoes and carrots, and season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 mins.
* Stir in beans with liquid and zucchini. Cover, and simmer another 15 minutes, or until zucchini is tender.
* Remove from heat, and add spinach.
* Replace the lid allowing the heat from the soup to cook the spinach leaves. Soup is ready to serve after 5 mins.

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Spinach and Pesto Pasta

INGREDIENTS

* 1 tablespoon minced garlic
* 16 ounces fresh spinach, washed & chopped
* 6 ounces low-fat, firm silken tofu
* 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
* 1/8 cup low-sodium chicken broth
* 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 1/2 cup diced red onion
* 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
* 10 ounces fresh mushrooms, thinly sliced
* 6 ounces fresh sliced shiitake mushrooms
* 1/4 cup bacon bits
* 1 pound penne pasta


DIRECTIONS

* Cook the pasta according to package directions.
* While pasta is cooking, in food processor or blender, combine spinach, tofu, lemon juice, garlic, broth, cheese, pepper, and Italian seasoning, process until smooth. Set aside.
* Spray a large non-stick saute pan with cooking spray. Over medium heat, cook onions and mushrooms until tender. Reduce heat to low, add pesto mixture and heat until hot.
* Toss pasta with sauce &bacon bits. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired. Note that if sauce seems very thick, thin to desired consistency with pasta cooking water or broth.

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Curry and Garlic Burgers Recipe

INGREDIENTS

* 3 tablespoons evaporated milk
* 2 pounds lean ground beef
* 1 egg, lightly beaten
* 1 1/2 cups chopped sweet onion
* 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
* 3 large cloves garlic, minced
* 1 tablespoon steak seasoning
* 1 tablespoon mild curry powder

DIRECTIONS

* Preheat an outdoor grill on high heat.
* In a bowl, mix beef, onion, egg, evaporated milk, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, curry powder & steak seasoning.
* Form the mixture into 8 patties.
* Grill patties over indirect heat for about 5 mins on each side, or until done.

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Fantastic Balsamic Gnocchi

INGREDIENTS

* 3 cloves chopped garlic
* 1/2 cup diced red onion
* salt to taste
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
* 6 crimini mushrooms, chopped
* 4 small mixed sweet peppers, julienned
* 1 cup butter
* 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
* 4 leaves chopped basil
* 1 (16 ounce) package potato gnocchi

DIRECTIONS

* Cook gnocchi according to package directions.
* Drain the gnocchi and store in pot.
* Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
* Add garlic to skillet and cook for 2 mins.
* Mix in the chopped onions and season with salt; cook until onions begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
* Stir in the mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes & basil.
* Cook for another 5 minutes. Stir the butter in to melt.
* Pour the balsamic vinegar into the skillet, stir, reduce heat, and simmer the sauce for 15 to 20 mins.
* Toss the cooked gnocchi with the sauce.

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Fantastic Duck and Peas Recipe

INGREDIENTS

1 x 4-5lb (2- 2 ½ kg) duck
10 fl oz (275ml) giblet stock - made earlier with duck giblets, onion, carrot, peppercorns and celery
a bouquet garni made with sage, marjoram and thyme
1 large Webb or Cos lettuce
1lb (500g) podded fresh peas
2 eggs, yolks only
2 fl oz/55ml double cream
salt and pepper
1 lemon, juice only
a large handful of chopped mint

METHOD

* Prick duck all over with fork. This will help to release the fat.
* Put herbs into duck's cavity.
* Heat 2 tbspof olive oil in a heavy based casserole and brown the duck all over. If you do this slowly, it will release all the fat, so it can run out. Ladle some of the fat out of the pot and keep aside (wonderful for roasting potatoes.)
* When nice and brown, pop it breast side down in the pot, cover with stock and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.
* When done, turn the duck over and add the lettuce which has been shredded and the peas, season and replace the lid and cook for a further 40 minutes.
* Take out the duck and carve or joint. Keep warm. Drain the peas and lettuce and put with the duck.
* If necessary, skim off any fat off the sauce, season. Mix yolks & cream in a basin and pour over half the stock. Mix well and then pour back into the rest of the sauce. Cook gently, but DO NOT boil.
* Add the lemon juice & the mint and then pour over the duck and serve.

