*Improvised Gravy*
Makes about 360ml (1 1/2 cups)
360ml beef or chicken broth or stock (1 1/2 cups)
leftover drippings or butter |
Showing posts sorted by date for query lamb. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query lamb. Sort by relevance Show all posts
I have to say we are really enjoying our new Space Grill. It could not have come at a better time, with all of this lovely dry and sunny warm weather we have been enjoying. Its been a real pleasure to actually have a reliable and easy to use grill so that I can do all of our cooking out of doors, without having to heat up the stove or the whole house in the process!
The other day I was able to cook our whole dinner on this new Grill, with the exception of the initial boiling of the potatoes for my roadkill potatoes. I think this Grill is absolutely amazing. I have never been able to do that before. Cook my whole meal on the grill. Its like having an outdoor stove. It really is very user friendly, and so simple to crack open and cook on.
I was able to cook the steaks which I had been marinating in my killer marinade for a couple of hours on the grill grate side . . .
While on the cast iron grill plate I was grilling thickly sliced onions, my potatoes and fresh asparagus.
It was all so very easy. The higher heat seems to be concentrated in the centre of the grilling areas. I started off heating the grill on high, and then when it came time to cook I reduced the temperature to medium beneath the steaks so that everything was roughly finished in the same time.
As the potatoes were precooked, they really only needed crisping up on the outsides and preheating. The asparagus and the onions were raw, but in the time it took to crisp up the potatoes, they were finished. Once I had the steaks done, I moved them to the outer edges of the grill so they could kind of rest while I was finishing off the vegetables.
These were Rib Eye steaks, about 3/4 inch thick, and for medium rare it took an initial searing on one side for 4 - 5 minutes and then 3 - 5 minutes on the other side. They were perfect for us. If you like them more well done, cook them for a bit longer, or less done, cook them for a bit shorter times.
The asparagus took about 14 minutes, with frequent turning, as did the onions and the potatoes. To prep the onions and asparagus, I simply brushed them with a bit of light olive oil and seasoning them slightly with salt and black pepper. The onions were lovely and tender and the asparagus was crispy tender.
Asparagus done this way is quite simply beautiful to eat. I should do it this way all the time! (and I just might!)
The potatoes were a grill take on a potato recipe that I initially shared with my readers many moons ago on my Oak Cottage Blog for Dressed Road Kill Potatoes. (Back in 2011) And as Road Kill Potatoes long before that on my AOL Journal, so as you can see it is a very, very old recipe. My friend Pat had cooked them the other day and told me how much she and her family still enjoyed them, even after all these years. I realised I had never presented them on this blog, and I looked at our new grill and thought to myself, why not give them a go on that! They worked out beautifully. We were ever so pleased!
*Perfect Steak Marinade*
Makes enough for 4 - 6 servings
A
delicious blend of flavours perfect for marinating beef steaks, pork
chops and lamb. I poke the meat all over with a fork before marinating
so that the flavours really get into the meat.
2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely minced
2 tsp Dijon mustard
4 TBS Soy sauce
4 TBS Worcestershire Sauce
4 TBS good quality Balsamic vinegar
4 TBS light olive oil
1/2 tsp black pepper
These potatoes are ever so tasty. They are simply boiled potatoes, in the skins, cooled and then smashed down lightly with a flat potato masher . . . brushed with oil, seasoned and grilled on both sides until crisp and golden. A bit of cheese is melted on the top at the end and a sprinkle of minced spring onion finishes them off!
*Grilled Road Kill Potatoes*
To serve two, but easily adaptable for more
To serve two, but easily adaptable for more
The regular version of these (done in the oven) is a real favourite of everyone who has them. I decided to adapt the recipe so that I could do it on our BBQ grill (with excellent results!) You will need a cast iron grill pan for use on the BBQ or a grill plate.
2 medium potatoes per person
garlic granules, sweet paprika, mixed herbs, sea salt, freshly ground black pepper
olive oil for drizzling
225g of strong grated cheddar cheese (8 ounces)
4 spring onions, chopped fine
Put
the potatoes in a large pot of salted water and bring to the boil.
Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until just barely tender when pierced with
the tip of a knife. Drain well and set aside to cool completely.
