An Cooking

Kamis, 22 Mei 2014

SANDRA’S GREEK CUCUMBER TOMATO and GOAT CHEESE SALAD

A perfect salad that transports very
well to your favorite functions ~
And, its oh so delicious...

Servings: (4)
Prep: 15 Mins.
+ refrigeration time

Posted: by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

***Salad:

1 english cucumber, rinsed, peel scored with a fork, and cut into ½” cubes
½ red bell pepper, seeded, deribbed, cut into ½” pieces
1 large tomato, cut into ½” cubes
¼ of an red onion, chopped
1 (2.25 oz. can) sliced black olives, drained (and/or pitted calamata olives)
1/4 cup, goat cheese, cubed

***Vinaigrette:

4 tablespoons, extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon dried oregano

***Bread croutons:

1 slice of bread
½ tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried parsley

METHOD

In a medium bowl, combine cucumber, bell pepper, tomatoes, onion, olives, and goat cheese.

In a small bowl, whisk vinaigrette with olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, sea salt and pepper, to taste. Combine with vegetables and let stand for 30 minutes before serving.

Meanwhile, to make the croutons, heat a medium nonstick skillet with the olive oil to medium-high heat, and sprinkle them with garlic powder, and parsley. Saute the croutons, until crispy, for about 5 minutes, and set aside.

Once the Greek Salad has been refrigerated for 30 minutes, serve equally amongst four salad plates, and top with croutons. – Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tips: I most successfully cube my goat cheese using dental floss vs a knife. Also, if you are using a regular cucumber, please peel and remove seeds before cutting it into cubes.

Rabu, 21 Mei 2014

A Quick Hello From the Picturesque Ahwahnee

Its been a great few days, and Michele and I have had a very memorable time! I can’t wait to get back and share some of the culinary inspirations with you all. The Ahwahnee Hotel is unbelievably beautiful; its architecture and design in such perfect harmony with the majestic surroundings. Here are a few images I took of the hotel. Enjoy!

Selasa, 20 Mei 2014

Strawberry colada

Strawberry colada

Ingredients

Frozen strawberry 1 cup
Coconut milk powder 3 tbsp
Pineapple juice 1 cup
Sugar 2 tbsp
Ice cubes 1 cup
Desiccated coconut 1 tbsp
Vanilla ice cream 2 scoops
Strawberry essence 2 to 3 drops

Method

Blend altogether serves immediately.

Minggu, 18 Mei 2014

Great British Waste Menu my contribution!

No, I wasnt headhunted by Simon Rimmer and Richard Corrigan to join them on the Great British Waste Menu. However, it did remind me just how much food is wasted. I watched the programme with my Mum when I was visiting and when I returned home, I found that my neighbours had left me a bag of produce from their garden and I already had a few slightly wrinkly carrots in the bottom of the fridge.

Inspired by the programme, I looked around for a tasty way of using up the carrots, turnip (swede), leeks and potatoes. I found this recipe for Gratin of Carrots and Root Vegetables a few substitutions of veggies and I made a bechamel with milk rather than using cream. It doesnt look particularly pretty but it was very tasty and satisfying.

Sabtu, 17 Mei 2014

Malaysian fried fish

Malaysian fried fish

Ingredients

Fish fillet ½ kg
Finely chopped onions 1
Fresh red chilies 1
Water ½ cup
Oil ¼ cup
Finely chopped garlic 2-3 cloves
Finely chopped ginger 1
Brown sugar 1tsp
Lemon juice 1tbsp
Black pepper powder ¼ tsp
Red chili powder ½ tsp
Flour 2 tbsp
Soya sauce 2 tbsp
Salt as required

Method

Cut ½ kg fish fillets into cubes, marinate with ¼ tsp black pepper powder and a little salt. Now coat in 2 tbsp flour and shallow fry with a little oil till golden brown.
Heat the remaining oil in a wok, add 1 medium piece of chopped ginger, 2 – 3 cloves of chopped garlic, 1 chopped onion and 1 fresh red chilies. Fry well till onion tender.
Now add ½ tsp chili powder, 1 tsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp soya sauce, 1 tbsp lemon juice, salt to taste and ½ cup of water. Fry well on high flame till sauce thickens.
Now pour the sauce on fried fish and serve.

Jumat, 16 Mei 2014

amazing granola

5 C. oats (I used rolled, not quick)
1c. Chopped nuts
1c. oil
1c honey
1 tsp cinnamon
1tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1 c powdered milk

Optional mix ins:
wheat germ, coconut, raisins or craisins (added after baking) sunflower seeds. The options are endless!

Mix the dry ingredients together and mix the wet ingredients together. Then mix them all together. Spread onto a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper. Bake at 350 until golden, stirring occasionally. The granola should still be moist with a slight crunch. Enjoy!

Kamis, 15 Mei 2014

Homemade Piping Gel

Ingredients:

1. 1 tablespoon corn flour (starch)

2. 1/4 cup sugar

3. 1/4 cup lemon juice

4. 1/4 cup water

Method:

1. Mix all ingredients in one small saucepan.

2. Whisk very well make sure batter is no lumpy.

3. Stir medium to high heat until mixture is boils and thickens.

4. After cooled add color as desired.Put in piping bag and use it.

Note:

Thailandweather is very hot, so I used after one hour.

But if weather is cold so you can use quickly once its at room temp. because its get thicker slowly.
Store up to 2 months in refrigerated.