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Fantastic Lamb Rogan Josh

INGREDIENTS

1 tsp chilli powder
1 large onion, roughly chopped
2 tsp ground cumin
6 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
small piece fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp tomato purée
4 tbsp vegetable oil or ghee (clarified butter)
1kg/2¼lb casserole lamb, cut into bite-size cubes
8-10 cardamom pods, lightly crushed with the back of a spoon
300ml/10fl oz lager

DIRECTIONS

1. In a food processor, blend together onion, garlic, ginger, all of the ground spices, salt & tomato purée.
2. Heat oil or ghee in large saucepan or flameproof casserole. Add the lamb pieces and cardamom pods. Quickly fry until the lamb is browned all over. This may need to be done in 2 batches, depending on the size of your pan. Stir in the spicy paste and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Pour in the lager and bring to a simmer. Cover with a lid and cook for about 1-1¼ hours, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and the lamb is lovely and tender. Leave the dish for 5 minutes before serving.

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Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe

Fabulous!



INGREDIENTS

½ onion, chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
4 slices bacon, chopped
150ml/5fl oz double cream
2 eggs
handful basil, chopped
140g/5oz spaghetti

DIRECTIONS
* Soften the onions in a pan with the oil for two minutes.
* Add the garlic and bacon and fry for another 3-4 minutes.
* Add the cream to the pan and then the eggs.
* Cook the spaghetti according to the packet instructions and drain.
* Add the spaghetti to the pan with the sauce and stir through to coat the pasta.
* Stir in the basil and serve.

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Cajun Chicken Recipe

INGREDIENTS
4 chicken breasts
1 tbls Schwarz cajun spice
1 tbls sunflower oil
2 tbls extra light Hellmans mayonaise

DIRECTIONS
* Chop chicken into smallish pieces and the add a littel of the spice and coat the chicken.

* Put the hob on low heat on the big ring and add the chicken to a frying pan and cook on the hob with the rest of the spice for 10 minutes.

* When the chicken is cooked put the chicken into a bowl and stirr in the mayonaise

* Put the chicken on a plate and acompany with a little salad.

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Fantastic Chicken Balti Recipe

A great balti recipe!

INGREDIENTS

500g boneless chicken (cut into 1 inch cubes)
1 red and 1 green pepper (each cut into inch-sized squares)
8 tomatoes, finely chopped
2 green chillies, finely chopped (optional)
1 teaspoon red chilli powder
1 tablespoon fresh coriander, finely chopped
¼ teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon garlic paste
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 teaspoon garam masala powder
salt, to taste
2 cups water or chicken stock
4 tablespoons vegetable oil or ghee
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
4 tablespoons coriander leaves, chopped


DIRECTIONS

* Heat oil or ghee in a large pan over medium heat. Add the peppers. Stir fry for a minute drain and keep aside.

* Add mustard seeds & let them crackle. Add the onions & fry until translucent in colour.

* Add tomatoes & cook for 5 mins, stirring, then add the coriander powder, chilli powder, cumin powder, salt and garlic paste and fry for further 2 minutes.

* Add the chicken pieces and stir fry for few minutes.

* Add water or chicken stock, bring to the boil, then cook on medium heat until chicken is done and gravy has thickened. Keep stirring in between.

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Lovely Lasagne Recipe

A fantastic lasagne recipe!

