Category Archives: Entrees

Morroccan Eggplant and Apricot Pies

Meat, Snacks & Appetizers

**Harissa, a North African chile sauce , lends heat to these hand pies.  Brand vary in intensity, so taste yours first.  If it seems fiery , start with a little, and cook a portion of the meat to taste.  You can also make your own sauce.

Dried apricots and harissa give sweetness and spice to a meaty filling wrapped in a buttery, flaky crust.

This is a recipe I found in Martha Stewart magazine in 2007.

Makes 40

FOR THE FILLING

  • 3                   tbsp extra-virgin oil
  • 1/2                medium eggplant, peeled and cut into
  •                      1/2″  cubes (about 2 1/4 cups)
  • 1 1/2             lbs.  Ground Beef mix
  • 2                  slices white bread, torn into large pieces 
  • 1/4               cup whole milk 
  • 2                  tsp green masala
  • 1                  small onion, coarsely chopped
  • 1                  large egg 
  •                     Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper 
  • 1 1/4            lb ground chuck (80 percent to 85 percent lean)
  • 1/2                cup chopped dried apricots
  • 3                    tbsp Harissa

FOR THE CRUST

  • 1                    recipe Short Crust Pastry
  •                       extra flour for dusting
  • 1                    large egg, slightly beaten, for the wash
  • 1                    tbsp cold water

INSTRUCTION

Make the filling:

  1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium – high heat.  Cook eggplant with salt, stirring occasionally, until tender and slightly golden, about 5 minutes.  Let cool.
  2. Mix together eggplant, meat, apricots, and harissa until just combined.  Divide into 40 and shape into a small sausage.
  3. Make the short crust pastry and make 4 disks.  Roll out 1 disk at a time to 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
  4. Cut into 5 inch circles.  Refrigerate scrapes if needed.
  5. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Lightly brush edges of 1 dough circle with egg wash.  Top with 1 portion of meat.  Fold dough to encase filling, forming a half moon.  Carefully press around edges to seal.  Press with a fork.  Make a vent in the top using a skewer or a kniife.  Repeat with remaining dough and meat, transferring pies to parchment lined baking sheets.  Refrigerate until dough is very firm, about an hour or freeze for 30 min.
  6. Brush tops with eggwash.   Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until golden and filling is cooked through,  about 40 minutees.  Let cool for 10 minutes.

Make Ahead:

Uncooked pies can be frozen,  wrapped in plastic, for up to a month.  Proceed with baking instruction(no extra  baking time needed)

Meat Mix
small sausage         
Filled Pies

Fried Kebab

Meat, Snacks & Appetizers

Also known as Kari(black) Kebab

Ingredients

  • 1                 lb. lean ground beef
  • 2                 slices day old bread
  • 1/2              small onion
  • 1/2              small tomato
  • 1                 tbsp green masala 
  • 1/2              tsp crushed cumin seeds
  • 1/2              tsp crushed black pepper
  • 1/ 2             tsp corriander seeds
  • 1                 tsp salt
  •  1/4             tsp garam masala
  • 1                 tbsp finely chopped cilantro
  • 6                 cups oil for frying

Instructions

  1. In a food processor make bread crumbs with the bread. Add this to the meat.
  2. In the food processor blend the onion and tomato, add this to the meat. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
  3. Heat oil in a wok to 350 degrees. (the oil is hot, when you put the handle of the wooden spoon in the oil and little tiny bubbles form around the handle).
  4. Roll the meat into 1″ balls and deep fry  for about 10 min turning after 5 min. The kebabs will turn dark.
  5. Serve with Tamarind Chutney, Coconut Chutney or fresh lemon.

Beef Fajitas

Entrees, Meat

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2                 lb beef boneless sirloin steak 
  • 1/4                    cup vegetable oil 
  • 1/4                    cup red wine vinegar 
  • 1                       tsp sugar 
  • 1                       tsp dried oregano leaves 
  • 1                       tsp chili powder 
  • 1                       tsp finely chopped garlic 
  • 1/2                    tsp salt 
  • 10                     large flour tortillas 
  • 2                       large onions sliced 
  • 2                       medium green peppers, cut into 1/4 inch stripes 
  • 2                       cups shredded lettuce 
  • 1                       cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz) 
  • 1                       cup Salsa 
  • 1                       cup Guacamole 
  • 1                       cup sour cream

