Tuesday 31 March 2020

FAST FOOD PASTA

FAST FOOD


FRESH PASTA
 

Hi and welcome to our vegetarian kitchen.

There are times when you want food and you want it fast.

The answer is fresh pasta, cooking time 2 minutes. It is quick, cheap and versatile. All good supermarkets sell it. Fridge life about 5 to 6 days, in a freezer it lasts about 6 months.

Try penne or tagliatelle, cook in boiling water, drain, add pesto (from a jar, about 1 tbsp) and black olives or capers. Serve in bowls and add grated cheese. 5 min meal.

Try tortellini stuffed with spinach, or sun dried tomatoes, cook in boiling water, drain, add a few drops of olive oil and grated parmesan cheese.

If you prefer a tomato sauce, simply heat a small tin of chopped tomatoes and add a teaspoon of oregano or basil.

If you like it hot - simply heat olive oil in a pan, add 2 or 3 cloves of crushed garlic and one chopped chilli. Pour over pasta, stir and serve.

You could also add chopped or crushed nuts e.g. pine nuts or walnuts for extra crunch.

Fresh basil is an excellent garnish for any pasta dish, to add instant freshness.

ENJOY!
 

Friday 20 March 2020

MOTHERS DAY



MOTHERS' DAY 2020

Hi and welcome again to our vegetarian kitchen. Give mum a day off and prepare her a lovely lunch. No restaurants open due to coronavirus. Mother's Day will be celebrated in the home.

MOTHER'S DAY RECIPES

Starter: WALDORF SALAD

Main course: STUFFED RED PEPPERS

Pudding, afters or dessert: CHOCOLATE MOUSSE


 

WALDORF SALAD

serves 4
 


INGREDIENTS
2 Red Apples (diced)

2 tablespoons Lemon Juice

2 oz Walnuts (chopped)

1 Stick Celery (chopped)

300g Carton Natural Yoghurt

4 Lettuce leaves


METHOD
Spoon lemon juice over apples to prevent them going brown. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.

Arrange on individual plates. Place lettuce leaves on each plate, pile the Waldorf Salad mixture on the lettuce. Serve.

 


ROAST RED PEPPERS

serves 4
2 Large Red Peppers

3 tablespoons oil

8oz (200g) Rice

1 Onion chopped finely

2 Fresh Tomatoes chopped

2 cloves Garlic (chopped or crushed)

Vegetable Stock (Oxo Green) made up to half pint

1 tablespoon parsley (dried) salt & pepper to taste.


METHOD
First.cook the rice. Always twice the volume of water to rice. Bring to boil, put on lid and simmer gently for 15 mins after which time all water should have been absorbed.

Next, cut peppers in half longways. Remove seeds and cores. Wash. Brush with oil outside and inside.

When rice is cooked, heat oil in pan, fry onions, tomatoes and garlic until soft. Remove from heat then add cooked rice and stir. Add a little vegetable stock to make a sticky mixture. Place the pepper halves in an ovenproof dish. Pile in rice mixture. Pour vegetable stock around the peppers. Cover with foil and cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour. (Gas Mark 4 or 180C/350F)

Serve with a green salad or mixed leaves.


CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

serves 4

INGREDIENTS
4oz Plain Dark Chocolate

4 Eggs separated

METHOD

First, separate the eggs. Put yolks in a small bowl and beat. Whites in a separate bowl.

Break chocolate into pieces and put in a small bowl with 5 teaspoons water. Place over hot water and stir until chocolate is smooth.

Next remove chocolate from heat, add egg yolks and stir. Leave to cool.

Whisk the egg whites until stiff enough to stand in peaks then fold them into the chocolate mixture until smooth. Put the mousse into 4 individual serving dishes and leave to set in the fridge.

You could 'lace' the mousse with rum or brandy, or alternatively decorate with cream. It depends how indulgent you are.

EN JOY! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL MUMS










Wednesday 4 March 2020

MACARONI CHEESE

  
Hello and welcome to our Vegetarian Kitchen and this week we have an old fashioned recipe which is ideal for lunch/supper and "easy eating" for children. Easy on the pocket, and nourishing - "MACARONI CHEESE".
 


MACARONI CHEESE

Serves 4 to 6
 


INGREDIENTS
400g Macaroni

2 oz Butter

2 oz Plain Flour

600ml (1 pint) Milk

6 - 8oz Mature Cheddar Cheese (grated)

Salt and pepper to taste


METHOD
Heat oven to 200C/400F/Gas Mark 6

Grease an oven dish (not tin)

Cook Macaroni in boiling water for 8 - 10 minutes. Drain in a colander.

Make a roux by melting the butter, stir in flour and mix, add milk gradually, stirring all the time to make the sauce smooth. Bring to the boil. Remove from heat, stir in Macaroni and 4-6oz cheese (keep 2oz cheese for topping).

Pour Macaroni into ovenproof dish, sprinkle remaining cheese over Macaroni. Bake for approximately 20 - 30 minutes until brown on top and bubbling.

Serve piping hot - a lovely supper dish.

To accompany this, a nice green salad of mixed leaves and cucumber.