Archive for the ‘Recipes’ Category

Lemon Chicken II

Posted on: January 18th, 2017 by gherkinmedia

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast meat
  • 1 tablespoon dry sherry
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/3 cup white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions

  • In a large bowl combine the chicken, sherry, soy sauce and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix together, cover and refrigerate. Let marinate for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • In a small bowl, beat together the eggs, 1/4 cup cornstarch and baking powder to form a batter. In a wok, heat 2 cups oil to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat chicken with batter and fry in wok until browned. Cut into bite size pieces and set aside.
  • In a medium bowl combine the sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, broth, lemon juice and 1 teaspoon salt. Mix together and add lemon slices. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in wok and slowly stir in lemon sauce mixture. Cook, stirring, until sauce is clear. Pour sauce over chicken and serve.

Traditional Osso Buco

Posted on: January 18th, 2017 by gherkinmedia

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds veal shanks, cut into short lengths
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup Butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 large carrot, chopped
  • 2/3 cup dry white wine
  • 2/3 cup beef stock
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

Directions

  • Dust the veal shanks lightly with flour. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Add the veal, and cook until browned on the outside. Remove to a bowl, and keep warm. Add two cloves of crushed garlic and onion to the skillet; cook and stir until onion is tender. Return the veal to the pan and mix in the carrot and wine. Simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Pour in the tomatoes and beef stock, and season with salt and pepper. Cover, and simmer over low heat for 1 1/2 hours, basting the veal every 15 minutes or so. The meat should be tender, but not falling off the bone.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the parsley, 1 clove of garlic and lemon zest. Mix into the veal just before serving.

Provitello Veal Rib Chop with Mango Salsa

Posted on: January 17th, 2017 by gherkinmedia

Ingredients

4 frozen (Provitello) veal rib chops

Marinade

  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil
  • pepper

Side dish

  • 20 small new potatoes
  • 2 whole garlic cloves
  • pepper and salt to taste
  • few parsley stalks
  • parsley for garnish

Main dish

  • 2 Portobello Mushrooms
  • 2 Romano tomatoes
  • 2 chili Roma peppers
  • bunch of spring onions
  • parsley for garnish

Mango Salsa

  • 2 mangos
  • 1/2 red pepper
  • red onion or white sweet onion
  • 1 lime
  • 1 Jalapeno pepper
  • white wine vinegar
  • salt and pepper
  • chives
  • honey or sugar

Directions

To make the marinade for the chops take 3 cloves of garlic, peel, finely chop and put ina small bowl.
Cut a lemon in half and squeeze into the bowl
Add a some pepper and about a tablespoon of olive oil (75ml)

To make a side dish of new baby potatoes, add them to a saucepan. You can add a couple of cloves of peel whole garlic and put them in whole. Add a little bit of pepper and salt and add a few parsley stalks.
Put on stove to boil.

Remove the 4 frozen Provitello Veal Rib Chops from the packaging and place them on a large plate ready for the grill.
Slice the Portobello mushrooms in about 1/4 inch slices. This type of mushrooms were chosen as the slices can be large and there fit well on the grill. Place them with the chops.
Cut a 2 tomatoes in half and place with the chops.
Slice a couple of chili peppers and remove the seeds and place the pieces on the plate as well.
Slice the top off the green onions and an cut off the root strands. Place on the plate.

To prepare the Mango salsa for the recipe take a couple of mango’s, chop in half and peel away the skin. Cut into small cubes and place in a serving bowl.
Chop up 1/2 a red pepper to add contrasting colour and add to the bowl.
Chop up a large red onion or white sweet onion and add to the mix.
Cup a lime in half and squeeze the juice into the salsa. ( can also use honey)
Chop up and add a Jalapeno pepper.
Add a little white wine vinegar, a little pepper,salt and also a touch of sugar .
Add a few chives — toss the mixture and leave for about 2 hours.
However if not prepared in advance – it is still fine to eat within a 1/2 hour when the chops have been grilled.

Remove the potatoes when cooked and strain. Remove the garlic pieces. Put in serving dish and add some parsley.

