Saturday, 27 March 2010

Fish & Shrimp Stew with Spinach


Ingredients
  • 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped
  • 1 chili (increase or decrease to suit your preference)
  • 1 whole bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 5 pieces of fresh cod fillet, skinned and boned
  • 150g raw shrimp
  • 180g bag of baby spinach
  • 1 can of chopped tomatoes
  • Salt, pepper, curry powder, thyme & all purpose seasoning

To start put the fish and the shrimps in separate bowls and lightly season with some salt and black pepper.

In an appropriately sized large pan, drizzle some olive oil and slowly fry the onions, chilies and bell peppers for about 5 minutes until soft and tender. Then add the can of chopped tomatoes to this mixture and season with the salt, pepper, little bit of curry powder, thyme & some all purpose seasoning mix well and allow the mixture to thicken. Then add the fish into the mixture turn the heat down, cover the pan and leave to cook for about 15 minutes. At this point add the shrimps into the mixture followed by the spinach and allow the mixture to cook for another 5-10 minutes.

Serves 5


*Chef's Notes*

My tip for mixing the sauce without breaking to much of the fish is to put the lid on and swirl the pot round a few times.
This sauce can be enjoyed with rice, couscous or pasta.

Monday, 22 March 2010

Coconut Granita


Ingredients

  •   200ml coconut cream
  •  ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons of brown sugar


Pour the coconut cream into a small container, then add the vanilla extract and stir well.

In a separate cup add the brown sugar and dissolve in warm water, then pour into the coconut cream mixture.

Pour the mixture into a freezer box, cover and freeze. Stir with a fork every 30 minutes during freezing to break up ice crystals and create a better texture. Keep in the freezer until you are ready to serve, then roughly fork to break up the ice crystals.

Serves 2


*Chef's Notes*

Definition:- Granita (in Italian also granita siciliana) is a semi-frozen dessert of sugar, water, and flavorings originally from Sicily, although available all over Italy

This recipe came about over the weekend using the ingredients we could find in my friend’s house!!

The end result was quite nice but could use one or two adjustments. What I would suggest to give this recipe more of an edge is to try coconut water instead of coconut cream.

Another thing you could try if you used the coconut cream is yogurt or vanilla ice-cream so soften the edge on the flavor once it freezes. 

I hope you enjoy this recipe and please feel free to let me know your thoughts or comments on the above.

Friday, 19 March 2010

Recipe of the Month - March

Fresh Fish & King Prawns on a bed of Spaghetti with Parsley & Chili.

Courtesy Mrs Rita Dada



Ingredients
  • A bunch of fresh basil
  • 2 packs of fresh parsley
  • 1 whole lemons, deseeded
  • 2 x 200g fresh fish (eg. Tilapia, Cod or Salmon)
  • 8 raw king prawns, peeled
  • Sea salt & freshly ground black pepper
  • Olive oil
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 2 fresh or dried red chilies
  • 200g dried Spaghetti or penne
To make the fish and the king prawns.
1)    Pre-heat your oven 180c/gas 4.
2)   Have an oven tray ready with foil paper and drizzle it with some olive oil.
3)   Get a medium size bowl and finely chop your basil, the 2 cloves of garlic & 1 fresh or dried red chili. Add the salt, freshly ground pepper, a nice drizzle of olive oil & add the juice of 1 whole lemon. This will be used to marinade the fish and the king prawns.
4)   Next place your fish into the mixture, making sure you cover the fish as evenly as possible. Do the same thing with the prawns and place on your oven tray.
5)   Place the tray in your oven and grill for about 15-20mins or until the fish and the prawns are cooked to your satisfaction.

To make the spaghetti with parsley & chili.
1)    Put a large pan of salted water on to boil.
2)   Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the packet instructions.
3)   While your pasta is cooking finely chop your parsley and 1 chili into a bowl.
4)   Once the pasta is cooked drain the water and add some olive oil stir that in, then add your chopped chili and finely chopped parsley to the mix. Stir well.
5)   Serve your pasta on a plate, add your fish and a few king prawns and enjoy!!!

October’s Menu


August’s Menu







Hello Everybody


Hello Everybody,

Welcome to my blog!!!!!!

Over the next few weeks, months, even years God willing, I would love you to join me as I explore the great loves of my life – Food & Photography.

From the exploring of new recipes and ways of presenting food to my amateur attempts at photography.

Thank you for visiting my blog!

God Bless.