Drizzle
a bit of oil on a baking tray, sprinkle with some of the garlic
granules, paprika, mixed herbs, sea salt and black pepper.
Take
each cooled potato and smash it down onto the tray (hence the road
kill) with a potato masher, without totally obliterating them, but
leaving them merely with a flattened, nicely roughed up texture.
Sprinkle more of the spices and herbs over top to taste. Drizzle them with a bit more oil.
Heat
your BBQ grill/grill plate to high. Transfer the potatoes to the grill
plate with a spatula. Reduce the heat to medium. Grill for about 15
minutes, then flip them over and grill for a further 10 minutes or so at
which time they should be nicely browned with lovely crunchy bits.
Remove from the grill, scatter cheese over top along with the spring
onions. The heat from the potatoes should melt the cheese. If it
doesn't, place a large bowl over top to cover and leave for a few
minutes. Scatter over the spring onions and serve immediately.
So there you have it. A complete meal cooked on the grill that is exciting and delicious! We both loved this very much!
The Grill/BBQ we are using is the Space Grill 1800 3-Burner Gas Grill. This stainless steel Space Grill is a revolutionary idea for modern families with a unique
fold-away design which is perfect for garden patio grilling or even the
high rise balcony. It fits in perfectly every where, and is as truly
versatile as it is beautiful! You can either mount it on an existing
load bearing wall, or you can buy a specifically designed stand to mount
it on. Either way it is easy to use. Once installed, it folds down and is ready to use in about 10 seconds. (I kid you not!) After you are finished and it is cooled down and cleaned, you simply fold it back into place, cover it and that is that. We are ever so pleased with it! If you would like to know more about
it, or perhaps even to purchase one for your own use, do check out the Space Grill Site.
I wonder what I will cook up on it next??? Watch this space!
Red meat is not something we eat a lot of in our house. We eat it only very occasionally, and when we do, it is bound to be either a steak or pork chops, with the odd bit of lamb here and there, and we both enjoy a good roast or a stew now and then.
I adore steak. My husband adores pork chops. Today I decided to treat him to some tasty chops by way of this deliciously spiced dish, which is not only quick and easy, but cooks all in one pan. No fuss. No muss. Just the way I like things.
This easy recipe involves browning seasoned boneless pork loin chops on both sides. Simple enough. Once browned, you remove and set aside.
Onions and garlic are then cooked in the same pan, taking full advantage of any flavouring from the pork left in the pan, and adding a mix of herbs and seasonings and tomato puree towards the end.
Raw long grained rice is stirred in to coat and then you add a quantity of chicken stock. Those chops get nestled back into the mix, and the pan tightly covered.
This is cooked for a short time until the chops are cooked through, but still tender and moist. Loin is such a lean cut of pork, that overcooking them will definitely toughen them. Take them out and set them aside to rest while you finish cooking the rice.
You may find that you need additional stock to make sure that the rice is cooked through. Just keep testing it and if you think it is going dry, add a bit more stock.
I only ever very rarely need to add stock. Better to do it this way than to have soupy watery rice. You want the rice to be nice and dryish like in the photo.
The flavours are really spot on . . . onion, garlic . . . oregano, ground coriander, chili powder, cayenne . . . just spicy enough without it blowing your head off.
I am not overly fond of blow off your head heat. I want to taste my food thank you very much!
The rice cooks to perfection in that flavourful mix . . . you stir in some chopped dry roasted peanuts at the end and then the chops are sliced . . .
And returned to the top of the rice in a decorative manner . . . doesn't everyone do that?? I do anyways.
I made liberal use of the fresh herbs in my garden in that beautifully sweet and tangy lime and honey vinaigrette that gets spooned over top of the chops prior to serving.
I think that lime and honey vinaigrette is the star of this whole dish. All of the elements taste good in their own right, but when you spoon that vinaigrette over top, it just lifts and enhances everything beautifully!
So you get, meaty, spicy, savoury, sweet, tart, garlicky . . . all in one dish. These really are fabulous. Trust me.
No fuss, no muss, all in one dish . . . fabulously tasty . . . I am not sure what more a person could as for???
Serve with a lovely tossed salad on the side and perhaps some crusty bread. That's all she wrote . . .
