Chicken Massamum Curry

Speedy Curry with peanuts and potatoes. Enjoy

Chicken Pieces ( I used 6 thighs) use chicken breast cut into cubes for a super speedy meal.

1 onion chopped finely

1 can coconut milk

curry paste (1 small jar massamum curry paste)

1 potato chopped into small cubes (Small cubes cook quicker)

100g crushed peanuts

fresh corriander

oil

Heat oil in pan and brown thighs on both sides. Remove from pan and add onions and saute until soft. add potatoes and curry paste and fry until fragrant. Add coconut milk and stir till combined, return chicken to pan and add peanuts and cook for about 10 - 15 minutes till chicken is cooked. (if you prefer crunchy peanuts leave to add till the end. Garnish with corriander leaves and serve. 

You can serve with rice / stir fried noodles. 

Enjoy....

Butternut Squash Soup

I had just bought my monthly stash of food mags, was leafing through when I spotted this recipe. I had a butternut squash and a few of the ingredients so decided to make this soup. Was pleasantly surprised by this recipe as I've tried more than my fair share of butternut soup recipes. As usual quick easy and incredibly tasty.

This recipe makes a big batch 2.5l to be exact and freezes well. (without the bacon). P.s you dont really need the bacon the soup is delicious on its own..

Serve 8 people  Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 35 mins

3 tblsp olive oil, plus a splash extra
2 red onions, finely, chopped
3 garlic cloves, crushed
2 red chillies, deseeded and finely chopped
1 butternut squash (about 1.2kg) peeled, deseeded and chopped into chunks
1 large floury potato, cut into chuncks
a few rosemary sprigs
1.25 litres chicken/ veg stock
100g streaky bacon, finely chopped (optional)
splash double cream / low fat greek yogurt
pumpkin seed oil or extra virgin olive oil to drizzle
2. Add the squash, potato, rosemary sprigs and hot stock. Season well and bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 - 20 mins until squash is tender. Meanwhile fry the bacon in a splash of olive oil until crisp, then drain on kitchen paper.
3. Once soup is cooked, blend with a stick blender (or blend in batches in a stand blender) and stir in the cream / other. Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve with bacon scattered over and drizzle with oil.

Bon Appetite x x

Quick Healthy Ceasar Turkey Burgers

I was amazed at how tasty these burgers were, didn't expect it at all. You an double up and freeze the rest for a rainy day. I served these with baked sweet potato fries. I got this recipe from the bbcgood food magazine supplement - speedy suppers.

Serves 4      Prep Time 15 mins     Cook Time 20 mins

Ingredients

1 garlic clove
1 anchovy, diced (optional)
juice, 1 lemon
3 tblsp grated parmesan
small bunch parsely, finely chopped
3 tblsp low fat greek yogurt
500g pack turkey mince
1 onion, finely chopped
1 romain lettuce, shredded
4 small wholemeal buns, sliced in half horizontally
2 tomatoes sliced
salt & pepper

1. Heat oven to 200oC / 180o C Fan / Gas 6. Mix together the garlic, anchovy (if using), lemon juice and 2/3rds of the parmesan and parsely. Put half in a small bowl, mix with the yoghurt and set aside. Mix the other half in a large bowl with the mince and onion, then season with salt and pepper. Shape into 4 burgers. Place on a baking tray and bake for 15 - 20 minutes until cooked through.
2. Meanwhile mix the lettuce with the yogurt dressing and slice the buns. To assemble, put some salad on the bottom buns , top with burgers and a few tomato slices. Serve the burgers with any left over salad sprinkled with the remaining parmesan.

Baked Sweet Potato Chips

1 Large Sweet Potato
Olive Oil / other
Saltt & Pepper

1. Peel and cut sweet potato into chips. Place on baking tray lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil and bake for 15 - 20 mins.

You can put the chips in the oven the same time as the burgers and everything will be ready at the same time.

Bon Appetite.

Easy Homemade Pizza

I have four recipes for pizza dough. I wanted one that wouldn't take too long. I chose the basic pizza dough recipe from Jamie Oliver's Italy. Instead of making the dough by hand I used an electric mixer with a dough hook. This is the end result, thin crispy pizza base. Enjoy. If you would like it even quicker, use store bought ready rolled puff pasty as a base instead...

Makes 6 - 8 Medium sized pizzas

800g/ 1 3/4lb strong white bread flour
200g/ 7oz fine ground semolina flour / strong white bread flour
1 level tablespoon fine sea salt
2 x 7g sachets of dried yeast
1 tablespoon golden caster sugar
650ml just over 1 pint lukewarm water

Preheat oven to highest setting. Put flours and salt in mix and mix together on low. Put sugar and yeast into lukewarm water. Mix with a fork and leave for a few minutes, then pour into the flour mix and mix on slow till combined. Knead for 5 mins. Flour the top, cover with cling film and rest for 15 mins while making the sauce. You can also use passata if you don't have time to make the sauce.

Seperate dough into 6 balls and roll out. Add flour and roll out pizzas and rest for 15 mins. Add toppings and bake for 7 - 10 mins.

Sauce

This recipe is adapted from Darina Allens Tomato Fondue Recipe.

1 tablespoon olive oil
4oz /110g onions, chopped
1 garlic clove crushed
2 tablespoons sugar
1 can plum tomatoes
1 tablespoon chopped herbs (either one or a mixture of all thyme, parsley, mint, basil, lemon balm, majoram)
salt, pepper

Heat oil in a stainless steel saucepan. Add the onion and garlic, toss until coated, cover and sweat on a gentle heat until soft but not coloured. It is vital for the success of this dish that the onions are completely soft before the tomatoes are added.

Slice the tomatoes and add with all the juice to the onions. Season with salt, pepper and sugar. Add the herbs. Cook uncovered for 10 - 30 mins or until the tomato softens.

Topping Ideas

Black Olives and Anchovies
Ham, Mushroom & Mozarella
Mushroom, Garlic & Mozarella
Ham, Pineapple & Mozarella

Whatever you fancy really...