Instructions

 

  1. Trim excess fat from beef steak, Slice the beef in thin stripes, (1/4″ x 2″) 
  2. Add 1/4 cup oil, vinegar, sugar, oregano, chilli powder, garlic, salt, and pepper, mix and let it rest for at least an hour. 
  3. Heat a large frying pan, add the meat and cook till the meat is done and the liquid has evaporated.  
  4. Add the onions and green pepper and mix.  
  5. Wrap tortillas in aluminum foil and heat in 325 degree oven until warm, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven; keep tortillas wrapped.
  6. For each serving, put some lettuce, some beef mixture, cheese, salsa, guacamole and sour cream in the centre of the tortilla. Fold one end up about 1 inch over beef mixture; fold right and left sides over folded end and roll up.

Guacamole                                                             Salsa

Guacamole

Salsa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Madras Chicken Curry

Entrees, Poultry

 

Madras curry is a hot curry that originated in Madras, south of India. It got its name from the British Merchants who arrived in India in the 15th century.  The name Madras curry is not used in India, it was invented in restaurants in Britain.

This curry can be vegetarian or made with meat. It has its origins in Hindu culture and thus authentic recipes are vegetarian.

There are many variations on Madras curry as cooking in India is more a domestic practice than a cuisine governed by the conventions of chefs, restaurants, or texts. Availability of local or locally available ingredients is central to regional Indian foods. The end result of the signatures of Madras curries can be achieved through different means; the result often being that of: red color;  toasty spices; tomato paste, and the smoothness of coconut  the sour-sweet fruitiness of apples..

Madras curry powder is a variety of spices roasted and grinded together.  You can buy Curry powder in a supermarket or an Indian grocery store. 

If meat is used it may be lamb, beef, or chicken. When made of beef or lamb it is called Gosht (or Ghoust) Madras. The meat makes the curry slightly more creamy. 

Food Pictures Jan 2013 004

Ingredients

  • 1              chicken (skinned and cut into 10 pieces)
  • 1/4            cup vegetable oil
  • 4              medium onions
  • 1               tbsp madras curry powder
  • 1               tsp red chili powder(optional
  • 1               tsp salt
  • 2               tbsp green masala 
  • 1               small can(6 oz) tomato Paste
  • 1               can coconut milk (400ml)
  • 2               granny smith apples
  • 1               juice of lemon
  • 1/4            cup chopped cilantro

Instructions

  1. Remove all the fat from the chicken and rinse it in cold water.  Leave it aside.
  2. Peel and thinly slice 2 onions.
  3. In a medium saucepan heat the oil and fry  the onions till they are golden brown.  Lower the heat to medium.
  4. Add the curry powder, chili powder, salt,  green masala and tomato paste.  Cook stirring for about 5 minutes.
  5. Add the coconut milk and mix well.
  6. Grate or in a blender grind the  apples and the remaining 2 onions.   Add this to the curry sauce.  Cover and cook for about 15 minutes stirring occasionally.
  7. Add the chicken and cook for about 15 minutes or till the chicken is cooked. 
    Add the lemon juice, and mix.

  8. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro before serving.
  9. Serve with naan or rice.

Falafel

Snacks & Appetizers, vegetarian

Falafel are spicy Bean Patties

Makes 35 patties

Ingredients

  • 1/2              lb split broad/fava beans 
  • 1/2              lb split chick peas 
  • 2                 cloves garlic, crushed 
  • 1                 large brown onion 
  • 4                 large spring onions, finely chopped 
  • 1                 hot red or green pepper 
  • 4                 large spring onions, finely chopped 
  • 1                 level tbsp baking soda 
  • 3                 tbsp white flour 
  • 1                 cup finely chopped parsley 
  • 1                 tsp ground coriander 
  • 1                 tsp ground cumin 
  • 1                 tsp salt 
  • 1/2              tsp black pepper 
  • 6                 cups oil for frying

Instructions

  1. Soak split broad beans and split chick peas in cold water overnight. In the morning rinse it in cold water and drain it. Add the garlic, onion, chilly pepper, spring onion, parsley and grind it to a fine paste in a food processor. Add the rest of the ingredients as well and let it rest for at least an hour.
  2. Take a walnut-size lump of mixture and mould into round flat shapes 1 1/2″ in diameter and deep fry them in 350 degree hot oil for about 5 minutes, turning them over.
  3. You can use a falafel maker and fry them.

