Indonesian Fried Rice

 

                    Flavoured with garlic, ginger and chili, this tempting dish with thin and tender strips of lean beef and juicy shrimp is a variation  on the classic "Nasi goreng". It's perfect for a relaxed lunch because much of the dish can be prepared ahead.

4 servings (470 calories per serving)

• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 250 gr tenderloin or round steak, cut accross the grain into thin strips
• 1 and two-third cups long-grain white rice
• 2 eggs
• 3 scallions, sliced on the diagonal
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 2½ tablespoons canola oil
• 150 gr peeled raw shrimp
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 green chili pepper, deseeded and thinly sliced 
• 15 gr fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and coarsely grated
• ¾ cup frozen peas, thawed
• Splash of chili sauce, optional

1. Whisk together the sesame oil, vinegar and 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce in a bowl, add the beef and toss to coat in the marinade ; cover and chill for at least 30 minutes or overnight if you have time.
2. Meanwhile, cook the rice in lightly salted boiling water for 12 minutes, or according to the package instructions, until almost tender, then drain and rinse with boiling water ; spread out on a tray and leave to cool. (You will get the best results if you cool the rice overnight.)
3. Lightly beat the eggs in a small bowl, then stir in the scallions and cilantro and season with ground black pepper ; heat 2 teaspoons of the oil in a non-stick omelette pan or frying pan and pour in the beaten egg mixture.
4. Cook the eggs for a few seconds, then use a fork to stir gently for about a minute until the base begins to set ; stop stirring and cook for a further 2 minutes until lightly set, rool up the omelette, slide it onto a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
5. Heat 1 tablespoon of the remaining oil in a wok or large, deep frying pan until hot ; add the beef with the marinade and stir-fry on a high heat for about 1 minute until well browned, remove with a slotted spoon leaving all juices behind and set aside.
6. Add the remaining oil to the pan ; add the shrimp, garlic, chili pepper and ginger and stir-fry for 2 minutes until the shrimp have just turned pink, then add the carrots, peas and rice and toss on the heat for a further minute.
7. Finally, add the cooked beef, sprinkle with the remaining soy sauce and stir-fry for a final 1-2 minutes until everything is heated through.
8. Spoon the rice mixture into a warmed serving bowl ; cut the omelette into thin strips and scatter over the rice.
9. For those who like an extra spicy kick, serve with chili sauce.

BON APPÉÉÉÉTIT

Yakitori Domburi

 

                    Domburi is a Japanese dish, the name of which originally referred to the bowl in which it was cooked, and Yakitori domburi is traditionally a one-pot meal of chicken and rice. The addition of bok choy will increase your daily vegetable count.

4 servings (467 calories per serving)

• 4 skinless boneless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons salt-reduced soy sauce
• One-third cup mirin
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 2 cups short-grain white rice
• 4 cups water, extra
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 bunch bok choy
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced

1. In a glass bowl, combine the chicken breasts, soy sauce, mirin, water, ginger and garlic ; cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
2. Wash the rice under several changes of water until it almost runs clear.
3. Drain, add to a pot and pour 3 cups of the extra water ; cover with a lid and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 12-14 minutes or until the water has been absorbed.
4. Remove from the heat and allow the rice to sit covered for 10 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the marinade.
6. Heat a frying pan over medium heat, add the oil and cook the chicken breasts for about 5 minutes on each side or until the chicken is cooked.
7. Remove from the heat and slice the chicken into 1 cm thick slices, keeping warm.
8. In the same pan, add the reserve marinade, adding the remaining water and the sugar ; bring to a boil, then allow it to simmer for 1-2 minutes.
9. Skim off any scum with a metal spoon ; add the bok choy and cook until it starts to wilt, about 1 minute.
10. Just before serving, add the scallions.
11. To serve, divide the rice into some deep bowls, top with the bok choy and sliced chicken, and gently spoon over the sauce.

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Lancashire Hot-Pot

 

                    This modern version of the popular favorite, Lancashire hot-pot, is still slow-cooked for maximum flavour, but is lighter, using lean lamb and more vegetables than the original recipe. If you like, sprinkle the top with a little cheddar cheese at the end of cooking.