INGREDIENTS
450g/1lb lean minced beef
1 onion, finely chopped
3 tsp tomato purée
1 red pepper, deseeded and finely chopped
oil
1 green pepper, deseeded and finely chopped
150g/5oz button mushrooms, sliced
2 bay leaves
2 x 400g/14oz cans chopped tomatoes
1 tsp dried thyme
300g/10½oz 'no pre-cook' lasagne sheets
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp dried oregano
butter, for greasing
300g/10½oz cottage cheese
150g/5oz mature cheddar, grated
salt and freshly ground black pepper
To serve
green salad
garlic bread

DIRECTIONS
* Preheat the oven to 180C.
* Heat the oil in a frying pan. Add mince and cook until brown all over. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside.
* Add the onions, peppers and mushrooms. Fry over a medium heat until softened.
* Return mince to pan. Add the tomato purée and bay leaves and cook for five minutes.
* Add tomatoes and dried herbs. Heat to bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to simmer for at least 30 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
* Grease a 25 x 20cm/10 x 8in baking dish and line the bottom with pasta.
* Remove the bay leaves from the mince mixture and spoon about one third of the mixture onto the pasta.
* Place blobs of cottage cheese (again totalling one-third of the cottage cheese) on top of the mince.
* Repeat this layering process of lasagne sheets, mince and cottage cheese for more layers, finishing with a good sprinkling of cheddar all over the top.
* Transfer to oven and bake for about 45 mins to 1 hour, until the top is golden-brown and bubbling and the pasta cooked through.
* To serve, cut out squares of the lasagne and place onto plates. Serve with a green salad and garlic bread.

Chilli Con Carne Recipe

INGREDIENTS

* 5 tablespoons vegetable oil
* 2 pounds lean ground beef
* 2 large onions, chopped
* 1 chile pepper, chopped
* 5 cloves garlic, chopped
* 3 (14.5 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes with liquid, chopped
* 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
* 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
* 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin
* 2 tablespoons paprika
* 2 tablespoons dried oregano
* 2 cinnamon sticks
* 6 whole cloves
* 2 (15.25 ounce) cans red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

DIRECTIONS

In a medium sized pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Saute onion, chile pepper and garlic until soft. Add ground beef: cook and stir until meat is browned.
Pour in tomatoes with liquid, salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, cinnamon sticks, and cloves. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes.
Stir in kidney beans, and cook another 15 minutes. Remove the cinnamon sticks before serving.

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Roast Beef Recipe

A fabulous recipe:

INGREDIENTS
1 sirloin of beef on the bone, weighing 5-6 lb (2.25-2.75 kg) - this would be 3 ribs
½ onion, peeled
1 level dessertspoon mustard powder
1 level dessertspoon plain flour
freshly milled black pepper

METHOD
1. Preheat the oven to 240C/475F/Gas 9.
2. Place the beef, just as it is, upright in a roasting tin, tucking in the half onion alongside it.
3. Combine the mustard powder and flour, then dust this all over the surface of the fat, and finally season with a few twists of freshly milled pepper. This floury surface will help to make the fat very crusty (for those like me who want to eat what I call the crispies), while the onion will caramelise to give the gravy a rich colour and flavour.
4. Place the joint in the oven - it will have plenty of fat so do not add extra. After 20 minutes turn the heat down to 190C/375F/Gas 5, and continue to cook for 15 minutes per lb (450 g) for rare, plus 15 minutes extra for medium-rare or 30 minutes extra for well-done.
5. While cooking, baste the meat with the juices at least three times. To see if the beef is cooked to your liking insert a thin skewer and press out some juices: the red, pink or clear colour will indicate to what stage the beef has cooked.
6. Remove the cooked beef to a board for carving and leave it to rest for at least 30 minutes before serving (while it is resting you can increase the heat in the oven to finish the roast potatoes if you are serving them).
7. This resting period allows most of the juices which have bubbled up to the surface of the meat to seep back into it, and the meat itself firms up to make it easier to carve. Some of the juices will escape, though, and these should be poured into the gravy.