Start the BBQ and bring to high heat. Then lower slightly. Make sure the grill is clean so that the chops do not stick. Add the marinade to both sides of all the chops and vegetables previously cut.
Add everything at once to the grill — all the vegetables and the veal chops and grill for 3-4  minutes.
Turn everything once and grill another 3-4 minutes maximum .
You can add some Feta Cheese and to the top of the tomatoes near the end.

Veal Scallopini with Avocado

Posted on: January 17th, 2017 by gherkinmedia

Ingredients

  • 1 ripe Hass avocado*
  • 1 wedge fresh lemon
  • 2/3 lb veal scallopini 300g
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter, cut into pieces
  • 1/4 cup dry vermouth or white wine
  • 3-4 tablespoons cream
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, to garnish
  • 2 tablespoons chopped or snipped chives, to garnish

*Hass Avocado – this is the most popular type sold world wide weighing 200-300g -dark purplish black when ripe. If soft it is over ripe.

Directions

Cut avocado in half all around and down to the pit.

Twist the avocado to separate the halves.

Use a spoon to pop out the pit.

Scoop out the avocado flesh in one piece from each half with a large spoon.

Slice the avocado into 6 pieces per half and squeeze a little lemon juice on them to slow down discolouration from the air.

Put aside the avocado for later.

Season the scallopini with salt and pepper.

Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium – medium high heat.

Add the scallopini and cook 2 minutes on each side.
(Could be as little 30 seconds per side depending on thickness of the scallopini. )

Remove the veal to a platter or individual plates.

Add vermouth or wine to the pan and deglaze it, lifting up any color or veal bits.

Add cream and stir it in.

Turn off the heat and let the cream bubble 1 minute.

Arrange the avocado on the scallopini.

Pour a little sauce over the veal scallopini and avocado and garnish with a generous sprinkle of chopped thyme and chives.

Fast Veal Parmigiana

Posted on: January 17th, 2017 by gherkinmedia

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb veal leg cutlets, 1/8” to 1/4” thick
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup prepared spaghetti sauce
  • 1/4 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
  • 2 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Pound veal cutlets to 1/8″ thickness, if necessary.

In large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat until hot. Dip cutlets into bread crumbs, coating both sides.

Place cutlets in skillet; cook 2 minutes.

Turn; season with 1/8 teaspoon salt and top each with sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Cover and continue cooking 1-2 minutes for medium doneness.

Do not overcook.

Remove from skillet; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Serve with pasta, if desired.

Quick and Easy Veal Cacciatore

Posted on: January 17th, 2017 by gherkinmedia

Ingredients

  • 4 X 4-oz. veal cutlets, pounded 1/4 inch thick
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 medium cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 oz. sliced cremini mushrooms (3-1/2 cups)
  • 1 cup canned diced tomatoes with juices
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary

Directions

Put the flour in a wide shallow bowl.
Season the cutlets all over with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.
Dredge in the flour and shake off any excess.

Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering hot.
Working in batches if necessary, cook the cutlets until dark golden-brown, 1-2 minutes per side.
Transfer to a large plate as they finish.

In the same skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 3 minutes.

Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until they release their liquid and it reduces to a glaze, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the tomatoes, wine, and rosemary.
Bring back to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the sauce is thickened, about 7 minutes.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Add the cutlets and any accumulated juices to the sauce and cook until heated through, 1-2 minutes.
Serve immediately.

Veal Roast

Posted on: January 17th, 2017 by gherkinmedia

All types of Veal Roast should be cooked at an oven temperature of  160 C (325 F) and meat thermometer 70 C to 77 C (160 F to 170 F)

A Veal roast should be cooked  fat side up, on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Water should not be added and the roast should not be covered.

  • Leg rump or round roast
  • Loin roast
  • Rib roast
  • Boneless Shoulder roast

All types of Veal Roasts should be cooked at an oven temperature of  160 C (325 F) and meat thermometer 70 C to 77 C (160 F to 170 F)

A Veal roast should be cooked  fat side up, on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Water should not be added and the roast should not be covered.

Using a slow cooker,  crock pot for Roast recipes in general

Brown the veal on all sides in the oil in a large skillet. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Put the vegetables into the crock pot.

Place veal roast on top.

Pour the water into the skillet and scrape the bottom.

Cook over a low heat for one minute, then pour over the veal roast. Cover and cook on the low setting for 8 to 10 hours.