4 servings (400 calories per serving)

• 500 gr lean lamb, trimmed of all excess fat, then sliced
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 2 leeks, trimmed and thinly sliced
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 250 gr button mushrooms, halved
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 small bunch of fresh thyme
• 1 sprig of fresh rosemary
• 500 gr new potatoes, scrubbed and thickly sliced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1½ cups beef or chicken stock, hot
• 50 gr cheddar cheese, crumbled (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 350F (180C).
2. Toss the lamb pieces together with the garlic and Worcestershire in a bowl.
3. Spread a layer of onion, leeks and carrots in the bottom of a large casserole dish ; top with a layer of meat and mushrooms and season lightly, then repeat the layers until the ingredients are all used up.
4. Make a bouquet garni by tying together the bay leaf,thyme and rosemary with kitchen string ; tuck it into the center of the casserole and top with a thick layer of overlapping potato slices.
5. Mix the tomato paste into the hot stock and pour the mixture over the potatos.
6. Cover tightly with a lid and bake for 1½ hours or until the meat and potatoes are tender.
7. Remove the lid and sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the potatoes ; increase the oven temperature to 450F (220C) and bake, for a further 25-30 minutes until golden.

BON APPÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉTIT

Chicken Satay Stir-Fry

 

                    This Indonesian-style stir-fry combines colourful crunchy vegetables and tender chicken strips. Served with toasted white or whole wheat pita bread.

4 servings (342 calories per serving)

• ¼ cup smooth peanut butter
• One-third cup reduced-fat coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons chicken stock
• 1 lemon, zest finely grated
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 red chili pepper, deseeded and finely chopped
• 350 gr skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
• 1 tablespoon ive-spice powder
• 1 red pepper, deseeded and sliced
• 2 carrots, peeled and cut into julienne strips
• 175 gr button mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, coconut milk, stock and lemon zest until blended, then set aside.
2. Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan over a high heat ; add the garlic and chili pepper and stir-fry for 30 seconds to release the flavours.
3. Add the chicken and five-spice powder and stir-fry 3-4 minutes until the chicken has coloured all over ; add the red pepper, carrots and mushrooms and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
4. Pour the peanut butter mixture into the wok and stir-fry for a further 2-3 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
5. Remove from the heat, stir in the chopped cilantro and serve immediately.

BON APPÉÉÉÉÉÉTIT

Seafood Pie with Potato Pastry

 

                    A very special fish pie that is sure to please everyone. This recipe uses a mixture of white fish, seafood and vegetables in a quick white sauce, topped with a golden turmeric potato pastry crust.

4 servings (600 calories per serving)

Potato pastry

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
• ½ cup mashed potato
• 100 gr butter, chilled and diced
• 1 tablespoon milk, to glaze
• 1 tablespoon dried breadcrumbs

1. Sift the flour and turmeric into a bowl and, using a fork, mix the mashed potato until blended.
2. Rub in the butter, then draw together into the dough, adding cold water if necessary to bind the dough together.
3. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.

Filling

• 400 gr skinless white fish fillets, cut into small chunks
• 200 gr peeled shrimp or seafood mix
• 2 leeks, trimmed and thinly sliced
• ¾ cup frozen peas, thawed
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• Leaves from 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1 lemon, zest grated
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 2 cup 1% milk

1. Put the fish into a pie dish about 1.25 litre capacity ; mix in the shrimp or seafood, leeks, peas, parsley, thyme and lemon zest.
2. Blend the cornstarch with a little of the milk in a bowl.
3. Heat the rest of the milk until it is almost at boiling point, then stir it into the cornstarch paste.
4. Return the mixture to the pan and cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens ; season to taste and pour over the fish filling.
5. Set aside to cool for 15 minutes ; preheat the oven to 400F (200C).
6. Roll out the potato pastry between two large sheets of plastic wrap to about the size and shape of the top o the pie dish.
7. Remove the top sheet of plastic and use the second sheet to help you lay the pastry on top o the filling and remove the sheet of plastic wrap.
8. Press and trim the pastry edges to neaten, and make a small slash in the center of the lid to allow steam to escape.
9. Brush the pastry with the milk, then sprinkle the top with the breadcrumbs.
10. Place the pie dish on a baking tray and bake for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350F (180C) and bake for a further 15 minutes until golden on top.

BON APPÉÉÉÉÉTIT

Chinese Slow-Cooked Pork

 

                    Star anise, soy and ginger add wonderful lavours to this deliciously tender pork joint casserole, simmered with shallots, carrots and mushrooms. Vegetables and rice noodles cooked in exotic, rich juices make this into a complete meal.