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Tuna Casserole Recipe

INGREDIENTS

* 3 cups egg noodles, uncooked
* 2 (6 oz) cans of tuna, drained
* 1/3 cup green onions, chopped
* 1/2 cup celery, chopped
* 1 zucchini (small), sliced
* 1 tomato, chopped
* 1 cup shredded cheese (Monterey Jack is recommended)
* 1/3 cup sour cream
* 1/2 cup mayonnaise
* 2 tsp mustard
* 1/4 tsp salt
* 1/2 tsp dried thyme

METHOD

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Then, grease a 2 qt. casserole dish.
2. Boil a large pot of water (salted), then add your noodles. Cook until "al dente", and then drain.
3. Combine noodles, tuna, green onion and celery in a large bowl. Add the sour cream, mayonnaise, and mustard. Then, the salt and thyme. Put 1/2 of the mixture into your casserole dish, then place a layer of zucchini over your mixture. Add the left over noodles, and another layer of zucchini. Spread the cheese over the casserole.
4. Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until bubbly and hot. Finally, add the tomatoes to the top of the casserole and enjoy!
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Pork Chops and Rice Recipe

INGREDIENTS
4 center cut pork chops, bone-in
2 cans Cream of Mushroom soup
1 can water
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
garlic powder
Tony Chachere's Cajun seasoning (or equivalent)
garlic powder, to taste
1 cup rice

DIRECTIONS
Heat the oil on medium heat and brown pork chops.

When brown, drain oil and add both cans of soup. When cans are empty, fill one can with water and pour into pan and stir. If you want more gravy, you can add a little more water. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally for about 30-45 minutes. If you simmer longer, the meat will be more tender. Mine fall off the bone!

Adjust seasonings as it cooks. Taste occasionally; add more garlic powder and Tony's to the gravy while it simmers.

Cook 1 cup rice. You can use Minute Rice if you prefer.

Serve together and pour gravy over rice.
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Crispy Aromatic Duck

Ingredients
1x2.75kg/6lb duck, fresh or frozen
6 slices of fresh root ginger, 7.5cm x 5mm/3 x ¼in
6 spring onions, cut into 7.5cm/3in lengths
cornflour, plain flour or potato flour for dusting
1.2l/2pt groundnut oil

For the Spice Rub:
2 tbsp five-spice powder
65g/2½oz sichuan peppercorns
25g/1oz whole black peppercorns
3 tbsp cumin seeds
200g/7oz rock salt

To Serve:
chinese pancakes
6 spring onions, finely shredded
hoisin sauce

Method
1. If the duck is frozen, thaw it thoroughly. Rinse well and blot it completely dry with kitchen paper. Mix all the ingredients for the spice rub together in a small bowl, then rub the duck inside and out with this mixture, applying it evenly. Wrap well in clingfilm and place in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
2. After this time, brush any excess spices from the duck. Stuff the ginger and spring onions into the cavity and put the duck on a heatproof plate. Set up a steamer or put a rack into a wok. Fill it with 5cm/2in of water and bring to the boil. Lower the duck and place into the steamer and cover tightly.
3. Steam gently for 2 hours, pouring off excess fat from time to time. Add more water as necessary. Remove the duck from the steamer and pour off all the liquid. Discard the ginger and spring onions. Leave the duck in a cool place for 2 hours or until it has dried and cooled. At this point the duck can be refrigerated.
4. Just before you are ready to serve it, cut the duck into quarters and dust with cornflour, plain flour or potato flour, shaking off the excess.
5. Heat the oil in a wok or deep fat fryer. When it is almost smoking, deep-fry the duck quarters in 2 batches. Fry the breasts for about 8-10 minutes and the thighs and legs for about 12-15 minutes, until each quarter is crisp and heated right through.
6. Drain the duck on kitchen paper and leave until cool enough to handle. Then remove the meat from the bones and shread it. You can do this easily with a fork. The chinese eat it with bones and all. Serve with the chinese pancakes, spring onions and hoisin sauce.

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