*Pork Chops with Spicy Rice*
Serves 4
Did
you know if you slash the fatty edge of your pork chops, they won't
curl up when you cook them? Its true. This is delicious with
fabulously flavoured rice, tender chops, and a lovely coriander lime
dressing. All in one pan.
For the chops:
4 boneless pork loin chops, 3/4 to 1 inch thick
salt and black pepper
1 TBS oil
For the rice:
1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 TBS tomato puree (tomato paste)
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp mild chili powder
1/4 tsp ground coriander
pinch cayenne pepper
315g of long grain rice (1 1/2 cups)
720ml chicken stock (3 cups)
( an additional 240ml/1 cup chicken stock, as needed)
You will also need:
4 TBS coarsely chopped dry roasted peanuts
For the dressing:
2 TBS finely chopped fresh coriander leaf (Cilantro)
1 TBS finely chopped fresh parsley
1 TBS finely chopped fresh oregano
1 TBS finely chopped fresh chives
2 tsp finely grated lime zest
salt and black pepper to taste
1 TBS liquid honey
3 TBS fresh lime juice
3 TBS extra virgin olive oil
Trim your chops and slash the fat along the edge at 1 inch
intervals. Pat dry and season all over with salt and black pepper.
Heat the oil in a 12 inch skillet which has a tight fitting lid. Once
the oil is hot, brown the chops on both sides, until golden brown, 2 1/2
minutes per side. Remove to a plate.
Add the onion to the pan. Cook,
stirring occasionally, over medium heat until softened. Stir in the
garlic and cook for a further minute. Add the oregano, tomato puree,
coriander, cayenne and rice. Cook, stirring to coat the rice all over
with the spice mixture.
Add the chicken stock and bring to the boil.
Reduce to a simmer and nestle the chops down into the mix, along with
any pan juices accumulated. Cover tightly and cook for 6 to 8 minutes
on medium low heat.
Transfer the chops to a cutting board, tend with
foil and keep warm. Stir the rice to recombine. Cover tightly and
continue to cook for a further 10 to 15 minutes, until the rice is
tender, adding additional chicken stock as needed. Stir in 3 TBS of the
dry roasted peanuts. Taste and adjust seasoning as required.
To make the dressing, whisk together all of the ingredients until well combined.
I can't believe how fast the weeks are flying by. A day no sooner starts than it ends. Already we are at the weekend. I wonder what I will cook up next??? Stay tuned and Bon Appetit!
I adore fried rice. It is a fabulous way of using up all the bits and scraps in the refrigerator and makes a great main or side dish. We usually have it as a main dish, and this recipe feeds two quite generously, but it would also be an ample side dish for 4. In any case, I adore fried rice.
Its actually a very forgiving and adaptable dish. You an throw in pretty much any veg you want. My basics are always the same . . . onion, garlic, cabbage, carrot . . . you can use spring onions, or you can use proper onions, or you can use red onions, which is what I used today.
I added frozen peas and corn, but have also been known to throw in chopped broccoli, or cauliflower, or shredded Brussels sprouts. Literally any vegetable would work, except for maybe tomatoes.
I always add a scrambled egg as well, for extra protein. I beat it with a touch of cream, which makes is nice and fluffy. I also like to add some meat if I have it. Cooked pork, chicken, turkey, sausage, beef, lamb, ham, bacon . . . spam. Literally any kind of meat works, and no meat at all also works. I think even fish would work, especiall with this recipe today . . . which includes curry powder.
A nice big healthy spoonful of curry powder . . . which helps to colour the dish somewhat, and also adds a lovely flavour. Think Kedgeree . . . but with chicken, and a whole bunch of other odds and sodds . . . so maybe not quite kedgeree, which has boiled egg and smoked fish . . . scratch that.
In any case, this smells amazing when it is cooking. A M A Z I N G
Its quick. Its easy. Its simple. Its delicious! And also very economical.
Nice and filling too. I like mine with a nice dollop of a good mango chutney on the side. A bit of naan would also not go astray.