4 servings (438 calories per serving)

• 500 gr lean,boneless loin of pork with skin, tied firmly
• 1¾ cups diluted salt-reduced or homemade chicken stock, click here for recipe
• 2 tablespoons salt-reduced soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 15 gr resh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
• 3 star anise
• 4 shallots, halved
• 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced on the diagonal
• 6 scallions
• 30 gr dried Chinese mushrooms, soaked to rehydrate
• 125 gr oyster mushrooms, sliced or halved
• 250 gr dried flat rice noodles

1. Place the pork in a large flameproof casserole and pour over enough boiling water to cover.
2. Bring back to a boil on the stove, then pour off the water.
3. Add the stock, soy sauce, rice wine or sherry, honey, garlic, ginger, star anise, shallots and carrots to the casserole dish and bring to a bowl.
4. Thickly slice four of the scallions, roughly chopped the drained Chinese mushrooms and add both to the casserole ; reserve teh strained mushroom soaking liquid.
5. Cover and simmer gently on a very low heat for 1 hour, stirring the vegetables and basting the meat occasionally until everything is tender.
6. Add the oyster mushrooms for the last 20 minutes of the cooking time ; if necessary, top up using the reserved mushroom soaking liquid or more stock or water.
7. Meanwhile, cut the remaining scallions into 6 cm lengths, then cut lengthwise into fine shreds ; place in a bowl of iced water and leave to curl.
8. Soak the rice noodles in a bowl of boiling water for 4 minutes or until softened, then drain well.
9. Carefully lift the meat out of the casserole with a slotted spoon and keep hot.
10. Bring the juices to a boil on the stove, then add the rice noodles and remove the dish from the heat ; turn and stir the noodles to coat with the juices.
11. Slice the pork thinly.
12. Spread the noodles on a large shallow serving plate, using a slotted spoon to lift them from the casserole ; arrange the sliced meat and vegetables on top, then spoon over the casserole juices.
13. Scatter the scallion curls over the top as a garnish.

BON APPÉÉÉÉTIT

Beef in Ale with Horseradish Dumplings

 

                    A hearty beef and vegetable casserole that can be left to cook or made ahead and than reheated  beore serving. Cook the dumplings on top shortly before serving.

4 servings (611 calories per serving)

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 500 gr lean stewing beef, cubed
• 2 onions, sliced
• 1 tablespoon plain flour
• 2½ cups well-flavoured dark beer
• 1 tablespoon currant jelly
• 1 teaspoon whole-grain mustard
• 1 bay leaf
• 6 carrots, peeled and thickly sliced
• 200 gr baby or small turnips and quartered if necessary
• 4 large portobello mushrooms, thickly sliced

Dumplings

• 1¼ cups self-rising flour
• 6 sprigs of fresh flat-leaf parsley
• One-third cup cottage cheese
• 2 teaspoons horseradish sauce
• 2 tablespoons 1% milk, or as needed

1. Preheat the oven to 325F (160C).
2. Heat the oil in a large, heavy flameproof casserole dish and briefly fry the pieces of beef until they are nicely browned.
3. Lift the meat out of the casserole dish with a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate.
4. Add the onions to the pan, reduce the heat to medium and fry gently for about 10 minutes until golden.
5. Sprinkle flour over the onions, stir well and cook for 1 minute ; pour in the beer and bring to a boil, stirring well to dislodge any bits of food stuck to the base of the dish.
6. Add the currant jelly, mustard and bay leaf, then return the meat to the casserole dish, followed by the carrots, turnips and mushrooms.
7. Cover and transfer to the oven ; cook for 2 hours or until the meat is very tender.
8. Shortly before the end of the cooking time, make the dumplings.
9. Put the flour, a little seasoning and the parsley sprigs into a food processor amd process briefly to chop the parsley.
10. Mix the cottage cheese with the horseradish and milk and add to the processor ; mix to make a soft dough, adding a little more milk if necessary.
11. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and divide into eight equal portions ; roll each into a ball with floured hands.
12. Increase the oven temperature to 350F (180C).
13. Uncover the casserole dish, stir and season to taste ; gently place the dumplings on top of the meat and vegetables, but do not submerge them.
14. Cover, return to the oven and cook for a further 20 minutes.
15. Serve at once.

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