Kafta on Skewers

Entrees, Meat

20130730-133845.jpg

In the past meat was not always plentiful or of good quality. To overcome these problems it was either ground or cut into small pieces and cooked with cereals and vegetables to absorb the nutrients and flavour of the juices and to make the meat go further.

Mixed spice is available in a Lebanese or Iranian grocery store. It is a mixture of allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cinnamon oil.

Kafta mixture is basically finely ground meat, made up of either lamb or beef.

Ingredients

  • 2                  lbs finely ground beef or lamb 
  • 1                  cup finely chopped parsley 
  • 1                  tsp crushed garlic 
  • 1                  tsp crushed ginger 
  • 1                  tsp mixed spices 
  • 1                  cup finely chopped onions 
  • 2                  tsp salt 
  • 1/2               tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl and knead well.
  2. With wet fingers, mould the kafta mixture into meat balls slightly larger than an egg. Thread a skewer through each meat ball and mould the meat into a finger shape along the skewers.
  3. Gently barbecue or grill the meat, making sure not to overcook as it will dry out.
  4. To serve: 
  5. Remove the meat from the skewer with an open piece of Labanese bread, which are then left around the meat to make juicy sandwiches. The sandwiches are served with Yoghurt soup.
  6. The kafta may be served without bread with a salad.

Khichdo(Khichro)

Entrees, Meat

 

Ingredients

  • 1                  cup wheat
  • 1/3               cup toor daal
  • 1/3               cup mung daal
  • 1/3               cup chana daal
  • 2                  lb beef
  • 2                  med onions
  • 1/4               cup vegetable oil
  • 1                  1” piece cinnamon stick
  • 5                  cardamom
  • 5                  cloves
  • 1/2               tsp black pepper
  • 1/2               tsp cumin seeds
  • 2                  medium tomatoes
  • 2                  tbsp green masala
  • 1                  tbsp dhana jeera
  • 1/4               tsp haldi
  • 1/2               tsp red chili powder
  • 2                  tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/2               tsp citric acid or
  • 2                  lemons
  • 1/4               cup chopped cilantro
  • 1                  tsp garam masala

Instructions

  1. Rinse and soak wheat in cold water overnight.
  2. Rinse and soak all the daals in cold water overnight.
  3. Cut meat into 1/2″ cube.
  4. Peel and slice the onions.
  5. Dice the tomatoes to 1/4″.
  6. In a large saucepan heat the oil. Add cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black pepper and cumin seeds. Add the sliced onions and fry till the onions are a light gold colour. Add the tomatoes, green masala, dhana jeera, haldi, chilli powder and tomato paste, salt and citric acid.
  7. Add the meat, wheat, and the daal.  Add 4 cups water and mix well.  Cook in a preheated 350 degree oven for about an hour or till the meat and the wheat are cooked.
  8. Mix well and serve, sprinkled with garam masala and chopped cilantro.

Potato chops (Batata Champ)

Meat, Snacks & Appetizers

Potato Chops

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Makes 20 

Ingredients

  • 2              lbs lean ground beef
  • 1/4           cup water
  • 2              tsp salt
  • 2              tsp green masala
  • 1              tsp freshly ground cumin
  • 1              tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 3              medium onions
  • 2              tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1              level tsp garam masala
  •                 boiling water
  • 1/2           tsp salt
  • 1/2           tsp red chili powder
  • 1               Idahoan mashed potato
  • 4             eggs
  • 6             cups oil for frying

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan cook the ground beef with water on medium heat, stirring and breaking the lumps until the colour of the meat starts to change.
  2. Add salt, green masala, ground cumin and ground black pepper.  Continue cooking until all the water has evaporated and the mixture is completely dry.
  3. When mixture is cool add chopped onions, chopped cilantro and garam masala.
  4. In a large bowl pour boiling hot water, salt and chilli powder.  Add the mashed potato and mix well.  Let it cool.
  5. Divide the potatoes into 20 and roll them into a ball the size of a golf ball.
  6. Roll the ball in bread crumbs and press it into to a patty in the palm of your hands.  The patty should be about 2 1/2 inches round.  Put 1 tbsp meat mixture in the centre and cover the meat with the potatoes.  Use more bread crumbs if necessary.  Shape it into a round.
  7. Make all the chops first and then fry them.
  8. Break the eggs and beat them.  Add a  4 tbsp water and beat  well.
  9. Heat the oil in a wok to medium hot.  (The oil is ready when, if you put the end of the wooden spoon in oil and small bubbles form around it).
  10. Deep 1 chops at a time in eggs and deep fry it for 3 minutes turning once.  (The oil should cover the chops).  You can fry 5 chops at a time depending on the size of the wok.

