Mini Lunch Meze and the evolution of meatballs…
On the menu, Spetzofai but this time just with green peppers and onions. Crunchy Fried Courgettes, dredged in coconut flour (by all means use plain flour). Whipped Feta Dip, so simple and delicious - please try it! Simple lettuce and onion salad, dressed with good olive oil and apple cider vinegar. Simplicity itself.
For the courgettes:
Slice them thinly, sprinkle with salt and leave for an hour. Pat dry then coat in a mixture of coconut (substitute plain if you wish) flour, ...
Crispy Tender Chicken Strips
Chicken breasts, marinated overnight in a simple Greek yoghurt, lemon and herb marinade. Coated in a yoghurt batter then dredged in flour, sesame seeds, seasoning and oven baked. Moist meets crunchy, leftovers would've been good! I could've called them goujons but it's a bit pretentious considering how simple this is.
Start off with good quality chicken breasts, none of that water injected rubbish :). Cut them into strips or chunks (but then reduce cooking time). Marinate for at least 3 ...
“Real Men don’t eat quiche”? Nuts!
Silly introduction but I've lost count how many times this has been said to me, anyhow this walnut crust version was gobbled up within 2 days!
I wanted a crumbly but firm crust without too much hassle, this is easier than normal pastry :-)
For the crust:
2 1/2 cups walnuts blitzed finely in your processor
2 tblsp butter
1 tblsp coconut oil
A generous pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper
Just whizz it all together until combined then press, using your hands, into ...
Spetzofai, a spicy Greek sausage and vegetable casserole.
I just love the name, sounds like something Hermione would say whilst pointing her wand! It's delicious, I got so excited when the very lovely Spyridoula (from the fantastic butcher in Ay Eufimia) me how to make and then even more so to eat :)
I don't know what it'll taste like for those of you who can't get Greek sausages though.. These sausages are the same thickness as regular "bangers", but have the texture of good frankfurters, very rustic and oh so delicious!
...
Lovely open pancake lunch
Left over fajitas from last night, there's no way I was throwing them away. None of us like waste do we?
A delicious healthy filling combining some of my favourite flavours, yum!
Sauté onions, bacon lardons, mushrooms, spinach, freshly ground black pepper, a grating of nutmeg in a pan. Add a spoon of cream or yoghurt if wished, I did :)
Warm the fajitas and spoon the filling over. Wipe the pan and fry two eggs. Add to the topping and dig in quick!
Chicken “pseudo schnitzel”
All hail the very versatile chicken breast :) Quick to prepare and equally quick to cook. BBQ, oven bake (roughly 20 mins on 180) or sear in a griddle pan.
Combine some ground almonds, grated lemon zest, oregano, sea salt and freshly ground black pepper in a shallow bowl.
Cut chicken breast in thickish slices, press firmly to coat with almond mix. Cook, whichever way you wish, leave it to rest for a minute or two. Served ours just with salad and a tangy mustard & lemon mayo. ...
Meltingly tender Kleftico
Lemons, oregano, garlic and wine for a winning and oh so tender lamb dish. We are in Greece after all, yum!
Ingredients for 2 very hungry people (with left overs if you can hold back...debatable on our boat)
1 small lamb leg (mine was just over a kilo)
1 red onion, chunked
2 cloves of garlic, unpeeled and bashed
Fresh oregano to taste and a couple of bay leaves
1/3 cup mild olive oil
1/3 cup white wine
2 tsp mild mustard
Zest and juice of 1 large juicy lemon
A little sea salt ...
Spicy Pork Lettuce Cups
Make a batch of the spiced mince then quick snacks are seconds away, works for me!
Ingredients:
Lettuce leaves (iceberg works well for this)
350g minced pork
Knob of grated ginger and 2 cloves of grated garlic
Finely diced fresh chilli to suit your taste buds
Little olive oil, splash of soy sauce, freshly ground black pepper
Combine well and leave for an hour so flavours are absorbed.
Heat a little oil in a large shallow frying pan, stir fry the mince until well cooked ...
Herby Meatballs
A very easy make ahead dish, tastes great warmed up after a long day at sea!
Ingredients for the meatballs:
250g minced beef (or pork or chicken?)
1 small red onion, very finely diced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 tsp ground cumin and ground coriander
Finely chopped herbs, I used parsley, mint and dill (chop double, 1/2 is for sauce)
1 tbsp ground almonds
A little sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Just combine all ingredients very well, shape into balls (I made ...
Soufflé Egg Muffins
Easy peasy but they do sink a bit when they cool..
This made enough for 6 deep muffins.
4 eggs, separated
2 slices Parma ham
1 finely diced red onion
1 medium sized grated courgette (zucchini if that makes more sense?)
1 medium sized grated carrot
Pepper and herbs (I used oregano)
Set oven to 180
Whisk egg whites until stiff.
Mix all other ingredients together, add a spoon of egg white to loosen the mixture and then gently fold in the egg whites.
Pour into a VERY well greased muffin ...