Slow-Cooker Orange Chicken with Potatoes

Posted on: January 15th, 2017 by gherkinmedia

Ingredients

  • 8 skinless chicken thighs
  • Kosher salt and pepper
  • 2 onions, quartered
  • 1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 12 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1 orange, cut into 1/4-inch rings
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 8 sprigs thyme

Preparation

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. In the bowl of a slow cooker, combine the chicken, onions, potatoes, squash, garlic, orange, broth, honey, and thyme. Set the slow cooker to high and cook, covered, until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is cooked through, about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Divide the chicken mixture into individual bowls.

If You Don’t Have a Slow Cooker: Heat oven to 325° F. Follow the recipe above using a Dutch oven or large casserole. Bake, covered, until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is cooked through, 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

Note:
This recipe was tested in a 6-quart slow cooker. Because different models cook at different rates, the cooking time below is presented as a range. Check for doneness at the low end of the range (but not before, as the escaped heat will significantly slow the cooking). If the food is not done, cover and cook to the end of the suggested time range. If using a slow-cooker smaller than 6 quarts, the cooking time may take an additional hour or more, and results may vary.

Lamb Curry with Kumara and Spinach

Posted on: January 15th, 2017 by gherkinmedia

Ingredients

  • 750g diced lamb forequarter
  • 2 Tbsp mild curry paste
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • ½ cup coconut milk
  • 400g orange-fleshed kumara or pumpkin, peeled and diced
  • 150g packet of baby leaf spinach
  • Steamed rice to serve

Method

Season the lamb with salt and pepper and brown in a dash of oil in a hot frying pan. Transfer to a slow cooker.

Stir together the curry paste, beef stock, coconut milk and pour over the lamb. Scatter in the kumara or pumpkin, and cover.

Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-5 hours. Stir in the spinach leaves, cover and cook a further few minutes until the spinach has wilted. Serve with steamed rice.

Oven cooking instructions

Prepare the casserole as above, adding an extra 1 cup of beef stock. Cook in a lidded ovenproof dish at 160ºC for 90 minutes.

Tips

  • Don’t rush the initial stage of browning the meat. This will make this dish rich in colour and flavour. Brown the meat in small batches over a medium-high heat.
  • A casserole will keep for up to 2-3 days in the refrigerator. Casseroles should be refrigerated immediately after the steam from cooking has evaporated. Place the hot casserole into a shallow container in the fridge so it cools quickly. Do not leave it to cool completely on the bench. To serve bring it slowly to the boil over a medium heat, reduce heat and simmer for about 3 minutes, or until the meat and sauce are both thoroughly hot.
  • Best lamb cuts for casseroling or braising: Diced lamb forequarter, forequarter chops, shanks, frenched shanks, neck chops, lamb topside, leg (bone-in), shoulder (bone-in), easy carve (leg or shoulder bone out), boned and rolled shoulder or leg.

Spiced Sugar-Glazed Corned Beef

Posted on: January 15th, 2017 by gherkinmedia

Ingredients

  • 1.5–2kg piece corned beef with a good fat layer
  • 1 onion, peeled and halved
  • 2 carrots, washed and chopped
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 Tbsp whole cloves
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp mustard powder
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground allspice
  • Juice of one lemon

Method

Turn the slow cooker on to low to pre-warm while preparing the ingredients. Put the corned beef into the pre-warmed slow cooker. Scatter the onion, carrots and bay leaf around the meat. Add sufficient cold water to cover the beef. Cover with the lid. Cook on low for 7–9 hours (it is not recommended to cook this on high).

Stovetop Option

Place corned beef, onion, carrots and bay leaf in a large saucepan. Add sufficient cold water to cover the beef. Simmer, covered for 1½ – 2 hours until tender.

Turn off and leave the corned beef to cool in the liquid for 2–3 hours. At this stage the corned beef can be well-wrapped and refrigerated overnight.

Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Line a deep-sided baking tray with foil. Place the meat on the prepared tray. Stud the beef with the whole cloves. Mix the brown sugar, mustard powder, cinnamon and allspice together with the lemon juice and spread half of the mixture over the beef.

Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, basting occasionally with the remaining glaze. Serve with your favourite vegetables.