Serve it with green chutney and lemon.

Idahoan Mashed Potato

You can use fresh potatoes too.

Ingredients

  • 5             lbs russet potatoes
  • 1             tsp salt
  • 1/2          tsp chilly powder
  • 1             tbsp chopped cilantro

Instructions

  1. Peel and cub the potatoes in 1” cube.
  2. Half feel a large saucepan with water.
  3. Put the cubed potatoes in a colander and steam the potatoes till they are soft, about 15 minutes.
  4. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher.
  5. Add the salt, red chilly powder, chopped cilantro and mix well.
  6. Let the mixture cool a little.
  7. Make a ball about the size of a golf ball, and roll it in bread crumbs.
  8. On a piece of plastic wrap or a plastic bag flatten the ball into a 3” round.
  9. Add one and ah half tablespoon meat mixture, pick up the plastic and make a round potato chop.
  10. Remove the plastic make a smooth potato chop, dip it in beaten egg and fry for 2 minutes on each side.
  11. Drain on paper towel

  Flatten Potato Patty Potato Patty with the filling                        

Hoummus

Dips, Chutneys, Preserves and Pickles, Gluten Free, vegetarian

Hoummus is a Chick Pea Dip served with Pita Bread.

 Hummous

Makes about 3 cups

Ingredients

  • 1           can garbanzo beans 
  • 2           teaspoon salt 
  • 2           cloves garlic 
  • 3/4        cup tahini paste 
  • 1/2        cup lemon juice

For Garnish

  • 2                    tbsp chopped parsley  
  • pinch             cayenne pepper  
  •                       a few chick peas

Instructions

  1. Drain the chick peas and rinse it in cold water. 
  2. Puree the chick peas and garlic in a food processor or a blender. 
  3. Add the salt, tahini paste and lemon juice and mix well.
    If the mixture is too thick add some water, it should be a thick creamy consistency.
    Adjust salt and lemon to taste.
  4. Serve on a platter garnished with a pinch of cayenne pepper, parsley and the reserved chick peas.

Moroccan Lamb Shanks

Entrees, Meat

This is a recipe I got from the Internet

Serves: 4

Ingredients
  • 2                   tablespoons olive oil
  • 4                   lamb shanks
  • 1                   brown onion, finely chopped
  • 1                   red chilli, finely sliced
  • 2                   cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1                   bunch cilantro, stalks, finely chopped
  • 1-½              tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1                   tsp chilli powder
  • 1                   tsp ground coriander
  • 1                   tsp ground cumin
  • 1                   tsp ground turmeric
  • 1                   400g can chopped tomatoes
  • 4                   cups beef stock
  • 1                   400g chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • Pinch          saffron threads
  • 100               gms baby spinach, washed and spun dry
Method
  1. Heat olive oil in a pressure cooker on a medium-high heat, brown the lamb shanks all over, then remove and set aside.
  2. Reduce the heat and add the onions, sauté until soft, add the chilli, garlic and coriander stalks, cook for 1 minute. Stir in the paprika, chilli powder, coriander, cumin and turmeric.
  3. Return the lamb shanks back to the pressure cooker and turn to coat in the mixture.
  4. Add the tomatoes and enough stock to cover the shanks. Increase heat to high and bring to the boil, cover with lid and when pressure cooker starts whistling, lower heat to medium low. Cook for 55-60 minutes, remove lid and remove lamb shanks, cover to keep warm.
  5. Stir through the chickpeas and saffron, simmer for 10 minutes. Add remaining stock if mixture is too thick. Stir through the spinach and turn off heat.

For polenta:

pour the stock into a saucepan, place over a high heat and bring to the boil, remove from heat, add the polenta and whisk continually until smooth. Add the butter 50g at a time, add pine nuts and season.
To serve:

spoon polenta onto a plate, top with a lamb shank, spoon over the sauce and top with coriander leaves to serve.

Notes: Preparation: 10 minutes
Cooking: 1 hour 40 minutes