Summer Cooking

I have decided to work on preparing some Summer Menu's for the coming weeks. I have been getting bored with cooking the same old things and decided to go back through some recipes and plan 4 menu's and matching shopping list's that we can rotate in the coming weeks. With the busy life that wee lead I have tried to pick easy but interesting recipe's that will keep the taste buds happy. Over the next couple of weeks I will try and post some of the recipes I have chosen and have cooked. 


To get us started I have some very easy Turkish recipes including, Meat, Salad and Rice.  

Lamb Kofta 

Ingredients

• 500g fine grade mince steak
• 1 medium onion grated
• 1 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoons ground coriander

Difficulty:                                  Low

No of Servings:                        4

Preparation Time:                 15 minutes

Cooking Time:                       15 minutes

Instructions

1. Place mince, onion, garlic, cumin and coriander in a bowl. Using hands mix well until combined
2. Divide into 16 portions. Roll into 6cm-long sausages
3. Heat lightly oiled non stick pan over medium heat and cook Kofta turning occasionally, for 8mins or until browned and cooked through. Drain on absorbent paper.  

Fattoush

Ingredients

• 1 cups flat leaf parsley, chopped
• 1 cups of mint leaves, chopped
• 1 Lebanese  cucumber, chopped
• 1 red capsicum, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 green onions sliced
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 lemon juiced

Difficulty:                                 Low

No of Servings:                      4

Preparation Time:                 15 minutes

Cooking Time:                       Nil

Instructions

1. Place parsley, mint, cucumber, capsicum, tomato and green onion in a large bowl
2. Drizzle with oil and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
3. Season with salt & pepper and toss gently to combine

Turkish Rice Pilaf

Ingredients

• 1/3    cup vermicelli noodles, broken into I-inch lengths  
• 3/4    tablespoons melted butter
• 3/4    tablespoons olive oil
• 3/4    cups long grain rice
• 1 1/2 cups chicken stock       
• 1/2    teaspoons salt, ground pepper, ground cinnamon and cloves to garnish

Difficulty:                                 Low

No of Servings:                      4

Preparation Time:                 10 minutes

Cooking Time:                       30mins

Instructions

1. Sauté vermicelli in a pan with oil an butter until golden brown (stirring constantly)
2. Stir in rice and fry until glazed (about 1min)
3. Add the boiling chicken stock and salt and allow to boil (about 1min)
4. reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, until liquid is absorbed (about 18mins)
5. Place folded paper towel over rice, cover the pot and let rest with the heat turned off for about 10mins before serving
6. Sprinkle with one or more of the spices to taste fluff with a fork and serve  

ENJOY ♥

Ice Cream Cone - With a diffirence

I was given a lovely hamper for Christmas from my friend Lyn from Mimagirl Creations containing lots of yummy treats. A Christmas Cookie, Gingerbread House, Organic Coffee, Lindt Chocolate's, Coffee Mugs and two Ice cream cones (well sort of)...

They are for making hot chocolate, I loved it so much thought I would share the Idea with you. These will make a great treat for birthdays, Christmas or maybe just because.

What you need -

Piping bags
Ribbon
Hot Chocolate of your choice
Chocolate melts
Mini Marshmallows

The putting together is quite simple -

Fill the piping bag with hot Chocolate powder (make sure it is apcked firmly)
Then add a layer of Chocolate melts
Then finaly a layer of the mini marshmallows

Tie the piping baf offusing Ribbon

How easy is that and how good does this little treat look

ENJOY♥

Christmas 2011 at Our House

                                                                 Christmas Table Set

                                                     Remember the Candy Cane Story?

 
                                                                         Plates Set

Christmas Tree

                                                                           Nativity

        My Husband & My Mum - Mum's Christmas Present a signed CATS gurnsey - boy was she happy!

                                            
                                                 Entre - Christmas Coleslaw & Seafood

                                 8hr Slow Cooked Greek Lamb, Pumpkin and Roast Poataoes

        
                                                          My Dad tucking into Dinner

My brother reading the Broons a Christmas tradition form Childhood