*Curried Chicken Fried Rice*
Serves 4
Serves 4
six savoy cabbage leaves, heavy centre veins trimmed away and discarded,
and cabbage thinly sliced (Roll up tightly and slice, easy peasy)
salt and black pepper to tasteand cabbage thinly sliced (Roll up tightly and slice, easy peasy)
I am betting you have everything in the refrigerator/larder to make this today. If you don't have any chicken think outside the box. I am sure you have something! You are going to love the flavours in this! I guarantee! Bon Appetit!
Going out for one of these was always a real treat. With tender roasted meat with gravy between two thick slices of white bread with more gravy ladled over top, they would be served up hot, on large platters, with plenty of hot chips, veg and coleslaw on the side. You could also have gravy on your chips (fries), or not as per your choice. In Canada we love gravy on our chips, and here in the UK, they also like gravy on their chips, or curry sauce. (Something I have yet to try.)
I had some leftover roast chicken today and so I made us Hot Chicken Sandwiches for a change, instead of the usual casserole. Of course with there only being two of us and with neither of us having huge appetites these days, we basically only each ha half of a sandwich, along with the suggested trimmings. It looks like rather a lot, but we only ever use a sandwich plate for our meals these days, never a full dinner plate. And it is plenty for us.
2 TBS of appropriate stock
about 720ml (3 cups) of hot leftover or fresh gravy 
Good chips/fries are a must! If you want to make your own from scratch this is a cracking recipe. You can also use oven chips. I like the crinkle ones in that case, or if you are really lucky and have a chippy close by, you can just send hubby out to pick up a large portion of chips. By the time you have the remaining elements ready, he'll be back and you'll be set to go!
There
are two things you need for perfect chips. One a really good potato.
You want a nice floury one, such as a Maris Piper. You cannot make good
chips with new potatoes. Old ones are best. Second you want to start
with pure hard fat or dripping, preferably an animal fat. Third . . .
patience. Good chips require several cookings. The first is a quick
poaching in lightly salted water. . Let them cool and then fry for
about five minutes just until cooked through, then a final fry in hotter
fat to brown and finish cooking. See . . . patience.
a good solid fat to half fill your pan when melted
a frying thermometer
a frying thermometer
I added a dollop of cranberry sauce to the top of mine . . . coz I'm crazy like that, and I love cranberry sauce with both roast chicken and turkey. You will want a nice gravy to serve with your hot sandwiches. You can of course use Bisto granules and make it that way, but if you have leftover drippings, etc. its really quite easy to make a better tasting gravy from scratch!
2 TBS plain flour
360ml pan juices, broth, water, wine or a combination ( 1 1/2 cups)
Coleslaw is a must. You won't get any meal at a diner in North America, that doesn't come with a small container of coleslaw on the side. At some places it might be a vinaigrette coleslaw, but more often than not it will be a delicious creamy slaw. Just like this.
*Creamy Coleslaw*
Serves 8 to 10A deliciously cream coleslaw that has just the right amount of crunch and flavour! There is no sogginess here!!
10 ounces of white cabbage, trimmed, cored and very thinly cut
(about 1/2 of a medium cabbage)
5 ounces of carrots, peeled, trimmed and julienned
(1 medium carrot)
4 inches of an English Cucumber, trimmed, seeded and cut into small dice
(Do not peel)
2 - 3 large dessertspoons of good quality mayonnaise
1 TBS of Dijon mustard
2 TBS white wine vinegar
1 tsp caster sugar
1/2 tsp celery salt
freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 tsp onion powder
Place the vegetables into a large bowl. Whisk together the mustard, mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, sugar, celery salt, black pepper and onion powder. Mix well. Pour over the vegetables and toss to coat. Cover and chill for at least one hour before serving.
Note - the amount of mayonnaise you use depends on the cabbage, some cabbages take more mayonnaise than others. It also depends on how creamy you like your coleslaw!
Of course there may be times when you don't have any leftover gravy, or even gravy granules, but don't worry! That doesn't mean you can't still make a delicious gravy as this next recipe proves quite deliciously! Adapted from a recipe found in the Fanny Farmer Cookbook. (So you know that it just has to be good!)
This isn't something which we have very often, maybe only once a year. Back in the day I could eat a whole one of these sandwiches, and then a polished of a slice of cream pie as well. Mind you, back in the day I was a very busy and active mother of five. Things change . . . Bon Appetit!
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