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Tag Archives: food

Cacio e Pepe (Creamy Cheesy Pasta with Pepper)

02 Thursday Jan 2025

Posted by wrks4me in Home

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Tags

dinner, food, pasta, Recipe, Recipes

The easiest way to a creamy pasta dish

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. Spaghetti
  • 7 to 8 ounces (1 cup) Pecorino Romano Cheese (grated very fine) divided into two separate bowls
  • Ground black pepper corns to taste

Directions

  1. In a dry pan, toast black pepper corn over low heat to release their aroma (only a few moments required)
  2. Take off heat and finely grind using a pepper grinder or mortar and pestle
  3. Bring a hot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to directions (do not overcook)
  4. Note: do not through out pasta water
  5. In a small heat proof bowl add one half of the cheese and about 2-3 tablespoons of pasta water and stir to make a paste
  6. In a new pan which is off the heat, add the black pepper and add about1 1/2 oz of pasta water to warm the pan. Add the pasta and cheese paste and mix vigorously to develop a creamy sauce
  7. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over top and continue to toss until the cheese melts through
  8. If required add a little bit of reserved pasta water to ensure the sauce is creamy

Serve and enjoy

Recipe Source

Chicken Pot Pie

30 Monday Dec 2024

Posted by wrks4me in Main Dishes, wrks4me - Recipes

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Tags

Chicken, dinner, food, Recipe, Recipes

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped (1 tsp dry)
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped (1 tsp dry)
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup half and half cream
  • 1 rotisserie chicken, shredded or diced
  • 2 medium potatoes
  • 1 cup frozen peas & carrots or mixed vegetables

Topping

  • Puff pastry or homemade pastry (see below)
  • Grated parmesan cheese for top
  • 1 egg
  • Sea salt or kosher salt for top

Directions

  1. If using frozen puff pastry make sure to thaw for at least an hour
  2. Meanwhile boil potatoes for 8-10 minutes until they are tender but not completely cooked.
  3. After they are cooked put into cold water while preparing the pie filling
  4. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  5. In a large skillet or pot, heat butter and oil over medium heat
  6. Add onion, celery and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes
  7. Add the seasonings and herbs, stirring for about a minute
  8. Sprinkle flour into pan and combine with mixture
  9. Whisk in the chicken broth and half and half cream until smooth
  10. Bring to a boil until it thickens, about 2 minutes
  11. Add the chicken, potatoes and frozen peas and carrots
  12. Pour into an baking dish and top with puff pastry or homemade pastry
  13. Poke some vent holes with a knife
  14. Brush with egg wash and then sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese and sea salt
  15. Bake for 30-45 minutes or until browned and the pastry is cooked through

Homemade pastry

  • 2 cups of all purpose flour
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup pure lard or butter (I prefer lard)
  • 1 egg
  • 2 Tbsp ice cold water
  • 1 Tbsp white vinegar

Directions

  1. Combine flour and salt into a mixing bowl. Cut lard or butter into flour with two knifes or pastry knife until mixture is uniform and resembles coarse crumbs
  2. Beat egg, water and vinegar together to blend. Pour all the liquid over flour mixture. Stir with fork until mixture is moistened
  3. If needed, divide dough in half and shape into a ball. Flatten each into a circle about 4″ and wrap and chill dough in refrigerator about 15 minutes for easier rolling
  4. Roll a portion of dough required (I use both portions together) to cover to of pot pie. Dust rolling pin and work surface lightly with flour. Roll dough to a uniform thickness.
  5. Gently place over pot pie without stretching and trim, flute and bake.

Note: Making dough in a food processor (easy)

  1. Add the flour mixture and small pieces of lard or butter into a food processor
  2. Pulse a few times to make a course mixture. Pour a little at a time the egg, water and vinegar mixture, while pulsing
  3. Remove dough and If needed, divide dough in half and shape into a ball. Flatten each into a circle about 4″ and wrap and chill dough in refrigerator about 15 minutes for easier rolling
  4. Roll a portion of dough required (I use both portions together) to cover to of pot pie. Dust rolling pin and work surface lightly with flour. Roll dough to a uniform thickness.
  5. Gently place over pot pie without stretching and trim, flute and bake.

Enjoy

Recipe Source

Stir It Up…Stir Fry

29 Monday Jul 2024

Posted by wrks4me in International Dishes, Main Dishes, wrks4me - Recipes

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Tags

food, Recipe, Recipes, Stir Fry, vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups chicken stock (preferably low sodium)
  • 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar or (Asian black vinegar ie. Chinkiang Asian vinegar)
  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon light soya sauce (light sodium preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce (or vegan oyster sauce)
  • 1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch (flower)
  • 1 tablespoon (3 cloves) mined garlic
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Choice of protein if desired (sliced beef, sliced chicken or shrimp)
  • Choice of sliced vegetables (carrots, broccoli, onions, snow peas, celery, cauliflower, bok choy)
  • Cooking oil

Directions for Stir Fry Sauce

In a bowl or a container with a lid add: broth, vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, oyster sauce, corn starch, white pepper (do not add ginger or garlic at this stage). Mix together ingredients.

Directions for Stir Fry

  1. Over high heat, add a tablespoon of cooking oil to a fry pan or wok
  2. Add your protein, and stir fry it. Adding a little water and cover the pan will add some steam to the help cooking
  3. When almost cooked remove protein and add some more cooking oil
  4. Stir fry the onions then add your prepared vegetable and if necessary add a little water and cover to steam them
  5. Add your minced ginger and garlic (adding these aromatics at this stage will prevent them from burning
  6. When almost cooked add back your protein and stir together
  7. Make a “well” on the side or middle and add your sauce mixture
  8. The sauce will thicken and mix it into the vegetable/protein mixture (if necessary add a little more corn starch to thicken)

Serve over rice or by itself and enjoy

Bravo Beef Stroganoff

10 Monday Jun 2024

Posted by wrks4me in Home, Main Dishes

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Tags

Beef, dinner, Egg Noodles, food, Recipe, Recipes, Sour Cream

Ingredients

  • 1 pound cooked roast beef or steak
  • 1 medium onion sliced or diced
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 8 ounces of button mushrooms, quartered
  • 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dry thyme
  • 2 tablespoons of all purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups of beef broth
  • 1/4 cup dry parsley leaves or 1/2 cup fresh
  • 5 tablespoons of butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 10 oz of broad or wide egg noodles

Directions

  1. Add 1 tablespoon of butter to a skillet and add onion
  2. Cook onions until soft
  3. Add garlic and cook for about a minute or until fragrant
  4. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and cook mushrooms
  5. Add thyme and beef broth and whisk the sauce till smooth
  6. Fold in sour cream and continue to whisk
  7. Add the beef and parsley and cover
  8. Meanwhile cook the egg noodles for about 11-13 minutes
  9. Drain and add remaining butter
  10. Fold noodles into sauce
  11. Add salt and pepper if needed and serve with a dollop of sour cream on top

Enjoy

Sweet Chili Chicken

22 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by wrks4me in Home, International Dishes, Main Dishes, wrks4me - Recipes

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Tags

Chicken, dinner, food, Recipe, Recipes

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz. skinless boneless chicken breast/thigh, cut into small pieces
  • oil (enough for deep-frying, about 2″)
  • 1 tablespoon oil for frying garlic
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 4 tablespoons bottled sweet chili sauce (you can also use your favourite Asian sauce like lemon sauce or sweet and sour sauce or even plum sauce)
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice (optional)
  • 1 pinch salt

Frying Batter:

  • 1 egg white
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup corn starch
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
  • 1/2 cup water (ice cold)
  • 1 pinch salt

Directions:

  1. Put all the batter ingredients into a bowl along with the chicken
  2. Put frying oil into a wok or pan to a depth of at least 2″
  3. Heat oil till oil begins to simmer, do not overheat. You can test oil by putting a wooden skewer in oil and bubbles form. If bubbling hard, oil is too hot.
  4. Gently place the battered chicken into the oil and deep-fry until the chicken is golden brown
  5. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate lined with a paper towel to absorb excess oil.
  6. Heat another pan over medium heat and add the oil for the garlic. Fry until fragrant and add the chicken to the pan along with sweet chili sauce, lime juice and salt. Continue to toss until chicken is coated with sauce.
  7. Serve right away to keep crispy

Enjoy

Based on the original recipe

Baked Buttered Chicken

18 Monday Mar 2024

Posted by wrks4me in International Dishes

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Tags

Chicken, dinner, food, Recipe, Recipes

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds of boneless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 6 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger
  • 2 tablespoons garam masala
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1-2 teaspoons cayenne pepper, use to your taste
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 can (14 ounce) full-fat coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons cold, salted butter, sliced
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped or parsley
  • Steamed rice and naan, for serving

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°.
  2. In a bowl, combine the chicken, yogurt, garlic, ginger, garam masala, cumin, turmeric, cayenne pepper, and 1 teaspoon salt. Let sit 5 minutes.
  3. Add the onion, then pour over the coconut milk. Add the tomato paste. Stir until creamy and well-mixed. Arrange the butter slices over the chicken. Bake 30-40 minutes, until the chicken is cooked throughout. Top with cilantro or parsley.
  4. Serve the chicken and sauce over rice and naan.

Enjoy!

Spanish Beans

07 Thursday Dec 2023

Posted by wrks4me in Home, Side Dishes

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Tags

dinner, food, Recipes, vegan, vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp of olive oil
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 4 gloves of garlic minced
  • 1 Tbsp of sherry or apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup vegetable or chicken broth
  • 2 1/2 cups of beans (white kidney or cannelloni beans or butter beans)
  • 1 cup tomato sauce or approx. 5 tomatoes grated
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 5 roasted red peppers in a jar diced
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Parsley

Directions

  1. Put oil, onion and garlic into a pan and cook on medium heat until onions are translucent
  2. Add the tomato sauce, paprika and vinegar stirring constantly
  3. After about 3 minutes add the beans (drained), broth, salt and pepper and slowly cook for 10 minutes
  4. Add the roasted red peppers and gently mix and parsley

Enjoy

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